Spring of 2012 - Day 58 - Final Day of Our 1st Trip

April 13, 2012

We woke-up at 4:30, listening to the rain, hearing the thunder, and seeing the lightning.  We knew that it was going to be an exciting day home.

We got up at 7:00 or so.  Well, Vonna did, and got the coffee started.  I got up and dressed, took the dogs for a walk, and stayed out to finish putting everything away and get the trailer and truck ready for the trip home.

Vonna got a text from Tom saying that it was raining and windy at his house and to be careful.  We decited to eat breakfast before packing it up.  Most of our neighbors were leaving today also.

We went outside and it was raining again.  The truck was in ankle deep water.  I backed up and loaded trailer.  We were both soaked to the bone.

We then had to go dump the sewer.  The rain had stopped for a minute or so.  Vonna changed while I dumped.

We were on the road.  Saying good-by to the final stop of our trip.  It is sort of sad for this trip to come to an end, but we know we have many more to look forward to.  Many more memories for us to share together and with others.

Pismo Beach was a special place.  The first time we went there was our first family vacation.  I was changing jobs and my dad said that vacations were very important and we needed to take one at least once per year as a family, that the family grows up too fast.  Tammy was 1 and Tom was 4.  We went to Pismo Beach, dug for clams and fished.  We have pictures of Tammy holding on the tent walking around.  It is what memories are made of.  We made many trips back to Pismo Beach, most with our family at Thanksgiving.  Michele and Gary sleeping on the back of a flatbed truck, Pam & our kids all sleeping in the Alaskan Camper, Davy going with us.  My sister, Linda, and her family, the special times we spend together.  We had so many memories.

One special time was when grandma Nelson went with us.  We have a picture of her all bundled up out on the beach.  I didn't know what it was like to be cold at the beach.  As I get older I know how cold she was.  Special memories, and so many!

Back to the road.  We get started and we see the sun.  Looks like it was going to be a good ride home.

And then we hit some rain, and saw the thunder out in front of us, then it started to hail, then rain, really hard, and a little wind, and more hail.  It was really something for a couple of hours.

By the time we got home we were tired.  We unloaded the trailer, put the stuff away in the kitchen, and took showers and relaxed the rest of the night.  Oh, I ran to Del Taco for our dinner, but that was it.

This was a short 58 days.  We missed Tammy, Chris, and our other friends and family here in Turlock, but we both really enjoyed our time together and making memories with each other and others.

It was a great time.  Only thing missing was Mikaylah being mad that we were gone for her birthday, or being here when we got home.  It was difficult being with the family and her not being there, but we have many memories with Mikaylah, and she will always be a part of our life.  She may not be with us, but will always be here in spirit.  She will always be remembered.

Last year was a hard year.  My mom passing away in January, having both of my knees replaced, retiring, and then losing Mikaylah in December.  This was a great way to start the new year.  We will look back on this trip as an important part of our life.  It was great to get away, and make the memories that we did.

We are home for four days and then we leave on another trip.  TJ, Brenda's oldest grandson, is getting married in North Carolina.  We will be leaving on a three week trip, a little different because no trailer, but it will be a new adventure and many, many new memories.