Oregon - part 1

Today's mission:  make it from Seattle to Newport, Oregon.  According to google maps this is a 5 hour and 41 minute drive.  It took Chris and I almost 12 hours, I guess we stopped more than we were supposed to :)

At the beginning of our trip I finally figured out why Chris and I are still red eyed and sniffly even tho we left our moldy house in Okinawa.  It is Ragweed season in Washington.  Lyle be happy you are not along

We crossed into Oregon via the Lewis and Clark Bridge, a steep climb and a scary cool bridge

The roads instantly went from 4 lane busy to 2 lane quiet and pretty

Our first stops were in Astoria, we did a few photo ops at the Maritime Museum

We also drove to the Astoria Column, a memorial to Lewis & Clarks journey to the west.  I was fondly remembering my trainer, Jeanette, as I climbed the 164 steps to the top. 

Chris stayed below with Haru, since dogs weren't allowed in the tower.

A few miles down the road we saw a sign for beach access.  We decided to check it out

The beach was beautiful, Haru loved it

 The water over the sand was so smooth it looked like glass

 There were alot of people driving their cars right onto the packed beach, so I figured I would give Chris a chance to get behind the wheel.  He did great and even listened when I explained why he needed to stay on the packed sand and be wary of the loose sand.  He drove us back to the main highway, where I took over again.

 A bit later we saw another access point and I decided to give it a go.  I should have heeded my own advise tho, this sand was a bit too loose and I got us stuck.  Lucky for us I grew up in snow and know how to work the 4 wheel drive.  Don't worry honey, the 4 wheel drive works great and now Chris knows how to engage and disengage 4 wheel low

Chris did a little research on stops for this leg of the trip.  His first stop was to see Big Foot

We reached Cannon Beach, and got pictures of the Cannon....

 and the beach

One of my stops was Haystack Rock.  We got a pretty good view too



It was at this point that we realized we had driven right past the Cape of Disappointment.  We were (disappointed that is)

We did manage to locate Hug Point tho

and we did (hug)

we also took a little more time to play on the beach

Chris had one more stop on his list - Octopus Tree.  This was right at Cape Meares which was on my list.  We were both happy.

At this point it was starting to get late so we didn't stop again, but we did snap a few neat pictures along the way

By the time we reached our hotel, we were all hungry and tired of driving so we ordered in from a place we passed coming into Newport.  We couldn't pass up pizza that was Legend (wait for it) Dary.

Night all tomorrow we are headed to Crescent City CA and that is supposed to take over 6 hours.  We may have to stop a bit less  LOL

Car - Check Wall of Gum - Check Check

Today I woke with a list and a mission.  The first thing I had to do is claim our poor Durango.  Four and a half years ago we put it in storage right here in Seattle, and I was anxious to see how the vehicle did.

After filling out a little paperwork, they brought my truck around, freshly bathed and ready for inspection.  The storage unit installed a brand new battery just last week, and took great care of our car.  The only dents and scratches were the ones we created.  They even vacuumed the interior, and I know we didn't do that when we dropped it off!

Next stop, the gas station, since the fill tank light was on the second I climbed in.  After filling my tiny Ipsum for 4 years the $92 price tag at the pump was a little scary. 

Third stop on my list was the Dodge dealership for a complete check over.  I was there long enough to knit an entire dishcloth



Once they were done checking it over, I paid my bill and headed back to the hotel for Chris and Haru.  Once we got Haru settled in the truck we headed toward downtown Seattle.  The mission - locate the Wall of Gum.  My directions indicated it was off Pike's market down Post Alley.
After a few wrong turns we found a parking spot and set to walking until we found-

So we followed the signs and found the wall-

Chris and I both added our own contribution -

Then we were off to do a little sightseeing and shopping.  The fresh fruit and vegetable stands were just like I dreamed about on Okinawa, we sampled (a bought) fresh pears that were INCREDIBLE!

After looking at all this yummy food and walking by the vendors we decided it was time for lunch.  Chris chose a Hot Link sausage, I picked up World Famous mac n cheese and a ham & spinach Piroshky.  YUM!

After lunch, Haru hinted she was tired and it was time to go back to our room, so we did.

 Tomorrow we start the down the Oregon coastline.  I can only hope the weather we have had here the last few days holds.





Day one

First post Japan trip to Walmart!  We watched a man try to force a plastic kids pool into the back of his van - he did not succeed.  We watched people shop in their pj's - wish I'd known I brought my froggy jammies.  We browsed all of the foods that we haven't seen in quite a while and only bought water and 2 Red Delicious Apples for later.

We did get the boy a hair cut tho - what do you think?

Haru is laying by the door, wondering when we are going home.  I have tried to tell her the truth, but I think she is in denial.



We made it

Chris, Haru and I have safely arrived in Seattle. 

Our trip from Okinawa was pretty uneventful.  We took off a little late from Okinawa, but made up the time in the air, landing on time in Tokyo.  This meant we had 1 hour and 25 minutes to claim Haru, get through immigration, recheck the dog, go through security and make our flight. 

Fortunately, the Tokyo airport, despite it's size, is one of the most organized, well oiled machines in the world.  We (and all other pet parents) were met at the gate and told exactly where to claim our pet.  At that counter we were given a pack of paperwork to complete while they located our Haru.  Once haru was brought to us, we were escorted to the United counter.  Since we had "no" layover time we were taken straight to the front of the line.  I paid the travel fee of 25,000 yen (about $300) and they took her to oversize baggage.

Chris and I were hustled through Immigration, then we were on our own to get through security and to our gate.  We were both hungry and thirsty, hoping for a chance to grab a bite to eat.  But as we reached our gate they were making the final boarding call.  We were able to get a couple bottles of water from the nearest vending machine before we got on our plane.

A short (not really) nine hours later we arrived in Seattle.  In Seatlle we had to go through immigration (again) then claim our bags and go through customs.  We were identified as pet owners right away, but no one seemed to know how we go our dog.  Finally as we were waiting in a second customs line, a TSA agent let us know we needed to drop off our bags at a transfer station, board a shuttle train to the main terminal, reclaim our bags at one end and our dog at the other.

Suprisingly Haru made it the entire time with NO accidents in her kennel.  Unfortunately I couldn't let her out yet.  We had to get out of the airport first.  Our taxi driver didn't have an issue taking a dog, but did have a problem with our destination.  As in he didn't know where it was or how to get there.  He tried to give me his GPS to locate it - like I know how to use HIS system.  then he gave me his phone to call the hotel to as them which exit he was supposed to take.  All of this was going on while he was barrelling down the freeway at 75 MPH, the limit was 60 MPH and I haven't gone faster than 60 Kilometers/hour in years. 

We made it to our hotel in one piece, took a bit to get Haru fed and watered, before Chris and I headed out to see about some lunch.

We are going to try getting to a Walmart tonight for dinner (I know, big plans right!)

How Time Flies

When we first arrived in Okinawa we had the kids pose next to one of the giant Banyan Trees that are everywhere. 

It seemed only fitting that I make them do this same pose as we prepare to leave 4 1/2 years later -

Amazing how fast they grow up and how much they change in such a short period of time!

I'm Baaaa-aack

Our time on Okinawa is complete and I have decided to use the blog again.  Mostly to keep Lyle, Stephanie and our extended family up-to-date on my cross-country adventure with Chris and Haru. 

Our route will take us down the Oregon Coastline, through the Southwest, to a whitewater rafting adventure, travelling on the famous Route 66, into Texas (a land of it's own), across the south until we reach our final destination - Warner Robins, Georgia.


View Larger Map

We have quite a few fun stops planned along the way from a fun site I found Roadside America, so it ought to be interesting!  Wish us luck!

Prom

Prom was supposed to be last week, but Typhoon Songda crashed that party. Thankfully the school was able to reschedule for this week, before they graduate. Chris took Ashley (on the left in blue) and Megan (on the right in white). He made me promise not to put pictures on facebook until he could see them, but he said nothing about the blog!


Since prom was being held at a Marine base on island that none of us had been to before, Lyle, Steph and I drove with Chris and his girls following behind in his car. While at a stop light we heard Japanese girls talking and giggling. It was two girls on a scooter, stopped at Chris' car and talking to him. When the light turned green they took off:

But I think it is safe to say that Chris enjoyed the trip to prom! He has yet to crawl out of bed, so I am not sure how the rest of the night went.

Next week - Graduation!

A day with Tanya

I finally took some me time. Since I had finished my classes and had a full day off, I asked Tanya if she wanted to come over to play. She had to cancel out of a field trip (who really wants to visit the landfill anyway?) and came over right after dropping the girls at school.


We enjoyed a little breakfast

Took a little time to empty our bags of stuff (okay, almost an hour... but we had forgotten how fun it was just to look at what we had!)

by the end of the day, we had laughed, talked and even found time to create these:


Who's going to join us next time?

I should have known...

that something was up when Stephanie said she had to pick something up at the BX and she would meet us at the commissary.





Or maybe when she answered, "two rolls of duct tape" to the question, "What did you buy?"





Imagine my suprise when I went up stairs and saw this:

Lyle and I both had Monday off and the kids had school, so we decided to forgo the Superbowl festivities and head up to Nago to see the cherry blossoms.

It was a beautiful day and a beautiful view. Unfortunately, due to construction at the park we visited, we were unable to get to the official "cherry blossom viewing area". Enjoy:

Time flies!

Can you believe it has been 9 months since I last wrote anything on this blog?

Actually I am only using it now to share a few recipes, but maybe I will have to get back into writing about our life here on Okinawa. Especially since we will be here for another 18 months.

Okay, now to the reason for the post.

Pizza in a crockpot Two different ways -


Crock Pot Pizza

1 1/2 Pound Ground Beef
16 Ounces Mozzarella Cheese
3 Ounces Pepperoni
16 Ounces Macaroni
10 3/4 Ounce Cream of Mushroom Soup
30 Ounces Pizza or spaghetti Sauce

Brown and drain hamburger. Cook and drain pasta. Using about 1/2 of each ingredient alternate layers in a 4-quart crock-pot in the following order: Hamburger, Pasta, Cheese Soup, Pizza Sauce, and Pepperoni. Repeat layers with remaining ingredients. Heat for at least 4 hours on low heat. *You can add anything you would like on a Pizza*

Hint to make it better - Add sauce and soup to meat, or at least put a small layer of sauce on bottom layer in crockpot to prevent meat from burning.


Pizza in a pot

1 ½ lbs hamburger
1 green pepper chopped
1 can cheddar cheese soup
2 Tablespoons oregano
1 medium onion chopped
4 oz sliced pepperoni
1 can tomato soup
4 cups cooked spaghetti
8 oz package of mozzarella cheese

Brown and drain beef. Add all ingredients except mozzarella cheese and mix lightly but well. Cook on low for 4-6 hours. Top with mozzarella during last 15 minutes of cooking.

Both are good and each is a bit unique which is why I kept them both. Also, it is good to have a back up for when you are out of Cream of Mushroom soup!

Bobbi - this one is just for you

Tex Mex Chicken - Spring style

1 bag of Individually Quick Frozen Chicken Breast Tenderloins
1 Jar Pace Picante Sauce
1 envelope Taco Seasoning Mix
1 Can of Fiesta corn (regular corn will do in a pinch), drained
1 Can Black Beans, drained

Dump the frozen chicken in the crock pot, sprinkle with the taco seasoning mix. Pour the picante sauce, corn and black beans over the top. cover and cook on low for 8 hours, stirring once or twice during the day.

Serve over white rice sprinkled with cheddar cheese and a dollop of sour cream. If, like me, you are watching the amount of rice you eat, it is almost as good on top of a bed of lettuce, no cheese, just fresh chopped onions and a bit of Fat free Sour cream.

This recipe was originally on Kraft foods website, but I modified it for my family and it turned out YUMMY!

Spring Sunday Scoop

I know I have been awful about updating. Mostly because I catch up on what everyone else is doing through facebook and never think about filling anyone in on happenings here.

I am going to try to remedy that with a once a week update. We will see how that goes :)

This week Lyle got his promotion results. He is a Senior Master Sergeant Selectee. His line number is 150, which means he will sew on (and more importantly get a raise) in a couple of months. This also means we are going to start looking into building our house a little sooner (YEAAA!) I will post the official pictures after I get them off the AF site. My camera didn't cooperate the night of the promotion party.... probably a good thing LOL.

I also got a line number this week. I picked up my race number for the Okinawa Marathon on Saturday. Before you think I am too crazy, I only signed on for the 10K portion of the race.

Sunday (today) was race day and I was a little apprehensive. I had a few worries, but first and foremost was finishing in the allotted 1 1/2 hours. I shouldn't have worried, because even with the inchworm start I got an official finish time of 63 minutes!

Next year I will do even better!
Me before the race:
The final stretch: Crossing the finish line:
Me with my medal: