Visiting Family in California
Sep. 16-28, 2008
We headed for Hayward to visit my sister Beryl to catch up on the latest on her family.
We then went to Aptos to see the Mannings and enjoy the California
seashore. Strolling along the beach in Aptos we came across this
example of California camping. Not sure what that guy was going to do
with the fireplace.
In Aptos Nancy had a chance to meet with Lynette Clark to share research on the Vanderbilt connection.
Next we went up into the mountains to visit with Nancy's uncle Chuck
and his wife Margaret; Chuck and Margaret are involved with helping to
clean up after the forest fire near Mariposa and Chuck is volunteering
as a chaplain for Hospice. We had a short visit with George
Gregory, the husband of my (deceased) sister Gladys.
Our final stop was in Merced in time for my brother Allan's 80th
birthday. The picture shows Allan and his wife, Sissy, with one of
their latest great grandchildren.
There was quite a gathering for Allan's birthday party. About 45 people
(children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, sibings, other
relatives, friends) were there to help him celebrate the event.
Allan's birthday "present" was paying for a steak dinner for the
guests. A couple of the grandchildren (or their spouses) did a great
job grilling the steaks. Thanks, Allan.
Blowing out the birthday candle. Fortunately, they didn't use 80 candles; that would have been a fire hazard!
Allan and sister Beryl trading stories about growing up together.
After the party we headed for Madera to meet up with Ed and Pat Manning
for the next leg of our trip - going to the Hot Air Balloon Fiesta in
Albuquerque.