No parachute needed

 We started the morning in Downtown Disney; walking, playing legos, browsing, and getting cupcakes at Babycakes NYC.  Um, yeah, I bought cupcakes! Gluten free, soy free, etc, etc, etc!!!  I can handle a  little potato starch if they don't have all the other ingredients. It was at Disney that I realized I left my wallet at my grandparent's house, good thing we will be there again in a week.

We headed back to the bus at lunchtime.  We told the kids we were going to drive to the other side of town for something special. As we drove down I-4 Ezra saw  IFLY Orlando .  He told us how awesome it would be to indoor skydive and how the machine works.  SURPRISE! That is where we are going!  They were both so excited. To be honest J and I were pretty pumped too :)

We sat through a very short class then it was off to gear up. The boys wanted to flip before they even learned the basics. The instructor was awesome as he guided them through flips, rolls, and high flying.  We don't usually splurge for this sort of activity. We would do it again in a heartbeat.  Click here to view more photos of the actual flights, PHOTOS    

Those moments

This trip is about many things; such as spending time together, climbing, doing nothing, and having some awesome experiences.  So far I feel like I want more one time with J and the boys. We have been so busy finding patterns and rhythms in this new life that we haven’t taken much time to just be together.   Here are a few moments of togetherness that resonate:  We were the only visitors a Big Shoal State park in Florida. While James was busy inspecting the engine and cleaning the air filter, I skipped through the pine and oak forest with T.  T told me I looked like a 12 yr old girl skipping.  Skipping has an amazing way of unleashing the child within.  We skipped back to James and Ezra just as a Bald Eagle flew overhead! I believe that was the first wild Bald Eagle I have ever seen.  The camera was in the car but the memory is in my heart.

The next moment of sweet togetherness happened at the car wash.  J and I washed Love Dove.  We joked and laughed as we furiously scrubbed the nasty black streaks off the bus.  It was one of those newly dating moments; fun, carefree, and playful. 

We have been visiting with my Grandparents.  They are very welcoming and excited to have us visit.  Grandpa’s memory isn’t what it used to be so I repeat of lot of things; where we are going, why the clock isn’t working, and where my sisters live.  I don’t mind repeating. I don’t see him often enough to be frustrated by it.  Instead it makes me realize how much I care for him and how much he has cared for me.  It makes me cherish the time I have with him.  Last night J, Grandma, and I were going to bed early, leaving Grandpa in the living room.  While saying good night to Grandpa, I got hooked on watching Betty White’s 90^th Birthday Show.  With no contacts or glasses I stood 2 ft from the television; Grandpa joined me.  We stood too close to the tv for ½ hr just watching and laughing together. 

I am happy to be alive. Happy to have my family. Privileged to spend wonderful moments with them.

Ezra's addition

I’m at Grandma and Grandpa’s house today and I’m going to reminisce about the past four days. It feels like we’ve only been stopping at gas stations to get gas and sometimes Dad got an energy drink. We stayed the night at a park and parking lots. The parking lots were usually at grocery stores.  When we slept we put up curtains so people can’t see in.  When we got to Florida we stayed the night at “Florida’s visitor welcome center”; at least that’s what I think it’s called. We went to Big Shoals State Park to have lunch and saw a Bald Eagle!  It was amazing to see.  At one of the last gas stations they were selling real crocodile heads! The teeth were really sharp! They were really cool, I wanted one but they cost $43.99. 

The past two days we went to the pool, the water temperatures were cold. The first day was 68 deg and the second day was 72 degrees. I still enjoyed it. 

 We went to see skydivers today too.  I really want to skydive but I’m too young. I have to wait until I’m 18.  When I see them falling it makes me want to go grab a parachute and jump into the next plane!

                                                                                                                                                              Ezra

A place to rest

Our family, well the boys anyway, have an obsession with hammocks. ENO is our hammock of choice. Sturdy, lightweight, packable, and they hang just about anywhere. When we can't pop Love Dove's top we hang 2 hammocks above the lower bed. Yahoo more sleeping space!

ENO doesn't sponsor us but they should :)

All in a day's work

Great Meadow Campground, Big South Fork/Daniel Boone National Forest.  We love this spot.  We stayed here in March of 2007. It was freezing! This time around it was cool but not freezing.  We like waking up to a rushing river and a brisk breeze.  

The drive into Great Meadow campground is a long and winding road through valleys and ridge tops.

Thank goodness for low water levels and no rain during our stay as the campground is in a flood zone! Not shown in our pictures are the creek crossings without bridges.  Those always get our blood pumping :)






What wiper setting do you use the most? James and I love the intermittent setting. Just often enough to keep the windshield clear but not so often you get dizzy. Ours worked Monday before the mechanic visit but not after. We didn't discover the malfunction until Florence, KY, blah!  Thanks to Go Westy we solved the wiper problem.  *Technical note: remove the white plastic tab off the windshield lever switch housing  if you want intermittent wipers.
 

Next was the issue of no high beams.  Driving into Great Meadow campground at 2am with no high beams was like driving with 1 eye shut and sunglasses on.  Basically, 2 high beam on a 1987 VW headlights equal the brightness of the low beams on a modern car.  James and the internet to the rescue!  He just had to reattach a hook/lever inside the steering column. He made this repair look so easy.






While James took apart the steering wheel I made dinner.  The propane tank was empty. I knew we were forgetting to do something; okay, a lot of things, before we left.  I pulled out the backpacking stove and 15 minutes later we ate pork chops, sautéed garlic and kale, and applesauce.

With food in our bellies, high beams, and intermittent wipers we were off to Atlanta!

On the Road

              As I stood in the doorway a wave of sadness came over me. My house is not my dream house but my house is my home. A place we welcome friends and family. A place my kids have spent half their lives. A place that is filled with ups and downs, clean days and dirty days, boring days and chaotic days. It is our home. And now we are leaving our home.

   7pm was our actual departure time. We wanted to leave this morning but Love Dove needed another visit to the mechanic. A broken hose clamp in a tough to reach spot and the wiper switch are all fixed.  If you own a VW or have known us for a while, you know there is always something to be done. Now the bright headlights won't switch on and we lost the intermittent wiper setting.  I wouldn't be shocked if you think we are totally bonkers to load up most of our life and all our essentials into this 25 year old VW and start driving.  Follow along on our journey and I guarantee you will understand.

    My initial sadness lifted after a few tears and watching the boys dance (in their seatbelts) to Thriller and Billie Jean. This will be a good time. I am not naive enough to think it will all be peaches and cream but the sweet funny moments are going to out weigh the yucky ones.

   
Playlist: Cars soundtrack, Thriller album, Cheesy 80's

Are we gone yet?

Monday 4:40pm
We haven't left. No surprise really. We have been 90% packed for days.  However, J worked all day yesterday adding a 2 battery for auxiliary power, a new windshield washer pump, putting the Yakima rack, box, and boats on.  So many last minute items!

Departure Date is set

"Turn away from the world this year and begin to listen. Listen to the whispers of your heart. Look within."
                                                 -Sarah Ban Breathnach

After a month of looking within, wondering, dreaming, and well more dreaming we have a departure date, January 16th.  We are headed south to climb and visit family.  Florida beaches watch out because I am craving sand between my toes.  The crazy thing is that leaves 10 days to pack. 10 days. 10 days!

• homeschool/roadschool notification
• gather roadschool materials
• tie up loose ends at work
• write a how to manual for our house and critter sitter
• pack everything else! this is another post, for sure
• clean the house
• prep Love Dove
• Breathe and pack some more

We have a lot to do in the next 10 days, oh did I mention I have a sinus infection. Juicing, water, and herbs are my best friend right now.  Between those and the pull of the open road, I should heal pretty quick.

Off to tackle my list, 

 Anna

P.S. For all the squatters and thieves: our home will not be vacant. Don't waste your time:)