Thursday, March 14, 2019

Lots of Fun - Little Proof

February 16 - March 6, 2019
Valencia, California

Our stays in Valencia always last longer than "planned" to take care of all our appointments and gatherings. This time our four weeks extended to seven to cover an engagement party, parts for the motorhome, and sadly a memorial service.

We see lots of family and friends, but I take very few photos so there's not a lot of proof. 

A quick trip to Fresno to see Bill's mom and extended family is marred by our having colds. I spend most of my time in the hotel room bed :-( The drive over the Grapevine is beautiful in the snow - they close the road an hour after we get through. While we're there the motorhome is in the shop for new AGM batteries, an oil change, and a handful of minor repairs which "mostly" get completed. Whew - $$$$$! 





We meet our good friends Steve and Lori to pick up our mail, and learn they're looking at property and "we" may be moving to the Central Coast! We meet up with a couple of the kids for some brews. Ezra hangs out with us every other day. Rain limits time outdoors - I can't remember the last time we've had so much wet.
 
Briews with Bill, Richie, Corey and Christie.


Breakfast with Ezra and Daddy.



Rain, rain, go away!
A major highlight of this stay is Ezra's sleep-over. It's his first time spending the night away from home, and is a huge success. He's so well adjusted and feels right at home in "PopPop's Bus". Can't wait until he can travel with us to lots of fun places!


He ends up on the couch, and Tessa stays in the chair next to him all night.
Ezra breakfast faces.
Tessa has a couple appointments with the vet, and while there we "meet" a chocolate brown dog named Lillian who is wearing a cone. Imagine our surprise when we get to Corey and Christie's engagement party a few days later and Lillian answers the door!! Her owner Tom is hosting the party, and we both laugh at this small world we live in!


Engagement pic - Christie and Corey.

Crazy Gravel boys plus two.

Gravel boys and girls

Thinks the party is for her.....

"Taco 'bout love!"
There is even a surprise visit from niece Jessica and her family on their way to Universal Studios - but of course no pic to prove it :-( As is the case for our fun dinner with my borrowed-daughter Megan and hubby Chris. 

In the last post I mentioned that we were especially glad to have made the stop for dinner with friends in Banning. Two weeks later we lost our dear friend Tommy to his battle with cancer. I was so sure he was going to beat it. The memorial keeps us here a few more days and we meet many other high school friends in Moreno Valley to celebrate the life of a wonderful, generous man.


The lovely service is well attended.

Tommy's wife releases a dove - 20 more join him in flight.

Back at their home, we make a final toast.
Losing friends makes us even more committed to seeing as many as we can in our travels.


We're so happy to get more time with Maximus one morning while Mommy took Mason for an appointment. And then Maximus invites us to come over again for a final visit with he and Mason - actually he invited Tessa, but we went with her :-)


So happy to be taking Tessa for a walk.

Maximus age two.

Mason, age 6 months.

Another chance to walk the doggie.
We prepare to head out once more, sad to be leaving the grands and our kids, but very excited to be back on the road. I'm still having some tooth pain and we have to get the delayed part shipped to us, but we're ready to go!

Next we're back in the desert with friends and flowers.




18 comments:

  1. Never safe to drive the Grapevine with snow. No offense but CA drivers don't do well with snow. No problem staying longer than planned when it includes family and friend time, especially Ezra. The stayover with Tessa is priceless. Sorry for your loss. I am angry at cancer. Enjoy the desert.

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    1. It was a wonderful visit and we got lots done - but loving being back in the desert!

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  2. I too hate cancer--so many dear friends. Even with the sadness it looks as if you guys have had a great time in California with family and friends--is that a shaved spot on Tessa's leg or a figment of my imagination??--blood draw??

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    1. We're losing way too many friends :-( Yes, she had and IV for teeth cleaning - but she says she's channeling her inner poodle!

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  3. Leaving the kids and those dear grandsons behind must be very difficult. Thank goodness you have lots of great places to explore to take your mind off leaving. And you created some amazing memories to carry you til you return. Sorry to hear about the passing of your friend Tommy. Hope your tooth feels better soon:)

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    1. It's going to be so fun to be able to take him with us!! We really did have a great visit, even with all the rain.

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  4. I'm so sorry to read about your friend. It is hard to lose those close to us for any reason, but cancer takes them too young. I am glad to see that you got time with family, especially the grandkids. Now, it's time to hit the road, I KNOW you're excited about that! Travel safely, we think of you both often!

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    1. You are so right - we're excited to be moving again.

      Miss you and know you're having a wonderful adventure :-)

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  5. Family time and photos don't always go together, but the memories remain. With 2 good friends in Stage 4 of their cancers we know we'll soon be loosing them. It just reaffirms our decision to retire as early as we could.

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    1. Agreed on all counts. Time waits for no one and we're constantly reminded how important it is to follow our dreams while we can.

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  6. Your visits with family and friends sure seem to fly by! The grandkids are so cute and growing like weeds! What wonderful memories you have made once again...life is good!

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    1. It is so good! I agree the time went by really fast (more so each visit).

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  7. The title of this post says it all. I'm glad you had such fun times with your family and friends. I'm sure Ezra had a blast on his sleepover too :-))

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    1. It made us so happy that he was in no hurry to go home :-) We did have a great time with everybody!!

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  8. So sorry that you lost another friend, Jodee and Bill. Ezra, Maximus and Mason are adorable. And Fluffy...well, she’s simply the best. :)

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    1. We're always so glad we go to the reunions every year - we would have missed so opportunities to see those we've since lost. She is definitely the bestest!

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  9. So sorry that you lost another dear friend. And so glad you've had so much time with your family and friends. Safe travels and keep on enjoying this precious life! LOL at your address change. ;-)

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    1. Every day is certainly precious. Hehe - we've always liked the Central Coast :-)))

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