Story Aunt Gus & Little Bear's Great Adventure Book 1 (Complete)
- Thread starter Kathy in FL
- Start date
beaglemama
Contributing Member
Thank you, Kathy!
Griz3752
Retired, practising Curmudgeon
You must have kept very detailed records on every road trip your family has ever made or you're putting together a CONUS Travel Site.
I really don't care which because the detail just proves what I've always thought; see whats here before you worry about 'experiencing' distant lands. Add in all the recipes etc. and then the family circumstance, complicated by not-uncommon conditions these days and working around them and this is a pretty compelling read.
This is shaping up to probably be your premiere piece of work, which is saying something.
Merci, 'cher.
G.
I really don't care which because the detail just proves what I've always thought; see whats here before you worry about 'experiencing' distant lands. Add in all the recipes etc. and then the family circumstance, complicated by not-uncommon conditions these days and working around them and this is a pretty compelling read.
This is shaping up to probably be your premiere piece of work, which is saying something.
Merci, 'cher.
G.
Jun 8 – 14: Glen Canyon National Recreation Area (Part 1)
Driving Route:
June 8th
Been a frenetic day. Up, down, port, starboard, fore, and aft. Started with me getting us on the road at 5 am with breakfast smoothies made to drink on the go using some of the cherries that didn’t fit on the dehydrator. For whatever reason I woke up at four o’clock and couldn’t go back to sleep. I decided to just get it in gear and get out of the park as soon as I could manage it. It is like I could smell the water where we were heading. I suppose Benny could as well because he was extra bouncy this morning, and not just because of the smoothie.
I also knew the drive was going to be four and a half hours without stopping and I knew there would be at least a little bit of that because if nothing else we would need fuel. Getting on the road was only going to help us by avoiding traffic. Or so I thought. Apparently everyone else in these parts are early risers as well.
First fuel stop was at this place called Howie’s in a little dot on the map called Bicknell, UT. It wasn’t far outside the park and their water and drink section looked like Old Testament locusts had been through it. I was glad we still had what we had but I also planned on restocking … or refilling with a water dispenser … later in the morning. I also needed to fill our freshwater tank which was sitting on empty no matter how frugal I had been. I had emptied the gray and black water tanks last night which helped quite a bit with the driving efficiency.
Sun started to come up around 5:30 and it didn’t take it long to be a glaring eye-full that I was very glad I wasn’t driving straight into like many of the others on the road with me.
We were still on UT-24 when we it this town called Loa. There was a Conoco with a big, hand painted sign that said “NO WATER”. Well that was a little freaky. I turned on the radio just to make sure the world wasn’t coming to an end and all anyone seemed to be able to talk about was the water shortage. The latest round of environmental regulations was backfiring if I was understanding the barely contained hysteria. They were trying to push through some new ones at the state level but the feds, the EPA, and a lot of powerful lobbying groups were challenging the relief efforts in court.
Heck, I remember Grandfather and Dad having a thing or three to say when some activists tried to get legislation preventing rain collection in Florida. I didn’t understand it back then, I just knew most people didn’t think it was about the environment so much as it was about a power grab of some type. I’m not sure of Utah politics. I know they’ve changed over the years, or so said some of the discussions I had in my mandatory poli-sci classes in college. Whatever. I’m thinking that Utah is not the state that Benny and I will settle in. Great place to visit but our scales are dry, and we want water to play in. The creek yesterday only put an exclamation point on that idea.
Next highway we turned on was UT-62 at a town called Koosharem. I’m sorry if it is an important name but all Benny and I could do was laugh as we tried to say the name. There was a café we passed called the Koosharem Café and I almost stopped because of the name alone. All the stores – and there weren’t many – all had signs that said “no water” just like Bicknell.
We were finally heading south and let me tell you there was nothing around. I’d see a building or homestead ever so often, but I prayed hard that if we had to break down, this wouldn’t be the area we did it in.
Then came US89. We wound up in a town called Circleville and I needed to stop and get out of the driver’s seat for a bit so my aft end could get some circulation back in it. And to be honest so I wouldn’t keep developing a lead foot and inching over 90 mph. That kind of wear and tear on the van is not something that was brilliant on my part.
A couple of historical signs on the side of the road explained Circleville’s beginnings. It was originally settled in 1864, right before the end of the Civil War. Unfortunately there was another war that would bring tragedy; the Black Hawk War and in 1866 the town was the site of the Circleville Massacre. The town was abandoned at that time but then was re-established in 1874 by a Mormon family that had crossed the mountains and found it a likely place to settle. The town wasn’t incorporated until 1921 and to this day still lays claim to less than a thousand people.
The one real claim to fame might better be termed notoriety. Robert Leroy Parker, aka Butch Cassidy, grew up in and around Circleville. Apparently his nickname as a boy was Sallie Parker and that is supposed to be one of the things that turned him “bad.” His sister, Lula Parker Betenson (b. 1884), lived in Circleville her entire life and died there, aged 96, in 1980.
I finally unflattened my posterior, while looking for some water (none for sale) and we got back on the road, passing the homestead of the Parker family where Butch grew up, as we paralleled the Sevier River. The water level was low but at least it was water, just not the drinking sort. We stopped to fuel up in this place called Bear Valley (no water for sale) and then again not far down the road in Panguitch (no water for sale). About the only grocery in town was an old Family Dollar store but I had a ship-to-store waiting on me down the road, so I avoided the temptation to stop and be told yet again there was no water for sale. About the only thing the town seemed to offer were some diners and a KOA of all things.
We continued following US89 and the Sevier River through the town of Hatch, then Glendale, Orderville, Mt. Carmel Junction, the trailhead for Peekaboo Canyon, Moqui Cave that was once a speakeasy and is now a natural history museum, a larger town called Kanab, passed a tourist attraction called Paria Townsite, then passed a geological formation called the Toadstool Hoodoos. Then it was through the small town of Big Water, across the AZ state line, and I could almost smell it … Glen Canyon and Lake Powell … but we couldn’t stop yet. And the state line must have had some magic in it because all of the “no water” signs just up and disappeared.
First, we had to drive a little beyond the turn off for our camp for the next week which was Wahweap RV & Campground. I had to pick up the ship-to-store order I put in to be delivered to the Page, AZ wallyworld. There was also a Safeway there I could stop at to pick up a few items if I couldn’t find them at wallyworld.
I wanted a quick in and out but that wasn’t happening. Page is a busy little town and the wallyworld was even busier, both with locals and people camping at Lake Powell. There were strict “limits” in the drinks and water section but at least there were some available. It took twenty minutes to pick up my ship-to-store order and another forty-five going through the store and picking up all of the fresh and frozen items on my list then another fifteen trying to get out of the store because half their self-serve registers were out of order. While I shopped, I managed to find Benny a couple pair of camp pants which was a relief. And I splurged and picked up a couple of new omni-freeze shirts for both of us. They are made from sweat activated cooling fabric, similar to my old crew shirts, but mine are getting worn with age and all of the hand washing and ringing. Before my shirts completely wear out I need to think whether I want to save them as mementos. I know that sounds stupid but, maybe it’s a thing? Who knows? They don’t take up much space.
In the craft section they also had the matching thread and bobbins I needed for my little handheld sewing machine to cut Benny’s now too short pants off and convert them to hiking shorts. In the camping area I picked up a couple of odds and ends as well. I needed a new water filter for the RV and I was in luck and they had it in stock. I got everything marked off my shopping list as quickly as I could and then it was out the door and sliding everything into the van. Benny and I were both hungry, so I threw a surprise bag of veggie straws in his direction and he hoovered them up while I kept to our timetable.
And what should my wondering eyes behold? A water and ice dispenser near the gas station that didn’t appear to have any limits, possibly because you had to provide your own containers. I filled up all the water jugs we had emptied and got twenty pounds of ice to keep the frozen food and the meats cold until I could deal with them properly. Yeehaw, I turned the van in the right direction and in no time flat we were at the entry gate after stopping briefly at the Glen Canyon Dam Overlook!
Oh man, all that water. It … was … wonderful.
Driving Route:
June 8th
Been a frenetic day. Up, down, port, starboard, fore, and aft. Started with me getting us on the road at 5 am with breakfast smoothies made to drink on the go using some of the cherries that didn’t fit on the dehydrator. For whatever reason I woke up at four o’clock and couldn’t go back to sleep. I decided to just get it in gear and get out of the park as soon as I could manage it. It is like I could smell the water where we were heading. I suppose Benny could as well because he was extra bouncy this morning, and not just because of the smoothie.
I also knew the drive was going to be four and a half hours without stopping and I knew there would be at least a little bit of that because if nothing else we would need fuel. Getting on the road was only going to help us by avoiding traffic. Or so I thought. Apparently everyone else in these parts are early risers as well.
First fuel stop was at this place called Howie’s in a little dot on the map called Bicknell, UT. It wasn’t far outside the park and their water and drink section looked like Old Testament locusts had been through it. I was glad we still had what we had but I also planned on restocking … or refilling with a water dispenser … later in the morning. I also needed to fill our freshwater tank which was sitting on empty no matter how frugal I had been. I had emptied the gray and black water tanks last night which helped quite a bit with the driving efficiency.
Sun started to come up around 5:30 and it didn’t take it long to be a glaring eye-full that I was very glad I wasn’t driving straight into like many of the others on the road with me.
We were still on UT-24 when we it this town called Loa. There was a Conoco with a big, hand painted sign that said “NO WATER”. Well that was a little freaky. I turned on the radio just to make sure the world wasn’t coming to an end and all anyone seemed to be able to talk about was the water shortage. The latest round of environmental regulations was backfiring if I was understanding the barely contained hysteria. They were trying to push through some new ones at the state level but the feds, the EPA, and a lot of powerful lobbying groups were challenging the relief efforts in court.
Heck, I remember Grandfather and Dad having a thing or three to say when some activists tried to get legislation preventing rain collection in Florida. I didn’t understand it back then, I just knew most people didn’t think it was about the environment so much as it was about a power grab of some type. I’m not sure of Utah politics. I know they’ve changed over the years, or so said some of the discussions I had in my mandatory poli-sci classes in college. Whatever. I’m thinking that Utah is not the state that Benny and I will settle in. Great place to visit but our scales are dry, and we want water to play in. The creek yesterday only put an exclamation point on that idea.
Next highway we turned on was UT-62 at a town called Koosharem. I’m sorry if it is an important name but all Benny and I could do was laugh as we tried to say the name. There was a café we passed called the Koosharem Café and I almost stopped because of the name alone. All the stores – and there weren’t many – all had signs that said “no water” just like Bicknell.
We were finally heading south and let me tell you there was nothing around. I’d see a building or homestead ever so often, but I prayed hard that if we had to break down, this wouldn’t be the area we did it in.
Then came US89. We wound up in a town called Circleville and I needed to stop and get out of the driver’s seat for a bit so my aft end could get some circulation back in it. And to be honest so I wouldn’t keep developing a lead foot and inching over 90 mph. That kind of wear and tear on the van is not something that was brilliant on my part.
A couple of historical signs on the side of the road explained Circleville’s beginnings. It was originally settled in 1864, right before the end of the Civil War. Unfortunately there was another war that would bring tragedy; the Black Hawk War and in 1866 the town was the site of the Circleville Massacre. The town was abandoned at that time but then was re-established in 1874 by a Mormon family that had crossed the mountains and found it a likely place to settle. The town wasn’t incorporated until 1921 and to this day still lays claim to less than a thousand people.
The one real claim to fame might better be termed notoriety. Robert Leroy Parker, aka Butch Cassidy, grew up in and around Circleville. Apparently his nickname as a boy was Sallie Parker and that is supposed to be one of the things that turned him “bad.” His sister, Lula Parker Betenson (b. 1884), lived in Circleville her entire life and died there, aged 96, in 1980.
I finally unflattened my posterior, while looking for some water (none for sale) and we got back on the road, passing the homestead of the Parker family where Butch grew up, as we paralleled the Sevier River. The water level was low but at least it was water, just not the drinking sort. We stopped to fuel up in this place called Bear Valley (no water for sale) and then again not far down the road in Panguitch (no water for sale). About the only grocery in town was an old Family Dollar store but I had a ship-to-store waiting on me down the road, so I avoided the temptation to stop and be told yet again there was no water for sale. About the only thing the town seemed to offer were some diners and a KOA of all things.
We continued following US89 and the Sevier River through the town of Hatch, then Glendale, Orderville, Mt. Carmel Junction, the trailhead for Peekaboo Canyon, Moqui Cave that was once a speakeasy and is now a natural history museum, a larger town called Kanab, passed a tourist attraction called Paria Townsite, then passed a geological formation called the Toadstool Hoodoos. Then it was through the small town of Big Water, across the AZ state line, and I could almost smell it … Glen Canyon and Lake Powell … but we couldn’t stop yet. And the state line must have had some magic in it because all of the “no water” signs just up and disappeared.
First, we had to drive a little beyond the turn off for our camp for the next week which was Wahweap RV & Campground. I had to pick up the ship-to-store order I put in to be delivered to the Page, AZ wallyworld. There was also a Safeway there I could stop at to pick up a few items if I couldn’t find them at wallyworld.
I wanted a quick in and out but that wasn’t happening. Page is a busy little town and the wallyworld was even busier, both with locals and people camping at Lake Powell. There were strict “limits” in the drinks and water section but at least there were some available. It took twenty minutes to pick up my ship-to-store order and another forty-five going through the store and picking up all of the fresh and frozen items on my list then another fifteen trying to get out of the store because half their self-serve registers were out of order. While I shopped, I managed to find Benny a couple pair of camp pants which was a relief. And I splurged and picked up a couple of new omni-freeze shirts for both of us. They are made from sweat activated cooling fabric, similar to my old crew shirts, but mine are getting worn with age and all of the hand washing and ringing. Before my shirts completely wear out I need to think whether I want to save them as mementos. I know that sounds stupid but, maybe it’s a thing? Who knows? They don’t take up much space.
In the craft section they also had the matching thread and bobbins I needed for my little handheld sewing machine to cut Benny’s now too short pants off and convert them to hiking shorts. In the camping area I picked up a couple of odds and ends as well. I needed a new water filter for the RV and I was in luck and they had it in stock. I got everything marked off my shopping list as quickly as I could and then it was out the door and sliding everything into the van. Benny and I were both hungry, so I threw a surprise bag of veggie straws in his direction and he hoovered them up while I kept to our timetable.
And what should my wondering eyes behold? A water and ice dispenser near the gas station that didn’t appear to have any limits, possibly because you had to provide your own containers. I filled up all the water jugs we had emptied and got twenty pounds of ice to keep the frozen food and the meats cold until I could deal with them properly. Yeehaw, I turned the van in the right direction and in no time flat we were at the entry gate after stopping briefly at the Glen Canyon Dam Overlook!
Oh man, all that water. It … was … wonderful.
sssarawolf
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Thank you, we're been through that area and stopped at a little take out place to eat in Panguitch in 2015. Haven't been back to Page since gads 1977, lol.
Jun 8 – 14: Glen Canyon National Recreation Area (Part 2)
Wahweap Campground & RV Park? Why when we could have found a cheaper place to camp? Let me count the ways. Internet connectivity, cell phone reception, laundry, camp store, hot showers year-round, full hook ups, the marina is right there, all sorts of water toy rentals on site, a swim beach, our campsite was barely a quarter mile from the shore of Lake Powell. Want me to keep going? After roughly two weeks of not quite primitive camping all that I listed sounded like a luxury I was more than willing to pay for. And pay for I have. Yes, $60/night ouched after what we’d been paying, and paying that for seven nights meant $420 (taxes included), but we needed it.
I was feeling rough around the edges … I like being clean and spit baths just weren’t cutting it. The idea of a fifteen-minute hot shower was fulfilling wat had started to seem like a fantasy. Benny needed a proper scrub down as well. We didn’t stink, but only because we worked at it every night. I planned on soaking my feet and then taking a pumice stone to them. My hair also needed something done with it. The mop was finally leaving the mullet stage but now it looks like a curly shag; can’t win for losing it seems.
I worry about the constant pull on the lithium batteries so full hook ups are grand. Same for the freshwater availability. I’m used to water conservation from being on ships and sailboats but trying to deal with a five-year-old boy that is part dust cloud and dirt clod is challenging in those circumstances. And I could go on and on but won’t. The place isn’t cheap but it is still far less expensive than staying in a hotel with the added benefit of not having to eat out every meal.
As I was checking into the campground I had to go passed a group of Scouts that were fundraising for a couple of Eagle projects. They were selling hot dogs and Benny and I still hadn’t eaten anything but veggie straws and that wasn’t sufficing. I spoke to them while I waited in line at the concessionaire, asking them about the projects … they were putting up safety equipment signs at the public boat ramps as well as repairing some erosion further down the waterline … and then telling them about being in Sea Scouts.
An older scout comes back on the scene and after hearing the last part asks, “Wait! Are you Aunt Gus?!”
Well thanks for the shouted identification I nearly snarked but instead smiled politely and answered, “That’s correct. Er … and how did you know that?”
“My dad’s cousin is a ranger and turned my sister onto your blog. Her kid has really bad food allergies and some other stuff and we’re all trying to get her to turn loose a him so he don’t act like such a brat all the time.” He said it with a smile and popped a kid in a cubbie t-shirt in the back of the head so I took a wild guess and figured that was his nephew.
What was funny was that Benny looked at the older scout like he was a few fries short of a gluten-free happy meal and gave the other boy a look of empathy. The other boy smiled shyly and whispered, “You’re Little Bear.”
Benny nodded and then had us laughing when he said, “Aunt Gus said they grow out of it.”
“Ah, he’s not so bad,” the boy responded making us laugh more.
Then it was my turn and I checked in and then got Benny and I hot dogs minus the buns and some fries to go with them. The cubby with the allergies+ was outgoing and pulled Benny into what he and his friends were doing with their Belt Loops and other activities. That allowed me to ask some questions about local activities and now the water level might affect them.
Right place right time? I would say yes. And having Scouts in common, even if they were different branches of the organization, smoothed the way as well. On their side were Eagles. On my side was my Quartermaster Award and I explained Sea Scout ranks as well as the electives we were expected to excel in … Leadership, Duty to God, Sailing, Paddlecraft, Scuba, Vessels, Racing, Engines, Vessel Maintenance, Electricity, Rigging, Ornamental Ropework, Maritime Tradition, America’s Boat Club, and becoming a US Coast Guard Auxiliary Member and qualifying for AUXOP or a Trident Marine Safety specialty rating.
“I was in a very active Ship as well as a very active Navy Sea Cadet unit. I was also a home education student so the two activities also played a big role in my academic pursuits.”
“You mention that you were going into the Navy? Do you still plan on it?”
“My life’s chart changed due some major events. Little Bear is my life’s calling. Do I regret it? I wouldn’t use that word. I sometimes wonder what my life would have looked like if I had, but I think the bigger regret would have been turning Little Bear over to someone else to raise. I can’t imagine my life without him now. The satisfaction of what I am doing is huge.”
“Are you going to just keep traveling?”
“Right now we travel to give me time to reach twenty-one and then we’ll see what the possibilities are as well as what our needs are. Think of it along the lines of doing certain activities requires you to fund raise and train. Well at the moment we are in the ‘doing’ phase but at some point we will have to move back into the fundraising and training phase. When and what that looks like will be determined by what goals we have. Right now we are enjoying our current ‘doing’ phase but yes, at some point I have to sit down and flesh out the goals that are floating around in my head.”
“Will you home school Little Bear?”
“I’m giving it strong consideration. A lot will depend on our goals and whether home education is optimal for Little Bear?”
“I wish I was homeschooled again but Mom had to go back to work after my parents got a divorce. The were fighting about everything and the judge said I had to go back to regular school until they stopped fighting about it.”
“Sucks to get stuck in the middle I told the boy.”
“Yeah it do,” he muttered. “They just fight too much. They’re okay as long as they don’t have to be in the same room. Dad’s mad the judge is making him pay child support to the court instead of always fighting with Mom about it. Now if he doesn’t pay on time they take his driver’s license. Mom just got tired of him making excuses all the time even though he would take women out on dates and pay their way and stuff.”
One of the adults quietly patted the boy on the shoulder and then pulled him aside. Another adult said, “John is having it rough. He’s had to move in with his grandparents because his mom had to go to work in the oilfields to pay for his younger brother’s therapy because his dad doesn’t make enough.”
“Yeah, life is rough when the supposed adults in the room can’t get along.”
One of the younger female scouts there asked, “Do you have a boyfriend or girlfriend?”
The water I’d just take a sip of tried to go down the wrong way. “I’ve got enough personal responsibilities at the moment without having a significant other,” I answered as all the other scouts rolled their eyes at the girls question. “You need priorities in life and for now, that’s not a priority for me.”
The female scoutmaster muttered, “Sorry about that.”
“Not a problem. It’s the age thing … mine and hers. Everyone expects that sort of thing to be important.”
She shook her head. “It’s the homelife thing if you catch my meaning. She’s John’s father’s girlfriend’s daughter.”
All I could do was blink and she chuckled. "Everyone is connected in some way in small communities." She then said, “My brother is a local guide. Let me give him a call. He’s meeting us here in a few minutes to take our troop on a hike and there might be room for you and Little Bear if you are interested.”
“Uh …” But she was already waiving a someone in the parking lot behind me.
“Give me a sec.”
I noticed that the fundraising booth was being turned over to a group of Cubbies and the Scouts were all lining up. Well the long and the short of it was that no one in the Scout troop had a problem with Benny and I taking along since they were on a bus. Buzz (the guide) was a forty-something man of mixed heritage and after checking out Benny’s experienced gave his approval as well.
Benny understood that Travis, the Cubby he’d been socializing with, wasn’t allowed to come with us because his mother hadn’t signed a permission slip, plus he was staying to help his Den fundraise for their own activities. We on the other hand spent the next three 3 hours hiking to Skylight Arch which is located on Stud Horse Point Mesa about 6 miles outside of Page, AZ. They used an old mini school bus to transport the Scouts but Benny and I had to take the van for liability purposes. Of course, everyone got a tour of The Ark and the kids all loved Benny’s “bedroom” though he was careful to keep the Crew and his other personal belongings out of sight, especially Lawrence’s flag. Buzz, who recognized Benny’s wrist band, asked if he could have our cert number so he could claim it in his service report to the State. No skin off my nose but I kept it subtle so Benny wouldn’t get self-conscious and so the Scouts wouldn’t ask for an explanation.
The bus and our van were both high clearance vehicles so it wasn’t a problem getting to the parking lot at the trailhead. I saw a few 4x4’s but the feature really wasn’t necessary. The hike to the arch is just over a mile long, so two miles roundtrip. Benny and I were struggling to slow down so we wouldn’t outrun the Scout troop.
Buzz asked, “Done some hiking have you?”
I laughed. “You could say so.”
I listed out some of our hikes and said that one of most recent and challenging as far as environment had been Fiery Furnace.
“The boy did the hike with you?!” he asked, startled since he apparently knew the trail and area.
“He just made the cut off and did everything himself except one jump across and that was my preference. I didn’t like how far down the gap went. Now another member of the hiking group didn’t report a medication she’d taken that morning and when we got back to the trailhead it was a near disaster.”
We spoke off and on until we got to the top of the Mesa where there were some interesting Hoodoos. Once you pass the Hoodoos you continue and get sweeping views of Lake Powell, Lone Rock, Castle Butte and Navajo Mountain. On the west side of the Mesa is the Amangiri resort.
I took a picture of the Scout troop on the arch and Buzz took a picture of Benny and I in the same position. It reminded me of when I was climbing the rigging on a ship, or at least it gave me the same feeling. My imagination wanted to play tricks on me and imagine the arch was crumbling beneath our feet.
The hike back was just as good as the hike out had been. There was only a 203’ elevation change either direction. Buzz and the troop were heading home from the trailhead and Benny and I were anxious to go to our campsite and set up. However, before we headed out Buzz had a proposition. He would text me some tours his boss had arranged and so long as I advertised their business, we could hitch a ride as spectators. We might have to rent equipment or bring our own food but the cost of the tour itself would be free. Well yeah, I was all over that. I’ve already looked them over and yes, I will most definitely accept their gracious offers.
On the way in we stopped to pick up Benny’s Junior Ranger program booklets. Benny was eager and thrilled. If we had more room, I’d make him a banner that he could attach them all his badges and patches to and hang up but the notebook is going to have to be it for now. Found out that there is also a junior explorer program for the BLM land that we picked up (some kid had just left it in the bathroom and no one claimed it when I asked around). And one of the rangers told us of the Junior Angler program which is part of the NPS Junior Ranger series of activities.
And get this! Someone just abandoned a tandem kayak and two oars. Benny and I had parked and went straight down to the beach area to walk around and drink in the scenery (ha ha). While we were there a guy about my age was mumbling under his breath about crazy people. There was another guy with him who wasn’t exactly being complimentary either. It wasn’t Benny with big ears this time but me. I told myself I was gathering intel to make sure there were no problems to avoid, but in all honesty I was just nosey.
Turns out the kayak wasn’t a rental and … okay, I’m stupid. They were complaining that it was like the fifth one of the season and there wasn’t any more room in storage so where the heck were they going to put it. No one had claimed it.
I decided to boldly just go for it. “Do you rent them out or sell them? Or maybe offer a discount rate for a weekly rental?”
“We aren’t allowed to sell them because we can warranty them. And no renting them for the same reason. We used to in the past but some guy tried to sue so … no more and all that crap is stacking up in our storage shed.”
The other man had just gotten off the walkie with whoever was in charge and turned to me to ask, “You want it? You take it, we look the other direction. It’s been almost 48 hours and no one has claimed it. I don’t see any damage to the hull.” Turning to the other guy he said, “New rule. We can’t hold any lost & found items for more than 48 hours. Boss doesn’t want any liability.”
Well yep. I accepted that kayak and it is now tied to the top of the van. It is shorter than my other tandem by two feet but that’s not bad. I have to get life vests for Benny and I and a helmet for Benny – so that means a bike helmet and a water helmet for him. The guy said to check back tomorrow; he might be able to hook me up with more second hand (aka abandoned) items; he just needs to get the okay from “the boss” first.
“How much stuff do you have in this shed of yours?”
Both guys rolled their eyes and shook their heads. The older man said, “We could start our own second hand shop of camping and vacation gear. There was one around here a few years back but it was a hassle to keep it manned and open and all the other crap you gotta do. State kept tacking on more regulations so the owners closed it down. I’ll be over in the office after lunch tomorrow and I’ll let you in and you can look around.”
I must have had a suspicious look on because the guy laughed. “Buzz is my brother-in-law. He said you’re good to go.”
“Ah, so it isn’t who you are but who you know,” I said with a grin.
He barked a laugh and said, “You got that right.”
Benny was having such a good time in the water I hated to tell him we needed to go back to camp so I could do some adulting. He didn’t mind, he was hungry and he knew I’d picked up a gluten-free pizza from the deli area. I grilled it on the hibachi that came with our campsite. Messy but yummy. I took a couple of hours to deal with the groceries that we’d picked up and then agreed with Benny another walk on the beach was something that needed to happen.
I suppose I could have done laundry but that can happen tomorrow night. So can a proper shower. We’ll just get sweaty tomorrow morning anyway. He crashed and burned over an hour ago. I’ve been typing this and adulting with everything that I’ve had to put off for the last couple of weeks. Income from the blog site is looking good and stable at about $150/week or $600 average/month. I’m going to make up a couple more specialty pages for the blog. One is a little silly … sock and accessories. Some serious but most just some silly ones that I’ve seen like those that have national park themes or camping, hiking, or traveling themes on them. Same sort of thing for bandanas, hats, etc. I’ll have a section for camping equipment as well. I’m going to expand the book selections for each entry as well, but I’ll link to as many second hand and recycled books as possible.
For now I think I am going to go ahead and hit the hay. This is going to be a great week.
Wahweap Campground & RV Park? Why when we could have found a cheaper place to camp? Let me count the ways. Internet connectivity, cell phone reception, laundry, camp store, hot showers year-round, full hook ups, the marina is right there, all sorts of water toy rentals on site, a swim beach, our campsite was barely a quarter mile from the shore of Lake Powell. Want me to keep going? After roughly two weeks of not quite primitive camping all that I listed sounded like a luxury I was more than willing to pay for. And pay for I have. Yes, $60/night ouched after what we’d been paying, and paying that for seven nights meant $420 (taxes included), but we needed it.
I was feeling rough around the edges … I like being clean and spit baths just weren’t cutting it. The idea of a fifteen-minute hot shower was fulfilling wat had started to seem like a fantasy. Benny needed a proper scrub down as well. We didn’t stink, but only because we worked at it every night. I planned on soaking my feet and then taking a pumice stone to them. My hair also needed something done with it. The mop was finally leaving the mullet stage but now it looks like a curly shag; can’t win for losing it seems.
I worry about the constant pull on the lithium batteries so full hook ups are grand. Same for the freshwater availability. I’m used to water conservation from being on ships and sailboats but trying to deal with a five-year-old boy that is part dust cloud and dirt clod is challenging in those circumstances. And I could go on and on but won’t. The place isn’t cheap but it is still far less expensive than staying in a hotel with the added benefit of not having to eat out every meal.
As I was checking into the campground I had to go passed a group of Scouts that were fundraising for a couple of Eagle projects. They were selling hot dogs and Benny and I still hadn’t eaten anything but veggie straws and that wasn’t sufficing. I spoke to them while I waited in line at the concessionaire, asking them about the projects … they were putting up safety equipment signs at the public boat ramps as well as repairing some erosion further down the waterline … and then telling them about being in Sea Scouts.
An older scout comes back on the scene and after hearing the last part asks, “Wait! Are you Aunt Gus?!”
Well thanks for the shouted identification I nearly snarked but instead smiled politely and answered, “That’s correct. Er … and how did you know that?”
“My dad’s cousin is a ranger and turned my sister onto your blog. Her kid has really bad food allergies and some other stuff and we’re all trying to get her to turn loose a him so he don’t act like such a brat all the time.” He said it with a smile and popped a kid in a cubbie t-shirt in the back of the head so I took a wild guess and figured that was his nephew.
What was funny was that Benny looked at the older scout like he was a few fries short of a gluten-free happy meal and gave the other boy a look of empathy. The other boy smiled shyly and whispered, “You’re Little Bear.”
Benny nodded and then had us laughing when he said, “Aunt Gus said they grow out of it.”
“Ah, he’s not so bad,” the boy responded making us laugh more.
Then it was my turn and I checked in and then got Benny and I hot dogs minus the buns and some fries to go with them. The cubby with the allergies+ was outgoing and pulled Benny into what he and his friends were doing with their Belt Loops and other activities. That allowed me to ask some questions about local activities and now the water level might affect them.
Right place right time? I would say yes. And having Scouts in common, even if they were different branches of the organization, smoothed the way as well. On their side were Eagles. On my side was my Quartermaster Award and I explained Sea Scout ranks as well as the electives we were expected to excel in … Leadership, Duty to God, Sailing, Paddlecraft, Scuba, Vessels, Racing, Engines, Vessel Maintenance, Electricity, Rigging, Ornamental Ropework, Maritime Tradition, America’s Boat Club, and becoming a US Coast Guard Auxiliary Member and qualifying for AUXOP or a Trident Marine Safety specialty rating.
“I was in a very active Ship as well as a very active Navy Sea Cadet unit. I was also a home education student so the two activities also played a big role in my academic pursuits.”
“You mention that you were going into the Navy? Do you still plan on it?”
“My life’s chart changed due some major events. Little Bear is my life’s calling. Do I regret it? I wouldn’t use that word. I sometimes wonder what my life would have looked like if I had, but I think the bigger regret would have been turning Little Bear over to someone else to raise. I can’t imagine my life without him now. The satisfaction of what I am doing is huge.”
“Are you going to just keep traveling?”
“Right now we travel to give me time to reach twenty-one and then we’ll see what the possibilities are as well as what our needs are. Think of it along the lines of doing certain activities requires you to fund raise and train. Well at the moment we are in the ‘doing’ phase but at some point we will have to move back into the fundraising and training phase. When and what that looks like will be determined by what goals we have. Right now we are enjoying our current ‘doing’ phase but yes, at some point I have to sit down and flesh out the goals that are floating around in my head.”
“Will you home school Little Bear?”
“I’m giving it strong consideration. A lot will depend on our goals and whether home education is optimal for Little Bear?”
“I wish I was homeschooled again but Mom had to go back to work after my parents got a divorce. The were fighting about everything and the judge said I had to go back to regular school until they stopped fighting about it.”
“Sucks to get stuck in the middle I told the boy.”
“Yeah it do,” he muttered. “They just fight too much. They’re okay as long as they don’t have to be in the same room. Dad’s mad the judge is making him pay child support to the court instead of always fighting with Mom about it. Now if he doesn’t pay on time they take his driver’s license. Mom just got tired of him making excuses all the time even though he would take women out on dates and pay their way and stuff.”
One of the adults quietly patted the boy on the shoulder and then pulled him aside. Another adult said, “John is having it rough. He’s had to move in with his grandparents because his mom had to go to work in the oilfields to pay for his younger brother’s therapy because his dad doesn’t make enough.”
“Yeah, life is rough when the supposed adults in the room can’t get along.”
One of the younger female scouts there asked, “Do you have a boyfriend or girlfriend?”
The water I’d just take a sip of tried to go down the wrong way. “I’ve got enough personal responsibilities at the moment without having a significant other,” I answered as all the other scouts rolled their eyes at the girls question. “You need priorities in life and for now, that’s not a priority for me.”
The female scoutmaster muttered, “Sorry about that.”
“Not a problem. It’s the age thing … mine and hers. Everyone expects that sort of thing to be important.”
She shook her head. “It’s the homelife thing if you catch my meaning. She’s John’s father’s girlfriend’s daughter.”
All I could do was blink and she chuckled. "Everyone is connected in some way in small communities." She then said, “My brother is a local guide. Let me give him a call. He’s meeting us here in a few minutes to take our troop on a hike and there might be room for you and Little Bear if you are interested.”
“Uh …” But she was already waiving a someone in the parking lot behind me.
“Give me a sec.”
I noticed that the fundraising booth was being turned over to a group of Cubbies and the Scouts were all lining up. Well the long and the short of it was that no one in the Scout troop had a problem with Benny and I taking along since they were on a bus. Buzz (the guide) was a forty-something man of mixed heritage and after checking out Benny’s experienced gave his approval as well.
Benny understood that Travis, the Cubby he’d been socializing with, wasn’t allowed to come with us because his mother hadn’t signed a permission slip, plus he was staying to help his Den fundraise for their own activities. We on the other hand spent the next three 3 hours hiking to Skylight Arch which is located on Stud Horse Point Mesa about 6 miles outside of Page, AZ. They used an old mini school bus to transport the Scouts but Benny and I had to take the van for liability purposes. Of course, everyone got a tour of The Ark and the kids all loved Benny’s “bedroom” though he was careful to keep the Crew and his other personal belongings out of sight, especially Lawrence’s flag. Buzz, who recognized Benny’s wrist band, asked if he could have our cert number so he could claim it in his service report to the State. No skin off my nose but I kept it subtle so Benny wouldn’t get self-conscious and so the Scouts wouldn’t ask for an explanation.
The bus and our van were both high clearance vehicles so it wasn’t a problem getting to the parking lot at the trailhead. I saw a few 4x4’s but the feature really wasn’t necessary. The hike to the arch is just over a mile long, so two miles roundtrip. Benny and I were struggling to slow down so we wouldn’t outrun the Scout troop.
Buzz asked, “Done some hiking have you?”
I laughed. “You could say so.”
I listed out some of our hikes and said that one of most recent and challenging as far as environment had been Fiery Furnace.
“The boy did the hike with you?!” he asked, startled since he apparently knew the trail and area.
“He just made the cut off and did everything himself except one jump across and that was my preference. I didn’t like how far down the gap went. Now another member of the hiking group didn’t report a medication she’d taken that morning and when we got back to the trailhead it was a near disaster.”
We spoke off and on until we got to the top of the Mesa where there were some interesting Hoodoos. Once you pass the Hoodoos you continue and get sweeping views of Lake Powell, Lone Rock, Castle Butte and Navajo Mountain. On the west side of the Mesa is the Amangiri resort.
I took a picture of the Scout troop on the arch and Buzz took a picture of Benny and I in the same position. It reminded me of when I was climbing the rigging on a ship, or at least it gave me the same feeling. My imagination wanted to play tricks on me and imagine the arch was crumbling beneath our feet.
The hike back was just as good as the hike out had been. There was only a 203’ elevation change either direction. Buzz and the troop were heading home from the trailhead and Benny and I were anxious to go to our campsite and set up. However, before we headed out Buzz had a proposition. He would text me some tours his boss had arranged and so long as I advertised their business, we could hitch a ride as spectators. We might have to rent equipment or bring our own food but the cost of the tour itself would be free. Well yeah, I was all over that. I’ve already looked them over and yes, I will most definitely accept their gracious offers.
On the way in we stopped to pick up Benny’s Junior Ranger program booklets. Benny was eager and thrilled. If we had more room, I’d make him a banner that he could attach them all his badges and patches to and hang up but the notebook is going to have to be it for now. Found out that there is also a junior explorer program for the BLM land that we picked up (some kid had just left it in the bathroom and no one claimed it when I asked around). And one of the rangers told us of the Junior Angler program which is part of the NPS Junior Ranger series of activities.
And get this! Someone just abandoned a tandem kayak and two oars. Benny and I had parked and went straight down to the beach area to walk around and drink in the scenery (ha ha). While we were there a guy about my age was mumbling under his breath about crazy people. There was another guy with him who wasn’t exactly being complimentary either. It wasn’t Benny with big ears this time but me. I told myself I was gathering intel to make sure there were no problems to avoid, but in all honesty I was just nosey.
Turns out the kayak wasn’t a rental and … okay, I’m stupid. They were complaining that it was like the fifth one of the season and there wasn’t any more room in storage so where the heck were they going to put it. No one had claimed it.
I decided to boldly just go for it. “Do you rent them out or sell them? Or maybe offer a discount rate for a weekly rental?”
“We aren’t allowed to sell them because we can warranty them. And no renting them for the same reason. We used to in the past but some guy tried to sue so … no more and all that crap is stacking up in our storage shed.”
The other man had just gotten off the walkie with whoever was in charge and turned to me to ask, “You want it? You take it, we look the other direction. It’s been almost 48 hours and no one has claimed it. I don’t see any damage to the hull.” Turning to the other guy he said, “New rule. We can’t hold any lost & found items for more than 48 hours. Boss doesn’t want any liability.”
Well yep. I accepted that kayak and it is now tied to the top of the van. It is shorter than my other tandem by two feet but that’s not bad. I have to get life vests for Benny and I and a helmet for Benny – so that means a bike helmet and a water helmet for him. The guy said to check back tomorrow; he might be able to hook me up with more second hand (aka abandoned) items; he just needs to get the okay from “the boss” first.
“How much stuff do you have in this shed of yours?”
Both guys rolled their eyes and shook their heads. The older man said, “We could start our own second hand shop of camping and vacation gear. There was one around here a few years back but it was a hassle to keep it manned and open and all the other crap you gotta do. State kept tacking on more regulations so the owners closed it down. I’ll be over in the office after lunch tomorrow and I’ll let you in and you can look around.”
I must have had a suspicious look on because the guy laughed. “Buzz is my brother-in-law. He said you’re good to go.”
“Ah, so it isn’t who you are but who you know,” I said with a grin.
He barked a laugh and said, “You got that right.”
Benny was having such a good time in the water I hated to tell him we needed to go back to camp so I could do some adulting. He didn’t mind, he was hungry and he knew I’d picked up a gluten-free pizza from the deli area. I grilled it on the hibachi that came with our campsite. Messy but yummy. I took a couple of hours to deal with the groceries that we’d picked up and then agreed with Benny another walk on the beach was something that needed to happen.
I suppose I could have done laundry but that can happen tomorrow night. So can a proper shower. We’ll just get sweaty tomorrow morning anyway. He crashed and burned over an hour ago. I’ve been typing this and adulting with everything that I’ve had to put off for the last couple of weeks. Income from the blog site is looking good and stable at about $150/week or $600 average/month. I’m going to make up a couple more specialty pages for the blog. One is a little silly … sock and accessories. Some serious but most just some silly ones that I’ve seen like those that have national park themes or camping, hiking, or traveling themes on them. Same sort of thing for bandanas, hats, etc. I’ll have a section for camping equipment as well. I’m going to expand the book selections for each entry as well, but I’ll link to as many second hand and recycled books as possible.
For now I think I am going to go ahead and hit the hay. This is going to be a great week.
beaglemama
Contributing Member
Thanks again, Kathy!
sssarawolf
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Thank you, dh just laid down for a nap so I am trying to be quiet.
Old Gray Mare
TB Fanatic
Those campsites came with a fire pit and maybe a picnic table. I don't remember any on site electrical or water hook ups. We had to lug our own water. They may have had gravel or hard packed earth roads, a centrally located shower and pit latrine, certainly no Wifi. We had an old Rand McNally Travel guide. We thought it was fun and it was.
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kyrsyan
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Was talking to a friend about my desire to get a pop up camper. He thought I meant a modern one. But I remember the one that my parents had and used when we were kids. Apparently they've changed a lot... I don't know. I don't have the money for one yet so I haven't looked. But the one my folks had, had a small kitchenette that you could swing out to allow cooking outside the camper. And it got a toilet when they got one of the portable boat toilets. That was as fancy as it got.
Apparently they are a lot fancier nowadays.
Apparently they are a lot fancier nowadays.
Griz3752
Retired, practising Curmudgeon
Which has led to 'Glamping'
I'm with you; a tarp as a tent & ground sheet, fishing gear & rudimentary supplies; 1st order of business after the 'tent' was dig a latrine - the fishing gear was because if we weren't fishing, my dad was convinced we should be home doing chores and spending money on a camp site wasn't happening. We grew up where there was a lot of govt land.......
kyrsyan
Has No Life - Lives on TB
That was how I did it when my son is younger. But with his issues, a pop up is really the option we need to go back ro camping.
My brother and parents have RVs. I don't want one. They spend way too much money to keep those operational. And a towable would probably be more weight than my caravan can handle. So pop up is what I'll look for when the time comes.
Lake Lili
Veteran Member
I last went "sleeping on the ground" camping in the late 90s and decided I was too old and hurt too much getting up in the morning. I also have a teen with some challenging medical needs... so an RV it will be for us. Looking for something like the Entergra Odessy 25R - big bunk - back queen bed - accessible bathroom - can get away with not using the slide... and the teen wanted a tv that was not in the bunk (nearly put is feet through the last one.) I just wish they would put headphone jacks into the theater seater so I did not have to listen to late night video games... Look forward to exploring Newfoundland & Labrador when we get it... its a feel free to camp anywhere kind of place.
Jun 8 – 14: Glen Canyon National Recreation Area (Part 3)
June 10th
Water, water, water. Yehaw.
Early morning kayaking and then we did a half-day river float offered by Buzz’s boss. The adventure involved an exciting ride down the two-mile long Glen Canyon Dam access tunnel in a motorized pontoon raft. From there the trip was described as an experience of one of the most dramatic stretches of river found in the western United States. Well it was worth writing home about for sure.
At river level, the Glen Canyon Dam soared 700 feet above us. Intimidating much? For the next three hours we floated on placid water that didn’t interfere with viewing the canyons around us.
Buzz stuck mostly to explaining the geology of the canyon but also inserted some history by telling us who Major John Wesley Powell (namesake of Lake Powell) was and a few others, We stopped to view an impressive set of ancient petroglyphs that gave us a chance to stretch our legs and enjoy a snack or lunch. If you choose, you may also refresh yourself by wading in the cold, clear river. The Half Day Float through Glen Canyon to the Grand Canyon is not a rafting trip you will forget
In the afternoon, we joined another tour from Buzz’s group; however, Buzz was not leading it. This group explored the beauty of Antelope Canyon by kayak which was very neat. We learned about the area through the eyes of a part-Navajo guide that was a buddy’s of Buzz. This guy was younger, a little more “militant” about environmental issues and social history issues but not off-putting so long as you just let him talk and do his thing. He didn’t like interruptions. I’ve known several people like that. You just let them do and be who they are and either enjoy your time with them because of their personality or despite their personality.
We began the tour by boarding a shaded, open-air, 4x4 tour truck and taking a short three-mile drive from Page, AZ on Highway 89. From there we exited the highway and enjoyed an exciting six-mile off-road adventure through sandy washes and rolling hills to arrive south in Antelope Canyon. We got a unique 300-meter nature walk to the entrance of one of the longest slot canyons to be toured on the Navajo Nation. We took some time to photograph and meander through the slot canyon and back out to the vehicle for the return ride back to the Horseshoe Bend Overlook on Navajo land.
We had the advantage of avoiding the very congested public parking lot for the Horseshoe Bend Overlook, and instead took a private dirt road which leads to within 100 yards of the edge of the canyon. From there, we took a much shorter hike, a walk really, to the rim and from there be able to stroll along the side of a 1000-foot drop. Uh, diffently activated my Auntie genes and Benny had to hold my hand or at least my belt loop. The crazy shaped sandstone gives you different angles and views of the Colorado River as it snackes around a rock promontory, creating the Horseshoe Bend loop. From there came my favorite part as we drove to a private access point.
Antelope Canyon is the most well-known and most photographed slot canyon on Lake Powell, and if you read enough brochures on the subject, in the United States. From our access point we kayaked 2.5 miles through Antelope Canyon. The water in the canyon eventually dries up after many twists and turns of the sandstone walls. At that point we got an unusual treat. We “beached” our kayaks and then hiked a little ways in before turning around and heading back. Essentially we were on the water for five miles and in the dry in the of the canyon for about a mile and a half in a there and back hike. So we did both ends of the canyon, plus the overlook. I know I sound like a kid Benny’s age but how cool was that. Seriously. And all it cost me was some advertising space and good words that were definitely well-deserved.
Amazing what a little creativity can gain you.
June 10th
Water, water, water. Yehaw.
Early morning kayaking and then we did a half-day river float offered by Buzz’s boss. The adventure involved an exciting ride down the two-mile long Glen Canyon Dam access tunnel in a motorized pontoon raft. From there the trip was described as an experience of one of the most dramatic stretches of river found in the western United States. Well it was worth writing home about for sure.
At river level, the Glen Canyon Dam soared 700 feet above us. Intimidating much? For the next three hours we floated on placid water that didn’t interfere with viewing the canyons around us.
Buzz stuck mostly to explaining the geology of the canyon but also inserted some history by telling us who Major John Wesley Powell (namesake of Lake Powell) was and a few others, We stopped to view an impressive set of ancient petroglyphs that gave us a chance to stretch our legs and enjoy a snack or lunch. If you choose, you may also refresh yourself by wading in the cold, clear river. The Half Day Float through Glen Canyon to the Grand Canyon is not a rafting trip you will forget
In the afternoon, we joined another tour from Buzz’s group; however, Buzz was not leading it. This group explored the beauty of Antelope Canyon by kayak which was very neat. We learned about the area through the eyes of a part-Navajo guide that was a buddy’s of Buzz. This guy was younger, a little more “militant” about environmental issues and social history issues but not off-putting so long as you just let him talk and do his thing. He didn’t like interruptions. I’ve known several people like that. You just let them do and be who they are and either enjoy your time with them because of their personality or despite their personality.
We began the tour by boarding a shaded, open-air, 4x4 tour truck and taking a short three-mile drive from Page, AZ on Highway 89. From there we exited the highway and enjoyed an exciting six-mile off-road adventure through sandy washes and rolling hills to arrive south in Antelope Canyon. We got a unique 300-meter nature walk to the entrance of one of the longest slot canyons to be toured on the Navajo Nation. We took some time to photograph and meander through the slot canyon and back out to the vehicle for the return ride back to the Horseshoe Bend Overlook on Navajo land.
We had the advantage of avoiding the very congested public parking lot for the Horseshoe Bend Overlook, and instead took a private dirt road which leads to within 100 yards of the edge of the canyon. From there, we took a much shorter hike, a walk really, to the rim and from there be able to stroll along the side of a 1000-foot drop. Uh, diffently activated my Auntie genes and Benny had to hold my hand or at least my belt loop. The crazy shaped sandstone gives you different angles and views of the Colorado River as it snackes around a rock promontory, creating the Horseshoe Bend loop. From there came my favorite part as we drove to a private access point.
Antelope Canyon is the most well-known and most photographed slot canyon on Lake Powell, and if you read enough brochures on the subject, in the United States. From our access point we kayaked 2.5 miles through Antelope Canyon. The water in the canyon eventually dries up after many twists and turns of the sandstone walls. At that point we got an unusual treat. We “beached” our kayaks and then hiked a little ways in before turning around and heading back. Essentially we were on the water for five miles and in the dry in the of the canyon for about a mile and a half in a there and back hike. So we did both ends of the canyon, plus the overlook. I know I sound like a kid Benny’s age but how cool was that. Seriously. And all it cost me was some advertising space and good words that were definitely well-deserved.
Amazing what a little creativity can gain you.
sssarawolf
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Thank you.
Old Gray Mare
TB Fanatic
Is there any parent who doesn't remember what it was like to be a newbie and wishing they came with more detailed instructions than to love them?
Lake Lili
Veteran Member
@Old Gray Mare - One of those booklets would have been a god-send!
While every child is complex with variations in development that make travel, and life a challenge. Those children who come with complex medical needs make travel particularly challenging. When their brains and bodies are wired and operate a-typically... and when those challenges are multi generational... it can make spaces like the closeness/noise of an RV and Park, not to mention the rest of the the world, a challenging place to navigate. Travel by its very natures is only minorly sheduled and yet for a medically complex child, rigid routines around medications, therapies, food/feeding tubes... Point being that @Kathy in FL is addressing it in the story in a way that I have not seen done before. As the parent (with ADHD) of a teenager with a genetic deletion, of which includes ADHD/ASD is a part, this is really appreciated. Thanks Kathy