Did you miss me?

Dear Family and Friends,

I'm sorry that I was not able to blog last night. No matter what I tried I was unable to make a wifi connection so eventually had to give up and head to bed.

What a time I've had. On Sabbath morning I drove up to Tahoe and once again enjoyed the beautiful mountains, the fast running streams and snow patches on mountainsides. When I arrived some of the group had come down to look at a craft display next to one of the casinos. What a variety of wares these creative people offer, non were even close to tempting me to purchase. I sort of see a lot of the pretty things as pre garage sale items fearing that's where they would end up if they came home with me.

We drove back up and I do mean up to the time share called Ridge Tahoe. Aptly named it sits on the top of a ridge with panoramic views of Carson City on one side and Tahoe on the other. The complex is top quality and has large rooms, spacious windows and even a fireplace that can be lit with a flip of a switch. I spend some enjoyable time along with Steve as we kept an eye on the dynamic duo, Keanna and Anthony as they enjoyed a pool that was both indoor and outdoor. In spite of 90 degree temperatures a brick wind whipped over the ridge and kept things comfortable. Dana and Nikki whipped up dinner and Ronnie did his thing with the BBQ down on the 3rd floor. Then we began to plan for our descent to the sandy beaches adjacent to the dark blue waters of Lake Tahoe. Finally we decided on one car, the van, Nan would have been very very proud to see her selection of a "family" car do its thing once again for the family. They turned a 7 passenger car into a 8 passenger one and I ended up sitting in the luggage area behind the 3rd row seat. Nikki drove us down and we got our wrist bands from Tahoe Beach and Ski complex where we own a little time share that's on the beach. Nan picked it up years ago for $350 on EBay. Nikki has always paid the dues and taken care of everything and has used it several times. We used our beach there for our place to watch the fireworks. The kidos had a wonderful time digging in the sand. Gradually the heat of the day turned into the cool of the evening as the gentle breezes from over the lake turned cold. The fireworks were great and were set to music from a local radio station.

After they were over the mass of humanity that we encountered was pretty amazing. The roads were clogged with people and cars and our trip back was painfully slow. Nikki kept her cool and with Steve's guidance made it up to the Pioneer Trail and before long we were back to the condo. The kidos were sleeping, even Kallie with her sore gums from teething. Soon everyone was in bed and they found a hideabed for me so I spent the night.

This morning at 7 I slipped out and headed home since I knew I had work to do. The drive home was pleasant and packed with memories. Nan loved Highway 88 and I decided to come home that way. I remembered little spots she would love to stop at and even conversations from happier times past. Then it was home to work, be greeted by two very lonely dogs and wade through orders that had arrived.

Ken and I walk in the morning and then I'm off to Oakland to see a place, then back to Pittsburg and finally back home to write one up that is due.

Later in the week I hope to be able to take the motorhome up for a couple days to be with the family and enjoy the beauty of the mountains.

I took a small journey into the past on my way up Sabbath Morning. I stopped at what was once Pinecrest Camp, now Sierra Pines. I've included a photo of the lodge building, the place I first met Nan some 38 or 39 years ago. I still remember the breakfast where we first began to meet each other and my roomate Jim Edwards pointed Nan out, I was bowled over. The other photo is of Caples Lake. Its a high mountain lake with deep blue water and is located near the point where we often took back packing trips in our younger years. The photo of the mountains shows the actual mountains we often hiked and camped in. Nestled into the mountains are little trails winding past streams, meadows, forests and snowbanks. We would camp beside little lakes that even in August were far to cold to keep swimming for very long but the granite rocks protruding from the lakes were ideal places to sun and even sunburn. If you look carefully at the photo of the mountains you will see a peak just sticking up with snow on it. That is Pyramid Peak, a peak we climbed before we got married.

Our lives have been filled with meaningful days, it was a thoughtful experience to glide back through some of these places once again. Oh I have so much to be thankful for yet I am just selfish enough to want them to come to life now. Must be a design flaw in my makeup.

Hope your week is going to be a blessed one.

Love

tim

love

tim