The loooong trip!

On May 31th my summer was changed dramatically. After a rough start to the season, and a 1-14 record and a 9 game losing streak, I was fired from my coaching position with Riders baseball. Ouch. Not the way I was hoping to start the summer. It's life, I am working my way past some of the anger and disappointment. I've learned that nothing helps to get over something than to separate yourself from the situation entirely. So... Samantha and I roughed out a quick plan to head East, just how far East we weren't entirely sure, we just knew getting out of Gillette was a priority.

My last official day of teaching was June 3rd, in order to not have to return to work for a few hours Monday I stayed on till 8 pm and actually accomplished a few important items needing my attention before summer officially started.

Saturday we manned a garage sale in Sleepy Hollow subdivision that holds a community sale. Overall the sales usually draw a crowd of 3-5 thousand. Samantha and I parted ways with a considerable amount of "stuff" that we didn't need. I am pleased with the way the sale went.

That evening Samantha basically packed us for the trip. Packing is one area that Samantha is truly beginning to excel. I have always been a believer in packing lite, and leave a lot behind... sometimes a forgotten toothbrush doesn't help though! Having not traveled much growing up has made packing quite a learning process for Samantha! This trip all three kids were packed in one large suitcase, all of the adult stuff was packed in one small suitcase. The van is relatively empty, and I'm relatively happy!

We departed Gillette Sunday June 4 right around 5:30 AM with intentions of making it to Samantha's parents by 6ish that evening. I've never minded the drive back to trees and water. I have always enjoyed the scenery of Samantha's home state, the farm and catching up with Samantha's family.

During our time in Minnesota Samantha and I headed North to the town of Baudette, Minnesota for an interview for a teaching position. Although I didn't get the position I was impressed with the area and the community. It's rural and very beautiful! It was very similar to Northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula.

While in Minnesota Samantha and Aundrea went out for coffee with Jan and Melanie. Coffee time is one of Aundrea's favorite new activity, although she drinks the hot chocolate and stays away from the coffee! From the sounds of it grandma was very humored by my oldest child's coffee shop mentality!

I did a few things of my own, like sweat! The temp hit 95 degrees on Monday, I've never been able to take the heat and humidity very well, and going from the 50 degree temps we've had for a while in Gillette didn't help. I've also struggled with a sinus infection and strep throat, I didn't breathe very well! I also convinced my father in-law that I had some mechanical ability (although it is limited at best) and managed to tear the starter off from his Farmall 300. Once the starter was off I tore it apart, diagnosed the issues, located a parts supplier and rebuilt the piece. Although it was not the most complicated project I've had