Streaming in a Different Way

I don't pretend to know anything about technology. I admit that it's not something I'm interested in even learning about until I need to.

So my latest text to Brian was, "What's Hulu and do we have access to it?" I must get Hulu. Now. I read that book years ago, and it was fantastically frightening. Much like real life right now.

To Hulu!

On the Rocks

We spent a lovely weekend in Prescott, Arizona. I made the reservations a few weeks ago at Point of Rocks campground because we wanted to get away for the three-day weekend and the mountain biking race was in Prescott that Saturday. I wasn't sure if Brian and Elizabeth were interested in doing that one, but I figured Prescott would be a nice place to go anyway. They didn't do the race, but we managed to find plenty to do up there.

We planned to leave after school on Thursday, but Elizabeth had a track meet at 4:30 that day. First things first! Fortunately, it was held at a junior high practically around the corner from us. Unfortunately, it was the first meet of the season and things were running pretty slowly. Pardon the pun.

Her event--the 800m--was finally run at 6:40 pm, and then we went home to shower, pack up the last-minute stuff, and headed out just before 8:00 pm. It's a two-hour drive and, though none of us was excited to drive it in the dark, we made it to the campground right at 10:00 pm.

Last time we arrived at our destination that late (Grand Canyon), we had a hard time backing into our site in the dark. This site was a lot less cumbersome, but we also used walkie-talkies so I didn't have to shout "Left!" or "Right!" or "Stop!" a hundred times while people were sleeping. So much better. As soon as we parked, I started converting the kids' beds while Brian hooked up the electric and water. Then we all crashed in our beds.

When morning broke, I could hardly wait to see what the place looked like. As usual, I woke up before everyone else so I walked five minutes along the trail from the campground to Watson Lake. It was gorgeous, especially at sunrise.

After breakfast, we scrambled around on some rocks between the campground and the lake. The kids can't get enough of that. The granite dells are very similar to the rocks at Joshua Tree National Park, one of our favorite places that we've camped. So they were very at home and busy on the rocks.

After lunch, we borrowed some disc golf sets from the campground office to play on the course at Watson Lake Park. I just took pictures of the game, but the three of them had a good time. It was a nice walk through the open (unshaded) high desert near the lake.

Next we headed over to the lake and used our friend's inflatable kayak. It seats two, so we took turns. No motorized boats are allowed on Watson Lake, so the place was full of kayaks, canoes, and stand-up paddlers. It was gorgeous out on the water.

On Saturday, we hiked over to the park from our campground and did a portion of the Lake Loop Trail. It's over five miles to go around the whole lake, but we just went about a mile and back. We walked towards the dam, and then the trail went behind and below it. We found ourselves at the base of the dam and, because the lake was so high (a pleasant surprise in Arizona!), they were releasing water. The "waterfall" was creating a lush oasis. It was so green and grassy around the peaceful bubbling brook. It was totally unexpected and a satisfying destination on our hike.

After lunch, Brian and Elizabeth went on a bike ride while Matthew and I explored the campground's rocks.

Then we all met back at the lake for one last kayaking adventure. We really enjoyed this activity, especially the second day because the wind had died down and the lake was so calm and peaceful. The lake is filled with all kinds of rock formations and small alcoves to meander. We loved it and are looking into getting our own kayak (or two).

We had a blast this weekend even though we were only two hours from home. It was a nice three-day weekend away from it all. By the way, the Easter Bunny still found us on Sunday morning, and the kids found eggs hidden throughout the Airstream. :) Hope your Easter was as happy as ours was.

No Zion for Us

Again.

It's difficult to get reservations at the Watchman Campground in Zion National Park. You must reserve your site six months in advance, and you're also competing with a lot of people. So in anticipation of our fall break trip this October, I started thinking about these reservations in early March. I narrowed down our dates, and I looked through the campsites to see which ones would be good for us. To my surprise, I realized that beginning in mid-September, Loop B of the campground (which has 63 campsites) would be closed for renovation. That meant that only Loop A would be open for RVs when we planned to be there, and that loop has a mere 27 sites.

As April progressed, I watched as our site choices for our dates of October 12-15th dwindled. You can reserve six months in advance of your Day 1--for us that would be April 12th--so if someone wanted to reserve October 10-15, they could book that reservation on April 10th, two days before I would be able to book our dates. So every day, my list of choices got smaller and smaller. Yesterday, my list was down to five campsites.

I spent a lot of time yesterday looking at those five sites. Besides the reservation websites's photos, I used Google Earth, campsitephotos.com, and I even watched a YouTube video some guy made while driving around the campground in his truck. I ranked the five sites in my head, on my scratch paper next to the computer here, and vowed to get my first choice.

So I logged on this morning to reserve A15. It was gone. And so was A9, A12, and A24. Even my last choice of A2 was booked. I had been defeated. And unexpectedly! I guess when you stop to consider that there might be five other people besides me in the whole wide world who would want those Thursday through Sunday dates in Zion, it's certainly possible. But I didn't believe it was probable. And now I'm disappointed because we might not get there unless I drive myself crazy watching for cancellations now through October. Yep. Looky there. I just checked. Nothing.

The kicker is that I had booked four nights at the Watchman last April but was forced to cancel that reservation in September because Brian had to work over fall break. And to really drive it home, the Universe or fate or God or whatever or whoever is in charge of these things sent us a blood-sucking parasite and said, "You will not go to Zion, Nakais! Or Bryce. Or Capitol Reef. Or even Pittsburgh."

Unless I can come up with another place to go in October, this will be the third long break in a row in which we do not take a long-ish trip in the Airstream. We had a family wedding this spring. Over the summer, we're going to the beach with my parents and my brother's family. Fall was going to be our big trip. Now we'll probably have to settle and go somewhere in Arizona for a weekend. And be hot.

I'm happy we have the Airstream. I really am. I just want to be able to use it the way we dreamed we would, and it's proving to be not as easy as I thought it would be. What's with all the barriers, huh? Poorly-timed commitments that can't be broken, risks of disappointing family, unfavorable weather, and competitive reservation systems sure make this easy-breezy RV lifestyle stressful.

Stitch Fix Redemption

My life must seem so boring right now. It's not really. I have a "blog inspiration list" a mile long; I'm just lacking motivation and, more often than not, the thought of filling a blank page overwhelms me. These things come and go, you know.

In any case, I realize that Stitch Fix probably appears to be the most exciting thing to me currently. And maybe it is! It's helpful and fun. With some referral credits I earned, these last two fixes were also risk-free. So win or lose, I was happy to play without feeling obligated to make a purchase. The whole process from setting up a profile to creating a Pinterest board of clothes I'd wear has helped me hone in on a more modern style for me. It's also gotten me hooked on the major time-suck that is Pinterest, but that can't be all bad, can it? There are so many good ideas out there!

So back to Stitch Fix, I got my third fix in the mail yesterday. You may recall my first fix had me smitten with this retail concept, but the second left me disappointed. With this last package, I think my stylist and I are back on the same page. Thankfully. I was delighted with her selection this time.

Item #1: Gilli Karsen Knit Dress, $68

This is the same brand that makes my first Stitch Fix dress, and whatever fabric they use is awesome. It's so soft, comfortable, stretchy, and flattering. I wish they'd show me the swatches of all the colors and prints because I could live in these. But alas, Stitch Fix doesn't work that way. Kept!

Item #2:  Current Air Ashanti Split Back Top, $48

Remember that cute blue top that I loved last month? Well this top's even better because it actually fits me. I love the colors, the flowers, and the cut. Matthew was my photographer this time, and he's not as patient as Elizabeth so we didn't get the back. It is split, but there's a lining so it's not like my back is exposed. It's cute and fun. Kept!

Item #3 Kensie Rebekah Ponte Blazer, $88

Item #4 Kut from the Kloth Brianna Skinny Pant, $88

Though the pants are more than I'd normally pay for navy pants, they are well-made and practical. They fit well, and I feel I'll get a lot of wear out of them. Kept!

I was up in the air about the blazer. It seemed pretty bright. And I wasn't sure if I was supposed to button it or not. I tried both ways, but open seemed the way to go. I paired it with a new white t-shirt my mother-in-law gave me for my birthday. It grew on me.

The style cards also inspired me to throw it on over the dress, and that seemed to work, too. You may have to use your imagination because I really do make the worst model. I thought walking or moving might make the poses seem more natural. I guess I was wrong. I just look clunky.

Anyway, if I didn't get the blazer my order would cost a mere $4 less (because purchasing all five items gives you a 25% discount). So I got the blazer and will wear it occasionally. Plus, like my pal Aimee said, "You never know when Elizabeth might need a pink blazer for a school presentation." Kept!

Item #5 Loveappella Nay Crochet Trim Knit Top, $48

If you don't like this top, please don't tell me because I already wore this outfit above to school today for casual Friday (which you can tell because the jeans are all stretched out). I like the top's simplicity, and I know it will only look better after I tone my arms and get out in the sun more. Kept!

I feel my stylist redeemed herself, and I ordered my next fix for May. This will be my last one for a while because I don't think there's any sense in getting clothes over the summer here. We basically just try to survive the summer and don't care about looking good. I don't enjoy sweating in nice clothes, and since I have the summer off I won't need good stuff until the fall. So for my "Mother's Day fix," I suggested we add some aqua/turquoise or coral/salmon to my wardrobe. I love those colors with navy (which they've sent plenty of so far), white, and denim. I hope to be happy again in a month!