* you are forewarned this might have too much information for some, and a long novel, but deal with it:) *
This tuesday, we went on a little adventure. Ed and our friend Thomas Swyers had bought tree tags to go up in the mountains to cut down a christmas tree. Trees? In Douglas? yeah, by that, it means you have to drive 1.5 hours to even get to a place that has pine trees. So, we headed out in the 4-runner at 10:30 am. Ed driving, Thomas in front, Sundee (thomas' wife who is pregnant as well--due in april), their 9 month old son, cole, and me in the back seat... and gus chillin in the very back. So just picture tight quarters--i think gus had the most room.
We headed out on nice paved roads, when to mine and sundee's dismay, they turned to bumpy, dirt, definitely not paved roads. I had to remind ed that if he wanted to meet his daughter that day, all he had to do was keep going over big bumps (he wasn't wreckless driving or anything, but could go over the bumps softer).
We were almost to our first destination in Rucker canyon when the pregnant ladies needed to pee bad. Luckily, we were passing a campground and there was an outhouse--albeit a very smelly one--but a lot easier than squatting in the forest. So off we went again to this very barren forest. The trees were nothing like what we were looking for, so we got back in the car and went to another part of the coronado forest.
Gus got to experience his first taste of snow! he was going crazy and loving every minute of it.. even the nasty HUMAN poo he found under a branch that sadly got on his neck somehow and he was rolling around in the snow to get it off.. so ed so kindly washed him off in the freezing cold creek water.
Anyway, we kept driving and driving for what seemed to be forever... and i had to pee again, so the next stop.. i got out and had to squat. Now usually i am quit proud of my nature squatting skills--my mom taught me well, i even squat at public toilets...but in a forest, on a hill, with minimal coverage and having this kicking bump knocking me off balance.. it was quite the task.
Anyway, we reached the top of the mountain. we found a tree for the swyers.. only breaking a few of the forest rules to get it and were still in search of one for ed and i. The ride was still very bumpy. Sundee and i tried our hardest to sit so that the babies weren't pushing out bladders too much. She only contracted once or twice.. i on the other hand.. EVERY half hour!!! at least ( but no worries, no more than 6--or i would have to call my dr.) But still, not the most pleasant ride ever. i have never been so uncomfortable in my life. My poor kid was getting tossed and turned and kicking me in protest of it all... and to top it off.. she didn't stop--adding to her payback.
We ended up getting back to douglas around 5:30 or 6... by way of new mexico! (yes we went all over) and STILL didn't get a tree for us. Oh well, we just went to lowes and got a "perfect" one up there.
Even though this sounds like i'm complaining we even did this, i really did have a good time. Fun experience and if anything, it was worth it to finally see snow in arizona!!!!
Thank you for enduring through my rambling story, now here are the pictures...
cole swyers.. he did so good in the car and was basically this happy or sleeping the whole time.. till the very, very end.. but i don't blame him--it was a long trip.
This tuesday, we went on a little adventure. Ed and our friend Thomas Swyers had bought tree tags to go up in the mountains to cut down a christmas tree. Trees? In Douglas? yeah, by that, it means you have to drive 1.5 hours to even get to a place that has pine trees. So, we headed out in the 4-runner at 10:30 am. Ed driving, Thomas in front, Sundee (thomas' wife who is pregnant as well--due in april), their 9 month old son, cole, and me in the back seat... and gus chillin in the very back. So just picture tight quarters--i think gus had the most room.
We headed out on nice paved roads, when to mine and sundee's dismay, they turned to bumpy, dirt, definitely not paved roads. I had to remind ed that if he wanted to meet his daughter that day, all he had to do was keep going over big bumps (he wasn't wreckless driving or anything, but could go over the bumps softer).
We were almost to our first destination in Rucker canyon when the pregnant ladies needed to pee bad. Luckily, we were passing a campground and there was an outhouse--albeit a very smelly one--but a lot easier than squatting in the forest. So off we went again to this very barren forest. The trees were nothing like what we were looking for, so we got back in the car and went to another part of the coronado forest.
Gus got to experience his first taste of snow! he was going crazy and loving every minute of it.. even the nasty HUMAN poo he found under a branch that sadly got on his neck somehow and he was rolling around in the snow to get it off.. so ed so kindly washed him off in the freezing cold creek water.
Anyway, we kept driving and driving for what seemed to be forever... and i had to pee again, so the next stop.. i got out and had to squat. Now usually i am quit proud of my nature squatting skills--my mom taught me well, i even squat at public toilets...but in a forest, on a hill, with minimal coverage and having this kicking bump knocking me off balance.. it was quite the task.
Anyway, we reached the top of the mountain. we found a tree for the swyers.. only breaking a few of the forest rules to get it and were still in search of one for ed and i. The ride was still very bumpy. Sundee and i tried our hardest to sit so that the babies weren't pushing out bladders too much. She only contracted once or twice.. i on the other hand.. EVERY half hour!!! at least ( but no worries, no more than 6--or i would have to call my dr.) But still, not the most pleasant ride ever. i have never been so uncomfortable in my life. My poor kid was getting tossed and turned and kicking me in protest of it all... and to top it off.. she didn't stop--adding to her payback.
We ended up getting back to douglas around 5:30 or 6... by way of new mexico! (yes we went all over) and STILL didn't get a tree for us. Oh well, we just went to lowes and got a "perfect" one up there.
Even though this sounds like i'm complaining we even did this, i really did have a good time. Fun experience and if anything, it was worth it to finally see snow in arizona!!!!
Thank you for enduring through my rambling story, now here are the pictures...
cole swyers.. he did so good in the car and was basically this happy or sleeping the whole time.. till the very, very end.. but i don't blame him--it was a long trip.
our first attempt in rucker canyon... sundee, ed, thomas (holding cole) and gus... if you look close at gus, you can see just how excited he really was!!!
ed (behind the tree) and thomas standing back.. cutting down the swyers tree.
Ed, me and gus... it was finally cold enough for me to wear a beanie, gloves and heavier jacket!
ed and i at the end of portal canyon... just a few miles from the new mexico border....
we almost killed santa right after this....(some random lady all dressed in red came out of the bushes in the middle of nowhere.. no houses, cabins or buildings ANYWHERE close... she just popped out and ed had to slam on his breaks... haha more funny if you witnessed it.)
I'm glad you saw snow...it just wouldn't be Christmas without it. But I'm not looking forward to the next few days, we're supposedly going to get a lot of snow! I always wanted to cut down a tree, atleast you got to do part of it!
ReplyDeletehaha I can't believe you drove around all day and ended up at Lowe's! Take that drive again in a couple weeks when your ready to have your baby, that'll kick ya into labor!
ReplyDelete