Happy Thanks Giving from Ruston

Dear friends!

We are staying at a camp site called Antique Village about 10 minutes from the city of Ruston. Weather has been poring rain for the last few days. We were 20 KM away from a twister the other day. WE have been settling in. Finally got a cell phone so we can stay in touch with everyone back home.
Working on getting Rhys in Kindergarten and will be starting my training at the center at the beginning of November.
Had a wonderful turkey dinner to night in celebration of the Canadian thanks giving!
Miss you all.
Love
From the Lalondes.

--
End of September, 2009

The boys, Jeff and I left on our big adventure to Ruston Louisiana on Friday. We drove through Washington State, Oregon and now we are in Idaho. Staying tonight at an RV site with goats. Boys have been giving the goats bread. We are all well.
Very hot here. Feels like a dream. Reading Harry Potter as we drive! Great to lose myself in a book again! Drove by "Moon Crater today / touched real lava from volcano.

October 3, 2009
Reached Oklahoma yesterday. Today we are in Checotah. We drove for hours the last few days to escape the terrible icy winds in Wyoming, Colorado and Kansas.
Couldn't believe how cold it was. So glad I brought our winter coats.

One site in Kansas had an organic garden. Jeff and the boys picked tomatoes and a pumpkin, which is ripening in the back of the truck.

Don't always have a payphone to use and sometimes, if there is wireless at the camp sites, the connection is weak. So difficult to stay in touch with people back home.
We don't have a cell phone yet to use in the States. Will wait till we get to Louisiana.
The weather here is much nicer than when we were crossing the high Plaines; it is about 70 degrees in the evening. Starting to feel more like the south, a pungent, sweet smell in the air – a playground for the kids and even a pool!
We will stay here two nights as we desperately need a break from driving. The kids have been so good, but it is hard to travel for so long and to sit so much. Our backseat looks like it has been hit by a tornado – books, crumbs, empty cd holders litter the seat and floor.

We often lose our tempers, crowded in the truck or trailer for long periods, but we manage to rejuvenate ourselves between bouts and laugh and feel excitement about the great adventure we are on.