The Journey

My packing didn't go quite as well as planned, so we got a little later start than I had planned... sometimes you just need SLEEP! lol We did leave at 6:15 AM though and this is what we saw as we were all getting in the car. I was stunned... clouds may seem normal to some, but here in north central California, we don't see clouds in the summer. As a matter of fact it is one of the things that makes me feel stifled and claustrophobic living here. I have read that this happened to some pioneers on the prairies as well. My step Grandma on the other hand, said that she feels the same way about all the trees, hills and mountains in Washington after having grown up in the flat part of North Dakota. It is my theory that for some people, the land and environment that they are exposed to when they are young become a part of them and leaving is difficult. I certainly miss the water, the change of seasons and clouds!

God really put on quite a display for us. I was bummed to be the driver as we went on our detour to get on north I-5 because there was a glorious sunrise with streaming shekinah glory, one of the prettiest I have ever seen. As my Mom says, I just had to "ponder it in my heart."

Here's Grandpa bucking A in, then J and D. Off to see Grandma!


We stopped at a rest area and the kids were so glad to see GRASS! I had to laugh because onlookers must think my children are kept in a cage! Unfortunately there is not a blade of grass on our space. (lava rocks, pavers, concrete, asphalt, yuck) The girls looked so cute in these tops, which two years ago were dresses. They were so wide, that when I went to pass them on I thought they would look cute as tops. I'm glad I kept them because the girls love them. Funny though, J has always been purple and A pink, since birth, but now they are wanting to change. So A is wearing the purple and J the pink! :o)

We drove about 3 hours to Redding and ate breakfast at McDonalds. (Yes, my stomach is complaining from having yucky food while traveling. I packed some, but we had two meals out, just enough to make me feel off.) The kids were too serious and excited about eating the pancakes that I couldn't get them to look at the camera. They take their food seriously and consider it an adventure!

Later in the day we stopped in Josephine County, Oregon to see the Graves Creek Bridge, a covered bridge that is just off the freeway. For those who don't know, Oregon has wonderful covered bridges tucked away in hidden woods, grassy fields and other lovely places. We have photographed many in the Cottage Grove area, but like to stop here because it is a nice break along the way without being too far off the beaten path.

Next to the bridge is a museum for the Applegate Trail. Since we have been reading Little House on the Prairie this year in school, I wanted D especially, to see the wagons. Here are A, J and D. D is pretending to hold the reins.

Another visitor was saying that these were original Applegate Trail wagons, but many of them looked like they were from machine planed lumber, so I am not sure.

A, J and D saying, "Hi Daddy! I love you!" :o) They keep talking away to the camera as if it were a video camera!

A, D and J with Grandpa at the log cabin on the same grounds.

The door handle/lock on the log cabin, made from a horse shoe.

D, J and A petting "Savannah", who belonged to another visitor.

And this is a with Roxie and J.

The wagon wheel, which was several shades of red.

Here the kids are looking over the edge of the bridge.

This is the view from the inside looking out. It was really smokey in southern Oregon and my asthma is still bothering me. You can see the sky in the background.

Growing along the bridge was a nice patch of Queen Anne's Lace. This picture is for Shelley... see the bees coming in to the flower?

I might try to make a card from this one. I have never seen this butterfly before and don't know what type it is. My butterfly books are home I think. I haven't gotten everything unpacked yet.

Does anyone know who this pretty fellow is?

We drove back over the bridge and I took one last shot!

Next on the itinerary was a stop in Roseburg for dinner at Elmer's. The kids had grilled cheese, applesauce and a milk shake (a rare treat!). This is A and she was very happy with her meal.

This is J saying, "We had milkshakes Daddy!", again acting as if the camera is a video camera. We want to show Daddy all we do each day that we are apart. We are already missing him. We LOVE you honey!


These are Day Lillies taken at the Oak Grove rest area in Oregon.

Then we stayed in Wilsonville, outside Portland for the night. The kids had fun coloring in their new books. This is J.

And here is J. We put her in a sleeping bag on the floor between the bed and the wall. A slept with me (oh joy! feet in the face, back etc) and D slept with Grandpa.

D threw a fit because I wouldn't let him stay up and read his Lego magazine. I walked into the bathroom momentarily, came back out and mid disappointment, he fell asleep!

Join me tomorrow for the continuing saga. It's 10PM and I'm falling asleep at the computer. THANK YOU to everyone who was praying for a safe trip! Snuggle Buggle! Don't let the bed bugs bite! Good night!