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Travel Diaries - Crater Lake, USA
Have you ever visited a place that was beyond your expectations? For me this was Crater Lake in Oregon USA. Beyond beautiful. Breathtaking. Stunning. Immense. This is Crater Lake.
Have you ever visited a place that was beyond your expectations? For me this was Crater Lake in Oregon USA. Beyond beautiful. Breathtaking. Stunning. Immense. This is Crater Lake.
We were in Oregon, USA, while the state, mostly in the forested areas, was being extensively burned by forest fires. The smoke was at times intense and a couple of times it caused us to have to stay inside as the toxicity was too high for babies to inhale. It was to the point that we thought we might miss out on Crater Lake while we were in the south. But on a Friday morning, the last day we had available in the area, the smoke cleared and we made our way up to one of the most beautiful lakes I've ever seen!
When we are on a music ministry tour, we often don't have much time outside of concerts. But when we do, we try to see a few beautiful areas close to our tour route. Even though we were only at Crater Lake for a short time it was completely worth it. We drove up from Klamath Falls, which is about 1 hour 30 minutes drive through quaint towns, vast fields and epic forests. The drive up alone is worth it and as we rounded the last corner, Crater Lake came into view in all it's glory. It surprised me that the spectacular views of the lake were only a couple minutes walk from the car park at the Rim Visitor Centre. We got out of the car and in just a short stroll were right on the rim of the crater. We spent the little time we had walking along the rim, finding view after stunning view with blues that need to be seen to be believed. Ezra clearly loved it as much as we did. Our walk took us to the Sinnott Memorial Overlook and the exhibit that goes into the park's geology and history. Retracing our steps we took one last look at the lake beyond all lakes before driving back to Klamath Falls and a weekend full of concerts.
If you are ever in Oregon I wholeheartedly recommend Crater Lake, even if it's just for the morning. You won't regret it.
Touring with a Baby!
Is touring with baby difficult? Of course. Is it easier than we thought? Definitely! Yet, it's ever-changing... just like a baby's supercharged development.
Is touring with baby difficult?
Of course.
Is it easier than we thought?
Definitely!
Yet, it's ever-changing... just like a baby's supercharged development.
From when we got pregnant, we’ve been thinking and praying about this moment. Touring with a baby. We started out with a game plan knowing that literally, anything could and would happen.
THE GAME PLAN
Prayer + Timing Pre-Concert Naps + Feeding before a concert to keep him happy + Baby Wearing to sleep during a concert = Possible Game Plan.
Back up plan = If Ezra has needs during the concert I tap Eric to let him know I'm out back for a bit with the squish. If all else fails, figure out another game plan.
THE REALITY
It pretty much went the way of the game plan for the first little while, until Ezra decided that the car was a good place to fill his nappy rather than napping. So, with that we had to create a second back up plan: If all else fails, pray that God will provide an appropriate babysitter to sit with Ezra in the front seats.
He did! God always provides and looks after His children. As a friend reminded me, as much as we love our children, God loves them even more.
Anyone whose had a baby will testify to, plans constantly change with a baby and will continue to change as he grows and develops. So, we tried above all else to be flexible for him, while keeping somewhat of a routine no matter where we were to create stability. And of course, give him a ton of love!
Honestly, it turned out pretty good. Ezra did so well. I loved wearing him during concerts! And we’re so thankful to the people who looked after Ezra. He’s a very social baby and he adapts well to change (so far). His behaviour was actually about the same as when we were at home. We were amazed by him and are so thankful.
The biggest things I struggled with on tour with a baby was baby sleep and adult interaction.
I got far too obsessed with baby sleep. Trying to make sure Ezra had enough sleep each day and that his naps were timed close enough so he’d be happy or asleep for concerts became an unfortunate second nature to me. I got a little bit too obsessed with it... Did he ever get upset? Yes, of course. He’s a baby. But he was happy and he got a good amount of sleep most days.
I also struggled with missing the adult interaction before and after concerts; hearing testimonies and stories from people we met. I couldn’t have that interaction (sometimes I was able if a friend was looking after Ezra) because Ezra needed me. And that’s okay. Motherhood, especially of young children, is often described as a lonely season of life. But that’s what it is. A season. From the beginning I’ve been trying hard to keep my mind on the positive, to enjoy every minute, every stage, and to not “look forward” to the next. It's not always easy. Babies will be babies. But I've found it's so important to live in this season because it will be gone before we know it.
Overall, it was and is a joy. Amazing to both be back at being a musicianary on the road and to share this life with Ezra. It was phenomenal to see God, once again, provide not just what we needed, but beyond what we had hoped for.
- Monique
Day off at Crater Lake National Park, Oregon, USA
Watch what it's like to tour with a baby on our weekly vlogs!