Instead of a long drive we decided to fly into Reno and do a quick trip. Luckily Virginia was available and Ashley of course wanted to come to to check out this guy that was wanting to marry her grandma.
We got in town and we’re my mom’s chauffeur. We brought her to Jim’s house and then give them some time alone to get acquainted as we walked up to the cemetery behind his house.
The cemetery overlooks the old lumber mill that’s now closed. Both of my grandparents and my uncle are buried there and the McDonald family including Jim’s parents and his first wife and baby are buried right next to my moms family. They were friends growing up and now she’s returning back to her home town.
He has a great view of the mountain from his backyard. It is peaceful and quiet my mom seems to like it.
Traveling with Ashley means they’ll be lots of posing for pictures ;-)
We were trying to find the tail trail head for Fraser Falls and it got turned around for a bit. We started hiking and realized we were far away from it and then got back in the car and kept going down a crazy road it was small and narrow (I was in a large rental car that’s much bigger than what I’m used to driving). We finally found the trail head and it was worth it.
One of Ashley‘s art projects. She did a painting in honor of me being a mask maker ha ha. Great job Ashley!
It was raining a little so we brought an umbrella. The pollen was out and is it drifted into the puddles it looks like a painting.
Jim’s house looks a bit like he’s in a time warp. There are things that I completely remember from our visits over the years when we would have barbecues with them. Still the same decorations in the same place. He even had some items from the 60s that my mom‘s parents gave him and he still has. The good thing is he’s willing to clear away some of his old stuff so my mom can bring her furniture in to the house.
The best thing was they were both very happy to see each other. I feel like my dad is grateful that my mom will be taken care of. It seems quick to us that she’s getting married but she’s known that my dad wasn’t going to be with her for the last couple years. Jim lost his wife a couple years before my dad died. I think they’re both happy to have each other as companions and not be alone.
While we gave them time to be together Virginia, Ashley and I got to explore the area. We went and drove around Lake Tahoe and it was probably the least crowded it would ever be. Things were still shut down at the casinos but they just opened the public restrooms, thank goodness.
We had to pull up out pants and put our toes in the lake just to say we did it. The water is pretty cold.
We drove all the way around the lake and enjoy the lookout. It’s beautiful
We got to reconnect with Walter who we remembered hanging out with when we would come for visits when we were younger. He showed us his model car collection and enjoyed talking with us.
We are off to go find a hike and do more exploring!
On our way back we went and stopped in at the thrift store. Virginia says these might be great shoes for mom to wear at the wedding, ha ha
With my mom that night we went and drove to the Reno Temple. Happen to be just as the sun was setting.
Time to say goodbye at the airport. Both of them were more sure than ever that they wanted to get married.
Flying home
Back at home we did a fun day of jewelry making with the sisters. It’s fun to have people to craft with.
The other thing I’ve been spending a lot of time on is getting all the Social Security, retirement and other affairs in order after my dad‘s passing. It’s quite a complicated web to and we’ve trying to wrap up someone’s affairs. I’m also trying to get my mom‘s medication, doctors and her things taken care of before she moves up north.
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