Apologies.....Blogger failed Me.....Different Drummers cont....

After we finished watching the movie we sniffed our way out of the theater and found our way into the lobby.  In the lobby I saw a table with people around it.  I walked over to the table and met the Author of the book....The hyper boy all grown up. It is clear how proud he is of the movie.




I have provided the trailer for the movie                                                                           http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tuZxNtPN7qE  

 
Here is a link to purchase the Kindle version of the book.                                              http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FF8DN4M/ref=nosim?tag=balclamus-20&linkCode=sb1&camp=212353&creative=380549

Postscript:    YouTube now has the full movie available via streaming for a charge..... so if you can't wait for it to come to a theater near you, you don't have too!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ht0G_H9h-PM                        Enjoy!!!!

A Movie to Lift Your Heart

Sometimes you go to a movie and the drama draws you in and you come out having had your spirit lifted.

Today was such a day.

Different Drummers is a true story of two boys growing up in Spokane during the time I was growing up here.  It was recently made into a film and was released in local theaters.  It has been getting a lot of local press so today we set out to see the Movie.

"Different Drummers is a deeply inspirational and transcendent family film - based on a true story - about the unusual spiritual journey and unlikely friendship of two boys growing up in Spokane, Washington in the mid 1960s.Eleven-year-old David who uses a wheelchair due to muscular dystrophy, is growing progressively weaker, while his friend, LYLE (10), struggles with and increasingly high, and seemingly uncontrollable energy level.  Miss O'Donnell, the school principal,  deals with his antics by requiring frequent runs around the playground and recesses and under the supervision of the School Janitor. (from Different Drummers Website, http:drummersmoviecom/)

To be continued on another post......

                

Dreaming of Utah

It was a great moment this morning when I realized that it is less than two months until we leave for our Utah adventure.   Time to get down to business and Get Planning!!

 I spent the morning looking at pictures of Utah while snow continues to fall.  Certainly a good choice on a snowy winter day!  I saw perfect photos of peoples perfect moments in time.  What never shows in the pictures, is what it takes in planning and preparation to get to that point.  How much planning did it take to find that perfect spot?  Or did they just happen upon it during their travels?  Were their days blissful or filled with anxiety and stress about where they would be camping next ?  Did they save for an entire year for those brief moments in time, forgoing living each individual day? 

Was it worth the time, energy and planning?

For me, I know that I feel totally alive when exploring, and learning all that a new area has to offer.  Sometimes it is the discovery of something I didn't even know existed the day before.  Sometimes just the quiet moments breathing in the still air and atmosphere of a new place.  Something that is never experienced when cruising down the interstate at 6o plus miles per hour.


In general, I have difficulty with the planning stage.  I am a pretty spontaneous person and detailed plans make me feel boxed in. Reservations cause me to constantly be looking to the next destination, watching the clock and missing the present moment.   I like general plans with destinations in mind with the freedom to adjust as I go.  Since many park systems rely completely on reservations it is  difficult for me to adjust to this type of travel.  I prefer the idea of boondocking but lack some of the confidence in finding boondocking spots.  Utah however has a whole landscape of boondocking possibilities (according to my scources and blogging buddies) .

Now to find those great boondocking spots!!
 

I have a general travel US Atlas but I am ordering a Utah Benchmark Atlas this week to look at Utah in greater detail. 

Some key spots I am looking into are:

         Antelope Island near Salt Lake
         Cathedral Valley
         Capitol Reef National Park
         Arches National Park'
         Canyonlands National Park
         Goblin Valley

I intend to spend the majority of my time near Moab as there is so much to see and do in the area.  I prefer to set up a base camp and then venturing out without the trailer for drives and hikes.  No telling how far out  from these ideas I will roam.  I wish that I had time to go on to Zion and Bryce but those will probably wait for another trip..... I would rather see less and see it well than feel rushed.  I keep hearing that I could spend years in Utah alone and not see it all.  I have so much to see and experience.

I also have been doing some thinking about what I will be taking in the trailer.   When I set my wheels in motion last spring, I packed everything I might need for my future travel.  As most RVers have discovered.... there is great deal of STUFF that I never or rarely used(but I just might need it someday!)

So the bigger question is, do I want to haul it ALL around for this adventure?  

    
It is not the stuff that is so neatly packed away that is the issue, but rather the items that have to be moved to get to the stuff behind them each and every time something is needed.  As soon as this round of snow is gone I look forward to spending some time in the trailer doing some reorganizing.  It will be a good time to check over supplies and equipment to ensure everything will be ready to good to go.   I will look at everything with fresh eyes and evaluate if it is truly needed.  It might be kind of fun to travel light.  I'll give it some more thought.

I never in my life thought I would be shoveling snow.... but it has continued to fall in spite of my disdain.... I am so over the beauty of the snow.

This is just the beginning..... The pile is now to the top of the short fence (3 ft) near the street.  We got close to 4 inches today so we did the whole drive way. More is due tonight and then again tomorrow.  Woe is me!! 

I think I shall just go lie down and think of Spring and Utah.....

SeaHawk Fever

I am not a football fanatic who can watch game after game no matter who is playing.  I have heard said, women often become attached to a team by a human interest angle centered around a player.  That is certainly how it worked for me, as I have  tended to not getting involved in watching a game, unless of course a team or players that captured my heart is playing.

The Seahawks have always been one of those teams. Steve Largent, a great receiver for the Seahawks, sparked my interest in the team as a great player and father (of a child with a disability), as he supported disability causes that were close to his heart.  From those early days on, Seattle has been my team.

The weeks leading up to this years Super Bowl have ignited a frenzy of fan support that can be seen all over Washington, and indeed the US.   

 The Empire State Building has turned Blue and Green.

Not only are Seahawk fans seen everywhere, they cause the earth to move.

Seismologists say Seahawks fans shook the ground under Seattle's CenturyLink Field during the January 14,2013 New Orleans Saints  playoff game causing another fan-generated earthquake.

Boeing is flying the Seahawks colors high over Washington.

The Boeing painted a 747 freighter with the team logo and the Number 12 on the tail to salute the fans.  The plane rolled out of a hangar Wednesday at Paine Field in Everett. It flew to Boeing Field in Seattle on Thursday for a brief stop and then took off to fly a 12 pattern over Eastern Washington.

 Seahawk fans in Spokane filled the local baseball stadium today to support their team.   A helicopter overhead snapped the picture.

My nephews wife and family are die hard fans and were present for the above 12th man photo

 Cousins in our family got together for a little pre-game warm-up for the littlest fans. 

More pics of this family event are at this link by the photographer in the family Crystal. http://www.crystalmadsen.com/seahawks-vs-broncos-manning-vs-wilson-cousins-vs-cousins/

One thing can be said for sure, SeaHawk Fever is alive and well.... everywhere.
I have a bad case of Seahawk Fever !!

Come Sunday,  we'll be watching..... Let the Earth Move!!

~ Go Hawks !! ~

The Sky Cracked Open

The day started early and I needed to drive my Granddaughter to school early for Jazz Band.  As is my habit, I checked the sky out the first window that comes into view.  And low and behold.....

The Sky Cracked Open

Now this may not be a momentous occasion for those of you lazing in the warmth and sunny skies of Arizona but up here in the frigid north, it is an occasion to be celebrated with a country drive. 

How can you be disappointed driving down
Panorama Drive? 


Oh, the lighting wasn't perfect, but I was rewarded just the same with outstanding views of the winter sky . 

Sometimes there have been weeks and weeks of gray and dark clouds hovering.  And just when you feel the the clouds and darkness will last forever,  the sun comes out and a new day begins.

Does the length or depth of despair lead to more fully enjoying the joyous moments.

 

Does the length or depth of despair lead to more fully enjoying the joyous moments.

 It has been that way in my life at least.

It's hard to say what will happen with the winter weather as it can change in a moment,

But my motto is to grab every single moment and enjoy it completely. 

(This photo was not enhanced except for the addition of the frame.)

So that I don't miss moments like this..... that are gone in a flash.

~Happy Trails~

Fifty Shades of Grey, Grey, Grey

Just how long can one go without seeing the sun without their very mood turning grey as well.  I have given up counting the days we have had without sun.  It has become a blur of grey days.

 It's been grey, grey, grey.

Surprisingly, I have not found myself feeling depressed.  I am still spending a considerable time each as often as possible even if it's a quick walk around the park.  I'm sure that has helped as well.   Send me on a drive on a bumpy, gravel, narrow, four wheel drive up the side of a mountain and I'm good..... throw in a little ice and snow and I'm DONE.

Even when the weather has not been allowing much outdoor time I have been finding plenty to keep myself busy indoors.  I have always enjoyed crafts and found an outlet for some of the energy.





There is a quilting group at the church where we have been attending.  They make quilts for homeless people and baby quilts.  They are not the great creative endeavors that I think of when I think of quilts but it has been fun. Since I have never quilted before I have been getting odd jobs like adding yarn ties to the quilt. I brought one home and have been working on it.



I have a ways to go before it's done but there are plenty of grey days to fill.

Auntie has been down in Arizona enjoying the weather and a tour for the last few days.... That is always the problem with a vacation.   It is always to few days.  She loved it and was not ready to come home to.....

Fog, Snog, and now Snow........

Is white a shade of grey?

(p.s. I'm loving all your tales of travels.)    

~ Happy Trails~

Winter Dreaming

It's to cold for camping in these parts and the sky is still completely gray with no sign of the sun .  But its not to cold for RV dreaming.  My granddaughter and I checked out the RV Show and started  dreaming for next years home.

Both inside and out there were trailers and motor homes everywhere at the fairgrounds.  There was plenty of options to choose from.  There were huge motor homes, huge 5th wheels, long, and long trailers

This motor home would fit the whole neighbor hood....if that is what you want.

A full size Fridge and a fireplace under the
desk/ table to keep you toasty.

Not my idea of my next 'little' home.

If money (and gas) weren't an issue, I found one huge baby that I could love...

This one is bright and filled with light and comes with it's own cowboy!!

            I already have a truck,  So maybe a new camper...

            

A camper out of Canada was getting lots of attention.  They had campers that fit half ton trucks starting at 1600 pounds.  Oh, and $18,000........  

This is a cute little number and you certainly don't have to worry about the neighborhood tagging along. 

Definitely not room for even one more.

 Sorry Hailey!

 

I even found an Airstream Silver Cloud that I could love....

 Just not for $68,000!

There was a circus like atmosphere complete with bright lights and announcements over a loud speaker announcing the next new owner of a brand new RV.  And you could be the next lucky buyer.

Now this is more up my alley.......... 

 

Check out the black and white checked floor.

The floor looks retro.... but the rest of the trailer has plastic coated walls and could just as easily been from any other of the new styled trailers.

 There seemed to be something for everyone except me. 

We came home from the RV show without a new little home, but do have a check book fully in tack except for the stop at Subway for a little lunch. 

And the search goes on.

Yup, winter days are full of Summer dreams.

What makes a perfect home on wheels for you?