Vacation Log

Havasu Vacation 20070309 – Friday’s Fiasco:

Friday we set off while the sun was still up after making a stop at Circuit City and then Best Buy for the latest Stargate Atlantis DVD Season set at Fry’s prices. Taking the 15 Fwy at Foothill, we didn’t even get past the Falcon Ridge onramp when we heard a funny sound in the car. Pulling over, we discover the car is running hot and the husband looks under the hood to find a lack of coolant. He walks back to the Target in that shopping center to acquire some while Jonathan and I sat in the car watching people pass by looking at us pathetically, and a lady was kind enough to give him a ride back.

Traffic had begun mounting and becoming somewhat desperate as people tried to make their way; a traffic accident was suspect due to the emergency vehicles and sirens we were encountering. Temperature levels return to normal levels, but the husband suggestdc we delay until morning and get the Caravan looked over by our reliable mechanic before setting off again – so home we go as he back very deftly and safely backs our vehicle off of the on ramp to the streets again, but this actually gives us an opportunity to re-assess our packing and include items we didn’t have.

Havasu Vacation 20070310 – Saturday’s Sojourning
The Caravan was given the once, maybe even twice, over by our trusty mechanic Joe and deemed trip worthy, so we set off once again. Previously our route was to be the 15 to the 40 as a safer and not as trafficked choice, but since it was now Saturday it was revised to the 10 to the 95. I had some frustration because we were taking off later than discussed, but the husband was so pleased with the safeness of the car. Down the 10 we set off.

Later I realized that the map directions I printed showed us taking the high road of the 62 north of Joshua Tree, so I then became angry with my self that I may have caused us loss of more time. But I realized it was possible to do it the way we were going. Then, I think the husband doubted my navigational abilities and we stopped in Quartzsite, (yeah, Arizona) to get a roadmap. We picked up a few things there, looked at a few things , used the restroom, then picked up some Popeye’s, and also stopped for gas before continuing. This became much more than the quick stop I anticipated. It is not easy sucking in exasperation, but I really wanted this vacation to be a success and mired by a sourpuss. I think I did rather well.

Our coordinates were established, nourishment attended to, we were once again on our way. I oftentimes throughout the trip offered to drive, but I think the husband actually enjoys the driving – or maybe he just doesn’t like mine? The remainder of the trip was might I say delightful? We headed up to Parker City with a big rig roaring down our back and shortly after caught a glimpse of the river to full blown wonderful sights. The youngest was a pleasant passenger throughout with only a couple of “Are we close?” The red rock that made up much of the mountainside and dirt around us carved into bluffs and wind-formed architecture was impressive. Before I anticipated, we were pulling up into our vacation destination – the Nautical Inn Resort and Convention Center.



The Inn boasts to be the only such property with a Colorado Riverside beach – the state owns all other land. So while you might get near lake accommodations in Lake Havasu – we were on AND facing the lake – home at last for the next 6 days. We tend to vacation in places with kitchenettes, so we come with groceries and equipment like the husband’s smoothie maker – all the comforts of home. Our first dinner, I had a salad with chicken, mushroom, and viniagrette dressing, while the gentlemen had rice and breast of chicken that had been already cooked and brought from home. It made the first day easy and comfortable and easy to settle in. And as a remarkable sun set on our day, so it began …. That let me say is the Prologue ;-)

Havasu Vacation 20070311 – Sunday’s Sabbath
We slept soundly. It had been a warm day previously and the week promised mid-90s. We missed the meet & greet Sunday morning free breakfast, but gladly had our own of cereal and such – I finished off 2 of the last 4 pieces of Popeye's. On our patio we overlooked the lake. The place was small, opening into a bedroom area replete with Jacuzzi tub which led you through a bathroom hallway with a separate toilet and shower and area and into a livingroom kitchen area. A sleeper was in the couch there which is where the young one retired. He and I took a walk around the property surveying our surroundings. Overall we did quite a bit of relaxing on the patio, took naps, watched Atlantis episodes and we went swimming.

We had church in our room considering Psalms wherein it advised the wiseness of adhering to your parents teaching and no listening to those who would lead you astray opening and closing singing praise songs. We hadn’t done that as a family for some time; it was a very nice time of worship.


We went back to the London Bridge (we had crossed over getting to our destination), singing the child’s song and walked around the quaint storefronts and restaurants there. There is a fountain which is used as a foreground of many of the postcard shops. On the other side back in the city we went to the store for smoothie supplies and stopped at MickeyD’s on the way back. We had a very full and pleasant day – we were definitely on vacation.

Havasu Vacation 20070312-15 – weekday unwinding
The rest of our days were much of the same – we swam, played badminton, made more trips into town and shopped a little, walked, hung out on the beach. The youngest made friends with a couple of families with kids and learned to swim t’boot! He went from saying he could swim to swimming both above and under water and retrieving items from the bottom of the pool. He has a collection of seashells to show for his time as well. The young one also was allowed to display his artistic abilities on the sidewalk with chalk colors. One of his highlights would be the spring breaker guys who spent time with him in the pool throwing a football. The young one had a spiral and a victory dance! Nicole I had time to read a book - Last Witness by Jilliane Hoffman.


Every timeshare use is not complete without the timeshare’s sales pitch. We went through that, actually considered it, and walked away with Lake money to spend. We ate out at Denny’s (where we had great service until we got to the abrupt cashier) to utilize some of it. Throughout the week we had waffles and steak and chicken dinners, hot links, taquitos and burritos, italian sausage and such with veggies, salad, rice or potatoes. Right now I’m going to have a lil’ dessert of sherbert.

It is difficult to say where the week has gone because it is nearly over. We depart tomorrow. I hate to see it come to an end, but we plan to make the most of it before we head back to a life all too familiar. I do know there were memories carved and precious artifacts gained beyond the young one's seashells. Now in a dually employed marriage and formerly long time single parent, there hasn’t been the pleasure of infinite hours to spend in the formation of who my children become – each moment has had to be selfishly maximized to bring forth fruit. To have the time to languish in being with the young one and developing who he is and really have an opportunity to appreciate it. Spending time with both his parents, We had conversations on our walks, he became able to know the 10 commandments, examine nature, swim, have long badminton volleys. He is a precious child. Thank you Lord.


Most precious of all was to have the husband with me. In these busy days of ministry, school, work, parenting, household, he often feels lost to me, coming home to change from one hat to another some heavier than others – often wearing severally simultaneously and interchanging as he goes – a most efficient juggler. But he came home to me this past week. We’ve committed to make more of these times. We can’t always change the commitments that are pressing on our lives, but we can make a way to find each other in them. This was our period of rest; thank you Lord.

Havasu Vacation 20070316 – Friday Finale: the Epilogue
I had a skin care clinic at 8:30 so I jumped up, ate a quick breakfast and headed over to the First Cabin Club trailer. We played with Mary Kay make-up and I left with a golden summery look that enhanced the tan my body had acquired in this 90 degree weather. When I got back to our room full-fledged packing was going on. But before getting too heavily involved in that disheartening task, I went over to the gift shop and purchased the summer dress I had been eyeing all week with the remainder of our lake dollars – something to take home with us. Then I went into a packing frenzy. We were ready in short order – a icon of teamwork. We checked out and took the long road off the premises back to highway home. Our route was the inverse of the original one – the 95 to the 40 to the 15.

We stopped in town for a few supplies and MickeyD’s for lunch on the way. And we were in California (we knew because the gas prices went from $2.59/gal. to 3.59 per gal. for unleaded) and going through the long and uneventful Mojave desert passing through Needles and Lodi and the husband noted the location for the Disney-Pixar movie Cars. We scooted from Barstow on home bringing a wonderful vacation to and end ... until the next adventure.

Signing off...the Nomads of Normandy