This afternoon we will embark on the 27 hour train journey that will lead us to Tacoma, Washinton, and family and family camp.
I am gearing up for the long ride in the confined space, but I have booked a sleeper car on the second floor of the observatory car on the Starlight. This train journeys up the coast of California to Tacoma.
We (Elisha and I) are ready to travel. Our time in Samta Maria has been so relaxing, and we may be transition to bustling activities with my brother and his family. There are bikes to ride, hikes to walk on, sight seeing to,be done in Seattle or Tacoma, so, that means ferry rides and lots of walking. Family camp means cool activities like daily worship services, archery, horse back riding, swimming, biking, walking, kayaking, canoeing, horse back riding, zip line adventures. This year rumor has it that there is a jacuzzi somewhere on the Cascades Camp property…hmmmm.
My determination this year has to do with being able to get n a horse and go for a long trail ride.
Last year, I could not get my tush up over the saddle. Not sure if my core body strength is any different than last year, but I do know that I was much more cancer symptomatic last year than this.
So, I will try to get on a horse again. I will post it if I succeed!

The time here in Santa Maria is so relaxing. No schedule. Just hanging out enjoying the company of good friends, eating delicious fresh food, and not having 1 “have to” on my plate. I don’t have to teach a class. I don’t have to go to any infusion of chemo. I don’t even have to get out of my PJs! Elisha and I are just enjoying the freedom from any structure in our day. However, if I want to catch that train tomorrow to Tacoma, then I’d better accept some sort of schedule. I don’t think Amtrak waits for anyone!

Our great western journey has begun! We arrived to Santa Maria after a long drive to Ohio over Father’s Day weekend.  I left Boston on June 15th, and inched my way across the Tobin bridge with thoughts and prayers that my trip was not going to be this laborious.  My patwere wasps on trial as my Chevy malibu inched its way across the bridge that leads me out of Boston.  it took about an hour and a half..?painful.  Once we got beyond Worcester, MA the drive to Little Falls, NY was smooth.  little Falls was beautiful with good friends, their lovely old home, the Erie Canal, herkimer diamonds, and a long walk before a long drive heading further west.

We set out for Edinboro, PA the next afternoon, Saturday the 16th…The traveling took all day and the rolling hills and farmlands of NY into Pennsyvania soothed my eyes. I was getting very tired and Elisha was ready to disembark the back seat of my car!  We arrived at Lakeside, my cousin Kitty’s sweet home, that late afternoon.  Hanging out in Endiboro was edifying for both Elisha and I.  My cousin, her husband Buck,and their teen daughter Cassandra, we’re so gracious to us.  We stayed for a bit of a family reconnection until later into Father’s Day.  It was nice and felt important.  My cousin and I had not seen each other for many years. (25).

After a wonderful visit, Elisha and I, and all our stuff,  stuffed into my car, and rolled into my sister’s driveway Sunday, June 17th around 6:00pm…Tired, but so glad to be “home”. I was grateful for the couple of days with my family before Elisha and I got on a plane to SanFrancisco!

However, on Tuesday, June 19th, we got on a plane with one suitcase stuffed with our stuff for our great western adventure, and flew to SFO. We landed in California that evening at 11:00pm Pacific time.  To our bodies it felt like 2:00am, so weary and travel worn, we took a shuttle to a hotel, and crashed until morning.  Elisha awoke at 6:30am.  It was early, but good because it took us awhile to get from the hotel to a 10:30 greyhound to Santa, Maria.  That adventure is to be shared on another post!