Check out these photos of "Phelps' Golden Journey" to eight gold medals in Beijing!
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Friday, August 15, 2008
USF 2008 - The Plays
During the summer season of the Utah Shakespearean Festival, the repertory company produces six plays, generally three of Shakespeare's and three from other playwrights. Over the past eleven summers, WhiteRabbit and I have sometimes seen all six plays during a season and sometimes picked just three or four. This year was a six-play experience. What did we see?
With Festival favorite Brian Vaughan as Cyrano and his real-life wife Melinda Pfundstein as Roxane, this was a sure hit. I was intrigued to discover that the real Cyrano was a science-fiction writer; that's something about which I'd like to learn more.
This musical was probably my favorite of this year's plays. I found it very moving!
This production of Shrew is set in Italy at the end of World War II, with Petruchio an Italian-American G.I. I thought this different take on the play was a lot of fun.
I hadn't previously seen this play, a comedy in the sense of having a happy ending and in that it had comical aspects. Presumably one of Shakespeare's earliest plays, it isn't as amazing as some of the later ones, like As You Like It, that use some of the same concepts, but I still enjoyed it.
I had previously seen Othello, but this production had me mesmerized from the very start. It's such an intense tragedy.
This light-hearted play was the perfect conclusion for me. Performed by a terrific cast, a favorite aspect was periodic action without speaking that was reminiscent of silent films.(Note of explanation: The banners in my photos are hung outside the Festival auditorium building. The other photos were taken inside the lobby; the display there included an original artwork poster for each film, as well as a costume related to the play.)
Friday Fill-In
Hosted by Janet of Fond of Snape at Its Own Home.
1. The last meal I had at a restaurant was on Tuesday, with two co-workers, who took me out to belatedly celebrate my birthday. (I had a southwestern chicken salad, and then we went to the bakery next door and I had some pistachio gelato and got a raspberry-chocolate tart to eat later. It's great being the birthday girl!)
2. Being without internet access for any length of time is something I intensely dislike.
3. The full moon on the cover of Nights in Rodanthe - which I'm reading this month for my book club - is gorgeous:
4. "Oh, my heck" is one of my favorite local expressions. (It's the only local expression I could think of.)
5. Sometimes it's best to leave well-enough alone.
6. The Other Boleyn Girl is the best movie I've seen so far this year! (It's also the only movie I've seen so far this year. I need to get out more.)
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to catching up on blogging about my trip to the Utah Shakespearean Festival, tomorrow my plans include a birthday brunch with my mom and sisters, and Sunday, I want to go to bed early, because our annual audit at the office starts on Monday morning!
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Wednesday, August 06, 2008
Eleventh Annual Shakespearean Experience
This week WhiteRabbit and I are in Cedar City for our annual visit to the Utah Shakespearean Festival. This is a trip I look forward to all year!
We are again staying at The Garden Cottage Bed & Breakfast. Over the nearly six days of our visit, we are seeing six plays and also making a trip up to Cedar Breaks National Monument.
We have been without internet access for a good part of the week so far, but service seems to be restored, so I'll be bringing you up to date on the happenings.
Sunday, August 03, 2008
On My Special Day
Sugar Bear came upstairs a few minutes ago and asked me if he could make me a s'more. He was concerned, however, that there aren't enough graham crackers. I had him check the food storage, though, and he just reported, "There's another box. Hallelujah!" I say, "Amen."
Birthday s'mores coming right up!
Saturday, August 02, 2008
Friday, August 01, 2008
Friday Fill-In
Hosted by Janet of Fond of Snape at Its Own Home.
1. If I could travel back in time, I'd go to celebrate the passage of the Nineteenth Amendment. (By the way, I'm currently re-reading Doomsday Book by Connie Willis, in which the protagonist travels back in time to the Middle Ages.)
2. Give me a Diet Coke or give me a nap.
3. I am listening to Pandora Radio.
4. Somewhere, someone is thinking "Thank Goodness It's Friday!"
5. I'll always be playing catch-up.
6. My idea of a good time includes something good to eat.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to participating with my daughter's Relay for Life team, tomorrow my plans include a nap, and Sunday, I want to celebrate my birthday!
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Family Road Trip - Day Six - Details and Photos
Venturing Away from "Home Base"
Exploring Olympic National Park
Here are the promised details and photos from our long day in Olympic National Park. We wanted to see the ocean, the rain forest, and the mountains all in one trip. Circling the entire Olympic Peninsula, we ended up having an eighteen-hour day! I'm not sure I'd recommend that approach, but we had great fun and saw a lot.
Ferry Ride from Edmonds to Kingston
We arrived just in time for the 7:50 departure, despite some traffic congestion on the interstate. We left the car and enjoyed the 30 minute ride from inside.
Hurricane Ridge
I felt like we were on the top of the world at this mountain destination, seventeen miles south of Port Angeles. We walked a short nature trail - part of which was covered with snow. We also enjoyed our picnic lunch with a mountain view. While we were eating, a deer came right up to the picnic area - but he was quicker to leave to explore something else than I was with the camera. The wild flowers were gorgeous.
Lake Crescent
Coming down from the mountains, Sugar Bear's ears were hurting from pressure of the altitude change, and he begged us to stop so he could get some fresh air. This beautiful lake seemed like as good a place as any.
Beach at La Push
What I wanted to see more than anything else was the Pacific Ocean, and we got our first opportunity at La Push, on the Quileute Indian Reservation. With lots of drift wood and rocks, this was a paradise for Sugar Bear, who kept building things for the surf to knock down. Sugar Plum looked for pretty rocks. Jelly Bean contemplated werewolves (which fans of the Twilight Saga will understand).
Hoh Rain Forest
We almost decided to skip the rain forest, since we were getting hungry and tired, with hours to go before we'd get home. I'm glad we decided to make a quick stop. Driving on Upper Hoh Road, I was amazed that the climate and vegetation could be so different just miles from where we'd already been.
Beach at Kalaloch
We ate dinner at the Kalaloch Lodge. I had clam chowder, and it was delicious. Because of the time, we didn't walk around this area; I took these photos - both before and after dinner - from the parking lot. Next time I visit Olympic National Park, I want my first destination to be Kalaloch.
Exploring Olympic National Park
Here are the promised details and photos from our long day in Olympic National Park. We wanted to see the ocean, the rain forest, and the mountains all in one trip. Circling the entire Olympic Peninsula, we ended up having an eighteen-hour day! I'm not sure I'd recommend that approach, but we had great fun and saw a lot.
We arrived just in time for the 7:50 departure, despite some traffic congestion on the interstate. We left the car and enjoyed the 30 minute ride from inside.
I felt like we were on the top of the world at this mountain destination, seventeen miles south of Port Angeles. We walked a short nature trail - part of which was covered with snow. We also enjoyed our picnic lunch with a mountain view. While we were eating, a deer came right up to the picnic area - but he was quicker to leave to explore something else than I was with the camera. The wild flowers were gorgeous.
Coming down from the mountains, Sugar Bear's ears were hurting from pressure of the altitude change, and he begged us to stop so he could get some fresh air. This beautiful lake seemed like as good a place as any.
What I wanted to see more than anything else was the Pacific Ocean, and we got our first opportunity at La Push, on the Quileute Indian Reservation. With lots of drift wood and rocks, this was a paradise for Sugar Bear, who kept building things for the surf to knock down. Sugar Plum looked for pretty rocks. Jelly Bean contemplated werewolves (which fans of the Twilight Saga will understand).
We almost decided to skip the rain forest, since we were getting hungry and tired, with hours to go before we'd get home. I'm glad we decided to make a quick stop. Driving on Upper Hoh Road, I was amazed that the climate and vegetation could be so different just miles from where we'd already been.
We ate dinner at the Kalaloch Lodge. I had clam chowder, and it was delicious. Because of the time, we didn't walk around this area; I took these photos - both before and after dinner - from the parking lot. Next time I visit Olympic National Park, I want my first destination to be Kalaloch.
Family Road Trip - Day Nine
Final Leg: From Boise, Idaho, to Home
Just 355 Miles - But Too Eventful for My Taste
Our "home stretch" was supposed to be a leisurely drive. WhiteRabbit arranged for a "late check out" of the hotel. The girls slept for a while. Sugar Bear watched Cartoon Network. I put up a post on my book blog. Even with a stop in Twin Falls, we thought we'd be home by 7:00, maybe 8:00 p.m.
Unfortunately, about an hour into the drive, the tire pressure monitor light went on. We exited the freeway, and it was readily apparent that we had a flat tire. After a few phone calls to the rental agency and to AAA, we settled in for a wait, since the AAA service truck had to come from the Boise airport. Sugar Plum got out the picnic blanket and laid on the grass and read Twilight. The rest of us sat in the car and read or dozed or played Pokémon on the DS. (Perhaps you can guess which one of us did what?)
After about an hour and a half, we were back on the road - with the spare tire in place and with directions to a nearby tire store. Yes, the tire needed to be replaced. But after another hour and a half, we were again on the road. Of all the possible outcomes of a flat tire, a three-hour delay (even if it was in Mountain Home, Idaho) plus about fifty bucks for a used "new" tire is not a bad option.
Despite the delay, we decided to stop in Twin Falls anyway. We ended up taking a tour of the new LDS Twin Falls Temple and having a leisurely dinner at Applebee's. I enjoyed both activities a good deal, but by 9:00 p.m. I was about ready for bed. Thankfully, WhiteRabbit was willing to drive on through. The rest of us slept on and off, as comfortable as possible in a mini-van. Sugar Bear also pointed out that we could see a lot of stars (being out in the middle of nowhere for most of the drive), and we think we saw Jupiter too. At about 12:30 a.m., we were home!
I guess that considering that nothing "eventful" happened until the ninth day of our nine-day road trip, I will conclude that this was a good trip. Actually, it was a great trip - a vacation that I enjoyed very much and one of which I hope my kids will have fond memories for years to come!
Just 355 Miles - But Too Eventful for My Taste
Our "home stretch" was supposed to be a leisurely drive. WhiteRabbit arranged for a "late check out" of the hotel. The girls slept for a while. Sugar Bear watched Cartoon Network. I put up a post on my book blog. Even with a stop in Twin Falls, we thought we'd be home by 7:00, maybe 8:00 p.m.
Unfortunately, about an hour into the drive, the tire pressure monitor light went on. We exited the freeway, and it was readily apparent that we had a flat tire. After a few phone calls to the rental agency and to AAA, we settled in for a wait, since the AAA service truck had to come from the Boise airport. Sugar Plum got out the picnic blanket and laid on the grass and read Twilight. The rest of us sat in the car and read or dozed or played Pokémon on the DS. (Perhaps you can guess which one of us did what?)
After about an hour and a half, we were back on the road - with the spare tire in place and with directions to a nearby tire store. Yes, the tire needed to be replaced. But after another hour and a half, we were again on the road. Of all the possible outcomes of a flat tire, a three-hour delay (even if it was in Mountain Home, Idaho) plus about fifty bucks for a used "new" tire is not a bad option.
Despite the delay, we decided to stop in Twin Falls anyway. We ended up taking a tour of the new LDS Twin Falls Temple and having a leisurely dinner at Applebee's. I enjoyed both activities a good deal, but by 9:00 p.m. I was about ready for bed. Thankfully, WhiteRabbit was willing to drive on through. The rest of us slept on and off, as comfortable as possible in a mini-van. Sugar Bear also pointed out that we could see a lot of stars (being out in the middle of nowhere for most of the drive), and we think we saw Jupiter too. At about 12:30 a.m., we were home!
I guess that considering that nothing "eventful" happened until the ninth day of our nine-day road trip, I will conclude that this was a good trip. Actually, it was a great trip - a vacation that I enjoyed very much and one of which I hope my kids will have fond memories for years to come!
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Family Road Trip - Day Eight
Fourth Leg: From Seattle, Washington, to Boise, Idaho
505 Miles - The Longest Drive of the Trip
By the time we finished repacking our bags and then got everything repacked into the mini-van, it was nearly noon before we left Seattle. Knowing that this was the longest driving day of the trip, we didn't have much planned besides getting from Point A to Point B. Here's a brief recap of the happenings:
505 Miles - The Longest Drive of the Trip
By the time we finished repacking our bags and then got everything repacked into the mini-van, it was nearly noon before we left Seattle. Knowing that this was the longest driving day of the trip, we didn't have much planned besides getting from Point A to Point B. Here's a brief recap of the happenings:
- Quick walk around the grounds of the LDS Seattle Temple (in Bellevue), just before getting on I-90
- After transitioning to I-82, lunch at an IHOP in Yakima
- Brief diversion to see the LDS Columbia River Temple (in Richland)
- Game of "I went to Washington, and I saw ... "
- After crossing into Oregon, connection to I-84 while listening to Hoot by Carl Hiaasen on CD
- Stop at a rest area before entering Idaho
- After arriving at the hotel in Meridian, dinner picked up from a Sonic Drive-in down the street
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Family Road Trip - Day Seven
Venturing Away from "Home Base"
Exploring Woodland Park Zoo
Today was intended to be a bit more laid back than yesterday, with a visit to Sugar Plum's venue of choice, the Woodland Park Zoo. We all slept in a bit, and I wasn't feeling very well for a while, but about noon we grabbed a quick lunch at Wendy's, picked up Aunt Janet and Uncle Matt, and headed for the zoo. Here are just a few of the things we saw:
In the evening we just hung out in the hotel room, eating dinner while watching TV and starting to get things re-packed for the trip home. This past week has just flown by!
P.S. I still owe you details and photos from day six - our trip to Olympic National Park.
Exploring Woodland Park Zoo
Today was intended to be a bit more laid back than yesterday, with a visit to Sugar Plum's venue of choice, the Woodland Park Zoo. We all slept in a bit, and I wasn't feeling very well for a while, but about noon we grabbed a quick lunch at Wendy's, picked up Aunt Janet and Uncle Matt, and headed for the zoo. Here are just a few of the things we saw:
In the evening we just hung out in the hotel room, eating dinner while watching TV and starting to get things re-packed for the trip home. This past week has just flown by!
P.S. I still owe you details and photos from day six - our trip to Olympic National Park.
Family Road Trip - Day Five - Some Photos
Venturing Away from "Home Base"
Exploring Seattle Center
Pacific Science Center
On our previous visit to Seattle (when Jelly Bean was four years old), we stopped in briefly at the Pacific Science Center. This time I particularly wanted my resident scientist Sugar Bear to see this museum, and we ended up spending about four hours there viewing a wide variety of exhibits, even taking in a planetarium show.
(This butterfly tried to hitch a ride on WhiteRabbit's back.)
Experience Music Project
As a musician, the Experience Music Project was Jelly Bean's venue of choice. We didn't get much time there, but she was able to have some fun in the Sound Lab. There is limited photography allowed in the museum, so I took these of Jelly and of Sugar Plum outside after our visit.
Science Fiction Museum
Again, I couldn't take photos inside - and because I had to run back to the Science Center with Sugar Plum when she realized she'd left her notebook and sweatshirt there, I didn't have much time there - but I viewed the Homeworld exhibit, including Captain Kirk's chair and the "Science Fiction and Society" display, which looks at how science fiction examines and shapes our lives. (That display affirmed my belief that the best science fiction is that which offers social commentary.)
Space Needle
Erected for the 1962 World's Fair, it was then the tallest building west of the Mississippi; now it's only the seventh tallest building in Seattle. I have a photo-booth picture of me at the Space Needle when I was three years old. Although I don't have a specific memory of being there, I wanted to share the experience with my own children. It was a cloudy day, and we were quite chilly as we waited for our appointment to go to the top.
SkyCity Restaurant
This revolving restaurant at the top of the Space Needle makes a complete revolution every 47 minutes. The most expensive dinner I've ever bought for the family, it was still worth it, as the food was delicious - I had prime rib, garlic mashed potatoes, and green beans - and (hopefully) eating there will be a memory for the kids to treasure for a long time.
Amused by the Lunar Orbiter Dessert
(Served Since 1962)
The Lunar Orbiter Up Close
The View from Our Table at About 10:00 p.m.
Exploring Seattle Center
On our previous visit to Seattle (when Jelly Bean was four years old), we stopped in briefly at the Pacific Science Center. This time I particularly wanted my resident scientist Sugar Bear to see this museum, and we ended up spending about four hours there viewing a wide variety of exhibits, even taking in a planetarium show.
As a musician, the Experience Music Project was Jelly Bean's venue of choice. We didn't get much time there, but she was able to have some fun in the Sound Lab. There is limited photography allowed in the museum, so I took these of Jelly and of Sugar Plum outside after our visit.
Again, I couldn't take photos inside - and because I had to run back to the Science Center with Sugar Plum when she realized she'd left her notebook and sweatshirt there, I didn't have much time there - but I viewed the Homeworld exhibit, including Captain Kirk's chair and the "Science Fiction and Society" display, which looks at how science fiction examines and shapes our lives. (That display affirmed my belief that the best science fiction is that which offers social commentary.)
Erected for the 1962 World's Fair, it was then the tallest building west of the Mississippi; now it's only the seventh tallest building in Seattle. I have a photo-booth picture of me at the Space Needle when I was three years old. Although I don't have a specific memory of being there, I wanted to share the experience with my own children. It was a cloudy day, and we were quite chilly as we waited for our appointment to go to the top.
This revolving restaurant at the top of the Space Needle makes a complete revolution every 47 minutes. The most expensive dinner I've ever bought for the family, it was still worth it, as the food was delicious - I had prime rib, garlic mashed potatoes, and green beans - and (hopefully) eating there will be a memory for the kids to treasure for a long time.
(Served Since 1962)
Family Road Trip - Day Six
Venturing Away from "Home Base"
Exploring Olympic National Park
Ordinarily, waking up at 5:20 a.m. is not my idea of a fun vacation. But that's just what I did this morning - and I'm so glad I did!
We were on the road toward Olympic National Park by 6:45 a.m., and we didn't get back to "home base" until after midnight, but what great sights we've seen! I'm only awake now because I've got a couple of loads of laundry in the dryer - a necessity if a few of us are going to face tomorrow fully dressed.
I'll post the details of the day - plus a bunch of photos - tomorrow!
Exploring Olympic National Park
Ordinarily, waking up at 5:20 a.m. is not my idea of a fun vacation. But that's just what I did this morning - and I'm so glad I did!
We were on the road toward Olympic National Park by 6:45 a.m., and we didn't get back to "home base" until after midnight, but what great sights we've seen! I'm only awake now because I've got a couple of loads of laundry in the dryer - a necessity if a few of us are going to face tomorrow fully dressed.
I'll post the details of the day - plus a bunch of photos - tomorrow!
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Family Road Trip - Day Five
Venturing Away from "Home Base"
Exploring Seattle Center
This morning some of us (but not all) were wishing we'd put a bit more "downtime" into our schedule. We actually ended up hanging out in the hotel all morning - sleeping, reading, watching a little TV, blogging, playing games on the Nintendo DS, eating leftovers from The Cheesecake Factory, and so forth - the specific activity depending on which one of us was involved. (For the record, I was mostly reading and eating.)
Early afternoon we ended for Seattle Center with plans to visit the Pacific Science Center, the Experience Music Project/Science Fiction Museum, and the Space Needle (including an 8:15 p.m. reservation for dinner at the SkyCity Restaurant). Just after 10 p.m. we arrived back at the hotel, having accomplished our goals for the day.
Because we are leaving "home base" at 6:30 a.m. in the morning to head for Olympic National Park, I'll wait and post photos tomorrow (or Thursday, depending on how tired I am tomorrow night).
Exploring Seattle Center
This morning some of us (but not all) were wishing we'd put a bit more "downtime" into our schedule. We actually ended up hanging out in the hotel all morning - sleeping, reading, watching a little TV, blogging, playing games on the Nintendo DS, eating leftovers from The Cheesecake Factory, and so forth - the specific activity depending on which one of us was involved. (For the record, I was mostly reading and eating.)
Early afternoon we ended for Seattle Center with plans to visit the Pacific Science Center, the Experience Music Project/Science Fiction Museum, and the Space Needle (including an 8:15 p.m. reservation for dinner at the SkyCity Restaurant). Just after 10 p.m. we arrived back at the hotel, having accomplished our goals for the day.
Because we are leaving "home base" at 6:30 a.m. in the morning to head for Olympic National Park, I'll wait and post photos tomorrow (or Thursday, depending on how tired I am tomorrow night).
Monday, July 21, 2008
Family Road Trip - Day Four
Venturing Away from "Home Base"
Exploring Bainbridge Island
A low-key, restful day was my intention for today, and though I'm tired and just a bit sunburned, that's pretty much what I got.
After sleeping in and grabbing a quick breakfast at the hotel, we headed to downtown Seattle to Pier 52.
That's where we caught the 11:25 Washington State Ferry to Bainbridge Island.
We walked around the town - exploring the Eagle Harbor Book Co., enjoying lunch at Richie's 305 Diner, purchasing some Bainbridge Island Fudge at Bon Bon, and sitting in the shade while the kids played on the playground at Waterfront Park.
The 3:50 ferry took us back to Seattle, then it was a quick drive to return to the hotel, where the kids quickly changed into their swimsuits. I sat out at the pool and read several chapters of Sarah Dessen's Just Listen while they swam.
We're now heading out for a late dinner at The Cheesecake Factory, after which I hope to play on the computer a bit before bed.
Exploring Bainbridge Island
A low-key, restful day was my intention for today, and though I'm tired and just a bit sunburned, that's pretty much what I got.
After sleeping in and grabbing a quick breakfast at the hotel, we headed to downtown Seattle to Pier 52.
That's where we caught the 11:25 Washington State Ferry to Bainbridge Island.
We walked around the town - exploring the Eagle Harbor Book Co., enjoying lunch at Richie's 305 Diner, purchasing some Bainbridge Island Fudge at Bon Bon, and sitting in the shade while the kids played on the playground at Waterfront Park.
The 3:50 ferry took us back to Seattle, then it was a quick drive to return to the hotel, where the kids quickly changed into their swimsuits. I sat out at the pool and read several chapters of Sarah Dessen's Just Listen while they swam.
We're now heading out for a late dinner at The Cheesecake Factory, after which I hope to play on the computer a bit before bed.
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Family Road Trip - Day Three
Third Leg: From Portland, Oregon, to Seattle, Washington
175 Miles - A Longer Drive Than We Wanted, Arriving at Our "Home Base"
After a large, yummy breakfast at the hotel - I had a vegie omelet, some bacon, a bowl of oatmeal, some watermelon, and a glass of grapefruit juice - we packed up the car and then attended church services with the Tigard First Ward. They are a friendly group with a beautiful chapel, and we enjoyed our visit there.
Our next visit was to the Rose Garden - not the Rose Garden Arena, but the International Rose Test Garden. Struggling initially to find parking, we ended up thoroughly enjoying our stroll around the garden, cameras in hand.
We expected that the drive from Portland to Seattle would be leisurely compared with the previous two days. Just 175 miles, it nevertheless ended up taking more than four hours, thanks to two accidents in the early stretch of I-5 out of Portland and then stop-and-go traffic between Olympia and Tacoma.
Eventually, though, we made it to the Residence Inn Seattle Bellevue, our "home base" for the next four days. After unpacking the car, we drove to the nearby home of WhiteRabbit's sister Janet and her husband Matt, where they grilled us some hot dogs, hamburgers, chicken breasts, and vegies for dinner. (We'll see more of them during our outings on Wednesday and Thursday.)
Back at the hotel a bit after 9:30 p.m. (Pacific Time), we settled in a bit - including getting hooked up to high-speed internet, because what would I do without being able to blog about our adventures!
175 Miles - A Longer Drive Than We Wanted, Arriving at Our "Home Base"
After a large, yummy breakfast at the hotel - I had a vegie omelet, some bacon, a bowl of oatmeal, some watermelon, and a glass of grapefruit juice - we packed up the car and then attended church services with the Tigard First Ward. They are a friendly group with a beautiful chapel, and we enjoyed our visit there.
Our next visit was to the Rose Garden - not the Rose Garden Arena, but the International Rose Test Garden. Struggling initially to find parking, we ended up thoroughly enjoying our stroll around the garden, cameras in hand.
We expected that the drive from Portland to Seattle would be leisurely compared with the previous two days. Just 175 miles, it nevertheless ended up taking more than four hours, thanks to two accidents in the early stretch of I-5 out of Portland and then stop-and-go traffic between Olympia and Tacoma.
Eventually, though, we made it to the Residence Inn Seattle Bellevue, our "home base" for the next four days. After unpacking the car, we drove to the nearby home of WhiteRabbit's sister Janet and her husband Matt, where they grilled us some hot dogs, hamburgers, chicken breasts, and vegies for dinner. (We'll see more of them during our outings on Wednesday and Thursday.)
Back at the hotel a bit after 9:30 p.m. (Pacific Time), we settled in a bit - including getting hooked up to high-speed internet, because what would I do without being able to blog about our adventures!
Saturday, July 19, 2008
Family Road Trip - Day Two
Second Leg: From Boise, Idaho, to Portland, Oregon
430 Miles - A Long Drive with Four Intermediate Stops
Not too far into our morning drive we passed into the Pacific Time Zone and over the 45th Parallel - the halfway point between the Equator and the North Pole. We also saw an exit sign for Cement Plant Road - which led to (guess what?) a cement plant, leading us to believe that Oregonians are either very practical or not too creative.
Our first stop was a rest area at which we wondered whether we'd be eaten alive by giant mosquitoes. Other than the bugs, though, it was a nice place to stop and stretch our legs.
Spying a sign for the Oregon Trail Interpretive Park at Blue Mountain Crossing led to our second stop. With very few other visitors, this tribute to the pioneers was delightful. We walked a half-mile paved path, as well as quarter-mile dirt trail, and reflected on those who traveled this way before.
We stopped for lunch and gas in Pendleton, eating at a Subway, Sugar Bear's current restaurant of choice. In Oregon one cannot pump his or her own gas, and I don't think WhiteRabbit could live here, since he got impatient waiting for a service attendant.
Our fourth stop was one I had been looking forward to for months: Multnomah Falls. On the trip we made to Seattle thirteen years ago, when Jelly Bean was four and I was pregnant with Sugar Plum, we stopped at the falls and made the short walk to the observation bridge. I didn't know if I could make the steep one-mile hike to the top of the falls, so we didn't but I vowed that the next time we came to the area, I would make that hike. Today I did it! Jelly Bean and Sugar Plum literally walked circles around me, as I was slow. But as I told Sugar Bear as we climbed, "I can do hard things!" and we did.
Ready to see Multnomah Falls!
There it is!
En route to the top.
In Sugar Bear's words: "Holy cow! That's a view!"
(That's the Columbia River.)
At the top, looking down.
Our final destination for the day was the Embassy Suites Portland, where I now sit waiting from a delivery from Pizza Hut. After our dinner, I think we'll all be sleeping very well.
430 Miles - A Long Drive with Four Intermediate Stops
Not too far into our morning drive we passed into the Pacific Time Zone and over the 45th Parallel - the halfway point between the Equator and the North Pole. We also saw an exit sign for Cement Plant Road - which led to (guess what?) a cement plant, leading us to believe that Oregonians are either very practical or not too creative.
Our first stop was a rest area at which we wondered whether we'd be eaten alive by giant mosquitoes. Other than the bugs, though, it was a nice place to stop and stretch our legs.
Spying a sign for the Oregon Trail Interpretive Park at Blue Mountain Crossing led to our second stop. With very few other visitors, this tribute to the pioneers was delightful. We walked a half-mile paved path, as well as quarter-mile dirt trail, and reflected on those who traveled this way before.
We stopped for lunch and gas in Pendleton, eating at a Subway, Sugar Bear's current restaurant of choice. In Oregon one cannot pump his or her own gas, and I don't think WhiteRabbit could live here, since he got impatient waiting for a service attendant.
Our fourth stop was one I had been looking forward to for months: Multnomah Falls. On the trip we made to Seattle thirteen years ago, when Jelly Bean was four and I was pregnant with Sugar Plum, we stopped at the falls and made the short walk to the observation bridge. I didn't know if I could make the steep one-mile hike to the top of the falls, so we didn't but I vowed that the next time we came to the area, I would make that hike. Today I did it! Jelly Bean and Sugar Plum literally walked circles around me, as I was slow. But as I told Sugar Bear as we climbed, "I can do hard things!" and we did.
In Sugar Bear's words: "Holy cow! That's a view!"
(That's the Columbia River.)
Our final destination for the day was the Embassy Suites Portland, where I now sit waiting from a delivery from Pizza Hut. After our dinner, I think we'll all be sleeping very well.
Friday, July 18, 2008
Family Road Trip - Day One
First Leg: From Home to Boise, Idaho
355 Miles - A Fairly Boring but Necessary Drive
My hoped-for departure time today was 1:00 p.m. WhiteRabbit's "drop dead" departure time was 3:00 p.m. We split the difference and were on the road at 2:00 p.m.
I spent the morning doing laundry and responding to work email. I also had a few phone calls to make. At 11:00 a.m., while WhiteRabbit was picking up the Toyota Sienna mini-van we decided to rent, I attended a "Parent Showcase" in which Sugar Bear was involved, for the summer school "Bright Ideas" program he's been attending the last two weeks. On the way home we decided that he really needed new athletic shoes for the trip, so we stopped at a shoe store. Then it was the frantic last-minute packing - packing the suitcases, packing the cooler, packing the mini-van.
(Renting the mini-van was nearly an afterthought, as we weren't sure we wanted the additional expense. But as we thought about how tight the fit is for the five of us in my Nissan Pathfinder, we decided that getting some more space for the kids might keep them from killing each other - or us from killing them because of their arguing. They each have their own seat, and we still have plenty of room for the luggage. We also realized that we'll save some money on gas, since we're getting better mileage - which will help pay for the cost of the rental.)
At 2:00 we were ready to go! Originally I thought we'd drive 30 or 45 minutes and then hit a McDonald's drive-thru to pick up a late lunch. The kids convinced us that they were starving, though, so we stopped at the McDonald's near our house - our first official stop, just minutes from the time we hit the road. But at least we weren't hungry anymore - and we headed up I-15.
After a while we transitioned to I-84, and before long we were welcomed to Idaho. Everyone - except WhiteRabbit, of course - dozed for part of the drive, with Jelly Bean especially trying to catch up on her sleep. We got to enjoy a few nice views of the Snake River, but for most of the trip we were, in Sugar Plum's words "in the middle of nowhere, away from civilization." We made just one stop in a rest area, and, making good time despite the head wind, we arrived in Boise just before 8:00 p.m.
We checked in at the Holiday Inn Express where we are staying the night and then headed to Applebee's for dinner. Everyone is now ready for bed, I think, with some more interesting and active days to come.
355 Miles - A Fairly Boring but Necessary Drive
My hoped-for departure time today was 1:00 p.m. WhiteRabbit's "drop dead" departure time was 3:00 p.m. We split the difference and were on the road at 2:00 p.m.
I spent the morning doing laundry and responding to work email. I also had a few phone calls to make. At 11:00 a.m., while WhiteRabbit was picking up the Toyota Sienna mini-van we decided to rent, I attended a "Parent Showcase" in which Sugar Bear was involved, for the summer school "Bright Ideas" program he's been attending the last two weeks. On the way home we decided that he really needed new athletic shoes for the trip, so we stopped at a shoe store. Then it was the frantic last-minute packing - packing the suitcases, packing the cooler, packing the mini-van.
(Renting the mini-van was nearly an afterthought, as we weren't sure we wanted the additional expense. But as we thought about how tight the fit is for the five of us in my Nissan Pathfinder, we decided that getting some more space for the kids might keep them from killing each other - or us from killing them because of their arguing. They each have their own seat, and we still have plenty of room for the luggage. We also realized that we'll save some money on gas, since we're getting better mileage - which will help pay for the cost of the rental.)
At 2:00 we were ready to go! Originally I thought we'd drive 30 or 45 minutes and then hit a McDonald's drive-thru to pick up a late lunch. The kids convinced us that they were starving, though, so we stopped at the McDonald's near our house - our first official stop, just minutes from the time we hit the road. But at least we weren't hungry anymore - and we headed up I-15.
After a while we transitioned to I-84, and before long we were welcomed to Idaho. Everyone - except WhiteRabbit, of course - dozed for part of the drive, with Jelly Bean especially trying to catch up on her sleep. We got to enjoy a few nice views of the Snake River, but for most of the trip we were, in Sugar Plum's words "in the middle of nowhere, away from civilization." We made just one stop in a rest area, and, making good time despite the head wind, we arrived in Boise just before 8:00 p.m.
We checked in at the Holiday Inn Express where we are staying the night and then headed to Applebee's for dinner. Everyone is now ready for bed, I think, with some more interesting and active days to come.
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Just Wondering
Why is it, when I get extra tired, that the skin around my eyes gets extra dry?
(If I can survive getting ready for our family vacation, I am really going to enjoy it! I need a vacation so badly!
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Ten on Tuesday
Hosted by Yano
of YanoWhatIMean?
- Summer 1979 - As a teen, I took a trip on my own to visit my cousins in New Hampshire. It was my first airplane ride, and I got to see Acadia National Park and Boston.
- August 1995 - On a family vacation, we took a ferry from Seattle to Bainbridge Island. I purchased a small mama teddy bear holding a baby bear at a shop there. I was pregnant with Sugar Plum at the time. (I'm hoping to take the ferry to Bainbridge Island again next week during this year's family vacation.)
- April 1998 - WhiteRabbit and I spent a week in Cancun, Mexico, at a time share offered to us by his boss. While I struggled with several aspects of being in Mexico, I'm so glad that I had the opportunity to see the ruins at Tulum and Chichen Itza.
- August 1998 - WhiteRabbit and I made our first visit to the Utah Shakespearean Festival in Cedar City. We saw Romeo and Juliet and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. We've been back to the Festival at least once every year since - and we'll be going for our eleventh season next month.
- December 1998 - When I was pregnant with Sugar Bear, WhiteRabbit and I spent our New Year's holiday in Monterey, California. Among other things, we visited the aquarium and rode a surrey bike. One of my favorite memories is lying on the bed in our hotel room with a nice breeze coming in the window and reading The Poisonwood Bible.
- October 2002 - On a family trip to Denver to visit my sister Lori and her family, we took the long way and stopped at both Arches National Park and Mesa Verde National Park.
- December 2004 (I think.) - WhiteRabbit and I spent several days between Christmas and New Year's at Half Moon Bay (California). It was an extremely rainy winter in the Bay area. I enjoyed walking each morning in the drizzle and sitting by the fireplace in the afternoons reading a good book.
- May 2007 - WhiteRabbit, Sugar Plum, and Sugar Bear made a quick trip to Moab (Utah) where I had my first meeting with an on-line friend and we also spent a nice day at Arches National Park.
- June 2007 - My extended family made a trip to San Diego together. We'd never traveled as a group before, and we number quite a crowd! (I've got several posts about that trip in the June 2007 archives.)
- June 2008 - I traveled to Montreal for Blokus Palooza 2008 and had a fabulous time!
Monday, July 14, 2008
A Few Days in the Mountains
Better Than I Thought
It was no secret among my family members and some of my friends - even among a few of my co-workers - that I was dreading the annual training retreat that was held this past week. This was my fifth such retreat, and while I look forward each June to a women's retreat with which I'm involved, I'd come to suspect that this work event doesn't meet the definition of a retreat. I decided to look it up:
re·treat (ri-ˈtrēt)
noun
1 a (1): an act or process of withdrawing especially from what is difficult, dangerous, or disagreeable (2): the process of receding from a position or state attainedb (1): the usually forced withdrawal of troops from an enemy or from an advanced position (2): a signal for retreating c (1): a signal given by bugle at the beginning of a military flag-lowering ceremony (2): a military flag-lowering ceremony
2: a place of privacy or safety : refuge
3: a period of group withdrawal for prayer, meditation, study, or instruction under a director
Well, definitions 1 b and 1 c definitely don't apply, and although it might be possible to argue that 1 a (2) fits the situation, I can't believe that the goal of the event is to "recede" from the position or state we've already attained. I don't think that 1 a (1) works either - if for no other reason than what happens at the retreat is no less difficult or disagreeable than what happens at the office week-to-week; in fact, because it's more intense - 72 hours straight - one might argue that it is more difficult.
That takes us to definition 2, which also doesn't apply. The lack of privacy at the retreat, in fact, is one of the things with which I struggle. Spending three days in a cabin - even a very large cabin - with 30 or 40 other people isn't exactly a situation that most introverts crave. Sleeping in bunks, sharing a bathroom, communal dining areas, little possibility of being alone with my thoughts - all of those things wear me out emotionally.
So what about definition 3? It is a period of group withdrawal: each of us leaves home and our "normal" existence behind for the duration of the retreat. Without cell phone service or internet access, we are cut off from "real life." We aren't praying or mediating, but we are giving and receiving training - so in that sense, I guess it's a retreat. It's not the definition of "retreat" that I'd particularly enjoy - but it is a group withdrawal for the purpose of training.
Fortunately, this year's retreat turned out to be the best of the five I've attended. One co-worker who has attended nine of these said she also thought this one was the best. A first-timer told me she found the experience to be "life-changing."
So why was this retreat so successful - and so less stressful and taxing on me compared to my previous experiences? Here are a few observations:
- The agenda was adjusted as deemed prudent and more carefully adhered to than sometimes happens - which resulted in the elimination of the feeling that we were always running behind.
- Friday afternoon's guest speaker - a trainer from FranklinCovey - was insightful as well as funny. His presentation was a good break from the business of the organization, and although I've read both The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People and First Things First, I received some new ideas for improving both my professional and my personal lives.
- My friend Sue encouraged me to get up early on Thursday and Friday to go walking - with the sole purpose of relieving stress.
- My friend Holly set a good example of going to bed early - even when others were just gearing up to watch a movie or play a game of cards. Getting adequate rest went a long way toward keeping me on an even keel.
- I didn't eat every snack or candy that was offered, focusing instead on getting some fruit and vegetables and protein at every meal.
- I gave myself permission to "retreat" if needed. For example, I had my MP3 player with me, so I could tune out the crowd - but I didn't end up using it; I packed The Host in my suitcase and read a bit of it; and I took some photos, which helped me focus on the beautiful setting. Emotionally, having those "escapes" was tremendously helpful.
Although I still think this particular event is one of the more stressful weeks of the year, I'm not dreading next year's retreat near as much as I was this time last year!
Sunday, July 13, 2008
stream of consciousness
glad to see that the Weather Pixie is back. i think it's past my bedtime. but for some reason i don't really want to go to bed. i wish that it were friday instead of saturday - when one is working on saturday, the weekend is much too short. maybe i can bribe myself into bed with some chocolate and The Host. words are not sufficient sometimes. pictures might help. why do i feel melancholy? i didn't get to walk this morning. two previous mornings' walks were so nice. even if i'm slow. i need to keep it up. so good to be home in my own bed - except that Sugar Bear is there right now. move him. get chocolate. get The Host - and then go to sleep. a nap tomorrow afternoon as well. it's nice to be missed. it's sad to not be missed. i think i need sleep. did the laundry get done? i do know i loaded and ran the dishwasher. will i dream of such things?
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