Life of Ryan » Ryan Lorenc-Haluska

500 Mile Walk Through Spain

Ryan Lorenc-Haluska — Wed, 15 Aug 2018 09:59:59 +0000

Ryan -may I Speak with you?
I’ve got a Huge Surprise!

Sure, Dad -I am almost done with my Math homework.

Remember when you were sad that we could not travel to meet your friends in Europe?

Yes -you helped me make Flags of Countries where my friends live with construction paper. I felt better.

Ryan -we are going to France and to Spain!

Put away your Math and let’s do the Geography of Europe, Ryan! We are taking a 500 mile Walk through the French Pyrenees and across Spain. We will Walk for 32 days!

So -just as before here are sheets of construction paper and you can make the Flag of Spain. We already made the flag of France, remember? You have nice friends in France.

OK, Dad -I made the Flag of Spain. It is a Flag with a Picture on it!

That’s called a Coat-of-Arms, Ryan. We will see many of those in Spain. I’ll explain what they represent later.

This is so Exciting, Dad! Thank you for taking me to Europe with you. You are welcome, Ryan. I believe that it will be quite Educational for both of us.

Spain is one of the largest Countries in Europe, right, Dad?

Yes. France is a bit larger, and Germany is a bit smaller than Spain. It will take us a month to walk across northern Spain, Ryan.

We will pass through 5 regions of Spain on our walk. These each have their own customs and languages! The Basque Country-Navarra-La Rioja-Castillo y Leon and Galicia.

Oh, Dad! I’m So Looking Forward to this Trip with you! Maybe some of my Friends in Europe and the UK will follow us on Facebook and Instagram?

I do hope that they will keep you Company, Ryan

Dad. Is this how they walked the Camino long ago?

Yes, Ryan.

Do you think that I can be a Pilgrim just like the old days?

I believe that you can do anything that your heart desires, Ryan. I will support your Camino.

Ryan -here are your Clothes for your Camino de Santiago Pilgrimage. You said that you wanted to Travel just like a Pilgrim from long, long ago.

Thank you Dad. This Feels very Good to me.

Dad says that I have to *Train* myself to walk my Camino. He says that I must walk 15-20 miles per day — every day — for 32 days!!
This looks like a Good Road to Practice upon and to Train upon.

Well, Ryan. If you want to go as a Pilgrim I’m going to have to Carry your Toothbrush… and your Hairbrush… and your Blankie…. (Sigh!)

Gee!! Thanks, Dad!!

I got you a Gift, Ryan! When you get Tired walking the Camino Frances, I will Carry you!

We are flying to Paris tomorrow, Ryan. You will get to see the real Eiffel Tower- like this Lamp, but slightly Larger; you’ll see.

I will be Much Closer to some of my Friends in Europe and Great Britain, right, Dad?

Yes, Ryan- and perhaps some Friends will follow you as you Walk across Espania.

We leave for our Flight today, Ryan!
Do you Remember how this all Began?

You were Sad because you could not visit with your many friends across the ocean. I said “I have an Idea to Bring you Closer to your Friends!”

Do you Remember that I cut many sheets of paper in *Special ways and I told you that you could make FLAGS of the countries where some of your friends live?

Yes, Dad. I made a flag of France -where we are flying to tonight and tomorrow morning.

You made Many Flags, Ryan… but you did Not make the Flag of Spain… until Last Week when you Learned that we were Traveling to Spain.

Yes. You told me we were Going to Spain and you gave me the Paper to Make a Spanish Flag.

And you did a Great job Making the Flag of Spain, Ryan! And Now we are Waiting at the Ft. Lauderdale Airport to fly to Paris where we shall Stay for 1 Night before taking the (fast) TGV Train to the French/Spanish border. I’m Excited, Ryan!

Me too, Dad! Thank you again for Taking me Along, Daddy!!

Wake up, Ryan! ‭ Nous sommes arrivés à Paris! We flew on a beautiful Norwegian Air 787-8 plane. This plane has a Picture of a Heroic Norwegian Explorer on its tail. Can you read his name and Learn something about him?

This is your first Breakfast in France, Ryan. Hot chocolate, Bread and Butter. (Chocolat chaud, pain et beurre.)

((cow bells video to come))

Oh! What a Day!!
We saw Cows… with Bells…!

((sheep bells video to come))

We saw Sheep!… with Bells!!

((horses with bells video to come))

We saw Horses!… with Bells!!

This is Sofia. The Horse likes Sofia!

We were Very High up on the Mountain! There was so much Fog that I could hardly See.

It is starting to Clear. The Clouds are Beautiful. Dad says that we were Inside the Clouds. That is Really Amazing!

I can See now, Dad! We are on the other side of the Pyrenees,

Ryan. Tomorrow we will be in Spain. Today we Walked on the Route that Napoléon Bonaparte Marched over to Spain.

It is Relaxing to sit here on this very old Roman bridge! Dad says that Roman legions and Roman travelers passed this way. Thanks Ancient Rome for this Bridge!

((video of man walking with a burro))

We met a man walking the Camino with his Burro!

((video of creek coming))

We are going Downhill today and are soon Leaving the Pyrenees, Ryan. I will Miss the Pleasant sounds of the cool mountain Springs.

We were in the French Pyrenees and now we are in the Spanish Pyrenees. Look this Beautiful Spanish horse, Ryan.

What a Beautiful Tree! I’m Sad to be leaving the Pyrenees, Ryan.

YAN! Watch out for the Txori!!! (Basque joke!) Ha-ha!

Look, Ryan! We are walking upon a Roman Road! It was Built around 133 BCE. Soooo Amazing that it is still here!

It’s getting Late, Ryan. We will not get to Pamplona tonight. We will have to Sleep in this Cave, Ryan. It looks Dry and Comfortable. You used to Sleep in a Den with your Birth-mom, Ryan. A Den is a Small Cave. Search internet for (ryanlifeofryan/how did ryan come to live with humans) for a lovely back-story.

We’ve come to a bridge, Ryan. Soon we will be in Pamplona.

We are in Pamplona, Ryan! This is la Ciudadela. The Moat is empty-perhaps they had a Drought this year in Spain?

It sure Feels Good to be in Pamplona, Dad. After Sleeping in that Cave we can have a Proper Bed tonight, right?

Yes, Ryan. I’ll find us the Softest Bed available.

Oh-! I feel Much Safer here, Dad. They have Cannons -but this one is not in the Best Shape.

I believe that it was Damaged in a past Battle, Ryan. Well -I’m still glad to be staying in Pamplona tonight. Tomorrow we continue our Camino to Santiago- well Fed and well Rested.

A Lovely Morning, Ryan. Off we go towards Estella la bella! We shall Rest there for one day because my feet are tired and hurt.

Mine too, Dad. Let’s Rest all day!!

What a beautiful day, Ryan!

Daddy. Will we Ever get to Estella?

Look, Ryan! We are passing a lovely house. Estella must be close by.

The church helps pilgrims get across Espania to Santiago. We will stay here on the floor tonight, Ryan. They will have fresh Straw from the Wheat fields this time of year. It will be soft and Smell Nice.

Good morning, Ryan!

Where are we, Dad?

I’ve been carrying you since early this morning and we are on our way to Los Arcos.

We are passing through Grape Fields. They will crush these Grapes and make Wine from them.

Dad? Is the whole Camino uphill?

It just seems that way, Ryan. We’ve been walking a very Long time.

Let’s Stop and eat some of these Delicious Blackberries, Ryan. They will Refresh us and make us less Cranky.

Ryan -quick… go hide in the tall grass near the blackberry bushes! I do not like the look of this group of strangers around the next curve in the road.

I’m hiding, Dad!

Shhhh! (…be very quiet, Ryan -I’ll hide in these bushes on the other side of the road. (…whispering…) Oh, no! Here comes a Big Fellow! Stay Very Still, Ryan! Do not say a word!

(Loudly whispering) DADDY! I dropped my Hat!

Shhh, Ryan…

(In Romanian) (…In a large Booming Voice…) Hmmm… I wonder whose hat this is? I thought I saw two pilgrims ahead of us… [Mă întreb care este pălăria asta? Credeam că am văzut doi pelerini înaintea noastră …] The large man picks up Ryan’s hat from the edge of the grass. Ryan remains Very Quiet… but he is trembling. I am also hidden in the bushes. The man can see neither of us.

…more to come soon!

Hey, Dad! Let’s * PLAY BALL * !!

Ryan Lorenc-Haluska — Mon, 23 Mar 2015 04:58:00 +0000

–– Winter is Finally Over and it’s Getting Warm Out ––

I Want to * PLAY BALL *, Dad!!!!

O.K., Ryan. Me too! Let’s GO!!!!

Bye, Mom…! Bye Hon…!

Here’s the Sports Complex, Ryan.

There are Five Baseball Fields Here.

That’s the Pitcher’s Mound. It is Raised Higher than the Field

to Make it Easier for the Pitcher to Pitch.

This is *Home Plate*

You have to Run Across this Base to Score…

but *Only* After Running across First Base,

Second Base, and then Third Base.

First, Second and Third Bases are out there, Ryan.

They are Pretty Far Away and Far Apart!

Here’s where People Sit to Watch the Game.

This type of Seating Area is called *the Bleachers*.

Let’s *Play Ball*, Daddy!!!

–– Throw me the Ball, Ryan. ––

A Little Harder and Higher next time, Buddy!

Why don’t you Put Your Glove On and Catch Some Balls?

Don’t Look Up at Me, Ryan!

You’ve Got to Look At the BALL at All Times!!!

That’s Better, Ryan! Good Catch!

Here Comes a Ground Ball, Ryan…

………..

––Y-y-yes…!!! Excellent Catch, Buddy!

Wow! Another One!!

You are Certainly a *Natural* Fielder, Buddy!

Holy Cow!

That High, Fast-Ball Nearly Ripped Your Glove Off!!

G-r-r-reat…!

What a Fantastic Dive, Ryan!!

A Good, Aggressive Play, my Boy!!!

Now we Have to do *Batting*, Dad!

We Will, Ryan. –But on Another Day– we’ve Played Hard Today.

Let’s go Home to Mom and Eat Lunch.

Well– I AM Kinda’ Hungry.

We’ve had a Fun Day– Huh, Dad?!

Yes we Did, Ryan. And we’ll Tell Mom What an Excellent

*Natural Fielder* you are!

I’m Looking Forward to Playing Baseball with you Again, Ryan.

Good Game!

***

We had a Good Afternoon! Plus, there was a *Real* baseball Game Playing across the Street

–and When they Were Cheering… it Sounded Like they were Cheering for me! Hee-hee!!!

‘Christmas Past’ . . . and . . . ‘Christmas Present/s’

Ryan Lorenc-Haluska — Wed, 07 Jan 2015 21:43:00 +0000

It’s Christmas Day, Ryan!

It’s Christmas Day, Pinkie!

* !!! *

Santa Filled my Stocking…!

He Filled Mine, too, Daddy…!

My Christmas Hat is Kinda’ Big!

My Christmas Hat is Just the Right Size!

What Else did Santa Give us…?

An Orange… a Popcorn Ball… a Candy Cane… and… *Socks*

* ??? *

Let’s See What Santa Gave me…

A Popcorn Ball… I Got an Orange too… a Candy Cane… and… *Socks*

* ??? *

Is This Our Christmas, Daddy?

Is This Our Christmas, Dad?

When Daddy and Mommy were Young like you…

’cause Mommy and Daddy were Little Children Long Ago, too–

this is What we Used To Get for Christmas– it was What Santa Gave Us… –and we were Happy.

Sometimes Santa Gave us New Underware and Christmas ‘Jammies, too…!

Mommy and Daddy Think that Santa was More Parsimonious Way Back Then…

But as Time Went By, Santa Clause Became Much, Much More Magnanimous…

–S o o o. . .

Santa Left you Guys Some Great Gifts…!!!

Pinkie– yours are on the Left Side…!

Ryan– your Gifts are There on the Right Side…!!

…And your Friends from All-Over have Sent you their

Very Best Wishes

for Christmas and the New Year!!!

Merry Christmas from Santa, Pinkie!!!

A Merry Christmas from Santa, Ryan!!!

Oh- Thank You, Santa!!!!

Yes! Thank You, Santa!!!

It’s * REALLY GREAT * Santa– that you are Not as Frugal

as you Used To Be

Back When Mommy and Daddy Were Little…!!!

Long-Ago Christmases…

Dreams for a Dime

Fruits of the Great Depression

Oranges were a Prize Gift

A Southern Christmas

A Dryden Christmas…

What was Christmas like?

Happy Thanksgiving– from us Turkeys…

Ryan Lorenc-Haluska — Thu, 27 Nov 2014 05:15:00 +0000

May you and Your Family have a Warm and Connected Day!

https://www.ryanlifeofryan.com/paws/paws-for-thanksgiving-2/

…The Story Behind the Turkeys…

‘A’ is for Apple… (sauce)…

Ryan Lorenc-Haluska — Tue, 11 Nov 2014 21:01:00 +0000

Hey, Ryan–

I’m Making Applesauce… wanna’ Help?

Wow, Dad! Such Pretty Apples!

Yes. I’ll Help you Make Applesauce.

…and so, the Beautiful Princess became Best Friends

with the Happy Dragon and the Brave Knight.

Pinkie– Daddy and I are Making Applesauce.

Would you like to Help?

Sure, Ryan! I Like Cooking with you and Daddy…

and I’ve Just Finished Reading Kitty this Story.

Wow! You’ve Got Everything Ready to Prepare the Applesauce Recipe!

That’s the First Thing we Do for All our Recipes, Pinkie. Remember?!

https://www.ryanlifeofryan.com/uncategorized/mommys-day-surprise/

https://www.ryanlifeofryan.com/pinkie/ryan-and-pinkies-rice-pudding-recipe/

https://www.ryanlifeofryan.com/how-to/playing-with-our-food/
https://www.ryanlifeofryan.com/how-to/great-eggs-pectations/

How do you Make Applesauce, Dad?

Well, Pinkie– First, we Start with Nice, Fresh Apples…

There’s Different Kinds of Apples, Daddy.

Yes, Ryan. You are Very Observant!

There are Many Different Types of Apple Varities Grown, Ryan.

We are Combining Three Types for their Different Flavors and Textures.

Pinkie– you have Fuji Apples

Ryan– you have Granny Smith Apples

And you Each have a Gala Apple

Here is a Useful Picture Chart of Many Types of Apples and How to Use them

http://www.recipetips.com/kitchen-tips/t–1299/all-about-apples.asp

Let’s Make Sure that they All Fit into our Mixing Bowl.

They Do– !

The First Thing we Do to Make Applesauce is to Squeeze some Lemons–

Trust me, kids… I’ll Explain later.

Then, we Pour the Lemon Juice into Two Cups of Water in this Pot.

Next, we Start to Peel our Apples.

We have Six Apples.

I’m a-peeling, Dad…!

Yes–– you ARE Appealing, Ryan!!

Pinkie–! How Do you Do That?!?!

Do What, Ryan?

Peel your Apple All in One Long Peel…

I Guess I’m Just Naturally Talented…

I Don’t Think that I can Finish This by myself, Pinkie. Would you Please Help me?

Sure, Ryan. This Apple Coring and Slicing Tool is a Two-Bear Operation!

Mom says “Many Hands Makes Light Work”. She’s Right, Ryan!!!

Wow! See How this Really Special Tool Cores and Slices our Apple?

Now, Kids… here’s where we Use that Lemon Water that we Made

way back at the Beginning of our Recipe.

If we Do Not Place the Apples in the Lemon Water

the Sliced Apple pieces will begin to Turn Brown–– like Pinkie’s Apple Peel here.

My Apple is Ready to Go Into the Pot of Lemon Water, Daddy.

Look! You can See my Apple Slices have Green on them

and Ryan’s Apple Slices have Red on them.

O.K. Keep on Peeling and Slicing and Coring our Other Four Apples, Kids.

We Really Made a LOT of Apple Slices, Dad.

And we Made a LOT of Apple Cores and Peels, too, Dad!

Just Push Those Aside for Now, Kids–

We Have More Work to Do.

I’ve Drained the Lemon Water from the Apples in this Collander–

We will put More Water Into Our Pot Later…

We’ve Placed our Six Apples into our Bowl…

Now, I’ll Add Some Sugar to These Apple Slices.

Our Recipe Also calls for a Little Salt…

I Mixed the Apples with the Sugar and Salt– The Apple Slices Look Yummy!

Next, our Recipe calls for Some Spices.

I’ll Sprinkle the Spices All Over…

Yummy!!! / Yum!!!

Now, Kids, I Will Place the Apple Slices Back into our Pot and Add Two Cups of Water.

Then I’ll Place it On the Stove over Medium Heat and Cover the Pot with a Lid.

Remember All Those Apple Peels and Apple Cores, Kids?

Let’s Clean Up our Work Area, O.K.?

Later, we will Put This Out on our Compost Pile

and Mix it with Leaves and Grass to Help Make Soil for our Garden.

How’s Our Applesauce Doing, Dad?

Looks Good, Ryan! It Needs to Boil for 20 Minutes…

so, Let’s Use That Time to Clean Up after Ourselves.

I’ll Wash-Up, Daddy!

I’ll Dry, Pinkie!

Everything is Clean and Dry, Dad!

How’s our Applesauce Doing, Daddy?

It Looks GREAT, Pinkie and Ryan.

Look at How the Apples have Softened… they are Ready to Mash-Up, Kids!

Mash the Apples Well, Daddy–!

Yes– just like That, Daddy–!!

Thanks for Teaching Us to Make Apple Sauce, Dad!

Yes–! Thanks for Teaching Us, Dad!!

Where’s Mommy, Ryan…?

MOM–!!! Come and Have Some Applesauce that We Just Made with Daddy!!!!

It’s Warm and Delicious and we Really Had a Fun Time Making It!

I’m Coming, Kids… I was Taking a Nap.

You Guys Cooked while I was Sleeping? Amazing!!!

It Smells Wonderful in Here!

I Can Hardly Wait to See What you and Daddy Have Cooked this Time!!

NEFARIOUS: Happy Halloween…!

Ryan Lorenc-Haluska — Mon, 13 Oct 2014 18:26:00 +0000

NEFARIOUS : flagrantly wicked or impious: synonyms: wicked · evil · sinful · iniquitous · egregious · heinous · atrocious · vile · foul · abominable · odious · depraved · monstrous · fiendish · diabolical · unspeakable · despicable · villainous ·

Oh– Ryan…

Oh– my Dear Sweet Brother, Ryan…

A––aaack…!!!!

Our Not-So-Auspicious Adventure !!!

Ryan Lorenc-Haluska — Tue, 24 Jun 2014 01:20:00 +0000

…and then Daddy said “Don’t Worry”––

It was AWFUL, Pinkie!!!!

It All Started Out So Promising…

Oh– Daddy! We’ve Been Here Before!!

We’re going to Florida to see Daddy and Alligators!

We are going to Hike Through a Dry Prairie Ecosystem.

Myakka River State Park is one of only three

Dry Prairie Ecosystems in Florida.

Strangely enough, Ryan, Dry Prairies actually Hold Water

for a Long Time and this is a High Water Period

for Myakka River State Park.

We are Starting our Hike through a Shady Live Oak

and Palm Hammock.

Do we have our Water, Compass, Hiking Sticks

and All our Equipment, Ryan?

We are going to be Gone for Three Days and Two Nights

in Primitive Conditions.

The Road is Flooded in Places, Ryan.

Notice that the Water is Red-Brown–

that is because of the Tannic Acid that leaches

from decaying Vegetation in Swamps and Wetlands.

Its also called Blackwater and exists in the Amazon Basin

and the Southern United States.

Look, Ryan! A Mother Deer and her Fawn! How Pretty they are!

Wildflowers, Daddy!

Here is Where we Get Off the Road, and onto a Trail.

Wow! A Florida Soft Shelled Turtle! He’s BIG!

I Wonder if he was Eating these Flowers?

This is a Long Trail, Dad!

Yes, Ryan.

It is 5.4 Miles to the Bee Island Primitive Campsite.

There are 35 Miles of Trails through this Park, Buddy.

Look, Dad! Another Turtle!!

Yes, Ryan… Indeed! This one has been Dead for a Long Time.

Some Animal may have Eaten it.

The Wilderness is a Dangerious Place.

In fact, Look Up into these Long Leaf Pine Trees–

these Guys are just Waiting for an Animal to Get Killed or Die!

Uh-Oh! Feel that Wind?

A Late Afternoon Stormfront is Coming in Quickly!!

We will Never Make It to Bee Island Primitive Camp site…

let’s Stop Here.

Let’s Set-Up Camp Here, Ryan. There is some Shelter from the Winds.

I Can Set Up my Camping Hammock Between those Two Trees…

and you can Set Up your Tent Close By.

Just in Time Ryan!!

How is Your Campsite Going?

I’ve Set my Tent Up, Dad… and I have my Supplies Set Out.

Well– let’s get a Quick Hot Cocoa Drink into us before the Storm comes.

I’ll Watch the Cocoa, Dad!

Good-night, Dad.

I’m So Glad to be Out Camping with you!

I Hope that Mommy is OK without us!

I’m Sure Mommy is OK without us, Ryan–

she is Probably Worried about us Out Here in the Woods!

Good-night, Ryan. Enjoy your Tent and Sleeping Bag.

I will be Right Here in my Camping Hammock if you Need me.

Good Morning, Ryan!

I Slept in All my Clothes!

I’m All Ready to Go!!

Hold On There, Buddy– We’ve Gotta’ Have Breakfast First!

I’ll Watch our Breakfast Cook, Dad!

Yummy!

We have Nuts, Dried Cherries and Raisins in our Oatmeal.

Ryan– you’ve Got to Take your Tent Down.

Ryan!?–

‘Be Right There, Dad…!!!!

(So– Bears *DO* Go In The Woods… !)

Here is our Trail. See the Blue Blaze on the Trees, Ryan?

How Much Further?

Not Very Far Now, Ryan.

Dad. What’s That?!

It is a Clay Turpentine Pot Fragment called a ‘Herty Cup’, Ryan.

In the late 1800s the Pine Trees Around us were Slashed

so that their Sap (or ‘Pine Rosin’) would Gather into Small Clay Pots.

They would Gather the Sap from the Pots and Boil it to make Pitch and Turpentine.

We will Put it Back Where we Found it, Ryan. It Belongs to this Park as an Artifact.

We Turn Here, Dad!!

We were Supposed to Camp Here Last Night–

but we Made It to Bee Island for Lunch, Instead.

WATER! I’m Thirsty!!

Wait, Please, Ryan… Read the Sign, First.

We Have our Own Water to Drink. Plus, I’ve Packed us some Coconut Water.

We would have to Chemically Treat this Well Water with Iodine

if we Wanted to Use it, Ryan. We have Enough Water– let’s Eat Lunch!

Delicious Fresh Coconut Water to Drink–

Peanut Butter, Jelly and Crackers to Eat–

and Canned Diced Peaches for Dessert!

Daddy has Straightened-Out and Filled Some Well-Priming Jugs

for the Next people who Stop By.

Let’s Hike, Dad!

First, I’d Better Send a *Happy* Picture to your Mom so she Does Not Worry about us.

Here are the Trails, Ryan. Where would you Like to Go?

Mossy Camp Sounds Nice. Let’s Go There!

This Prairie has Lots of Flowers, Dad!

Yes, Ryan. And they are Beautiful!

This one is Very Purple–ish, Dad!

I Think that Bees Would Enjoy This One Very Much.

Oh– Ryan!! This is Bear Poop– from an Adult Bear!

See How Many Berries that the Bear Eats?

Dad! I Buried Mine in a Hole Like you Taught me…

Well– Wild Bears Just Do Not Do That, Ryan. You’ve Been Taught Civilized Manners!

Dad. Where did our Trail Go?

I *Think* that it’s Over Here, Ryan.

Let’s Walk that Way for Awhile.

Oh– Our Trail is Flooded Again–

Dad! What’s That? It Looks like a Crab Pincer.

It Certainly is a Crab Claw, Ryan.

And Look Here, Ryan!!

The Entire Carapace of a Crawfish!

When the Prairie is at High Flood Period (During the Summer)

Crustaceans are Throughout the Park and Provide Food for Many Animals.

Hey–! Our Trail has Ended… Hmmmmm…

I Believe that I’ve Accidentally Mislead us, Ryan!

Let’s Go This Way…

Well–– Maybe That Way… the Priarie is

very Flat and Confusing.

It’s Growing Late and we are Surrounded by Swamps Filled with Alligators–

Let’s Stop Here and Camp for the Night, Ryan.

There are Trees in Here for my Camping Hammock

––but we are Literally Surrounded by One Shallow

Alligator Hole and One Deep Alligator Hole. Amazing!!

The Most Important Thing is That we Have Water!!

Luckily, Two Trees are Far Enough Apart to

Hold my Camping Hammock with Rain Tarp

and Mosquito Netting.

There’s our Camp for the Night, Ryan.

Lets Go Look at it From Further Away––

I Don’t See any Alligators in this Alligator Hole…

…but you Can Never Know.

It’s Time to Make a Fire for our Evening Meal

and to Boil Water from this Alligator Hole

so that it is Safe to Drink.

Had to take this Large Headed, Little Multi-Legged Fellow

Out of my 16 oz. of Water before I Boiled it!

The Next 16 oz., I had to Remove a Very Small Fish!

We are Very Lucky to Have a Log to Sit Upon for our Meals, Ryan.

Our Dinner Menu Tonight is: Sardines, Crackers, Hot Tea, and Canned Fruit.

Good! I Like Sardines, Dad! I Like Canned Fruit, too!

I Believe we are Somewhere Near Mossy Island Primitive Camp

–but Not Quite There!

I Know that we Hit the North Boundary Fence Line for the Park.

It’s Getting Late. Let’s got to Bed, Ryan

I Don’t Want to Set-Up my Tent, Dad.

I’m Scared. I Want to Sleep With You in the Hammock.

This is a Lot Better, Dad. Thanks!

Good Night, Ryan. Don’t Worry too Much.

Tomorrow is the Day we Go Home.

Good Morning, Ryan!

Yep– Porridge Again! And Hot Cocoa…

it was Rather Cool Last Night.

Well–– Out of our Shade and Into the Blazing Sun.

I Can See Power Lines Far Off in the Distance.

I Believe they are About 4 Miles South of Us, Ryan.

Looks Like South, Daddy!

Here–– Let’s Get Both our Compasses Together

and Make Sure they are in Sync. Good–– they Are.

We are Going To Go Cross-Country South Toward the Power Lines.

I Know Where that Road Comes Out.

It Will be Very Difficult–– but a *SURE THING* is What is

Most Important When One is Lost.

Everything Here is Sharp and Needle-Like and up to Waist High, Ryan.

You Can Ride Up on Top of my Pack, Ryan. You’ll be Safe There!

Let’s Make for that Tree-line and Hope for a Road that will

take us South toward the Power Line Road.

We Absolutely MUST Get Out of this Sweltering Sun.

Stepping Up, Over and Around Hundreds of these Palm Trunks

for Miles in the Hot Sun is Absolutley Wearying.

Amazing that I Just had Knee Surgery on the 17th of April.

So Hard with a 30 lb. Backpack.

I’ve already Gotten the Chills that Presage Heat Stroke.

Been Stopping Bent-Over and Gasping for Breath every few Yards.

Daddy– I See the Power Lines!

We’re Going to Be OK, Right, Daddy?!

Yes, Ryan. Don’t Worry.

We will Make it Home to Mommy and your Sister, Pinkie.

Numerous Cuts to Both Legs– Poison Oak–

Horrible Sunburn to Both Hands–

Left @ 190 lbs.– Returned @ 178 lbs.

Had to Walk Through a Nearly 2 ft. Flooded

Area on Power Line Road…

PAST a 7 ft. Alligator Only about 12 ft. to my Right

(size known and confirmed by Park Ranger)

Got Ryan Safely Home to Mom and his Sister, Pinkie!

Oh–– Ryan!! You’re SAFE!!! I was So Worried about you!!!!

…and then Daddy said “Don’t Worry”––

It was AWFUL, Pinkie!!!!

Mommy’s Day… SURPRISE ! *

Ryan Lorenc-Haluska — Sun, 11 May 2014 08:28:00 +0000

Goodnight, Pinkie…

Goodnight, Mommy (hee-hee…)

Goodnight, Ryan…

G’nite, Mommy (tee-hee…)

You Ready, Ryan?

I’m Ready, Pinkie!

Shhhh–– You Guys have to be Really Quiet Now…

We Don’t Want to Awaken Mommy… do we?

No, Daddy. It’s a * SURPRISE ! *

Wow! That’s a Big Strawberry, Dad!

I’ve Got Two Strawberries, Ryan!

Wait, Kids– I’ll Take Some Strawberry Jam

And Mix it with Cream Cheese and Make a Ball

Then I’ll put the Strawberry Cream Cheese on this Plate

Cut Lots of Little Slices Through the Strawberry, Pinkie…

See How it Makes a Nice Fan Design When I Push On It?

Now– I’m Going To Do Something Fun, Kids…

First, I’ll Stick a Toothpick into the Base of this Strawberry…

Then– I’ll Make Some Cuts in the Strawberry and Pry them Open a Bit…

We will Place your Nice Strawberry Fan on the Plate, Pinkie…

And then We will Place my Strawberry Rose into

the Strawberry Cream Cheese Ball…

Voilà

Dad! I’ve Cut my Strawberry into Small Slices Also!

I’ve even Pushed on it and Fanned it Out!

Use My Strawberry Next, Please.

Looks Great, Ryan!

We will Just Repeat this Process Several More Times…

I’ve Cut Out This Design that you Showed me, Daddy…

Great Job, Ryan!

We Will Place it Right in the Center!

I’ve Cut One, Too!

Use Mine, Please!!

Very Good, Pinkie!

We’ll Place Yours and the Rest of Them Around the Edge…

What Do you Guys Think About This?

Wow! It is Amazing that we Actually Did Something Like This!!

Thanks for Your Help, Dad! Some Things are Just Too Difficult Without a Little Help!

I’m Really Tired Now!

Me too, Dad. In Fact, I’m Exhausted!!

Z-z-z-z-z…

Z-z-z-z – Z-z-z-z

Happy Mother’s Day, Mommie!!!!!

Oh– this is Delicious, Kids!! Thank You Both!

Travelling at Home

Ryan Lorenc-Haluska — Tue, 25 Feb 2014 16:41:00 +0000

Dad–

Yes, Ryan.

I would like to Travel to Meet my Friends…

Ryan– we can’t Afford to Travel to Meet your Friends

because we are So Far Away from them.

Sigh… !!!

But, Ryan–

You can Travel in your Mind and in your Heart.

Here– Look at this Book, Ryan.

It has the Flags of All the Countries of the World.

You have Friends in Many of these Countries!

I’m Thinking of an Idea that will Help Bring your Friends Closer to you.

Here– Sit at our Kitchen Table and Look at this Map of Europe.

Meanwhile, I’ll Go and Prepare a Fun Surprise for you!

Daddy– I have Good Friends in the Netherlands!!

Yes, you Do, Ryan.

And here in Poland, too!

Where’s my *Surprise* Daddy?

Here is Some Colored Paper, Ryan…

Why don’t we Use it to Make Flags of Some of the Countries

Where you Have Friends that you would Like to Visit?

You Can Think About Them and of the Interesting Places Where They Live…

This Looks HARD, Dad!!

Ryan– I’ve already cut up All the Colored Paper

into the Correct Shapes for you to Make Flags–

It will be EASY… Go Ahead– Try it, Ryan–

I Made a Flag of France, Dad!!

…and this one is of Russia!

I Remember the Czech Republic… my First Friends were From There…

Lots of Flags are Red, White and Blue, aren’t they Dad?

That’s True, Ryan… but Lots Aren’t

Here is the Flag of Germany– I’ve got Good Friends There…

You Lived There, right, Daddy?

Yes, I did, Ryan.

I have Polish Friends and here is Their Flag!

Oh– Dad! You Cut-out a Circle so that I can Make the Japanese Flag.

I have Lots of Japanese Friends!

The Flag of Sweden is Pretty!

This is FUN, Dad!

Thank You for Creating this Project for me!!

It Really Helps me to Think about Where Some of my Friends are…

And, Many, Many of my Friends Live in the United Kingdom–!!!

Thank you for Assembling this Flag for me, Dad.

–I Sure Could Not Do This One Myself!!!!

Thanks, Dad!

This Project Really Made me Feel Warm and Happy–

I Feel Much Closer to my Friends now, Dad!!!

–But I STILL Want to Visit Them– SOON!!

We will, Ryan. As-Soon-as-Possible…!!

Christmas is Sharing

Ryan Lorenc-Haluska — Mon, 30 Dec 2013 19:25:00 +0000

What’cha doing, Pinkie?

I’m going to Color, Ryan.

Would you Like to Color with me in my New Coloring Book

that I got for Christmas?

Sure, Pinkie! Thank you Very Much!

Which Picture would you Like to Color, Ryan?

Well– I like the Outdoors, so I’d Like to Color the Picture

with the Deer in it.

O.K., Ryan. Here you go.

Thanks, Pinkie!

I’m Going to Color the Picture of the Ballerinas– since I Like to Dance.

Kids– you had better Put Down some Paper

or Mom will be Upset if you Get Paint on the Table…

Thanks, Dad!

La-de-da-de-da-de-duh…

La-de-da-de-da-de-dee…

Do-do-do… de-de-dee…

Do-do… do-de-dee-dee…

Dee-dee-dee… de dum…

How’s it Going, Ryan?

Great, Dad!

La-da-duh…

How ’bout you, Pinkie?

Splendid, Dad! My Ballerinas are Looking Beautiful in their Tutus

This is Fun, Pinkie!

Thanks for Sharing

One of your Christmas Gifts with me!

Life of Ryan » Ryan Lorenc-Haluska

500 Mile Walk Through Spain

Hey, Dad! Let’s * PLAY BALL * !!

‘Christmas Past’ . . . and . . . ‘Christmas Present/s’

Happy Thanksgiving– from us Turkeys…

‘A’ is for Apple… (sauce)…

NEFARIOUS: Happy Halloween…!

Our *Not-So-Auspicious* Adventure !!!

Mommy’s Day… SURPRISE ! *

Travelling at Home

Christmas is Sharing

Our Not-So-Auspicious Adventure !!!