Weekends Make The Week Tolerable

The weekends have been busy. Not the arduous tasks kind of busy, but the fun busy. That's the kind of busy that takes me through the work week. 

Last weekend we took the new RV out for a trip. We went to our favorite state park 45 minutes down Highway 55. Because it is rare that the five of us (six if we count the dog...she loves camping) are all together for a getaway it made Mother's  Day weekend super sweet. The girls came and went over the weekend...when we reached five total the good times rolled! 

On Friday we celebrated the end of M's student teaching. We had some pub snacks and vodka tonics while lounging in camp chairs. 

Next was dinner. We made semi homemade pizza and salad 

Since we'd all worked hard all week, we closed down the campfire at 10pm to crawl into bed 

M and D broke in the sofa bed for the first time. There was a fimiliar childhood giggle fest that went on. It was a sound that was regular when they shared a bedroom, many moons ago. 

Saturday Princess A joined us. We started the day with a short sandy trail hike and bank fishing...

then it was off to visit a newer winery and craft brewery--St. Francois Winery and Ale House. It took us an instant to fall in love with the place. 

With it being race day the owner's served up mint juleps. And yes, by the time we parted ways--two bottles of wine (one white, one rose), beer flight and a mint julep...mom was tipsy! Hell, it was my weekend.

Back at the camp site Princess A and M did a little yoga...

D and I played games...

we grilled steaks, drank the third bottle of wine we bought and made another camp fire. 

Sunday I woke to a mug of hot tea...

and a big breakfast that I didn't cook, for a change. It was all served al fresco. The way all camp beverages and meals, in glorious weather, should be served. 

After breakfast it was hugs and kisses for D as she headed back to campus for finals week. Then the four of us went on a hike.

My heart was full! 

You know what? My heart will be full again this weekend. We will all be together again for an evening of big celebration. 

Colour Me Happy!

I had the best weekend! I had planned to have the best weekend being home alone. King Ralph is gone fishing, Princess A is always gone with her Prince Charming. M was off to the country with a college friend, and D is away at school. Just me and the dog making our own schedule. 

I had plans of laundry, Redbox movies and cereal for dinner. Then my work pal and I decided that Friday was a perfect night to celebrate May Day. Never mind it was April 29...close enough, and May Day was on a Sunday. No one wants to whoop it up on a Sunday! We kicked off the month that draws the school year to a close with new low calorie cocktails and healthy snacks on the deck. We had her hubby grill us meat skewers. 

Saturday my BFF decided to drive to STL so we could hangout. Then Princess A decided to join us. The three of us dined at "Stacked," a favorite burger spot in the Carondelet neighborhood. We bellied up to the bar drinking craft beers and Malbec, while we waited for a table. We entertained Princess A with our need of reading glasses to see the menu

and hilarious antics from our 20's. We intended on a movie, but we ran late with dinner. Instead we headed to Bailey's Chocolate Bar for decadent cocktails (Sexual, Raspberry Dark Chocolate and Flower Power) and great laughs. 

It was while we were sipping cocktails that we decided to "break in" to my BFF's parents house (who are still snowbirds in Arizona). Well, it's not really breaking in if you know the garage code. The purpose of our break and enter was to unearth her wedding dress for Princess A to try on. Never mind Princess A is not close to getting married. It's just of all our daughters (we each have three) Princess A was the only likely candidate to fit in the dress. My BFF's dress had better potential of being worn again than my dress ever will. 

So there we were, three thieves in the night, tip toeing around the house in the dark. Trying not to stir the neighbors attention and rummaging around in the basement. BINGO! The dress was found. The tulle was shriveled and a stain was present on the sleeve. And we laughed. No one fit in the dress. I guess she really was super skinny when she got married. I can't fit in my dress either. 

(Princess A loved the veil. Not!) 

(BFF proclaimed the veil still fits) 

We woke Sunday morning, decided on breakfast at a local nostalgic diner none of us have ever visited--Spencer's Grill in downtown Kirkwood. 

We agreed that we shall return! There's something about a small town diner in the burbs. It feels as if you've slipped back in time. 

Then we ditched Princess A, headed to Cliffcave Park for a bit of exercise. Then we headed over to Bee Tree Park to take in the views of the Mississippi River. 

After grabbing some afternoon sun on the deck, my BFF and I hugged goodbye. 

M got home. We headed to Starbucks for a Happy Hour drink...

...and finally that Redbox movie! 

My heart is as full as my belly. :-) 

Colour me happy!!

The Hallmark Holiday of All Hallmark Holidays

The creator of cards was a holiday genius! He, or she, decided to start making up days to throw on the calendar to make people spend money unnecessarily and ease guilty consciences. 

Let's take Valentine's Day as example one.  It's a day that men boost the flower business, because all the other 364 days of the year they've neglected to tell their wives--thanks for making sure I always have clean underwear in my drawer. 

Example two Mothers Day. It is the day when you either get to celebrate your mother-in-law, by preparing what every food needs to be contributed to honor the day and then do the dishes. Or is it a day devised just to piss mother's off, as they realize for one day everyone will be on their best behavior? While the other 364 days of the year they're allowed to drive you mad.

There's my favorite--Grandparents Day. Whatever that day is suppose to be? A filler lesson for preschool teachers around the country???

My favorite: Secretary's Day. A complete crock! It's the day when bosses send that gal who works for them to lunch or maybe plops a plant on their desk and says thanks, today...although I forget to really appreciate your efforts all the other days. Then Hallmark goes and upgrades the day with a new title: Administrative Assistants Day. Even better, Administrative Professional Day. Really?! Wouldn't it just be nice to make the paper typists of the world feel better if their bosses simply said thanks for doing your job well every so often, instead of just once a year? 

Is it really necessary to celebrate certain  career options with a single special day? I mean I don't see Hallmark creating cards for Garage Collectors Day or Grocery Bagger Day. Why do we need days on a calendar to be forced to say thanks? To appreciate the efforts of the job that draws us paychecks? 

So, since I'm feeling so cynical I'll be celebrating National Walk At Lunch Day today instead of Secretary's Day or Administrative Assistant's Day, or whatever Hallmark decideds to call this day. All I need is my Fitbit and a little sunshine! 

Shame? Not One Ounce!

Here's the deal.  I get right up out of bed, slip on my running shoes, grab my book for an early morning walk-n-read--in my nightgown. I have no shame! It's cathartic for my soul, pre-work. 

What I do expect is solitude. M, it seems, likes to be sneaky with her camera skills and share my morning routine with "98 of her closest friends" on Snapchat.

Joy. I'm one of those lucky 98 friends. 

Diva For the Day

I'll never forget D coming home in 5th grade telling us she got the lead in the Christmas musical. She played Scrooge. D refused to practice at home, so we really never heard her sing. Well we heard her sing, she'd been singing since she was three years old. She was known for singing Peter, Paul and Mary's Lemon Tree through the grocery store. But to say we heard her belt out a tune...well that would have been--never! It was the day of The Scrooge performance, D walked out on stage, exchanged some dialogue and then burst out in song. King Ralph and I turned to one another in awe. Who's child was that? That child was ours! That was where it all began. 

Needless to say D's been singing ever since. 

Sunday afternoon, after a semester of endless practices, and under the guidance of two wonderful professors, D hit the stage for her Junior Recital. She sang for an hour. She sang in Italian, French, Portuguese, German and English. She drew her audience in--transcending the emotional story of each song. Her first piece chocked me up. Her last selection had me giggling. D was relaxed, poised and beautiful--both in song and appearance. 

While she can put all her hard work of the recital behind her...there is still studying and learning to be had. There is also great adventures awaiting. 

No matter where in the world her talents take her, one thing is for sure...her family will always be there right by her side. Her biggest fans! 

Bravo, baby girl!  

I Didn't Cry. I Promise.

Sometimes the day's news is better dealt with sunshine on the face and a trashy romance novel. When that doesn't work, scratch the daily regiment of exercise or a glass of red wine. It's better absorbed with a half cup of lactose free vanilla ice cream and a cup of sliced strawberries. 

When I wake it will be a new day. 

What's Your Wish?

What's your wish? I've got so many, but they're simple...some probably selfish. Some people, mostly kids have timely wishes for reason many of us can't even begin to comprehend.

I've got a coworker, she couldn't be more different than me. I'm older than she is, but we're both mothers--our main focus. She has tattoos and a small nose piercing--I am not a fan of that stuff, but there's something about her that is so endearing. She is tough, yet truly loving. She is funny and thinks I am funny too. She's that Special Ed teacher that every special kid longs to have. She sees no one's race, she sees no one's in equities...what she sees is potential and possibility. Because she loves, because she believes. Her spirit is good! 

Her son suffers from a life threatening condition. She's never allowed his condition to become his crutch. She's taught him that these are the cards he's been dealt, pull up his bootstraps and make the best life he can make for himself. I respect her for that. More so because that is how I dealt with Princess A and M's visual conditions. This is who God made you. Work it!

My coworker spends many days and nights at the hospital. She still shows up to work thanks to a great support system. It was while her son was in the hospital this past Fall that I messaged her that she should fill out a Make-A-Wish application. Her reply was "he's not terminal." I told her wishes are granted to kids who's diseases are life threatening. When a disease is life threatening there is constant struggles...can't imagine that worry on a family's heart and mind--a child like that IS worthy of a wish. I then sent my coworker the link to the application. I pestered her about filling it out, till finally she brought it to me to fax. 

Fast forward to March when one great kid with a positive attitude got his wish granted. He spent three days feeling like and proclaiming himself the "king of swag." He met his favorite sport star. I got text messages for three days that had me smiling big and tears of joy filling my eyes (while I was at my desk). She claims it was all happening because of me. I told her it was happening because her son was worthy, and a fighter with a positive attitude. He doesn't complain when he misses the first day of school, class parties, holidays...when he can no longer play contact sports...because he's in the hospital or because his disease won't allow him the luxury. 

When my coworker returned from the exciting trip someone in the office commented "wouldn't everyone like to be [him] for three days!" My coworker replied, "except there's those other four days that you don't want to be [him]." So very true, sadly. 

This morning a group of us gathered in St. Louis's Forest Park for the Make-A-Wish Walk

and walked in "king of swag's" honor. I got this sweet letter a week before thanking me for my sponsorship donation. It made me smile!!

We all wore the same shirts proclaiming our support of one great kid! 

All the while pounding the pavement in hope that every child struggling with serious health issues can have their wish granted. 

Just like this kid!

.

My Guy Evokes Empathy

My little brother stopped by to see me at my desk today. It's always nice when his job brings him to my building, so we can poke fun and jab harmless insults at one another. We love each other like that.  He then informed me that our grandmother's roommate in the nursing home passed away. I've been a bad granddaughter and haven't called my grandmother in weeks. Her nursing home phone doesn't afford her the ability to dial long distance calls. It's up to us to call her, which I usually do once a week. 

I just told King Ralph that Lorraine passed away...this is how it went. 

Me: I was just texting the girls that my grandma's roommate Lorraine died. 

King Ralph: (standing, focused on the Blues game, staring at the TV, never letting eyes stray from the game...speaks in a monotone voice) Aaaaaahhhhh, that's a shame. She hated that roommate anyway. 

Me: Truth. Spoken with such compassion. 

From what I hear, turns out Lorraine wasn't so bad after all. The new roommate got the boot already. Phyllis is a favorite patient at Manor Care. If Phyllis ain't happy, ain't nobody happy. 

How To Weekend

I returned to work Monday all relaxed after a nice long break. My soul felt rested and peaceful. By Wednesday people started serious count downs to the last day of the school year. I refused to play into that game and carried on with my routine. By Friday I needed a drink! 

It just happened that King Ralph and I  were taking the March birthday couple, Princess A and her Prince Charming to dinner to celebrate. Princess A selected an establishment none of us have frequented before: The Kitchen Sink. I knew there was a cocktail there with my name on it. 

The Kitchen Sink serves fabulous Cajun and southern foods with a young urban vibe. It's a place my pal Lin could easily name "Cajun food for pretty people." We started dinner off with signature cocktails for the ladies and Craft beers for the men. King Ralph and I ordered Humble Pie, a spin on Shepard's Pie-- jalapeño cornbread, sauteed peppers, onions, shrimp, Andouille Sausage, & Tasso Ham, topped with sweet mashed potatoes with bananas topped with Étouffé Sauce & white cheddar. Prince Charming ordered The Kitchen Sink--sautéed shrimp & Andouille served over cheesy grits with a Tasso & crab gravy. I took a bite of his food and instantly knew what I'd order next time I dined here. And I WILL return! 

(Humble Pie) 

We finished off the birthday celebration with funnel cake straws served with sweet & spicy strawberry habanero jam and powdered sugar on top. My calorie intake for dinner was thanking me for eating just broccoli for lunch. 

Once Friday's food digested it was all about Saturday's trivia table buffet. We had a feast of Fuzzy's Taco Shop crispy shell shredded meat tacos, White Castle crave case cheese burgers, dips-n-chips and cupcakes from a Soulard Market bakery. Our food offerings apparently turned out to be brain food! You see Table 9 rocked the house, coming in numero uno. My nephew and M carried us with their brilliant knowledge of history, Prince Charming's strength was in sports, I came through with the dollar amount it cost to keep "Pretty Woman" ($3000) and collectively we put our bar knowledge of cocktails to paper with pen. Perhaps our strength came from the obnoxious amount of "10-12 minute breaks" that were had throughout the trivia game. It really began to wear us down...

some more than others. When you've got time to check updated sport scores on your phones...  It was undoubtedly the longest night of trivia we've played in all our lives! 

I won't even bother to give the details on some dude who offered to take an entire bowl of mustard to the face if $80 was collected. So many question of why came to my mind--why would anyone want to take mustard to the face, where did the mustard come from, how big is the bowl, will his eyes be open or close when the mustard hits his face???? Thank God he offered to double the money if $80 was collected. The impromptu mustard challenge at trivia was called off for the mere price of $160. 

Despite the nonsense...

I present to you, the trophy. The prize cash spilling out of the challis, well, we donated that back to the cause. 

Sunday came with a drag in my body. I consciously skipped out on church and headed over to Cliff Cave Park. It's funny how you can live for so long somewhere   and never visit locations so close. Cliff Cave Park is one of those places for me. 

M was in need of breaking in her hiking shoes, while I was in need of exercise. The park has three trails, with the Mississippi Trail being a paved 5.1 miles trail.

Right now it's beauty lacked, but the potential is there. Once the trees green up for Spring and Summer the trail walk will be pleasant. Fall walks will set you among golden and robust colors. The land is wet land, so there is an abundance of frogs singing and migrate birds floating in random pools of water. 

The trail loops along the Mississippi River, 

and past farm land--that hasn't yet been prepared for planting season. There are informational signs along the way to educate and benches to rest. We read, but never sat.

The nice thing about this trail is it was busy with walkers, joggers and bikers. It was full of young and old alike, with the common denominator to be outside and feel healthy. 

I suppose my soul was lifted over the weekend, so I can handle another week of whatever comes my way! Even the nonsense of counting down to the last day of school...I think I can bare it! 

Haters Gonna Hate

I have no shame in voicing to the world that my first concert was Barry Manilow. I was in the eighth grade. I sat first row floor at the Checkerdome; or as it later came to be known--The Arena. The Arena is long gone, blasted to dust in the 90's. I remember how fantastic Barry was then, a great entertainer.  I remember how I learned at that concert how many popular commercial jingles he wrote, and he sang a montage of them that night--bandaide brand, Alka-Seltzer....  Sitting so close I'm sure I could see Barry's sweat glisten. 

When I was junior in high school I saw Barry again. This time we sat in a box at The Arena. A group of us from high school all went. It was a good time. 

While I was eating lunch Thursday Princess A text me that her Prince Charming had two tickets to Barry's concert and did I want them? Of course I wanted them! I text King Ralph 

My friend and I laughed at his instant response, as we ate lunch. Then I said lets you and I go! She called her hubby who informed his lunch client that his wife was attending Barry's concert. The client replied in a low drag, "duuuude." LOL 

We returned to our desk to stream the greatest hits album for inspiration. 

Along with a venue of women, and the complaining guy next to my pal--"I can't believe you drug me here!"--we sang. 

And we sang more. 

All the while our husbands sent sarcastic text messages to us. 

I sensed jealousy! 

In our pre-concert excitement we forgot to check what level we parked on. There's nothing funnier than two gals roaming around in a packed parking garage looking for a car. Fear not, we located the ole' car without assistance or panic...and before the entire garage cleared out.

Friday we sang Barry songs to everyone in the office we cared and didn't care to listen. The young male counselor said stuff like, "only if Jodi promises not to sing and dance for me again." Seriously, "I Can't Smile Without You" is guidance office appropriate, if I do say so myself. 

So. Go ahead and hate if you must. J and I have no shame in proclaiming--we are #fanilows! 

Adventure In The South

After our Sunday stroll on the trails of the bird sanctuary we rode our bikes down to Fort Gaines. Fort Gaines is known for the Civil War's Battle of Mobile Bay. If you know Civil War history then you know that the historic quote "damn the torpedoes...full speed ahead" was said on August 4, 1864 by Admiral Farragut. The Union overtook the fort in a five day battle. 

Those who know us well know we love the outdoors and history equally. So we were excited to get our geek on. Since it was a rather chilly and blustery first day of Spring, the fort was the perfect vacation entertainment. 

(The anchor from Farragut's ship the USS Hartford) 

Lounging around on a beach can inhibit getting those Fitbit 10,000 plus steps in. Every night King Ralph and I walked down the beach, up and around the fort and back onto the bike trial. Every night I tried to envision what life must have been like in that fort in the 1800s. The deep darkness of night must have elevated fear in the soldiers. 

Riding our bikes is something we did everyday. Not just because it was a nice way to exercise, but because it was simply the best form of island transpiration. We rode our bikes to the Circle K in the evening to get a Redbox movie and we rode back in the morning to return the movie. Heck we once road to the liquor store for more bourbon to make Montana Mules. There's something about a copper mug of goodness while camping! 

(The liquor store even rents bikes) 

Since King Ralph is smart he made certain our Jim Beam was in a plastic bottle and would fit in his bike's water bottle holder; fastened securely by a bungee cord. 

These are things that make vacation! 

The Maiden Voyage...Dauphin Island Here We Come!

After years of good and fond memories in our high wall pop-up camper, it was time to say goodbye. We loved the ease of the set-up and take down, the sense it gave to being outdoors with fresh air surrounding...but we knew our dream rig was out there. In an effort to set ourselves up for retirement we began our search.

We finally found her! The Open Range Ultra Lite 2710RL. So we said farewell to our pop-up, a chunk of our savings and set the Open Range on the open road. 

In desperate need of a break from pubescent boys and girls, and King Ralph in need of a break from life, we chose an escape to Dauphin Island, Alabama. 

We were ready to experience some new firsts--Walmart parking lot over nights was certain to be one. We've seen RVs parked overnight in our local Walmart for years and figured it was worth a try. King Ralph downloaded an app that tells which Walmarts allow over night stays, even rates them. How does one rate a parking lot? Well, it's more about the safety of the area. 

We found ourselves overnight at the Walmart in the upscale city of Madison, Mississippi. When we arrived at nearly midnight there was already three other RVs parked. We all lined up across the rear of the parking lot, creating an impromptu mini-campground. With the exception of the nightingale's song sung most of the night, I rested comfortably in the parking lot, in our queen size bed.

Before hitting the highway again we bounced into Walmart to pick up a few items--bread, milk, donuts (travelers breakfast treat), RV toilet blue stuff...but, what we really needed was a cup o'joe. 

Standing in the parking lot to the left stood a coffee hut named "Mocha Mugs." I turned the drive-thru into walk-thru ordered a large coffee w/ cream and a large Earl Grey hot tea. The young ladies working in the hut gave truth to the sentiment of southern charm--they were both warm and friendly. They bid me safe travels and a fun week. 

Upon arriving at Dauphin Island Park Campground I knew it wasn't going to be my favorite. First, the gals at the check-in station could really use a course in smiling and welcoming. "Do you think you're going to stay the whole week?" Hmmm, well, ya! We did make reservations for a week. Way to make us feel like maybe we shouldn't stay. We were then given the option to check out a site different from what we reserved. After checking it out we decided the full-hookup site wasn't worth the hassle it would take to jockey our new rig in the spot. We stuck with our water and electric site. Where oddly enough our camping neighbors lived down the road from our sticks-n-bricks home.  

The sign as you drive into the campground that says "DO NOT DISTURB OTHERS" made us think someone was crushing the stereotype that campers are the friendliest folk around.  It didn't scare us! 

It was evident that this campground was full of snowbirds escaping the northern winter, leaving King Ralph and I the "teenagers" of the campground. But, that's not what turned my nose up. It was the cable cords running across the roads from site to site and the campground's lax on there own printed rules. The guy behind us had a few appliances outside his camper, along with a lot of other miscellaneous nonsense. It's those things where you lose the camp-esque feeling. However, most sites were kept tidy. 

The campground bathrooms need some sprucing up and really could have used my elbow grease. They where, however, sufficient for the needs. There are no fire rings available and ground fires are permitted (seems crazy and Smokie Bear wouldn't approve). Smart campers created or brought portable fire rings. The community building offered up a plethora of puzzles, books and a wood burning stove for those chilly rainy days/nights. There was wifi available in the community building--which was both a plus and an inconvenience. Mostly because it was spotty at best. The few children in the campground wasted no time inhabiting the decent playground. There's a large fish cleaning station...fishing is a favorite past time on Dauphin Island.

What makes this campground nice is its location to the bird sanctuary and bike trails. The trails of the sanctuary start inside the campground and made for a peaceful and relaxing stroll to start our Sunday.

One trail winds around to the white sugary Gulf sand beach. The private beach section is never crowded. The water however is murky. Not a deal breaker for us. You can bring your pets for a walk and even ride your bike on the beach. The paved bike trail that stretches the length of the island made for daily leisure rides and island exploration. 

We explored both the east and west end beaches and found the west end to have the clearest water.

We grew to like the campground more as the week went on, so we  give the campground two and half stars and the island three stars. You're pretty isolated from services on Dauphin Island (shopping, dining, etc.) which is the reason for only three stars, but it is great place to go to just kick back and do nothing but relax. We don't count out a return. 

Unpacking

I just pulled my feet out of the sand. There's lots of unpacking and Easter prep to do. I'll be back with stories soon. 

Turning Back Time

King Ralph turned our clocks back last night. I woke up thinking I was 26 years old and a 114 pounds. It's only a matter of hours before reality sets in. 

Perhaps, I should just roll over and go back to sleep for a bit? 

Lose It!

(Four ounces of sparkling wine 91 calories. I had 12 ounces...after a long walk) 

Three weeks ago my friend/co-worker and I decided we needed to lose a few L-Bs, so we downloaded the app "Lose It!" and bought Fitbits. 

Step one, ditching our Friday delivered or creatively home cooked lunches we shared for carefully calculated salads or cans of green beans. We can tell you how many calories are in a Tootsie pop--sixty. We drink enough water to pee a man made lake. All this in an effort to: 1. Fit into clothes hanging in our closests 2. To feel better with our sedimentary jobs. 3. Because we are menopausal with slowed down metabolisms. We sneak out of the office for brisk walks through the halls...racking up steps. To add to our goofiness we challenge each other to 60 second wall sits. If you walk in the nurse's office it may appear we are blocking the med cabinet. When really it's the closest thing to available wall space we can find. As of today, 60 seconds no longer feels like a death sentence. We actually are surpassing the 60 second mark. 

Julie hits the community center gym after work, while I enjoy 3 mile walks in my neighborhood, after the sun sets and the sidewalks are quiet. Whatever our methods, we are racking up those 10,000 steps plus. 

Last Friday my boss, who we often invited to enjoy our lunches, stopped by our table to jokingly proclaim our healthy eating was near nonsense and that he missed our Friday lunches. I just laughed at him and said "you just wait till I'm looking like Victoria Beckham!" 

Watch out world here comes The Lose It Girls! 

Timehop It Back to 1997

Timehop. I love when it reminds me of things I came across while was cleaning out storage areas. Reminding me I snapped a photo. This little gem: purple velvet pill box purse with the plastic pearl strand handle makes my heart smile. My sister-in-law gave it to D for Christmas when she was three years old. At three years old D was a rambunctious tomboy, who loved dirt and collecting Matchbox cars. The purse, it went everywhere D went for a whole year. It's plush velvet has bald spots to prove. 

Can you guess what was always inside that velvet purse? 

You guessed it, Matchbox cars! 

I wonder if D carried that purse today what she'd fill it with. 

Where'd That Weekend Go?

Where'd the weekend go? I ask that question and here it is, the weekend all over again. The year is flying by, and weekends happen in the blink of an eye--here and gone. I'm counting down to Spring Break, and before I know it, it'll be my summer break. 

Last Saturday King Ralph, M and I headed over to the St. Louis Science Center to get pumped for our summer vacation, by seeing an omnimax flick. We have no shame in admitting we're national park geeks. Is there really any shame in loving to vacation in the most majestic spots America has to offer? I say not! That's why we were excited to see "National Parks Adventure."

While we all three agreed we enjoyed the movie, we also agreed we wanted a little bit more from it. It did highlight some incredibly awesome adventures experienced by thrill seekers. 

This summer will be the first time in three years that M will hit the open road with King Ralph and I. While we won't be riding our bikes to a skreaching hault to mountains edge...we will hike hard and explore the vast open beauty of our country. 

Then we headed over to Soulard for lunch. My pal Lin likes to refer to Mission Taco Joint as "tacos for the pretty people." Rest assured Lin, I was not the only patron fashioning a ball cap. 

I was still riding high on Mother Nature's gift of flip-flop wearing weekend weather, after a crazy snow boot wearing Wednesday.  Sunday we loaded up our bikes for a seven mile ride. Then off to our nephew's house for bocce ball and BBQ. 

This weekend the weather is cooler and calmer. The calendar says: kick back and relax. Which is exactly the plan!