Driving west - part IV

4.08.09 SNOWED OUT IN SEQUOIA

We called to confirm our Sequoia reservation this morning and found out they were in the mddle of a snowstorm and tire chains were required to even enter the park. They were predicting 3 more days of snowstorms. So we made a mid-course adjustment and here we are in Joshua Tree National Park in 29 Palms, CA.
No snow here!



4.07.09 Today we are writing from Ventura, CA. John and I drove up here because we wanted to go hiking on Channel Islands National Park. The flight we booked to the island got cancelled so we went out on a whale watch boat this morning and it was very nice. We had the great weather and smooth seas. We saw HUNDREDS of dolphins circling our boat and 2 grey whales ! Ventura is a cute little town with lots to see and do. Tomorrow: Sequoia National Park.





4.04.09 The Scott Family Reunion was in beautiful La Jolla this year. ALL my brothers and sisters were able to make it and 99 % of the cousins and grandkids (we missed Zach and his new bride). The twin grandmas, Joan and Jean, were able to come for the night that we barbecued on the beach and had campfire s'mores. On sunday we all drove up the hill to Mike and Nancy's house for a delicious El Indio lunch on their peaceful back yard.
Thanks to Mike and Nancy for doing all the legwork and planning this year.





4.01.09 We are driving west to the Scott Family Reunion and are stopping at some National Parks along the way. Today we are in Carlsbad Caverns in New Mexico. John visited this park about 7 or 8 years ago with Scott, Mitch, Conner and Patrick. He has wanted me to see it for a long time and it was beautiful.

Texas Bluebonnets 2009

It is bluebonnet time in Texas and we have a tradition of going bluebonnet hunting in April with our friends. Long ago, Michele Heileman and I took our little people (in 1 car!) when they were in elementary school. Now that our kids have their own little people we have kept going and it is still lots of fun. We picnic and play and climb trees and take photos in the fields of flowers. This year we had a big group in 4 cars and we went to Brenham and Independence - it was a perfectly gorgeous day!


The grandmommies: Trish, Michele, Mary Anne and Susan, who have been friends for over 25 years!






ALL the kids climbed trees.


Fireman's Park in Brenham was a nice place to picnic and play. Michele and I had not been there for at least 20 years. It is much improved.

HAPPY 11TH BIRTHDAY TO CONNER

Last sunday we celebrated Conner's 11th birthday at the local bowling alley with his friends and family.

Conner has been sharing birthdays with this wonderful group of friends all his life.

Thank you Mark, Marty Anne, Marian, Aidan, Brennan, Rachel, Jake, Noah and Addison for joining in on this fun day!

A new generation of bowlers was born, great job Addison, Noah and Brennan!