The Long Winding Road.

Well, here is the bear-cub snoozing out one section of the road. Can't remember how close we were to Reno when this one was snapped. A crack up during the trip was the "teething biscuits" Lindsey made Anya for the road. Well, the biscuits weren't funny, but the little munchkin that was gnawing on them sure was. Notice the thick wad clutched in the palm of the sleeping infant. Perhaps you can see faint streaks of cookie on the cheeks too. These bricks made of flour and Lindsey's secret ingredient, prune juice, were Anya's favorite thing on the trip. Of course the basil plant was intriguing too.

On the Road...

The Thomas Trio ready to head out. What was this? August 4th or something. The Volvo was loaded down with everything for the long trip across the Sierras. You can see Anya's glee at the thought of staying cooped up in her car seat for 8 hours! The 299 Hwy was beautiful and Lassen National Park was beckoning, but we pushed through. The trip was smooth and got hotter and hotter as we zeroed in on our destination.

"Do or do not. There is no try." --Yoda

This is what we are doing: In about a week the 3 of us will head out for Nevada soil. On Monday Aug 4th in the spirit of all nomads we begin the first leg of a journey that will span several years and perhaps that many continents. For me moving is old hat but this time my family is in tow. Linds is excited about our basement apartment on 1 acre with a garden and Anya, if she could speak, would probably say she's looking forward to wearing only a diaper most the time. Me, I'm just praying I'll get stoked about school. Yep, we are headed to that rain-shadowed wonderland on the high desert plateau. Reno.

Spring, then comes summer...

Check out Lindsey here ...about 4 months pregnant... pumping water last summer in Olympic National Park. It was a sweet trip up the Dosewallips River to Honeymoon Meadows, which was apropos for us. Lindsey was a trooper, following me up this crazy trail

at the end of our trip only to stay holed up for a day in our tent while it snowed and rained outside. The last day of the trip we picked wild strawberries all the way out. The hope is that the munchkin will be up for some outings this summer. Maybe even some time on the PCT. One can always hope. Oh, and Happy St Patricks.

Niger bound?

Well, we love California. Here are family, friends, and the most excellent backpacking. We'd stay if it weren't for some friends we have on the other side of the globe. The Wodaabe are calling to us. We could be back with them by March of 2009. The other option is the University of Nevada Reno grad program in Hydrologic Sciences for Sean. On va voir.

Anya in pensive mode

There are about 4 modes: sleep, eat, play, and cry. Maybe we'll add this new mode to the list. I'm guessing that all new parents are like us wondering what is going on in that cute little learning factory. What is she thinking and feeling? Also, where was she before coming to us? ...We thank you Creator God, Jesus for placing her in our care for this sojourn on earth. --sean

Christmas in the grove

We all braved the cold mist at Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park to enjoy the Creation on the Creator's birthday. This was Anya's maiden voyage into the wild, but despite the grandeur it probably didn't leave too big an impression since she was snoozing most the time. In all it was a splendid time braving the elements and the challenges of the rugged trail with Grandma and Grandpa T., Aunt Keri, Uncle Matt, and Great Uncle Dale!