California, time to go home

     As most of you may know, I am from Visalia, CA, born, raised, 3rd/4th generation to that area.  See the Jordan family.  I come down the John Jordan, Silas Tolbert Jordan line, very interesting history, enjoy.

     After leaving home, 6 years ago, it was time to go back for a visit.  My travel buddy, Ginger, in Visalia, offered me a bedroom to stay in, so, decided it was time.  I rented a car for the drive...did I say how long it took!!  Hours!!  Pretty scenery, nice easy drive. I left at 4:30 a.m., arrived to see my friend, Stef, in Modesto around 6:30pm.  Had dinner with her and her husband, nice visit, good food.  Proceeded on with my drive to Visalia arriving little after midnight.  Bed felt wonderful....

Ginger going out to spray, love this pic

     Up for breakfast and visit with Ginger.  Her home is in the country, around the corner from where I lived for 14 years.  It is my home away from home. Ginger has a great country home with lots of gardens, turtles, chickens, dog and cat.  It was sunny and warm...to us Oregonians that is great.

beautiful group of ladies from the 60's

     During my visit I was entertained by lunch with my  High School sweetheart (darn, now married), enjoyed feeling like "kids" again and reminiscing.  Had a "ladies reunion luncheon" small group of women who graduated Redwood High in 1967, this was fun, have not seen many since that time, we have all aged gracefully. We honored the memory of a classmate, who had passed with a brain tumor, again, lots of good memories. 

      Did a surprise visit to my "Missionary" bud, (we took teens to Mexico), another surprise with fellow H.S. graduate/4H leadership days.   She is recouping from chemo, doing good. 

     Lunch with friends in Tulare and had dinner with fellow secretaries from the Public Defender days, spend a entire day doing a "photo shoot" with best friend, Karen.  We made a trip to the Sequoia Park where I wanted to get pictures of the big Redwoods, 

tall trees

and we saw bears, mom with 2 cubs

Of course, spent time with my daughter, Kandi, and grands. My how the kids have grown!!  I made the mistake of visiting my grandson and daughter at their place of employment....Valley Oak SPCA....yes, I knew better...came away with a 6 month old, female pit/lab cross named Adele!!

relaxing on Auntie Ginger's lawn

doesn't miss a thing!

  Just look at the upside...I saved a life!!  She is Brindle in color, loves people, chickens and my cat. (requirement)  After the long drive home, she is a "seasoned" traveler too. She loves the bed that "auntie Ginger" sent home for her, as you can see:

   

Aslan "allowing" Adele to sleep in his domain.

     After 7 days I am home.  A friend from Redwood/College days said I am an adventuresome soul....we had lunch together on my drive through Sacramento on the way back home.  I think he is right...so, on to the next adventure...which will also include Adele...she may get her own blog spot!!