Summer’s Gone? Where’d It Go?

Posted by C.J.

I’m not sure how it happened. I had big plans for my spare time during the summer. I was going to read the books I’d let slide during the busy months of the year. I was going to write about my travels, my time with Noriko and the kids, and the projects I completed. Now summer is over and I haven’t accomplished nearly what I’d planned. Oh well, it was a good summer nevertheless. Here’s the CliffsNotes version of the past two months.

End of June brought a trip to the Moon Palace Resort in Cancun for work. It was hot. The beach looked scummy. I worked long days, but the conference went off without a hitch and evenings were pleasant with cooler breezes, cigars and beer. 

On July 6 I traveled to San Diego to man the booth at a competitor’s conference. I love San Diego, but it’s not nearly as fun when I’m not with Noriko. The booth hours were short, so I had the opportunity to relax in the Gaslamp Quarter and watch people. A good couple days.

When I returned home from San Diego, Noriko and I frenetically completed home improvement projects to prepare for the arrival of my in-laws. Wood floors in? Check. Lower level painted? Check. Old landscaping pulled out; new landscaping put in? Check. Move May and Julia out of their bedroom to make room for visiting family? Check. Bathroom ceiling painted? Check. Everything done before in-laws arrive? Almost.

Noriko’s parents arrived on July 24 for a month-long visit. Long visits can sometimes create some stress around the house. It’s not because of anything they do; they’re incredibly helpful, generous, and courteous. (Noriko’s mom cooks a ton and her dad weeds the yard for several hours every day.) Nevertheless, the change in our family routine, a language barrier (they don’t speak English and the kids and I don’t speak Japanese), and my generally crotchety demeanor tend to make visits a little, um, tense. Fortunately, there was little tension this trip. We had our moments, of course, but all-in-all it was the best visit we’ve had in recent years. Their visit was filled with trips to state parks, a visit to Washington Island (which included skeet shooting, boating, and lots of water fun), and kids’ soccer and T-ball. 

I headed to Las Vegas for work in early August. I hate Vegas. I stayed at the Venetian which is a great hotel, but it can’t make up for the rest of the town. I was glad to leave.

Then school kicked in. Pre-reading and then six long days of classes to start off the year. The year looks promising and I like the direction of the courses so far–more application, less busy work–but the program will undoubtedly stretch me more than it did last year. I’m looking forward to seeing the positive effect of school on my day job. Should be good.

Today, I’m in an airport again. I’m traveling for work, but this time it’s to the mountains of Montana (so much better than Vegas or a Carribean resort). Mornings will be spent in sessions, but afternoons = fly fishing the Gallatin River. Wheee!!! Plus, attendance at the conference is well beyond our expectation. It looks to be a good week.

Summer’s gone. It was good. Fall looks promising too.

The Crown Room and Babies (a meandering post)

Posted by C.J.

As I was sitting in Delta’s Crown Room Club in the San Diego airport waiting for my flight to board, two things struck me.

First, for having such a luxurious sounding name and royal looking logo, the Crown Room Club is kind of a dump. It’s nice in that middle-of-the-road business-class hotel lobby-bar kind of way, but it certainly isn’t worthy of its royal name. The clocks that show times around the world are missing labels and the bar is unattended. It’s a dissapointment in the same way that joining a private club always is; reality never measures up to one’s imagination.

Second, I miss having infants in the house. (I know it seems a stretch from complaining about the Crown Room Club to babies, but bear with me.)

In the Crown Room, I sat across from a couple who had an infant with them. The mother held the sleeping baby in her arms as she read a book; the baby’s head was nestled under his mom’s chin as he slept. I have distinct memories of what it feels and smells like to have a baby lying against my chest with it’s head tucked under my chin. It’s clearly branded in my memory like few other experiences.

It’s not that I want to have another child, but there is an intense feeling of peace that comes only with nuzzling one’s own child. Seeing that mom in the Crown Room holding her baby made me realize that I miss that feeling.

God does it right. He allows new parents to be washed over in intense love for their children before presenting them with the ever increasing challenges of parenthood. It’s a foundation builder and prepares us for parenting–a job that stretches beyond anything we could ever imagine.

I’m in Minneapolis now, sitting in the Northwest Airlines World Club. I’m almost home and I miss my kids.

Change of Camping Plans

Posted by C.J.

Okay, plans have changed. N. received a call on Friday from Devil’s Lake State Park’s reservation service that the park is officially closed due to flooding.

David and I had to find another park for camping this week.

Initially, I looked at Lake Kegonsa State Park, but I want our trip to be full of activities and Kegonsa doesn’t offer many, especially since the trails are mucky from the rain.  

Governor Dodge State Park, on the other hand, has a lot to offer. Since it’s set up high on a hill, the excessive rainfall hasn’t had much of an effect on the park. The lakes are a bit high, but the trails are usable. There are a waterfall and spring house to explore, and canoe rental. It’s a nearly perfect alternative to Devil’s Lake. Fortunately, there were a few campsites available for tent camping and I was able to reserve a site close to restrooms and showers. (That’s important when camping with a four-year old.)

The camping trip is back on!  

Raining on Our Camping Parade

Posted by C.J.

[Note: This post was written on June 12, but not published until June 15, two days after we received word that Devil's Lake State Park is closed due to flooding.]

I’ve been looking forward to camping with my son, David, for weeks. I made reservations at Devil’s Lake State Park last week and then started mapping out our activities in my mind: set up camp, take a short hike, climb on boulders, walk through Parfrey’s Glen, return to camp site and start a fire, eat hot dogs, roast marshmallows, and so on. As it turns out, though, Wisconsin has been slammed with rain. Lake Delton in Wisconsin Dells (about 20 minutes from the park) broke its banks and drained into the Wisconsin River; flooding is rampant; and parts of Devil’s Lake State Park are under water.

And on top of it all, the rain just keeps on coming down. We’re expected to get more storms today and tomorrow. None of this bodes well for a positive camping experience. Nevertheless, we’re going. Here’s why:

1. David and I have been looking forward to this trip for a month. We almost never have time alone as daddy and son.
2. Our camp site is far enough away from the lake that it should be dry, even if it’s mucky in other parts of the park.
3. Our most important plans include climbing on boulders and sitting around the campfire; neither activity should be affected too much by rising waters.
4. I have my own fantasies about sitting around a campfire with a book, headlamp, and a beer.

 Potential challenges:

1. Mud
2. Mosquitoes
3. Rain

Potential solutions:

1. Rain gear.
2. Bug spray.
3. Rain gear.

If it gets really messy out there, we can go into town to eat and carouse.

Our trip is still going to be a winner.