Scooter Saga

Las Vegas isn't my favorite city and having a family reunion* there on Thanksgiving weekend didn't sound like the best idea—initially.  But this was a "passing the torch" wholly to the next generation, so I decided to keep my generational lip zipped and go with it. Our niece Kathy, is a local resident living in Summerlin, an area about 10 miles from downtown Vegas.  Together with our nephew Richard, her cousin, she tackled planning with wedding-like effort and they  blew it out of the water.  They built it and, OMG, did we come!   Even though the Oregon/Washington contingent flew, most of the California and the New Mexico family drove.  So why then ?  Well, we have lots of school–age children, so taking advantage of the break and minimizing academic absences was a good move. Vegas weather in November can be cold (it was) but relatively temperate.  Although Thanksgiving is the start of the holidays, Chanukkah and Christmas were still...

I always swore that I would graciously accept our grandchildren's preference for independence, adventure, and friends when the time came.  My children's grandmother never did. (Jeez Ada, it's adolescence, not personal! *)   They didn't need adults to play games, ride bikes, or go to the Sunriver mall anymore.  Although they still required some planning and transportation support, the annual family vacation went away and the 'friends' trip became very different.  The kids weren't the only ones to plan a 'friends' trip.  Earl and I were going to meet our long time friends this year in Sunriver and then join Heidi and Michael at the end, thinking that, although the grandkids and their friends were teens, they were still children.  We thought the Tenisons might need some help with four kids.  Spoiler alert: They didn't. Turned out, our friends couldn't make it. So Earl and I adjusted and joined Heidi and Michael for a laid back getaway...

  As has become our favorite vacation spot*, Caldera Springs beckoned again.  In truth, Central Oregon provides the best chance of good weather and offers the most options for children and adults.  Because of the big reunion  in Canada** last year, we didn't go to the area and everyone missed it.  So this year, back we went with some changes.  I had feared they would get bored with family vacations, but no.  Or if they were, they kept it to themselves. CS has something foreveryone The last time we were here, we saw indications that indeed the kids were maturing.  This year, they were in full blown 'independent' mode. At least twice a day, they went off on a cousins bike ride—no adults allowed.  They could ride to the pool alone and that became a new custom.  Actually, it was kind of fun watching them participate in an activity that didn't need chaperoning. But, since adults weren't invited, we have no photos of that momento...

Government buildings at night Disclaimer: I wanted to avoid having the blog sound like a travelogue.  But after rereading the posting* about the last reunion, it was clear that ship sailed long ago.  I figured "Oh well..." Victoria, BC was the choice for the family reunion this time.  It was a great location,  unusually good weather (a challenge in the Pacific Northwest and Vancouver Island) with a touch of international travel.  At least Canada required a passport.  The week beginning the US National Political Conventions turned out to be a good time to be out of the country.  Canadians are too polite to say "What are you people doing down there?" Disabled travel is a challenge under the best of circumstances, but a bit more complicated when ferries and customs are involved.  As we learned on our trips to Disneyland and Utah**, there are so many disabled travelers that cities and tourist venues are used to it and tend to be very a...

Disclaimer : Certainly, pictures have taken on increasing blog importance in the last five years, but there are a lot in this posting.  Be forewarned—it's my freakin' blog.  I'd like to take credit, but I can't.  Jason, Elizabeth, Earl, and Heidi took most of the snapshots.  I just requested and appropriated them.  Jason, the amateur photographer, actually got up in the middle of the night and drove to Paulina Peak to get photos of the Central Oregon sky.  That's dedication... Kyle and the bike stamp Our annual family vacation took us back to Caldera Springs (next to Sunriver) and may become the permanent go–to place for now.  I know there are many beautiful places in Oregon.  But the weather is nice, the biking is family–friendly, I can scoot without a guardian, and there is so much to do**.  We had the usual bike accidents, head injuries, and sunburns, but nothing major.  Kyle wore his 'stamp' proudly.  He did tell...

In case you don't remember what we look like* Our family vacation took us back to Central Oregon where the weather is usually warmer.  Although adjacent to Sunriver, the area where we stayed is newer, quieter, and the bike paths aren't heavily trafficked.  That's important when you have four young children, some being bike-riding novices, and an ataxic grandmother.  Daily bike ride This year, the parents imposed a "No idevice" rule.  How do you (gulp) keep four children under eleven, entertained for five days?  Short answer: Keep them moving.  More important answer:  Leave them to (uh) their own devices. The children made frequent use of the pool table, the hot tub and swimming pool, bikes, books, and various drawing implements.  The eight year old created the adults' portraits (see above) and "finger–knitted" a Rapunzel lock (see below) .  The ten year old read to the younger ones.  The lone boy taught everyone how to sho...

This year's family vacation took the ten of us back to the warm, high desert and pine trees of Central Oregon.  It's not that we didn't enjoy the Oregon Coast last year.  In spite of the good weather, it was just too cold and we're a group of Northwest weather wimps.  Besides, this house was new, with a view, big enough for three families, had a hot tub, wi-fi and a fire pit.  A plus for me in that it was advertised as wheelchair accessible.  Perfect! That's when I realized that some able-bodied people equate 'master suite on the main level' with handicapped access.  It's not.  Call it a great place, a beautiful home—just don't call it 'accessible'.  It was a lovely house and I'm not a complainer by nature, but the step to the front door and back patio was a big one.  Still ambulatory, it was certainly doable with help, but not if I needed a wheelchair.  The shower in the master suite was huge, tiled, showroom–worthy, but a deat...