amberfocus | Getting Ready to Go on Vacation

We leave on Monday for our vacation. Did you know that there is a life size replica of Stonehenge in Washington state? (I wonder if this was where Stonehenge Apocalyspe was filmed?) We are going there. It was made by a man named Sam Hill from which the expression, "Where the Sam Hill...?" is derived. Hmm... It also has gardens and art museums. They told us on the phone that we could expect to spend anywhere from 4 hours to several months seeing things there. They are infinitely helpful at the visitor's center. And there is a cafe. Fortunately there is also a Trader Joe's nearby so I can make sandwiches myself with food that won't make T sick.

We are also going to Grand Coulee Dam on the Columbia River, the biggest dam in America (Hoover is the tallest, not the biggest). Also to Dry Falls, the biggest non-working waterfall (as in the dry part) in the U.S. Or Washington State. Or all of North America. I'm not clear. It's big though, which seems to be a theme. And apparently calling it a dry waterfall is more important sounding than a big cliff face. And we will see Mt. St. Helen's, the active volcano, because we like putting our lives in our hands, okay? Something to do with history and making the trip educational for the kids. I don't know, I wasn't paying attention. I switched off my teacher brain halfway through June. This is a reasonable response to homeschooling for two years straight. *nods*

We will also be dropping over into Oregon for an overnight in The Dalles. And to do some clothing shopping for school since Oregon has no sales tax and the kids think they want to go to public school in the fall and will need more than two pairs of sweat pants and one pair of jeans each apparently. And nice shirts. And maybe I will find the new, round, George Foreman grill in red that makes waffles, pancakes, pizza, and quesadillas along with what it is supposed to make (meat and veg without adding fat or oil). Because that is a totally practical reason to spend 100 non sales taxed dollars. At least I don't want the square one that you can make lasagna and muffins in. That would be impractical. And doesn't make pizza or waffles.

We are not doing these things in this order. We are making a circle...er oblong type thing. Chris does maps and planning. I...read a lot and type on my laptop and pretend to care about the scenery. And drive when I have to. But I think I will like it anyway. Especially the laser show at Coulee. The car trip itself might not be too bad if I don't get car sick and barf. Which is why I tend to read or type. So I don't barf. Will be packing a big bowl with a lid and a couple of gallon size Ziplocs just in case.

I will try to answer my comments on ch. 23 of Leap of Faith before I go. I'm not sure what the WiFi situation is at the hotels we are staying at. I told Chris nothing primitive. I wanted hot tubs and swimming pools and free WiFi. That may have translated to hot tubs and swimming pools and kitchens in the suites so that we can cook things so we won't poison our poor allergic boy with evil restaurant food he can't handle. I agree that kitchens have priority over WiFi and so do hot tubs. Swimming pools are questionable over WiFi, but not kitchens.

Tomorrow is packing and one last trip to the athletic club before we go. The hotels are supposed to have gyms, but who knows how tired we will be after traipsing around all day? We picked up the rental vehicle today so we don't have to worry about that. We can just pack it up tomorrow. Why does it seem like it was easier to go to Canada than to tour my home state? I miss visiting Victoria and going over to the island on the ferry. *insert grumble about border restrictions here* Need to get the special driver's licenses and kiddie ID's so we can go there next summer.