And I Would Drive 3,000 (+) Miles
When I left Norfolk for Newport almost three weeks ago, the van had 9,000 miles on it. Today, it has over 12,000. Save a couple hundred driven by my sister on the way to the Black Hills, all those miles were driven by yours truly.
I think I have saddle sores.
People are generally shocked at my ability to drive for hours on end with my kids, but the truth is, my kids are awesome riders. Awesome. For example, the boys didn't have to stop to pee even once on the trip from the Black Hills back to St. James. And yes, I made sure they had stuff to drink. They just have a supernatural ability to get in the car and turn off the faucet, I guess. Those three are thrilled to basically be able to sit on the couch watching TV all day, only in a moving vehicle.
How we would get by without the DVD player and the DS and the iPad and the Kindle, though, I don't know.
We are finally back home after driving from Norfolk to Newport for a weekend, then on to Minnesota in for a few days, on from there to the Black Hills, back to Minnesota this past Saturday and then back to Virginia starting on Sunday afternoon. The drives were uneventful, the time with family was full and busy and satisfying and crazy, all wrapped up in one!
Pictures, in random order, as usual.
I think I have saddle sores.
People are generally shocked at my ability to drive for hours on end with my kids, but the truth is, my kids are awesome riders. Awesome. For example, the boys didn't have to stop to pee even once on the trip from the Black Hills back to St. James. And yes, I made sure they had stuff to drink. They just have a supernatural ability to get in the car and turn off the faucet, I guess. Those three are thrilled to basically be able to sit on the couch watching TV all day, only in a moving vehicle.
How we would get by without the DVD player and the DS and the iPad and the Kindle, though, I don't know.
We are finally back home after driving from Norfolk to Newport for a weekend, then on to Minnesota in for a few days, on from there to the Black Hills, back to Minnesota this past Saturday and then back to Virginia starting on Sunday afternoon. The drives were uneventful, the time with family was full and busy and satisfying and crazy, all wrapped up in one!
Pictures, in random order, as usual.
Some of the best $45 Hans has ever spent...the shark kite.
That fish in the background has to have been 20-30' long for reference.
Watching the kite.
Across the street on the beach at low tide.
I never tire of this view of the Pell Bridge...I would happily live in Newport again.
William on the bunk in the caboose in St. James.
It was hard to get everyone looking in one direction at once...Badlands, South Dakota.
Everyone climbed around like mountain goats...guess who got hurt? ME. I fell down and scraped my knee!!
Mt. Rushmore (obvs).
We were lucky enough to have a solitary buffalo cross the road in front of the van and amble off. That was about all we saw on the Custer Wildlife Loop...ah well.
A nice picture of Jan!
In other news: packouts are scheduled for 24, 25, 26 and the 31st, I believe. Any which way, we are meant to be out of this house by 8/1 if all goes according to plan. Glory be, we got Annika's tourist passport in the mail while we were gone. Now if we can get her no-fee passport, we will be set. Hans is still awaiting approval for us to go early. He keeps telling me not to worry, so I'm trying very hard not to worry. Next week, I'll start making phone calls to utilities and all of those places that we need to call to change our address again--I swear, they must think we're vagrants or something!
Not much longer now. Prayers for strength and peace are greatly appreciated...
R
Comments
I was very happy to get to see you while you were here. The kids have gotten so big and I loved watching them play.
The pictures are really great, too.
I'm praying for you daily, especially for all things to work out well, and for God to keep you and your family safe and sound.