(Prologue - this post was started on Mon, I'm runnning behind already. I will probably be jumping backwards and forwards from time to time to catch you all up on happenings that take longer to capture. Posts will get shorter and pictures will be added. Follow us on twitter (Dawbersdoodles) for more rapid fire updates).
Hi everyone ...I guess this is officially the first post of the Big Family Trip (named by Sydney and shortened to BFT from here on out). My next post or two will probably be on the topic of trip expectations versus reality, as we are already deviating from the plan a bit. I am looking forward to checking out the family coping skilz as we deal with the curve balls.
Its 530 on Monday morn, I cant sleep anymore due to freeway noise so I am sitting in a lawn chair outside of our trailer, in my long john's, laptop humming, luke warm cup of coffee in hand, in a "beautiful" RV park (think big field, spotty electrical hookups, banjo's, elevation 2500 ft, river right in front of me and I-90 on the other side... yuk).
On the advice of numerous friends camping with us at Woodinville Alliance's Youth Summer camp at Daroga, WA , our desire to faithfully follow Google maps had been dashed the night before by the greater wisdom of real experience. 10 hours to Yellowstone said the map, 13 hours said experience. Since our car battery had died while pulling our of our driveway - kids using DVD player - and I had already spent an entire day at youth camp taking apart the failing power lift on our pop up trailer, we decided that getting a jump on our next stop into Yellowstone might be a good idea.
So, we left Daroga at 4 pm and we pulled into Cataldo ID at 10 pm Sunday night after having departed a day early.. Another great year for the ministry and weather that beat the Seattle scene hands down.Lots of sun and water fun for the kids. Karie and I did the usual routine of running the espresso bar from 530 - 10 am each morning. Karie stepped up and was a tent leader for some incoming Junior girls. Good prep for when ours turn that age. Great people all around, with the exception Deanna B... the underwear thief. (You owe me big time!!!) 5 or so kids were baptized.Way to go Ronnie and Kris. Jane K, you tru!y are a FOB (Fun Old Biddy). Thanks for all you do. We will miss you!
And before you ask...I know at some point I need to provide the background story on "why a two month trip?" but I am going to leave that for another post as well.
So before I sign off, here are some of the basics details to help with context.
(1) The travelers: My Super-Wife Karie (age withheld) and two beautiful daughters Sydney - 5 and McKenna - 8, and myself - 39. Jesus is riding along in our hearts - age 2011 (technically eternal) Our family is grateful for the work He has/is doing in our lives and the opportunity to take this trip!!
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(2) The Itinerary: essentially we are making a big loop around the perimeter of the US. 54 days covering 32 states, and roughly 11000 miles. We started from a secret location within the state of Washington.
(3)Key ingredients: 2000 Chevy Tahoe, 2010 Coleman Avalon pop up trailer (aka The Beast), 2 laptops, 1 IPAD, 1 IPhone, 1Motoral Atrix, 3 Zunes, 2 Pillow pets and at least 12 stuffed animals (don't get me going...), 12 bags of clothes (did I mention there are 4 of us), 3 wigs (everything is better with a wig), and P-Dawby (a 4 inch plastic figurine in honor of our diggity yellow lab, Dawber - we miss him!!)
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Aaron
Hi everyone ...I guess this is officially the first post of the Big Family Trip (named by Sydney and shortened to BFT from here on out). My next post or two will probably be on the topic of trip expectations versus reality, as we are already deviating from the plan a bit. I am looking forward to checking out the family coping skilz as we deal with the curve balls.
Its 530 on Monday morn, I cant sleep anymore due to freeway noise so I am sitting in a lawn chair outside of our trailer, in my long john's, laptop humming, luke warm cup of coffee in hand, in a "beautiful" RV park (think big field, spotty electrical hookups, banjo's, elevation 2500 ft, river right in front of me and I-90 on the other side... yuk).
On the advice of numerous friends camping with us at Woodinville Alliance's Youth Summer camp at Daroga, WA , our desire to faithfully follow Google maps had been dashed the night before by the greater wisdom of real experience. 10 hours to Yellowstone said the map, 13 hours said experience. Since our car battery had died while pulling our of our driveway - kids using DVD player - and I had already spent an entire day at youth camp taking apart the failing power lift on our pop up trailer, we decided that getting a jump on our next stop into Yellowstone might be a good idea.
So, we left Daroga at 4 pm and we pulled into Cataldo ID at 10 pm Sunday night after having departed a day early.. Another great year for the ministry and weather that beat the Seattle scene hands down.Lots of sun and water fun for the kids. Karie and I did the usual routine of running the espresso bar from 530 - 10 am each morning. Karie stepped up and was a tent leader for some incoming Junior girls. Good prep for when ours turn that age. Great people all around, with the exception Deanna B... the underwear thief. (You owe me big time!!!) 5 or so kids were baptized.Way to go Ronnie and Kris. Jane K, you tru!y are a FOB (Fun Old Biddy). Thanks for all you do. We will miss you!
And before you ask...I know at some point I need to provide the background story on "why a two month trip?" but I am going to leave that for another post as well.
So before I sign off, here are some of the basics details to help with context.
(1) The travelers: My Super-Wife Karie (age withheld) and two beautiful daughters Sydney - 5 and McKenna - 8, and myself - 39. Jesus is riding along in our hearts - age 2011 (technically eternal) Our family is grateful for the work He has/is doing in our lives and the opportunity to take this trip!!
The Fam and their Gear (The Beast)
(2) The Itinerary: essentially we are making a big loop around the perimeter of the US. 54 days covering 32 states, and roughly 11000 miles. We started from a secret location within the state of Washington.
(3)Key ingredients: 2000 Chevy Tahoe, 2010 Coleman Avalon pop up trailer (aka The Beast), 2 laptops, 1 IPAD, 1 IPhone, 1Motoral Atrix, 3 Zunes, 2 Pillow pets and at least 12 stuffed animals (don't get me going...), 12 bags of clothes (did I mention there are 4 of us), 3 wigs (everything is better with a wig), and P-Dawby (a 4 inch plastic figurine in honor of our diggity yellow lab, Dawber - we miss him!!)
Wigs and all...
P-Dawby
Aaron
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