Spring Break 2019 (Going South to AZ) Video

I apparently never put this up here. I like having a place to easily find these snippets of the past. Here is last year's spring break trip to the Grand Canyon and Tucson. (What a different sort of spring break than this year, amid the great coronavirus pandemic of 2020!)

Spring Break Going South '19 (Tucson Desert in Bloom)

When I was a mid teen I spent a couple weeks over the winter in Tucson with old family friends. They told me of the desert in bloom in spring time and I have had visions of it ever since. That was a magical winter for me. It's when I first met Abu, the Arabian stallion who became my first love. At the end of my visit Peg sold him to me for $1. My parents drove me down after I turned 16 with a horse trailer to collect him. And all my horse dreams came true.

Returning to Tucson with the family was fun! Our friends from Boston had been living there for the past five years and showed us all the best parts--the Sonoran Desert Museum, the Art Museum, John Wayne's old western sets, watercoloring, food, sunset. We had a really great time, even if we were melting in the spring heat.

The desert in bloom was spectacular.

Remembering riding Abu in the washes was beautiful.

Continuing friendship the best of the best.

Spring Break Going South '19 (Vegas)

I was excited to execute the going south trip I'd planned way back when we first repatriated. (We ended up not taking the trip last spring break for various reasons, including that I was a few weeks pregnant and starting to feel very sick. Grandma and cousins came up to join us for a staycation, and I'm so grateful we have those memories in the bank--they are great ones!!) First stop, Vegas. I had a few things on my itinerary. The main one was to see my college friend and her family. All the other Vegas things were bonus.

Henry was a good sport most of the drive--most of the long car drives--but hitting the eight hour mark in the car that first day was rough. We were all done. I was happy to see the Seven Magic Mountains at sunset. Step out of the car, stretch our legs, enjoy the strangeness of it.

The next morning we met my friend and her family at the graveyard for the Strip's old neon signs. It was awesome! I loved it, such a bizarre place. I particularly loved the guide book which had old photographs of the signs in situ. However, it was much hotter and sunnier than any of us are used to so we melted and burned. Ha! Cathryn and I were in many Latin classes together, so posing by Caesar's Palace was only appropriate.

We'd promised the kids (and ourselves) a buffet. But the buffets along the Strip were expensive and honestly we knew the kid wouldn't appreciate them. So we splurged on Golden Corral instead and laughed at the hilarious plates that came back from the buffet. Eddy. (insert eye roll)

After lunch we went back to walk the Strip a bit. Saw a random free show in one of the hotels, played an epic game of lawn jenga, watched the darkness fall and the lights flicker on. The kids were now experts at spotting the neon through the glare of fluorescent and LED. Proud moment. Getting close to bedtime, we took in the Bellagio fountains on the way back to the car. The second Celine started singing, Eliza started dancing. Charmed we stayed through another round of the fountains. The song was Simple Gifts and I was surprised to have a spiritual experience in the middle of Vegas. 

Sunday morning was Easter. We had had our Jerusalem dinner and other commemorations at home the previous week on Palm Sunday. We were lucky enough to spend Easter morning with Cathryn and her family for a lovely brunch and devotional, then church. It was perfect. I'm so grateful for the handful of lifetime friends I've collected. I'm a lucky one.

Cousins Come for Spring Break

I had some big road trip plans for spring break (heading south, visiting some of my oldest, dearest friends, Grand Canyon) but they had to drop for various reasons. I was pretty bummed. Also, unbeknownst to all of us at this point, a baby was growing and my first week of morning--aka all day and night--sickness was about to arrive.

I was delighted when Aunt Jessica and Jeralyn decided to drive up to see us and spend some days out and about, making our spring break a stay-cation. Cousin time is always a good time.

I remember I was feeling pretty yucky these days, but I'm glad we have a lot of other really great times to remember in addition. And apparently I hid my nausea and exhaustion pretty well because when we announced the baby a few weeks later everyone was surprised. So how's that for good acting? :)

We spent one day in the city, admiring the bridge and eating treats. (I ate two bites before I felt very sick and have regretted not being able to enjoy more almond chocolate croissant ever since!)

We showed off our favorite beach, Pescadero, and some true Northern California weather. The sky was cloudy and the ocean grey and the air crisp and clear. I love it.

I was glad Collin could take some time off work and drive with us to Muir Woods. I'm not sure I could have managed driving the winding roads with how queasy I felt, being a passenger was bad enough. But walking through the ancient glen helped enormously. The kids got some wiggles out, the smell of the redwoods settled my stomach. It was beautiful for the soul.

We got frozen yogurt and then it was time to go home and relax. Or rather, play very hard and wildly until cousin sleep over time. You know, I look at these pictures and realise why maybe the kid-sized blow up mattresses haven't lasted as long as I thought they might. Ha!

On the last morning we drove part way with the cousins and before saying goodbye we went to the Monterey Aquarium. I have pictures somewhere but can't find them.

It was so wonderful to have family come visit us during Spring Break and make it 100 times more fun than it otherwise would have been!