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.