Trek 2013

This week was humbling to both Ron and I in several ways. . .  We were given the opportunity to participate as "Ma & Pa" in our stake's pioneer trek this time.  We have never been given this opportunity before and really looked forward to it.  Then came the challenges- We both got really sick this winter and did not have the opportunity to prepare physically as much as we wanted - Ron just cleared his pneumonia about 2 weeks ago after a couple of months and two rounds of antibiotics.  Getting the girls to EFY in California and back after school let out and doing all the sewing put me in a bit of a time crunch- I was literally sewing buttons on clothing in the car on the way down to Trek.

The family we came in the car with started out nice and clean!

This is the family we were assigned.  We had 11 really awesome children ranging in age from 12-18.  The kids decided we should go by the family name of "Baggins".  The name Potter was suggested at first but there were some who were vehemently opposed to that moniker.

After a steamy bus ride to the middle of nowhere that no one will soon forget, we hit the HOT and dusty trail.

After about 7 miles on the trail we camped in the "gravel pit" on the first night.  There was a nice river near here where most of us cooled our aching, and in many cases, already blistered feet.

The second day in addition to the hot and dusty, we had several other "interesting" terrain challenges and a couple of creek crossings to make.  It was quite warm again and we covered about 9 miles on this day.  We ended at the VanHorne Farm where there was plenty of shade and "breath-taking" showers.  These showers were AWESOME, if a bit chilly!

 The 3rd day was a "rest" day.  There was plenty going on though- games, competitions, family relay races, the pony express delivering mail from home, testimony meeting, a hoedown, and a sing along. Kaili was kept pretty busy bandaging blisters and attending to minor wounds and ills, so unfortunately, I didn't really catch her on film. Ron and I were both hurtin' units at this point, so we didn't really participate in the more strenuous activities.

The final day Ron and I had some stand-ins make the final 7 miles with our family while we stayed behind and helped to clean up and dismantle the camp facilities.  We met up with everyone once again at the steam train for the last leg of the journey in to Port Alberni where the train blocked the road and let us off just up from the chapel.

There was great food provided in massive quantities throughout and I'm sure the pioneers never ate the way we did.  Ron and I were both disappointed in our personal physical readiness, and it is humbling to realize I just can't do the same things at 51 that I did at 40, but the whole experience was one I would love to have another crack at. We really hope we are asked to do it again. . . once the blisters on our feet heal and we catch a few more winks!!!  Even the young, resilient ones were "plumb tuckered out" on the way home. 

Old news. . .

As you can see, I haven't made the time to post here in awhile.  Here are a few of the highlights (and some of the lowlights too)

Elizabeth made the principal's honor roll this year- Yay!
After a short tenure, I was released from my calling as the Young Women's President in our ward.
The Wednesday after the girls finished school for the year, the three of us embarked on a bit of a whirlwind journey South.  We stopped by Coombs to visit the "goats on a roof" store

then spent the night with Ron's folks in Shawnigan Lake.

Thursday morning we caught the ferry from Victoria to Port Angeles.  We had to make the run through Forks for the requisite photo and some souvenir shopping.

 

We spent that night in a campground near Seaside Oregon.  Friday morning we stopped at Tillamook for ice cream cones, cheese and more souvenir shopping.  Friday night we stopped at my cousin's place in Rio Dell ( in the redwoods of Northern California) for pizza, a too short visit and a good night's rest.

Saturday we hit the road fairly early for the last leg of the journey to my mom's place. Of course, we had to stop for the tourist pictures at the Golden Gate!

While we were on the road, Sarge, my step-dad's much beloved dog was bitten by a rattlesnake (2nd time).  Unfortunately, he succumbed to his injuries late that night.

Sunday we got to see some old friends at church and rest.  Monday, Mom and I delivered the girls to UCSB for EFY.

EFY= Especially For Youth which is basically a week of workshops, socializing, and fun put on by BYU for the youth of our church.

While the girls attended EFY, I laid low and hid from the horrendous (105+) heat at my mom's. I did get some sewing for our upcoming pioneer trek finished, took a friend to lunch, visited my aunt, saw one of my brothers and his family, and did a bit of grocery shopping. Mostly I just relaxed. The nights and early mornings were very pleasant, sleeping under the million stars and being serenaded by the frogs and crickets.

Saturday morning Mom and I left at 5 am to pick up the girls. 

We stopped in Solvang ( a Danish style village) to have danish pancakes, to buy pastries and to visit the shops there.  Kaili was especially drawn to the sock store.  We also stopped in for a quick visit with Aunt Doris on our way back to Paso.

Sunday we went to church again, then went over to Dad's for a bar-b-que.  It was a very pleasant evening visiting with him and Kathy.

Monday we visited the elephant seals, then went to a beach where we found moonstones and jade.

 We had the entire beach to ourselves and the temperatures were quite pleasant.

 

Tuesday we went through our storage sheds to pick out a few treasures to bring home with us. The girls did a big clothes shopping spree at Ross', a little surf shop (for Tom's shoes) and Walmart. My mom volunteered to come with us, but I don't think she really realized just what she was in for.  We were gone all day, fortunately the stores are all air conditioned. My brother, Ben, and his family came out for another visit before we had to head North again.

Packing up for the trip and last minute grocery shopping happened on Wednesday.  I bought things we can't get or are too expensive in BC like- enchilada sauce, canned green chilies, spumoni ice cream, payday bars (for Ron), Tillamook cheese, animalito (mexican cookies), mom's fresh eggs etc.  The dry ice worked like a charm and the ice ream was actually still too firm to eat when we got home. 

Thursday morning we hit the road at 7 am.  We drove essentially straight through (other than fuel stops, we had one last In-N-Out burger near Sacramento, and spent about 45 minutes at Fred Meyer in Oregon) until midnight when we stopped in Tumwater Washington.  Friday morning we hit the border at just after 10am and made the 12:45 ferry easily.  The traffic on the island was actually pretty interesting (read slow/crowded/kookie) because there was a big music festival happening just down the street from our house.

Saturday I baked a cake and Ron and I picked up a gift for Dax's birthday.  He turned 20 on Sunday!  I made him a devil's food with vanilla butte rcream and marshmallow fondant. He had also requested taco soup, and it actually came out pretty good.  I'm thinking the chipotle and cayenne probably helped Ron to shed the last of the "sickness" he has had hanging on for the last couple of months.Of course, the beautiful weather may have something to do with it too ;-)  I am so glad to be back where 90 degrees is considered hot.  I do not miss the triple digit temps or the rattlesnakes AT ALL!

For now everything is about "trek prep"-  I hope to get lots of pictures and share some of them in a week or two. . .