Day 1: Wellesley Island...High Camp (July 23, 2011)

Went on a walk around the big loop with Mom, Matt, Morgan and baby Taylor.  Before we headed out though, we had a chance to meet up with Lynn Pyke, as well as Tom and Lynn Ames.  Since Kendra had to head out to Alex Bay to get her hair done for the wedding, I offered to scoop up almost 1 year old Taylor.  She is just hte most adorable chubby little baby.  I took her out in the joggin stroller that we've used so much for Caden.  It was a little strange to push around a baby other than my own.

The park was definitely full, but not busy with the normal activitiy of campers and children.  Perhaps, as Matt suggested, the heat has led them all to retreat to their tents, seeking out the rare breeze.  The other day brought in temperatures well into the 100's, something I haven't felt in a very long while!  I was a bit concerned about little Taylor roasting in the sunshine, but being from Texas, I decided she must be used to this!

I'm excited by the idea that Tom proposed to us just before our walk.  He mentioned that we bring along a stuffed animal to pose in pictures.  I believe we are going to bring the camp Dragon with us to Europe.  I just hope we remember to take it out of our packs!

**Follow-Up Note:  Taylor did fall asleep while I pushed her, but woke up as soon as we got back to her daddy!
The dragon did make it out for a few pictures, but as I feared, he mostly bunked out in my pack during the vacation! Poor little green dragon!  I don't even know where the dragon came from in the first place.  All I know is that my kids, especially Emma, liked to sleep with him on the cot at camp.  Well, hopefully he enjoyed his free pass overseas!

A Note Before I Set Off...

Since I am writing all of these blog posts after I have gone to Europe, it seems that I should let you know that I really did journal every single day of my trip!  I simply didn't have access to update this blog while away.  So, I plan to do so now.  The journal entries that follow are the daily perceptions of my trip beginning with going to Camp before we headed off on the plane!!  This was an amazing journey, one that I will never forget.

Ein Woche..One Week

As thoughts stream through my head, I realize that the countdown is official.  Friends, friends of friends, and others I've just met are asking me when I leave.  I can now say that in one week I will leave.  While we don't technically leave the states in one week, I do leave my children, and that's just the same as leaving the country.  I think it hasn't quite hit me yet: The impact of being away from my kids for four straight weeks.  I've never been away from them for even a few days.  And while on the outside I'm ecstatic for the opportunity to travel to Europe, I'm equally as nervous about my emotions.

The itinerary as it stands now:
Berlin, Munich, Venice, Rome, Castiglia, Bern, Strasbourg, Dusseldorf

My kids are terribly disappointed that Paris is not included in this list.  But, I have to think of this as a jumping off point.  A time to graze the countries and get a smidgen of a taste.  Then, I can go back and explore the countries one by one - some day.

This is the list I typed up in about 1 minute...my mind is racing:

To do before I leave:

photo copy passport, CC, driver's license, insurance cards
write in conf #s for hostels
determine how much is owed for hostels
get euros
pay car for August
write up itin. for neighbors, and parents
glasses prescription
find cord for camera
find cord for iPod
begin blog

To buy:
waist belt
clothesline?
exchange shoes
small deodorant

Still to Pack:
batteries
flashlight
deodorant
new shoes
bathing suit
sheet
cords for camera/ipod
camera
ipod
address list
pictures of kids
passport
drivers license
CC/Debit card/Cash
detergent?