Thursday, March 12, 2015

SPRING BREAK - ROAD TRIP PART 2 - DAY 5

We left California bright and early. I drove six of the hours. Arielle drove the final two hours. It took us nine hours.  The roads were great - other than the two semis that zipped in front of me without signaling...yes, I did honk. 
 
Note I left the seat in Michael's laid back position
 We stopped at a couple of rest areas but didn't really STOP until Yreka -  the halfway mark. The kids wanted breakfast at Black Bear Diners. We've noted we like the one in Yreka better than the one in Redding.

No photos - but we checked into our hotel. So happy to have one room free.  We went over and surprised Grandpa.

When Krista got off work she joined us. She was scheduled to work at a health fair at her place of employment, one of the local middle schools.  The school just happens to be the same public school where I went to 7-9th grade. Lots more bars but all else looks the same.  Stacia dutifully went from station to station getting her passport stamped. Here we learn that the food industry uses yellow, red and orange in their advertising because these colors make you hungry. LOL

 
Krista was assigned with safety and crowd control for the fire dancing. Believe it or not, we were informed this is good for your health. ::snort:: We got the sense they are used to preforming in much less clothing.
 
This man burned his arm and singed his hair...
 
This man caught his pants on fire - I.am.not.making.this.up!  The photos of his pants on fire had to be deleted - unfortunately he is into gangsta style and it showed much of his body I don't want to remember!
 
This performer is one of the science teachers at the school
 
 
We were totally wiped out and came home to sleep after the health and wellness fair. 

Spring Break - Road Trip

I suppose it's endearing, but it's starting to freak me out. Michael has taught Nolan how to change a tire, the chains and tools are in the van, the oil is changed.....and if we don't hit a "spring snow storm," we'll be fine.  Long time friends KNOW my record with passes and snow...and so I'm praying for nice weather...and no flights off  mountain tops. Seriously.

Nolan has been instructed that of the three adults going on this trip (Arielle, himself and me) HE is the one that stays awake. The significance being  WE are the drivers. He's riding shot gun and is tasked with talking - a lot.

Shoot! What could happen on a road trip???? ::sigh::

Bags are packed. We had enough hotel points  to get one hotel room free and we'll pay for the other - not the hotel we wanted to stay at....but on the other hand not the cheapest hotel either. I found one at 1/2 this price on West 6th and Michael said, "No."

The kids and I are heading to Oregon. Shhhhh....we may be surprising my Dad....but Mom knows we're coming....

For those unaware, the last really big road trip I took, without Michael, included a 9. earthquake, a tsunami,  communication black out from the family, and 8 days trying to hop a ride home. 

The chances of repeating that are VERY slim...and this time I have all the Gherkins with ME.....maybe that's why Michael is making sure I have tools, water, food, sleeping bag.... maybe it's why Stacia keeps asking, "Why can't we take the train?"

Arielle and I are confident. Krista does this alone - we've got it. It's time to do this thing -  get out there and have adventures. ::ye haw::