Friends and Family – Las Vegas, Nevada to Visalia, CA 6/20/2013

JUNE 20, 2013 (Thursday)

Today was moving day. Yesterday we had pre-packed and were ready to load up when we got up. We woke up around 6:30 and were on the road to Henderson, Nevada by 7:15 AM. We had made arrangements with Elle to meet for breakfast at the Green Valley Casino in Henderson at 7:45 AM. She said her daughter, Michelle, Michelle’s husband, Enrique, and their daughter, Lulu, were hoping to be able to join us but they had a twelve hour drive and Elle didn’t really expect them until after we had left. Elle said her sister, Carol, and Carol’s husband, Gene, might also be joining us. (These are relatives of Michael’s first wife, who had died almost thirty years ago. He has kept in touch and had wanted to drop off a photo album that belonged to their side of the family.)

We got to the casino. It was lovely. Very near a nice shopping area, smelled clean, was very nice. The buffet was delicious. We ate and talked and laughed and had a wonderful visit. It was, however, way too short. We could have talked for hours but we knew we had to be on the road by 9:30 AM at the latest. While we were eating, Michelle and her family showed up. I had never met the little Lulu before. What a cutie pie. Was so glad we got to see them all before we left town.

We were on the road by 9:30 AM and headed for Tehachapi to see my Aunt Lee and her husband, George. Aunt Lee is my mother’s sister and was very faithful while my mom was dying of cancer. She’s kinda a nut but in a good way. We got there around 1:30 PM. She was having a bad day and wasn’t able to get up or around while we were there, but her husband, George, was a great host. Had a nice visit and was so glad I got to see them. It’s been too long since we visited. My sister and I are planning on a longer visit with Aunt Lee, hopefully soon.

Aunt Lee and Uncle George love their bird houses.

On the road again by 2:30 PM heading for Tulare and Visalia. We went into Tulare to photograph the two homes we used to own when our kids were little. It was fun to see the changes the new owners had done. Then we headed to George and Mary’s house. George and Michael used to work together, George was Michael’s boss. We haven’t seen them in awhile and it was lovely seeing their beautiful new home and getting in a visit. They had invited us to spend the night there. We thought we were going to be taking George and Mary out for dinner but when we got there, George was cooking. He made the most amazing shrimp pasta. Best I’ve had. Loved it. Wish I could have eaten more.

Edie’s dream home, our first in Tulare, Ca.

Our home the second time we lived in Tulare.

Chico, living with George and Mary.

Edie had to get a picture of the kitchen armadillo.

After dinner we sat out in their lovely backyard and visited until after 11:00 PM. We finally shut up and went to bed, only because we knew we had to get up early.

After talking to Mary before dinner, she recommended instead of going all the way to Sacramento to CalPers, we go to Fresno. Great idea. Don’t know why we hadn’t even considered that. Shorter commute, smaller office, better chance of getting in and out.

It was a day of food, family, and visiting. Lovely day.

I had to get Edie to get a picture of tumbleweeds in the making. So many windy nights one of these would burst out of the darkness and roll right in front of your car and when you hit it, explode into a thousand little pieces, leaving you totally scared and shook up. Good memories.

On the road, photo worthy, we think a retired executive, thus the chair...almost a biker, kinda. — On the road, photo worthy, we think a retired executive, thus the chair…almost a biker, kinda.