Leaving Spokane and the Snow...hopefully

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Whew! Day 1 complete!

We couldn’t have gotten out of our driveway and street without the help of the snow angels God sent us! PRAISE THE LORD! The kids helped get the icicles off Spirit and our good friend Mike snowplowed around the RV and driveway so we had a clear launch pad. Our first turn out of the driveway North and we got stuck in all the massive snow in the road. But Captain Geoff knew what to do! Back and forth, back and forth, back and forth… Then we hear from above the cab, “I can still see our house!” Yes, Kai. Thank you, we know. The wheels finally found good traction and we’re off! Oh - but right before we left, our neighbor brought us some goodies and told us how much fun all the parks are going to be for the kids. I grabbed her arm and squealed, “the TICKETS!” Yes, we almost left home without the precious (and expensive) tickets of gold that give us access into all the parks of wonder, fun, and exhaustion - the whole reason this trip even got planned in the first place. - Okay, now back to the snow - With tickets in hand we roll down our street in the main wheel ruts about a block - yes, one block, and we get stuck again. Geoff jumps out with a shovel this time and I’m thinking to myself, how many of us does it take to push out a motorhome in snow? J. says in his best Eeyore voice, “Oh, I don’t wanna be a Dad when I grow up. Then I’ll have to dig out the motorhome.” With God’s grace and Geoff’s determination we got out of dodge! Singing Jimmy B,’s “Volcano” (our best Rock Band score ever!) and “Ring of Fire”, we were off! It was a glorious 1st half of the drive once we got out of Spokane. We found the sun and it glistened so brightly off the blanket of snow covered hills. Lots of sparkles and gorgeous sky. God even gave us a vertical rainbow faintly seen against the clouds in Oregon. Our Beautiful Creator! Yes, God is with us - EMMANUEL! Praise Him!

We finally hooked up with our friends in Arlington, OR. We had a quick but sweet little pitstop with them. They’re heading to visit family in Cali. Then the 2nd half of our trip began on I-84 - yikes! I’ll just say it took us almost 2 extra hours to get to Vancouver, WA to see our friend Lawrence and his family. It’s hard to get anywhere on time when you’re only going 30 mph with snow coming down strong. The kids did great watching “AquaMan” and Barbie’s Christmas Carol. At one point Mary asked, “Which are we going to furst? Disneyland or Legoland?” In my best, soothing, motherly voice I answered, “Port-LAND!”

We were met with lots of love and hugs from Lawrence and family. And delicious Filipino food! Chicken adobo, beef something, crab, and ice cream. Thank you, Lawrence! Now we’re racing another storm so we best be off!

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Comments

[GrampaDonald]

Great News 'Geting Through the Gorge'
Glad you got the tickets. Will pick up Lila Sunday noon plus or minus.

[Grampster & Grama Cheri]

Thinking of you on your adventure...
We love reading your blog and keeping up on your adventures on the phone. You are in our thoughts and prayers as you make your way to Disneyland in these crazy weather conditions. I think Grampster was worried that Geoff had a bit too much of his "Dad" in him, but it sounds like he has handled the take-off in the snow better than Rick would have. We love that you are having such a fun winter adventure and seeing wonderful friends along the way. Keep checking in so that we know you are safe and making progress towards California. It continues to snow here at Big Lake. It was 3 degrees when we woke up this morning which is so unusual for here. Uncle Jon and Auntie Jess are right at home in this weather. Otto is missing his cousins to play in the snow, but cant' wait to meet up with you at Disneyland. We love you all so much! Grampster and Grama Cheri, Papa and GG

[Denise]

HI guys!! FUN to read your blog and keep up with you on the road!! We are enjoying th snow but maybe not the COLD weather so much. It is freezing here. And more snow soon. Spokane, Washington made the front page of CNN today. Todd and I tried to finish Christmas shopping today while Uncle Eric took Kendra and Everett to see The Tale of Desperaux and then spoiled them with both McDonald's and ice cream! The Spokane Valley mall was so busy it took them 40 minutes just to get out of the mall parking lot!! We had Addison with us and accomplished a lot. It is late but the kids are playing so nicely at the moment I have not put them to bed yet. They have been acting out the Tale of Desperaux for hours. They especially love to reenact where the queen finds a rat in her soup and falls over dead - literally. She was scared to death. It cracks them up every time!! Anyway, Todd went out with his brother to a movie (he needed to get away after hours of shoveling snow and bringing in wood and helping stranded motorists!!). So, it is me and the brood. We love you all and miss you! God Speed.

[Jan Eric]

Awaiting your arrival
The weather in California is delightful, so let it snow, let snow, let snow.... get out your sunscreen. See you all soon!