We're moving the blog...

I'm trying to figure out what works best for our needs, so for the time being, let's all get on the same page. The oshmanlaxague.blogspot.com will now be gart2011.wordpress.com. Please check there for all updates, photos, etc.

Thank you!

The camera has been purchased!

Sure, it took hours of weighing the pros and cons of the many choices available; however, when it all came down to it, we ended up with the Nikon S9100. It pained me to spend so much money, so of course, I left the decision up to the pros (hehe): Kenny and Abe. Yes, they also chose the camera color: red.

We had to consider speed, video and charging capability, as well as size. Then, of course, we had to purchase the cute flexible tripod (with magnets, no less), a memory card (which we've never used), and a case. It's amazing how quickly the initial price doubles once you begin accessorizing.

Yes, this camera is a tad larger and heavier than I'd prefer, but as Kenny points out, I probably won't be the one carrying it around anyway. Sherpa Kenny to the rescue!

Yes, a red camera of all things...oy.

Lists, lists, and more lists

As I was driving in the car with my daughter Pearl, she remarked that I needed to begin making lists of things I needed to get accomplished. Of course, she meant for the day. She pulled a small, green notebook from my pocketbook and dug around until she found a pen. Then, she proceeded to ask me what should be on the list. After a minute of taking notes, she turned the page and remarked that this was more than she had expected. Pearl also recommended that I split the list up: one list for home/school "must dos" and another list for the road trip. So, here's what we've got so far. If any of you would like to make contributions to the list (or have items on the list you can contribute) by all means, let us know.

1. Get car chargers for iPods, iTouches, iPad, and our various and sundry cell phones. (Already scoped this out. I believe I have solutions.)
2. Get the roof rack installed.
3. Purchase sleep sacks for four people.
4. Figure out the easiest (most waterproof) way for each of us to pack our minimal belongings.
5. Purchase a mobile hotspot (but don't establish an account until we're ready to leave). (We know what we'll get; we just need to do it.)
6. Get a good digital camera that is small and mobile and one that takes video and doesn't take a long time in between shots. (We're taking suggestions.)
7. Figure out a way to mount our iTouch in order to Skype with the outside world while driving.
8. Purchase a new car stereo that can adapt to MP3 players. (We know what we want; we just have to get it.)
9. Figure out pillow solutions for the trip (don't want pillows that take up too much space).
10. TBD

My technology overrunneth

I went to the library to check out a book. That's pretty straight-forward, right? At least, that's what I thought. As I was scrolling through my choices on the library database, I found that my book wasn't available in what I consider book-form (you know...actual paper pages with numbers and a cover), but it was immediately available as an e-resource. Interesting. If I only knew what an e-resource was.

I headed over to the reference librarian for a complete and mind-puzzling lesson on the various and sundry ways in which books are available today. I could download a book to my e-reader (such as a Nook or iPad) or even to an iPhone, Blackberry or other types of smart phones. Now, if I had such a device, I'd be psyched...but I don't...yet. When I informed the librarian of our pending trip and the usefulness of free, downloadable books, her eyes widened and a smile spread across her face. She began thinking out loud of all the ways we could access books for the trip and play them through any of our devices (which we don't own).

As I sat there thinking about all of these devices and their usefulness, I did my own thinking aloud and said that I didn't think my 2004 Honda Civic even had a plug for such devices. "Of course you do," the librarian said. I assured her that I didn't. "But you must," she added. Again, I noted that my car was not technologically equipped unless, of course, you consider a CD player advanced media. She did not, but felt that adding a player to the car that could plug into our non-existent e-reader, etc. would be cheap and helpful. I agreed.

I am now adding up the costs of listening to assorted materials while on this road trip: an e-reader of some sort, new audio equipment for the car, a mobile modem, and anything else that is a "must".

Can't we just get do things the old fashioned way? Get some used books and share the responsibility of reading them aloud to one another? At this point, creating CDs of our favorite tunes is considered out-of-date, but a whole lot cheaper than what I see coming.

All of a sudden, my trip to the free, public library isn't so free afterall.

Music to Our Ears

I recently came upon a CD that was made up of music for road trips. Now, I'll be honest. I was in a hurry and didn't take time to read the selections, but it gave me an idea. What if we created our own road trip play list? (This is where we'll need lots of input.) We should have different categories depending on where we'll be traveling, time of day, mood, etc., but since you all have your own tastes, and we'll need tons of music to keep us busy (and perhaps singing), we'd love for you to provide us with tunes, songs, possible categories that you think would add to our experience.

There are the obvious selections: King of the Road, I Can't Drive, Running on Empty, Highway to Hell, Drive My Car, On the Road Again, Hit the Road, Low Rider, Paradise By the Dashboard Light, Life is a Highway, Roam... But we realize that not all songs should be about cars, driving, or the highway. We're going to want songs that get us up and singing, songs that get us in the mood for being in the car, and even songs for long driving stretches or mellow times such as driving in bad weather.

Please: begin sending us your suggestions! We'd love to compile a huge list and get it ready by early June when we'll have lots of other things to be worrying about. Should you have time, we'd also love for you to put your tunes on CDs and send them to us. We'll take pictures of where we are when we play your music and post it to the blog.

Thanks so much for helping us out with this one!

So, while we're away...

One problem with being gone for so long (or so short depending on how we actually stay away), is taking care of things that we'd normally be home for. For instance, we could stop our mail, but the post office only allows us to do that for 30 days. Now, I'm not saying that we'll be gone for 30 days, but if we are, what would we do?

Fortunately, this problem has been solved. Our nephew, Jason, and a friend of his will be working in the area over the summer and plan on living here. That takes care of the mail issue, the feeding of the fish problem, the mowing the lawn problem, and other assorted things that may come up.

So, while we're away, there are a few things that Jason needs to be aware of:

1. The toilets in this house tend to overflow every now and then.

Should this happen while we're away, please use the old towels we leave you, and make good use of the plungers in each bathroom.

2. If you're not careful, the bathtub will clog and water will seep down into our walls.

When you take a shower, please make sure you do not have the water shooting out at full blast; otherwise, you will end up standing in a puddle of water. Also, please make sure the shower curtain is fully closed and pressed up against the wall. Though we meant to install a new tub and surround this year, we simply couldn't afford it. Sorry, dude.

3. The toaster should remain unplugged at all times, unless you're actually making toast.

Really? Do I have to explain this one?

As other items crop up, I'll be sure to let Jason know about them. Until then, this is a good start.

P.S.  Jason: Abe wanted me to remind you to please clean up your beard shavings after grooming. Should you not have a beard next summer, please disregard this P.S.

The older the kids get, the more I question how long we'll last

Now that Pearl is 14 and Abe is 12 (nearing 13), the more I'm second guessing this whole idea. If they can't be relied upon to do simple household chores, how are they going to help around a campsite?

Normally, asking the kids to help around the house has been easy. "You have a number of things that don't belong in the den." Stuff is moved. "It's your night to do the dishes." Done. No questions asked. "Your bike is outside the garage." Seconds later, it's been wheeled away. Yeah, those were the days. Now that they're getting older, such requests are not so easy. My poor tongue is puffy from having to bite it so many times. Really? How many times must I ask for one of them to clear something off the kitchen table? I'm trying so hard not to nag, but it's getting increasingly difficult. The teenage eyes stare at you (or at their phones), no response is given, no action is taken.

So, as much as we're planning the activities we know we want to jump into, we're thinking that perhaps we should also be realistic in case we need to plan a trip without the kids:

1. Where are the nearest bus stations along our route?
2. Do such stations have buses that travel to the northeast?
3. What about airports?
4. What would it cost us to mail, uh, I mean, fly a kid back home?
5. Who will be around to collect any kid, should we need to resort to such drastic measures?
6. How much money could we save traveling with one or two fewer teens?

Such questions need to be asked....just in case.