Cabin vacation

Last week we took our family to Prescott for a vacation.  I found a cabin (luxury house really) for rent up on Mount Vernon.  We had the whole place to ourselves for a whole week.  Some of you may know that I am not known for having good luck (picture a dark rain cloud over my head at all times!).  Well, this proved to be true when on the way up the mountain to the cabin we found that neither my van nor Taylor's car would make it up the steep road to the house.  But, my brother Allen who was not cursed with bad luck, was leading the way in his truck which had no problems once it was put into 4 wheel drive.  So, for the last week, we had to squeeze my family into a truck to drive around Prescott in (Thanks Allen!). 

View from the patio.

cabin

 

view from my bedroom loft

My boys and Allen's girls

funny kids

hike up the driveway

swing that goes over the ledge to a death drop!

 On the way up the mountain, I realized that the cabin we were in was not far from where I went to girls camp as a youth.  It brought back fun memories.  Also, on the way up the mountain, my girls decided that they don't like "nature".  They had spotty cell phone and internet service (hee hee), and they both had a bit of anxiety on the super steep drive up.  Oh yeah, and there was no shopping or neighbors in sight!
The cabin was beautiful.  It had 3 stories, 2 kitchens, full laundry, luxury bathrooms, just amazing.  Of course, going back to my luck, the bottom floor was out of propane for the hot water, so no showering and no hot water for laundry down there.  After the first 2 days, the air conditioner on the 2 upper floors quit working (too hot!), and the house was on such a steep incline, that I was a bit scared to let the kids play outside so the boys were instantly bored.  Ahhh, vacationing with the Leavitts is always memorable. 

We spent some time every day in "town" shopping, eating, and going to movies.  We also got to spend some time with Allen and his family who we love so much. 

Jordan sitting in the ramada on Prescott square

Then, on Friday and Saturday, I had a chance to go to my 20 year high school reunion.  It was pretty great to see some of the people I loved so much in my teen years.  It was also a bit nerve wracking for me.  My graduating class had over 400 students.  It really was a great class.  I knew almost everyone in my grade except for a few people who were social introverts.  The stressful part for me was that although I knew most everyone there, I never spent much time with them outside of high school.  I didn't really know them well enough to be comfortably social with them after 20 years of not keeping in touch.  Despite my anxiety, I had a very good time and did find people (Chino friends mostly) to reminisce with and who I enjoyed reconnecting with. 

Vel made me laugh with her name tag.

A few new friends and one old one.

Me and Kevin Harper

Shawna, Heather, Keri, Allen, and me

My old gym where I spent most of my time.

Keri, Joann, and me

After over a week away, we were all ready to come home.  When we left Sierra Vista, I watched a huge smoke cloud billow and grow in my rear view mirror (Monument fire).  Yesterday when we came home, I was so happy to see rain clouds covering the mountain that has been ravaged by fire.  It's good to be home.