The Campaign Bumper Sticker

Now that I am 35 years old, I decided that it is about time I start my campaign.  I am sure you have been wondering where I stand on all of the issues (although something tells me you may have a good idea).  My first campaign article will get right to it.  No skirting around the big issues or hiding from my opponents.  Apparently, I will be running against Obama, but other candidates are sure to arise in the next two years.  The most likely candidate other than Obama is Sarah Palin.  I will give you ten reasons why I am better than both Sarah and Barack:

TEN REASONS WHY I WILL BE A BETTER PRESIDENT THAN SARAH PALIN

1. I will not quit once I start something.

2. I am not tainted by a horrible Katie Couric interview where I was portrayed as a moron. (I actually do not think Sarah is an idiot)

3.  I would never agree to being McCain’s running mate.

4. I will not spend a dime on fancy dresses (the RNC spent $150,000 on Sarah’s wardrobe)

5.  I have been to Ketchikan more times than Sarah!

6.  I do not believe in man-made global warming. (Sarah feels man is contributing)

7. Tina Fey does a horrible impersonation of me.

8. I have zero political scandals.

9. I am more popular with deer. (I have never shot one)

10. I promise to only draw monster faces on my hands before speeches.

TEN REASONS WHY I WILL BE A BETTER PRESIDENT THAN BARACK OBAMA

1. Since I turned 35, I am just as qualified.  My executive experience comes from running Nerd Club at my office.

2. I know that the Constitution is very easy to read and doesn’t require interpretation.

3. I do not smoke.  Smoking is bad.  The Government told me so…even though the government spends millions on growing tobacco.

4. Here is a copy of my original birth certificate (I actually believe Obama is a US citizen, but why he will not release a copy of his original B.C. is beyond me)

5.  Since I do not care about the environment, I can never be accused of being a hypocrite for driving in SUVs, flying in private jets, eating beef, burning gas for no apparent reason, etc., etc.

6. I am better at blowing spit bubbles.  I am the number two spit bubble blower in the world.

7. If elected President, I would never blame the previous administration for current problems.  Even if it were true, it does nothing to help solve the problems of today.

8. If I have to send American’s into battle, I will only do so knowing that they can conduct all out war.  I will not tolerate restricted force.  This is how American soldiers die and why we are still at war in Iraq and Afghanistan.  If these wars are still in progress when I am elected, I will ask Congress to declare war or I will immediately bring the troops home.  We cannot win wars blindfolded with our hands tied behind our backs.

9. Reducing the size of government is the only way to deal with our $13 trillion debt.  I will begin by eliminating departments that do nothing.  I will also stop the Federal Government from meddling in State affairs.

10.   I already have 256 followers in my Facebook Group!

Little green reptile

searching for tasty tree frog

mower blades hurt, huh?

Don’t ask me why.

An alien has attached itself to Max's head

Location: Tigard, Oregon (pronounced TIE-guard in case you were wondering)

Total Miles: about 1700

We did not accomplish much on Day 8, so I am writing this on Day 9.

Not much to report for day 8.  We just happened to be in Eugene on the first day of the famous Saturday Market, so we spent sometime yesterday morning there.  Max and Riley each got a balloon animal/alien.  Dad got a couple of t-shirts and Mom got nuthin’!

Our drive to Tigard was only 98 miles, so we checked into the Embassy Suites and the kids got some swimming in.

Mom finally got to go shopping.  She bought socks.  How exciting.  Today, we are traveling across the Oregon border back into Washington, but we are not going straight home.  We will be spending the last night of our vacation at The Great Wolf Lodge!

More to report tonight!

Maxton & Riley Kate in the Dune Buggy

Location: Eugene, Oregon Hilton

Time: 2148

Daily miles: 210

We woke up this morning to a hurricane…almost literally.  The rain was pounding down and the wind was blowing sideways.   So much for horseback riding on the beach…

This was also our scheduled day for dune buggy riding so we were not hopeful the weather would be any better 2 hours north.  However, when we left our hotel a few hours later, the sun was actually starting to break through and it continued to look somewhat promising the entire way up!  We turned into the empty parking lot of Sand Dune Frontiers wondering if they were even open.   We were in luck! We were suited up for our dune buggy ride in no time.  But then, as we were going through our safety tutorial, it actually started to hail.  It was SO cold and windy but we all forged through with a smile for a 45 minute expedition on the dunes!

After the dunes, we drove north another 15 miles or so to the Sea Lion Caves, the largest sea cave in the world!!!  We took an elevator down 200 feet into the cave to check out hundreds of sea lions in their natural habitat.

Hungry and tired, we left the coast for our 1.5 hour drive across Hwy 126 to Eugene.  We had dinner at Applebee’s and went swimming at the hotel before hitting the sack.  Tomorrow morning we will swim again and hit the opening day of the local farmers market before making our short voyage to Tigard, OR in anticipation of our grand finale…stay tuned!!!!  New pictures updated HERE!

A great stop along Hwy. 101

Location: Gold Beach, Oregon

Day 6 Miles: 221

Time: 2109

We woke again at 7 am.  I am not sure what it is with these kids, but the second the sun pops up they are wide awake.

So today we started off by crossing the street and visiting CONFUSION HILL.  I am not sure what to write about this place, other than it is not very confusing if you have a level.  Price of admission: $18.  Time spent at the attraction: 18 minutes.  Quality time spent with family: Priceless.

After a few bagels and hotdogs in the microwave, we continued north on highway 101 through Eureka (no need to stop except for Starbucks) to Trees of Mystery!

Trees of Mystery is a roadside attraction that Anne found.  The property contains a number of unique tree formations, hence its name.  We saw redwoods growing on top of other redwoods,  redwoods growing together in weird ways and super huge redwoods.  It was pretty much just a lot of cool redwoods.  It includes a 15 meter tall statue of  Paul Bunyan and a 10 meter Babe the Blue Ox.  We rode an aerial tramway to an observation deck where we saw the Ocean and a mountain.  The kids loved it.  The gift shop is huge.  We bought a coffee mug.

Finally, around 5 PM, we strolled into Gold Beach, Oregon where we are spending the night in a very awesome two story, ocean front condo.  I guess someone discovered gold here so they changed the name from Ellensburg to Gold Beach.  Poor Ellensburg.  Anyway, I am in the process of uploading a ton more photos HERE! Tomorrow, we will spend some time at the beach if the weather is nice, otherwise we are going to explore some sea lion caves on our way to Eugene!

Mom & Riley Kate inside a redwood = EXCITMENT!!

Location: Leggett, California (Redwoods River Resort)

Day 5 Miles = 198

Total driving time = 6.5 hours

We should have stuck with the original plan to head up hwy 101 to Leggett.  What could have been a 2 hour drive became a 6.5 hour drive by opting for the scenic Hwy 1 route.   At any rate, the kids did a great job entertaining themselves over the millions of switchbacks and 20 mph bottleneck turns of the beautiful California coast.

The first major highlight of the day occurred a mere 7 miles from our resort: The Chandlier Drive-Thru Tree!  Well, WE couldn’t actually drive through due to the massive luggage rack resting on top of the minivan.

We made it to the Redwoods River Resort 10 minutes later for what mom told us was “glorified camping”.  We checked into the firehouse cabin which turned out to be a quaint (but extremely smelly) room with a kitchen table, fireplace, outside kitchenette, 2 queen beds and a firetruck bunkbed complete with a  driving area and 2 authentic firefighting helmets!  The kids loved it!  It had been raining all day so the huge playground/fort area was closed.  Instead, we jacketed up and headed out for a hike down to the river.  It was very steep and slippery so the girls decided to head back halfway down as the boys forged on.   We spent the remainder of the night trying to stay dry in the cabin after a dinner of chicken noodle soup.  We are thinking about changing the upcoming itinerary as the weather for our scheduled day for dune buggy riding is NOT looking promising…

The Fanbergs take Mount Tam!

Location: Novato, California

Time: 2216

Day 4 started pretty early!  The kids woke up Mom and Dad around 0700.  Dad had a mountain of eye crust to scrap out of his eyes.   Mom woke up as beautiful as ever (she always does).

After a very nice lazy morning, Mom, Dad, Max, Riley Kate and Grandpa went off to explore Mount Tamalpais.  This is the highest peak in Marin County.   You can see all the photos here!

We did not see any rattlesnakes, but Riley Kate practiced her growl the entire hike up to the peak just in case we encountered one.

After our long hike and drive through a lot of red wood forest, we had lunch in downtown Novato.

It was another great day on our road trip.  Tomorrow, we say goodbye to Grandma and Grandpa and head out to Highway 1 for our journey back north.

Grandpa Fanberg and Max

Location: Novato, California

Time: 21:21

Total Miles: 808

I had hoped to post a lot of great photos from the Shasta Caverns, but due to inclement weather, the cavern tours were canceled today.  To turn those frowns upside down, Dad agreed to lunch at the (in)famous Chuck E. Cheese’s.  We found one on the way and the kids had a great time collecting tickets, although Dad had the most fun at the basketball shooting thingie…

We drove on through northern California then across the bay to Novato just in time for dinner with Grandma and Grandpa.  We will be here for a couple of days before we begin the drive along the coast back to Washington.

P.S. Dad has a nasty blister on his left ankle and he wanted to post a picture, but Mom wouldn’t let him.  If you want a personal copy of the photo, send your request to fanberg@gmail.com

Time: 2000

Day 2 of the Fanberg Road Trip has us departing Salem around 1000 after Dad went on a 4 miles jog and we had a wonderful breakfast at the hotel.  We were unsure of what the     day would have for us since we woke up to rain and wind, but we decided to risk it all and go to the Enchanted Forest Theme Park with out friends Noelle, Benjamin and Aiden Grisgby’s (Trent had to work)!  This turned out to be well worth it!  We had a great time at the park exploring Storybook Lane, Western Town, the Haunted House, English Village, and the Water Show!  Max and Riley Kate went on their very first roller coaster ride with Benjamin!  We had a very nutritious lunch of nachos, hot dogs & caramel corn!

After a few hours at the park, we returned to I-5 South to Medford where we enjoyed some home cooked food at the Black Bear Diner.  We finished the day at the hotel pool where Mom and Dad got some much deserved hot tub time while the kids did laps.

Tomorrow we enter CALIFORNIA!

You can see all the pictures here!