A Little Adventure

When we woke up this morning there was a light layer of ash outside.  Yesterday was a little windy, a little smokey, and the sky all day has been orange and brown.  I have discovered I am part honey-bee; it has made me sleepy and tired.  This weekend has been pretty relaxed and quiet aside from an exciting morning today; we loaded up into the van to drive up Ingraham Trail to see about new places to put a hook in the water.  We just drove, and drove, and drove farther than we have yet.  When we got to where it looked like an ice road is built up towards Tibbitt Lake, after the highway is gravel for a while (we did not go all the way up to Tibbitt Lake Loop), we got out to take a look and explore a little bit.  That exploration did not last long.  Hubby walked around the vehicle as we all left and he heard a hiss.  Yup.  We had a leak.

So, we all got back into the van and drove back to where there was pavement again so we could change the tire.  Keep in mind, we have had this vehicle for a while, and have had 2 others just like it in the past.  When we got out to change the tire we found the jack exactly where we knew we would find it.  We did not find the spare tire where we thought we would find it.  We found an air pump that could plug into the van but no spare tire.  Anywhere.  And there was no owner's manual that came with the vehicle.  And no cell reception anywhere.  

So we pumped the tire up and drove farther down the road until we could get signal enough to call someone, or download the manual, or google where the danged spare tire was in the year our van was made.   When we were about half hour from home we got into a reception zone and with the help of the boys we were able to figure out 1) how to use the sealant that was attached to the air pressure pump. 2) How to get to the spare tire (in the spot that makes soooo little sense! Why mess with the placement of the spare??) .  But it was an adventure, we learned some things, and the tire is still currently holding air!  Miracle of miracles ;)

The rest of the afternoon has been slow, this smoke just zapping my energy.

It has been an interesting week, though!  Both boys started work (Sergeant part-time at a kennel, Smarty at the Humane Society) and they've been enjoying a different kind of busy.  One of the puppies got sick (vet tech said likely kennel cough so that's what we treated her for).  There is a head cold that's making its rounds through the house with varying symptoms for each person.  

There are preparations for construction about half a block away from the house.  I say preparations because they cant just build, they have to blast into the rock, move the rock, then level things enough to keep a house level.

So every once in a while, not every day but some days more than once, we'll hear a horn go off a few times followed by maybe half a minute of silence, then a boom and rumble, then a single horn blast giving the all clear.  Our house gets quite dusty and it explains some of how the house has settled.  And It makes me feel like I'm part of a classic movie. 

Though it isn't as bad as that ;)

We've done some walking/hiking/exploring.  Aside from seeing all the signs reminding people to not drink the water or eat the berries in certain parts of the parks (contamination from a nearby now-closed mine) and signs reminding people to be aware of bears, they've been very pleasant!  We found an Interesting Rock collection that the kids contributed to. 

And so many places that we've fished at (though we've mostly caught nothing) have been so peaceful and serene.

On our drive this morning we saw a black bear in the ditch beside the road too.  So in the vehicle and when we're hiking, we carry bear spray and a bear bell on top of the first aid kit.  Just to be safe,

Only 2 weeks until the three younger Littles start school.  It's hard to believe the summer break is nearly over, but I think the routine is going to be good.  It'll be a social outlet for everyone.