Wednesday, March 30, 2011

On The Road Now

I finally got on the road!  Flew to Sacramento, CA last Friday and was met at the airport by Dean, Chris Sands.  I also joined Jim Freddo to stay at Dean and Jennifer's through the weekend.  We took at great trip to Lake Tahoe where we stayed at the historic CalNeva Hotel/Casino, previously owned by old blue eyes, Frank Sinatra!!!  I managed to channel Frank at the roulette table to win $180.  Thanks Chris Sands for sharing the lucky number 14 with me!

Dean, me, and Jim



John and Alex headed into the mine


During the weekend Jennifer gave us a fantastic tour of the local gold mines, The Gold Bug and the Priest. A truly interesting part of California gold rush history.

Jennifer in action guiding a tour of the Gold Bug Mine!


As if that wasn't enough fun, Dean let me drive his 1930 Model A Ford.

Dean, John, Rusty, Alex and me

The snow in the Sierra's is fantastic.  They have had 45 feet of snow to this point in the season.

On the road to lake Tahoe

I have now joined forces with John and Alex Sands on their college visiting trip for the final leg,... University of Oregon, a wonderful but rainy place.  Now it is back to California to drop Alex for a Friday am flight to New York.  Then John and I will head across the USA on a southern route.  I hope to touch on at least one high point during this trip and think we will see the giant redwoods today!

Thanks to Susie Sands/Anderson for hosting us last night and to Ragen for sharing a birthday celebration with us in Portland.   Happy Birthday!!

Regen, Susie, John and Alex

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Home To Michigan

First a note on my failure to keep up with my posts.....Sorry.  I have been stalled on progress toward high points by winter, but I have been developing my mountaineering skills and have used the time to plan and attend to family commitments.
I am sorry to say my Aunt Jean passed away and so I attended her memorial service and visited my Cousin Terry Davis Boyda.

My Aunt Jean was a great inspiration to me, encouraging me to learn, grow and explore.  Just before she died, she wrote "if there is anything that you really want to do in life and you can afford it, do it"....Later she added "do it anyway".  She was always very practical, so that last piece of advice was a bit surprising, but I plan to follow her advice and pursue my dreams to travel and climb some mountains!

My Aunt's Memorial Service took me to Michigan.  My brother Steve did a great job in arranging it.  He and Terry had some lovely words to honor her and I did my best to add my part.  My visit with Steve and Lynn and later with Terry and Chuck was a great chance to reconnect.  Jean was the last of her generation in my family, now we are the patriarchs and matriarchs...

My visit with Terry, at her house in Marshall, included conversation, videos, a great burger at the local bar, training on eBay skills, exercise with Chuck and his buddies and jewelry shopping for Debby before I hit the road for the Upper Peninsula of Michigan in pursuit of my "high point" and some time with my best friend Jeff.  I left refreshed, with a full heart and good memories of my family.  I will think of Jean whenever I take on a new adventure or pursue a dream.

Terry at one of her favorite local restaurants, they were closed :(



Cousin Terry's House In Marshall!!