Ray,
Maggie and I have returned to Ft. Myers, Florida again this year. As we
told our family and friends when we visited Colorado in mid-September, “First sign
of 40 degrees and we’re out of here.”
October 4th, the temperature
dropped to 43 and as promised we left the next morning. We hit the road
to the Sunshine State, stopping to see more family along the way.
But before all of that occurred, let me tell
you what else happened in 2015. It has been a fun-filled year and one which broke our
hearts.
I spent May in Herington,
Kansas. My mom went into a nursing home after a serious fall. She could no
longer get around by herself. While there, we chatted about anything
we could think of. And watched the Kansas City Royals on TV. Mom
loved her boys in blue. Especially Lorenzo Cain.
In June I traveled to meet up with Ray and
we took our RV up to see the Pacific Northwest. If you’ve never
been—GO! Another of God’s masterpieces.
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| (Mt. Hood, outside of Hood River, Oregon. Only 18 miles from KOA) |
Ray found us a workkamping job in Cascade Locks,
Oregon. For 2 ½ months we worked at a KOA – four days on, three days off. A
fun gig and we met lots of wonderful people (ones we worked with, as well as guests).
While employed with KOA, I received the
call that Mom passes away on July 9. Expected, but still heartbreaking. She will be missed. Ray stayed behind and continued to work at the campground.
After Mom's funeral, I flew back to Oregon and
we finished our job the end of August. We left Cascade Locks and traveled to
the far reaches of Washington state and beyond (Vancouver and Victoria,
British Columbia).
Here’s where more fun began. Ray’s license
expired the end of August (not enough room to explain the reason why. Take my
word for it—I wasn’t a happy camper). Since his license wasn’t valid, I had to DRIVE to Canada if we were going to see it.
I'm sure the border guards are still
talking about the lunatic behind the wheel who, when asked, doesn’t even know
her name or where she and the other occupants in the car are staying while in
Washington.
Not to worry, they didn’t haul me in,
but I almost got out and kissed the ground when I drove back into the United
States. Ray sat over in the passenger seat, enjoying every moment of my
out-of-the-box experience.
OH HA! HA!
After our visit to Canada, we headed south. A
dear friend of ours, who lies in Texas, told us to drive down Hwy. 101 from Washington to
California. We did and we witnessed spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean.
Along the way we hiked to see the
redwoods, drove over a bridge I don’t ever want to go over again (see attached photo) and looked at
quaint shops near the beach. If I picked up something to buy, Ray reminded me that
we lived in a tiny abode now. "Nowhere to put it, honey."
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| (Here is a picture of the bridge. Scary!) |
We hit the road again and arrived in Colorado. Always a joy to catch up with family and friends.
Yes, 2015 was filled with lots of fun, but
also bittersweet. But as always the year was filled with love for each other,
our families and our friends.
MERRY CHRISTMAS everyone and we hope you
have a BLESSED 2016.
Love ya!
Ray, Janetta and Maggie
“For
to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his
shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting
Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6
