Rancho Oso here we come!

This is a quick picture made on the first day of our stay at Rancho Oso. The buildings behind the kids are western style cabins -pretty simpl:, a full bed, bunk beds, a small fridge, table, chair, and a fan. The ranch lies in the San Ynez river valley in the heart of the Los Padres National Forest in a place called Paradise. And it is aptly named. This is an amazingly beautiful place. There is very little rainfall and the "river" is really more of a dried up, rocky riverbed. But the mountains rise up from the valley like sentennels, straight and imposing...majestic. Despite the lack of moisture, there are many trees and,according to the local people, plenty of bobcat and mountain lion in the forests. The horses grazing in the Rancho Oso pastures make a vivid picture against this backdrop. I long to just sit back under a tree and enjoy the view.
But the kids have other plans (of course!). the first thing they want to do is try out the swimming pool. Later we explore the ranch. That night we drive out to the Paradise Store(a local hangout) for some BBQ. But when we get there, Marks goes inside and discovers that the Hells Angels are kicking back for some fun. We decide it may not be family friendly, so we go back to the Ranch and heat up the brai for dinner. Later that night after a hot game of UNO, with the kiddos all tucked into bed, Mark and I sat outside under the stars sipping our hot chocolate (oh, for some MILO!). Our conversation soon turns to Zambia...wishing Daren and Shawna, Micah, Meredith and Peyton were here to share this night with us...look at the sky, black and brilliant...if we are very still we can almost imagine it is Africa...ok, we make ourselves stop imagining and go to bed.
The next couple of days are a fun, exhausting mix of breathtaking horseback rides (the scenery!), hikes (the kids were disappointed that the waterfall they hiked to see was so small -we forgot that their idea of a waterfall is VICTORIA FALLS!), more swimming, and yes, finally a chance to sit back and enjoy the scenery while the kids climb the trees and play in the covered wagons. Our neighbors in the cabin next door are complaining about the flies! We dont mind. And I've decided I really like this type of "camping" - refrigerators, electricity, BEDS -even a nice restroom/shower a few yards away. Wow! Beats a tent...Our last night includes a marshmallow roast and a JIM THE GIANT story (thanks to Dad) by the fire.
Then the kids are in bed and we are alone, but this time Mark and I spend time reflecting on where we are and where we are going, our hopes and dreams for now and the future. We are thankful for this time together, having so recently been apart...it makes it sweeter to us, I think. I have noticed how Mark spends every minute with the kids as if its his last one. He leaves nothing undone, nothing unsaid...We have eight more precious months. But the time has wings and will be gone before we know it. So we just embrace this opportunity. Like Mark says, every day we are making memories to sustain us when we have to be apart again.

The next day, we are all a little sad to leave. We get a reprieve from our disappointment however, in a frantic search for Mark's wallet. Which, of course, happens to be in the dirty clothes in the very back of the car carrier on top of the van (which is already packed and locked). After we locate the wallet and find that we have missed out on the fresh baked cinnamon rolls at the chuck wagon, we head out the gate - only to discover that we forgot to turn in the cabin key! So we drive back to the cabin and I run in to get the key. Lo and Behold what do I see hanging on a nail but Marks' key ring with all of his work keys on it! I hand them over with a grin. He is mortified. And we go turn in our cabin key.
Then, finally, back down the mountains we head, along the coast, and then - HOME SWEET HOME!