Our Trip to Virginia, Part 2 - The Vacation

Virginia. What a beautiful green place, especially if you live in the desert. After the wedding (Sunday) we drove back to South Riding via Annapolis, Maryland. We so enjoyed the waterfront area near the Naval Academy. It was like taking a step back in time by at least 200 years. It is where they used to dock and unload slaves. The highlight of our visit to Annapolis was the leisurely boat tour we took.

On our way around Washington, DC we dropped Brandon off at the subway to hook up with his friend, Blaine, who worked at the Capitol as an intern for Representative Jim Matheson. It felt really strange dropping our "innocent young son" off in such a foreboding place where he knew nothing and no one. Jaime and Lisa politely reminded us that we probably would not have done that for them so willingly. They're right in that we would have hesitated a little more. Shame on us. It's hard to remember that our children are adults now and fully capable of taking care of themselves . . .

We hooked up with Brandon the following day, spent a little time with him and then sent him back to Salt Lake on a plane. His short weekend went very quickly, too quickly for my way of thinking.

Mom and Pop flew home mid-week.

We spent a few days that week touring some of the sites in and around Washington, DC: the National Air and Space Museum's Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center where we saw the Enola Gay (dropped the bomb on Hiroshima); the National Archives where the original Declaration of Independence and the Constitution are well protected; the National Museum of Natural History where the live butterfly exhibit was so fun to walk through; some needed to visit the National Gallery of Art looking for art for their homes; a personal tour of the Capitol building courtesy of Brandon's friend, Blaine.

Mid-week we made a road trip to Newark, NJ where we stayed overnight and then took a train into New York City to see the site of the World Trade Center. Along the way we found ourselves off-track and driving through a very quaint little town known as Pilesgrove, NJ. When I think of small town America, this is what comes to mind. The restaurant we ate at had real home cooking. It was Halloween time and all the lamp posts along the main streets were decorated with scarecrows, witches, etc.

The site of the World Trade Center is really only a construction site at this point, but we visited St. Paul's Church across the street. There was a lot of memorabilia and pictures of many of the victims. It was at this little church with the cemetery all around it that many of the rescuers took refuge from the difficult task of trying to help in the aftermath of 911. It is also in this church that President George Washington worshipped immediately following his inauguration as our first president on April 30, 1789.

While in New York, we also checked out a vantage point where we could see directly into the open construction site. Great plans are in the works.

We went through the WTC Visitor Center which was a tremendous help in bringing the experience of 911 home to me. There was a wall of pictures of every one of the victims along with a few personal items. I think the thing that struck me the hardest was a piece of a plane where an entire window had been. I kept wondering who had been sitting in the seat next to that window and what they must have seen and felt. Very sobering.

That day was not an easy day for Jaime and me. Neither one of us felt very well and New York City with all it's smells and noise is not the place to be when you're nauseated and have a bad headache.

We all quite enjoyed the lunch we had. I think Duane will remember that more than anything.

The last few days were just quiet and relaxing. Lisa flew home on Saturday, the 11th. Duane and BJ spent that day out hiking and enjoying themselves. Tanya, Jaime and I spent our time trying to feel better. Angie was content to watch movies since she hadn't seen any all week.

The flight home was uneventful. Angie got on the plane without any problems. We arrived in Las Vegas early enough that we drove all the way home to St. George.

It was a wonderful vacation. Tanya and BJ are very easy to spend time with and they make you feel very welcome. And they don't fuss over their company. I'm sure they breathed a sigh of relief when all their visitors were finally gone.

Now all we have are memories . . . but they're happy ones. And lots of pictures.

(More pictures to be added when I get them from Jaime.)

Our Trip to Virginia, Part 1 - The Wedding

Duane, Jaime, Lisa, Angie and I flew to Dulles International Airport near Washington DC on Thursday, October 2, 2008. We were on time to the airport in Las Vegas. All was going well until I discovered Angie did not have her ID. (We still haven't found it.) Nevertheless, she got on the plane with only a little extra hassle. I'm sure they made an exception because of who she is and the fact that she was travelling with family.

Our flight was uneventful. We rented a car, stopped at Tanya's house to pick something up for her and headed toward Cape Charles, Virginia, about a 4 1/2 hour drive south. Lisa's Iphone was a great help with directions. No glitches until we learned our back lights were not working. Two young men at an auto parts store in Richmond, VA, were so very helpful. It turned out to be only a burned out fuse.

Tanya had rented a beautiful home across the Chesapeake Bay not too far from Cape Charles. All of BJ's family and our family including Mom and Pop were together. By the time everyone arrived, there were 18 of us, but it was still a very comfortable, pleasant experience.

When we finally arrived close to midnight, everyone was still up and waiting for us. What a welcome! Tanya had a nice meal prepared, we visited a short while and laid our exhausted bodies down to rest after a very long day of travel.

Brandon flew in on a redeye Friday morning. We drove back across the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel in the daylight. What an amazing feat of engineering! It spans 18 miles across the Chesapeake Bay, going across the surface for a while and then dipping down under the water so large ocean going vessels can cross without difficulty. The next day was fairly laid back. Some went running and for walks, some swam and did the hot tub thing, some of us just visited. We helped dip pretzels and bag them. (Dipping chocolate is not an easy task. There is definitely some skill and know-how involved.)

That afternoon we went over to Cape Charles for family pictures. The wedding rehearsal dinner was that evening, so those of us not involved did our own thing. We explored the tiny town of Cape Charles and went to dinner at a Mexican restaurant. I believe we were the lucky ones. Our evening was quite relaxing.On Saturday, the 4th of October in the middle of the afternoon we gathered at the end of the pier where the wedding was to take place. It was a beautiful, serene setting, one I think we all enjoyed. I'm not sure the bride and her mother were feeling what we were feeling, but that's to be expected. Marissa was an absolutely gorgeous bride. Brock is an incredible man. We were so happy to meet him and look forward to getting to know him.

After the ceremony there were cocktails, a photo op and we found ourselves at the reception.

Have you every experienced the sunset on the ocean? Try it sometime.

It was a fun evening with eating, toasting, laughing, crying, music, dancing. Some even enjoyed the drinking part - a little too much. The best part is that we were experiencing Marissa's wedding together. And it was a joyful event.

Forever Friends

Richins Cabin - Labor Day 2008

We have a tradition of going to Island Park, Idaho (just West of West Yellowstone, Montana) every Labor Day Weekend. We used to go for the Knothead Jamboree Square Dance but time has taken its toll on some of us, so now we go more to be with forever friends.

I always marvel that we all have such different personalities and yet we get along so well. I know that some of us would never have been drawn together were it not for the fun and friendship of square dancing. What a neat activity! It has provided us so many friends and opportunities over the years. I can't imagine my life without it!

Linda and Leland Richins are such gracious hosts. Over the years the men have taken on several projects as a thank you for their hospitality. Some of those projects include building a removable railing around the decks, building an over-sized garage and loft which sleeps 14 people comfortably, installing a washer and dryer, building a pretty classy outhouse and gathering firewood. This has been particularly helpful for the Richins since Leland has been plagued with Parkinsons Disease for the past ten years.

There are no rules, no expectations other than good food, good fun and lots of laughs. We read when we want to, nap when we want to, sit and chat when we want to, take walks or hikes when we want to.

There is four wheeling, bicycling, horse shoes, sightseeing and shopping. There are plenty of movies to watch and lots of games to play. I learn a new one or two every time I go. Too bad I can't remember them when I get home . . .

We always eat very well. Each couple is pre-assigned to be responsible for at least one meal. We plan it, do the shopping and prepare it. Everyone else pitches in to help. Imagine feeding 20 people and then having it cleaned up within 20 minutes! Amazing! There is always a table piled high with goodies for munching purposes. As I said, we eat very well.

Each year there are boutiques, antique and otherwise, in the area. Tradition is that we go to West Yellowstone for dinner and the Playmill Theatre. This year we saw "Oklahoma." It was great fun. We went for ice cream afterward.

These friends are amazing. Each one has a special and unique gift to offer. We have been through a lot over the past 30 years -- happy times, sad times, good health, poor health. We have watched each other's children grow and watched them wrestle with challenges. We have celebrated graduations and weddings and births (children and grandchildren) together. We have mourned the loss of loved ones together. We have traveled together. We have spent many, many hours dancing together and enjoying the camaraderie of after-parties telling "true" stories and laughing at each other's jokes. We have celebrated birthdays together -- and, boy, do we know how to celebrate!


Friends provide a safe haven for us when we need it. They buoy us up, they tell us like it is. They make us laugh and they cry with us. They are honest with us, but they pick the time and choose their words carefully. True friends give us the benefit of the doubt in all things. There are some things that are easier shared with friends than with family. And that's okay, because their life experiences are different from ours and they can offer a new perspective.

Duane and I moved away from all our friends when we left Draper; and we do feel the distance physically, but our hearts are just as close to them as ever because we love them and we know they love us. And they'll be there for us if we ever need them.

Friends . . . what would life be without them . . . I shudder to think of it.

Disneyland & A Quarter Century

Jaime had been wanting to go to Disneyland for a long time and she had been dreaming about taking Angie. So on April 26, 2008 that trip to Disneyland became a reality. The occasion (not that one was needed) was Angie's 25th birthday. Jaime and Rob were kind enough to include me.

It was a wonderful, carefree vacation. Rob made it his responsibility to take care of all of us and make sure we were comfortable and had plenty of liquids -- and ice cream.

Angie was such a great sport! She had very specific ideas about what she wanted to ride after she caught on to the whole experience. We rode nearly all the rides in the Magic Kingdom and the funnest ones in California Adventure. We had to coax her a little at times when the lines went up and over, but she braved through it and was willing to "go again." I'll never understand how she can be afraid of heights and yet love the roller coasters . . .


We surprised her with a Princess Luncheon where she met Ariel, Belle, Cinderella, Princess Aurora (Sleeping Beauty), and most importantly Snow White. A couple of the hightlights at the luncheon were her stealing Rob's napkin in a panic to wipe her mouth and her popping out of her chair and leading the entire restaurant as they sang happy birthday to her.

We found ourselves wearing out in the afternoons, so we went back to the hotel for a nap and had a leisurely dinner before returning for evening adventures.

Some of our favorite quotes from Angie were "Urry, Mommy. Snow White waiting," (this said as we were packing for the trip) "go again," "BORING!"

Thanks again to Jaime and Rob for including me in this once in a lifetime vacation.