Welcome to P.A.

Well when you get to Sitka you have more than one way of getting here.  On a boat or barge like you see down below...or you can take the easier, quicker way (depending on weather) like we did.... (photo courtesy of Judge)....

Welcome to P.A.  (A lot of people call it that...or you can call it Port Alexander)....  our new home.  This is the other side of the port from us.  Just recently they have increased in size by 11 people thanks to the Peacock Family (seven of us) from Bunkerville, NV.  And also thanks to the Ross Family from Louisiana (four of them).

Last Sign

As long as we are an the topic of signs I might as well show you the picture of the very last sign we saw.  There are signs around Port Alexander but I haven't taken pictures of any of them yet.  Here is the welcome sign we saw at the Sitka airport when we finally arrived at 11:30 p.m. on the 8th of August instead of our scheduled time of 5:30 p.m.  That in itself is a story for another blog...needless to say the weather here can be beautiful but it can also change your travel plans in a heartbeat...

...so this did make us feel good!!!

We Saw the Signs

Along our long...many days...many miles...many friends and family members....and many bathroom stops....road trip we saw a multiple of signs...  Now the ads we didn't take pictures of.  I am sure there are a few we probably should have.  Chik-fil-A by far had to have some of the funniest ones as we went on our way.  We did take a few pictures of the welcome signs.

(our model passenger / the boys didn't pass this test)

Maybe it is just the route we took, but it made me think that maybe us (should I say YOU) people, who live in the western desert areas of the U.S. of A. are either crazy or have the right idea as far as traveling goes. 

As you notice once we reached Oregon I never did see a welcome sign actually posted that you could get out and take pictures at, as you goofily announce your tourist status to the whole world driving by, with the kids.  Not that we were going to get any of our five kids out of a van and on the side of a busy, major highway...we weren't going to quite deliberately ask for it...not in that situation.

It was long, it was boring, it was beautiful, it was amazing to see such varied scenery.  I wouldn't do it again in a heartbeat if the timeline was the same, but given time and money to enjoy the trip it would be awesome to see some of the sights again.

And just a note from Kale...Oregon!  For heaven's sake make your speed limit faster.  Driving through there at 65 (not that he drove that) drove me crazy.  I am lucky to still have all five kids!

Adios Big Blue

This is just to say a final farewell to the big blue beast that had been the constant companion of our family.  It served us well thank goodness, even if it wasn't the most comfortable thing to drive...

From Tooele, Utah...not Mesquite, Nevada...our total mileage to Seattle, Washington was 893.7.  So for not being the best he sure went far...

21st Century

Well I am finally bumped up t0 the 21st century. The IT guy on the island (Ryan) came by today with our internet set up. So now I should be able to correspond regularly! Yeah! The kids finished off their first week of school. They have a four day week up here. So far they are enjoying it. Raiden and Judge were super excited. On Wednesday they passed their kayak test and are now able to go out. They had a blast! Made me a little jealous. Kale says I should be able to take the test next week... but tah for now and I promise to keep up more now....I do plan on starting our travel story from the begining so you can see the pictures...

First Day

Well we made it through the first day. Ender doesnt like having his dad as a teacher at all. He came home crying saying that dad was so mean and he made mean teacher faces at him. Thank goodness the other teacher made it here last night. Hopefully his second day will go better. My first day s a lunchlady was not so bad...the kids I think were hungry enough that there were no complaints...

FOUR!

Well the kids had their first taste of what wet weather golf is like. Normally you play your games weather permitting, but here you just put your rain coat, boots and pants if you have them on and just roll with it... They enjoyed it mostly, but Ender and Jenner got cold eventually and the fun no longer appealed to them. But Raiden and Judge really enjoyed it. I think they would have stayed out there forever hitting those golf balls if the adults had been more willing to stay. So thank you Nia, Ender and Jenner for wanting to go inside. I for one was glad to get in and warm up and dry off after the fun after noon! Hopefully here soon I will be able to post some photos of these fun things they have been doing.