June 24-July 1

June 26, 2003

Talk about joy in the journey!!!!!  We have driven through some of the most beautiful and varied countryside the last couple of days.  It rained the entire time we were in Wyoming ~ a light drizzly, misty sort of rain ~ and the clouds were low over the hills, shrouding the landscape in a steely mantle that  made it seem as though we were really only seeing a very small part of what was happening outside our windows.  There was no telling what was on top of those hills, or what lay just beyond our vision in that land of gray. 

Okay, enough of the poetic...
We fixed lunch in the parking lot of the gas station in the little teeny town of Bar Nunn, Wyoming...it would be interesting to find out how they came up with that name!!!  Scott has been very pleased with the way that his truck is pulling ~ we have only had to stop and get fuel every two or three hours, and we hardly have to slow down going up the hills!!!!  As much as we enjoyed Wyoming, we were excited to see that Montana welcome sign greeting us!  We stopped very briefly at the Battle of Little Big Horn memorial, and were surprised to find that the anniversary of Custer's Last Stand was the very next day, so they were setting up for all sorts of events.  The museum was interesting, and some of us would have liked to have had more time to read about what happened, but we all wanted to get as far as we could that night, so we took a walk up to the obelisk  and back for some fresh air and a little exercise and drove on.  The barren hillscapes gradually gave way to tree covered mountains and winding rivers, and as we sped past a few old railroad tunnels carved through a mountainside, we couldn't help but think what a fun trip that would be to travel by train.  We stayed in Livingston, Montana for the night, in a nice little RV park, and then hit the road by seven the next morning.  From there, through Bozeman was just gorgeous, and we were thrilled (okay, some of us were thrilled) to stop in at the Wheat Montana Bakery and buy some bread. We have ordered wheat from them before, and it was special to be able to see where the wheat is grown and processed, and be able to taste some of the goodies that come from that wheat. We definitely hope to stop there again on our way home...maybe for breakfast!!!!! 

Mom's dad died in 1972, so none of us kids ever got the chance to know him, but one of the things that we hope to be able to do on this trip is some genealogy research.  Grandpa was born and raised in this area of the country and it was a real treat for us to stop and have lunch beside the river where he learned to swim and visit the town where he was born.  There is something so fascinating about family history, and we hope to learn a lot about that side of the family on this trip.  

Somehow, most of us missed seeing the Washington sign as we entered the state...so Tera still doesn't feel quite sure we really are here.  After all this time of planning and hoping, it is a bit hard to believe this dream is a reality!!!  After we left Spokane the landscape became very monotonous.  It was almost like a desert, except that irrigation is making farming possible and there were incredible stretches of wheat and hay fields broken only by newly plowed sections of dirt.  Then we started to notice huge boulders and rock piles in the middle of the fields that the hardworking farmers just worked around.  There was very little "wasted" land to be seen, even the telephone poles that lined the highway were mere obstacles in the tractors' paths. 

As we came nearer to Chelan,  we found ourselves within these huge canyon walls that seemed to come from nowhere.  If ever you are in this part of the country, and happen to be pulling a trailer, we would recommend that you avoid McNeil Canyon Drive ~ it's hard on the brakes, and harder on Mom!  But, oh, so beautiful!  That is where we saw our first apple orchards, and when we reached the bottom, the Colombia River looked fantastic.  Chelan is a quaint little town, and not far from that we finally ~after 20 hours of driving from Georgetown ~ pulled into our destination. 

All those miles were beautiful and enjoyable, but even if they weren't it would be worth it to be able to come and spend some time at this amazingly clear, tremendously brisk (translated freeeeeezing cold) blue lake surrounded by mountains in a comfortable cabin nestled under tall whispering pine trees, but most especially ~ housing our brother Josh and his wife Erin, and Sophie ~ so far the most precious grandchild, and the greatest niece in the family!  She has grown in the last few months and talks and talks.  It just does something to all of us when she calls out for Uncle Caleb or Auntie "Tay~ra".  I better stop before you all start to think that I'm partial or something!

June 28, 2003

We've had such a marvelous couple of days here.  We were all able to meet Josh, Tera and Sage's great aunt on their dad's side, and her husband, and so we learned about some family genealogy from the Dahlby side of the family also! 

Everyone is having a wonderful time rowing and canoeing and swimming (you just have to jump in fast and don't think about it first!) This morning we went in to the town of Chelan and visited a farmers' market there.  The cherries are incomparable and we found this great booth where you could have all the Bing cherries that you could fit into a certain container (usually 2-2 1/2 lbs.) for $4.  It was a challenge, but we were able to fit 4+ lbs. into the carton!  And they are sooooooo good!!!!  We never get cherries like that in Oklahoma! 

It is probably in the upper 80's here, but it is cooler at night, and not humid, as it is at home.  Plus, you can always cool off very quickly in the lake that it right outside the back door...if you want to!!!!!!!  Last night we did the marionettes for the family here (Erin's parents and aunts and uncles are staying next door) and played some music.  Sophie loves it, and we are all ready to recruit her into the band!  What a cutie!!!!  I know, I know....time to stop! : )

July 6,

Yikes!!! I can't believe it has been so long since I have written.  This makes me realize how quickly this incredible Big Adventure will be over.
No, no, no!!! I will ENJOY every day ~ one day at a time!!!!!!!!  Let's see, where did I leave off....

We had such a nice time during the remainder of our visit at Chelan.  The water fights (but of course that is the only kind of fighting we do!!!) were fun to do, but even more fun to watch, and some of us even tried some waterskiing.  We played lots of yahtzee, and Tera, Erin and I will not soon forget the night we stayed up WAY too late making a cream filled chocolate cupcake recipe...mmmmmmm!!!  Then there were the pleasant "practice sessions" on the back deck that some friends and neighbors came for.  Those were the most enjoyable practices we've experienced and we are thankful to have had the opportunity to meet such nice people!  

It was hard to leave, and especially sad to say goodbye to Sophie and Erin and Josh, but I don't think any of us cried...at least until we were out the drive way.  It was such fun to teach Sophie to say "Okie dokie, little pokie " and "Hi, Y'all".  Did I mention how completely adorable she is?

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