Across America----Summer 2008

Bill & I traveled for 26 days, across 21 states and over 7500 miles from Virginia to California and back. Along the way we had a great time and saw so many wonderful sites. This is just a small offering of what we saw.



San Diego--Family Reunion and a chance to reacquaint ourselves with my "hometown."


The Mormon Battalion monument, sunset on Mission Bay and the zoo.

Coastal California--San Luis Obispo and that area


Solvang--Danish settlement--we want to return for a longer visit!




Hearst Castle and its gilded splendor--outdoor pool, indoor pool (real gold leaf) and the mansion.







Morro Bay & Morro Rock
Montery & Carmel -- 17-mile drive, gorgeous!!

We saw family---



Laura & Bryan
Carol Anne-Connie-Aunt Becky-Renae
Russell, Em, RJ & Cam

Danette's boys at La Jolla shores


We saw nature's treasures---



Harbor Seals--Carmel
Elephant Seals


Sea Lions and birds--La Jolla
Jellyfish--Monterey



Bison--Custer National Park--South Dakota


We visited historical places:

California Missions


Scott's Bluff to Mt. Rushmore

and saw incredible scenery:

Badlands in South Dakota


We also lots of types of energy---


Where there used to be oil wells, this one is is the Salinas Valley in California, there are:

Wind Farms!! These are around Weatherford, Oklahoma!! Also saw them in Wyoming, South Dakota, Minnesota, and Nebraska.


Can't forget hydro-electric and Hoover Dam




Unfortunately, we also saw the effects of wildfires--burned out areas from last year and smoke from new fires on Donner Pass in California.

It was a fabulous trip and one we will remember for a long, long time!

San Diego Family Reunion

Our 2008 reunion started on Thursday, June 19th. Friday morning and Saturday morning were spent at the beautiful San Diego temple. Youth on Friday and adults on Saturday.

Friday afternoon we all went to the zoo and had dinner in Balboa Park.

Saturday lunch was at Mission Bay and family pictures were taken.


Here are all 63 of the people that attended!!

Carol & Bill's family

Danette & Kenny's Family

Linda & Mike
Janice--Brandon, April & Eva

Larry, Kathy, Kim & Jen

Patty's family (Jeff on mission in Ghana)

Marcia & Rob

Rob's Parents & sister

(Andrew on mission in Ecuador)

Linda & Kari

(Tyler on a mission in Mexico)

Most of us found time to drive by our old house and the schools that we all attended!

Our house--2634 Cowley Way

Longfellow Elementary

Marston Junior/Middle School

Clairmont High School

Sunday we went to the cemetery to see the gravesite for our parents. Most of us had not seen the marker--Larry & some of the men dug up the vase and we took turns placing flowers. Then Larry offered a prayer in our behalf. It was a very moving and spiritual time.

Over 50 of us attended sacrament meeting at San Diego 10th ward and saw a lot of people that we knew when we were growing up. That night we had a catered dinner at the pavilion at DeAnzaCove. Tuckfields joined us and we had a great FHE.

Monday, people scattered. Many left. Our family went to LaJolla to see the cove, sea lions, and swim at the shore (check the next blog). Later some of took the "Old Town Trolley" tour of San Diego and got a nice overview of the city.

It was a super reunion and many thanks and accolades go to Pam, Tammy & Linda for their hours/days/months of hard work!! A round of applause, please!! CLAP--CLAP--CLAP!!!!!!