December
2018
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| David, Gary and Mom at MaryAnn's |
It
has been two years years since we have written a Christmas
newsletter. Not because we have forgotten you, but there has been a
lot of water which has run under our bridge.
Gary’s
mother died this past August. She was 95 years old, having suffered a
stroke a month before which she did not recover from. She left us
many memories, some tangible, others will live on as long as we do.
Much of what Gary is can be traced back to his parents-love of
outdoors, math and organizational skills, and sense of discovery. (He
could have used a bit more of his father’s mechanical and
woodworking skills though.)
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| Delilah Lookout |
What
else has happened in the past two years you might be asking? We
continue to volunteer in our fire lookout. Last year, on September
12th,
we spotted our first fire from Delilah lookout. This was in the area
where the Rough Fire burnt three years ago. Still within an hour
there was 30 acres burnt. Really exciting and educational watching
the big tankers come in and drop the retardant to check the advance
of the fire. As
an added bonus, last May, we were able to walk up, to where the
fire burnt. We gained a greater
appreciation for the fire fighters in or area and how strong they
are
to walk, fully loaded up
steep hills.
Both
last season and in 2017 we were able to be
in our lookouts
over ten days each
year.
We
cannot
wait until May rolls around when we can go back up into the tower.
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| Lawrence, Andrea, Sherri, and Gary |
In
2017, Gary was not able to backpack and Sherri only minimally. During
the summer, he turned pretty weak. But after changing his medicines,
he improved enough to go on the Skyline to the Sea trail in December.
Then we all took a three day trip with Andrea along the Ohlone Trail
in the East Bay Area. We also did a four day trip with Andrea and
Lawrence in Southern Yosemite to Chain Lakes. The last half of the
year, we were able to spend restorative time in “our” fire
lookout.
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| Sherri at the JFK Library |
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| Church in Old Sturbridge |
In
October we were able to get away and go to Boston. Why Boston? Why
not? We enjoy being in places of history and seeing where moving
events have happened. We got a whole load of that there. We walked
the Black Heritage Trail and then the Freedom Trail-mileage not
impressive, but very dense with historical places-Bunker Hill, Old
State House, Old African Meeting House and the list goes on for 30+
place where we stopped. We also got to do a side trip to see Gary’s
Connecticut cousin Bob and his wife Diane. Such blessings. We
suspect there will be other trips back east.
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| Andrea, Gary, Steven-the Graduate, Sherri, and Rachel |
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| Biking-Rachel, Steven, Andrea, Gary and Sherri |
One
of the pleasures we have is being able to be with our daughters and
son. Such as when Sherri does her bike rides or we our half marathons
or hiking
or any other time. Our
hearts sing with joy to hear
from them. You may want to know what is going on with the “kids”.
Andrea is taking a little time off from teaching after a rough year.
She is working with a food bank as a coordinator. Steven has
graduated from Fresno State with a BS in Computer Science and
now is
looking for a job. While Rachel is down south working for a company
where she assist start ups with their accounting. Note:
Lawrence is pictures with Andrea and Edrees is with Rachel.
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| Sherri and Gary in San Francisco |
We
continue our 30+ years with our house church-a small group Bible
study. This is where we feel the warmth of love. Then there is our
church’s book group, still going strong after18 years and 175
books. While we were not able to go on many hikes this year, we still
love tramping with the Central Valley Hiking Group. We hope they will
see us more next year. The classes and a book group with OSHER
Lifelong Learning at Fresno State has enriched our lives. We are
taught by college level teachers, but without the mid-terms, homework
and grades. This is what learning should look like-learning for
enjoyment and well-being.
You
have probably read enough by now. St Paul would end his letters with
a deep thought. We cannot claim that our thoughts have as much depth
as his, but what we would like to leave you with is: I would like
you wise to that which is good and simple concerning evil. May the
grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with all of you.
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| Sherri, Rachel, Gary, Edrees, Steven, Andrea, Lawrence and David after Mom's Memorial Service |
If
you want to read more about our adventures, see:
-
More
pictures, with color, and an electronic version of our Christmas
letter:
-
-
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| Gary, Andrea, and Steven-Half Marathon California Classic |
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| Ohlone Trail-Andrea, Gary, and Sherri |
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| Sherri, Edrees, Rachel and Gary |
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| At Steven's Graduation-Gary, Steven, Sherri |
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| Gary and Sherri at Muir Grove |
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| Hard Day of Hiking-Gary and Sherri |
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| Steven and his Grandmother |
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| Davis Fire-Sept 12, 2017 |
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| Large Tanker Plane at Davis Fire |
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| Delilah Lookoout |
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| Massachusetts New State House |
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| Flag at JFK Library |
Type:
Hiking
We have a minor debate about
the closed gate, but decide there is no sign so we climb over the
gate and are on our way. Our route is a road which is used by various
ranches to access their land. We are about seven miles away from the
Dowdy
Ranch Visitor Center-no
way are we making it that far. The first eighth of a mile has a
slight slope. Picturesque trees line the road and we do pretty good.
