A small group of us hiked to an out of the way patch of beach on Drake's Bay, known to Terry and friends as The Cylinder. There was the ritual sock-burning (long story), contemplation of what had been, hugs, tears, staring at the calm ocean, and watching the kids happily rock-scramble, forgetting for a few moments that their dad and uncle Terry was gone. One way off the beach was climbing up a small 15-foot rock face. I don't do much climbing anymore and was a little nervous without a rope, but I thought, "Just do it. All that can happen is you'll fall." This year we have all tried to meet challenges, both necessary and fun, and in doing so have created new memories and new family connections.
In mid-January, we said goodbye to our brother-in-law Irv Jensen, at a wonderful memorial. We miss his enthusiasm and good humor. A few days later, Tim and I left for San Diego and LA, accompanied by granddaughter Kyra. We went to Safari Park, where Tim and Kyra ziplined 4,200 feet across savannah and wild animals, while I chickened out and had a nice jeep ride down the hill. Kyra roller skated at the beach, and we toured Balboa Park. On to Legoland, then Disneyland, where we met Jocelyn, Martin, Odin, and later Knott's Berry Farm, with Martin's brother and family.
In February, unable to find a place to stay in the Lake Tahoe area, our family decided to try Mt. Shasta for some snowy fun. However, there was not snow, but the promise of a storm coming. I was sick with the flu, and spent the first day in our cozy room, while the family hiked. The next day we ventured out to Bunny Flat, where there was snow, sort of, and ice! Lily slid into a rock, and after about an hour we all had had enough and decided bowling in Weed was a good way to spend the afternoon! With the next morning clear, we skated at a melting outdoor rink before heading home.
As I recovered, we packed for a trip to Kauai, where we were guests of our friends Bob and Karen for a week. Unfortunately, Tim became sick, and spent the first few days resting, while I was still a little weak! With rough surf and rain, snorkeling was limited, but we visited a misty Waimea Canyon, hiked and swam.
March 4 was the anniversary of Terry's memorial, and our family met again at The Roaring Donkey, just to get together, have a beer, remember, and talk with Sierra and Brian, who made it possible to have Terry's memorial there last year.
Getting the urge to travel, and with Amanda's encouragement, we decided to go to Ireland. We left in April with the first couple of nights booked in Dublin, and a loose itinerary. We searched out traditional Irish music in pubs, met our friend Jane (from our '17 Baja trip) in Howth for dinner, visited Galway, where we met with one of Terry's Medtronic co-workers, stayed in Cork, and took a train to Cobh. You see, the Roaring Donkey in Petaluma, where we had Terry's memorial, was inspired by a pub in Cobh of the same name. The owner of the Petaluma pub lived in Ireland for a while. We remembered him to the owners of the Irish pub and told them the story of why we had wanted to make the journey there. We also visited the Cliffs of Moher, Connemara, the Hill of Tara, and Newgrange, and had a cart and horse tour on Inis Mór, with Gaelic-speaking Michael and his horse Old Tom, marveling at the history and mysticism of the Irish. We can't wait to return!
During spring we were also very occupied, when not traveling, with the final clearing out and sale of Tim's parents' home in Marin. With help from family and a lot of very hard work from Tim's sister Kim, this task culminated with the sale of the house in May. This closes a chapter for the Morgan family, as it was the family home from the time it was built 60 years ago. So many memories of life there, but now it's someone else's to enjoy and care for. It has been a strain on everyone to get this task done since Tim's mother died 2 1/2 years ago, so we're glad it's done.
In May, we went to Arizona and Utah, where Tim had scheduled a tour with a photographer to shoot slot canyons and other sights. My cousin Fred Joslin graciously picked me up at the airport in St. George, Utah, and drove me to Kanab. Because he is a tour bus operator, he was able to tell me a lot about the history and geology of the area. Then the next few days Tim and I, along with our trip leader, toured spectacular slot canyons with their red sandstone and undulating shapes. One day, our small group had access via Navajo guides into an area that had just recently opened - aptly named Cardiac Canyon. While we didn't have to hike far, the access involved a lot of rock scrambling, 16-foot ladders, dubious ropes, and webbing anchors. One sand hillside was so steep that we had to ascend on a rope hand over hand. It was amazing to see that beautiful area, and we also enjoyed the southwestern towns, the art and the food, with a fun stop at the Parry Lodge in Kanab, historic host to many Hollywood western stars.
Our family also attended a production of Mama Mia, at the outdoor amphitheater on Mt Tamalpais, or "The Mountain Play." This held some nostalgia, as Tim, and his father Ken, used to perform with them when he was a kid!
In June, we took Lily and Jackson camping in the coastal redwoods of Gualala. Of all things, there is an exotic animal preserve near there, where we had some close encounters with giraffes, among other African animals. The kids also kayaked solo in the very calm river. Later in the month - another camping trip, with most of our family, at Camp Richardson at south Lake Tahoe. We had a great time swimming, kayaking, and the family even surprised me with a birthday cake.
After 11 year of use our sea kayaks had served us well but we were both feeling the need for an upgrade, so Tim and I treated ourselves to new longer, faster, and more responsive boats. They allow us to do more but also have come with learning more skills. Our first time out with them on Tomales Bay in too much wind and waves produced a capsize in mid bay with Tim's boat (saved by a kindly fisherman) and some very challenging paddling for both of us. We've gotten better with them but next year we will be working our rolling/rescue skills.
We were very happy to be able to spend a couple of days with Moacir and Leisa, our Brazilian friends who were passing through Sonoma county after touring much of the western US and Canada. Showing them the path of the devastating 2017 fire, we were still shocked, eight months later.
Tim and I were off again in July, this time to Bend, Crater Lake, and eastern Oregon, a very interesting but hot and dry part of the state. We each saw some elementary school friends - and our friends Bruce and Martha outside of Portland. In early August we helped our friend Karen celebrate her birthday camping at Lake Tahoe, then on to another Sierra campout at Loon Lake with friends from the Petaluma Paddlers. We had a very relaxing time paddling, swimming, hiking, star-gazing, and enjoying happy hour every afternoon. Also, in August, we did the Great Russian River Family and Friends float trip! Building a crazy raft of assorted floaties, we spent a lazy afternoon going down river, finding rope swings on the way. We also fit in an Oakland A's game (sorry Giants) with a tailgate party and even parking lot skating!
Lily turned 10 this year, and requested ziplining for her birthday. So, there we were at Redwood Canopy tours on a warm September day. It really is beautiful, and I told myself I was just going to do it. Everyone loved it, and I was terrified, but screamed my way through every run. My favorite part was rappelling off the tower at the end - that I can understand!!!
In early September, Tim's High School class celebrated its 50th reunion. It was a blast seeing how old school mates have aged and moved on with their lives and reconnecting with some old old friends, but it was also somber to learn of how many of his class are now gone, too. Soon Tim and I were off to Denver, thanks to Lauren and Jordan (or J), who treated us and Lauren's mom to a concert at Red Rocks. Besides the concert, we saw some sights in downtown Denver and hiked to a beautiful little glacial tarn. It was really nice to spend time with Lauren and J without the demands of daily schedules and see Lauren's mom too. Also, thanks to Amanda and Jocelyn, who took care of the kids and pets while we were gone. Tim thought, "Why not take the train, it's only 31 hours to Denver?" So, we did, seeing the beautiful countryside along the Colorado River, and meeting lots of people.
Some of our best memories, outside of activities with family and grandkids, are times spent with friends kayaking, hiking, camping, playing and listening to music, and sharing meals or a movie. Tim continues to work out at the gym, his study of Goju-Kai karate (working towards his 2nd degree black belt) and pursue his photography. I am still in Petaluma Community Band, and in a singing group twice a month. We have plenty of household projects to keep us busy but hope to do more traveling next year. As we move into our third year of retirement, our new routine is now familiar, and just like our working days, very busy.
Jocelyn and Martin have taken some trips this year to Mt. Shasta, Lassen, Lava Beds, and southern California to visit family, and cousin time for the kids. Jocelyn continues to fill many nursing roles at her job, and recently volunteered as a medic at roller derby bouts. Kyra is working hard on her studies as a sophomore, and skates in the rink and out whenever she finds the time. Odin is an energetic almost 6-year-old. He was hospitalized with pneumonia this summer, which was really scary, but recovered completely. He loves superheroes, and anything to do with machines, cars and trucks and visits the children's museum regularly.
Lauren and J announced their engagement, and wedding date of September 1, 2019! We're very happy for them. They have worked so hard parenting Lily and Jackson under the most tragic of circumstances, and we have seen the kids continue to thrive. Lauren and J went to France this year, among other traveling, with more planned for next year. Both Lily and Jackson, in 4th and 2nd grades, are growing like weeds! Lily is devouring Harry Potter books, (we attended a Harry Potter tea this fall!), taking riding lessons and gymnastics, singing in her mom's choir at school, is a boisterous 10-year-old, and recently adopted a kitty, Oreo. Jackson, now 8, is still studying Kenpo karate, "LOVES" soccer, and any sport, and is also a voracious reader. Lily started playing sax and they're both learning piano. They spent time last summer with their other grandparents in Oregon and Washington and Lily was treated to a trip to Universal studios with "Washing" Grandma.
Amanda's passion for a while now has been roller derby, and she skates anywhere she can. During season, she trains several nights a week, competes in bouts at least once a month, and coaches the newbies! With teammates she attended Roller Con and learned a lot of new techniques. Travel remains a priority with her, with trips this year to: Jordan, Sedona, Belize, Humboldt, Palm Springs, Yosemite, Moab, and last New Year's Eve to Austin, TX with a friend. Along with Jocelyn and her kids, she recently camped in Death Valley and Pinnacles National Monument. We love her two fur-babies, Bucky, and Petunia, who keep us entertained!
Jocelyn mentioned the other day how she felt she missed summer. Along with Odin's illness, we were also all feeling the effects of smoke for many weeks in the summer and fall. The fires that have hit California and the west are devastating, and recovery will take many years. Our hearts go out to those who have lost so much.
We miss Terry every day. January 4th will be the two-year anniversary of his death, and it seems it just happened. What hurts is knowing how much of his kids' lives he is missing and what helps is seeing how they are thriving. We are grateful for that, and for people who help keep his memory alive. As always, we are grateful for our family and friends, and time spent together.
We wish you a Merry Christmas and a happiness in 2019.
Tim and Sharon Morgan and Family