Home again, Home again, jiggity jig

We have had the most incredible July and August trips. First to the Gila Ntl. Forest, NM and then on to WA, OR, and CA. I added stamps to my National Parks passport for Gila Cliff Dwellings, Mt. Rainier National Park, Mt. St. Helens National Volcanic Site, Redwoods National Park, Crater Lake National Park................ I'm sure there were more, but I haven't yet unpacked my N.P. passport or my travel journal to look at them again. Amy will be sending me a CD of all of our pictures when they get back to Washington. I will post pictures then. We arrived home with summer head colds and dog tired. I slept a lot yesterday and the head cold is much better. My sister-in-law, Charlotte, insisted we take Air Borne to help with the severity and I am convinced it did. I plan to take it this year when I start hearing all of the sneezing and coughing in my classroom. I think one of the good things about taking our vacation at the very end of the summer has been that I wasn't at home planning and fretting about getting back to school. Instead I am enthused and looking forward to starting the school year. So, for all of the teachers who see this, I wish you the same enthusiasm and excitement I am feeling. I hope your teaching year goes well.

and they're off!!!...

Or so we hope!!!! Our plan is to drive mid-Oregon coast today. Stop somewhere around Florence, OR at a Ntl. Forest campground. Depending on where we find internet service and when, this may be the last post for a few days. We are off for another adventure.

Washington visit

Today is our 5th full day of being in Washington and the weather is gorgeous. Most days we have had overcast mornings burning off about noon and great afternoons and evenings. Temps are lows in the 50s and highs in the upper 70s. Just perfect.


This picture was taken yesterday at Mt. Rainier. Unfortunately the mountain was hidden by low clouds. But the drive around the mountain was outstanding.

Tomorrow we will be starting our drive to California. We plan to stay in Ntl. Forest campgrounds as we go. If we find wireless internet service along the way I will update with more pics.