HAPPY KALEY IN TWENTYNINE PALMS

We were pretty worn out when we arrived at the Duffle home-got just a few pics of Kaley. We will do better next time we visit! The traffic congestion from the construction put us behind two hours-I did growl at the tractor operators when we finally got thru it-could they maybe think about working at night next time we are going thru?

ARIZONA-AND A NEW JOURNEY BEGINS!

We arrive in Phoenix to a beautiful afternoon-weather is gorgeous!
After finding our way to Dads new home,it is time to meet Kathy. Mike and I have slowly told Daddy about his new digs-we are not sure what he actually understands,but at this point he seems eager to meet this lady who wants him to live in her house! When we drive up to the house,he seems to like the neighborhood-we have been talking about memories in Arizona-and there are many good ones-Daddy says he is happy to be back here-and really looking forward to seeing Andy! He seems to have gotten the idea of going back to Washington out of his head-for now at least.
We ring the bell-and Kathy answers-there is a warm and welcoming smile-we introduce ourselves,Kathy takes Daddy's hand-I am a mess of emotions inside-but have a good feeling that this is going to be a good,happy, and safe place for Daddy to live. We take a tour of the house-it is really nice! There is only one other resident at this time-her name is June, and she is friendly and welcoming also. Daddy is quite tired from our long journey-Kathy is ready with a nice meal ready for him and June. We have some talking and paperwork to do. I am trying to hold back tears-not because I am sad-it is just all pretty emotional-the past two weeks taking care of Daddy, the trip, everything-all just an emotional overload.While Daddy is eating, Andy shows up-hooray! Daddy is sooo glad to see him-Mike and I too. The three "guys" get Daddy's clothes out of the truck, and start getting his room all set up. I am meeting with the rep from Humana(sorry,Mum) we decide on a plan to hold us over til we know something better to do! It is apparent that Daddy likes Kathy-we do too! It has been a long and tiring day-Mike and I are ready to find our hotel room and just crash.
Andy stays a bit longer with Daddy-Andy is staying close by with a friend and we all agree to meet tomorrow morning.
After a really good nights rest,we head back to Daddy's new home-we have shopped for some new "Arizona weight" jammies, and some vitamins for Dad. Andy is already there,Daddy has not had a really good sleep, but he is happy and says he likes his new home. We have a good visit on the beautiful patio-Daddy is going to have many nice mornings and afternoons on this patio-then it is time for us to head back to the hotel. Andy joins us, and we take advantage of the beautiful spa and pool area. The weather is just perfect-Fall in Arizona is pretty wonderful! Mum and Dad have always enjoyed this time of year here. The three of us(Andy,Mike and I) have a good dinner at the sports bar-they have flat iron steak here!!
In the morning-we head over to the house. Daddy is on the patio with coffee. I am feeling pretty sad about leaving today-but I know he is in a good place and will be fine. I promise him he will never be alone, and we will be back to visit as much as we can. He is reassured when I tell him that Andy will be close by-again, the tears were hard to hold back-and I had to go find a tissue-we hugged really hard,took a few more pictures,put his new jammies in his dresser-and we left again for our return to Lake Elsinore. It was really weird to look into the backseat and see no Daddy, and no Ginger-the ride took us over 8 hours-a major construction tie up-we were on our way to Twentynine Palms for the night,and a visit with Jessica, Shane and Kaley. Mike and I both were in need of a major Kaley fix!
We were able to get on base-and find their new home. Kaley was so cute,so big, and bless her heart she acted like she still knew who we were-and wanted hugs and up in our arms right away! Jessica and Shane looked great-and they knew us too!! Shane made us a great bbq burger dinner-it was so good to see all three of them,and our bed! I was lucky to be able to put Kaley to sleep-she is just a little angel and we so enjoyed seeing her again! We left early that next morning-but will be going to Twentynine Palms soon to spend some more time with Kaley and her cute parents!
When we got home to Elsinore-it was just time to hibernate. for three days we just did nothing but relax and reflect on the last few weeks and all that had gone on.
Daddy is doing well, and Andy is doing a superb job of making sure that he is happy and has everything he needs. We found out yesterday that we will be working in the Verde Valley of Arizona for the Spring. We will be fairly close to Daddy and Andy,and we are really excited to be know that we will be spending the spring in such a beautiful area!

MORE SCENES FROM LAKE ELSINORE

We have had fun visiting with everyone in Lake Elsinore-and the most best part-so has Daddy! Tomorrow we begin our journey to Arizona-the final leg of Daddys most excellent adventure.....at least for the time being!

WE'RE BACK.....!

We arrived at the Marina West RV Park,a little tired,and very ready to stop driving-it had been a long drive-still no deer sightings, but a big hug from Dorothy made us remember why we liked coming to this park. Daddy was a bit confused as to where we were, and where his sister was,and when we would be getting back to Patriots Landing-and where his car was parked-etc-but after a bit he settled down and was just happy watching us get the house set up, and visited with Dorothy. I think Mike was happy to know that the house would be sitting in place for awhile-he had driven many,many miles to get us all here-Have I said lately just how wonderful he has been-and how much I love him? To quote Daddy-"Michael(and his hand is on Mikes shoulder when he says this)Michael, I don't care what anyone says-I think you are great!" This is one subject that Daddy is totally clear-headed about!
The next few days are spent visiting with our friends at the park-some hot games of 31,and a great visit with the kids-grand kids and Daddy's great-grand kids! I am posting a bunch of pics-all of which need little or no explaining-but the headband on Taylor is because it was apple week at her pre-school,Mike and Daddy just had to see who could get their jammie bottoms up to their chest-and Dorothy trying to save Daddy from throwing away all of his "good" cards in 31!

ON THE ROAD AGAIN!

We drove all afternoon-ending the day at our favorite half-way stop, Kingburg, and Riverland RV Resort. This stop is just outside of Fresno, and has been a good place to spend the night after a long days driving-for quite a few of our adventures. We set up,made a little bite of supper-and basically relaxed for the night. we had some cute neighbors,traveling from Canada-and Ginger made a new friend-buddy! Tomorrow we would be in Lake Elsinore-I can't wait to see Rylie and Taylor,their adorable parents, and of course, our friends at "the lake". The scenery on the way was not so great-the rest-stops mostly closed-but the windmill farms were cranking energy,the few cows we saw were hanging out waiting to be transported hopefully to Montana(where happy cows really live)-I am missing the green land,the beautiful pine trees-and I have not seen a deer or a moose in days! Still, we are excited about seeing everyone in So. California, and getting out of the truck for a few days sounds mighty nice too!

WE HAVE TO SAY GOODBYE

All good things must end-at least for a bit-it was Sunday morning, and it was time to start heading south-the most excellent adventure must move on!
We said our goodbyes to Mary Lou and Leo,Mark and auntie Babe-and Orion(spelling?)too-we had truly had an excellent time in Arbuckle-and Daddy wants me to mention how cute those girls looked!! Mike and I will be back to visit in December-that's not to far away from now! Uncle Leo was totally partied out-he decided to spend some more quality time-in bed. We woke him up to say bye-bye-kissed and hugged some more-and off we went to the dry,warm South of California.

A FEW MORE PARTY PICS

had to add these too!

PARTY DAY!!

The big day had arrived-and we were ready for it!
I had made a huckleberry cake-because now days, everywhere I go I seem to feel the need to spread a few huckleberries around-I also made a new favorite of mine-the broccoli salad that Denise makes-it is wonderful! I don't know if mine turned out as well as when Denise makes it-but there were no complaints from the crowd!
When Mike and I arrived at the house-Uncle Ken had also just arrived-Daddy was happy to see him-and they had a good visit-about time! Daddy and his brother have not always seen eye to eye-so it was good to see them enjoying each others company!
Family just kept coming-it was really nice to see everyone. Just a side note: when Daddy talked about the party the next day(well,days) he would only remember how cute the young girls were-and how they dressed up just to come see their Uncle Don. Some things just do not change! anyway-it was a really,really good party-good food,good conversation-LOTS of good hugs! We found out that the previous night Daddy, Uncle Leo, and Mark had gotten into the Crown Royal-just a tad-by Saturday eve-Daddy and Uncle Leo were pretty pooped out-strangely, Mark was just fine!
the pics are just good party photos-wish I could just put the whole day here-but the memories will be in our heads for a long time-I still think Daddy will only remember the girls-but that is ok too!

THERE WAS ROOM AT THE INN!

Friday afternoon We drove to Arbuckle,Aunt Mary Lou and Uncle Leo had invited us all to dinner at the Maxwell Inn. When we got to Arbuckle, we had a nice surprise-Cousin Mark Ford was there-and seeing him made Daddy very happy. Daddy has had some good visits with Mark over the years-this was a nice surprise for him-and all of us too!
Last time I was at the Maxwell Inn was to celebrate Aunt Mary Lou's 80Th birthday. The whole family-and that means A LOT OF PEOPLE-threw her a wonderful party. The Inn has good memories for everyone! We had a good dinner,then returned to Arbuckle, where Mike entertained us by reading some poems he had enjoyed hearing when he was a little boy-nice way to end an evening! The next day was the BIG day-we were all going to need some sleep! the pics are a group photo on the famous staircase-where all good group photos take place-a very happy Daddy, and Mike doing a "reading"

THE GREAT ADVENTURE ARRIVES IN WILLIAMS

I am not even dating this post, the days have just been blurring past us!
We arrive in Williams,and the Almond Grove RV Park. Aunt Mary Lou has told us that this is where all of the kids learned to swim-many years ago! The park is pretty run down, and the space where we will live for the next few days is tight,and not what we would call "scenic"-but the manager of the park is cheerful and helpful, and we ARE really close to Arbuckle! We get the house all set up,tell Daddy a few more times where we are-and each time he hears it,he is very happy! Aunt Mary Lou has invited us for dinner,and we are anxious to get there and visit!
Mary Lou made a delicious dinner of Jambalaya-yum! It was nice to be back in this happy house once again-Uncle Leo was ready for cocktail hour,Daddy was way ready for cocktail hour-Auntie Babe showed up,ready for cocktail hour-we had a great and relaxing evening. There is just this great feeling when we are in that house-its hard to explain, but it is very good!
Daddy was invited to sleep-over,so Mike and I went back to our little home-away from home in Almond Grove-have to admit, it was the first good nights sleep we had enjoyed in quite a few days.
The next evening we picked up a couple of great pizzas,My cousin Liz was coming for dinner that night. I had not seen her in quite some time-and it was great she could come! The next day she and her husband were heading out for New Hampshire-so they would not be in Arbuckle for the big picnic that was planned. I was a bit jealous that Liz would be seeing Fall-but I was excited for her too-.....really!
the pics are of Liz and I,the "gateway arch" going into Williams,that famous and beloved patio, and a photo op in the kitchen