Adventures in Wonderland: Part One

The plan was passionately conceived in my heart in early June of 2012. I was in the local REI store looking at maps of "The" Mountain and books of "The" hike. A friendly salesperson walked up to me and struck a conversation that eventually led to a miscarriage of my summer's intended goal. I was naive about the how-to's and the know-how's of the whole process, but that conversation lit a fire that would lead to a years' worth of burning desire and preparation for the birth of a life-long dream.

The conversations went something like this:

Salesperson - "Hello, is there anything I can help you with?"
Me - "I'm looking for a map of the Wonderland Trail and a good book about the hike."
Salesperson - "Oh, when do you plan on hiking the trail?"
Me - "Probably August." (It was currently mid-June) "Do you know when the best time to hike it is?"
Salesperson - "Well, do you already have your permits and reservations?"
Me - "Huh?"
Salesperson - "Yeah, you need to reserve back country hiking permits usually no later than March."
Me - (Feeling like I didn't really like this guy because he wasn't telling me what I wanted to hear) "Well, I guess I'll buy this map and start planning for next year."
Salesperson - "Make sure you try early to get reservations, I hear they are pretty hard to get."
Me - With my stubborn nature feeling all the more dead set on making this hike happen, "Thank you, I'll let you know how it went."

So I left the store with only a map, a water-proof, tear-proof map that, in time, would take on the feel of a well-worn cloth. I went home and immediately got online to find a guidebook for the 93 mile hike. I found just the one, Hiking the Wonderland Trail: The complete guide to Mount Rainier's premier trail, by The Mountaineers Books. It too, would become well worn and comfortable like a ragged security blanket. The seed of adventure was planted, my mind was set.

Our Next Big Adventure.....

"Children are a lot like elephants; they have big ears and they don't forget a thing." -Me

For this reason, I never tell my kids that we are going to do something until I am certain that it will happen.  And the reason of this post is because I told my kids something...something big, and now I need to make sure it happens. I am posting this for my accountability.

In the process of talking to several people this week, my mind began to hatch a plan to take a road trip with the kids this summer. It was totally out of my control. Once the thought was there, it consumed me. Before I knew it I had priced RV rentals, half of our itinerary was planned and, yes, I mentioned it to my elephants.

So here I am, four hours before they return home from a weekend with their dad and I find myself thinking about everything that needs to come together for this to happen. I believe it is possible, and I intend to take steps from now until then to make sure I don't disappoint the fabulous five.

Any advice on taking a road trip that doesn't break the bank would be much appreciated. This summer I was saying, "Happy Trails, everyone!" Next year I will be humming to the tune of, "On the Road Again!" Until then,

God bless you....and may He please help me!!

Gina