Monday, July 30, 2012

Mission Accomplished!!!

WOO HOO!!  I successfully set up the tent and we made it through the night.   Monty slept like a rock, Jackson curled up in a corner and would periodically come over to me during the night as if to say, Mom when are we going to sleep in the cabin?? I know, as with all things so far on this trip, he will get better with time and experience. 

I am VERY proud of myself for setting the tent up alone.  I had only "practiced" at home one other time and Lori helped.  SOOOO....I was dreading this task but now feel a new sense of accomplishment under my nature babe belt.

A couple of pics:
The setting could not be more beautiful at our site. So green, wooded and peaceful....

Also had to throw in a few pics of the last town we were in Concrete, WA. Yes, bc they actually used to make concrete.   I got a laugh from the Police Station.  Doesn't that just ring fear in the heart of criminals!!!

The last 2 are of our site in Concrete KOA.  We actually had a backyard and laid in the back reading both days.  Boys loved the grass as most spots don't have any grass.   The second day I was looking for a place to put their tie down stake and nearly stepped on a garter snake!  Needless to say---we both jumped....I tried to shoo him back into the woods but he just wouldn't go.  So instead of a blanket that day, I sat in a chair!!




Saturday, July 28, 2012

Just one?

That's the question asked more than any question on this trip.....It's goes something like this.... "Hi, I'd like to check in.  How many adults ma'am? One.  Just one?  or Hi, Id like a table. How many ma'am?  One. Just one?  Or would you take my picture? Oh, you're just one?  Yes, just one....I have to smile because it is just one.  Just me.  Alone with the furries and they haven't learned to take pictures or have dinner conversation so..... BUT I have thoroughly enjoyed being just one.  It really makes you speak to people, meet people, stop to see more bc you are the driver instead of passenger. Many times going through life, we are always with someone and miss the opportunities to put ourselves out there bc we don't have to.  We have the safety net of another person. 

I know it's only been 6 days since I have written but I have seen so much since I last wrote.  We have gone from Coeur d' Alene (pronounced Core-da-Lane for newbies) to Winthrop, WA and through the North Cascade Mountain Range to arrive in Concrete, WA.  Simply amazing.  We are at 2210 miles to date.  This is the scenery I have imagined.  GREEN GREEN GREEN!!  And the size of these trees.  Makes you feel so small but not insignificant.  The boys and I did a hike in the Cascades yesterday & I felt I was in a fairyland....Sunlight barely crept through the giant trees, moss covered everything and made it look so fresh yet peaceful and the smell was heavenly.  I smiled the whole time.  This is what I had pictured all along. 

Below are several pics.  First is just one on Lake Coeur d Alene.  It it huge.  25 miles long.  It was a little windy that day.  What a great town!!  I know I have said that many times but the truth!!  One of those outdoor towns you could live in... 
Next is the floating boardwalk that is on the lake.  It is the longest in the world at 3300 feet.  Pretty cool to walk along feeling like you are on a suspension bridge the whole time!  And just to be that close to the water. 
3rd is a shot of the Lake. 
Number 4 is a quaint outdoor restaurant that I ate lunch at in Winthrop.  Winthrop was a little western town, literally staging gunfights, etc. to bring the crowds in.  The setting was great and I could have sat there for hours but know they wouldn't appreciate that!!!
Camp dog is featured in pic 5! Yes, that is my chair but we share!  He loves it and that was after a big day of new sights and sounds and walking in Winthrop.
Fairytale hike is 6,7 &8.  Just a dream hike.  I literally did not want to leave that area.  I could have camped right there.  And there even a toilet there so life would have been perfect!! 
Pic 9,10 is Diablo Lake in the Cascades.  This lake was breathtaking you guys.  I have seen many mountain lakes but wow........  the water was the most beautiful turquoise and the sky was so blue. 
And lastly was a pic of the mountains in the distance while I was driving!

We leave tomorrow for a new adventure....our first tent experience which should be exciting!!! I hope that's one of the words I use!! and then I am SUPER excited to be heading to the San Juan Islands for a few days and kenneling the boys!!  Thank you to Mr. Warren and Ms. Jan for suggesting.   I have researched and know I will have great memories there!!!











Sunday, July 22, 2012

I could live in this town!!!

Missoula, Montana!  When we first hit the city on Thursday after being in the remote locations of Red Lodge and Livingston, I hated it!!!  The traffic and hustle and bustle of a whopping town of 40K people!!  HAHAHA!  The KOA was like a small city---200+ sites, no privacy and it was HOT! 94 degrees! In Northwest MT!  I thought traveling 1500 miles from home would be much cooler but NO... HOWEVER, on Friday I decided to tackle the city and plan some fun stuff for me and the boys.   I had researched a doggie daycare before arriving to the area and found one I thought would be good for the boys--DogLogicinc....I made arrangements for them to try it out on Friday.  A half day (6 hrs.) was FREE!!!! And if everyone was happy they would go back Sat. while mom had booked a massage and facial!!!  Remember I NEVER said I was RUFFING it!!!  I am still very much a GIRL even though I am enjoying living the simple life....Someone will have to show me how to apply makeup again and do something with the hair......:) But I am surely not worried about that!!  So I hit downtown around noon on Friday and LOVED it!  What a great downtown area!  Many unique, local stores located right off the river walk.   I walked for 2 hours just taking it all in and then grabbed lunch at McKenzie River Pizza Co.  YUMMY!!  I then was able to head back to camp and take care of some chores before picking up the boys.  I hadn't received a phone call from the daycare so I was hopeful that all was going well!!  The actual word LaLah used was "excellent" when I picked them up which was a shocker for me. But sweet relief!! Cause mama was getting a ME-SAAGE!!!  AND the boys were able to partake in an every third Sat. birthday party at the daycare!!  CAKE FOR ALL!!   How funny right!  I hit town again to enjoy the largest farmers market for a small town I had seen.  Beautiful flowers, food and produce was everywhere.  So nice to see everyone enjoying being w/ their families and supporting the local farmers and economy.   I didn't buy anything but COULD have if I only had a what folks????? YES, a REFRIGERATOR!!!   I then headed to Cedar Creek Day Spa and had a relaxing massage and facial.   Love when they tell you your skin looks younger than you really are!  WHOO HOO!!!   I then had some great Grilled Chix Nachos at the Flathead Lake Brewing Co.  It is there I learned there is a Testicle Festival in Clinton, MT if anyone is interested in attending.  It did say you would have a ball there...:)   I picked the boys up and another successful day was had----lots of doggie cake was eaten!!

Missoula is very liberal and "hippie like" (actual verbiage from masseuse not me).  Although I feel like I already live in a similar place, with the addition of the University of Montana there---made the city feel alive and larger than it actually is.   The music scene and "youthfulness" of the town is very appealing.  Once again, another city I would highly recommend visiting....  Very different from Red Lodge and Livingston but worth including.  

We left Missoula this morning and are parked in Couer d' Alene, ID.  BEAUTIFUL area and the drive was incredible.  Only about 2.5 hrs away and no big passes to drive but the route was forested with BIG green trees and followed a river almost the whole drive.  Driving into Couer d Alene is breathtaking.  Lakes surround and connect the entire city.   And we are 2 nights in a dog friendly hotel---which at first felt foreign.  But after a nice walk in the 90 degree day we are all enjoying this air conditioning!!  I have learned I could really do without the TV....HA! and guess what they have.... A REFRIGERATOR!!!  But I don't even have anything to put in it!!  Oh well.....that will give me plenty of time to soak, pluck, file, polish, shine, etc.  :))

The boys are getting much better with living the nomadic camp life that we are currently living.   I have learned that copious exercise is the key to happiness for me and them.  We have been doing 45 min to an hr walk when we first get up.  Before coffee even!!!  They LOVE it!!   and I have started really enjoying it as well since I don't have to hurry off to work...... This has helped with them riding in the car, meeting other dogs and interacting with kids.   Last night, my new camp neighbors, Cameron and Lauren ( 2 and 5) asked very politely to come pet the boys.   They did great.  They even gave the boys a bone each and we made them sit for it---which shocked the kids!!  Yes, we are getting better with many new things!!

Folks may wonder why I am taking this route vs. all the National Parks, etc.   Well, I have been fortunate in my life to have been to Yellowstone, Tetons, Glacier and up to Banff many times so I decided for the sake of time and money and to avoid the summer crowds---forgo it all together.  I wanted to spend more time in NEW places.  So far, everywhere I've been is new.....and I'm still proud of myself.....

Below are pics of me on the Missoula river walk, farmers market, Clark Fork river from the bridge, the clarity of the river (from 30 ft above!), a street in downtown, flowers at the market and the famous Missoula Carousel at the Park.  






Wednesday, July 18, 2012

"I hope you find what you're looking for!"

That statement has been said repeatedly to me by friends and family and even strangers when my story comes up.  And at first I am taken off guard bc I think, "I'm not looking for anything?" So if I'm not looking for anything, what am I doing? I started pondering this whole journey and have jotted down things that have come up regarding this question.

1. For the adventure of it all---how many people can say they were able to do what I'm doing, when they want to do it. To see new and exciting things....and even boring!
2. To meet people & experience life.  Hear their story...
3. To focus on me--get to know "me" really well. 
4. To take on the FULL responsibility of the boys...whew!  that's been the hard one.
5. To figure out what I want to do next in my life and career.
6. To love myself FIRST and MOST.  I know that sounds selfish but everyone should do this.  You have to love yourself fully first before you can love anyone else wholly.

So far that is what I've got going on!  I'm sure more will come to mind and I'll pass them along...maybe :).

We are in an incredible setting now. The BEST campsite to far.  A very nice wooded and secluded campsite in Livingston, MT.  It's called Paradise Valley for a great reason.  I believe some of the most beautiful countryside in the US is here.   All the pics below are from very near the campground.  We did a hike today in the Gallatin National Forest. Just beautiful.. But I have to admit, when you see a sign like the orange one below, every stump or rock is a BEAR!!  You're definitely on high alert.  The river in the pic is the Yellowstone River. 

And I totally understand that some of my grammar has not been correct after publishing the post!  Spellcheck doesn't let me know when I use the wrong word. 

And please shoot me a comment (which you can do below each blog) or an email.  I would love to hear from everyone.   That helps me stay connected to the world!!







Monday, July 16, 2012

I am not the pack leader...:(

Thought I would send an update as we sit on the  porch while a gentle rain falls.  We have been on the road a week now....just over 1000 miles traveled.  From Vernal, UT we stayed in Dubois and Cody, WY.  Both are quaint small towns but nothing compares to where I am now---Red Lodge, MT.  Probably the CUTEST, MOST QUAINT and BEAUTIFUL town in MT.   I have been to several places in MT in prior years so I feel comfortable saying this!  The mountains that surround the town and BIG and the famous Beartooth Hwy is here.  The Hwy goes to 11000 feet and the views are breathtaking.  The stores are better than most....not just crappy t-shirts shops or food here.. Real quality.  I would recommend everyone visit and feel the small town hospitality.  Tomorrow we head out to our next great adventure after staying 4 days and it's been great.

I have met yet another wonderful pair--a mother and daughter from just up the road in Billings.  Kim and Elise (shes 11) are here for a mother/daughter summer trip and staying in the cabin beside me.  We clicked instantly yesterday and Kim and I were able to talk at the pool a while today.   Kim and her husband foster children and currently has a 9 month old that they are madly in love with & talked about the possibility of having to relinquish her soon.  Elise is way past her years in maturity and sweetness....you can tell she genuinely cares about people which means her parents have done an amazing job. She has brought the boys treats from the main office so they life her a lot :).   Thank God for people who have that calling and purpose in their life.  I'm thankful for meeting them as they have enriched my life.

The boys and I have been doing 3-4 walks a day but today we ventured out on a hike to Wild Bill Lake.   A very picturesque, small lake nestled in the evergreens.   We did 2 loops around the lake and started on a 3rd when the boys were picking up on a scent so I decided to turn around.  There, about 40 feet off the trail stood a HUGE moose staring at us through the bush.   My heart raced knowing that if the boys saw him and barked or lounged, he may charge.   Luckily--they didn't and we proceeded quickly to the car.  I went back for a picture and he was gone.  It definitely had me thinking of future encounters with wildlife and how we should react.    A nice adrenaline rush though!!

I have realized I am not the leader of my pack but am working on it.  We bark when we shouldn't, we don't really like kids (J), we don't ride in the car well, we are protective of our camp and the list goes on....BUT we are working on it and hopefully by the end of our trip we will realize that mama is the boss :).

Do you know what I miss the most so far??? You would think my bed, my shower, a TV maybe....nope ---a refrigerator!!  It's been really tough keeping ice in the cooler everyday or 2 and all I have wanted is cold stuff like: yogurt, salads, cheese,etc.  If I could have only packed a fridge we would have it made!!  Daily I look forward to the formality of dinner---if you can call it that!  You will see a pic below.  A tablecloth & music with dinner, what a concept.  Speaking of that----if anyone can dry some peppers for me when they go on sale at City Market that would be AWESOME!!  I have enjoyed my dried fruits and veggies with each meal but already out of the peppers. 

I am definitely living a more simple life and appreciating it. I have traded my perfume for bug spray & makeup for sunscreen. I always have dirt under my fingernails--no matter how hard I try to keep them clean.  I sweat ALL day long! I have an injury on every limp and appendage! The boys have never stayed this tired in their lives & love it!  At about 6pm---after dinner they are ready to hit the bed!  And life is GRAND!!

Below are pics of  Beartooth HWY, Red Lodge, my dinner table, Wild Bill Lake and Red Lodge countryside.  











Wednesday, July 11, 2012

Off and running.... and driving...

We have successfully stayed 2 nights (tonight being 3) and settling into a nice familiarity at the campsite.  Jackson (or scardy dog as he should be referred to going forward) has already tested my patience multiple times.  It is amazing where a dog can fit in a vehicle where he really doesn't belong when something spooks them.  He literally got wedged in between my seat and the plastic median (seat belt holder) when we had stopped for a pee break Tuesday.  Monty will occasionally thrown out a "hack" which sends Jax scrambling!  I had to push on his chest while pulling on his rear!  It took about 2 min. to finally free him and for a brief period, pictured him there the rest of the trip!  No GOOD!  BUT was finally released and had a look of "oh crap, that was close!" About 4 min down the road is when I actually started laughing at the situation.  Another time (after a hack attack!) he crawled from his back seat to the very BACK.  On top of coolers, totes, etc. and plopped himself on my pillow for the next 1 1/2 hrs.  Hopefully he will calm down and start enjoying the riding but we can only see. 

We stayed in Vernal, UT Monday night and then left for what ended up being 8 hrs in the car!!  We were all exhausted when we arrived yesterday afternoon but are here for a few nights.  Today we didn't get in the car once!  We had 3 walks, I hit town alone (which was great!), took an afternoon nap during a thunderstorm, sat for hours reading in the sunshine and then ate some dinner.   I was invited to hit the town with my camp neighbors who I met this afternoon, 3 very cool couples/kids from Massachusetts.  They first fell in love with the boys and then took me under their wing when they found out I was alone.  Pretty neat experience.  I want to be OPEN to people and places so I said yes and we ended up laughing a lot!! You never know who you may meet....could be a new friend.  

I have already learned a few things in the 3 short days on the road:
1. You should have soap on a rope or liquid soap when taking a shower with open stalls. :)
2. You should drink caffeine prior to driving 110 winding miles......uuuhhhhh..
3. Don't underestimate where bugs can and will go.
4. Monty will never get tired.
AND I am proud of myself for the first 3 nights......

Well, I am off to a campfire at my new camp neighbors. Sunset was amazing tonight. Looking forward to tomorrow and whatever it holds....

Pics are of scardy dog, first 2 campsites, Flaming Gorge Reservoir, a church sign that I loved :) ....and the world's largest fake elk.   









Sunday, July 8, 2012

Well, I never said I was RUFFING it!!

Well, here I am...packed and ready to go.  The boys and I are leaving out on Monday, at some point and heading North.  I have it mapped out through Aug. 2 and will keep everyone posted along the way.  My plan is to blog after I leave a location for safety reasons.  I have already learned so much about myself just during the short time I have been off and the next month will be even more "life schooling". 
The packing process has been quite intense.... I am a person who likes to plan and organize so you can imagine what you think you might need for a 3 month trip!! Then I did remember there were these things called towns and stores along the way that I could buy what I need but it was to late!!  I had made a trip to a super store and bought tons of canned beans, food and dried 20 #'s of fruit (gonna have the best GI system in the West!)  I have purchased some great, can't live without items along the way, i.e. a portable toilet, a portable hammock, a Thule storage case and a new tent. I made my own first aid kit bc I didn't like the one's our there! (not first aidy enough)  I have 4 Totes, a cooler, a large duffel bag and numerous small bags, sleeping bag, camping chair and DOG FOOD....  Yes, hopefully the tires won't bust when we start driving due to weight!   And the boys!!  As you can see, they will have it made.  Heck, I want to sleep back there!  Their water bowl travels well and the lattice is plastic.  Just a little reinforcement if the doors comes open, they won't bolt.... Thanks to everyone for your thoughts and prayers along the way. I need and appreciate them.  I want to especially thank my best and dearest friend, Lori.  She has helped with so many things along the way---it would have been hard to accomplish all this without her.   





Additional traveling companion....


I have wanted a new tattoo for a long time now...just didn't know what I wanted or why.  After taking a trip home to AL, I was reflecting on my Granny Boatfield who passed away almost 20 years ago.  She was this AMAZING woman in my life..Her strength, humor, laughter, joy for cooking and independence are all qualities reflected in me.  There are many qualities that she possessed that I don't have but work on daily.  I always referred to her as a cute little frog because she indeed favors a cute little frog ;).  Hence the FROG QUEEN....  A frog symbolizes rebirth, renewal, life transition and opportunity.  In Japan, the frog is good luck for the traveler.  I wanted her in a yoga meditation pose as I am reflecting inward during this time of my life.  I wanted nature all around her...and of course her body is adorned w. jewelry because I am a SHINY PERSON!! and really don't do plain!!  She sits on my left forearm and I smile every time I see her.....  I think of my grandmother with me on this journey and how happy and proud she would be for me.  I think about how I don't want to waste a single minute of this opportunity I have been given.   I think about how precious life is and we need to appreciate it everyday....