May 31, 2010 – Monday
Zephyr Cove Resort - South Lake Tahoe, NV
My eyes open and my body says “don’t you dare get out of this cocoon”. The window brightens up gently as the sun starts to rise. The massive pine trees, thankfully, filter out any harsh, direct morning sunlight so it’s a subtle awakening (wish that could happen every day). I start thinking of all I want to achieve today (& all that I know Chip wants US to do) and Nicky starts getting “fidgety” so I get out of bed………..reluctantly. It’s 7:15am MT. I never know what time it is here in the “master suite”. I intentionally don’t have a clock on my nightstand; I let my body tell me when it’s time to rise (& shine if I got a goodnight’s sleep). After all, what kind of daily schedule are we really on? I throw on some cloths & take Nick out for a walk. It’s SO fresh, cool, pristine & peaceful. What a way to wake up & start the day!! Not a sound coming from anywhere; only 1 or 2 people out walking their dogs.
Today is Memorial Day. For most, it’s their final vacation day (holiday if you’re a Brit) & back to the “grindstone” of work, school or whatever. For us, it’s just another day of this great big adventure. I’m journaling & Chip’s doing “guy” stuff to the RV (with the occasional “I need a hand”). Nick, of course, is under my feet (which I’m glad, he keeps me warm & I know he's content).
By now, I’m hungry & need a stretch break so I help myself to a “Tahoe-sized” bowl of cereal & banana’s (I’m sure Chip was expecting a more manly breakfast including biscuits & gravy but the chances of that happening in princess land were na-dah, zilch). While sitting in the front passenger seat, I’m watching through the windshield (aka the picture window) as the campground suddenly “wakes up”. Families are scampering around as they break down their campsites & pack up to “go home”. I am watching an adorable family across from us. They have 3 kids – 6, 4 & 2 (my guess). They are doing a great job & obviously have a little experience with this camping thing. The kids are super well behaved & as “helpful” as can be expected.
I have very mixed emotions as I sit here and take this all in. There were many years we did the same thing with our children, a dog (& usually a friend or 2 along as well) in our little Coleman pop-up (with a storage pod mind you). That was a castle to us; each set-up & tear-down being a total team effort. Everything was packed to perfection; to a science. The memories seem like yesterday and are, of course, totally priceless. I reminisce about the group adventures with other families over the years and our own family pact that “we will NEVER have a self contained or a motor home because that’s just not camping”. Well, here I am today at the tender young age of 50-something sitting in the lap of luxury in this elegant Allegro Bus; a member of that “elite” society (does that mean we broke the rules, are we considered “snobs”). The family camper has been gone for a few years now (that was a sad day); each child “growing off” in their own, adult direction so it was time to part with the Coleman & let another family create memories of their own.
So, for the next couple of months, we will continue to live this dream and follow “the Road 2 Yonder”; an adventure of huge proportions (to us anyway). Right now our mindset is that “we may never pass this way again” so we are seizing the opportunity while we have “the chance”. Thankfully & fortunately, our kids will be able to join us “up the road somewhere along Fairbanks, AK way” during the first couple of weeks of July. Brad & Mere are here for the 4th; Chase & his roomy Dave will be here the following week. We are hoping some other family members will be joining us the 3rd or 4th week. This trip is a blessing; God is good & gracious. Again, He worked overtime here at Tahoe and we are living it first-hand. Wish you all could be here. I have never experienced Tahoe in the summer; just during the winter skiing season. It is awesome.
I know that was all deep; had to get it out of my system. Great adventure awaits us for the next couple of days (& we all know what that means with Chip behind the wheel). I will keep you all posted; keep us in your prayers as we do you in ours.
Zephyr Cove Resort - South Lake Tahoe, NV
My eyes open and my body says “don’t you dare get out of this cocoon”. The window brightens up gently as the sun starts to rise. The massive pine trees, thankfully, filter out any harsh, direct morning sunlight so it’s a subtle awakening (wish that could happen every day). I start thinking of all I want to achieve today (& all that I know Chip wants US to do) and Nicky starts getting “fidgety” so I get out of bed………..reluctantly. It’s 7:15am MT. I never know what time it is here in the “master suite”. I intentionally don’t have a clock on my nightstand; I let my body tell me when it’s time to rise (& shine if I got a goodnight’s sleep). After all, what kind of daily schedule are we really on? I throw on some cloths & take Nick out for a walk. It’s SO fresh, cool, pristine & peaceful. What a way to wake up & start the day!! Not a sound coming from anywhere; only 1 or 2 people out walking their dogs.
Today is Memorial Day. For most, it’s their final vacation day (holiday if you’re a Brit) & back to the “grindstone” of work, school or whatever. For us, it’s just another day of this great big adventure. I’m journaling & Chip’s doing “guy” stuff to the RV (with the occasional “I need a hand”). Nick, of course, is under my feet (which I’m glad, he keeps me warm & I know he's content).
By now, I’m hungry & need a stretch break so I help myself to a “Tahoe-sized” bowl of cereal & banana’s (I’m sure Chip was expecting a more manly breakfast including biscuits & gravy but the chances of that happening in princess land were na-dah, zilch). While sitting in the front passenger seat, I’m watching through the windshield (aka the picture window) as the campground suddenly “wakes up”. Families are scampering around as they break down their campsites & pack up to “go home”. I am watching an adorable family across from us. They have 3 kids – 6, 4 & 2 (my guess). They are doing a great job & obviously have a little experience with this camping thing. The kids are super well behaved & as “helpful” as can be expected.
I have very mixed emotions as I sit here and take this all in. There were many years we did the same thing with our children, a dog (& usually a friend or 2 along as well) in our little Coleman pop-up (with a storage pod mind you). That was a castle to us; each set-up & tear-down being a total team effort. Everything was packed to perfection; to a science. The memories seem like yesterday and are, of course, totally priceless. I reminisce about the group adventures with other families over the years and our own family pact that “we will NEVER have a self contained or a motor home because that’s just not camping”. Well, here I am today at the tender young age of 50-something sitting in the lap of luxury in this elegant Allegro Bus; a member of that “elite” society (does that mean we broke the rules, are we considered “snobs”). The family camper has been gone for a few years now (that was a sad day); each child “growing off” in their own, adult direction so it was time to part with the Coleman & let another family create memories of their own.
So, for the next couple of months, we will continue to live this dream and follow “the Road 2 Yonder”; an adventure of huge proportions (to us anyway). Right now our mindset is that “we may never pass this way again” so we are seizing the opportunity while we have “the chance”. Thankfully & fortunately, our kids will be able to join us “up the road somewhere along Fairbanks, AK way” during the first couple of weeks of July. Brad & Mere are here for the 4th; Chase & his roomy Dave will be here the following week. We are hoping some other family members will be joining us the 3rd or 4th week. This trip is a blessing; God is good & gracious. Again, He worked overtime here at Tahoe and we are living it first-hand. Wish you all could be here. I have never experienced Tahoe in the summer; just during the winter skiing season. It is awesome.
I know that was all deep; had to get it out of my system. Great adventure awaits us for the next couple of days (& we all know what that means with Chip behind the wheel). I will keep you all posted; keep us in your prayers as we do you in ours.
