So much to update on, it’s hard to know where to start! Peter and I left for Wisconsin two weeks ago Saturday to spend some time at his family lake cottage up on Lake Superior. All the cousins got together for the first time in years for a reunion and to celebrate the wedding of Peter’s Aunt Carole. We had a great time swimming, sailing and kayaking throughout the week, as well as picking berries and sightseeing in the area. We shared some wonderful meals with the happy challenge of trying to fit 15 people around the dining room table. We also got to spend lots of time with the newest and most adorable member of the family. Peter’s cousin, who celebrated his first birthday while at the cottage, is full of energy and smiles. During the week, he learned a few new words (doggie!) and walked a little further each day without help.
Carole and Nyle were married on a beautiful Saturday afternoon on the shores of Lake Superior with dozens of friends and family in attendance. It was wonderful to witness the joy and light that radiated from the couple as they took their vows and exchanged rings. An outdoor reception followed the ceremony, where people relaxed and enjoyed good food and company throughout the afternoon. That night, the cousins got together for a bonfire on the beach, where we caught up on all the happenings of the past few years and watched the incredible flashes of lightening from distant storms light up the night sky. A few drops of rain fell late in the night as the fire died down and the last people headed home. It was a very good day.
Just before leaving for vacation, Peter and I received an offer on our house! We countered and got a call as we got to the airport telling us that our terms were accepted. We’re much relieved to have our house under contract and hope that all will go well leading up to the closing at the end of next month. While on vacation, Peter also found out that our stuff would finally to arrive two days after we returned home from our trip! One month to the day after we watched the moving truck drive away from our Carlsbad house, we saw it arrive here in Three Rivers. We’re thrilled to finally get settled into the house, although it’s safe to add that we’re a little dismayed by the actual amount of stuff we have. Our house is much smaller and we’re now keenly aware of just how much we expanded to fit the ample space of our Carlsbad home. With the help of the storage shed out back and some diligent pruning, everything is slowly finding its place.
In other news, I’ve started volunteering for the park fire effects division and completed my first field work just before we left for Wisconsin. I leave tomorrow morning for a second work trip up into the higher elevations of the park, which will make for the perfect escape from the upper 90’s and low 100’s we’ve had here in Three Rivers for the past week. Peter and I hiked up in the park this past Sunday and discovered a short hike that ends with one of the best panoramas in the Sierra Nevada. More on my field work and details about this incredible hike will follow in my next post. Right now, I’m off to pack my gear!
