Troy and I have been having fun in the jeep cruising all the country back roads. We were saying the other night that it's amazing that we have both lived here all of our lives but are not familiar with all of these roads around us. There are literally dirt roads within a few miles of us that we have never traveled. That's silly! We are taking care of that now!
The other night I estimate I saw between 50-75 deer in the bean fields around sunset while we were out driving. Troy estimates that we saw about 250 deer. That's classic Troy and Karen estimation/over estimation. Anyway, we've seen a lot of wildlife and pretty sunsets and it helps make up for not taking a vacation this summer. Really, it does.
On Saturday we went to a place up by Mapleton, Kansas called Kansas Rocks Recreation Park. It's a trail system for 4-wheel drive vehicles, hikers and bicyclists. It was kind of a spur of the moment trip and the jeep is not completely finished. Meaning there's no tool box, or anything to tow the jeep with, or anything to hook onto to tow the jeep if needed, or no spare tire even. And no CB radio to communicate with the park people. So if we'd have gotten ourselves in trouble, Troy would not have been happy walking up to the park office to let them know we were dumb asses. Luckily we didn't have to. We did have to drive through mud we thought we couldn't get through and almost didn't make it up a couple hills we had no choice but to climb (either that or get stuck in mud we KNEW we couldn't get through). The good news is that our little stock jeep did very well!
Last night sitting around our fire pit at home I told Troy the only thing that makes me a little sad is that the jeep may be taking the place of riding our bikes together or hiking. So, we are planning a trip to Elk City State Park to do a long (16 mile) hike and overnight camp next weekend. The really rough kind of camping. We won't even have a tent. We'll carry back packs and bed rolls. We'll take a water purifier and drink water from the creek or the lake and army surplus ready to eat meals. We'll drink instant coffee while we watch the sunrise. I actually love it.
The girls are doing okay this summer. I worried about Kalyn not keeping busy enough. She didn't play softball this summer, and has decided not to play volleyball or basketball in high school, so no sports camps. I really wanted her to do something, but sports aren't for everyone, so I understand. She's too young still for most summer jobs. She has struggled a little to keep busy, and I feel for her. Sports really keep kids her age from getting bored (and out of trouble)! She's been going to the ballpark to watch the boys play baseball a lot of nights. School starting will be a good thing for her.
Alina has kept as busy as an almost 7 year old can. She's had Bible School one week, spent half a week with cousin Kathryn in Overland Park, and is in the middle of 3 weeks of summer school in the mornings. She's my buddy, goes wherever I need to be in the summer and has no trouble making young friends wherever we are. We ride bikes together every evening.
Tonight while riding bikes I saw some teachers going into their rooms to work at the school. Which makes me think about getting back into the routine myself. At least getting in my room and thinking about it. This long lazy stretch is nice... but I'll be honest... sometimes it's a little too long. Our trip to the lake with friends was canceled because of poor weather, my scrap booking weekend was canceled because of scheduling conflicts, and I've already mentioned the fact that we haven't had the best year financially and have chosen not to do the big vacation. So getting back to our regular daily grind will be comforting, something to look forward to.
But it's not as if we are having a bad summer! I am actually finding joy in the simplest of things. I made dill pickles the other day without even using a mix from the canning isle! I used dill from our garden and other spices. I can't wait to open those jars and try them! I was so excited to spend a day cooking with newly harvested veggies from the garden I had to go out and buy an apron to do it all the proper country woman way.
And by the way, the title of my blog, Blue Skies and Fruit Pies, is a reference to what I consider two great pleasures of living where I do. This is my beloved Kansas summer sky! Shot as we were leaving Kansas Rocks yesterday. So happy to live where I do!
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