To the Tip Top

April 14th was blustery and as wintry as they come. The fair is in town and you can bet money the weather will be terrible and uncooperative on Saturday. After Elise's morning siesta I looked out my East window to snow-capped Bunkerville mountain and "snow day" was deemed. Here is our view from some vantage point that markers insisted "trail ends." Merely a suggestion. We are looking towards home at the back side of Lake Mead. Our beautiful, shimmering once- again-existing lake.




This was our last stop on the journey. I'm working backwards, stay with me. Jara is posing in front of the former home of the infamous Clementine, the alligator. Clementine and all of Pacoon no longer exist. House leveled, alligator transplanted to the Las Vegas Zoo. The legend no longer lives. Why must the gov't take the fun out of the wild? A travel trailer in the desert with a fenced fishy pond just isn't as awesome. It isn't like Clementine ever ate anyone, not even Jed frog-gigging her supper.



A moment of sibling camaraderie. She was really trying to throw him to the croc.

Mountain Man Jack

My precious baby who happily went along with her family's craziness. Hike okay, snow okay, rooooaaaddd trip okay, goofy hat okay.


Jack and his weapon. It scares me when he gets the "evil Jed glint" in his eye. While wielding this bad boy he got the glint, and then proceeded to chase after his sister squatting in a delicate position.

Wherever we were, the first time. Cold enough for snow. The picture doesn't do it justice, there was way more snow. Enough to throw at each other.

The only time Elise and I braved the cold and got out of the truck. The wind chill was fierce.

Now did I mention we logged 6.5 hours in the truck. Cuz we did. We knew it was time to go home when we were singing the Star Spangled Banner and braying like donkeys. Right on cue as Jed hit "the rockets red glare" Jara started making dying donkey noises and pretty soon everyone was melodically pitching in and even as I type it the tears are streaming down my face at our loopiness. And that kids is why you should not live out in the middle of no-where on your own, its bad for the sanity and social skills.