. . . it just makes
you rave to think that it’s like a trip to another country to get to the
southern part of your own state. Ina Dobson, 1934
Hallie had to work in Boise last week, and since Milo lives
in Boise, she arranged to stay through the weekend to spend some time with him.
Clint agreed to join them from his home in Gooding on Saturday. Tell us that
our kids are gathering someplace, and we’ll make every effort to be there, too.
So we left Clarkston at 3:50 Friday afternoon (the 17th) and arrived
at our Boise motel at 10:20. Nellie? – of course, she rode along in the back.
It wasn’t an easy trip in 1934 and though it is undoubtedly
improved today, it is still a difficult trip. It’s 250 miles that takes us up
and over the Camas Prairie of north central Idaho, down into the Salmon River
Valley, through a twisty mountain pass, into the farm / ranch country of
Payette / Weiser, until finally – for the last 50 miles of the trip, we reach I-84
which swoops across southern Idaho. For whatever reason, traffic was heavy for
most of the trip. 
Saturday morning we picked Hallie up at her motel and headed
to Milo’s. Having gone through a difficult divorce, he’s settling into a new
place and routine. We had things to do and we set to doing them – fixing a
comfortable bed, tuning the bike, tuning his old car, making his place cozy. We
drove to bike shops, marts, and grocery stores – not necessarily in that order,
not necessarily all of us at the same time. Mid-morning Clint arrived and the
five of us were together through dinner. Then we said good-bye to Clint. 
Saturday afternoon grandson Mason joined us for a few hours and
he thought Dad’s new place should be cleaned, so Hallie and I joined in. It was
fun – not a chore. We saw grandson Gage only briefly that day, but on Sunday both
Mason and Gage came to visit. Gage is athletic and active while Mason is more
introspective and requires a quieter atmosphere. With four adults on hand, we
had it covered. Grandpa Mike and Milo took Gage geocaching while Hallie, Mason,
and I played with electronics and cleaned, cleaned, cleaned. 
After lunch at McDonald’s, it was time for Mike and me to
begin that arduous trek back through the mountains to our own valley, so we
said good-bye to Milo, the grandsons, and Hallie. Hallie’s plane wouldn’t leave
until 7:30, so she had a couple more hours with Milo until her return to
Seattle. KW
[Photo 1: Hallie, Clint, and Nellie.
Photo 2: Mike and Milo
Photo 3: Nellie thinks it should be more about her.
Photo 4: Clint, Kathy, Milo, Mason, Hallie and Mike -- a timed shot. Can you tell?
Photo 5: Hallie and Mason
Photo 6: Mason called Nellie and she immediately crawled onto the sofa to cuddle with him.]
7 comments:
Oh what a wonderful reunion. How lucky your children are to have you as their parents. I think they know that, though. Photos are terrific. The best part of your story is when Mason thought his dad's place wasn't clean! That's a true act of love, cleaning Milo's apartment.
Mason is very sweet. Possibly the only little boy who LIKES to clean. He can come to my house any day!
I especially like the Mason/Nellie cuddle photo.
Aunt Hallie asked Mason if he is artistic, and he said, "no, I'm autistic." He is obsessive about the things he loves to do -- cleaning, for one, and Dad's new place can use it. He also loves electronics and taking them apart.
What did the boys think of their new fleece throws?
I gave Mason his Saturday afternoon, and he was especially pleased that it had his name on it. I didn't see Gage receive his. I was pleased that on Sunday they wore the shirts I took to them. I guessed about right on size -- always good to know.
Love the pictures!! Aren't we blessed to have such wonderful reminders of time spent with those we love?
I'm so glad Mason loved his throw (and I'm sure Gage loved his); when names are added, they know the gift was was truly meant for them and that love went into it.
It's so much more fun to clean with someone! :-)
Yes, it is fun to clean with others. Certainly Mason motivated me! And strictly speaking we didn't have to do it either, though it made me feel better to be productive and leave the house better because I had been there.
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