We officially left on our 2016 Summer Trip at 2:15.  The trip starting mileage in our new-to-us van was 119,517 miles.

Our neighbor Beth was kind enough to take our first family photo. After some quick hugs we headed out for the first long trip…

two miles away to Scott’s parents’ house.  We didn’t stay too long.  Just long enough to get some lunch, Star Wars Rebels, and hugs.

Chain O’ Lakes state park.  We arrived at exactly 4:20.  Upon arrival the kids sat in the van for quite a while complaining of being bored with nothing to do. I was tempted to hop up and check out the park or the pier with the kids.  Scott was firm and said, “Mom is not going to be your playmate right now.” I wanted to protest, but I was a bit tired from several days of getting ready to leave. It didn’t take the kids too long to hop on their bikes and make friends with the neighbors across the way.  Brooke played for hours with six-year-old Angelalee.  Our little Miss came over to us after a few hours of playing and whispered, “They have no other home.  They live in their tent.” The mom had six kids and worked at advertising booklet in our home town.  Brooke doesn’t remember this, but I remember her same surprise when she was three at the city campground in Anchorage when she discovered most of the kids she was playing with had no other home.  Brooke was impressed by how mature and smart the six-year-old was.

Scott took out the selfie stick to play with while we soaked in a few rays.

The view we watched for hours: blue sky with perfectly formed clouds.