Life Interrupted

I'll be back with travel log tales as soon as I'm all healed up. 

Till then....

The Wanderlust Returns Home

On the road for twenty-three days, cruising through eight states, on eight interstates, while trekking 127-miles of hiking trails....

Tales of travel and adventure coming soon. 

But first...rest! 

Boondocking Time

Well folks we are hitting the open road in the Open Range. Going out in the wilderness to commune with nature. No TV. No wifi. We will have backpacks, hiking shoes...and bear spray! 

Till then...peace out. 

Crossing The Ocean

What: Demi and Hannah's Big Adventure 

When: Starts today! 

Where: Final destination Wroclaw, Poland...but first Rome 

Why: To teach English immersion through music at the American School of Wroclaw

That's about all I have to say about D's adventure. Only because I'm the kind of mom who believes this is her's to own, to share with others...and mine to be a financial contributor. I'm truly happy, like a giddy school girl, for the learning, teaching and growing experience that is hers. I'll follow the girls' blog and wish I could be them. 

See you at the end of the summer, D! Love you with all my heart!!

Side note: King Ralph's nerves are calming. His dad heart will grow in the absence of his baby girl.

Happy Father's Day

Thank you King Ralph for loving our girls!

A father is always making his baby into a little woman. And when she is a woman he turns her back again. ~Enid Bagnoldgirls 

This quote is so fitting of King Ralph as a dad. Always preparing our girls to be women. All the while holding tight to the umbilical cord (he believes is attached to him). 

When he's not soaking in the pool 

being silly with one of the girls 

(Pretzel Boy mustache pretzels) 

Or...snake wrangling on Father's Day...

Now (more) drinks and BBQ! 

I hope every dad out there has as great of day as we are, with all our dads! 

No Pay. Time to Play.

I woke up early to mow the grass before the summer heat and humidity kicked in. Did two loads of laundry. Started the dishwasher. 

Now...

On to more important summer hall pass obligations--sunning and reading. 

Heat Don't Scare Us...Until Sunday

The typical St. Louis summer weather kicked in for the weekend--HOT, and just in time for the start of my summer hall pass. The sun blazed all day while I scrubbed the inside of the house. I was sweating as much inside the house as I did when I took a 15 minute skin bronzing break. My floors are white sock worthy now! And my skin, slightly sun kissed. 

After dinner we packed in the car and headed to Forest Park's Art Hill glen, for the Shakespeare In The Park Festival. This year's production is--A Midsummer Night's Dream. When D was in high school and a member the Shakespeare Club she was in this play. Making it more fun to watch. 

The evening proved itself to be beautiful! D's college bestie came in town to join us. She spied the most fabulous spot...we could almost reach out and touch the stage from our blanket spot. The breeze was blowing, making the night perfect. Not only was the night perfect, but this year's production was hands down the best the festival has put on stage! It was rip-roaring hilarious. 

I took complete advantage of my summer hall pass status and slept in on Saturday till 9:40am. I was like a teenager sleeping a weekend morning away.

There was so much to get done. Burgers to make. Fixings to be sliced. Beans to bake. It was birthday celebration day. We celebrated my mother-in-law turning 75 years old. All the grandkids were there. No name of a missing "kid" on a sign in the picture. We sang...D took on the harmonizing, taking "Happy Birthday" to a level none of could compete with. 

On the seventh day we rested...because it was damn hot outside! 

I Am Ready!

Today at 3pm I start my summer hall pass. I can hardly contain my excitement! This school year was an easier year. The kid nonsense was down 34% over last school year and I chose to ignore all adult drama. Adult drama can make anyone feel ill. No one outside of my house is worth feeling ill from! Today I shall have an extra pep in my step--it's called joy!! 

Yesterday after work I prepared to begin centering my happy zone by taking King Ralph on my daily exercise walk. I wanted to mix it up by walking a different paved trail. We headed over to Jefferson Barracks Park to walk the Mississippi River Greenway Trail. 

Yesterday was an absolutely gorgeous day...worthy of a walk by the river. The deer and rabbit were out for walks too. The barges moved swiftly, as they floated down stream. The sky was blue with fluffy clouds. Everything about the late afternoon said--thanks for taking a walk outside! 

Then I broke my cocktails-on-Friday-and-Saturday-only rule and had two glasses of Merlot. My friend J and I made that rule when we started our get healthy kick. I'm down 18 pounds. 

Today there will not be wine after work. There will be walking. There will be plenty of joy. 

I'm ready people! Ready to get this day started...and over with! 

When The King Leaves The Castle

Is it okay that I like when King Ralph goes out of town? Because I do! He's not gone out of town often, so when he is I take advantage of doing some things he has zero interest in. 

Before he scooted of town we had a date night--compliments of Princess A's, Prince Charming. King Ralph and I rocked out at the Boston 40th Anniversary Concert. I think a bottle of Geratol is on the counter of nearly every person who attended the concert. I guess we aren't in high school anymore...thought King Ralph as he flashed back to the last time he saw Boston in concert. 

Saturday Princess A, M and I went down to Forest Park to view an exhibit at the Missouri History Museum: The Little Black Dress. I loved it! We loved it! King Ralph would have hated it. He would have joined the other husband that sat in the main lobby, on the tan leather couch. So him out of town and the three of us enjoying everything LBD was girl perfect! 

After we ooo'ed and aahh'ed over some exquisite century old LBDs, we drove down to The Loop for lunch at Salt + Smoke BBQ and Bourbon. A day that started off with heavy rain turned into spectacular weather. We sat outside noshing on yummy foods, sipping craft beers and bourbon mules. 

On the way back to Princess A's house I spotted this fine display of product loyalty 

I really have no words for this! And Stag to boot! Sigh. 

I spent the evening home alone watching Redbox movies that King Ralph would have rather ate arsenic than watched--Carol and The Choice. 

Sunday I talked M into walking the 5.1 mile trail I love to get my steps in on. We decided to treat ourselves to a donut before we walked. The baker was stunned that anyone would want just one donut each. It's all about self control. We got to the car to ingest our fattening breakfast treat, opened the box and...

Mr. Donut Man tossed in some donut holes for free. This is just another reason to love the Ex Cop Donut Shop! Then it was off to exercise.

My favorite walking trail was lovelier than ever. The farm fields in the center of the trail are all booming with blossoming corn stalks. The trees are full and green and the wild flowers add bursts of color. The frogs sang and the wind blew at just the right moments. 

That's how I roll when the King leaves the castle for 36 hours.

Rainy Saturday Leaves Me Melancholy For Last Weekend

I'm lying in bed listening to the rain. The rain has put a hamper on the much needed chore of grass mowing. Instead I lay here thinking about last Sunday and Monday. 

Last Sunday we woke in the camper. We woke with the hope that Mother Nature had calmed the shut-ins, so we could splash around in the East Fork of the Black River. We desired that sense of "summer kick off" that water immersion gives. Not the case. The number rating system for the water's flow was dropping, but not enough to be considered safe. Instead we hiked the 2.25 mile Shut-Ins Trail.

The hiking in the area is some of the best Missouri has to offer. The rugged terrain has a Colorado-esque feeling. 

As we traveled the trail we arrived at an area were the river was calm. We nibbled on snacks from our backpacks, absorbed the sun and had a foot swim. 

When we hit the trail again we were surprised to find ourselves standing at the foot of a waterfall. It seemed to pop out of nowhere. Beautiful! 

The mountain top views looking down the river was nothing short of awesome. 

By the time we finished hiking the shut-ins had finally opened. A sea of idle picnickers rushed toward to waters. We opted to hold off on the fun till Monday. Giving time for the eager crowd to thin out.

Sunday evening we attended one last ranger program: Tree-rific.  M and D needed the program to complete the Explorer patch program. As educators they refused to take any shortcuts, and prepared a short, detailed presentation...which included photos, like this find:

(a nest built in a low laying ground tree, making the egg vulnerable to prey). 

Then the big moment happened...the presentation of the patch! Proving, you are never too old to explore. 

Monday we hit the shut-Ins at 10:30am. The sun was blazing already...perfect to bronze the skin with a summer toned glow.  

Even though it is raining today...and I can't mow the grass...the weekend has fun activities! 

But first, caffeine! 

Taking In A Few More State Parks

Saturday, we took the advice of "ranger-in-training" Liz and headed over to Taum Sauk Mountain State Park to hike the Mina Sauk Falls Trail. The falls is Missouri's longest water fall, and only flows after a good, hard rain. With the rain we had all week we knew we were in for a fantastic water show. 

What Liz neglected to share, is that Mina Sauk Falls Trail has got to be Missouri's best hike! The sign said "rugged and difficult"...I agree with the rugged part, but I've been on more difficult trails.  We scaled boulders, skipped across wet and muddy terrain...to reach the beautiful and roaring water fall.

What is it about a water fall that captivates? We found the perfect boulders to plant ourselves on to eat our backpack lunch, while listening to the  sound of the fall's gushing water. It's the sweet sound of tranquility and peace. 

When we completed the hike we strolled down the paved walkway to highest peak in Missouri. We really envisioned having to scale another portion of the Taum Sauk Mountain. Nope, we just walked up to the plaque positioned on the ground and recorded our time there--photo style.  

After we finished our time at Taum Sauk, we stopped at the Pilot Knob battlefield site. We love incorporating history into our trips, when we can. It was a Civil War lesson for all of us. 

We dug the interactive map in the center of the museum that taught us everything we didn't know about about the Battle of Pilot Knob. Like how the Union army of 1000 men defeated the Confederate army of 12,000 men. Pretty big deal for the split state of Missouri. 

Before heading back to our camp site we stopped to check on the status of the shut-Ins. Still closed. M said, "this is like being on a diet and staring at a big ole' hamburger you can't eat!" Honestly the water was much too swift, too dangerous to even dip a toe in.  

Then it was back to site 321 for a little R&R, appetizers and cocktails before dinner. 

After dinner the girls, who were serious about earning their Missouri State Parks Explorer patch this weekend, headed over to the amphitheater. The evening's program was "Music of The Night." And, the girls were specific in letting "the parents" know they were not invited. It was a sista date! Armed with a headlamp and flashlight they were off for a night hike, to learn about the choir of animal sounds heard when the sun sets.

While the girls were gone King Ralph and I built a fire. We gazed at the heavily star filled sky...and enjoyed the "Music of The Night." 

Exploring Another Missouri State Park

The last time we camped at Johnson's Shut-Ins, D was 4 years old. She's now 21 years old. It was long before the Taum Sauk Reservoir breached and flooded the park. 

We drove down a few years ago to enjoy an early fall day in the park. Checking out the new campground was a priority. It relocated up the road 2.5 miles from the park...and is it nice! It was nice before and even nicer after the flood renovation. 

Every time we wanted to reserve a camp site at the Shut-Ins every site was  booked. This year we jumped on it in mid-January. Even at that, we failed to get one of the full hook-up sites. We got an electric site. There are no complaints from us! The entire site is a concrete pour. With the rainy week we've had this was a blessing!! 

You know what else is a blessing [in disguise]? The fact that we had no cell service, no TV reception. The four of us are nearly on a break from life. When I say nearly, that's because there is wifi available at the camp store. We walk there once a day to check messages. Other than that life is full on peace with nature. 

Okay, now we love getting our state (and national) park geek on. Camping excitement for us is a great ranger and a night program at the amphitheater. It had been raining on and off all day on Friday, so the program was moved to the picnic shelter. Ha, the four of us were the only brave souls to show. The college-student-ranger-in-training, Liz (aka Spider Lady), asked if we wanted the kid friendly or adult version presentation on spiders. Dah, the adult version! She was fabulous!! The four of us learned tons about spiders. And, had a GREAT time learning. Liz even wrote her own spider song, "Woven," to the tune of Taylor Swift's "Blank Space." She later gifted the girls with their own copy. I just know we will be singing the song around future camp fires. 

The rain started up again when we returned to the camper. That meant no campfire, but games! We played Tenzi for an hour, before calling it a night. 

Campground Report Card 

Site: grade A

generous all concrete pad, level, nicely shaded, picnic table, fire ring 

Restrooms: grade A

each stall is private, separate toilet and shower, also family units (combo toilet/shower) are available, electric sockets, soap dispenser, hand dryer

Camp store: grade A

mostly souvenirs, coffee, fountain soda machine, simple camping necessities, hand dipped ice cream, ice, fire wood, bike rentals, wifi spot  

Ranger Programs: geared toward children, but very educational for adults ...offers the MO State Parks and Historic Sites Explorer patch program, a mostly young enthusiastic staff

Recreation: grade A 

full of Missouri's best hiking trails (rocky terrain, hiking shoes highly recommended), swimming in the shut-ins and Black River, biking...other nearby state parks and historical sites 

Adventure to be continued....

Smiling

One of my favorite things about driving along the highway to a rural camping location, in Missouri is, the tree packed hillsides and the bluffs. Right now the trees are so lush,  green and tightly packed...it leaves me wondering were the tree line ends. God's untouched earthly gift. Nature. 

I love when the hillsides look layered and multi-colored up ahead. Just like the mountains of the West look. There is a peacefulness and calm to the beauty. 

I love how the car ride gives us time to unwind after a full day of work. D is reading (about Poland...her countdown clock is ticking). M is singing Luke Bryant's "Do I." I'm (or was) doing arm exercises with a three pound weight. King Ralph is doing what only he does best--captaining our vessel. 

Hello three-day weekend! I'm so glad we can enjoy each other's company!! 

Gummy Bears Just Became 100% Fat Free For Me

Ya, ya, ya...so that one single gummy bear I popped in my mouth after work didn't fare too well! 

4:10pm 

There goes my crown 

4:39pm

5:48pm

That's the beauty of living one block from the dentist office. Boom! All fixed up in hardly no time!! 

Weekday Recovery

The last few weeks of the school year are proving to be like they always seem to be--laced with nonsense behaviors. I realize every year at this point why I'm given the summers off; to forget the last three weeks of the school year. If I didn't get a break to forget, there's a good chance I'd never return. (Insert my crazed laughter.) Until this Friday, when the final bell rings at 11:05am, my mind will continue to feel like it's on sensory overload. 

In an attempt to refuel my spirt, I'm filling my weekends with as much fun as I can. 

Friday I took to the deck after work for some fresh air and red wine. King Ralph and I then went on a date to a local favorite watering hole for pizza, wings, the Cardinals game...and more red wine. 

Saturday was begging for a mother/daughter date. I summoned the daughters in town to the strawberry fields for some picking. 

King Ralph was working all day...what better excuse for a daughter date?!

When the girls were little we visited the orchards every Fall for apple picking. As the girls grew, their Fall music obligations gave way to dismissing that tradition. While the Spring always offered strawberry picking...not sure why, but we 

never per took. Well, that ended on Saturday! And, my-oh-my, how the orchard has grown into something spectacular! There's a restaurant, a market--filled with a bakery, butcher shop, wine shop (with tastings), vegetables, garden and gift shops, kids play village....  Absolutely delightful. 

Princess A, M and I took the short ride over the river into Illinois and picked and picked. The redder the better the berries, while I sang 

Let me take you down
Cause I'm going to Strawberry Fields
Nothing is real
And nothing to get hung about
Strawberry Fields forever

We starting filling our baskets  

Thirteen dollars and some change later, we were berry rich. 

M and I were serving up strawberry shortcake sundaes for dessert, with store bought pound cake. Princess A whipped up a homemade pound cake, over at her place. I can almost imagine it was better. She just has a way with baking. 

Sunday was a lazy day. Perfectly delightful lazy day! Which means, I'm ready to take on the work week. 

I shall now commence with the final week of nonsense. I mean school. 

This About Sums Up My Week