This family vacation has been just what is should be. It’s been the perfect mix of the outdoor and the indoor.

Hikes and walks through mountains and along the lake. There is nothing, nothing, more beautifully satisfying than a mountain stream. Yes it is freezing beyond belief. That didn’t stop us from venturing in though. I couldn’t help thinking, this is how all sources of water were meant to be. All I have to compare it to is the Missouri River. Let’s think of more pleasant things.Completion of a 2000 piece puzzle. A huge accomplishment really. Especially considering that Anna “the Puzzler” Tschetter was on the case. When she’s focused, it’s an accomplishment for the rest of us to make any progress of our own. I was glad when the final pieces found their places especially since I knew that meant the end of certain family members calling out “bingo bango” every time they made a piece fit.

An afternoon spent cycling through the pine woods. (Cycling sounds so much better than “riding bikes.”) The ride didn’t pass without incident. Maria and I were speeding down a hill when we heard Rachel cry out behind us. After speeding back up the hill we discovered she had taken a tumble. She handled her bruises and scrapes with valor as I checked for signs of concussion. True, I’m not sure what the patient’s eyes are supposed to look like as they follow my finger back and forth but I declared her concussion-free regardless.

Completed two books and counting. The Hunger Games really should have been undertaken with more caution. It caused two nights in which sleep was pushed off until 1 and 2am because my lack of discipline in putting an interesting book down. The Education of a WASP was only slightly less gripping and much more substantive.

My nose has been pink and raw from the sandpaper kleenexes I’ve been using instead of pink and cold from the mountain air like it should be. Regardless of the ongoing discussion whether the malady is due to allergies or simply a common cold, the pile of crumpled tissues is threatening to take over my space. I only hope to give myself enough space in the coming weeks so that my immune system doesn’t shut down the next time I stop going full speed.

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