One of the nicest things about the trip so far for me has been how much I am enjoying Steve's company. I try to never forget that the goal of raising children is for them to leave you and then... there you are again. Just the two of you and how perfect if you have already taken up bridge or skeet shooting or whatever together. I was all set to tell you about this hilarious exchange Steve and I had outside of Missoula based upon a Holiday Inn billboard but when I went to type it up I realized it wasn't really all that funny. At the time, though, we both laughed until we were crying. It's nice to have some who understands you even if they don't necessarily agree with you. Like when I looked appreciatively around the Bozeman valley and asked how many acres, exactly, Steve thought he would need to be happy there.
He said, "If it was all flat like this? A couple of thousand I guess."
And I said, "Oh right. Or else you'd be all, 'Juuuuuulia. I just saw another person! Through my spotting scope!"
Steve said, "On that mountain over there."
I finished, "Now I feel all oogy. I'm going to lie down in my office."
And Steve said, "And you'd yell back 'I'm still looking up Thai restaurants online - I can't hear you.'"
Somehow I don't see us as ranchers.
+
Today we drove from Bozeman to the Spokane Valley with a couple of nice detours. The first was totally spontaneous when we realized that we were pulling into Missoula about 45 minutes too early for lunch but options were limited thereafter. I suggested we get stuff to go from the nearby eateries (for the children we purchased small chunks of chicken breast dipped in batter, flash fried, with a barbecued sauce from a little place called Mac Donald's and then Steve and I split a large sandwich that looked like an underwater craft from another local place called The Subway.) We put the food in the car and drove until we found a national forest (you seriously cannot throw a brick in this part of the world without hitting another 5000 acres of pristine wildlife lovingly protected by Uncle Sam - although I wouldn't recommend the brick throwing because the federal aspect makes it a felony.)
Anyway we drove until Steve said "Is that a brown sign?" and I said "Pull off! Pull off!" so he did. Then we drove for a while with absolutely no idea where we were heading until we came to this designated picnic area.
We said something like HOLY CATS and ate our lunch. The the children went off and expressed their individuality in the most stereotypical (for them) ways.
Edward found pinecones.
Hippogriffs. Edward Hippogriffs. And he likes his pinecones stirred not shaken.
Then he found a stick that looked a lot like an axe and proceeded to "fix" the trees. "I am a working man," he shouted "and I am going to build this tree."
Caroline hopped onto a tree stump and preformed the Hokey Pokey for an audience of imaginary squirrels.
And Patrick promptly started building a gnome home around the most likely tree base.
It was a lovely break. Even the pit toilet was clean enough to meet Caroline's standards. Not that she used it of course because she has gone from quirky to neurotic but still...
You had such nice things to say about Coeur d'Alene that we made it our end destination for the day. Then I looked at hotel prices and decided that it could make a lovely afternoon and we'd move on to the Spokane Valley for the night.
All pretty much went according to plan. We pulled into Coeur d'Alene and discovered a painfully beautiful town with the world's most stunning park, which had a thousand public bathrooms, a truly fantastic play structure and a great beach. Why doesn't everyone live in Coeur d'Alene? We have no idea.
Patrick at the park.
Caroline at the park.
Edward is not pictured because Edward chose this moment to have an atomic tantrum. Why? We had no idea. Something about DSFHASLDGFNA/SLMGN/SDLMN!)&*^)*&(*&%(*&! (gasp for air) *&%^(&^Fjdhkasfjh;RW!
We moved on to the beach.
Caroline swims like a golden retriever (in seven inches of water.)
Patrick immediately found a new building medium while Edward dared the lake to hit him with a wave. one. more. time. Seriously, water, make his day.
Tomorrow we head to Seattle where we enter part two of our vacation: Super Family Fun Time. My mom and Papa Stan are flying in and we'll meet up at my brother's tomorrow night. Then on Monday we will all head out to the islands.
So, seriously, thank you so much for all the comments. You have truly made our vacation a thousand times better already and for that I am most sincerely grateful.
You guys look like you're having a great time! Although I see you are like me and hiding behind the position of family photographer. I hope that somewhere there are some pictures of you too! I have never been in that part of the country and I suspect that if I got my husband there, we might not come back so easily. Safe travels!
Posted by: Erin | July 30, 2011 at 11:12 PM
Can I just tell you how happy it makes me each night, as I tuck into bed, to see that I get another update from you? I love it! Glad you are having fun, and yes, there is nothing like escaping the tedium of day-to-day life to remember what it is you loved about that spouse...
Posted by: Nicole | July 30, 2011 at 11:21 PM
Welcome to the Pacific northwest. Should you guys end up at the zoo in Seattle, give a shout (almost literally)--we live three blocks north of said captive animals. Just ignore the sad, emaciated palm trees in my front yard, please. Also, you will be experiencing the first real glimpse of summer we have had so far, with temps in the 70s this week. Enjoy!
Shaynee
Posted by: Shaynee | July 30, 2011 at 11:50 PM
It sounds like you are having a truly fabulous trip. Reading about it has me dreaming of road trips with my crew.
Posted by: Kristin | July 31, 2011 at 12:07 AM
Love love love the vacation updates. Makes me think someday I'll take my kids on one. (the youngest is 2, so "road trip" doesn't sound too fun right now - it's hard enough doing the 11 hour drive to get to grandma's house!)
Posted by: Stephanie O | July 31, 2011 at 12:09 AM
Are you going to the San Juan Islands? I'm on Whidbey Island, which isn't one of them but is the scenic way to get to Anacortes if you're getting the ferry there. If you do drive up Whidbey, stop in Langley! It's a really beautiful little town. I love it here. I can make recommendations for restaurants and point you to beaches and playgrounds if you need them. Love reading your vacation updates.
Posted by: Rose | July 31, 2011 at 12:26 AM
Ahh, Seattle. My hometown. Love it!
If you are driving north to the San Juans, taking the Mukilteo ferry across to Whidbey Island, and driving up and across Deception Pass is well worth the extra miles. Let Patrick get out and tromp across and uderneath the bridge. Good picnic spot as well.
Posted by: May | July 31, 2011 at 12:48 AM
Hi from Seattle! So excited to have you in town. Will be imagining Julia sitings for the next few days.
Posted by: marta | July 31, 2011 at 01:12 AM
The daily posting is AMAZING. So enjoying this. I definitely want to do a road trip through this area of the country one day.
Posted by: Deanna | July 31, 2011 at 05:08 AM
Thank you for your lovely trip notes. I am enjoying them so much (or, to tell you the truth, rapidly cycling between enjoyment and eye-watering envy!) It all looks very beautiful and you have inspired me to add a American road-trip to my already-very-long list of places to travel with my family - after all, if we're going to traverse the Mekong, the trans-Siberian and the Inca trail we should be able to manage the Mid-West. And plus, that gorgeous picture of you in the hat made me sure... maybe I too can look that good :) Keep on having a great time and hopefully not too many atomic tantrums and too-late dinners...
Posted by: Christina Pitt | July 31, 2011 at 06:33 AM
Oooh, I love stopping at the brown signs for a " pic-a-nick".
Posted by: Shana in Texas | July 31, 2011 at 07:31 AM
You need a like button :)
Posted by: Amie | July 31, 2011 at 07:33 AM
:^) Yea, traveling! Yea, regular posts! Yea, photos of pretty places!
That's all I have to say.
Posted by: SarahB | July 31, 2011 at 08:40 AM
Definitely need a 'like' button. What fun you're having! I'm really enjoying the daily updates.
Posted by: Dawn | July 31, 2011 at 11:47 AM
It's so nice to have something new to read from you everyday! Enjoy the remainder of the trip :)
Posted by: Tripta | July 31, 2011 at 12:15 PM
Enjoy Seattle! I miss the northwest, I've been gobbling up your daily posts and photos. I love the brown signs and picnic tables too. I think I spent 90% of my childhood at or under or around those tables. I'll keep my fingers crossed for some sunshine for you the next few days. I hope you do have time for Whidbey Island. That's where my husband grew up. Try to hit Ebey's Landing. And the kids would love the tunnels at Fort Ebey. I hope you have a great visit with your family!
Posted by: Heather | July 31, 2011 at 08:05 PM
I am enjoying reading these posts so so SO much. And I know what you mean about rediscovering your partner. Date night is fine, but having a laugh over the silly stuff is WAY better.
It sounds like you are having a wonderful trip, except for the missed dinner time. Enjoy!
Posted by: lizneust | July 31, 2011 at 09:53 PM
I am loving your vacation, and as always your writing. I grew up in Montana, lived in Bozeman for two years after I was married, and now live on the Seattle Eastside(Bothell). So glad you went through Yellowstone...it's one of my favorite places on earth. Hope you and your family continue to have a wonderful trip.
Posted by: girlseven | July 31, 2011 at 10:21 PM
Julia, I read this a day or two late! I've been reading your blog for quite some time. Your twins are just a month or so younger than my daughter Morgan. I feel, in an odd way, they shared their babyhood. We live in the Spokane Valley and I was tickled to see how much you enjoyed Couer d'Alene. That park and beach is one if our favorite spots! Enjoy your time in Seattle. My aunt and uncle live on Lopez Island. Love reading about your sweet family!
Posted by: Meg | July 31, 2011 at 11:31 PM
Welcome to the Left Coast! If you're heading to the San Juan's do indeed stop over at Deception Pass. If you're heading to Orcas, you're in for a treat as well. Heck, the ferry rides alone are worth it. It never fails to amaze me how gorgeous of a part of the world we live in. Rains and all. I live in Sammamish, so if you're stopping for coffee in Redmond, holla'!
Posted by: zarqa | August 01, 2011 at 11:09 AM
For just a bit, I felt like you were stalking us, your pictures were showing up the day after we had been to the EXACT SAME PLACE. Now we are back in Utah, my sister is back in Oregon and you all have headed to Seattle. It was kind of fun seeing our trip reinacted from your perspective.
Posted by: Liz S | August 02, 2011 at 11:20 AM
Reading your post it's like i'm with you...i enjoy the trip *smiling* ..can't wait to your next trip.
Posted by: Luther | August 04, 2011 at 05:00 AM
Is Patrick's tie-dye shirt from Jackson? Does it have smiley faces on the front, I can't tell? Because my boys have that exact shirt from Jackson
Posted by: Jennifer | August 04, 2011 at 02:17 PM
Oh dear. The only memory you'll have of lovely Missoula is eating at McDonald's and The Subway on Reserve St. Please don't hold it against us.
Posted by: Heidi | August 05, 2011 at 08:37 PM