We got to the depot in time for the "gun fight" pre-boarding show. There was a old western "town" set up nearby, & a bunch of "cowboys" did their schtick. We caught up with the rest of our gang & soon climbed aboard the train. Although we were assigned to 2 different cars, we were able to change our seats & sit all together. A man played guitar & sang folk songs for us while we shared our stashes of snack food.
Two hours later we were at the Grand Canyon. The north rim was covered in rain clouds, but our side was still dry & the view was still outstanding. We were all in a gift shop when the rain reached our side. We waited for it to simmer down to a steady drizzle & then made a bee-line for the nearby restaurant. A hearty hot meal did the trick!
We strolled around the rim walkways, carrying hot chocolates & admiring the bluebirds that flitted about just below us. Then, it was time to head back to the train. Duncun, Shaun's new friend, came around with a paper bag & had each of the 14 of us pick out a heart-shaped heart, a different one for each person. After some quick trades, we were all quite happy with our little momento. A man played a banjo & sang more songs. Ben, one of the dads in our group, requested the banjo song from "Deliverance", & the guy did not disappoint.
We were about 1/2 way back when the train crawled to a stop. I made a joke about Dementors (Harry Potter reference) & placed my hand on my window for a moment, leaving behind its misty outline, just like in the book/story. Then it happened! In the car just ahead of us we could see them - bandits! Eventually, they made their way into our car, bandanas covering their faces, pistols drawn. They demanded our valuables, yet, strangely, gave out bullet shells to all the children. They jousted verbally with everyone, then pressed on to the next car, followed by the sherrif we saw during the pre-boarding shoot-out show. The kids had a lot of fun with this.
Once back in Williams, we went to a pizza place & chowed down. Then, before we knew it, it was time to say goodbyes. Kimi developed a strong friendship with Alek, Abby & Keira, & it was really hard for her to say her farewells to them; they live in Minnesota, so it won't be easy to see them again soon. Duncan asked to sleep over in our RV, so as I right, they are in my bedroom playing GameCube while Kimi's up front with me watching Gilmore Girls while I blog.
Tomorrow - L.A.!!
Friday, September 15, 2006
Day 33: Rain, rain, go away...
Well, we are definitely close to the railway - at night, several times, a train passed through Williams, blowing its horn at each crossroad, blasting me out of my sleep each time. Blech!
We were going to walk over to town, which is very nearby, & is old Route 66. But the wind started to blow, followed by the driving rain. During breaks in the showers we washed a couple of loads of laundry & ran a Gilmore Girls marathon. It was actually fun & relaxing.
In the evening, we played games - Shaun learned how to play Yahtzee!
We were going to walk over to town, which is very nearby, & is old Route 66. But the wind started to blow, followed by the driving rain. During breaks in the showers we washed a couple of loads of laundry & ran a Gilmore Girls marathon. It was actually fun & relaxing.
In the evening, we played games - Shaun learned how to play Yahtzee!
Day 32: The Painted Desert
We all headed out, 3 minivans/SUVs plus 1 big RV (that would be us). We didn't stick completely together, but cell phones kept us all showing up at the same places as necessary. At one point, I had 6 kids rocking & rolling down the highway in the RV. They had a goofy-good time. The painted desert/petrified forest was cool - not entirely different from some of the areas we 3 have already seen, but still quite beautiful. We found an area where we could walk amoung the petrified wood - it was wild seeing the different colors the various minerals create.
We all arrived in Williams & dispersed to our various "homes". Our campground is run by the Grand Canyon Railway, so we are right next to the depot & the railroad tracks. We arrived in the dark, so we will have to wait until morning to get a better look around.
We all arrived in Williams & dispersed to our various "homes". Our campground is run by the Grand Canyon Railway, so we are right next to the depot & the railroad tracks. We arrived in the dark, so we will have to wait until morning to get a better look around.
Day 32: The Painted Desert
We all headed out, 3 minivans/SUVs plus 1 big RV (that would be us). We didn't stick completely together, but cell phones kept us all showing up at the same places as necessary. At one point, I had 6 kids rocking & rolling down the highway in the RV. They had a goofy-good time. The painted desert/petrified forest was cool - not entirely different from some of the areas we 3 have already seen, but still quite beautiful. We found an area where we could walk amoung the petrified wood - it was wild seeing the different colors the various minerals create.
We all arrived in Williams & dispersed to our various "homes". Our campground is run by the Grand Canyon Railway, so we are right next to the depot & the railroad tracks. We arrived in the dark, so we will have to wait until morning to get a better look around.
We all arrived in Williams & dispersed to our various "homes". Our campground is run by the Grand Canyon Railway, so we are right next to the depot & the railroad tracks. We arrived in the dark, so we will have to wait until morning to get a better look around.
Day 31: Oops! We couldn't leave!
Phil was supposed to leave Sunday night, after the post-conference picnic. He got to the airport on time, but found out that his flight had been cancelled - he came back to the hotel, since his next available flight wasn't until Monday morning. He got up *really* early & caught his new flight out of town.
The kids & I checked out of the hotel, but instead of heading out for southern NM, we stayed put, in the rear hotel parking lot. We found out that some of our friends at the conference were heading out all together to the Grand Canyon's south rim. We took a vote & decided to change our plans & caravan out with them.
Ch-ch-ch-changes...
The kids & I checked out of the hotel, but instead of heading out for southern NM, we stayed put, in the rear hotel parking lot. We found out that some of our friends at the conference were heading out all together to the Grand Canyon's south rim. We took a vote & decided to change our plans & caravan out with them.
Ch-ch-ch-changes...
Thursday, September 14, 2006
Day 26 - 30: Live & Learn Conference, Sept 6 - 10, 2006
The conference was a whirl of joyous activity. It was kicked off with an Ice Cream Social Wednesday evening. We sat out on the outdoor patio/lawn area, seated at white linen-covered tables, reconnecting with old friends & making new ones. The kids quickly found other kindred spirits & disappeared into the cool alcoves & sitting areas to bond.
Thursday found us in full-conference swing. We all found our different places & activities, except for Phil. He, my darling, decided that he would bring the RV to a Camping World/garage for a check-up. He also took Buster to a kennel, which gave us a break from the every 4 hour check in, & gave Buster the opportunity to have some good old fashioned puppy playtime!
Being at an unschooling conference is hard to explain to anyone unfamiliar with the unschooling philosophy, which runs far deeper than just homeschooling or education. I don't want to turn this into a lecture, so I'll just let you know that if you are interested in understanding unschooling more, check out http://sandradodd.com/unschooling or http://www.liveandlearnconference.org/ to see some conference info.
What do we get out of the conferences?
Thursday found us in full-conference swing. We all found our different places & activities, except for Phil. He, my darling, decided that he would bring the RV to a Camping World/garage for a check-up. He also took Buster to a kennel, which gave us a break from the every 4 hour check in, & gave Buster the opportunity to have some good old fashioned puppy playtime!
Being at an unschooling conference is hard to explain to anyone unfamiliar with the unschooling philosophy, which runs far deeper than just homeschooling or education. I don't want to turn this into a lecture, so I'll just let you know that if you are interested in understanding unschooling more, check out http://sandradodd.com/unschooling or http://www.liveandlearnconference.org/ to see some conference info.
What do we get out of the conferences?
- The ability to see older kids who've been unschooled - that they are not only able to function in the real world but are totally cool, open-minded, kind-hearted interesting people.
- The chance to talk to other like-minded parents, sharing stories of our joys & confessing our goof-ups.
- Our kids get to be with kids who are into the same kind of stuff they are into, & can explore & enjoy these interests practically non-stop throughout the conference.
- We can re-affirm that this is the path we want to follow with our children, parenting them in way that honors who they are & the passions & interests they have.
Next year's conference is planned to be in North Carolina, at a YMCA camp. Very different setting from this gorgeous, elegant Southwestern hotel, but I'm sure we will have yet another wonderful conference experience.
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