Snakes and a Baby


How do you like that for a title. Did it a make you wonder if they were doing a sequel to “Snakes on a Plane”? Well unfortunately or fortunately depending on how you look at it, I am not a movie producer. If I was I am not sure that is a movie I would make. So instead I’ll just talk about each separately. Baby first!
Kelvin Richard


Janie & Kelvin
My nephew Jordan and wife Rachel gave birth to a beautiful baby boy last Sunday. His name is Kelvin Richard (after Lord Kelvin who developed the Kelvin temperature scale). Jordan is a biochemist so it is a fitting name. Kelvin arrived 5 weeks early but weighed in at 6 lbs 4oz. I think Rachel is glad she didn’t go full term as that would have been a big baby. Jordan weighed 10lbs 9oz  (I think, I’m close any way) when he was born and I think Kelvin was on track to being similar in size. Kelvin is doing great, but he’s still considered a preemie. They are watching him closely and he has had to spend a little time in a Billi-Bed  but he got to go home on Tuesday and that in itself is amazing considering how early he was. We stopped in on Monday to see him and he is a cutie, I always forget how little newborns are. My boys were never that little but Gabe was only a little over 7lbs. It reminded me of how quickly they grow up (sigh).
Jordan, Rachel, and Kelvin
Now on to snakes. John picked up some firewood the other night and I went to take it out of the truck and there was a snake slithering through it and yes I screamed like a little girl! I do not like snakes. It is good sized snake, maybe about 3 feet long, but we are not entirely sure what kind. Most Iowa snakes are pretty harmless, or so I’m told, but that doesn’t make me like them any more. John knows it didn’t come on board with the wood; he is sure he would have noticed a snake that big. So we have no idea how he got there but he is currently residing in a little pocket area by our extended fuel tank. Yesterday he stuck his head out and was checking things out. Next time I see him do that I will get a photo. We are not sure how to get rid of him - and I want him out of my truck!!! Any suggestions???
We are leaving here on Monday and I am excited to go somewhere else. We have a tentative plan to first go to South Dakota and become residents there and then head north into Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan doing as much of the shore of Lake Superior as we can. The only reservation we have is on Labor Day weekend. I found a spot in Two Harbors, MN.  I got lucky and a spot had just opened up. So this is out very tentative plan:

View My Saved Places in a larger map
I always try to have a general plan in mind and usually it gets changed but that’s ok too. I’m just glad to be out on the road again.
Happy Trails...........

Comments

  1. Jim and SandieAugust 12, 2011 at 8:51 AM

    Kelvin is an absolute doll. My Todd was a preemie but that didn't stop him from growing into a big man. So glad he got to go home with Mom and Dad.

    As far as snakes, I hate them with a passion. Know nothing about them other than I want nothing to do with them. Jim isn't afraid of snakes unless it's a rattler so he'd be able to get rid of it. Maybe use a broom or a stick? I'm pretty useless.

    ReplyDelete
  2. BobAugust 12, 2011 at 8:58 AM

    I like that name, Kelvin.
    Congratulations!

    ReplyDelete
  3. RV Khronicles of KevelynAugust 12, 2011 at 9:25 AM

    I hate snakes, too. A 3 foot snake is big. I get the willies just thinking about it!

    The UP of Michigan is beautiful. There a state park that's part of the Porcupine Mountains that we stayed at. We had a beautiful site right on Lake Superior. The only problem is that is was the end of June, and the black biting flies were horrible. But, they're long gone by now. Lots of great hiking in that area. We hiked up to Cloud Lake which was beautiful.

    Have a great time! I'm interested in hearing about becoming South Dakota residents.

    ReplyDelete
  4. RV Khronicles of KevelynAugust 12, 2011 at 9:27 AM

    I hate snakes, too. And, three feet is a big snake, gives me the willies!

    We stayed at a state park in the UP of Michigan in the Porcupine Mountain area. We had a beautiful site right on Lake Superior. Unfortunately, we were there when the black files were biting in late June. They're long gone by the time you get there. Great hiking in the area, we hiked up to Cloud Lake which was beautiful.

    I'm looking forward to hearing about becoming South Dakota residents.

    Have a great trip!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Travels with EmmaAugust 12, 2011 at 10:38 AM

    Sounds like a great trip. You were lucky to find the spot for the holiday weekend. Enjoy!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Lee and LoralieAugust 12, 2011 at 12:08 PM

    Beautiful baby!! As to the snake...you keep him, I don't want him!!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Terri and John PratherAugust 12, 2011 at 4:18 PM

    Babies are so special and they do grow up so fast. Congratulations to the new family.

    I'm with you Janie as snakes creep me out big time and I would want it gone also. Good luck to John on removing it.

    Your travel plans sound great. Enjoy the sights.

    ReplyDelete
  8. owensontheroadAugust 12, 2011 at 7:54 PM

    Nothing like a new baby..they are so innocent! Snakes on the other hand..

    ReplyDelete
  9. RickAugust 12, 2011 at 8:48 PM

    Great looking baby and Kelvin is a neat name.

    Good thing Paulette didn't see that snake or she'd still be running!

    ReplyDelete
  10. MerikayAugust 12, 2011 at 9:33 PM

    Kelvin ... I wonder how many times he will have to correct people who call him "Kevin." I always had to correct people who would call me "Mary." My name is Merikay. I didn't really mind, it made me feel special to have a special name.

    So Good luck to little Kelvin. May he always stand out!

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Urban Life

Image
The view from our balcony I have been thinking about this post for awhile. When we are not traveling I find it hard to sit down and write but I have wanted to tell you about our new digs and what living downtown has been like for us. Another balcony view We moved into a one bedroom apartment on the west side of the river in the downtown Cedar Rapids area. This is a brand new building that actually they are still working on. The first floor is businesses, floors 2 and 3 are apartments and floors 4, 5, & 6 are condos. We love the building. Every apartment and condo has a balcony that looks out over the river and the McGrath Amphitheatre. Our little apartment in this building is 767 sq. which, after living in our 5th Wheel for 7 years, seems huge. We feel these apartments were well thought out. The kitchen is wonderful. It has a large island (all  solid countertops - quartz I think) with a large sink and plenty of seating room . We started by buying 3 barstools but found
Read more

Time for me to learn to drive this rig.

Image
Trail at Squaw Creek park Yesterday we moved back to Morgan Creek park (about a 15 mile drive) and I drove the rig! We have always said that I needed to start doing this but I never seem to do it. The first year I think John just felt he needed to get proficient at all the driving & parking things before he had me do it and then we just got lazy. It was just easier for him to do it. Recently friends of our that we met in Tucson, John and Terri had a very harrowing experience that reminded us why we both need to be able to drive this rig. John they think had a seizure while driving, luckily not towing but still it is amazing that they survived it. What this meant is that now Terri had to do the driving back to their former home town Sacramento and like me she had not done much driving. She did great and they are now coming off the road and starting a new phase of life. All of John's test look good so far and we wish him the best and hope that it was just a one time isolated
Read more

Three plus years of full timing....what have we learned

Image
Zion National Park,  Utah, December 2010 Harris Hawk at Sonoran Desert Museum, Tuscon Feb. 2011 When we left Cedar Rapids it began our 4th year of living and traveling in our RV. The last three years have flown by and we are still not ready to go back to a sticks and bricks life. We have traveled a lot of the western US but even with time out there all three years there are so many places we have yet to discover. This year will be our first going south and east, all new places for me and many new ones for John. I think one of the things that I learn every time we find somewhere new is how beautiful this country is. If you slow down and take the time you will find amazing things everywhere. I think the thing I appreciate the most about this lifestyle is that freedom to take it slow. BLM land near Quartzite, AZ in January 2011 Putah Creek, Winters CA in Jan.2013 Crater Lake, Oregon, fall 2012 Diamond Lake, Oregon, fall 2012 When we first took off we were
Read more