Monday, June 23, 2014

Brace Face

 I took this as Owen's official "before braces" picture.

But thinking these show off his overcrowding a little better:


6/20
Phase 1 is started and so far, so good.

Poisoned

Remember this nice little scene from my vacation photo dump?
Our last stop before heading home: the Klamath River overlook.

All along this trail I saw leaves of three.
I was so careful to let them be.
But then the already narrow trail, narrowed even more and I totally slipped and fell into a patch of said leaves of three.

Got scraped up, but none of my internet searches for poison ivy or poison oak were an exact match to what I saw, so I assumed I was safe.

But then a few days later itchy bumps appeared.
Thought I had gotten eaten alive by mosquitos.
But then more and more came and the itching was out of control.
Talked to other victims of poison oak and they confirmed my worst fears.
After a full week of itching misery, I finally gave in and went to the doctor.
He and the nurse were both a little fascinated by my red, blistery, weeping legs.
Got a steroid shot, steroid pills, antibiotics, and anti-itching pills.
Only the doctor messed up and gave me pills for high blood pressure instead of for itching. Pounding headache.
Got that sorted out and 2 weeks later I'm feeling some relief. My legs are still scary, but the itching is mostly gone and I'm getting used to the stares of strangers.

My friend took this picture at the pool last Wednesday. I'm sure I was frightening young children. My left leg was swollen to twice the size of my right.

I don't have the words to adequately express the misery of poison oak. 
It is literally maddening.
And the steroids make me crazy.

Oh and right before the worst of it hit, Justin left to Jordan to study Arabic for the summer. Special.

The day after he left, lucky us caught this:
I'm trying to make you all miserable with me.

But I'll end with some happier moments:


The Carmel Valley Community Pool.

6/11
After we watched Maleficent the day before Justin left.






6/21
Visiting the tall ship, Irving Johnson, at Fisherman's Wharf over the weekend.

Wednesday, June 11, 2014

It's All About the Trees

Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park





Did the Revelation Trail and became Junior Rangers.

Fern Canyon



Location of a scene from Jurassic Park II.
This place was amazing.

Gold Bluffs Beach



Redwoods Coast.
Grey sand.

Tour Thru Tree
Worth $5.

Trees of Mystery






Cool trees.
Tram above Redwoods.
Justin especially loved.

Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park










Star Wars filmed here.
Hands down favorite spot (Stout Grove to Smith River).
Went twice.

Battery Point Lighthouse




Windy.
A disappointment after the amazingness of Jedediah.
Ugly tide pools.

A Beach off the 101 in Klamath
More Redwood coast.
More grey sand (that looks tan).

Ravenwood Motel and Suites

Great for the price.

Klamath River Overlook




Klamath River met the Pacific Ocean.
Amazing view from the top.
No need to hike down/up a steep trail, fall in a bush, and have cranky kids.

Avenue of the Giants





The drive home was scenic.
This detour was even more so.

Drive Home Bonus
Sally bugs Drew.

We went on a family vacation!
Just us.
To somewhere we'd never been.
7 1/2 hours north to the coastal and old growth redwoods.
Totally worth the drive and sleep-deprived August.