Back To Georgia

Arrived home on Monday, May 18th. The Mountain Laurel is in full bloom and the Rhododendrons are not far behind.

Pollen season came and went while we were away. But, the porches were heavily coated in that wonderful yellow/green powder. Major cleaning to be done.

On Tuesday I did a quick load of laundry then checked in on my neighbor Debbie who had surgery while I was gone. Friends Randy and Patti brought lunch for Debbie so I got to have an unexpected visit and a yummy lunch. Later that afternoon I went to a CASA Board Meeting and left immediately from there to Callaway Gardens for a CASA Conference.

So much for sleeping in my own bed!

It Was All About The Schedule

Graduation for Keri Hanson Olson

May 16, 2009

University of Wisconsin

School of Nursing

Arrived in Milwaukee on Wednesday the 13th. John and Josie were at the station to meet us. We slept in on Thursday then went to John & Keri's for the afternoon. Keri had one more powerpoint presentation to make -- a review of her life leading up to graduation. We had lots of fun looking at pictures and being silly. That evening we packed up the kids (all 4) and headed to MacDonald's for the antique auto show and dinner. Jim found a red GTO convertible but not a 1964! On Friday Keri and I headed out to run errands. And, she introduced me to Jimmy John's Subs. I'm a fan of the Vito. Yum! Then the schedules became important.

5:30 PM -- Julia and LJ have Spirit Night at their school. Games, art displays, all for the famil

6:30 PM -- Spring Concert at Shelby's school.

7:30 PM -- Shelby headed off to a birthday party and the rest of us went for ice cream. Everyone agreed that was a good way to end the evening. Hot fudge heath bar sunday.

Saturday was graduation day.

8:40 AM -- Keri, John, Shelby and Joann head out to school. Priscilla and Jim stay behind with the 3 younger kids.

9:30 AM -- Priscilla, Jim & kids head out to school. We found our seats with the rest of the family just as the music started.

10:00 AM -- Graduation ceremony begins. UW-Parkside, Kenosha, WI

2:00 PM -- Nursing School ceremony, UW-Milwaukee

5:30 PM -- Family celebration, Oak Creek, WI

Busy, busy day but a good time had by all.

Congratulations to Keri!! With hard work and persistence she graduated Magna Cum Laude with a BS in Nursing. Congratulations to John, Shelby, Julia, LJ and Josie for their support and understanding over the past 4 years.

Remembering Rick

Ham Lake, MN with Dee and family
Saturday, May 9, 2009

It has been a year since Rick died. Dee was able to round up the whole family for a dinner and time of remembrance.

Sat down to diner with 11 people; Dee, Celeste & Cynthia, Cassandra, Dillon, Dorothea, Mike, their Pastor and his wife, Jim and me. The food was good – a group effort consisting of potato salad by Priscilla and Dee; fruit salad by Cassandra; burgers and bratwurst prepared by Celeste and grilled by Dillon. Then there was pie for dessert! Apple, Strawberry/Rhubarb, and Chocolate Silk. Yum, yum.

After dinner Pastor acknowledged that the family had now experienced many firsts – the first Thanksgiving, first Christmas, first birthday, etc. without Rick/Dad. He asked that we share whatever was on our hearts but did not have to share at all if we didn’t want to. He asked us to think about what emotions we had felt. Where had we been sad, where had we been angry? Were there any surprises? Many in the family did share their thoughts. There were tears and laughter as we remembered times with and without Rick. I will not share the things said by others – they are best left at the table

I will share with you my remembrance. The Great Shower Curtain Caper. In August of 2004, Rick, Dee, Dorothea and Mike met Jim and I in Maine. We all stayed at Nance & Phil’s home in Brooklin. We had all converged to celebrate Nance & Phil’s 25th wedding anniversary. Jim and Rick decided they would construct a shower around the existing whirlpool tub in the bathroom. What a project. The brothers, one an engineer the other a builder, both perfectionists, came up with a plan that worked. After many, many trips to the local hardware store it was completed and is still in operation today. Every time I go to Maine and use that shower I think of that time together.

Another of my memories is how Rick and I, both early risers, would sit outside drinking coffee, talking about how good life was and how grateful we were to be participating in it. We solved many of the world’s problems on those mornings.

We lost Rick way too soon but I will forever be grateful for the role he played in my life and the time we did have together.

Thank you Dee for bringing us together for this meaningful evening.

America The Beautiful

We have met some interesting folks on this trip. A cross-section of American life. From Chicago to Denver we had dinner with a young man who had been in the service, done 10 years as a long distance truck driver and was now heading to California to begin working his way up the Pacific coast with hopes of spending the summer in Alaska. He was very nice but it was like having dinner with Forrest Gump. He'd been everywhere and done everything!

From Denver to Sacramento we had lunch and dinner with a mother and daughter who were starting a vacation to celebrate the daughter's 50th birthday. They were going to San Francisco then drive south along the California coast. They had rented a convertible so they could "do it up right". Fun to see them enjoying each other's company.

In the Sacramento train station we watched a woman who obviously had severe concern about "germs." This was right in the middle of all the swine flu hoopla so maybe it was that. Anyway, she wore latex gloves; had a plastic bag that she put over her hand whenever she handled anything (train ticket included); carried a large piece of cardboard that she would unfold and place on the bench whenever she wanted to sit down; and carried multiple plastic bags holding other items. All I could think of was how much energy it must take for her to go through daily life and how grateful I am for the blessings I have been given.

From Sacramento to Seattle we had breakfast with a man who had retired from the railroad after 40 years of running a dining car. He was a delight and very gracious to the current staff. Did not feel it necessary to tell them how he would have done things! But he did share stories with us of "how it used to be" before the day of frozen foods and microwaves. That being said, we found the food on the train to be very good. The menu was the same throughout the trip was large enough that we were able to have a variety of meals. My very favorite though was the Railroad French Toast at breakfast.

From Seattle to Minneapolis, we had breakfast with a couple in their 90's. They were travelling from Elk, WA to Havre, MT for their great-grandson's graduation from college. They were newlyweds of about 4 years; had known each other from church for many years and after their respective spouses had passed away decided to marry. Gave us hope that there are still many years of good times to be had.

All in all, this has been a trip of a lifetime. We have seen some incredible sights, met some wonderful people and spent time with loved ones. As we watched mile after mile of landscape it brought the song America the Beautiful to life.

America the Beautiful
Words by Katharine Lee Bates,Melody by Samuel Ward

O beautiful for spacious skies,

For amber waves of grain,

For purple mountain majesties

Above the fruited plain!

America! America!

God shed his grace on thee

And crown thy good with brotherhood

From sea to shining sea!

For all the lyrics go here: http://www.scoutsongs.com/lyrics/americathebeautiful.html

Go read it -- I had not in a long time. Maybe it's because I'm in the middle of this journey but the words are as meaniful today as ever.

Good-by to Seattle

Thursday, May 7th

Boarded "The Empire Builder" at 4:30 pm. For this leg, we had a family bedroom. It was very nice to have the additional space. It was the whole width of the car so we could see in both directions. Also had a bench seat that was great for mid-afternoon napping!

As we left Seattle, we travelled north along Puget Sound through Edmonds and Everett then began the assent into the Cascades and back into the snow! Overnight we passed through Spokane and then Utah, waking up in Whitefish, Montana. This route took us along the northern portion of the US. At one point we were only about 30 miles from the Canadian border.

If you are following on a map, the stops across Montana were:

Glacier Park Station, built in 1913 is near 50 "living" glaciers and 9,000-10,000 foot mountains.

Browning headquarters of the Blackfeet Indian nation and language learning center; host of the largest native American pow-wow in North America each July.

Cut Bank often noted for the coldest mid-winter temperatures in the country. A monument to early explorer Meriwether Lewis memorializes his search for a pass through the Rockies.

Shelby named after Peter Shelby, General Manager of the Montana Central Railroad and site of the 1923 World Heavyweight Champioship fight between Jack Dempsey andTom Gibbons.

Havre, Malta, Glasgow and Wolf Point

Then we crossed into North Dakota and back into Central Time. Major stop here was Minot, still known as "Magic City" because it grew overnight -- like magic -- the moment th Great Northern announced its route.

Rugby, ND the geographical center of the North American continent.

Devils Lake the Indians call this remnant of a glacial sea the "Evil Spirit Lake" because they believed its shattered walls and loose rocks were the result of a mammoth struggle between thunderbirds and water monsters.

Overnight we passed through Fargo. Opted NOT to get up to have our pictures taken under the sign.

We were up early; 5:30 am in order to gather our belongings, have breakfast and arrive Minneapolis at 7:30. Will be here, staying with sister-in-law Dee until Wednesday when we climb back on the train for Milwaukee, reclaim our car, attend Keri's graduation from Nursing School on the 16th and then start back to Georgia.

Rainbows, Swimming and Christmas Cookies

Wednesday, May 6th

Final day with Cheryl and David. Decided that it was time to make Christmas Cookies!! I've really missed doing this with the boys. We had a great time and Ben is very adept at handling the decorating cones. Note the snake in the lower left-hand corner. He very studiously decorated that all by himself!

Later in the afternoon we took Ben to his swimming lesson at the local rec center. Very nice facility. In addition to the shallow area for kids lessons, they had some lap lanes, a high diving pool, a wading pool for babies, a river type area where folks should water walk against resistance and then a larger area for free swimming.

We finished off the day with dinner at a seafood place at the local marina in Winslow. Saw the most incredible rainbow. The picture does not do it justice. It was so vivid we could actually see the purple hue. Something I don't remember ever seeing before.

During this visit I learned how to play MarioKart on the Wii. Far from being a challenge to other players but with practice I might be able to compete. Right now, the 5-year old whoops me bad!!

Pike's Market, Seattle

Tuesday, May 5th

Anyone for Alaskan Salmon? Lots and lots of fish at Pike's Market in Seattle. Also vegetables, flowers and anything else you could imagine. Had a great day walking around the market, sight-seeing, and eating. I did not realize how much of a hill Seattle was built on. Very similar to San Francisco hills. Got lots of exercise that day!!

A Springtime Walk

Monday, May 4th

We have been enjoying our time here on Bainbridge Island, WA. So good to see Cheryl, David, Josh and Ben again. Arrived last Thursday evening.

On Friday, David went to work and Josh to school. Cheryl took us on a tour of the local area. They center around the town of Winslow. Jim and I were to stay with the boys on Saturday while Cheryl and David took a long run (17 mi.). Those plans turned upside down when Cheryl had a kidney stone attack during the night. After lots of pain, lots of time at the hospital, and lots of meds the stone passed on Sunday night.

On Sunday, David took us for some more touring. Went to the town of Poulsbo and Sluy's Bakery. Great place. Josh had something called a Viking Donut. Big, big chocolate covered raised donut. He has been known to eat two of them. After the boys ran off some of the sugar in the park we loaded up and moved on to Port Gamble, an old mill town. This is where I found a yarn shop. Owned by a woman who dyes and spins her own yarns. Wonderful place. Of course I purchased something!

It's Monday and things are getting back to normal. Cheryl feeling much better although still a bit wobbly from all the meds. The sun came out and we decided it was time to get outside. Took a walk to the local store -- Rolling Bay Hay & Feed -- one of those great places that have a bit of everything. Ben got a cookie from the coffee shop and we continued on. Spring is in full bloom around here. Got some wonderful pics of all the flowers. Go take a look over on FB.

Tomorrow we are off to Seattle, Pike's market and lunch.

Sacramento to Seattle

Day 3

Leave Sacramento at Midnight Wednesday. By the time we got onboard we were exhausted. Our beds were all ready and waiting for us. Jim crawled into the top bunk this time. We both slept very well.

By the time we woke up Thursday morning we were in Northern California, just about to enter Oregon. Once we crossed to state line the landscape changed dramatically. Once again headed into the mountains -- this time the Cascades. After lunch we sat in the parlor car for a few hours and enjoyed the views.

This train -- the Coastal Starlight is one of the signature trains in the Amtrak line. There were a few amenities unique to the line. In addition to the regular dining and scenic viewing cars they had an old fashioned parlor car with food service and comfy swivel chairs.

On through Portland, OR; up the Columbia River; to Toccoma, WA and finally Seattle. Cheryl, David & boys met us at the train station and we all walked to the ferry that would take us to Bainbridge Island.

Sure will feel good to stay put for a week.

Rockies Behind Us, On to Sierra Nevada's

Day 2

Woke up in Winnemucca, NV.

Railroad French Toast for breakfast. This is the best french toast in the world. I am totally addicted.

Todays route took us through the Nevada desert to Reno and then over the Sierra Nevada mountains. Along the way we passed through Truckee (Lake Tahoe area) and then Donner Pass where the famed Donner Party was stranded for a winter.



Arrived Sacramento mid-afternoon. We had a 9 hour layover here. Checked our carry-on bags at the station and walked around town a bit. We had hoped to catch up with Jim's brother Bob while here but he was in Los Angeles working. Spent a very long evening at the train station waiting for the midnight train to Seattle.



Go on over to Facebook for a look at pictures in the album Denver to Sacramento.

Into the Rockies

Day 1

Train was late getting into Denver. We were supposed to leave at 8:05 AM. We got up at 5 in order to be at the station by 7. Then sat for 3 hours waiting. Oh well, got to meet a nice couple from New York State. We exchanged itineraries and experiences. Have met some very nice folks on this trip.

California Zephyr finally arrived around 10 AM and we were on our way by 10:45. Started climbing almost immediately into the mountains. Our route took us to Granby in the area of Rocky Mountain National Park then to the Aspen area and finally to Grand Junction. Words escape me to describe the scenery. Just breathtaking. We kept coming back to the discussion of what determination the folks in wagon trains must have had in order to cross these mountains. Then again, guess Kansas and eastern Colorado are populated by people who looked at those mountains in the distance and said "I don't think so!"

Had lunch in the dining car -- our table companions were a woman and her mother taking their annual trip to California. They had taken this trip through the Rockies previously and enjoyed it so much they decided to continue using the train. A much more civilized way to travel. No one is in a hurry and you can really unwind. They were able to point out some landmarks for us and shared their experiences.

Back to our room for an afternoon of sightseeing. Dinner in the dining car at 6:30 then we moved into the sightseeing car for a continuation of our cribbage tournament. So far it's Jim 4, Priscilla 3. Climbed into our bunks around 10 PM. Priscilla again took the top bunk. Not bad once you get up there!