Puss Reboots

Just into the California border and through the Collier Tunnel (a snarf!) is the Collier Tunnel rest stop. We all needed a chance to stretch our legs before the long ride into Eureka (through thick fog along hair pin turns).

Harriet stumbles around. By this time it was almost her bed time and we still hadn't had dinner.

Ian helps Sean look at craters on the moon with the binoculars. The moon was beautiful.

The moon. It was much prettier and impressive in person.
Mar. 16th, 2008 @ 08:37 pm

When Sean wasn't taking pictures, he was watching the world go by through our new binoculars.

Or he was reading stories to Harriet.

Except for when Harriet was asleep.

There I am driving while Ian smiles for the camera.
Mar. 16th, 2008 @ 12:26 am

Harriet in the grass at Cabin Creek. It was the inspiration for a recent drawing.

Here is the drawing.

Ian points out where we planned to make our turn into California.

Sean got some M&Ms for the road since it would be a long time before we stopped for dinner (Eureka, CA).
Mar. 14th, 2008 @ 11:19 pm

Harriet wants to know if it's time to go.

A day time view of the bridge.

Like true book geeks, we made our way to Powell's where we spent $110 on books.
Mar. 14th, 2008 @ 10:27 pm

We arrived in Pendleton in late afternoon. We hadn't eat lunch yet and I was beginning to feel the effects of Harriet's illness.

After a late lunch we decided to hang around the hotel and relax.

Sean went a little nuts after being cooped up in the car.

Harriet played fort.
Feb. 29th, 2008 @ 09:59 pm

Harriet stretches her legs.
Feb. 28th, 2008 @ 04:52 pm

Our next stop was the Cow Canyon rest stop for a well needed stretch of the legs.

Everything out here is covered in a red volcanic dust.

Here's a better view of the red dust.

There's Ian aka buriedknight.

The kids looked for rocks.

And there I am.
Feb. 24th, 2008 @ 03:06 pm

I will always think of Bend as the city that ate my mother's nightgown. I still double check my dryer load to make sure no clothing will get stuck in the door just in case. Back in 1991 we stopped in Bend to do our laundry at a coin-op and watched as the dryer tore mom's nightgown to shreads.

We expected to stay here at the Red Lion, a motel that they must have recently bought. We had asked for a crib in our room for Harriet. Usually this request isn't a problem but at this one, both Pack-N-Plays that were being used a cribs were broken! It was late at night. We were hungry, tired and the Harriet was feverish. Fortunately the front desk clerk was able to get us into a nearby hotel for the same rate.

We eventually got a room at the Phoenix Inn at the other end of town. The lobby was gorgeous and our room was very comfortable. Their fold up crib worked perfectly and Harriet gave her nod of approval, saying: "This is my goodnight bed." Before collapsing into bed, Ian went to Baja Fresh and brought back take-out for us.
Feb. 20th, 2008 @ 12:06 am

Sean's second encounter with snow. The last time was when he was almost 3. That time he fell down twice in the snow. This time, he didn't fall but it still didn't thrill him. I wish I had photographs of Harriet in the snow. She loved it. The reason I don't have any photographs of her in it, is because I was constantly chasing after her!

Here is Harriet back in the car, upset that she can't play in the snow any longer.
Feb. 19th, 2008 @ 11:48 pm

Harriet was well enough (a little feverish) to continue on. Here was the view of the mountains near Redding as we were packing up to go.

Harriet and Sean were ready with some reading for the road.
Feb. 15th, 2008 @ 05:55 pm

Our first night on the road didn't start off well. When we finally were able to stop for dinner at a little place called Bill & Kathy's in Dunningan, Harriet after drinking some milk and eating one bite of bread, projectile vomited all over Ian. See his post.

So I cleaned up after Harriet while Ian and Harriet (both now covered in vomit) ran outside. Then I let Sean finish his meal as best he could, before boxing up and paying for the rest of our meal. Once outside, Ian ran back inside to change pants. Then Ian and I hastily ate our meals in the car.

So this blurry photograph is a quick memento of our disgusting start. We were so too far along to turn around so we kept on going to Redding.
Feb. 15th, 2008 @ 05:16 pm

Harriet shows off her new hat.

Feb. 10th, 2008 @ 11:44 am

Harriet goes to school twice a week. She does not nap there. So this is what happens during dinner on those nights...

Feb. 10th, 2008 @ 11:07 am

Harriet has discovered the joys of dancing on our coffee table.

Feb. 10th, 2008 @ 11:00 am