A KOA Christmas in Honor of Katie (12/19/18)

There is no easy entry point into the story of this trip. I thought my next travelogue would be documenting a month-long trip to Yellowstone we had planned for late last summer.

Instead, life happened.

And so, this blog will cover our trip to Fort Wayne, Indiana - our new hometown - as we look for a house, visit churches, check out the kids’ new school, see old friends and make new ones. I start a job as a CHINS facilitator with Allen Superior Court on January 28th. After 26 years in a library (I started volunteering at age 12!), this will be a whole new world. 

Katie (top left), Grace and Jane

Before she died, my high school/librarian friend, Katie, had encouraged me to take the kids out in the world and have adventures. So, this is our “KOA Christmas in honor of Katie” (as a fellow English major, I know she would have appreciated the alliteration there! Or groaned good-naturedly.)

Bumpers the Birthday Boy

Our journey really began last night as we celebrated my Dad’s birthday. My aunts and uncles and cousins and immediate family shared a delicious spaghetti dinner (thanks Heather!) and sang to Dad and told stories about cross-country travels. As the celebration ended, they showered us with hugs and kisses and gifts and advice and  made a parting that I was dreading really lovely.

Of course, there were lots of jokes about why on earth we would choose to travel to Indiana in the winter time. Cousin Tom thought we might want to order the cookbook featured below, just in case, and we had to laugh this morning when geese were flying over our house and we realized, we probably are "south for the winter" here in Whittier.

One of the early Christmas presents was a Star Wars tie fighter bubble blower for Joseph. We were worried about it spilling in the car and so told Joseph to park it in his room until we returned. I have never seen him more heartbroken. We relented with a compromise and he spent a good 20 minutes running the bubbles out in the driveway and front yard before we left this morning. That was one happy boy.

Bubbles!!!!

Get Grace! Attaaaaaack!!!!

Had to rinse the car off before we could leave.

Jane captured the Bubble Heart

In Southern California, we have to make a bubble snowman. Here's hoping for a real one in Indiana!

We set out by eight - not as early as we’d hoped, but not bad for us. 

Packed to the gills! But, didn't end up needing
the roof pod.

Our first impulsive pull-off was in Riverside at the National Cemetery. I had wanted to visit Papa’s grave before we moved, but didn’t know how we would find time. I didn’t realize until the road signs popped up that it was on our route. I was glad to be able to take the children there and tell them about him.

Most of the day was driving. Here are the best if the rest stop photos.

The rock was a train and Rosalie was
blowing the "branch" whistle.

Apparently, the gas station in Blythe has been experiencing some issues.

We made it to Arizona!

We were able to make it to the McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park in Scottsdale. (Thanks, Aunt Jane, for the tip!) It was awesome and all the holiday lights were up. Joseph couldn’t stop running and “woo-wooing.” His eyes were just sparkling with excitement. Grace found all the interactive sections of the giant layout. Even Rosalie and Jane ended up enjoying themselves. 

  

Train crashing through the wall.

"Giddy Up Daddy" - Bil Keane (Family Circus)

 

Train ride in the animal car.

A gun locker at the entrance to the train park -
I guess we're not in California anymore!

Jane was a good sport for the picture, but had to squeeze
back out and sit with us - it was just too little for her.

After World War II, the French people in gratitude for the
United States', help filled 49 boxcars weighing 250 tons for
the American people. One for every state and the remaining
boxcar was shared between Washing D. C. & Hawaii.

Arizona sunset as seen from a Live Steamer.

The train has a smiley face!

So does Joseph!

As we were standing in line for the train ride, Arthur suddenly exclaimed, “I’ve been here before!” When he was a kid, his family went there for a Y’smen convention with the YMCA. He remembered playing in an earlier iteration of the little town playground and watching the train.

 

After running the kids ragged on the playgrounds (plural), we piled back in the car for our three-hour trip through the National Forest to the KOA in Holbrook, AZ. The 3/4 moon was bright and beautiful, but it was so clear out that the stars were still visible. Suddenly, we saw something white on the ground out our window and realized it was snow glistening in the moonlight, a sight we had never seen before.

We finally arrived and, boy, is this KOA awesome!  It has a loft with bars (so the kids don't fall out) and it's like putting them in a cage - LOL! There are also two bunks downstairs, as well as a separate room with a queen size bed. These are the picture Grace took:

If we don't fall down the stairs, we will see you tomorrow!