Tag Archives: Travel

The Great Adventure {part two}

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Read The Great Adventure {part one} first!

This is it!  We are sitting in third row seats listening to Ree Drummond talk all about how her blog evolved and her family, the ranch, her cooking, photography…It was so fun to sit back and just listen to her talk.  I have been following her blog for about two years, so I am pretty caught up on all things Ree, but it was so fun to listen to Ree tell her story.

It was also fun to experience all of this with Sarah.  Sarah and I have a fun history that you can read about here. It was fun to not only spend the whole day together, but then get to enjoy something that we both love so much!  (We missed you, Amanda! We mentioned you throughout the evening!)

After Ree spoke, the VIPers got in line to have PW sign our books.  It was a LONG line – we waited for almost an hour and a half and it was soooo worth it.  With all my “ailments” I would have waited all night!  We were in for the long haul – we would have waited a lot longer.  It was about Ree, but it was also about experiencing all of this fun stuff together!

We got to chat with the people in line behind us and swap stories.  I ended up sharing the letter that PW wrote me:

It was so fun to hear the ladies reaction to the letter and my heart surgery story.  I think because I have been living this hot mess of a life for the past few months it is almost “my normal” – if that makes sense.

Sarah and I with VIP Sign!

As we moved closer in the line, I started to get nervous.  Through the ten days we had planned this trip – I kept thinking, “What am I going to say? How am I going to explain this – and quickly?”  The ladies in line with us that heard the story and read the letter assured me that she would remember.  I wasn’t so sure.  I really thought I would have to explain!

Taking a break while we were waiting in line at the book signing.

At one point the ladies behind us were thinking of leaving, but stayed because they wanted to see Ree’s reaction when we met!  Isn’t that the sweetest? (I hope they are reading!  If so, HI!  Leave a comment or email me!  🙂

Waiting in line! We were so excited!

As we got closer and closer, I started to perspire and shake – getting more and more nervous!  How was I going to do this?!  What is WRONG with me!?  Finally, we were next in line.  I had already handed over my book and had my letter in hand and was told I could go talk to Ree….

Stay Tuned!

The Great Adventure {part one}

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This is a story about two girls who went on a journey to meet the Pioneer Woman….

Destination: Great Falls, Montana to see The Pioneer Woman, Ree Drummond

If you are new to this story you should read this and this first.  Trust me!

I woke up Friday morning ready to tackle the last minute details before I could hit the road. I couldn’t have been more EAGER to get out the door and on the highway.  I was looking forward to every part of the day ahead.  The drive, the tunes, solitude, seeing Sarah, shopping, getting dressed up, dinner and of course seeing REE!  The whole day had lots of adventures in store and I couldn’t wait for each one – big or small.

{Side note: This post includes super high quality photos from a phone.  Sorry about your eyes!}

"Are we REALLY doing this?"

The first leg of my road trip was through Logan Pass, which later I officially renamed “Pothole Pass.”  I’m lucky I made it through – I was pretty sure I was going to disappear in one of those potholes never to be heard from again.  (You may be wishing that a pothole had consumed me after the great detail you will be reading. . .assuming you’re still reading, that is. 😉

First Song to Start off the Trip (shuffled-no less!) - this song also brought me in to Great Falls. T.S. is Sarah's FAVE - so it was very fitting!

If you have never driven through Logan Pass – you should.  Tomorrow.  It winds through the Rockies and hits a corner of Glacier National Park.  There isn’t a bad time of year to drive through the pass – well beauty-wise – weather is a different story.

The sun was shining and it was a balmy 32 degrees through the pass.  If you didn’t know – I LOVE driving through mountains passes – and I mean LOVE it.  Especially independently!  The music as loud as it can go and a complete feeling of FREEDOM.  I love it.  It’s one of my favorite times to worship the Lord.

A-MAZING!

Beautiful!

Both of our trips (Sarah drove from North Dakota) went sooo much quicker than we expected.  Awesome!  We got to the hotel in Great Falls at about the same time – which was way cool.  We checked in, unloaded our stuff and headed out to do some shopping.  And Starbucks, of course!  Everywhere we went I kept thinking (and saying), “I wonder if Ree (Pioneer Woman) is here?”

We finally realized we better wrap up our shopping and go back to the hotel to get ready for dinner and then to the BIG EVENT!

We were running a bit later than expected so we ordered three appetizers at Chili’s.  We ate fast and pretty much ran to the car so we could get to the event.  We punched in the address in Sarah’s GPS (Bessie, we named her).  Well, Bessie was a faithful navigator, but about a block away from the location I realized we were going to the wrong place.

The event was sponsored by the C.M. Russell Museum, but it was actually held at a hotel!  So, I checked the tickets and sure enough the event WAS AT THE HOTEL. . . and we were already running late.  We put in the new address and booked it to the hotel.

I kept telling myself – this will be a funny addition to the story later.  Later being the key word! 😉  It was all part of the adventure though – and we had several “adventures” throughout our day.  Later, we realized Chili’s was only a few BLOCKS away from the event….so in the end we went MILES out of our way! Ha!

We pulled into the parking lot and it was packed.  Of course, there were two open handicap spots, but I left my handicap sticker in MY car back at the hotel.  We finally found a parking spot at Motel 6 next door to the hotel where the event was held!  We scrambled out of the car with all of our gear (Sarah had FOUR books!) and beelined for the hotel.  We had VIP tickets…with reserved seating.  When we walked in – the VIP section was full.  We walked to the front, looked for empty seats when a guy walked up and said they were going to put up more chairs.  Um, OKAY!  We ended up having third row seats!  Being late paid off!  We were THRILLED!

We only had to wait about ten minutes before Ree was introduced….

Can you see Ree "The Pioneer Woman"?

Was this really happening?  The first plan I had made in FOUR months is actually happening?  I can not believe it!  Very surreal.  Sarah said that she kept looking at me to see my reaction to Ree speaking – and my face was just blank.  Not sad, not happy – just blank!  I think I was overwhelmed, shocked, awed….

The Pioneer Woman

Wouldn’t you LOVE to know what happens next?

Stay Tuned…

Derailed

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We are somewhere between Bismarck and Minot on our way back to Williston.  I love this landscape.  One minute the horizon is a line of windmills.  Next the frozen lake is covered with ice fishing houses.  I think I have counted four trees.  🙂 A pale blue sky and white ground with gold peeking out here and there.  So beautiful and peaceful (well, from inside a warm and gust-free Denali!)

We have been getting updates throughout the afternoon on Helen’s Fundraiser – which has been fun since we didn’t make it back to Williston to attend.  Helen is a dear friend – who lives next door to my bff’s parents – who my mom has been friends with for years.  I LOVE spending any time I can with Helen.  She had a massive stroke back in December and just recently went home.

We spent the night in Jamestown.  Woke up and met Kendra (family friend) and her family at Perkins for breakfast.  I LOVE reading Kendra’s Facebook status updates – she writes THE funniest things that her kids say and do.  Her overall perspective on current and events is so entertaining and enlightening!  (To say the least.)  Holla! Anyway, it was fun to meet her family and visit for a bit. Gosh, am I in North Dakota or what?!  (eg: visit for a bit?!)  Oh, Dear!

We got on the road by late morning.  We were barely out of Jamestown when my mom checked her voicemail messages.  There was an automated message from Amtrak saying that due to service disruptions our reservation had been cancelled for Monday.

I guess a little back story is in order…..last week I could not (and did not want to) make decisions.  I had a lot of feelings of  “I just want to be home.”  I think that is because home was the only place that felt safe at the time.  I felt like I was a little girl again and at a sleepover at a friends house.  The closer it got to bedtime the more I wanted to be home in my bed with the knowledge that my parents and sisters were close by.  That is the safety and security I kept grasping for in those moments of uncertainty and insecurity.  I wanted security and I wanted familiarity.

I finally decided yesterday to take the train home on Monday (tomorrow) with my mom instead of staying in Williston for another week.  I knew I would miss seeing lots of friendly faces in Williston, but I was just done and needed to be at home.  Or so I thought….

So, after my mom updated me on the message from Amtrak I called them.  I thought there had been some confusion because yesterday we cancelled her ticket and room and got a bigger room and my ticket.  Anyway, I talked to the nice Amtrak lady who told me that the train service was cancelled until FRIDAY, March 4th due to derailments and wind/snow.  Hmmmmm….that sure doesn’t happen everyday, does it?!

I’m not really sure why I’m still shocked when these things happen.  Immediately when I heard that we’d be in Williston an extra five days I laughed.  Of course, OUR plans changed….they have since day one!  I really am okay with the change because there are a lot of things to be glad about (and a lot of people to see and things to do!).  I guess it’s the flood of peace that immediately followed the change of plans that kept my attitude in check.

Cause who doesn’t love a day at MOA?

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I finally got to meet up with Joci & Celia yesterday morning!  It was so sweet to see and squeeze two of my favorite people.  We met at Mall of America (on Toddler Tuesday) and had lunch at Crave.  Then my mom, Natalie and I did some power shopping and met up with Joci & Celia (and kids) for a few minutes before they headed home.  We did a bit more shopping and then met Susan, Amber & girls at Cinnabon!  Had a super tasty pecan caramel cinnamon roll – and then was reminded that I promised to do a roller coaster ride with Lily and Ava!  My mom, Susan, Amber, Lily, Ava and I snagged the first three rows (Lily and I in the very front – eek!) of the roller coaster.  Um, wow.  It was a blast and scary – but totally worth it!  I especially liked the warning before we got on – “if you have heart problems, a weak neck or back, ettc….you shouldn’t ride!”  Ha!

Because there is SO much walking (and ground to cover) I rented a wheelchair.  Berks sat on my lap almost the entire time!  It was great.  She is such a sweet girl with big blue eyes and an occasional smirk.  I’m loving on her like crazy.

Today we (Mom, Susan, Amber, Alecia, Natalie, Berkli and I) are doing a little shopping and then Joci is picking me up and we are going to Celia’s to visit with Bridget (who is driving in for the day!).  Looking forward to seeing the girls all together.  Then tonight we are meeting up with everybody at P.F. Chang’s – the long awaiting and anticipated dinner par-tay!  Bring on the Lettuce Wraps!

{her onesie says “MY AUNT ROCKS”}

Thanks again for the continued support and prayers.  They are much appreciated.  Still much confusion, but the shock has started to wear off.

{putting a little bronzer on Berks}

Thanksgiving Recap

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Well, family Thanksgiving in Jackson Hole was a huge success. Though we had a steady stream of obstacles since the day we booked the condo – we were all more determined than ever to make it work. We had loads of family time, a few games, a movie or two, shopping downtown, fires in the fireplace, good food, laughs, terrible road conditions, snuggling with nieces & nephews, a few good injuries…..

On our way to Wyoming, we had bad weather/roads. We got about half way to Jackson and the road was closed and there were NO hotels. We were all pretty disappointed. Especially after all the hurdles we’d have to jump just to get to that point. We drove an hour to Butte and found a hotel. As we were unloading all of our stuff in FREEZING below zero temps, I couldn’t help but wonder if this had been God’s plan all along.
[Side story: Because of the condition of my heart/lungs, I have to be on oxygen if I am above 4000 feet. Butte is about 5200 feet and Jackson is 6200 feet. When I am in high altitudes it is really painful – chest pain, headaches, short of breath, extreme fatigue. My lung and gp doctors advised against the trip, but my cardiologist and surgeon said it was okay.]
Anyway, I couldn’t help but wonder if this was God’s way of acclimating my body to the higher elevation. I hate to make a huge detour about me – but given the outcome…(Overall, (with the high elevation) I couldn’t have felt better. Seriously! I was AMAZED!) I prayed and prayed throughout our nights stay in Butte that God would open up the skies and clear the roads. I kid you not – we woke up to BLUE skies and had fairy good roads for about half of the trip! God is faithful and good.

Aidan and Finley Videos

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Portland Vacation – July 17 – 22, 2009

http://www.youtube.com/get_player

On our recent trip to Portland, we got stuck in three airports in one day! This video is just a short clip of how we filled our time in the Spokane Airport – our final airport of the day, but still not home.
Finley loves to sing and be sung to. Her favorite song is “Jesus, I Know” which is actually “Jesus Loves Me.” When she sings she mixes all her favorites: Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star, ABC’s, Rockaby Baby, and Jesus, I Know. I’m trying to bust out some new tunes to add a little variety, but recently – as soon as we start singing with her – she puts out her hand as says, “stop, I sing.” She’s got a unique, sweet voice (and personality).
On our trip to Portland, we stayed with my cousin Christie and her boys. They have a pool in their backyard! It was beautiful every day – so we spent lots of time in the water. Aidan (4) became fast friends with his second cousin Abbie (almost 4). Though Aidan has not taken swimming lessons – Christie has a cool suit that allowed Aidan to swim, jump, dive and cannon ball his way into the water while keeping him safe – like a life jacket. We were all so amazed at how quickly Aidan took to the water. This video shows his skillzzzz and enthusiasm for his love of the diving board! Way to go, Aidan! (Hopefully, there’s a Summer Olympics in his future – that would make this aunt very happy.)

http://www.youtube.com/get_player