Tuesday, April 11, 2017

Before We Hit the Road Again

April 4-7, 2017
Santa Clarita, California

 Time in Santa Clarita always seems to start out slow and then gets very busy in our final days. This visit is no different.

 Our first visitors when we got on the road were Bill's cousin Jeni and her husband Luis. This time we agree to meet them for dinner near their home. As anticipated, the 55 miles to Buena Park takes a couple hours in SoCal traffic. We're able to just relax and be grateful that, unlike everyone else around us, we don't have to do this everyday!!
Side streets to "save time"....with art!

Looking like an Almond Roca.......we're easily entertained.
I thought about saying I "lost" the photo I took of us enjoying our dinner....but you know better :-(

 We enjoy tea and lunch at the Tea Garden with Maximus and his mommy Jillian. Such a happy baby, we have a wonderful time that ends all too quickly.


Loading up on grandbaby snuggles.
Not everyone can get together for Travis' birthday on Thursday, but those who can, meet at Toppers for pizza and brews. It's our last chance to see Nick and Corey and Travis this visit, and we say our good-byes-for-now with lots and lots of hugs.
At last, a pic of Corey and his Carlie!
Ezra is still with Mommy taking care of her folks in Temecula Valley, so on our last day we make the drive for one last visit. Brian has Fridays off and is there as well. 

 As we walk up, Ezra points at me and says "Nawma"!! Oh my heart :-)))) He is so happy and says nawma and pop-pop the whole time we're there. Kid really knows how to wrap us right up!!
"Smiling" for the camera.....his father's son.

Plotting their escape.

Watching Mommy's video of him :-)

Way up high!!
More hugs and tearful see-you-laters, and we return to pack for our return to the road.

 If you've been to, or seen photos of, Borrego Springs, then you are familiar with Galeta Meadows and the work of Ricardo Becerra. He continues to create wonderful pieces at his property near Aguanga. We make a quick stop to see.








As much as we love our family. As much as we miss them everyday. We are so excited to get back to traveling.

 Next stop, Calico Ghost Town.
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20 comments:

  1. Rene April 11, 2017 at 10:46 PM

    You have a couple of cute grandkiddos :-) Yes, it is a good feeling when you can be in traffic and think how lucky you are not to have to deal with it constantly. See you in a few weeks :-)

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  2. Janna and MikeApril 12, 2017 at 6:32 AM

    When I'm traveling I thank my lucky stars I don't have to deal with the traffic any longer! Safe travels!

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  3. Laurel (www.ravenandchickadee.com)April 12, 2017 at 12:49 PM

    I completely understand your sentiments about loving and missing family, and also being excited to get back on the road. Adorable photos of adorable grandkids. :-)) I like that Becerra sculpture of the octopus! Wonder if any of those will make their way to Anza Borrego?

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    1. Jodee GravelApril 12, 2017 at 9:38 PM

      I think the Borrego commission ended, but he has a very large inventory of unique pieces. Definitely worth a stop when in the area.

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  4. SherryApril 12, 2017 at 1:34 PM

    It is a real tug of war wanting to see all the days those grandboys are growing and yet loving the road. They are sure cute and so are the big boys and girls. The sculptures are amazing I didn't know there were any to be visited outside of Anza Borrego. Not sure I can go to So Cal to find out. Haven't been back since I lived there in the 70's. The traffic killed me.

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    1. Jodee GravelApril 12, 2017 at 9:39 PM

      I had forgotten about the sculptures and was so excited to see them on our way to visit Ezra - it's a very large lot. Yeah, daily traffic is the worst.

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  5. CeciliaApril 12, 2017 at 3:32 PM

    Your grandchildren are so cute! Great photos and wonderful post. I wish you all the best!

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  6. Metamorphosis LisaApril 12, 2017 at 5:25 PM

    What's better than a little bit of family time followed by the freedom of the open road?!

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  7. GaelynApril 12, 2017 at 10:44 PM

    Nice to have the freedom to make these family visits and then be on the road again. Love your getting so many snuggles and best of all is being called Gramma.

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    1. Jodee GravelApril 13, 2017 at 9:20 AM

      It really does help that we can come back to see them anytime we want. Nothing else feels like that Gramma stuff :-)))

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  8. Wanderin'April 13, 2017 at 7:39 AM

    Great photos of the grand baby. We so understand the SoCal traffic and will be glad when we are finally on the other side of LA.

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    1. Jodee GravelApril 13, 2017 at 9:18 AM

      Thanks :-) We don't mind it too much when we're just having to get across once, just so glad we're no longer doing it daily.

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  9. John and Pam (ohtheplacestheygo.wordpress.com)April 13, 2017 at 2:50 PM

    Leaving those two adorable grandbabies at such a perfect age wasn't easy, for sure. What cuties! So glad you got some great quality time with them and the other "big children" and their girlfriends and wives. Hopefully, the memories will carry you til you get together again:)

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    1. Jodee GravelApril 18, 2017 at 7:40 AM

      It was definitely much harder to leave this time. We can't wait til their old enough to go with us!

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  10. Joe and GayApril 13, 2017 at 4:56 PM

    Oh I know first hand how your heart danced when you heard Gramma! So happy you had lots of fun family times with lots of memories to take with you!

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    Replies
    1. Jodee GravelApril 18, 2017 at 7:41 AM

      There is special power in that word when you hear it said to you - I suspect I will be "strongly influenced" by that one!

      Delete

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