California Vacation

A couple weeks ago we left for a California vacation. The plan: drive to visit my family in central California, and on the way stop for a couple days in Fort Bragg. Our first travel day brought us to Grants Pass, Oregon. Grants Pass is our usual stopping point for the 20 hour drive to visit my family (or, in this case, 16 hrs to Fort Bragg). We've become acquainted with the town. We know exactly how to get to the luxurious Motel 6, and where to get croissants for the early leg of our 2nd day. Day 2 returned us to the northern California coast - Ruthie's birthplace and where we spent two great years of our life, making furniture, friends and memories that have sweetened our lives. If heaven has a coastline, it will surly be patterned after this one. The air was so fresh, the ocean so active and the smell of the Eucalyptus trees made us very nostalgic. We arrived in Fort Bragg just in time to meet our friends Evan, Lundy and Josephine (who generously hosted us for 2 nights), and go for dinner at Mama Ricarda's - our favorite place for a burrito. Then, Evan and I went to the Spring furniture show at the school and Barb and Ruthie stayed back to play with the girls.

> Ruthie's first time playing in the sand

> Ruthie & Josephine were fast friends. Ruthie has an adoring, follow-them-anywhere, feeling towards "big" girls right now...

After a couple days in Fort Bragg, we left for Reedley (for those who don't know, Reedley is where I grew up and it's in the flat arid valley of Central California, known for growing much of the world's produce, and not to mention, the world's best peaches). We had a great few days spending as much time as possible playing with cousins and visiting with family.

> My great little nieces, Molly & Rebekah

> Family photo. Hey, who's that bearded guy with no neck in the back row?

> Sweet and petite little Karis. Karis is 5 weeks younger than Ruthie (they had the same due date).

> Barb and Gracie

> Casey and Gracie in action in the back yard...

> Proud Grandpa.

> And Proud Grandma. Ruthie loved Grandpa & Grandma's swing in the backyard.

> This is Rudy. He's even cuter than this picture and he could fit in a woman's purse. Ruthie giggled each time he licked her. They were fast friends.

> Each visit home must include a ride through the orchards on the Polaris. We drove up the road to a strawberry field and bought a flat. They were dark red all the way through and sweeter than you can imagine! Ruthie liked them so much, that I just kept giving them to her at every snack and meal time. She woke up the next morning covered in a nice medley of puke and strawberries. Ooops! Can we say, everything in moderation? Next time.

> Ruthie playing doctor. That's Dr. Ruth E. Klassen M.D. to you.

> Ruthie is in a big animal phase right now. She knows all the sounds and likes to point them out when we're driving. So, we took her to the zoo. She loved it! I have never seen her so happy and content for such a long period! Her cousin, Rebekah, insisted that she be the "big cousin" and push her around the zoo the whole time and Ruthie was a big fan of that.

Forty-eight hours of driving in the span of 9 days. A visit to the Redwood forest, the ocean, a stop in San Francisco, lunch at In N' Out Burger (twice), a visit to the zoo, date night at the movie theatre, separate beds at Motel 6, going to Molly's baseball game, going for breakfast and a superspeed power walk with my Dad and his friends, Rudy, several family dinners - all highlights from a short and sweet vacation. I look forward to the next one.

- Greg