Frequent Flyer

Pyper and I flew out of Greenville bright and early Tuesday.  We are still trying to adjust.  It's 9 o'clock in the morning two days later and she's napping after a full morning; we've been up since 5am exploring and playing outside.  

Her 33rd flight out of Greenville was more or less uneventful, she fell back asleep. Our 34th however started with a major tantrum at the boarding gate, which definitely worked to our advantage while getting a seat on the plane. Since Southwest Airlines doesn't assign seats, it's usually advantageous to those traveling with children. When we found the row we wanted to sit in, I took the window, and Pyper was adamant about taking the aisle. I told her that someone might sit between us, and she would have to make a choice, but somehow it didn't come to that. We did watch every other middle seat fill up around us as the doors of the plane closed and we were left with a full row to ourselves. Maybe Pyper has caught on how to work the no-assigned-seat system.  We were happy to have the extra room to climb, jump and sprawl, since it seemed like we were the only ones not sleeping on the flight.  

Thumbs up, it's time to get out of Greenville. 

Upon flying over the State of Washington, we enjoyed the views and witnessed the still lingering smoke the wildfires still burning. It was good to finally touch down, knowing that we would actually be coming "home" this time.  

Our home coming was perfectly routine. Mom picked us up, we picked up Eileen at work, then we went to sushi for lunch, and Pyper fell asleep.

Drama Queen!!! Not another picture mom! She's looking awfully big in these pictures. 

It's been nice unpacking to stay for a while.

Goodbye for Now Greenville

Last Saturday Market for a while..

 

Last gluten free vegan donut for a while...

Last Miss Julia sushi goodness for while...

Last play with my buddy Reese, who is the exact same age as me, for a while...

Last dance party with Auntie Elizabeth and Rudy for a while... 

Moving in the Right Direction

Our downtown Greenville home is empty with the exception of a couple last items thanks to the help of a couple great friends and Gramma. The 16 foot Penske truck is loaded the the ceiling with a nice aft opening for a hammock. Andy is sleeping away at the EagleMed pilot apartment since he's still on night shift.  Pyper and I fly out Tuesday morning, and Andy starts driving Wednesday. 

Since Pyper was born, this is our fourth moving truck rental. While she was in the womb, we moved from Alaska and Oregon as well. So technically we have moved as a family six times in three years. In two and a half years in Greenville we have lived in three locations. We like change; at least we adapt to change well. 

The first time we moved in Greenville. Pyper just turned one years old. 

Gramma watching Rudy and Pyper while we do some heavy moving. Clay and Elizabeth tackling the queen size latex mattress.  

Spending a little time at the library with Gramma before saying bye for now. It was 95 degrees today, so we were looking for a cool spot to play out of the heat. 

Pyper and Daddy in a very empty space. 

Little Gymnast 2.0

What do you want to do today? Gymnastics Pyper exclaims daily.  

Pyper's been doing gymnastics since this last spring.  It's been amazing watching her grow in so many ways.  At first, hanging out with other kids and taking turns was the difficult thing, now it's the mastering of new moves.  It's been a joy to watch her figure out how her body works.  "I looooove the pit!" She always says wrapping her arms around herself, "It's my favorite!"

Handstand work, monkey hangs, and the foam pit.

With Miss Bobby and the rest of her little crew getting the much beloved end-of-class stamps on the feet.

One of the coolest things that have come out of gymanstics is watching her "coach" her monkey how to do all the moves at home. She definitely has a knack for teaching already.  

Blogging while packing....short and sweet or long and summarizing.  Doing my best to keep it up.

Rainy Season

"Doesn't it always rain in Seattle?!" Well, as a matter a fact, no. It's been raining in Greenville for days and days though. It must be that we are channeling the Seattle vibe that makes that glorious vibrant green carpet across the land. I can't wait to fly into Seattle next week for that breathtaking aerial view of the Pacific Northwest landscape that is home! And this time it's to stay, at least for now. 

I haven't forgot about blogging, it's just packing and logistics central at our house with the blog taking a major backseat.  

The last time we moved, 11 months ago, it was a rush job. We rented a truck for the day, drove to our house, an hour away, and within five hours managed to dump everything we owned into the truck and be gone. We had not packed a single thing prior to arriving with the truck. 

So with a one week time frame this time around, I'm feeling pretty good about things. Everything should be in labeled boxes and the move out should be pretty seamless. I'm finding boxes this week that were packed in the last move, so I'm organizing those too.  

Pack on!!!

Trying to keep the monkey busy while the house is in disarray and the toys are slowly packed, in and out of rainy weather, we head to all of Greenville's greatest establishments for kids.

The library is one of our favorite rainy or too hot to play outside activities. Pyper getting her private story time reading by two librarians.  Pyper was the very very first kid to check out and read the How to Loose a Lemur.

Pyper doing her sorting thing on thelibrary  magnet board.

Hate to say it, but Costco does have some good kid friendly qualities - Pyper can run down large empty aisles, ride on demo toys, and have fresh Vitamix demo smoothies.

Let it rain, we can go to the gym.  Here Pyper learns a shuffle from Elizabeth before class, during class she is up front teaching class, and then doing some of her own working out with a pvc pipe.  

There's also the Children's museum for some studio time. Pyper watching herself on the playback; pants have disappeared on the green screen.  

Still at the Children's museum leading out  out the kid's summer camp with Miss Karen.  Nope, she isn't registered  because she is too young, but that won't stop her from joining in on the fun anyway.

Don't worry, we still get our outdoor time too.

Even a rainy day at the market is fun, no crowds and lots of good eating under our tent, and hanging out at Miss Lisa's and Racheal's candle tent.  

After a zoo visit, we hit the cable jungle gym and get completely soaked.

Pyper has her rain gear on, but waits till we change to hit the biggest puddles of course.

After rain, there's also all sorts of little critters to catch.  Here, Pyper and Lydia check out some of the day's catches outside the Swamp Rabbit Cafe & Grocery.  

 Well, not a lot to say, but there's a quick summary of life in the moving lane.

What's on the Horizon?!

He got "the call" last week while we were having lunch with Gramma before heading out to camp in North Carolina.  The call we were hoping to hear from, Horizon Airlines. 

Right now, he's two plus hours into interviewing in Portland, Oregon. Horizon Airlines, which is branded now as Alaska Airlines, conducts a four part interview for its prospective pilots. The first one is a standard HR interview, second is an interview with the Chief Pilot, third is the technical "do you know your stuff" question session, and fourth, a simulator check. No pressure or anything.  

The time between the call and interview was a week, and this fell on an "on" work week for Andy. Lots to do, so little time to get together all the parts. Obtain interviewing attire was the highest priority, knowing that a suit would need to be bought and altered. Then the string of paperwork, which involved updating his log book, getting items notarized, studying for the technical interview and simulator test. Compound this with getting enough, or not enough sleep, all while working 12 plus hour work shifts up to the day of flying out. 

Of all the days to possibly get stuck out for the night, you guessed it, his last day of work. He got stuck in Boston. It was crunch time by the time he got home the next morning to pack, drive to Atlanta, and fly to Portland. 

I've had nervous energy all day. So exciting are the possibilities of moving home, very soon!  I shouldn't even be writing this in case I'd jinx the whole thing, but I need to express this overwhelming rising emotion that is inside me.  With each passing minute, it gets closer and closer to knowing what does lie on the horizon, career wise, family wise, everything.  If it doesn't work out, I'll be a little bummed. But we are in a good spot, and it will be just another opportunity away from something even better. 

So proud of all of Andy's hard work as a pilot, as well as keeping his family's interests in the forefront.  He's the man!!! 

I got a photo and news that things were going well mid afternoon, and he was done with all but the simulator check. 

Of all the photos to send! At least you know sugar is handy for the interviewee. 

Okay, it's 7 and a half hours later...should I be worried?! This is officially killing me slowing.

It's 7:10pm, so 4:10pm in Portland. He got picked up from his hotel at 7am. Either way, what a long day! At least he's not done early, that would mean he failed some part and was asked to leave, I'm guessing.  Hopefully this long of a day is a good sign.  

At exactly 7:19pm ET, I got the text that he "nailed it!!!"  

Andy in his new suit in Greenville on the left.  Andy still looking sharp and excited after a long day in Portland on the right. Lucky shirt and tie did it again.

Of the five guys interviewing today, two were asked to come aboard. One of the candidates missed it in his last minute of the simulator check and two left earlier.  

Looks like we will be heading to the Pacific Northwest soon, see you all around, Gypsies on the move!

Caches, Hornets & Hives, Oh My!

Pyper and I were geocaching in the Spartanburg area yesterday. We were working on the Hub City Geotrail. You need to complete 20 of 25 caches to claim a geocoin. We actually had already done a couple of these, so we felt we could knock it out, especially since it was a quiet Sunday. It's pretty cool feeling like you have the run of the town. It's also nice when you don't feel like everyone is looking your way.  

Pyper on the trail, always some really cool caches, especially ones that are hidden in plain sight.  The first one we found was on exhibit with the rest of the yard art, Pyper found it right away.  

At the end of the geotrail, we were making a quick grab at a park parking lot. Pyper said she wanted to stay in the truck on this one, I couldn't blame her since the temperature was getting uncomfortably hot outside and the air conditioning was devine.  

The cache I was grabbing was hanging off a fence, not concealed, so the easiest kind of cache out there. Out of the corner of my eye I remember seeing a small black thing flying by just as I was unscrewing the top of the container from its lid which was zip tied to the fence. Without any time to think or act, I got hit in the neck with a force that made me scream; I don't scream easily. The first thing I tried to do was swat it away as I made a run for the truck making sure I was clear not to bring anything or any buddies in with me. Yup, I got stung!

At first the sting was just a little red dot with a welt around it, I was feeling fine other than the hurt of the sting. I immediately put lavender essential oil it, as it was the only thing I had handy. About 30 minutes later, my head started to itch, then my ears.  Steadily the itch started taking over my whole body as redness and hives made themselves known. After about an hour, my body was covered.  

When we got home, I first took a Benedryl, then I tried to sooth the itch away with a shower, which did help.  Next I rubbed some chamomile oil all over, and then just laid very still on Pyper's bed trying to keep the itch at bay while she played. As soon as the antihistamines and chamomile worked it's way into my system, I felt great relief, but I was also feeling very drowsy. 

I decided I needed help. Without hesitation Gramma Jody was on her way.  Somehow I got Pyper to bed 5 minutes before Gramma showed up, and I was able to relax and take another Benedryl knowing that Gramma had my back.  We made a game plan in the case things did happen to get worse. There's a fire station down the street; we were going to hop in the car and ring the door bell, figuring it would be faster than a call, dispatch, and wait. I definitely slept better knowing I had great loving help in the other room.  

Not sure if that was the kind of hornet that got me because it seemed more reddish in color at the time, but it sure left a message on my body. That's my side body reacting to the toxins.  

In case your wondering, Andy was stuck in Boston last night with an almost dead cell phone.  

So next on the list is obtaining an epi pen in case the next sting is worse.  

Market Day

Saturday is Market Day, also known as "cow shirt" day. Pyper and I started working at the Saturday Downtown Market on this season's opening day back in May.  I didn't think she'd be able to handle being at the market from 8am to 1pm, but after taking her to the first one, I was pleasantly surprised, as well as many others around me, by her ability to entertain herself for the five hours.  So now, she gets to go the market every Saturday.  

Here at the Swamp Rabbit Cafe & Grocery booth with Uger, one of many great coworkers.  

Saturdays have also been designated as "treat" days, mainly because it's completely unavoidable when you are selling baked goods. You can't really expect a two year old to understand that they can't have what everyone else can have. It probably doesn't help that Mary, one of the owners, says she can eat whatever she wants.  Anything to see a kid happy and well fed.  She always starts with a gluten free/vegan donut, then a chocolate chip scone, usually ending on some samples of stecca, our version of a baguette.  Donut day is always a good day.

Pyper is known as the "Market Manager" to most.  She's also our marketing strategy.  Who can resist that face or donut?  Put them together and you have people lining up for the goods. 

Pyper listening/dancing to the market bands, making a bracelet with Miss Deb, and showing you how to "be cool" at the market.

Flashback two years ago, old school for Pyper.  

Not long after working a couple of Saturdays we added Sushi lunches to the day.  It was really by chance.  We were walking around, she saw some folks eating sushi and declared that be our next move.  Since there is only one sushi joint opened for lunch on Saturday, we didn't have much choice in the matter.  But as the staff has gotten to know Pyper and her taste for the good stuff, the outings have only gotten better and better.  Let's just say that I don't even have to order her share of sushi favorites or dessert, they just come to the table free of charge.  It's pretty awesome that way.  

Pyper enjoying her salmon roe and other goodies

Andy getting in on some sushi and mochi ice cream action on a day off.  Here they are with our favorite sushi chef, Miss Julia. If the last three photos of mochi ice cream had a caption I think it would go something like this, "hmmm, a variety, which one shall I pick, ahhh, it doesn't matter, DIVE!"

Home again, home again....to take a nap.

The Coin Collection

The newest geocoin in our collection from completing the the Pacolet Geotrail last weekend. Notice the hand written note from the Mayor herself. 

We've done 8 Geotrails in our almost 2 years of Geocaching, four in Washington State, three in South Carolina, and one in North Carolina. Some of them take a couple hours, others have spanned a year to complete. Geotrails are usually themed to highlight some aspect of a city, like parks or history. 

One of the Geotrails that took almost a year to complete was called the 101 Dalmatians Series.  All the containers or locations were named and themed different dalmatians. Lucky for us the guidelines of that one allowed us to find only 50 as many of the caches had been archived. In geocaching terms, that means a cache is no longer in play due to damage, theft, or comprised locale. It was truly a feat considering the driving, hiking, and finding and not finding.  

We look forward to spending many more days on Geotrails exploring new places. 

A look at some of our geocaching coin collection in a handsomely handmade oak box by our friend TC Gore. 

And thanks again to all of you putting in the mileage and doing unspeakable things while caching with us. 

Hangar Rats

King Air 90 and Cessna 172 on the ramp today

We headed out to the airport after picking up a pizza for lunch. She loves her airplanes and her Daddy. She especially loves visiting all the aircraft on the ramp with her tricycle. 

Pyper was quick to notice and comment "that's not Daddy's airplane." While the Greenville King Air is down for maintainence, "405," as the backup plane is called, is sitting on the ramp. 

Nothing like a full belly and a little exercise to tucker her out. Luckily she found a comfy spot to nap.

Checking out the non-flying life an EagleMed Pilot

As we left the hangar, the skies opened up on us, "what is rain?" Pyper asked. I responded with "the air's inability to hold all the moisture." That left her thinking and no more questions were asked for the moment. But the rain situation did leave us in a pickle as we were on our way to burn off some 2 year-old energy.  Fortunately the down pour opened up to blue skies ahead. Time to put on rain gear and find some puddles quick before the 80 degree heat dries them up.  

We pretty much have a local puddle map and know where the closest puddles can be found. Afterall, we are professional puddle jumpers.

Hangar vs. Hanger

The word hangar is a noun that denotes a large building with an extensive floor area, which is typically used for housing and maintaining aircraft. 

The word hanger is also a noun that denotes an item used to hang things (usually clothing). It can also refer to a person who hangs things, but this is not a common usage.

Mount Mitchell: Highest Point East of the Mississippi River

After a night out on the Toe River we hit the Blue Ridge Parkway and climbed higher towards cloud base, literally.  Mt. Mitchell looms ahead and is encased in fast moving clouds.  It's going to be cold up there. 

Fact: Established June 30, 1936, the Blue Ridge Parkway stretches 469 miles. 

Driving towards Mount Mitchell

When we arrive at the parking lot we are pleasantly greeted by a concession stand serving hot cocoa and coffee, which makes us all happy.  

We aren't even at the top, but we have happy campers. 

We make the short climb to the top delighted that the sun's rays have broken through to warm us a little.  A great way to "top" off this little adventure.

At the newish observation (2006) deck that replaced an observation tower. 

Pyper's first "State High Point Summit" She can tick North Carolina off the list, only 49 to go!

Fact: The mountain was named after Elisha Mitchell, a professor at the University of North Carolina, who determined its height in 1835, and fell to his death at nearby Mitchell Falls in 1857, having returned to verify his earlier measurements.  His tomb lies on the summit next to the observation deck.  

Carolina Hemlocks

Daddy: Do you want to go swim in a river?

Pyper: Is it a fake river?

Daddy: It's a real river.

Pyper: Is it yucky?

Daddy: No, it's nice clean mountain water.

Pyper: Okay.

I went downstairs and Andy was already making breakfast. Andy excitedly says, "I have an idea!" 

Not long after breakfast, our camping gear and cooler are packed as we head to the Swamp Rabbit Cafe & Grocery for some last minute provisions, mainly bakery items and beer.  

We head North. This is one of the first times we drive in that direction without making Asheville our destination. We do top off on gas, pick up some dry ice and fire wood, and have lunch with Gramma, before locking into our destination.  

Pyper documenting the car ride.

Our little car Buddah.

We are headed to the Toe River.  Andy has fond memories of camping and inner tubing down this river as a kid, and for some reason he woke up with the idea of going in his head. We mistakenly stop at a private campground called Toe River Campground, before arriving at the Forest Service recreation area called Carolina Hemlocks, which is the one he remembers.

"Oh my gosh, I'm gonna love this, this is gonna be cool!" Pyper exclaimed as we approached the office at campground. You know it's going to be good when your two year says that. We check in, find a suitable campsite, rent inner tubes, then hit the river. It's after 4 o'clock, but there's lots of light left in the day.  

Pyper and I ready to hit the river.

The stretch of river that runs next to the campground is full of Pyper sized rapids. When she first gets into the water, all she wants to do is hang on the hand holds on the outside of the inner tube as it floats downstream. Luckily she has her wetsuit on and the chill of the water doesn't affect her.  She lays back on Andy's tummy as they hit the fast water and there is nothing but smiles on both their faces. As long as you get out before the end of the recreation area, there is a foot trail back to the put-in site. We do the run three times before we call it a day, as I can no longer feel my feet. This not so primitive campground has hot showers too.

After warming up we head back to camp and let the night wind down, which takes awhile for Pyper.  

Build it, Light it, Grill it, Eat it.  This is Andy's "Upside Down Fire." You stack starting with the big stuff, and end with the kindling, and the fire feeds itself.

Early in the morning we feast on scones, break camp and venture onward.  

Morning filled with scones, dry ice experiments, a hammock fatality, and daddy love. 

Paying tribute to the river spirits with rhododendron flowers.  

Tsuga caroliniana (Carolina hemlock) is a species of Tsuga, native to the Appalachian Mountains in southwest Virginia, western North Carolina, extreme northeast Georgia, northwest South Carolina, and eastern Tennessee. Its habitat is on on rocky mountain slopes at elevations of 2,300–3,900 ft. The optimal growing condition is a partly shady area with moist but well-drained soil in a cool climate.  It is related to the Eastern Hemlock, which both look very similar to Western Hemlock of the Pacific Northwest.