Sat, Jun 3, 2011

Saturday, June 4, 2011

I talked to my mother this morning and she asked me to send her a recent photo so she could remember what we looked like.  I think she was really saying it was time for us to come home. I did send her the photo though. – Donna Downey

When Charles and I first married we were both self employed, working with close family members and trying to build our businesses.  We didn’t have time or money to take vacations for many years.  We are blessed now to have successful long lived businesses and especially blessed to have employees who are committed to making sure that our customers and clients receive great service.  They also know we work long hours and they make sure we get a chance to renew when we need it.  The last couple of years we were able to stretch a two week vacation to three weeks and last year we had our first vacation that lasted a month.  This road trip is by far the longest period of time we have ever been away from work and home.  It has been somewhat of a sabbatical for both of us and we know we are fortunate to have this opportunity.  We do not take this for granted to be sure.

We slept a little later than usual, had a good breakfast in the motel that also has our cabin, and then did a little relaxing and a few chores before having lunch in the cabin.  Technology allows me to take care of a number of work related issues so I took time to take care of a few things.  Charles decided the Jeep needed another major clean-up and also picked up things we were running low on.  The weather was beautiful this morning and it was a great day to just relax and enjoy the cabin and the wonderful environment here.

About mid-afternoon we headed out to check out a few dirt roads we read about and also took the Plumtaw-Piedra road we took yesterday from the other end.  On one of our breaks, Dodger and Paris were doing their routine of hunting for anything that might move.  Dodger actually caught a baby chipmunk in the deep grass but luckily dropped it when I told him to “spit it out”.  By the time we got back to the cabin that story had grown to him saying he had killed a bear.  Oh, well you know how kids can be. 

After Dodger killed the bear (translation: spit out a baby chipmunk), we took the Mill Creek road then the Blanco River road until it topped out just shy of the pass where it was snow bound. We just turned around, made the drive back out and headed to the cabin.  We had supper in the cabin and I started my journal while Charles read to me from the local paper. It was a very relaxing and enjoyable day. 

We are well tonight and hope that y’all are too.

Peace, Hope & Love,

Donna, Charles, Paris & Dodger