3 old ladies take a trip

On March 28th, 2016, Life as I had known it, married to James Wallace Kitson, stopped.  Over the next few months, I tried sorting out what was left, while at the same time planning for a trip.  Jan Boehme, my close friend who lives in Page, and her sister Carol, who lives in Albany, OR, both widows, wanted to visit each other and also another sister in upper Idaho.  And so adding more friends and relatives to the list of who to see, we decided to take a trip.  For me, as I traveled with them it was a good part of my healing process.

On the 10th of August, 2016, my friend Jan and I set out.  We had a general outline of where we wanted to go and what we expected to see, but had tried to leave some latitude to add in time to shop and sightsee in unexpected places.  

The first leg of our trip took us from our homes in Page, AZ to St. George, UT where my sister-in-law, (Jim's youngest sister,) Norma Miller lives. 

Norma and Eric and grandsons Atom and Maalik

 She is my late husband Jim Kitson's youngest sister.  She has been such a help to me this year, getting through the first few days after Jim's death in March, and then foot surgery in April.  It was good to see her again, if just for one night.  Her husband, Eric  fixed us a wonderful dinner and later we enjoyed the evening playing Mexican Train.  

We arose early the next day and headed for Gardnerville, NV to Jan's granddaughter Kim, and her family.  We stayed there a couple of days, checking out antique stores and going to see Pete's Dragon.  They have two boys, 5 and 10 that were very enjoyable to be around.  They camped out in their parent's room and Jan and I had each of their bedrooms.  

It was heartwarming the whole trip, how family and friends took us in and found places for us to sleep.  While we had to spend some nights in hotels, we wouldn't have been able to make the whole trip if we had had to use hotels every night.

As to women in their 70's, who have lost their husbands, Jan and I were conscious that while we hope we can make many more trips like this, life is uncertain, and this could be our last time to see the people we were visiting on this trip.  So we were very grateful to our family and friends who took us in, and the opportunity to spend this time with them and their families.

Like weaving a rope, the trip was a mixture of Jan and my family and friends.  How our own lives had crisscrossed with out us knowing through time until we had eventually met and become friends, over the last few years. 

Jan was married 4 times.  The first marriage brought her 3 daughters, Lori, Debbie and Sandy and ended in divorce.  Her second marriage brought her a son, Don, and an opportunity to live in Scotland for a bit before he died unexpectedly.  Her third and forth husbands have also passed away.  Two of her daughters and the son live in Page, but her oldest daughter lives in Waldport, OR and it was her daughter,  and family we visited in Gardnerville, NV. 

After a few days with Kim, we headed north to Medford, OR and my cousin Fern and her husband Fred's home and I began to take photos.  I tried throughout the trip to show the changing landscape.  I took hundred's of photos, these are the better ones.  

Fern is the youngest daughter of my father's older brother.  Her father was killed in a hunting accident when she was small and her mother remarried.  Life's circumstances had only allowed us to meet a few times.  First when we were in our teens when my parents and I met up with my father's parents and grandmother, and his younger brother and his family and Fern and her older sister and parents at Lake Shasta, CA.  We didn't meet again until we were in our early 40's at a 50th Anniversary celebration for our father's younger brother and his wife.  Fern and Fred had sold their house in Oregon several years ago and bought a motorhome that they lived in year round, in Medford area in the summer and in Mohave, AZ in the winter. During that time my husband Jim and I would go to Mohave for a few days and visit them.  Then Fred had a bypass and he is more reluctant to travel so far.  So they bought a double wide in a very nice park and only go as far south as just north of Sacramento in the winter.  It's not as warm as Mohave, but warm enough. 

For this visit with them,  our beds were the couch for Jan and a pallet on the floor for me.  They also enjoy Mexican train.  On the one full day we were there we met up with Fern's older sister Bernice, for lunch.  She is the elder of the two.  I hadn't seen her since the folks and I went to California and we all met at Lake Shasta.

Bernice, me and Fern

Fern me and Jan

Fred and Fern

I really enjoy being with both Fern and Bernice.  Fern is the more casual of the two, Bernice the more businesslike, reminds one of a school teacher, but both fun to be with.  On the way back I met one of the grandsons, Charles, a big bear of a guy, but very nice, (I think he said he worked in construction, and he sure fit the bill looks wise,) and Jason, an impish handful, but sweet and obedient to her.  You could tell both of them adored her.

The next day we headed out early and drove to Albany, OR where Jan's sister Carol lives.  Her younger daughter and boyfriend live with her.   It was funny as in Fern's front yard she had a tin man decoration, (note the little tin man in the first photo,) and when we pulled up in Carol's yard  well somehow he was there to meet us, (or anther just like him.)  Seemed to tie the two together.   

  We took it as a good omen that our trip of combining family and friends was going to be good one.

Little tin man at Carol's

We were only at Carol's long enough to load in her suitcases and head out again for the Coast.  We went through Corvallis, where Jon was born in 1969, and as it was lunch time we stopped to eat at McGrath's Fish House, a seafood restaurant Jan had wanted us to be sure to eat at.  It was very good, and to her it was what you do in Corvallis, but I don't think it was there yet when I lived there.  Much had changed, and we were anxious to get on to the coast, so we didn't look around much. 

  

We took the road to Waldport, and got in about 5pm.  Called Jan's oldest daughter, Lori, (Kim's mother) and she met up with us and took us to the house we would be staying in. Lori works for Sweetland Vacation Rentals http://www.sweetlandvacationrentals.com/, 1-877-472-4986, that manages rental houses for people.  Lori's job is to clean them and get them ready for the next renters.  So she was able to arrange for a great deal, in a different house, for Jan and Carol last year with their sister Diane, and another for this year for Jan and Carol and I.  

My bedroom, big closet not shown

above 3 photos are of master bedroom

full bath off hall for other 2 bedrooms

third bedroom all had nice size closets

beach is easily accessable 

We got settled in and after some supper watched one of the movies provided with the TV.  I wanted to get a picture of us to put at the top of the Facebook page I had for us to cover the trip.  So I set the camera above the TV and ran to get into the picture.  The couches were really soft and we would sit on the back pillows to help pump it up some.  When I jumped into the middle between Jan and Carol, there was no pillow for me and I sunk in.  Jan started laughing and then we all did and then the camera took the photo.  It couldn't be better for what I wanted on top our FB page entitled "3 old ladies take a trip."

The next day had us headed north through New Port as far as Lincoln City, checking out thrift and tourist shops.  

Got back home just before Lori and her husband Mark came in to fix us supper.  Mark had always been a big biker, but when they moved to Waldport he gave up biking and took on fishing.  He was soon keeping them well stocked with Halibut and other fish.  She broiled up a great meal with Halibut glazed in a marinade of fruit preserve and pecans.  Heavenly, along with some vegetables and a nice wine. 

 The next day Lori was able to take off work and come with us as we drove south as far as Yachats.  We picked her up and then went by the house they have been having built.  They weren't in it yet, so couldn't walk around much, but at least gave Jan an idea as to how it would all look.   

We then ate pastries in a little shop for breakfast, then proceeded on to Yachats where we pulled off by the ocean several times and explored more little shops.  Including one delightful little shop called Toad Hall, that Lori had heard about but never been able to find before.  We ate lunch at the Adobe Restaurant and Lounge that overlooked the ocean.  While we ate we could see whale surfacing and blowing.  

After lunch, more shops, ending with some ice cream and lots of visiting and laughing.  We took Lori home and she showed us her plants and such that she has been getting ready for her garden at her new house.

We then went and walked the beach for a bit.  Lori and Mark again came and fixed supper.  

This time she used more of the halibut fillets cut up small and cooked in an alfredo sauce over pasta.  Delicious, and tasted like chicken.  After they went home we watched another movie and went to bed.  

The next day we packed and cleaned up some, putting our sheets in the wash and headed out for Tillamook to visit the cheese factory.  This was a pretty trip up the coast for part of the way.  The factory was a self guided tour where you overlooked the different processing areas.  Then one big cheese store that you entered past big bins of cheese samples.  We bought some cheese and meat sticks and bread to make us a lunch later.

From Tillamook we drove through Portland that had grown so much from when I was there.  Still looked like a beautiful city, and on up the Columbia.  There are several falls along the gorge, all reached by a side road.  This was where we had contemplated having a leisurely lunch.  From the time we took the side road we realized this was a mistake.  The road goes about 10 miles, and it took us over an hour of steady stop/go car and foot traffic.  No where to park and we barely caught a glance of one of the falls.  Finally back on the highway we pulled off again to a much more subdued, but still fairly busy Bonneville Fish Hatchery 

http://www.oregon.com/attractions/bonneville-fish-hatchery and finding an available picnic table, had our lunch. 

 Our goal for the day was Lewiston, ID, but we began to realize we weren't going to make it so started looking for something else.  Using the Garamond and my cell phone, I soon had us reservations  at the Riverview in Hood, OR.  It was a nice, clean, quiet hotel. 

 The next day we were up and going by about 8, after a great nights rest. On to Ulmatilla for breakfast. We were headed to Jan and Carol's sister, Diane, and husband Frank who live in the mountains in Idaho. We were under the impression we couldn't go there until the next day.  So Jan called a neice that lived in Lewiston to see if we could spend the night there.

We got to Lewiston in the early afternoon after following along the snake river, and a lot of the area covered by Lewis and Clark. 

We got to Lewiston in the early afternoon after following along the snake river, and a lot of the area covered by Lewis and Clark.

 We took advantage of our time to go on up to Genesee where Jan, Carol and Diane grew up. 

We saw the school they had attended that had grades k-12, all in the same school. Much of the downtown is still the same but the area around their house has changed. When they lived there the family owned quite a lot of acreage, which was sold off over time and replanted with houses and streets. So the gardens they remember are long gone. We also passed the church they attended. 

Then it was back down the hill with a short stop at a lookout over Lewiston where we by accident ran into people who had once lived in Page.  As we were coming down the hill Jan got a call from Diane saying, "I've just got the beds all changed, I thought you would be here by now?"  So a quick call back to the niece (who I think was very relieved.)  Next, a quick visit to a Dairy queen and on to Lenore and Diane's house where we got a warm welcome.

 First order was to go to their deck and see their wonderful view of the lake. Next inside and sort out our sleeping arrangements. They have a beautiful home and our accommodations are fantastic. I quickly told them sorry, but I'm not going any further, I'm moving in. LOL Unfortunately they have many friends who love to visit them and my bed was already booked for the day we left.  Until then I  thoroughly enjoyed being there and their lovely cats Holly and Emily, who immediately took to me. I'd been missing my little guys and this helped. 

The next day was shop till we drop day. Jan woke me up at about 8:30 for breakfast. French toast and some great sausage that Frank, made. then we got ourselves going and were off to Moscow, ID. First to the Goodwill and next to lunch at the Outback. Then on to a nice clothes shop that was having a great sale. Ended with a stop at the grocery store while I took a nap in the car. And home where we all pitched in and put together under Diane's directions a great homemade chicken noodle dinner with cold slaw made from one of Frank's huge cabbages, and pickled cucumber and onions also from his garden. Well stuffed we watched Antique Road show and then Frank went to bed and the 4 of us girls played Mexican Train. I won.

A comment about the landscape here. Much of it from before Lewiston to here and today to Moscow and back is through rolling wheat fields. It amazes me how almost none of the land is flat, but rolling hills, and the different fields lay out like patterns on a patchwork quilt. Most of the fields have already been thrashed and the patterns through the fields from the threshers make for an interesting view.

The next day was a stay at home day at my request.  I so hated the thought of leaving that pretty room. Got up to a nice breakfast of bacon, eggs & toast with huckleberry jelly. Then checked our emails, did a wash and cleaned up the kitchen and went out on the deck and played Mexican Train. Jan won.

Diane makes quilts, lots of quilts, so I started the day photographing them. First I did the ones she is using. Then after we played Mexican Train, we went downstairs and I photographed more plus the ones she is working on and her sewing room and Roger's play room. Also went outside and photographed their little guest house. 

Throughout the day we were entertained by the visiting deer and wild turkeys.
After a scrumptious supper of pork chops, baked potatoes and cucumbers, we played one more game of Mexican train (I won.) It has truly been a nice visit at Diane & Roger's house.

Well, we hit the road again the next day after saying goodbye to the cozy room I had been staying in, in the beautiful home of Diane & Frank. We were on our way by 8am and stopped for some breakfast along the way.. Also made a pit stop at a nice National Park rest stop and later at a neat shop for all things huckleberry.  

Bought some gifts and picked up a pie to eat after supper once we got to Lynette's. She is a childhood friend from Genessee of both Jan and Carol. She has a nice home that she shares with her daughter, granddaughter and two great grand children.

Today we got up, said goodbye to Lynnette's house and taking her with us headed out for Bozeman, MT. 

We had breakfast down the road. Biggest ham slices and eggs and toast. We all had ham leftover for later. Made a sidetrip to  Philipsburg, an old mining town set out on the plains,  to check out gemstones, buy some candy at one big candy shop and get some ice cream.  Then continued on past rolling hills, forests, fields, big rocks, and more fields, even a tractor on top a hill,  until we got in to Bozeman and the Comfort Inn about 5pm. Supper was our ham and crackers while watching TV and then to bed.

The next day we got up and met Jan's granddaughter Shannon, who is going to college here. This past year she took a class that took her to England and Europe with some time at Pompeii where they had to study one of the villas that has been uncovered there. The artifacts were brought back to the University here and are on display. Shannon is studying architecture and has worked in part with the university and others on a book that will detail how to display the artifacts back in Italy. The book will be finished and translated and sent back so the building for the artifacts can be built. In the meantime they will be on display here and at the Smithsonian. The display here was very impressive and informative and we were so glad to know about it and get to see it with our own personal guide, Shannon. 

Afterward we went to a thrift store and picked up some American artifacts for our own use. Me a neat and different cat bed and some lace gloves for a friend. As we were getting back in the truck I noticed a spiral brass freestanding staircase.

We went on to the Olive Garden where we had a very nice lunch and as they had the buy one take one home, we indulged and got that to fill Shannon's refrigerator. She surprised us though with buying our lunches. It was a very nice time all around. And while there I decided I really wanted to go back and buy the staircase. I think it will make a neat cat climber and who knows, maybe even work out somewhere else in time. Until then it will be my staircase to the stars I guess.

Back at the hotel we all took a nap and then watched a couple of movies and headed to bed. Another very nice day behind us. Shannon plans to meet us for breakfast and help us repack the truck and we will be off to Helena, where dad was born and on to Bigfork to return Lynette home to her family. She has been such a nice addition to our trip it will be hard to leave her off. Plans are already in the mix for her to visit Page.

The next day we had breakfast with Shannon who helped up load up the car. Carol fell going out the side door at the hotel and banged herself up pretty bad. Has a black eye, sore hand and hip. Luckily her glasses survived pretty well. Jan is calling her Crash.  Poor Carol.

We took a detour to Helena, MT where I thought my Dad was born, but it turned out he was born in Kalispel, MT.  Anyway it was a nice break and took us north another way than we had come down. Had a nice lunch at a little cafe and one more stop at a jerky and gift place and then on back to Lynette's where we had a light supper and played Mexican Train. Lynette won.  Then we all headed to bed. Another nice day. We decided to stay over another day to sight see in the area and then head on to Caroline & Walts (Jim's brother and sister in law's.)  Got  up to a nice breakfast fixed by Jessica, Lynette's granddaughter. Jan had bought big sweetrolls and Jessica cut them in strips and dipped them in egg batter and fried like French toast, like we had told her they do it in Mary's Cafe, in Flagstaff. They were a real treat and we had bacon and sausage with them. 
Then Lynette showed us around downtown Bigfork. It is a small business district for tourists full of art and posh, artys gift shops and eating places. We visited for avbit with a couple from England who also have a house in Florida. There were a lot of beautiful and unique items we saw but most also had very high end tourist prices. Eventually we worked around to the local ice cream shoppe always a favorite with Jan.  Everywhere we went Carol had to explain about her fall as she was sporting quite a shiner. 

Exhausted from all the shopping, we also stopped at a grocery on the way home and ran the truck through a car wash. Home at last we took a nap and then Lynette's other daughter arrived with her husband and the girls fixed potato salad, beans, a maccaroni salad and hamburgers. There was lots of visiting and laughing. After the daughter left we settled down to a game of Mexican Train, which I won. Guess another name for this trip could be "3 old ladies trip on a Mexican Train eating ice cream." LOL Now again it was time for bed. We would leave out the next day for Boise and Jim's brother Walt and sister in law Caroline's. It will be good to see them again. They had visited us about 3 years ago in Page.
Today would have been Jim and my 19th anniversary. A bitter-sweet day for me.

We left Lynette's with promises from them all to visit us in Page. We had such a grand time there. We traveled down through more beautiful country. The last leg of the trip took us up over some pretty windy roads to over 7000 feet at the continental divide. We were concerned about the road as we had been told it had been closed the week before due to fires. It was sad to see the devastation at some points and we could still see the fire burning over the crest of the next hill, but it had already done it's damage on the parts we went through and the road was fine. 

We got into Boise about 6:30 pm, 3 very tired old ladies. Seeing Walt and Caroline and their lovely home, perked us up again. They had made a lovely dinner for us of corn on the cob, and grilled chicken and and a real scrumptious  peach cobbler. It was very good to see them again and do some visiting and then head for bed. I downloaded photos, but was too tired for anything else. The beds felt soooo good.

We got up to blueberry pancakes, eggs and bacon. Yummy. We ate out on the patio. Then we went to a place called JUMP, a new think tank type enterprise built for the city by the family of J. R. (Jack) Simplot, an Idaho entrepreneur and the man who started the company that provides french fries for McDonalds, among other things. Really neat building concept. 

Next we checked out 3 thrift shops with Walt while Caroline had a physical therapy appointment. We all met back at the house for a bit of a rest and then they took us to a ritzy shopping area called the Meridian that besides lovely shops had lots of fountains and flowers. We had a great supper at the Kona Grill,  one of the restaurants there and our waitress was great and intrigued by our trip and Facebook page.  Her manager  took our picture with the waitress and she later posted it on our site.

Shyla Kilborn was our waitress at the Kona Grill, and checked us out at ‎3 Old Ladies Take a Trip

She wrote: 
I got to spend an hour with these awesome ladies tonight! I am so glad I got to meet you - such an inspiration and so much fun! I will be checking in on your escapades! Be safe ladies! — feeling inspired at Kona Grill.
She was such a good waitress and made our evening even more special.

Home again we played a rousing game of Mexican Train. It has been such fun here with lots of laughs. Caroline and Walt are gracious hosts, a special blessing from my marriage to Jim.  Know he would have enjoyed this visit. He probably would have even beat us at Mexican Train..

Our plan was to go from Boise to Albany, OR, through Bend where Jan had some friends she wanted to visit. While in Bend we learned that a better (although a bit longer) way to go would take us through Salem where Carol's older daughter, Carol, and family lived. As it turned out the other road was closed anyway. 

We called Carol to see if we could stop there and maybe take them out to dinner. She called back that she was making spaghetti for all of us and we could spend the night if we liked. Since we were becoming exhausted from traveling we took her up on it. I drove the last leg of the trip so didn't get any photos as we came through the woods into Salem.  The homemade spaghetti was great, along with fresh tomatoes from her garden.

From Boise to Bend it was quite dry, then we began to be in forest. Salem is quite green with a lot of farms of vegetables, fruit and nuts. Our trip from Carols daughter's to Carol's house in Albany only took a few minutes the next morning. With Carol's grandsons help we resorted our treasures in the car to make for better room and availability of what we needed on the trip and what was just going home. Then we headed out to do some grocery shopping for milk and dessert, while a pork roast cooked at home. Jan had damaged one of her fingernails so wanted to see a manicurist she knew and asked if I'd like to get a pedicure. I had never had one before, but plan to have many more since this one. For an hour or so, between the massaging chair and the leg massage and the pedicure I almost felt I was in heaven. Jan has assured me there is a place in Page just as good, and I know I'm going to try them out. 

We came home to a great pork roast dinner with fresh vegetables from their garden, potatoes and gravy and later dessert of chocolate pie, or cheesecake or pumpkin & pecan tarts, or all of the above. A diet and exercise plan definitely began the day after we got home. LOL

Carol's fall ended in a black eye, (more like deep purple) that has now spread to both eyes and down her right cheek, but gave her no other problems, than having to explain to everyone she meets what happened to her.  That and my spiral staircase, were the big conversation starters as we traveled.

Started out the next day about 10am headed for Medford. Interesting seeing what we saw on the way up, in reverse. We were  heading toward home bringing Carol with us. This wass just the first leg of our homeward journey. Carol will return home after staying with Jan for awhile. We were excited to enjoy her company for awhile longer. 

We stopped in Grants Pass for some take out and gas. Finally got to Medford about 2pm.

 I'd made reservations with the Remada Inn as Fern has her son, Leon visiting with her while he job hunts, and we are now 3 instead of 2 so decided a motel was needed. Also we were tired and ready for naps. So an early check in was appreciated. After running around the block a couple of times trying to find the way in to the hotel, we were happy to find we had a ground floor room right by the door. Called Fern and Fred was tired out from working on the roof the day before. So Fern called Bernice.  They came accompanied by Leon, Charles and 6 year old Jeremy, and had  dinner with us at Denny's that was attached to the hotel. Learned we got a discount there for our meals as it is part of the building. And there was a breakfast area for us a free breakfast in the morning.

The next day we got up and headed on to Kim's in Gardnerville, NV. Got there in time for supper, KFC and played a game with the kids. Spent one more day with Kim and then headed on to Norma's in St. George.

Got to Norma's had a great dinner. some Mexican train and on to bed.  The next morning,  took a side trip to Cosco for toilet paper for Jan, then headed home, first to her house. Got to Page about 2 pm, and rested at Jan's until Darryl got off work to help unload my staircase at my house. Once unloaded, and some groceries in it was time to just chill for a bit and enjoy my kitties, who seemed very happy to have me back. Sure missed them, but have such great memories of a wonderful trip.

After getting back I began to finally actively sort through Jim's electrical and computer stuff.  Worked with a couple of guys with Nerd Kits and shipped some stuff off to them.  Then called Page Computer who came out and got all the computer items I didn't need here.  They will go through it and apply some credit to my internet bill. 

Once I had the tables all cleaned off of his stuff I changed to one of the shorter ones that just fits under the big window in the back room.  Went to Page Furniture and bought a futon/couch and put it in next to my lazyboy.  I have it set up with Jim's computer .  I had done that when I had the foot surgery and needed to keep my foot up.  Put another easy chair that Walt Hamp & Janet had given me in the corner where the table had been and put the staircase at the end of the wall by the door to the bathroom. 

Sunshine figured out almost first thing, how to go up the staircase and over to their favorite window and look out.  Snoopy would sit at the bottom of the staircase and look forlornly from me to the window.  Finally I got him to go up with Temptation treats.  Only problem is when he goes up so does Sunshine who quickly jumps to the top shelf and then torments Snoopy from above until he gives up and comes back down the stairs.  Missy and RoamMeow haven't figured it out yet.  Missy will jump to the short shelf by the chair and then jump on up to the shelf by the window and comes back down by jumping down into the chair.  RoamMeow just sits on the back of the futon by that window.  He will watch when the others go up the staircase but you can see the dots just don't connect in his mind.
The trip is now over, a memory, a very good memory.  And life goes on...in a very different way.