Sacramento Day Trip

I had an extra ticket to ride Amtrack to Sacramento that would soon expire so I took a whole day to enjoy last Saturday. I got up early, packed a lunch and loaded the bike in the car. I left late . . . darn . . . and arrived at the station just as the train was pulling out. But no worries because the Amtrack station is right on the Martinez Marina and I just got on my bike and rode all over the estuary and marina, taking time to just sit and enjoy the beautiful morning. I caught the next train and felt like a real seasoned traveler as I loaded my bike ont he train and then went up to the second floor to enjoy the ride.




In one hour I got off at the Sacramento station at Old Sacramento. It wasn't hard to find the American River bike trail so off I went riding through some beautiful wooded countryside right along the river. Even rode through a very large regional park.


After about 13 miles or so, I took the trail back into town and made my way to the Capitol building. I rode around the groundsa bit and then noticed some people going in a side door, so I decided to lock up the bike and go see what it was all about. Come to find out, I became part of a tour of the capitol building free of charge. It was really great.











Pretty fancy wood carving for a staircase





This is the assembly room where the Senate meets





I headed back to Old Sacramento about 4:00pm now and just did some window shopping. I had a light dinner at Fat City and then headed back to the train station. It was such a fantastic day and I know Jon would have loved it with the biking and capitol tour. I feel him with me a lot of times like today, like we are somehow sharing the day together.

The Men in my Life

Since Jon's passing, I've come to appreciate and depend on the "other" men in my life. My sons David and Trent, my sons-in-law Cory and Mark, and my beautiful grandsons Macade, Carter and Braxton.

David has been here at the house during the past difficult year . . . through thick and thin. As my eldest son, he has been such a help and blessing at this point in my life. He has been helping around the house with yard work and fixing everything from the freezer to rebuilding my computer, camera, ice maker, computer screen, auto sprinkler station, microwave, compressor, and shredder. David has also been my #1 repairman for pool customers needing a new motor, filter, turning on/off solar panels or a myriad of other fix-it tickets. He has provided much needed support, self-assurance and confidence to me in my ability to run this pool business.

Trenton arrived home from his mission the day before Kaylinn got married, April 2. He was such a joy to have in the home during Jon's illness adding lots of laughing, mission stories and help working pool routes. Jon loved having both of his boys home again. Even after Jon's passing, it was Trent that kept us all focused on the good and eternal nature of Dad's journey from here to the next life. I'm so grateful Trent could be with his dad even for those short 6 weeks before Jon passed away.


Mark and Kaylinn were married April 3. I know Mark has added such confidence, strength and humor to our family which has helped fill the void left by Jon. I have enjoyed getting to know him better during the last 9 months.


Tessa's husband Cory is like one of my own boys. I hate they live so far away but I love to see them all get together to play, visit and laugh.

My three grandsons are the joy in my life now. Dave and Lesley lived here when Carter was born and I have been able to watch him grow. He will be 1 year Dec 6. They just moved to Arizona last week and I miss him so much. He would always give me the
biggest smile when I came home.

Tessa's boys keep her busy. Macade will be 3 Nov 1 and Braxton is almost 9 months. They came to visit me here in California for a few days and then I was able to spend several days with them in Tacoma last week and had so much fun.

Braxton Macade









How lucky I am to have these 7 men in my life! Jon loved each one of these boys so much, and I am so blessed to have them as members of my family with their special talents, humor, strengths, knowledge and personalities.

IT'S ABOUT TIME

I had a great blog going for Jon during his illness but didn't enjoy adding to it when there was nothing good to report. As my life is changing with new horizons ahead and rivers to cross, I find the need to stay connected with family and friends as I make my journey. My children are such a strength to me as we endeavor to press forward without Jon. I have felt him very close to me and I know the veil is very thin right now. I know God wouldn't have it any other way than for Jon to still take care of his family as we need him, our husband and father. So now it's time to start my own blog and figure I'll learn more as I go along. To my children and grandchildren, happy blogging together!!