Sunday, August 22, 2021

Feeling like the Ingalls family- WA to WI and back

 This summer we took another road trip home to Wisconsin but this time we pulled our RV.  We often felt like the Ingalls family in their covered wagon heading across the country.  I think we had much better accommodations though.  We spent the last year making it feel like home and we were more than happy to stay in it for a month.  The trip to Wisconsin was filled with daily adventures.  

On day 1 we were stuck on the interstate on Snoqualmie pass for several hours as crews tried to put out a fire along the interstate.

Traffic as far as we can see

We pulled over to eat a quick snack, power up the batteries and figure out a plan if the pass stayed closed. Our first day went from 5 hours to 12 hours.  We pulled into Spokane WA late and tired.
    
 

 







On Day 2 things were going well until the gas gauge malfunctioned and we ran out of gas on the interstate in Montana.  We tried to calculate once we realized and were stopping at the next station, 10 miles away but we didn't make it.  As cars zoomed by at 85 mph, we had to figure out what to do.  It happened to be over 100 degrees that day.  Thankfully we stalled near a frontage road and I was able to flag down a kind gentleman who went home to retrieve his gas can, fill it and make his way back to us.  Since he lived in the middle of nowhere it took about an hour.

  


On the third day of travel, we were hopeful things would go smoother but at breakfast Alia's yogurt slid off the table and exploded all over the RV. The picture doesn't show the portion that is all over the dogs backs, the floor and the cupboards.  The container is so small and I'm not sure how it held so much yogurt.


 

 

All of the delays meant we wouldn't make Duluth on time so we stayed in Walker MN on a lake.  It was a beautiful site and sunset.

We made it to Duluth and our first stop was the Lake Walk and a caramel apple.

We were able to meet up with old friends at Park Point for a picnic.  Thanks for the visit Jamie and Rachel!









Building a dam on the shores of Lake Superior.

After a fun weekend in Duluth, we headed to Washburn to see Grandpa and Grandma, Laura, Tony and Lilly.  


This is Abby, Grandma's rag doll kitty.  She is so sweet and we all fell in love with her.

Heading for a walk to the tennis court to play a few games.

Luna was very interested in what Maia was doing.

Hiking in Bayfield   

Making sand castles

The kids spent lots of time fishing with Grandpa and catching perch. They caught enough to have a perch fry for a snack.

Boating on Lake Superior is a favorite.  The kids always love tubing.  

Cliff jumping at Houghton Point

We went out to dinner for our 20 year anniversary to the Good Thyme restaurant.  The owner was the same person that catered our wedding in Washburn 20 years earlier.    












August 4th, 2001, Washburn WI

August 4th 2021, Washburn WI


Drinking from the artesian well in Washburn and filling our bottles for the next stage of our trip.

Next stop, Noah's ark.  Since it was raining and cooler, the lines were short.  We were able to ride many rides more than once.













Bama, Papa, Gaven, and Cassie joined us in the Dells for the weekend.

It was great to see Gaven after so many years.

It rained all day, so we went to an arcade and walked around the Dells.


We went to a haunted house.

Ceiling fan games

The gang

Luna had fun playing with my Dad's dog, Gizmo.

We tried the Paqui chip challenge.....it was way too hot.

Ginger came on the trip with us.  She did great and had her own adventures as she escaped twice, once in the car and once in my Mom's basement.











We spent all day looking for her and finally found her in the wall in some insulation.

Avery brought his ant colony along on the trip too so he could feed them.  On the long car ride we listened to Harry Potter and Avery felted an ant.





Sweet Zoe posing with her parents.

We were able to meet up with Janna and The Wang family in Platteville.

         
We played Werewolf at the park and then headed to Sarah's parent's house for a bonfire and the Perseid meteor shower.  


Wunderlin Family reunion.  Linda, Larry, Susan, Judy, Dad and Cheryl

Cousins!  We are missing 9.  In order of birth from Right to Left....Stacie, Sarah, Jake, Sherie, Me, Heidi, Lisa, Shaun, Corissa and Patrick.










Our kids

Bingo, always a favorite.

On the way home we stopped in Custer SD to hike Jewel Cave.

Jewel cave is the 3rd longest cave system in the world with 200 miles of passageways. 

We hid a travel bug on the way home in Butte MT.

Making pizza using our pizza oven.           

My cuddle bug.    


Until next time!  Can't wait to hit the road again.

Wednesday, July 14, 2021

Happy 15th Birthday Avery!

Avery and Banana 15 years.  He's still a good sport with my banana pictures.
A picture with his ant colony he started.  He found 3 queen ants this year during their nuptial flights and he is slowly building a new colony.  Two larva have emerged so far and there are many eggs on their way to hatching. 
Homemade ice cream cake is always his favorite.

Yearly Questions:

1.  Favorite color:  Red

2.  Favorite toy:  Knex and spatula

3.  Favorite food:  Japanese

4.  Favorite animal:  Panther

5.  Favorite book:  Eragon and Michael Vey

6.  Favorite thing to do outside:  Play with Luna.

7.  Favorite holiday:  Christmas

8.  When I grow up I want to be an engineer because I love to build things.

9.  Favorite subject:  Science.  Least Favorite:  English and Humanities

10.  Favorite thing to do:  Explore

11.  I like to collect ants.

12.  Favorite memory:  Airsoft with Friends

13.  Funniest memory:  Falling out of the canoe.
 

Saturday, June 26, 2021

Father's Day weekend

For Father's Day weekend we headed to the Olympics to hike, swim and explore.  This area is becoming one of our favorite places.  This time we camped at a Hip camp in Sequim.  It was our first time using one and we were pleasantly surprised.  Hip camps are land that people rent out.  Our host, Rob was fantastic!  He even watched our dogs while we hiked Mt Storm King.

We hiked to a magical cove from Salt Creek campground.

After the cove hike, we decided to enjoy the sunshine and take a dip in the lake. Even though it was cold, we all jumped in and swam in our clothes.

Heading up Mt Storm King.  It was a 2 mile hike from sea to summit, gaining 2,000 feet of elevation.  The hike was intense, and our legs were burning but we were  rewarded with amazing views of Crescent Lake and the mountains.

We are about to begin the unmaintained rope section to reach the summit.  There was a series of 5 ropes to help with the climb.

We got to the top and were lucky enough to have the whole thing to ourselves to enjoy the view.

Avery and I ran down the trail and used our extra time to check out Marymere falls.

Thursday, June 17, 2021

That's a wrap- 6th and 8th grade

Avery finished middle school at McMurray online this year and is on to high school next year. 
Alia finished her first year of middle school all online. She looking forward to being in person next year and finally experiencing middle school.
We celebrated by going out to dinner at the country club.