2002
FROM THE HOMESTEAD ROYRETREAT SITE 2002 NEWSLETTER
Time once more to recap the year gone by. This year, like many brought milestones, joy, and sorrow. Tempus Fugit
2002 Thumbnail
Highlights of 2002 include yet another odyssey, this time to San Antonio in August to celebrate Vincent's retirement. A rousing 70th Birthday for Larry here at the Roy Retreat, Lots of Elks RV Club outings around Oregon and Washington, as well as a fun trip to Seaside Oregon for the annual Ham Radio Convention. Some family tree research in Seattle with folks from the "Livingston" branch of the family, and with Dora Jean Nosker in Midland, Texas for additional Straub family work.
Corey and Chadahn paid an enjoyable visit in March. Sadly Myra lost husband Earl in November to a virulent virus which struck him down.
January
The year began rather quietly with Larry doing some family history work, and repairing a balky furnace. Papa made Janice's birthday special by preparing a great chicken dinner with all the trimmings at his place. Janice spent a week in San Antonio working with Margaret to help her with her health care needs. Late in
the month we lost an old friend from Yuba City Boy Scout days when Ralph Bradwell passed away.
February
This month, Janice and Larry videotaped several Tai Chi sessions for Peggys group at the Bremerton Senior Center, and made multiple copies for those who asked.
We lost yet another old friend, this time from our B-52 days in El Paso. Rick Cordova, now living nearby and active in our Elks RV group lost his battle with cancer. Larry presented part of the Eulogy at his service. Once again, Peggy, Dorothy and Gwen joined the RV Group for their Valentines day brunch in Port Orchard
.
March
March brought over three inches of snow, computer virus problems and a great RV outing near Tenino, WA, where we attended the "Old Time Fiddlers" festival. Great St. Patrick's day theme, and snow to frost the cake.
Corey and Chadahn honored us with a week's visit this year. We had fun showing them around Tacoma, Bremerton, Poulsbo and meeting family and friends from this neck of the woods. The local family got together at Dixie and Don's place where we surprised Sheila with a baby shower. On the 25th a major milestone; Tony and Sheila Lott became proud parents of "T J" hale and hearty. We enjoyed the Washington State Museum, waterfront and some of the Chihuli glass sculptures in the Tacoma Courthouse.
April
Warmer weather prompted some yard and field work, moving rocks, pruning and battling the weeds. Larry continued to spend time with computer photos, mostly posting RV Club outing photos to the Web Page he maintains for the club.
May
In May we planted a row of evergreens which we had picked up earlier this year from a tree farm. We enjoyed an active outing "East" of the mountains in Ephrata, Washington. Lots of food, fun and games made this a memorable trip.
The last weekend, we hauled the rig down to Seaside, Oregon for the annual Northwest Ham Radio Convention. This was our second year, and we once again enjoyed spending time at Circle Creek RV with friends Shirley and Rich from the Whidbey Island Club.
June
Another RV outing, this time to southern Washington at Kelso. The theme was come in costume from your favorite old time frame. We also located an air conditioner for the camper, just in time for Janice's whirlwind trip to the Ranch
near the end of the month.
July
While Janice was gone, tackled the project list, refinishing some patio furniture, replacing the trailer jack, and general garden weeding and maintenance.
The major event this month was the Northwest Elks RV Rally, at Prineville, Oregon. Janice had taken responsibility for the Club's booth at the "Country Store" and it went off well. Larry stood in as manager for the "Flags and Pins" booth, which is also a money maker for the Bremerton club.
August
Larry celebrated his 70th this month. Family, friends and neighbors joined us in celebrating here at the Roy Retreat. Sister Peggy, came prepared, and her "Roast" of the old man became the centerpiece of the day. Vincent's surprise arrival in a special delivery box really made Larry's day... We had barely cleaned up the dishes when it was time to pack up the rig and animals for the trek to San
Antonio. The trip down was dictated by the ceremonies which began on the 22nd, so there wasn't much time for leisure sight-seeing.
Down I-5, stopping overnight at Salem, Redding, the Ranch, and Bakersfield, then across the Tehachapi's to Mojave, Kingman, Flagstaff, Gallup, Albuquerque, and Santa Rosa, then on Southwest to Ft. Sumner, Clovis, Lubbock, Abilene, then due South to Junction where we joined I-10 on in to San Antonio. We checked in at the Greentree RV park on the 16th and got the rig set up for the stay. The next few
days were spent helping to get things ready for the retirement activities, flowers, decorations, etc. Myra arrived on the 20th and Buzz and Mimi pulled in the next day.
The 22nd event was a huge BBQ held at the Randolph AFB Saddle Club. Gwen, Janice, Myra and Mimi all spent hours setting the stage, centerpieces tablecloths, etc., etc. setting up. The brisket had been bbq'd by Vincent himself, and was delicious. A large crowd of family, friends and associates enjoyed the meal, and the testimonials and gift presentations that followed, all hosted by B. J.
Hall, a close friend and retired senior Air Force NCO.
The official retirement ceremony was held the next day at the historic Randolph AFB Officer's Club, with B.J. doing the master of ceremonies duties.
More recognition, award of the Legion of Merit, and a moving presentation by Vincent himself. The family gathered that evening for dinner, some family photos, and relaxation at Vincent's. Larry, Janice, Buzz, Mimi, and Myra took a break and enjoyed the next night out at the Pompeii - a good Italian restaurant not far from Vincent's. Gwen took grandchildren Anthony and Kiya back to Indiana to rejoin their parents, Buzz and Mimi hooked up their rig and headed back to El Paso, while Myra drove home to Joplin.
We weren't far behind, leaving on the 26th for a couple of days in historic German Fredricksburg. Janice did some shopping while Larry spent a day at the Nimitz, and World War II museums. Now on to Midland, Texas, where we also spent a couple of days researching family history and scanning photos with Dora Jean Nosker and family. On the 30th we headed west for El Paso, setting up the rig at the Fort Bliss RV park, and spending a few days there with Mimi and Buzz.
September
We had our Mexican food fix at Panchos, as well as enjoyed a superb BBQ with Mimi and Buzz at the "Stateline". We did some shopping at the "El Paso Connection" and relaxed in general, preparing for the trip home.
We decided that the weather was too hot to take the I-10 route West, and elected to turn North on 180 out of Deming to visit Silver City, and to begin to climb out of the heat. We spent a couple of days in Silver City, enjoying the many galleries and the Western New Mexico University museum as well. Leaving Silver City we continued Northwest through some beautiful country, and rejoined I-40 at Holbrook. We toured some of Holbrook's historical district, on old route 66 before moving on to Flagstaff. In Flagstaff we checked in at the J&H RV park - one of the nicest on our trip. We spent time in old town Flagstaff which has many restorations, a busy pedestrian area and lots of college kids. On to Kingman, lunch and then over route 68 to the Colorado River, and Laughlin NV. White knuckle time trying to hold the heavy rig back on the steep and long grade into Laughlin, but the brakes didn't catch fire. Down through Laughlin, and on South to the AVI Indian casino and reservation on the banks of the Colorado. Overnight here, nice dinner and breakfast at the casino, then South on the East side of the Colorado to Needles to rejoin I-40 to Barstow, then 58 on through Mojave, and back over the Tehachapi's
to Bakersfield and a second stay at the Palms RV. On across the Sacramento valley to Paso Robles, then North on 101 to Santa Cruz, where we had another white knuckle drive, this time up a two lane very winding road to a State Park at Felton. We barely managed to find a spot large enough for the trailer, but
finally did and spent the night there. Next day we contacted Bob Schmidt to check their schedules, and agreed to have dinner with them. Then we moved the rig to Scott's Valley, Carbonero RV park, an older park with lots of full timers, but full hookups and amenities, including swimming pool and jacuzzi.
After getting set up at Carbonero, we did some sight-seeing in Santa Cruz, winding up on a oceanfront drive overlooking the harbor and ocean. Beautiful view of the ocean and the Santa Cruz Pier. That evening, we joined Bob and Anne for a great Prime Rib meal at the Ideal resturant right on the beach at the pier. Next day, we drove to Anne's place, and joined them on a day trip to adjoining Capitola for an Art and Winefest. Great weather, and lots of shops and street vendors. We had lunch at "Zelda's" right on the patio on the beach. Good food and great view.
We reluctantly bid farewell, and motored over the mountains to the southern San Franciso Bay area, then across 680 though Livermore, Tracy and back to I-5 North, then Stockton, Sacramento and the Ranch. Here we set up operations, and spent some time with Corey and family. We had a great BBQ at his place,
as well as good chow at the local Teriyaki place. And celebrated birthdays at Dai Koku. Larry spent some time working on the power utilities at the ranch, replacing some corroded circuit breakers and power posts. On the 24th we headed North for home, stopping at the Redding Elks RV, then Myrtle Creek Elks in Oregon, and finally back to the Roy Retreat, ending a trip of over 6,000 miles lasting seven weeks.
October
We'd hardly finished unpacking from the trip and catching up on things at the house when Myra called to let us know that Earl was experiencing some serious medical problems. We had Rich and Shirley (our friends from Whidbey Island) down for a couple of days. Rich helped Larry with his planned re-entry into the amateur radio hobby, and we got caught up with old friends over good meals and wine.
Tony, Sheila, T.J. Janice and I helped Peg celebrate her birthday at Port Orchard's Victorian Tea Garden for brunch.
On the 23rd, Janice flew to Joplin to help Myra as Earl's condition continued to deteriorate. Emily arrived the same day.
Scobles returned again late in the month to help Larry put up a Ham radio antenna, this time on thier way to California.
November
Sadly, Earl lost his battle on the 2nd of November. Janice stayed on till the 19th to support Myra as she works her way through this tragic time.
Shortly after Janice's return, Tucumcari, our loyal American Spitz passed on, and Roy, the cat joined the team at the Roy Retreat
December
As we close this, plans are underway for our annual Northwest family reunion on the 22nd.
Season's Best to you all
Janice and Larry Watson