Almost Home

7 March 2013

Another early morning start to our day got us heading west toward home as the sun was coming up over the horizon.  We stopped in Twin Falls, Idaho, per a suggestion from a friend, and enjoyed the view as the morning light illuminated the sides of the Snake River Canyon.  It was a worthwhile diversion, but it caused us to be a little behind schedule.  There were three base jumpers there waiting to jump off the bridge, and if we’d stayed to watch, we would have been really late.  Bummer we couldn’t do that.

As it was, we’d scheduled a lunchtime meeting with Bob Salewski, an old friend of Kory’s, who now lives in Boise.  We saw him about seven years ago on another road trip we took, and again, the visit wasn’t long enough.  We might have to venture back this summer and take him up on his offer to go camping together.

We had a lovely visit with him and his daughter and wife.  He’s nearly Kory’s age but not plagued by arthritis like Kory, so he got on the floor and wrestled with Kaleb but good.  They were both red faced and breathless by the time they were done and Kaleb was ready for round two, but I think he did Bob in. 

Kory hadn’t taken a shower since Sunday so he took one at Bob’s, but instead of grabbing the shampoo or body wash bottle our of the RV, he took hand lotion, so he was in there washing up with hand lotion. I don’t think he got too clean, but he smells much better.  It reminds me of the night I went into labor with Kaleb and Kory decided to brush his teeth before we went to the hospital (at midnight).  He grabbed the hand lotion and put it on his toothbrush, then I had to wait another five minutes while he tried to brush the lotion out of his mouth with toothpaste. 

Bob really wanted to get rid of a big cardboard store display shelving unit that his son used for years.  It was a promo for the Star Wars movies and he thought Kaleb might enjoy it.  I laughed.  There was no room in the RV to put it, but Kaleb was insistent and they undid all the corners and now our RV is overflowing with huge flat cardboard pieces I’m sure will never be assembled properly again.  Kaleb has his sights on using it in the basement to hold all his Wii games.  I’m doubting this very much, but he was so excited about getting it, my objections were not heard.  Ugh.

I drove for a few hours after we left Boise, over the mountains and through the snow.  Most of northern Utah was covered in snow, but thankfully the roads were bare and dry and we had sunshine the whole way.  It was such a beautiful drive today.  We didn’t stop until we hit Pendleton, Oregon, and thankfully we made it just after sunset so we didn’t have to drive the mountain passes in the dark.

Walmart is home for yet another night – perhaps our last one.  They made out on the deal tonight though, as Kaleb’s been saving his spending money until we were in Oregon because they are tax free.  He has some computer game parts he wanted to buy and he blew his wad tonight (nearly $100).  He was so excited to finally have these figurines that allow him to play different aspect of the Skylanders game when he gets back home.  It was hard to bring him down, as he’s been talking and thinking about these things since we left on the trip.  I say it’s a good way to end the whole road trip since he’s so pumped that he now owns them.  I appreciate he’s careful with his money and wanted to save the sales tax, even if I don’t approve of how he spent the money.  Oh well, he only gets to spend 25% of his money anyway so I guess I shouldn’t complain.

It was decided today we’ll get home Saturday morning so we have time for a few more stops tomorrow on our way north.  This takes a lot of pressure off, as I hate coming home from a big trip at night.  Our to-do list is huge, once we get home, and our days are short, before we leave again for Norway, so I’m not that thrilled about going home, but at least starting out fresh in the morning doesn’t feel as exhausting.

We got the news today that Tante Kari (above) died at 9am this morning, Norway time (midnight, our time).  She was ready to go, but none of us were ready to have her leave.  I’m just sick that we can’t make the funeral, but hopefully someone will Skype us in.  She was an incredible woman with the most positive outlook on life I’ve ever met.  She made everyone feel special, welcomed and loved.  Oh, how we will miss her.  She always greeted us (and everyone) by throwing her hands up in the air, smiling so big her whole face lit up and screaming out “HAAAA LAAAA!”  I never knew if that was her way of trying to say an American “Hello” or just her unique greeting, but it always made me laugh.  She was a hugger and never said a negative word about anyone or anything.  I’m hoping she’s standing there with Jesus to welcome me into heaven when my day comes because she was a light that shone bright here on earth, so I can’t imagine what she’s doing up in heaven.  We just loved that woman, so it was a sad day for us, even though we knew it was coming. 

Kaleb reminded me that today he turned 14 ¼.  He thought we should do something to celebrate that special day.  Apparently he hasn’t been paying attention to what’s been going on for the last two months.  But he’s not spoiled.  No, not at all.