Meanwhile, back on Maui…
Yes, we made it through another incredible summer in Canada
and are happily home on Maui. The four months went quickly, especially as we
spent three weeks on the road in our Jeep – almost the whole month of August.
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| Jim, Joy, Shane and Peter at dinner in Winnemucca |
When last I wrote we were in Jackson California, visiting
the Fullers and loving the gold-rush history of the place. Our next stop was
Roseville to see my dear friend Katie and her wonderful husband Chuck. We had a
full schedule: a trip to Nevada City to walk the old gold-mining town, a visit
to Old Sacramento, Jim’s tour of the Crocker Museum, and Katie and I managed a
couple of thrift-store stops as well. All of that in two days!
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| Desert views |
We headed east to Reno and played for a couple of days at
the Circus Circus casino, and then drove to Winnemucca where we rendezvoused
with cousins Shane and Peter. They were heading in the direction we had just
come from – near Jackson. We enjoyed a terrific Chinese meal at China Garden
Restaurant (yes, this is a huge recommendation!) and the next morning we parted
ways. Our route took us to Elko, then north through Owyhee to Boise Idaho. The
scenery was spectacular in its desert bleakness. From Boise to Lewiston, again
through incredible scenery as we gained elevation, then to Missoula Montana
over the Lolo Pass, and north to Canada.
Shortly after returning to the ranch we experienced a rare
but not unheard-of snowstorm with the heaviest snowfall recorded in 130 years.
And cold. Oh my. Morning temperatures in the 20s. We kept a fire going in the
wood stove and turned up the gas heat but it was still difficult to work up the
enthusiasm to go out to the outhouse when nature called. The 10-12 inches of
snow around the house melted off within a week and the weather turned into
Indian Summer on steroids. The poplar leaves started changing and we were
treated to a breathtaking array of colors.
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| Heavy snow, morning light on the mountains |
The family got together on the 14th for a
memorial for Dad, spreading his ashes on “Boot Hill”, a slope on the East Ridge
with a panoramic view of Happy Valley with the Rockies in the background. Mom
enjoyed the day and seeing her family, in spite of the purpose of the
gathering, and even cracked a few jokes amid the tears. A few days later we
celebrated her 92nd birthday with a private lunch at Cottonwood. She
is Superwoman disguised as a little old lady. Amazing.
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| Dad's memorial celebration up on the ridge |
Jim spent a lot of time in his studio this summer, producing
some lovely oil paintings that are now for sale at Against the Grain on Main
Street in Nanton. If you’re in the area, please go see his artwork. And some of
my bags and aprons are there as well – it’s a family effort! With the rain and
flooding in June, our trip away during August, and snow and flooding in
September, the fishing wasn’t too productive but I have a good feeling about
next year: The fish I didn’t catch will be bigger and more plentiful!
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| May the sun forever shine on Dad's resting place |
Finally the day came when we had to pack up, clean and tidy
our house at the ranch and get the laundry done at Shane and Peter’s house. The
next day we left for the airport and I’m glad to report another successful,
stress-free flight on WestJet got us safely home. The good weather followed us
and Maui is definitely the place to be as Winter finds its way to Southern
Alberta.
Thanks for coming along with us this summer. See you again next year when we head off for who-knows-where?
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