Summer. We got away. Toward the smoke from fires in British Columbia and the Sourdough Mountain fire in the North Cascades, which closed Highway 20. Leaving Seattle, the Washington smoke blog was showing Winthrop, our destination, in solid red, with an AQI (air quality index) that had encouragingly dropped below 200—which means “Unhealthy!” The fires were still burning, no rain in sight. But we had a housesitter arriving to care for our cat, and we had hope.
thanks for writing. Nice to hear about you and your friends - brings up a bit of nostalgia - have not created vacations with adult children/family and in this life i have moved so much and "work" and immediate family times was my focus - so missing many friends - (next life i'll stay more connected with friends) . blessings be- and glad the smoke and fires had passed by the time of your vacation.
I remember, too, the family vacations to Northern Wisconsin, and later to Minnesota, where we watched the moon landing in the owner's house. Our little cabin had, of course, no TV! With my own children, it was a yearly trek to Manzanita, Oregon, where I still go to this day, although I'm a solo traveler now. This summer I went to Northern Illinois, where my family is from, to have a memorial for my sister who passed in June. I got COVID and spent the week in other sister's basement rec room.
That sounds like a sad whammy -- a memorial + COVID! I'm sorry to hear about your sister. And that you had to miss the family time.
Did you grow up in Illinois? Our family's farm was in Crystal Lake, not far from a place they called "Half Day" cause it used to take half a day to get there from Chicago. It was an hour's drive for us!
My sister lives in Harvard, but in the country. She was religious ed director for Crystal Lake!. I grew up closer to Chicago, near Roselle in a tiny place called Keeneyville!
Ah! Elgin! Our HS teams played Elgin. As pep squad publicity chair (not to be confused with the elevated status of cheerleader), I specialized in making posters w alliterative encouragements like “Eliminate Elgin!”
The past few years at Paw Paw have been especially wonderful because of the kids and grandkids, To see them experience the same things I did as a child and then my daughter did as a child is magical. It always remind me of E B Whites short story Once More To The Lake!
I’m glad you too were able to getaway this past summer!
Grandchildren are our link to the future just as we are their link to the past.
Absolutely! I am loving my new hip! But, of course, my other hip is acting up, or out, because it feels left out. I see another hip replacement in my future....
Love these stories of family time and the memories they evoke, especially that fresh-picked corn! How wonderfully intrepid, you all heading to Winthrop with indoor alternatives and hope! So glad that luck and the wind was on your side. One of my favorite outings this summer was in my own backyard, with friends that included a ten-year-old who showed me how to make hilarious slow-motion videos. Lots of grilling and chilling and a new board game called Poetry for Neanderthals that had us doubled over laughing.
Lovely post, Meg. Makes me homesick for Washington state. Cheers from Manila! Reni
thanks for writing. Nice to hear about you and your friends - brings up a bit of nostalgia - have not created vacations with adult children/family and in this life i have moved so much and "work" and immediate family times was my focus - so missing many friends - (next life i'll stay more connected with friends) . blessings be- and glad the smoke and fires had passed by the time of your vacation.
That's quite a thought -- planning for next life! A good idea!
& perhaps a few of your plans will fit into this one...
Thanks for reading & sending your thoughts!!!
I loved the memories, so many of the local dots match my own family getaways with my son.
There are so many great places around here, aren't there?
I remember, too, the family vacations to Northern Wisconsin, and later to Minnesota, where we watched the moon landing in the owner's house. Our little cabin had, of course, no TV! With my own children, it was a yearly trek to Manzanita, Oregon, where I still go to this day, although I'm a solo traveler now. This summer I went to Northern Illinois, where my family is from, to have a memorial for my sister who passed in June. I got COVID and spent the week in other sister's basement rec room.
That sounds like a sad whammy -- a memorial + COVID! I'm sorry to hear about your sister. And that you had to miss the family time.
Did you grow up in Illinois? Our family's farm was in Crystal Lake, not far from a place they called "Half Day" cause it used to take half a day to get there from Chicago. It was an hour's drive for us!
My sister lives in Harvard, but in the country. She was religious ed director for Crystal Lake!. I grew up closer to Chicago, near Roselle in a tiny place called Keeneyville!
Wow! Never heard of Roselle or Keeneyville! Are they west? northwest? southwest?
I'm sorry to say, my life was largely Cook County-centered! There was Cook County & the rest of Illinois (except for Crystal Lake)!
It was 25 miles West of Chicago on highway 20, Lake Street. Addison, Elgin, close by.
Ah! Elgin! Our HS teams played Elgin. As pep squad publicity chair (not to be confused with the elevated status of cheerleader), I specialized in making posters w alliterative encouragements like “Eliminate Elgin!”
Not my proudest achievements.😂
The past few years at Paw Paw have been especially wonderful because of the kids and grandkids, To see them experience the same things I did as a child and then my daughter did as a child is magical. It always remind me of E B Whites short story Once More To The Lake!
I’m glad you too were able to getaway this past summer!
Grandchildren are our link to the future just as we are their link to the past.
What a gift and a blessing to share Paw Paw with your kids & grandkids!!!
I had the opportunity to visit my sister on Harstine Island for 5 days this summer. Such a restorative and restful getaway.
Sounds like perfection! And do I recall correctly that you had some helpful surgery?
Absolutely! I am loving my new hip! But, of course, my other hip is acting up, or out, because it feels left out. I see another hip replacement in my future....
And I'm thinking I may be in line for another new knee -- but first, a new shoulder.
Argh!
But what's the alternative? Pain! Take care!
Love these stories of family time and the memories they evoke, especially that fresh-picked corn! How wonderfully intrepid, you all heading to Winthrop with indoor alternatives and hope! So glad that luck and the wind was on your side. One of my favorite outings this summer was in my own backyard, with friends that included a ten-year-old who showed me how to make hilarious slow-motion videos. Lots of grilling and chilling and a new board game called Poetry for Neanderthals that had us doubled over laughing.
Must know more about slow-motion videos & definitely putting Poetry for Neanderthals on my list!
Ha! I went to Lake Park High School in Medinah! Home of the Lancers!