The Dynamic Duo

You may have thought that I dropped off the end of the earth, but not so. Just gone on a little vacation, and now I’m back, so lucky you!
It was rather differend from my recent Oregon Vacation, which I have yet to finish writing about. Bet you thought I’d forgotten and that the torture of hearing an hourly account of Oregon rain was over, but I’ll be back to it soon. That vacation was just my own family (or part of it anyway) and the idea was just to find fun and interesting things to entertain ourselves. But this Californian vacation centered around a family event, my nephew’s wedding. Yes, family was involved in both events, but I was the only one of my present immediate family to participate. It’s kind of funny to me how you can grow up around these people (brothers and sisters), and you all have common memories and backgrounds. Now we all live in such different places and circumstances, but when we get together, its easy to revert back into the same type of childhood roles.

I drove to Emmett, near Boise, after work about a week ago, and bright and early the next morning, we set off in the Toyota Avalon for a little (10 hour) road trip. Who is this “we” of whom I speak so glibly? Well, my sister Debi, her son Michael (a 6’5” or so high school soon to be senior), her daughter Sara (a 6’0” tall gorgeous 22 year old, who wears about a size 4 and is a vegetarian) and Sara’s boyfriend Ben (probably about Sara’s age, former high school wrestler, about 6’2”). Whew! What a cast of characters! The trip was suprisingly without serious incident of hostility (just a few minor, sibling type things). This was largely due to….....ME, UltraMom! I had brought along a book-on-tape. Not just ANY book on tape, but the unabridged John Grisham “The Last Juror”. I don’t know how we timed it so well, but we listened to it all the way to Calif, all the way back, and finished the last tape just about 1/2 hour before arriving back in Emmett at my sister’s house. It also helped that Debi’s laptop computer was there; Michael stayed largely entertained with games and movies. Where was all this kind of stuff when I was traveling as a kid? Back in MY day, we had to entertain ourselves, with such thrilling games as “I touched you last” “Are we there yet?” and, my parents favorite.. “The Quiet Game”. Debi and Sara did the driving, and both are excellent. In Calif, Sara did virtually all the driving, and she really has a knack for finding her way around a place.
Sara and Ben both attend Carroll College in Helena, Montana. Both are working at summer camps in New York this summer, though not together. Sara is planning a semester abroad to finish her degree next fall, either in Scotland or Rome. Ben is planning to apply to medical school in about a year. Michael and Debi are going to Sydney Australia in July in an organized sports tour so that Michael can compete in swimming. Okay, just wanted to give you a little background.
I felt a little sorry for Ben. The Montana native had never been to Nevada, Oregon or California before, and about all he saw of them was the road, stores and our family. But he was a very good sport. The occasion was my brother’s son’s wedding. Dave (brother), wife (Jane), son and groom (Charley) and daughter (Linda, who by the way, will be attending Albertson College in Idaho next year. Its a very good, very expensive, very small liberal arts college, and linda will have a full ride scholarship) live in Placerville, Ca. We were very excited by the arrival of brother Dan and wife Mary from New Jersey; we didn’t think they were going to make it as Mary’s 94 year old grandmother was in the hospital, but they surprised us, and we were delighted. UltraBob will remember Uncle Dan, and Uncle Dan still remembers UltraBob as the bratty kid who clobbered him over the head with a “Corn-Popper” toy. IN case you don’t know, its a rather solidly built toy on the end of a wooden handle. Ouch! Unfortunately, sister Francie and husband Neil, who live in San Luis Obispo, CA were’t able to make it.
Anyway, the days passed all too quickly. It always takes a bit of the day trying to connect with people when you are all on slightly differend schedules. Some of the most memorable times (besides the wedding and reception of course) revolve around food. We went to a place in Old Sacramento called Fat City where we had some outstanding French Onion Soup, salad and Mud Pie. Yummy! We breakfasted one day in a charming cafe where we were able to eat outdoors on a balcony. The omelet and french toast that my sister and I split was yummy!
Well, this looks pretty boring looking back at it, but it’ll have to do for tonight. Tomorrow its back to the old grind.
Hasta La Vista, Baby.

UltraMom

PS This is probably pretty bad, but I’m too tired to proofread.