Home from Lewiston

It is a beautiful Saturday evening here in Birch Bay. Our time camping with Max and then with Brandon, Danalyn, Max and Christopher in Lewiston was filled with lots of fun activities.

We spent our first night of camping in Leavenworth. We arrived there about 9:00 p.m. after a busy day of working and then getting on the road a little later than we had planned. Max was a trooper though and did a great job as traveler.

Thursday morning we were on the road about 9:30 and arrived at Ponderosa Falls in Cheney, WA about 3:00 p.m. The first thing we found out was that Ron had only made reservations for two nights instead of three. After some talking to the camp register, we found out that we could stay the third night, we would just have to move to a new spot on Saturday ~ not a problem we decided. After setting up camp we all decided it was time to go swimming. It is fun to be in the water with Max, known affectionately as "the fish." Max was in the water so long that his eyes hurt from the chlorine, though that didn't stop him from swimming on Friday or Saturday.

On Friday, Ron and Max decided to ride their bikes to the store (about a mile from the campground) to get a loaf of bread. Well, their two mile trip turned into about 10 miles as they forgot to make a turn and rode about 4 miles out of their way ~ they arrived at a beer distribution plant and Grandpa realized that wasn't any where near where they were supposed to be so they turned around. After finding their way to the store they came back to camp pretty exhausted and hungry. Grandma made a lunch of tuna sandwiches along with some chips. We tried to eat outside but the bees were out numbering us so we retreated into the motor home. In the afternoon Grandpa and Max played a round of minature golf ~ Max came out the winner. In the evening there was another swimming adventure.

Saturday morning we moved to a new spot, just across from where we had been originally. Grandma did some cross-stitching, Max and Grandpa went swimming (again) and just had a pretty relaxing day. Sprinkled in the mix of things was playing the Wii ~ Max beat Grandma at bowling and Grandpa at tennis.

Sunday morning we broke camp and drove to Lewiston ~ it took us about 3 hours. Max kept asking "how soon till we get home" ~ we think he was anxious to see his folks and Christopher. Sunday afternoon we just spent time relaxing and playing with the grandkids and chatting with Brandon and Danalyn.

Monday, Ron took Brandon and Danalyn to work ~ the Explorer had a dead battery so Ron chauferred firrst Brandon then Danalyn to work. We (Max, Ron and I) then went for a ride to Orofino and the surrounding area. We read some highway signs that talked about the story of the Ant and the YellowJacket and other Indian lore. We had a good day of sight-seeing and checking out the area around Lewiston.

Tuesdsay we caught up on the laundry and hung out at the house while Ron ran errands and got a new battery and cables for the Explorer. In the evening we stayed with Christopher while Brandon and Danalyn with with Max to the ice cream social at his new school and where he met his new teacher.

Wednesday was the first day of school for Max and Brandon. While they were at school and Danalyn and Christopher were at work and day care Ron and I went to the Native American Interpretive Center and did some more sight seeing on our own. Wednesday night we all went out to dinner to celebrate the first day of school ~ both Max and Brandon said their day went well and Max even made a new friend, Julian.

Thursday morning we were up and on the road headed for home about 10:00. We arrived in Birch Bay about 7:00 p.m. after a pretty uneventful day of traveling. In our travels, Ron found a scale and weighed the motor home ~ we are 18,000 lbs +! We are going to try to eliminate some things from the motor home before our big trip begins in September. Ron figured out our gas mileage and we averaged 5.5 mpg! He is always happy if we get 5 miles per gallon or more!

Friday we both returned to work and then spent the evening with Jamie, Suzanne, and Opal as well as Wendy, Bryce and Oliver for a hot dog bbq and time around the campfire. It was a nice way to end the week.

Saturday morning found Ron doing one job for a friend and then we ran errands and then relaxed the rest of the day.

Thanks for reading about our trip and what we are busy doing. Hope everyone is well and enjoying each day.

Alice

Here it is Saturday night and I am enjoying watching Ron and Max play golf on the Wii.

To catch you up on what we have been doing ~ Our trip to Boise/Lewiston went well though we returned one day later than planned. Ron was busy helping Brandon set up beds, the crib, put in an air conditioner and helped to move furniture into place. I got lots of Grammy time with Christopher and Max. Wednesday afternoon found the four of us taking a break and going swimming. Both boys so enjoy the water.

We left Lewiston about 10:00 on Thursday morning and got into Blaine about 7:00. After picking up Charlie Brown and moving the motor home to Beachwood, Ron found himself fixing the trailer lights and then we had a late night dinner of pizza from the C Shop.

Friday, Jamie, Suzanne, Opal and Oliver (Suzanne's nephew) came to visit for the afternoon. Lots of action happened on the Wii and the boys played at the play ground together. All in all it was a good day.

This morning Ron was not feeling well so Max and I went and did a couple of loads of laundry. While doing laundry Max went swimming. Then this afternoon he went swimming again at Beachwood, playing pool volleyball with a group of kids. We then went grocery shopping and had a delightful dinner of fried chicken and seafood salad. Glad to report that Ron was feeling better by the time Max and I got back from swimming.

Our plans for camping have changed a bit as Ron has a couple of days of work to do. We will be going to Quincy, WA on Wednesday and then onto Cheney, WA for Thursday - Sunday. Sunday we will return to Lewiston for four days and then return home on Thursday, August 27.

Well, that's all the news from here so I will close for now. Hope everyone reading this is having a great August!

It's August Already!

It's August Already! I can't believe I didn't post once during the month of July. Bad me :(

July was a pretty laid back month for us. I was sick with bronchitis for a couple of weeks (maybe that's why I didn't blog). We did go camping with a group from our church, Northwood Alliance, to Newhalem, WA. We experienced thunder/lightening storms, a couple of downpours, enjoyed watching the kidlets play in the rain, went on a couple of good hikes and all around had a great time with friends. We celebrated Ron's 54th birthday having dinner with friends, Tim & Cindy at the Beachhouse restaurant in Birch Bay.

August finds us getting ready for a couple of trips. First one begins this Thursday (8/6). We drive to Boise to help Brandon and Danalyn move to Lewiston. On Friday Ron is taking Max to Roaring Springs, a big water slide park in Boise. Saturday will find everyone loading up the big truck for the move, Sunday we will be driving to Lewiston. Monday we will unload/unpack and help to get them all settled in their new place. I don't know how much help I will be as I plan on getting in lots of grammy time! with Christopher and Max!!!! The reason for the move is that Brandon has accepted a teaching position at Cul De Sac School District teaching high school math. We are planning on returning home on Wednesday 8/12.

We then leave on our second August trip on Sunday, 8/16 - we are going camping with Max for a week before taking him back home to start school. We will be at Grandy Creek for one night, in Newport, WA for 3 days and then Cheney, WA for 3 days. We will return to Blaine just in time for the back to school picnic at Northwood on August 30th. If you are in town, please join us for the church service that morning and then the picnic on the church grounds.

Don't know much else so will close for now. I hope to be a little better about posting to my blog in the days to come.

Take care and hope to hear from you all soon. Alice