Day 34

I woke up this morning a little early and was surprised to find out the wifi could reach to our campsite! I wrote for a little while and started the long process of going through emails since we've been gone. I must check my email ten times a day when I'm at home, but on the road it just doesn't matter. Everyone who is important to me knows I'm not reachable so the rest just can wait!

We decided to make a quick breakfast of bagels and fruit and get on the road. We had a very long drive today with a grocery stop and a border crossing. Dave has become quite adept at packing up by now so I can just handle things as I have time in between wrangling kids and cooking breakfast. The kids definitely appreciate having the extra help instead of being the extra help!

We stopped for gas right around the corder as in these parts of Canada and Montana you might not see a town for 100 miles or more. The older Canadian versions of Jay & Silent Bob were standing outside smoking and noticed we are from Florida so they chatted with us for awhile about the hurricane. A guy on a motorcycle pulled up and starting chatting with us about where we'd been and where we're headed. It must be Dave because noone ever talks to me on the road. Or maybe they think I'm some crazy lady from Florida carting my three kids around the country!

Our next stop just down the road was none other than the World's Largest Teepee. I had a little help from Dave in planning this trip so this was one of his additions. We hadn't made it to many of his stops simply because our day was already long or they were just too weird. This stop was just down the road and I was pleasantly surprised by the sheer amount of information there was here!

Once we got on the road, Dave finally got a taste of my Montana and Oklahoma drives this leg of the trip with us not seeing any city for most of the three hours he drove. I don't think we saw more than 6 cars in the 2 hours to the border. He also did much better crossing the border back into the U.S. as our border guard was not having any funny business. I think Dave was a little concerned he was going to confiscate the beer he'd bought but the guard let us go on.  And we finally found a real welcome sign for Montana!!

After about another hour we found a Walmart for a stock up. It was the smallest Walmart I'd even been in and by the time we got to the check out lanes I was ready to be back in the woods. Perhaps I'm not quite ready to get back to civilization yet.

We pulled into our next stop - a real RV park - and after a little confusion were setting up as was our normal routine. Ryan and Brayden had watched The Lord of the Rings movie in the car so all the kids ducked into the tent to play the Lego version. After I threw a couple loads on laundry in the washing machines, we adults prepped dinner and snacked a little as we watched some football. Hooray for DirectTV in the RV!!

We had a delicious dinner of salad with grilled shrimp while we watched and looked for hurricane updates. We were becoming spoiled with wifi at the last two places! The building with laundry also had a few bathrooms - real home kind of bathrooms eek! - so I took a shower once all the laundry was finished and everyone was in bed. I took a little while to edit pictures but got to bed by 11 as Grammie and I had already decided to get out of town by 8 with another long drive ahead of us.

Day 10

Our plan today was to hike and get some internet time so after breakfast and taking Dave to work at the library I got ready and filled all the backpacks with water and snacks. We were headed to the hiker shuttle by 10:30 ready to see some of the more popular trails in the park. The hikes were supposed to be relatively easy so we would have time to go to the Discovery Center by our campground too.

As we were walking toward the shuttle stop I realized I'd forgotten the camera in my car. I'd thrown it in the front seat when I'd assumed we'd be driving earlier. I didn't have my phone either since we were with Grammie and I debated that being enough but we both agreed it wouldn't put us back too far for me to run back to our site to grab it. I hadn't run much since February due to a heel issue, so I was hoping this wasn't going to be too painful. As I was running back I was checking out shortcuts for the way back. Since our campsite was on a loop I also debated just running out the other end of the loop to catch up.

After grabbing the camera I ran over the rocks and hill behind our campsite and was back on the road to the shuttle within a few minutes. I was hoping to make it to the stop shortly behind everyone so we didn't have to wait for the next shuttle. Just as I was running up to the stop the shuttle was pulling in - perfect timing! I hadn't seen my four hop on the bus, but there was a bush in the way. The bus driver was nice enough to wait a few seconds for me to catch up and as I jumped on the first step my stomach sunk as they weren't in any of the seats. I told the driver I was looking for my three kids and her face showed instant panic, but I let her know they were with my mom so they were safe so she calmed.

She continued her route and I sat down to wait for them and the next bus. I retraced my steps of the last few minutes trying to figure out how in the world I beat them to the stop. There was only one way they could have gone. And even if they'd stopped at the bathroom, I know Grammie would have stayed outside to watch for me. I thought I understood they were going to meet me at the stop. I kept going over our conversation and looking down the road where I'd come from in hopes I'd see them walking up. Once the next bus came I convinced myself they'd just gotten on the bus and headed to our trailhead so I got on and headed there too.

It didn't feel right but I couldn't imagine where else they could be! As our bus pulled into the area where we would need to transfer buses I searched around for the three colorful backpacks I knew the kids would be wearing. Nothing. I kept going back over my steps and our conversation then hopped on the bus to the trailhead. Once we made it to Bear Lake and they weren't there I became very worried. I went to the ranger station and asked if I could call, but their phone didn't work and all their cell phones didn't have service. I asked for the ranger to radio to our campground to see if they were still there or had seen them. No word at all.

I'd spoken with this bus driver and she was ready to leave so I hopped back on the bus to see if I'd missed them or they had made it to the place to change buses. As we were driving, the bus driver radioed some of the other bus drivers to see if they'd remembered picking them up. One of the bus drivers remembered them getting on her bus and she'd taken them to Bear Lake where I'd just left. I hopped off the bus at the next stop and waited for the next bus back to Bear Lake. I just knew they'd be standing there frustrated wondering where in the world I'd been. But no family.

I sat on the bench in the sun and watched 2 buses go by when I remembered Lola was in the RV and Grammie had left her keys in my locked in my car. I hopped on the next bus back to the campground to make sure she was ok and I would worry about the family after I confirmed she was ok. I kept looking at every bus as we crossed paths to see if I could see any of them but they were all pretty full and pretty much a blur as we passed. I'd left my group for the camera yet this was the only view of the afteroon!

As I got off the bus at our campground I ran back to our campsite imagining them again frustrated with me that I'd gotten separated from them. The afternoon dark cloud was moving in and I knew they would have no place to go if it started raining so I ran faster. As I rounded the corner by our site I realized they were not there at all. And that was when it started pouring.

I grabbed the keys from my car and ran up the hill and made it just inside when the hail started. Lola was very happy to see me and I just sat down extremely confused now as to where in the world they were! I'd grabbed my phone so I called Grammie but there was no answer. I sent her a few texts telling her where I was and that Lola was ok. I sent Dave a text asking if he'd heard from her so of course he was instantly confused and worried.

Once the rain settled a little bit I took Lola out for a walk and tried to figure out what to do next. The conversation with Dave had be more worried so I hopped in the car and drove up to the ranger station in our campground. The ranger recognized her name and told me they'd gotten on the bus around noon. More mystery as I'd gotten on the bus a little after 11.

As I was pulling away, another ranger ran out and said she'd radioed the Bear Lake rangers and they were safe and waiting on me there but were now getting on a bus to come back. All this time we'd been just barely missing eachother. I waited on them in my car by the shuttle stop still trying to unravel the mystery.

The kids bounced off the bus happy to see me and I finally found out what happened. As the kids were kicking a pine cone they'd accidentally turned back down the loop where our sites are instead of out the campground toward the shuttle. They'd also stopped for a little bit to watch a coyote sneak through all the sites. They didn't realize where they were until they were almost already back to our campsite. And that was probably about the time I got on the first bus. It was so good to see everyone after becoming so worried!


With so much relief, we headed to the Discovery Center to enjoy the rest of the afteroon. The theme of the day was water so most of the exhibits were related to how water affects the area. Our first stop was a demonstration of how snowmelt affects the flood plains and why dams are so important.

The kids all enjoyed creating mountains while I checked out the view. The girls made nature journals and we all learned about beavers, water flow, and pollution. The girls even enjoyed fishing for a little bit.

We shopped for post cards and a sticker for my car's roof carrier then we took Grammie back to the campground to hang out with Lola. The kids were excited to get on their Kindles at the library and check their email. I needed to update the blog and charge my phone. The children's area of this library rivaled our downtown library at home so once the kids were finished they grabbed a few books.











Once I had uploaded a day we headed back to the campsite to make campfire nachos. The ranger program tonight was an hour earlier so we had to cook quickly. I had a beer to settle my nerves after the day and we enjoyed a quick dinner. Dave's pile of food looked like some from his favorite restaurants. The best part was the easy cleanup into the garbage.








We headed to the program ready to learn more about the mountains. When we arrived the moderator asked us to form teams and grab white boards. Instantly Dave's ego was sparked and we joked with three young girls in front of us that we were going to beat them and feed them all the wrong answers. Team Marmot was going to win this!














Tonight's program was a trivia game about the Rocky Mountains and the Estes Park area. We definitely weren't prepared for this as we hadn't even made it to the movie or the interpretive hike! Each question it became apparent we were very unprepared as we were not getting a single point marked. We were 0 for 3 and it was time to make friends with the girls in front. Of course they denied us but we humored by the morons behind them. We did end up getting a few points. We may have received an extra point because I held up my white board twice as she was counting.

We ended up losing miserably but had a fantastic time and definitely learned a lot!  We walked back to our campsite much happier than we had been during the day and resolved to get a great night's sleep and have a fantastic day tomorrow!

Day 41

As I slipped out of the tent this morning I was excited to be able to catch a little sunrise from behind our campsite. The boats were already out fishing and the sun was fully up shortly after.

So I admit it's a little nutty. I was excited about breakfast this morning. When Dave and I traveled to England about five years ago I became slightly addicted to crumpets. When we first arrived back home I tried to find them but couldn't. I tried to make them and they flopped. So I actually squealed a little when I found them a Trader Joe's the day before. I was going to initiate my children in the wonderful work of crumpets for breakfast today.

I toasted them just so on the camp stove and slathered with butter and jelly. I added fruit to everyone's plate and waited patiently for their reactions. And that's where I usually go wrong with my kids. I have these expectations and they completely defy what I *think* they are going to do or say. I got nothing. I have to say they were a bit dry and not as chewy as I remember, but they were still good. Well, if you want to make me anything for my birthday, just make me some crumpets. Forget the kids.

We headed first to Jamestown Settlement today. As we were driving into town the day before I saw a sign for Yorktown as well so we made sure to buy the combo ticket for both places this day.  Yes they were about 150 years apart, but we were there so we might as well go see more history.

The docents had some furs for the kids to look at when we first walked in. They loved it when he told them to tell everyone at home they'd "caught a skunk" when he threw it to them.

After we took some time to watch the movie, we went upstairs to learn about bartering.  Once the kids earned the peace medal to show they understood everything, we headed to the Powhatan Village to begin their trading.  When the Powhatan saw their medals he gave them some corn to take to the colonial village for trading.

We stayed in the village for  a little while trying the different activities set up. The kids ground some corn and practiced hitting some targets. They also scraped some deer hide and tied some knots for a fishing net. We'd already done much of this at home or at other pioneer days so the kids were old pros showing other kids how to do things.

  

Our next stop was a quick tour of a recreation of one of the three ships that brought colonists over to Virginia in 1607, the Susan Constant. We couldn't believe how small the bunks were for all the sailors!

All the kids enjoyed trying their hands at steering the ship with the whipstaff.

After chatting with one of the guides we headed over to the colonial settlement for more exploring and a chance to trade. They all offered their corn for trade to the merchant and she gave them each a small bracelet in return. 

We also watched a musket demonstration as well as asked bunches of questions about the practice of medicine in the 1600s to the settlement doctor. He showed many of the tools they used and pretty much grossed all of us out to the point we were no longer hungry fr lunch. It was very interesting though!

We walked through most of the houses arranged like the settlers may have lived.  We had a hard time imagining a large family living in rooms the size of our living room for their entire house.

The kids had a ball trying on all the armor and finding the chickens too. It was blazing hot but there was enough shade, water, and shelter to keep us going.

I would have loved to spend a little more time inside as there were tons of exhibits set up in chronological order of Jamestown as well as what was happening in England at the time. The kids were way more interested in dressing up so I'll save that for another day. Ryan was having a bit of trouble keeping up her pants!

They had a great little display with some swords from the Revolutionary, British, and French armies. The difference in the weight of all of them was amazing! The French sword was unbelievably light.

We made our way through the gift shop and hopped in the car for sandwiches on the way to Yorktown. This museum was undergoing some big changes so much of the inside portion was closed and there was considerable construction going on outside in their transition to the American Revolution Museum. The plans for this place look awesome and we'll definitely have to make a trip there again.

 

They had a bunch of stations set up for the kids to experience life in the revolutionary times. The kids enjoyed carrying water (heavy!), ironing (annoying!), and washing dishes (takes too long!) among other things. 

We learned how they made linen thread, handled medical issues, and toured the military encampment.  Again we were amazed six soldiers shared these tents. No wonder these camps were rampant with disease!!

This was the size of George Washington's tent - much bigger!

To Ryan's dismay there were musket and canon demonstrations next. As long as I held her ears she was ok with the musket demonstration. This guide did a fantastic talk about the weapons as well as a detailed demonstration of what it took to fire the gun. It must have been at least ten instructions they followed from the commander to fire!

Next up was the cannon demonstration and there was no way Ryan was going near it so I handed off my camera to Laney and we hung out by the stockade. Ryan got in trouble in the few minutes we were there! The other two enjoyed the talk and we still held our ears as far away as we were!

And that's where our fun day ended. The kids decided to fight for the 4,278th time over silly stuff and I wasn't interested in hearing it anymore so we left without a visit to the gift shop, ice cream, and a trip to the pool. We headed to Barnes and Noble for some wifi time for me and they were left to read. It was the quietest they'd been in a month. I guess they figured out I was over it.

When we were getting in the parking lot Brayden spotted some planes flying over us. They were the Blue Angels!! It was awesome to see our guys up in the air again!

Once we made it back home it was time for us to read and go to bed. The next day was going to be Williamsburg and I knew we'd be spending the majority of the day there for sure!

Day 7

I slept in a little bit this morning as I was up until midnight updating the blog and refreshing my memory about the days ahead.  After organizing the laundry and showering I jumped back on the computer to write notes about the day before while the girls checked their email.  This is a new thing for them on their kindles as usually they are trying to hog my computer instead.

We are at the point where the kids know seeing Grammie is getting close, so at least one of them asks me once a day if not each of them. This morning one of my tasks is to put a countdown for Grammie as well as Dave in the car. The excitement gets even bigger then!

We were camping in the middle of a gap between mountains so I knew it would be awhile before the sun began to bake us, so we cooked breakfast and relaxed a little as we talked about the days ahead.
This guy even joined us for a little while1



We packed up pretty quickly with everyone pitching in. At one point I looked over and someone had even started my sleeping bag.  Well, kinda.

We decided to go by the Mash Creek Falls before we left for a quick look. Brayden claimed he saw a water snake so that ended anything related to within a 10ft radius of the water.

   

I took the opportunity to teach Ryan a little bit about shutter speed since we were at a little waterfall with noone climbing all around. We had some challenges since it was so dark, but I think she did pretty good!

Then we headed up here!  This was a short trail back to the playground so we didn't stay on it long, but it was fun to climb up to the top!

We got on the road headed toward a lower part of the New River (this one flows north) that we'd stayed at the night before. With my fascination with bridges I knew we needed to stop at this place once I saw it was mostly on our way.  After a quick stop for photos for the kids journals in the really cool, small town of Fayetteville, we ended up at New River Gorge learning all about the history of the area.  Like most parks, this area was a booming industrial town but this time mining for coal. Once the resource was depleted, most of the people left and all the companies shut down. They did some logging in the area, but nothing like we'd seen in other parks.

The bridge I was interested in was built to speed what was an hour journey across the gorge to less than a minute. We found out it is the longest single arch span in the world. And it is massive.

            

After taking in the view from up top, we headed toward the steps down to the lower observation area. This year it's been quite a new thing with the kids to spot people playing Pokemon Go. We see people everywhere glued to their phones!

                                                 

This was about as close as we could get to the gorge and the bridge. I'm thinking now it might have been neat to find a way down under the bridge for a picture, but the kids would have probably vetoed that idea. So in Gammie tradition, we started counting our steps back up. This was definitely not a record-setting climb up at only 197 steps back to the top!

The drive ahead of us was about 2 1/2 hours so I tucked the kids back in with movies and snacks, cued up my ipod, and headed for our next destination. There is no easy way to get around all these mountains we're in within the Monongahela National Forest. I'm actually having a problem sometimes staying as fast as the speed limit because of some of the sharp turns and switchbacks. I don't know how all these truckers do it!

We snaked through a bunch of tiny towns and ended up at Seneca Rocks in what had to be the hottest part of the day on the hottest day of the year. Luckily just behind the mountain behind us I could see some dark clouds coming so we set up our tents real quick, ate a quick bowl of cereal, and headed to the visitors center just as the rain was starting. The center was closed already so we headed back to the campsite as the sun was already peeking through the clouds. In the 3 minute drive back the rain stopped and the temperature had dropped 20 degrees.

The kids worked on their trip journals for a little while then we ducked in the tent to read a chapter of our book while another short sprinkling blew by. Once we heard the birds again, Laney and Brayden challenged me and Ryan to a rousing game of campball. With wet grass and only shoes for bases, all the kids were sliding all around going for the ball or reaching for safety. There were tons of laughs and before too long we even had neighbor fans watching. In a stiff upset, we did end up beating them 11-10 in the 5th inning.  This little guy was watching us too.

After finishing the book, we all went to sleep replaying the game in our heads. At one point I think I even heard Brayden and Laney adjusting their strategy in the other tent. I guess we'll see how they do tomorrow!