~Awesome Vacation~

Larry and I just came back from an AWESOME trip. We were able to chaufer my parents around in California for 9 days. We sent them out there a week in advance of us, since Larry cannot take 2 weeks off at one time. Then we flew out on Oct. 2nd. Spent the nite in Sacramento (a good thing, since our luggage did not make it until 3 AM). Then we met 2 of my cousins and some of their family. That was GREAT.. I had not seen Robert since I was about 16 or so and had not seen Ken since I was 20.. Got to meet Robert's wife and 2 of his sons. Ken did not get to bring his family since he was on his way to work. Sorry I did not get to meet them, now he has a new baby boy, that I understand is doing quite well. Congrats Ken, Kris and Family... We visited there for about 3 hours then it was off to Redding to meet up with my parents, who had been spending the week with My dad's older (not by much) brother who is married to my mom's younger sister. They had a week of rest and relaxation around the pool and hot tub. They got to visit with my dad's sister and had a big day then..

We all went to dinner, and had a wonderful time, then we went to the Sundial Bridge in Redding It is beautiful.. OK a confession here, I am deathly afraid of heights, but I tried to walk accross the bridge. I made it maybe a quarter of the way and turned back. I just could not do that. But at least I tried... Then Larry and I went to the Hotel and the rest went back to Aunt Sue and Uncle Davids. We were kinda tuckered, not getting to sleep until after midnite, trying to find out where our luggage was and when were we going to get it. The girl at the AA counter had told us if it came in on the next flight, she would drop it off at our hotel and believe it or not she did. We made sure when we checked in on our way back, we told them at the counter what she had done and how much we appeciated it.. THat was above and beyond her duties. So we turned in kinda early (CA time not AR time). Then we were on our way to pick up my parents around 10 that next morning and off to the Redwoods. What an AMAZING trip.. The GPS took us up through Medford OR and then down to Crescent City, CA (we found out why on the return trip). We arrived, checked into our hotel, with an ocean view.. it was great, mom could see driftwood for miles in either direction, just had no way to bring any back. We had dinner and saw the most amazing sunset over the ocean from our dining table. Then we turned in for the nite..

Monday morning we were up and off to see big trees, Larry did all the driving,, mom and dad just got to look... Larry had never been there and I had not since I was a little girl. I remember thinking how huge they were, but did not fully grasp just how huge they were until this time. I will never understand how anyone can look at something this amazing and say there is NO GOD!!!!!!! That is just beyond me. What some amazing things we saw... Elk along the roadside, that I almost walked right up to, the vast ocean that just seemed to go forever... We spent the next 3 days just touring different scenic routes through the Redwoods, It was great. Got lots of pics, more than I can post here.. But I am trying to add a SMALL SAMPLING... On Thursday, we headed back to Redding, That was not a GOOD day for ME!!!! As most of you know that road from Eureka to Redding, is steep, up and down, winding round and round the mountains, with cliffs off the side of the road, MAJOR panic attack for me. I spent most of that 5 hours with my head down in tears, but God is good and I survived that trip. We dropped mom and dad off at Aunt Sue and Uncle Davids, and Larry and I took a NAP.. My body was in knots, had sore muscles for several days, But I survived...

Friday, we were up and out fairly early for a picnic(Larry loved the cheese tray, can't remember the name of that white cheese, but LOVED it) in Lassen St. Park, then hopefully on to Shasta Dam and then back home,, here again, I shortened the plans, I got with in 2000 ft of the summit of Lassen and had to get back down where there were not cliffs off the side of the road, just could not do it, but we went back to Manzanita Lake and had our picnic walked all the way around the lake, Aunt Sue and I even walked a log.. I gathered several large pine cones and brought them home with me. We stopped and took pics at the Hot rock, I have pics of us older ones on that rock when we were little. I tried to climb it, but did not succeed, but the 2 heart patients did and here is their pic.. GO Larry and Aunt Sue... It was a wonderful day..

Than Saturday, we headed back to Sacramento for an early flight home on Sunday. What a WONDERFUL TIME I HAD... As we were leaving for Sacramento, we stopped at 3 houses I lived in out there 2 schools I attended and took pics. We were going to stop in Red Bluff and get a pic of the first school I attended there but forgot. Oh well.

I am so proud we were able to take that trip and to be able to do it with my parents, was such an honor for me. We did not get to stay as long as I wished we could have, I did not get to see as much family and friends as I would have liked to, but there is never enough time.. But for me it was a GREAT TRIP>> Mom/Dad, I am so proud that you went with us. That made this trip just that much more SPECIAL to US!! We love you both so very much!!!!! Thanks.. Aunt Sue and Uncle David for taking care of them for me while I was not there. LOVE YOU BOTH SO MUCH!!!! Maybe we can do it again....