Amazing how flexible life can be - in the space of about three days, I got word that I had a car waiting for me in Oregon, schedules were shuffled, calenders consulted, a flurry of calls and emails, and wahlah! Plane tickets for me, Than, Collin and Lee!
We left Phoenx/Mesa VERY early on Monday, Dec. 3. arriving in Eugene, Oregon at about 9:45 a.m.
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Becky picked us up at the airport, took us home to
the wonderful Farr B&B. We loved the misty rain, crackling fire, and the glorious Christmas tree!
Mom came over for dinner, and some nutcracking with Lee.
There's always music with this gang...
The highlight was a little Christmas concert at mom's home, "Sweet By and By". The five residents and caregivers really enjoyed the songs and joined right in with singing some favorite Christmas carols.
A visit with mom (great-gramma) is never complete without a couple hands of cribbage. We played teams, with Collin claiming Gramma G. for partner - he figured it was a sure win...since she had just beat me!
However, the LEE/Gramma Candy team won - yay!
Cousins were a big part of the trip. We diverted up to Washington to see Pat and Tonya, and got in some game time with Stephen and Elyse - a spirited contest with lots of laughs!
Then back to Salem, a last breakfast with cousins Paul (soon leaving on his mission to Baltimore, MD), and Kate (returned from her mission in McAllen, TX). Becky can testify that this is a pancake-eatin' crew!
Collin, Paul, Than, and Lee ... until next time.
Leaving Oregon, entering California, we got some wonderful views of Mt. Shasta - which we had seen from the air on the way up! Lee was bummed that there was no snow close to the road. The drivers were happy!
Than was relief driver, officially passing his mom in milage the past three months! He's a good driver, I was happy to turn the wheel over to him. He got some unexpected experience driving in fog over the Grapevine into LA!
One of the most unusual rest areas I've visited - southern California. Looked like a big open barn, providing lots of shade for weary travelers.
Affectionately called "the goat's belly", our little home-away-from-home. Two days of solid driving, with an overnight stop in Sacramento. Not real roomy, but only one to a seat so they couldn't complain. Too much.
My last driving stage was through LA. Oh my. The guys sang all of Les Mis and all of Phantom, all the way through that wretched traffic. They are good traveling companions, non-stop entertainment. Every rest area was an adventure!
Oh, the car? My mom's van, now mine!
We were glad to have special time to visit with Great Gramma Griffin (85), and Great Gramma Stauffer (91) in Puyuallup, Washington along with a short visit with Roy and Sharon.
A wonderful trip, short but sweet. That's what family is all about, those precious bits and pieces of time we spend together, making memories.
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