The Stecherbush Abroad

Every adventure has it's story right? But the story is also different for every participant. For Brigham, it was almost perfect. He wanted to go, he got to go. He felt pretty good getting up at 5am, he slept in the car, he was with his family and good friend whose company he enjoyed. Samuel was tired but a similar story. Matt, REALLY wanted to go but understood that we needed to balance other responsibilities but he left it up to me to decide which responsibilities would be deemed more important. So, for me, there was a lot of debate and frustration and guilt and prayer. Our car was freshly out of the shop. The only friend that was coming was our dear friend and fellow wadi lover Lauren. The girls would be home ALL DAY without parents and somewhat stuck. I really didn't want to ask Saeida to entertain them again. I also didn't feel like driving 7 hrs to hike 6 hrs in a Wadi and then get home tired and jump into the week. BUT, Brigham wanted to go so badly. He almost needed ...

Easter Party at the CMR.  Oman Branch Primary Easter Party! Sweet Sis. Annie exchanging eggs for treats.  Elise headed out to her BFF's birthday party. Cayetana had a candy themed party and was so so excited.  After we got everyone where they needed to go and Alena and her friend Maya were happily decorating Eggs, our friends picked us up(car still in the shop) and we headed to Wadi Hoqayn for an Iftar. Iftar is the Ramadan dinner meal. It was pot luck so we all brought our food, put it on our beach mat and ended the fast(only one of us was actually fasting). It was clear and bright when we arrived but not so blazing hot as it was in Muscat. We were however, happy to get wet. We all swam through the wadi to the end. Last time we were at Hoquayn(English spelling is fluid) the water was higher by several feet. We got to see the more natural state of things here which was fascinating and which I have no pictures of. The Wadi is clearly fed by underground, hot water. As you'r...

We jumped on the egg spinning bandwagon and these girls enjoyed decorating eggs and making bracelets.  Rosemary Pears are a thing here. I've never heard of them before. They're quite lovely though. A photo of a street lamp in the Qurum Nature Reserve. I noticed it while I was on a walk with my neighbor and her Mom and Mother-in-law. I really love my penthouse view. Every time I walk into my bedroom I feel so much peace. Having a haven to retreat to every now and again is worth the 92 stairs I have to go up and down every time I forget something. We have been without a car for a few days. Thankfully we have friends close who we can visit on hoof. These fun people have sugar gliders and Brigham is giving them a little treat to convince them(the male at least) to say hello before their usual waking hour. The kids had a great time swimming and being fed by our friends.  

Samuel led me and two friends on a scramble up into a very dynamic Wadi. He had gone here before with friends and we appreciated his experience. I don't know if they quite knew what they were getting into but after we finished and no one had rolled an ankle I think everyone had a great experience. You just can't help feeling like you're in a giant's playground. These 50 ton boulders just tell a story of where water has been and the power that smoothed and carved out these caverns and crack. It's rather humbling actually. Omanosaura, jayakari were active here.  The wadi ended for us at a cave complete with bats. It's quite a scramble to ascend up it and Samuel was the only one to do it but I'm actually wanting to go back and try again, maybe when it's a little cooler. We love Sam's extra watchful eyes pointing out what we never would've noticed. Spotting Samuel after he came down from the cave. I'm always amazed at Trees that grow to this size...