Inspiration for America

Yesterday, Monday, September 18th was a day of rest. It was also the 70th Year of the United States Air Force which Bob served in. We relaxed, went to lunch at Islands in Simi Valley and hung out with Johnny. The boys did a barbecue on the front porch since there is construction in the backyard. I did my meeting with the ladies of Pure Desire and it was a nice quiet happy day.

TODAY

September 19, 2017

Bob and I had the honor of going to the Ronald Regan Presidential Library here in Thousand Oaks, Ca. area. We had heard about it from our dear friends Tom and Dolly Green who have been to most of the Presidential Libraries. They have traveled a ton and are always full of stories and places to go.

It was a beautiful drive up a long driveway with the Admiral going with us. He, however, was not allowed in the building without paying a fare, so he had to only get his picture taken with Ronny's entrance poster. 

It was a four-hour amble through display section after display section. They were inspiring, thought-provoking, and entertaining. He was a wonderful President, interesting man, and, I believe, a true believer in God, humanity, and America. 

Key high points:

• Bob was a great guide and so kind to push me around so I could get everywhere.
• We got to see snippets of his whole life, not just presidency
• We learned details about the conflicts and political upheavals we lived through in our early years of marriage and parenting
• We got to walk through  Air Force One
• We got to hear about the internal details that eventually brought down the Berlin  Wall
• His passion and respect for our military and their value to our country was point on
  
• He had a huge love for the outdoors
• He honored and furthered the arts
• He kept journals and 3x5 cards with him so he could write down inspirational notes from his travels where he wrote poems and dreams as well as big ideas and feelings about current events
• We stood in a replica of the Oval Office. 
  
• The view and grounds were immaculate and the help so professional
• He recognized evil and the threat to the freedoms America enjoys and was not unwilling to confront them.
• Bob got to preach to the nation 
• Bob got to ride with Ronny at Camp David
• I got to wander around the rose garden and enjoy the view
• His room of evil men was really impactful
• His life and death struggle meaningful

Ronald Regan's mom told him, "When you come up against a trial or defeat son, step back from it and take a look at it, and then move on." In Regan's own words she was right. He struggled through so much, was shot, was carrying not only the US but the future of the world on his shoulders. The economy, the strength of the military, the soul of American's who had lost faith in themselves, and the ability to be respected in the world were his goals and he did really well.

Here's to you Mr President, we could use another you!

Game Day Hooray!

Bob, Mak, and the Admiral
guiding us to the game.

We ventured to beautiful So California to spend time with our son, Johnny, and we arrived at about 2 in the afternoon. It was time enough to say hello for a few minutes before he went to the hotel for the night.(It's a football thing they do). We spent the night hanging with our daughter-in-law Makayla and did what comes natural. We watched football.

The next morning the Admiral awakened us early to go to the stadium and Tailgate before the game. We drove through LA traffic and arrived at 10am to find people had already been there for hours. The motorhomes and crowds were amazing, way above what we expected, and with tons of people with them. I actually was jealous and missing having all my family from home with us. That was until I remembered our mission. Around the USA...

The Admiral had planned a healthy meal of grilled chicken, spicy chicken and spinach Brats, grilled zucchini, and a salad of tomatoes and cucumbers from the garden.

It was delicious, not the elaborate, amazing, and delicious fare Brandy, Tim, and the rest of the family come up with for the Seattle Games, but fun.

Some of the people around us had 45 foot motorhomes with big flat-screen TVs and chefs coming to cook for the big fan gathering. We were in awe. Several of the people came and talked to us about our family and what we were doing. It was refreshing to see nice people hanging out together. Did I mention I missed my family and our Football gatherings...oh yeah.

Some of the people who follow me on twitter came by to say "Hello." One guy, Ramsquatch and his two friends were all the way from Dallas and will be at the game there also.

We people watched and ate for about an hour and a half and then went into the stadium for some Rams vs Redskins football! The Rams so kindly provided a golf cart to come and get us because I have some medical problems that keep me from walking too far.

The game was really up and down until the 4th quarter when the Rams came back and tied the game with some brilliant runs and hops from Tod Gurley and the others. Best part of the game was this:
Johnny Hekker Fake Punt

The end of the game was due to a last minute touchdown, but the Rams really held their own.

Great game to watch.....Now I need a day of rest!
We had a great time of worship tonight around the table. God can find us anywhere but we need to remember to take time to praise the Lord!

California Stop1 - Vacaville

We awakened Friday morning in Medford, Oregon and decided we were ready to take on the mountainous entry into California.  The Admiral had not traversed this inland course before and we think it threw him a bit.

The drive over the mountains leading to beautiful Mt. Shasta was clouded with either haze or smoke, we could not tell, but when we came over the ridge and could have been able to see her in all her glory, she was hiding. We didn't even get any pictures.

We made it though the fruit and plant inquisition at the border and arrived in sunny, warm, rolling brown northern California.

Upon arriving at our planned destination for the night at 2 pm in the afternoon we were greeted by this lovely lady, animal lover, runner, loving mom and wife of our most humorous nephew.

What we did not know was that she also has become a chicken whisperer.
We were able to see two of their children, Ethan and Jordan who are both in high school and college at the same time. There is no better fun and hospitality than being welcomed to this household. We got a concert by Jordan (self taught) on a grand piano and a fun talk about future aspirations to go to UC Davis from Ethan. And food, this woman can cook! Ironically we had chicken.

We decided to stay in the motorhome so that we could get up at oh-dark-thirty to hit the road on our way to Los Angeles to see our Ramling.

Funny how people want pics by the vehicle, but they included us also. It was too short of a visit, but we will hope for a Thanksgiving meet up. Thanks Susan and Jason and fam!

LAUNCH! Ram Road Runners ONWARD!

Great day in the Morning!

After a late night cramming stuff in the Admiral we were ready to set sail on our great adventure. Here you can meet our trip  mascot, the Admiral's Admiral IRVin. He was there outside the house to manage the boarding and launch. He was in much better shape than we were, (staying up way to late at night).

Come 6:14 am we set sail planning to make a special stop at Greenlake. An hour and a half into the journey, Captain Bob realized the funds were not with us but waiting back at home on the dresser. As all good mates know, funding the grand adventure is important. We returned to a stop near home where our dear neighbor met us with said wallet. After a big cup of coffee and appropriate calls were made, changing some schedules, we attempted Launch 2.

In a parking lot courtesy of our friend Sharon, we headed out on our way. Together, happy, and duly coffeed-up with Starbucks finest.

Traffic was still pretty bad but we made it down to Greenlake about 11AM where Bob ran up to our son's house to retrieve the box left for him graciously given by our two sons. It was.......wait for it.....

Not yet you have to hear the story of Bob's 92 year old mom who called him two weeks before our journey to make sure he had white tennis shoes, and white (long) socks. When you travel these are musts. Bob and I live in Washington and are black socks and sandals kind of folks (him anyway), plus it rains a lot! White shoes?

Over the last two weeks the boys heard this story and we started getting packages in the mail, as well as going to Costco and buying the large economy sack of white socks. He even got a pair of white tennis shoes, but not the right kind. When we realized what a special request this was, we were all on board to represent our family in honor of our dear Papa Henry who always traveled sharp, with those very same type of white tennis shoes and white socks.  Love you always Mumsie and Papa.

When Bob got up to the house he retrieved that box and what do you think was in it? No not just white tennis shoes, but ultimate primo memorable white tennis shoes for this journey.

The first place we landed was Gresham, Oregon where I attended a board meeting. It was a productive time with Pure Desire Ministries. Great People there.

Now off to CALIFORNIA!