What a drive to Las Vegas

What a drive to Las Vegas

What is nice about being retired is that you can change your mind and yesterday we did just that. What was going to be a straight 300 mile drive to Vegas turned into a twisting, turning, 450 mile drive,but glad we did it . While visiting with Ken and Jeanie, Jeanie mentioned we should drive through Death Valley so Doug took his map out and plotted a new course. What looked like a straight road, CA 155, turned out to have so many twists, turns, hairpins curves and up and down the mountain took 2 1/2 hours to go 110 miles. But what a beautiful drive.

The drive took us through some interesting places and some desolate places. Death Valley is a real wonder of Mother Nature and I wished we had longer to stay and explore.

Arriving late in Las Vegas we were surprised to find that Treasure Island had upgraded us to a suite, so SWEET!! Wish I could add that we won big, can only say truthfully that we both still have some of our money left.

Pictures

Into California

What a couple of days we have had. Left Suzie's around 8 a.m., got our Starbucks coffee (thanks family members who realize that is the best gift you can get us) and left Vancouver. Rainned all day, what fun passing the 18 wheelers, so bad at times you could see NOTHING. As we neared Medford, OR, we remembered we have a couple nieces that had moved there within the past couple of years, so made phone calls, got their numbers and arranged to meet them for coffee. Meriah's husband, Jay was unable to meet with us, but she brought their three children, Renetta, Jonathan, and Jacob. Julie, our eldest niece, was also able to make it and we had a nice visit. We especially were amazed by Jacob, he has just turned three and is a ball of fire, couldn't take our eyes off of him as he was either trying to crawl up the wall or undress. Keeps his Mommy on her toes.

Leaving Medford we continued on to Etna, CA where we spent the night with Ken and Jeanie (Ken is Doug's Mom's cousin). What gracious hosts they are, they gave us their bedroom!!! Arlene, Ken's sister, came over and we had a great visit and a wonderful dinner, Ken BBQ chicken and Jeanie made a salad, potatoes, peas, and brownies. Etna is in a beautiful valley off of HWY 5 and if you don't know to look for it, it is easy to miss, which I'm sure the residents don't mind.

Today, Dec. 28, has been uneventful, we got up, had coffee with Ken and Jeanie, went out for breakfast, then got on the road. Lots of snow, slush and traffic. Coming over Mt Shasta was exciting and scary. We had planned to spend the evening in Bakersfield but Jeanie told us of another way to Las Vegas that would take us through Death Valley, so change of plans. We're spending the night in Visalla, CA and will head out in the morning for Seunota Natural Park and Death Valley and then Las Vegas.

Below I will add some pictures that Bryan sent us of the day we left Renton, you can see why Doug keeps saying if someone wants to gives us something say NO, but Jeanie gave me two jars of Sweet-N-Spicy Red Pepper Jelly that I couldn't leave behind.

I want to thank everyone we've stayed with, we have so enjoyed your company and know how fortunate we are to have you as our friends and family.

Love you all

Vancouver

Arrived in Vancouver around 3 p.m., Mike and Suzie have most of their family home for the holiday's. Nephew Mike had just flew in from Korea, he teaches English - his wife, Yejin (also a teacher), was unable to accompany him as she has training classes to take over winter break. Nephew Paul is home from Japan, he was teaching English, but now is a technical writer. His friend Kayo (pictured with Paul above) arrived this a.m. Only one's missing are niece Kari and her baby Madison, they'll be here tomorrow, but we'll miss seeing them as we'll be leaving early on the next leg of our trip. Next stop Ken & Jean's.

Christmas Day

Woke in the morning to more snow, we all wanted a White Christmas,but enough is enough. Michelle's parents arrived around 6 a.m., from Tacoma, and soon after everyone was awake and eager to get on with the big event. Maya and Evan were very excited and Santa, as usual, was very good to them. Dinner that afternoon was excellant, Michelle lit a candle for every family member we lost this past year. Maya and Evan said a prayer from Evan's preschool and Maya sang a Bahan'i prayer. Later that afternoon we watched a couple movies; Fred Claus and Smoke Signals. Smoke Signals is a movie produced by a WSU alumni concerning the Couer d'Alene Indians (very good a must see). It was a long day and everyone was tired so early to bed as we had plans to leave early in the morning for our next stop - Mike & Suzie's.

Holiday Tradition

Woke up this morning to almost 4 inches of new snow, but that did not stop the Veritys from continuing our Christmas Eve day tradition of going to downtown Seattle. Last minute shopping, riding the carousel, viewing the gingerbread houses at the Sheraton Hotel, and dining out at P.F. Changs. This year we added a new tradition of riding the Monorail to The Seattle Center and back. Returning to Bryan and Michelle's home we rested for a couple of hours, watched the Polar Express movie, and then Santa called and talked with Maya and Evan (they had been very good).We then piled into the car and set out to view the holiday lights. Once back home we visited the neighbors for holiday cheer then home and off to our beds because Santa was near.

The First Day-Renton

First day started with a busy morning; finish packing, wait for the rug shampoo company to come clean the rugs, then in the car and off we go. The worry about road conditions was wasted as the roads were clear all the way to Renton, even the pass which had NO restrictions for tires. Arriving in Renton we found our granddaughter, Maya, setting up a chocolate stand where she made $7 to donate to the Childrens Hospital in Seattle. Needless to say we're very proud of her.

Bryan and Michelle had invited our other granddaughter, April, her fiance, Michael, and our great- grand daughter, Kloe, over for a dinner. We had a nice visit with them. Dinner was homemade lasagna and homemade minestrone soup, thanks Michelle and Bryan. After dinner, most of us went sledding and had a great time. We opened the gifts from April and family and they opened ours to them (just a little early Christmas).

Great start to our trip.