In July, my son, Billy and I started on a road trip--just the two of us. His brother, Eliot was getting Married August 2nd and Billy was to be the Best Man. I drove to Redmond, where I met Billy and the following morning we took off in my car. (Don't ask why this particular arrangement...it's complicated!) We drove all day that day and arrived in Orem, Utah (where we stayed overnight with his sister, Debi and her husband.) We stayed in Orem an extra day, because we were early. We had an awesome visit and Billy got to rest his eyes for the next leg of the trip.
The following morning, we said our good-bye's and headed south to catch Highway 6 through Spanish Fork Canyon and on to Denver, Colorado. Another 10-hour drive! I don't know how Billy does it. We arrived in the early evening in Denver and went ti the Motel Eliot had arranged for us. We were both exhausted!
Denver is a crazy town! Traffic, traffic, traffic everywhere and Freeways that don't make a bit of sense. (Much like Salt Lake City.) It's interesting how those big cities start out with one main thoroughfare and then keep adding on until it looks like a spaghetti bowl! I do not like driving in the cities. The next day, Dean arrived via airplane. We had a very nice family gathering. Eliot drove all of us to the venue where the wedding was to be held and we took some pictures. I like this one the very best!
There wasn't very much rehearsal involved, so we just walked around and got to know the park.
The wedding was the next day and we weren't allowed to take pictures of the ceremony. Eliot and Tamiya had a photographer who took care of all of that. (As of this writing, we have received no photographs!) We did take one of Dean and I standing on a little bridge.
August 2, 2017 Dean and I on the bridge.
The wedding was very nice--very simple, but nice! Dean and I were way too overdressed! We dressed for a "wedding" and I guess folks don't take that as seriously as Dean and I do. Just about everyone else were dressed in jeans and tee shirts! Oh, well..it was the marriage we came to witness, not a fashion show! (When I am able, I shall post photos of the wedding.)
With the wedding behing us, we all went our separate ways. Eliot and Tamiya to their new life, Dean to the airport to fly back to Newport, and Billy and I to travel back to Utah. Ugh! Another 10 hour drive!
We took a different highway back--I-80--and stopped in another town, where Billy went to see Alicia and the girls who were visiting friends. Alicia got to meet her real dad and a sister for the very first time. Billy and Alicia are going through some really difficult times lately and it was awkward.
On our way to Salt Lake City and Billy and I had some really long and deep conversations. Getting to know my son has been quite a wonderful experience. Somehow, all that talking made the miles just melt away. There were no real long silent periods and though the trip took 10-11 hours, it seemed we were there in no time!
Debi met us at a KFC on Redwood Road. I said goodbye to my son (I'll miss him) so he can continue on to Redmond (another 10 hours). I don't know how he does it! Debi and I ate some lunch--not the best KFC we've ever had--and continued on to Orem where I will be staying for most of the rest of the month os August. I hope she can put up with me!
I love staying with Debi. She and Brian give me my own space with a bedroom and a bathroom and I am always very comfortable. They work every day, but that is OK with me. Debi goes to the gym every morning, golfs a couple of days a week and still plays baseball! That girl!
On Friday, we went to Brian and Debi's cabin in Indianola, It is a beautiful setting. Brian and Debi have built an amazing log cabin on the property. The property has been in Brian's family for years. Just last year, they built a second cabin, called "The Shed," and furnished it for guests. That is where I go to stay. I love the mountains...I felt so free and loved just walking around taking pictures; I even liked using the "facilities," (an outhouse that Brian built.)
On my walks, I often come across some interesting wildflowers, I love to photograph flowers!
I had a lovely time at Debi's. She is always the perfect hostess...and daughter. There is so much more to tell, but this writing is getting too long, so I will do this in sections. I will call this one Section One and continue the story later in Section Two.
1 comment:
Thanks for sharing your thoughts and memories. I miss you, and the good old days of fun, fun, fun in the California sun!
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