All Posts

<p>Kramer looked a little more comfortable in our absence last night. He slept for a while on our bed, and this morning, he was playing the way he usually does—doing his zoomies and chasing his tail. Still, we intend to get him a friend. Thank you to my cousin, Kerry, for offering up an idea [&hellip;]</p>

<p>Kramer is so lonely at home it’s breaking my heart. We set up a camera in our bedroom. Last night, he kept going into our room, looking for us, staring sadly at our bed, and then leaving only to return minutes later as if we might magically appear. I feel so bad for him. We [&hellip;]</p>

<p>Dear Dad, I miss you most this time of the year. The weather is getting cooler, and every time I see a pumpkin or leaves strewn across the grass I think of you. Facebook continuously reminds me of of your absence with memories of happier times—celebrating Nonna’s birthday, pumpkin picking, and apple picking. Sure I [&hellip;]</p>

<p>Dear Dad, For more than a year, I had been wanting to take the Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills course so that I could complete my Assistant Scoutmaster Training for Boy Scouts, but G3’s schedule has been so busy I hadn’t been able to escape for a weekend to do it. Last weekend, however, I [&hellip;]</p>

<p>Dear Dad, Mom took me and G3 on a mini-vacation—one last hurrah before we must return to work and school. Initially, we wanted to go the the Outer Banks, but between moving and mom’s concern regarding possible hurricanes, we felt the need to change our plans. I knew Mom wanted to go to the beach, [&hellip;]</p>

<p>Dear Dad, Last week, while G3 was at camp, we moved. We bought a house we don’t love—one that needs more work than we can afford—because our landlord ended our lease and gave us only a very small window to get out. The fact that Kati and I work in school districts far from each [&hellip;]</p>

<p>Besides too much driving, today was a Presidential Finale. We ended our trip with a detour to see the houses of some Ohio Presidents. We arrived at Rutgers B. Hayes’ house when it opened—an hour before the first tour. So we had time to explore the museum first. Spiegel Grove was build by Rutherford B. [&hellip;]</p>

<p>Last night was the first time the temperature was comfortable in our tent. I had to tuck myself inside my sleeping bag to stay warm. When we woke up this morning, it was 63°. If only had been like this the entire trip the both of us would have slept so much better. We visited [&hellip;]</p>

<p>Since the park is a National Scenic Riverways and the Ozarks are known for their lakes and rivers, I wanted to get G3 on the water for a day. There is no white water rafting this time of year so we opted for a kayaking trip instead. I didn’t know which company was best so [&hellip;]</p>

<p>We started the day with a short hike along the Slough Trail to Big Springs. It is the largest spring in Missouri, and one of the largest in the world. It is a beautiful, aquamarine color due to all the minerals in the water. Pictures do not do it justice. On the trail I got [&hellip;]</p>

<p>We turned north this morning to make our way back home. On the way, we stopped at a gas station in some small mountain town in rural Arkansas so I could get a cup of coffee. I brought it to the counter and the woman smiled and said, “You’re good.” Puzzled, I insisted, “But I [&hellip;]</p>

<p>This morning I got up early and was hiking before 7 o’clock. G3 did not want to come, so he stayed behind at the campsite. I was a little disappointed. I enjoy hiking more when I have company. But I was not going to force him to come because then he would have been miserable [&hellip;]</p>

<p>We are at Hot Springs National Park. This morning we got up early to hike because, well, what else do you do in a National Park. Plus, I really enjoy hiking. I wanted an early start because it’s going to be 100° again, and I wanted to hike before the heat got too oppressive. G3 [&hellip;]</p>

<p>My thumbs are sore, they actually hurt from writing so much last night. I need a portable keyboard that connects to my phone because typing with just my thumbs is too tedious. I slept decently until about 5:00, which was more than I expected. I tried to fall back to sleep, but by then there [&hellip;]</p>

<p>The setting of our campsite really was peaceful. I wish we could stay but we have a time constraint. G3 needs to get back for summer camp. And I need to be able to do his laundry and he needs to pack. I slept as well as I could on rocky ground. I did wake [&hellip;]</p>

<p>We woke up early this morning to get on the road before it got too hot. I suppose we had reached our turnaround point and so today we began to make our way back east. After driving for nearly two hours, we stopped at a cute cafe along the side of the road. After our [&hellip;]</p>

<p>I slept surprisingly well last night on the exceptionally uncomfortable ground. There were no dogs, only the cicadas who lulled me into a deep sleep. So deep a sleep, that I had an anxiety dream about going back to work. Before summer started, I interviewed for a history position at the school where I am [&hellip;]</p>

<p>The damn dogs barked until nearly three o’clock. They started in again at 6:41 this morning. But even if they hadn’t kept me up most of the night, I would not have slept well. The ground was hard and very rocky—not even slightly comfortable. I went hiking this morning. Actually, it was more like a [&hellip;]</p>

<p>This morning we drove south and left Kansas. En route we stopped in Independence—yesterday it was Independence, Missouri; today it was Independence, Kansas—to visit The Little House on the Prairie. As many of you know, in my childhood, I was a tad bit obsessed with Little House on the Prairie. Of all the authors I [&hellip;]</p>

<p>Truman’s house was closed the day it would have been most convenient to visit. Therefore, we bounced back into Independence, Missouri today. We seem to be striking out on president house tours. After seeing Oppenheimer yesterday, we were extra excited about going to Truman’s house and learning more about him. Unfortunately, the tour once again [&hellip;]</p>