I’m Melting, I’m melting…

Well, I thought I was. We just survived the hottest month of my life.

Resorted to using my Red-neck Swamp Cooler a few times.

It didn’t help. The ice melted too fast. And all the block ice was sold out. UGH!

The Pacific Northwest normally has a very mild climate, not much snow and only a handful of days over 85 degrees. But we just had 5 days of 100 plus degrees with 40 percent humidity thrown in to boot. My car thermometer read 109 on the hottest day. No A.C. and plenty of body flubber of my own meant a grumpy, tired mom. They said it was our warmest streak in 30 years. I resorted to frequent lie downs in our little pool. Didn’t even bother with the swim suit.

The kids stopped rolling their eyes after the third time that I jumped in with all my clothes on. This last time was at 9 P.M, when it was still over 95 degrees.

The first few days I couldn’t even take my kids to the A.C’d shopping malls because they were dealing with a stomach bug picked up from my husbands families R.O.A.R. Reunion. Vomiting and fevers in blistering heat can be torture.

Don’t you just love all the fun things that families share. Loved the Reunion and the family, regardless of what they shared with us. Worth every heave! Do it again any day, just to be by family. The reunion was held in sunny HOT Sacramento, CA. Don’t we all just look smart. Dressed in black, during a heat wave. Those are grimaces, not smiles. (Kidding, they are smiles). Just can’t escape the heat. Tried my darndest though. Even entered a belly flop contest just to cool off in a pool.

I won it too.

You bet my kids are proud of me. How many kiddo’s do you know that can say their mom won a belly flop contest. Hopefully the judges were judging on my style and not the actual flop on my belly. Hum….

If it makes you feel better I didn’t win the flip contest. Kept doing back flops. Oh well. There you have it. I've shamelessly posted pictures of myself in a swimsuit on my blog. I can stoop no lower. Fortunately the motion helps hide the rolls.

The reunion was wonderful. Love the relatives, and we left before we drove them nuts so hopefully they still love us as well.

Even managed to get a semi-decent family picture taken as well. I think it’s impossible to get everyone looking great so this will have to do.

Today’s temp 86 degree’s. Ahhh, FINALLY feels like summer should.

Tour de Lopez

We had an amazing day yesterday and participated for the first time in a bike tour. Can I say, ‘WOW’!

Abner took care of the 3 girls at home for us and we dragged T-rev and Evo-man along for the ride.

Up bright and early before dawn so we could drive and make the Anacortes ferry ride to Lopez Island in the San Juans. Misty mornings are so pretty in the Northwest if your up in time to see them.

If you’ve never been to the San Juan Island’s in WA then you should add it to your list of places to visit. Beautiful!!!

Ferry rides are always fun the first few times you ride them. Here’s my friend Smiley and her family enjoying their second ferry ride. Can I mention that I'm jealous of the zoom lens.

They lucked out and drove on. Most of the bikers on the ferry walked on, including our family.

Here's T-rev enjoying a few moments outside the boat. The weather was still a bit nippy at this point so we spent most of our time in the cabin.

All too soon we arrived on Lopez Island. Along with hundreds of other bikers. Fortunately we were some of the first bikers off the boat.

Then we met up with Smiley and Wonder Woman and other family members to start our bike tour. You had the choice of 10, 17 or 31 miles. Most of us took the 31 mile route.

If you ever get a chance to bike an island - do it! You'll see everything from beach cottages on the sound to...

Evergreen forests.

Evo-man did awesome - especially considering that he went the entire way on a very heavy, cheaply made dirt bike.

Here's T-rev chugging along. Sporting a very fashionable socks-holding-his-pants-out-of-the-chain look. He also made the entire distance on a heavy bike.

From coastland, to forests, to rolling pastures, everything was beautiful. Those rolling hills did add a bit of a burn to the thighs. But of course the downhill rush made up for the agony of the climb on the way up.

I ended up taking my time on this trip and not keeping up with my biker babe friends so that I could shoot a few pictures. Here's me multi-tasking. Good thing the roads were great and there were no potholes or too much gravel to look out for.

And of course dashing Prince Erik was constantly going from the front to the back of our strewn out family line to make sure everyone was still alive and pedaling.

The weather was perfect. In the 60 degree range - which considering it was April - was pretty good. Blue skies in the Northwest, well I think we lucked out with the weather. Towards late afternoon it got a bit nippy and we were searching out the sun between the trees. Notice the camera on my back. I wouldn't go anywhere without it.

After the ride was over we still had to make our way back to the ferry. Our bikes registered 34 to 38 miles ridden. The best part was - everyone is still smiling! And at this point we were all in need of some ice packs for our hind ends. But completeing the journey was a big accomplishment and we were all excited.

T-Rev zonked while waiting for the ferry.

And Evo-man caught his Z's on the ride home.

Great day. I'd love to take the whole family next year!