Joyce's blog.... welcome!: Our final camping trip this year.

I WROTE THIS POST ON MY COMPUTER ON WORD PAD WHILE CAMPING AND POSTING IT NOW! CLEVER, HUH?

It is Saturday (actually…Wednesday….it just feels like Saturday) morning and we are at Fort Flagler #55. I am not thinking we will get this site again and I see why it was available.

1. Four big rocks right by where the trailer parks. Can't lay out the carpet right, can't put out the kids table. So we angled the picnic table under the awning and covered one rock with the table.

2. The fire pit is pretty far away as far as fire pits go. Kind of weird.

3. NO privacy as far as woods go. The trail behind us is pretty popular. Camp spot 53 is right there! Thankfully they are camping with the people on the other side of them and only parking their tent trailer next door....and used their truck for some privacy. Works out good for all.

Other than that...it is a big spot. Found a place to hang the hammock. The girls like the trees to climb in.

And Toby seems more content than he was in the open field....not as much action.

We got here yesterday and of course Papa and I set up...the girls nagged us. "When are we getting the bikes", "I'm thirsty"...etc.... They got them when we were ready. We/they brought enough to do so they shouldn't get bored!

(NOTE TO SELF....3 THINGS FORGOTTEN AND NEEDED: BACK SCRATCHER, NYQUIL, PAPA'S WALLET...SO FAR)

I made turkey and dumplings for dinner. They were SO good. Girls pigged out. Then I rode my bikes with the girls. I found them at the boat launch (not by the cliffs) and we rode around both loops. Then Maddie and I rode both loops backwards. It really isn't hard. No big hills to speak of and my bike did great. Girls rode alot more than that....and Maddie was feeling it last night at bedtime.

Their last ride they had gotten wet and sand up to their knees. So papa used the shower outside of our trailer to hose them down....

and they went and got their pajamas on. They were cold and done.

They played with their dolls, snacked, and watched Harry and the Hendersons. They didn't have s’mores last night....decided to wait until tonight.

It was nice...Papa and I sat out at the fire and talked. It was quiet and all we could hear was the wind and waves.

Toby had gone to bed with the girls. Now, of course, the girls didn't go to sleep. I came to bed and we all laid in my bed and I read "The Lorax" to them. That was nice. Then they went to bed...still not to sleep. Papa came to bed. We were all in bed before 10! Now, sleep was another matter. uggghhh! During the night I woke up coughing. I woke up hurting with a headache, sore back, sore hips. It was the night from hell. Papa seemed to be awake every time I was. Toby was kicked off Lauren's bed so he kept getting on ours. Since he loves papa best he would lay on him, at his feet, next to him, wherever he could find a place. And because Papa loves him so much he would let him and not move....as to not wake Toby up.

One thing I don't like about Fort Flagler is they have a 'Seagull Island' the kids call it. It is over at Indian Island....and some people might think they are cool. Reminds me of a dump.

You can see where the seagulls converge. Noisy birds!

It is morning. I got out of the trailer at 6:30. I told Papa to sleep in but he couldn't get comfortable so he got up and made the coffee. He fed Toby and is now sitting out here at the picnic table and we are having our coffee. Girls....please sleep in!!! 7:06 a.m and signing off.

Almost 5 p.m. Wednesday….been a real quiet day. I haven’t left the campsite. My hips and thighs are hurting. It is because of the bike and the bed I think. Haven’t felt very good today either. I played “Imagine-If” with the girls. Got on the bike and was going to meet the girls at the store (papa and Toby had walked there to meet them) but they were already heading back. They had a couple of dollars and bought wooden snakes. It was different. I don’t understand how much they like being in the trailer today. Lauren did jog and maddie rode… they rode a couple of times… and went to the beach. Papa and I played Sequence with Lauren and then by ourselves again twice. I won.

I got some pretty pictures of a butterfly too. Woo-hoo!

Papa, Lauren and Maddie and I went for a walk after dinner with Toby. Actually, Lauren jogged. Her calf was really hurting her before bed!!! I hope it is better this morning. We walked along the beach and found a cool little fort they played in. Toby loves the beach. I think it is his favorite place to walk….maybe it reminds of where he was born…the beaches of Puerto Rico! Then walked over to the playground.

We had bacon and pancakes for breakfast. I had bacon and eggs. Didn’t have to worry about over eating. The girls pigged out most of the bacon!!!! Lol!

For lunch they had sandwiches, chips, carrots & green peppers with ranch, and frozen grapes. They loved it. Dinner we’re having bbq steak, pasta and corn. That should be nummy. Tomorrow morning I am making egg mcmuffins…. Then we have to head back around lunch.

Dr. Jungkeit’s nurse called to schedule me for an appointment. He is the Ears, Nose and Throat specialist I went and saw about a year ago. He told me to get a cat-scan (which I didn’t….I was too busy with work and life) so I just got it done last week. Now he wants to see me tomorrow about the “disease” in my ear! Don’t know why she had to use that word…but I guess we’ll see what HE stays and not jump to any conclusions. I admit it worries me a little bit….but I will put it in God’s hands and let Him handle it because He can handle anything. I can’t. Though I think I am a bit stronger than I even give myself credit for. Signing off again.

Feels like Sunday morning but I know it is only Thursday….our last day of camping for the year. I should be sad and I would be if it wasn’t for feeling crabby. I deserve to be crabby this morning. Yesterday Aunt Flo came to visit me at the camp site after staying away over a year!!! What the heck??? Second time she has done that in the same span of time….over a year! I don’t miss her or even like her so she can just stay away now! I slept like crap again. Both my hips hurt so bad I can’t get comfortable at all…doesn’t matter what side I lay on or if I put a pillow between the knees. They hurt. I know it has to be from over-doing it on my bike Tuesday. But it was so fun riding around with the girls. Do I regret it? Heck ya!!!! Am I feeling so unrested? Heck ya!!!! What is bad is… so is papa. When I hurt he hurts and his hip hurts too. Go figure. Lol! Plus my back is hurting this morning! The truck is still connected… I think we should just put in the bikes, start it up and go home….the girls still asleep would be freaking out. Lol!

so tired....I am trying to nap

Papa just made coffee in the percolator pot….tastes so good! Maybe that will help. Plus I laughed! I just watched a chipmunk steal a marshmallow out of the firepit without Toby seeing him.

Well..... I we are home now. We showered and went to dr.s office. He is a nice guy. He's from our church and we know his parents well. Anyway....he looked at the cat-scan and said I made need an MRI. He said the more he looked at it the less he liked it....so my reply was to quit looking at it. lol! I have too much bone in my ear and it appears too close to the brain? I guess. Between papa's and my ears we didn't really get it. I'm taking Karla with me next time. lol! I will have to go after he consults with a specialist over in Seattle. Know nothing until then.

I will post a few more pics I took including the tiring ride home. So glad to be home!!! After Big Brother I am going to bed and praying I sleep good!!!!

Where the girls kept their clothes in the bathroom! lol!

Look at those eyes!!!!

Our comfy bed....waiting for me!

Maddie in bed with Dorito's again!!!

Lauren woke up and made up the table/bed she was sleeping on and then preceded to make Maddie's bed/couch up. And clean up the trailer. She was awesome!!!!