Back to School - together and on their own!

Both kids went back to school this morning, and for the first time in four years they are at separate schools again! Molly biked off to 6th grade at Willard (with Zach), and Clara and I walked over to start 4th grade at Malcolm X (well, she started 4th grade, I just walked over there). She can't remember who her teacher is, but she's thrilled that she "gets" to be in one of the new portable classrooms (they're doing construction on the main building so for half of the year she'll be in a temporary building). :)

Willard Centennial Mural

We got a head start on Molly's starting middle school on Tuesday by helping complete a tile mural for the school's 100th anniversary today! Molly said we have to do a really good job since it's going to be there for a really long time....

On top of the volcano!

We climbed to the top of Mt. Lassen! It's beautiful! And very tall. And, apparently considered active. Hopefully not while we are here!
Heading home tomorrow! Amazing trip, excited to have our own beds. :) And rooms. :)

Crater Lake

We made it to Crater Lake, but by the time this message posts we will be on our way to Lassen since there's no cell service in the park!

There was a definite change in energy when we got into Oregon on our way to Portland, and I've noticed another big shift since we started heading south. I think we are all feeling eager to be back in California, back home, and getting ready to head back to school and work. But before we do, we have one last park to see!

Airstream in the landscaping

We planted the airstream in uncle Wayne and aunt Susan's garden for the night, and now we are headed for a night with friends on the outskirts of town (where it's also a bit cooler!)

Gone Fishing

Learning to fish in Idaho, courtesy of Zach's aunt Jeanne and uncle Richard.

Happy Birthday to Me!

What an incredible way to turn 40! We are in lovely Yellowstone, Zach and Clara made pancakes for breakfast, then we headed out to scale Mt. Washburn, a big beautiful mountain with a view of the entire park. It wasn't easy, but we all did it, and we even found our 100th geocache up there! We rounded out the day with a lovely dinner at the Grant Village restaurant, overlooking Yellowstone Lake, showers for all of us, and a few rounds of the new camping-themed Spot It that they gave me for my birthday. So far, 40 is treating me well!

Wyoming Family

I managed to get a group shot of almost the entire clan out here! Dean and Sy had to leave this morning to go back on the mountain; Duane's with and eldest child are away at a wedding; and Katy's kids are at college and at home in Montana. But everyone else is there!
Left to right: Jake (Sara's son), Sofi, Zach, Molly, Clara, Uncle Darryl, Cousin Katy, Seth (Duane's son), Cousin Sara, & Cousin Duane. (And that's Three the dog in front).

Big Horn County Fair Rodeo

Last night was the rodeo night at the fair. Sy competed in mutton busting, and Jake competed in the steer riding (he won!). We also watched roping, bareback bronc riding, barrel racing, and bull riding.

Waterslides at the Big Horn County Fair

With cousin Jake looking on...

Pig Wrestling

Capped off a beautiful day with cousin Sara's family with a trip to the county Fair to watch Sara's son in the pig wrestling competition. (His team came in second).

Sinks Canyon

Last night we made a stop o er at Sinks Canyon State Park, which is beautiful in itself, but also boasts a geological oddity. The Popo Agie River (pronounced so it rhymes with "ambrosia") hits a wall of stone and appears to disappear (shown in picture), only to reappear a quarter mile down the Canyon in a calm pool.

This morning, the kids completed the Junior Ranger program before we hit the road again and headed to the Greybull area for more family visits. Well be here a few days, which is good because we all hit a driving wall this afternoon. My cousin Sara has two kids, and after an initial bit of shyness they were all soon running around the ranch.

Utah cousin fun!

Gabardi Family - Salt Lake City

Once in the Salt Lake area, we were treated to a wonderful picnic with all of my Salt Lake City area family. From left to right: Zach, Sofia, Molly, Waymon (Kandice 's husband), Clara, Uncle Joe, Brooklyn (Joey's daughter), Aunt Cyndi, cousin Joey, Kaylee (Joey's daughter), Kenyon (Kandice's son), cousin Kandice, and Kandon (Kandice's son).

Yuma State Park thunderstorm

On the way up to the Salt Lake area we stopped at Yuma State Park to make some food and enjoy a thunderstorm under a shelter.

Bryce Canyon!

We did make it to Bryce Canyon for a night, with enough time for a beautiful hike through the Hoodoos.