Adventures in Vacationing (The Bottom Line)

For the past week-ish, we've been on vacation. We started by going to Spokane to visit family and get ready for the gruelling days to come. Five days in a Jeep with five kids is bound to be stressful. Add onto that all the "fun" we planned and the stress levels are elevated.

Our plan was to drive to SeaTac and stay in an Econolodge that we reserved online - we got a great deal ($89 for two nights!) so we made sure it was centrally located between Seattle and Tacoma - our primary destinations.

The day after Spokane was to be a drive day. Once we arrived in western Washington, we would get our hotel and maybe do some Geocaching.

The second day was our Seattle day. Our primary mission was to take the kids to the Pacific Science Center and the Space Needle. After that we wanted to hit the wharf and the Pike Street Market.

Day Three was geared towards checking out all the animals at Point Defiance Zoo in Tacoma and then spend the evening (until sunset) at Ocean Shores, playing in the Pacific. Then, it was back to the hotel.

Day Four was a travel/attraction day. We wanted to hit Mt. St. Helens in the mid-morning, early afternoon and then get to Multnomah Falls, Oregon before nightfall so we could enjoy it in the light. We would then drive until we got tired and sleep at a rest stop.

Day Five was the wrap-up. We would head back to Spokane, visit some people we missed the first time through and then head home.

It was ambitious, but possible.

Bottom line: All fun things were accomplished and all family members are still alive - mission successful.

Pictures and details to follow... stay tuned!