Mama Bear's Retreat

It is pretty sad when a "retreat" is really a science class that is helpful for your job, but that's the only kind of retreat that Mama Bear gets!!

While Goldilocks was vacationing at her cousin's mansion, Mama took off and headed up the mountains with Teacher Friend and Jilly Bean. (TF and JB for short.)

TF had a fancy RV and drove it up the mountain to Hardware Ranch where the class was to be held. Mama followed behind in her van and was amazed as TF manuvered her truck and trailor up a tiny road, turned it 90 degrees, and drove through the gate! It was like threading a needle!(WOW! Thought Mama Bear!) The director was right out there with a panicked look on her face, but no worries, TF got it through that tight spot just FINE! (Thank you very much!) Mama bear was wondering why they did not make those gates bigger for trailors, but then later found out that just a few feet down the highway was a road that was actually built for trucks and trailors and that TF had driven up the walking path!

Well, we live and learn. AND Mama learned to be impressed with the driving skills of TF! TF earned them a title that very first day. From that moment on they were known as the crazy RV ladies.

Now, one would think that it would not be a lot of fun to have classes that lasted from 9:00am until 9:00pm, but with three crazy RV ladies, EVERYTHING IS FUN! The classes were great, but it was after class that the games began. JB has a way of bringing out the crazy side of Mama, and the giggly side of TF. So while JB and Mama bantered, TF laughed her guts out and this is how it went all night long! TF says that JB and Mama kept HER awake, but JB and Mama both agree that if she would have just stopped her insescent laughing, then they would not have had an audience, and may have gone right off to sleep!

One of the highlights of the trip was when the three crazy RV ladies took a long walk down the road. After about a mile and a half, they discovered a beautiful little water fall and were all taken back by the beauty of the world we live in..... Yes, there was a serious moment on this trip! They took pictures, but none of them seemed to do it justice.

Another exciting adventure was the canoe trip in the wetlands! Mama and TF were excited about his, but poor JB was frightened out of her mind! Of course TF and Mama had to tease her mercilessly about this. But, in spite of everything, JB strapped on her life jacket and put her life in the hands of TF and Mama and went on that canoe ride! What a brave little soldier! (White knuckles and all!)
All in all, the trip was a real blast, and they all came away with TONS of stuff to help them teach science to their students. All three crazy RV ladies tried to stay longer, but home was beckoning too loudly, and the Hardware Ranch people needed a break! (They could not imagine why!) So, they had to return back to earth. They all dream of the day that they might be able to escape to their mountain oasis once again!