Friday, May 30, 2008

Gone Fishing...

Jordan and Jennie Taylor consider themselves fishers. Since they moved to Victor, Idaho, they got their fishing licenses and all of a sudden they are fishers. The fact that their main fishing hole has a sign that says, "Kids Fishing Pond", doesn't insult their expertise.
On Jordan's day off plans were made to go to another lake for fishing. Apparently there were fish to be caught that were bigger than the standard 11 inch fish from the kids pond. Well the fishing began and no bites. Finally Jordan taught Jennie to check to see if fish were on the line. Jordan reeled in the first fish and it was drastically larger than the daily catch from the kids pond. Jordan was in a state of euphoria, at the thought of such a big and pretty fish.
Jennie caught the next fish. Her excitement was still great despite it being smaller than many of the kid's pond fish. Jordan continued to reel in larger fish. We were quite thrilled to see how hard each tugged on his line. The joy was smashed when the unfortunate mouth of the sucking carp reached the surface. Jordan was more than disappointed and figured that the carp deserved to die. Of course when it tried to get away Jordan nailed it with a large rock. Then proceeded to pick it up with his hands and chuck it far away into the rocks where the poor desperate sucking carp would have no chance. Jordan claimed that he only did it for the sake of the birds which deserved a great breakfast. Good hearted????? yeah right he was just embarrassed.
Jennie let her beginners luck show through and caught the largest fish of the day. Jordan acted like a child at Christmas when he saw the huge fish. Jennie just followed his lead in the excitement, and then she wanted picture after picture taken of her with her fish. She was thrilled.
Jordan was very proud of his girl but wanted something big too. He continued to fish and caught a beautiful brook trout.
The day was awesome the two of them caught enough fish to last the two of them a couple weeks and Jennie didn't tell Jordan that she really doesn't like eating fish all that often. But he will figure that out in time.
Jennie did feel rather bad about killing the fish and about having to cut the worms, they were fishing with, in half. Once she had her trophy fish she didn't feel so bad. She wanted everyone to see her fish including the local mechanic in town, her neighbors, and of course she wanted her daddy to be proud of her so she had to call him right away.
Jordan and Jennie are stoked about their great adventure of fishing and can't wait for another day of it.
Currently Jordan is using his cheffly expertise to cook the fish up for a fabulous dinner.

Thursday, May 29, 2008

Went Exploring

On Tuesday I decided to get out and go exploring, it was awesome. I had been looking at trail maps trying to decide where to go. I chose to go to Baldy's Landing, to get there I would pass Mud Lake. My favorite part of hiking, is coming to a stream, river, lake or waterfall. So I figured Mud Lake would be the place for me. It sure was muddy on the first half of the trail. I came to the lake it was beautiful with wild grass all around, little splashes of flowers made me smile. I also saw a duck glide across the Lake.
If you know me well you know that I have a connection with ducks. I think they are magnificent and I would be thoroughly pleased to be reincarnated as one.
I continued on the trail completely content and enjoying myself, a few miles further I reached snow. Luckily I brought my waterproof hiking boots. So I continued. For the most part I could walk on top of the snow, but every few steps I would sink to my knee in snow. After a little over an hour in the snow, I was realizing it was time for me to get back but I had yet to reach my destination, I hiked another 30 min. I thought I saw my destination so I began to run in the snow. I don't know if what I arrived at was really the destination but it was time for me to turn around. The way down was just as pretty as the way up. It was the highlight of my week.
When Jordan got home from work I was so excited to tell him about my adventures, unfortunately I was reprimanded for going alone. Apparently there are bears, creeps, and oppertunity for injury; all of which are defiantly threats but really who wants to stay in a motor home all day when there are beautiful mountains to be explored. I am struggling to find a hiking buddy, but I am working on it.

The following day, my new found hiking buddy bailed on me, so I was left alone again. I couldn't go hiking even though I researched what to do around bears. So I had to come up with something else and "27 Dresses" only lasted 2 hours, of the 12 hours that Jordan is at work. So I decided to go on a bike rid to the post office. Well, that ended up being the most beautiful 8 mile bike ride. Going to the post office was less than a mile so I continued on. I saw horses, cows, fields, and ranches. It was so beautiful just open country road. Then I got to the mountain and decided to follow a dirt road along the edge of the mountain. It was glorious. The trees and the cabins were awesome. I headed up another dirt road and camp to a pond so i hoped of my bike and sat on the dock, put my feet in the water and read my book. Now this definately made my week it was awesome.
As for Jordan, he is defiantly enjoying work, everyday he arrives home with stories about Ron, Ron, and Ron. Some of the guys he works with. I think all they do is tell stories and goof off. But he loves work and the people he is working with.

Monday, May 26, 2008

Motor Home Life


Motor home –noun , a small bus or trucklike vehicle with a roomlike area behind the driver's seat outfitted as living quarters.
Well for us it is not just a "room like area" rather it is our home. 31 feet is rather large if you think about it being transportable...connected to a vehicle. Although perception can be a bit different. Measure the room you are currently in. How big is it? Our entire home is just under 300 Sq ft. that includes our bedroom, kitchen, study, bathroom, outdoor gear area, and BBQ grill. We have beds for 6 people although it would not be impossible to have more guests sleep over.
When the idea of living in a motor home was first presented I thought,
'hum." Not hum in a bad or a good way. I just hadn't thought of it. I took a tour of the motor home and thought, "sure this would work. I will only be able to bring a weeks worth of clothes but I could manage. " The space would be tight but it was still our best option.
The reality of this life style is that there is so much space. I brought 3 weeks worth of clothing and Jordan managed to bring more. We have plenty of space for food and we have more meet frozen in the freezer than we ever had in our last apartment. The storage compartments are comparable to Mary Poppins' carpet bag.
Now, when Jordan and I are at home we are always very close. It is less than three of my body lengths from one side of our home to the foot of our bed at the other side of our home (I measured). So we are enjoying the time we get to spend near each other.
Our neighborhood is always changing on Friday we had 5 new people move in and today we had 3 families move out.
When it is time to clean the house it doesn't take hours running up stairs and down stairs and cleaning tons of bathrooms. It is the perfect size you can clean it so fast and then it is time to go outside and play.
There is a slight problem with the idea of going outside and playing. The theme "April Showers Bring May Flowers" we have found to be quite incorrect. May is the month of showers. It rains day in and day out. With a few moments of beautiful sun. Yesterday the sun was bright as can be. I was outside reading getting a tan when all of a sudden God turned on the sprinklers. it was just like a July day of jumping and twirling in the sprinklers. Due to the high amounts of rain we end up frequently caged inside. But the sound of the rain is fabulous, it reminds us of those wood insturments you turn upside down to hear the rain. But imagine a 5 yr old that won't stop turining that thing over for days on end. Yes the constant piter patter of the rain does manage to get old. Despite the shower being in May not April, the flowers are coming, the grass is covered in dandelions I just can't wait to receive a bouquet of them.
The cliche, " When this van's a rockin' don't come a knockin'" Doesn't quite have the same meaning when it comes to this motor home. The single act of walking from one side of the home to the other causes a rocking motion. So feel free to visit, when we are a rockin' it just means we are here so come on in.
I have yet to experience the motor home shower. It is definitely a luxury to have a shower in our vehicle. The only problem is it reminds me of an airplane or a tour bus bathroom. Basically small. Maybe I just have a phobia. It is hard enough to squeeze into an airplane bathroom, now imagine trying to shower in it too. I try to avoid using airplane toilets, but I have become accustomed to using the motor home toilet although the shower is something to take on another day. Until then our camp host provides reliable showers. So mom, incase you were worried I am still getting the needed showers. And not just by dancing naked in the abundant rain.
The Motor home life is really great in many ways. I don't know if it is lifelong way of life for us. Yesterday I saw our neighbor, she is from Mass. and she and her husband and two Golden Retrievers have been living in their RV for 4 years. The other neighbor Jim from Flordia has been living with his wife in theirs for 5 years. Most of our neighbors have silver hair, and older bodies but that doesn't slow them down, they are our exploring the world having adventures. And are making RV life a lifestyle not a vacation. We are following their lead and loving it. We'll just keep our stay 5 months instead of 5 years.
We just want to put a special thanks to Steve and Kelly Taylor for letting us use their motor home. They are waiting for us to bring it back so they can sell their house, put all their belongings in storage and live in their motor home for the rest of their lives.

FLood or Famine

I have always thought of the concept of Flood or Famine when it comes to dating. A person will go days, months, and possibly years with out a date and then that same person may get hit with the flood and find themselves with so many suitors and options they don't know what to do with themselves.
I have recently realized that this can be compared to many different aspects of life. For instance. I am currently not working, craving a job, an oppertunity to do service, social interaction, basically a chance to do something. But no matter how many temp agencies I call I get nothing. I call to do volunteer work and I cannot find anything. It is a bit frustrating. but i am fully aware that in a week the poles will change and I will be utterly overwhelmed with all the things that I have to do. And at this point I await the flood and I fear the flood. But the famine has got to end or I might just die.