Vacation with Mom

Thursday, June 11
A 6 a.m. flight to Reno meant getting up really early! But the flight went well and we arrived in Reno, got the rental car and headed to the El Dorado hotel and casino to check in. Even though we got a room, it was only about 10 a.m., so since our room wasn’t cleaned yet, we headed out to see some sights.
First up, a drive up the mountain to see Lake Tahoe – we went around it as far as the South Shore, and then headed back to Reno via Carson City. Went through a state historical site called Mormon Station and learned about early Mormons starting a trading post there. But we also learned about an amazing man by the name of Thompson who for 30 years in the 1800’s carried the mail, sometimes a bag weighing 100 pounds! – across the Sierra’s on skis. Pretty interesting.
By the time we got back to Reno, our room was ready and we moved all our luggage in. Then we visited the two casinos next to ours. One was Circus, Circus, where we ate in this nice steakhouse and just had soup and salad. Then played some games at Circus Circus and won stuffed animals! By then it was late and with our 4 a.m. getting up that morning, we were ready for bed.

Friday, June 12
The weather looked pretty good today, so we drove up to Donner State Park, where my Dad was a ranger in the 1960’s. Boy, has it changed. Cabins in the hills above the park and a freeway running right next to it. I remember it much quieter and more in the middle of nowhere. But the Visitor’s Center is still about the same, and the museum that is there. My mom was amazed I remembered the story and display about a little girl who survived the winter there, and her doll, and sure enough, the display was still there. Unfortunately, the train I remember so well and that played a part in one of my favorite stories from our time there, isn’t there anymore. It’s now in a railroad museum near Carson City, so we didn’t see it.
It was interesting going to Donner again, but it made my Mom a little sad since her memories of being there with my Dad are so strong and they were such good memories. But it was interesting hearing the story of the Donner party all again.
We came home by way of the west side of Lake Tahoe and were amazed at all the expensive homes around the lake, many of them for sale.
That night we had tickets for a buffet dinner at the Eldorado and then the musical Menopause, which I had seen before, and knew my mom would probably like. She did! It’s a hilarious show about one of those facts women face as they get older! So it was a fun evening, but another late night!

Saturday, June 13
Today was cloudy and rainy, and we were going to go to Virginia City, but with the weather, we slept in, ate a free breakfast buffet, and ran some errands like buying gas at Costco. On top of all that, Mom had to visit an Urgent Care facility because her ear was still clogged up and she was little dizzy. So after some antibiotics and antii-dizzy medicine, she was doing much better. We certainly learned our way around Reno!
We also had to move to a new hotel, which was a bigger room, but not near downtown like our first one. But the Nugget was OK.
That night was the Julio Iglesia concert we had stayed for, so we went to the Silver Legacy to hear him. We had decent seats and it was a good concert. I think my mom really enjoyed it. We got home late again, but it was a fun day, even if we didn’t do a lot.

Sunday, June 14
We got up and got everything ready to check out. Then we went to the Truckee River LDS Ward for Sacrament meeting and heard an elder report on his mission. After that we headed to Virigina City. It was a beautiful drive up over the mountains, with a great view of Reno and the Sierra’s from the summit. We changed from our church clothes into pants – in the car! Yes, Mom thought everyone was watching her – no, no one was around to see! We walked around Virigina City and took an open air bus/tram tour of it. It is quite an interesting city, and one that was huge when the mines were producing millions in gold and silver.
We drove back another way, making big circle trip. By the time we got to the airport, we learned our plane would be leaving about half an hour late. We were a little concerned because we had a flight to Oakland, then changed planes to Seattle, and were worried about our connection. They said it would be fine.
As soon as everyone was on the plane, the flight attendants were telling everyone to hurry and sit down so we could leave. Suddenly the last man on fell down in the aisle and was having a seizure. They asked if there were any doctors or nurses on board, and Mom said, “Don’t say anything, I don’t practice anymore!” But luckily there was doctor on board. He looked at the guy, and then the fire department paramedics came on the plane. They had a hard time working in the little aisle space. By the time ambulance EMT’s came it was really crowded, but they finally put him on a backboard and drug it down the aisle and off the plane to take him to the hospital.
Of course this delayed the plane nearly another half hour, so by the time we got to Oakland to make our connection, they had held that plane for at least half an hour. So even though we had good A numbers to board, we were the last to board, and it was a full flight. So mom got the last row in the plane and I was one up – in the middle seat. It was not a great ride to Seattle.
We got into Seattle at midnight, got the rental car and finally got to the motel after 1 a.m. --- what a day!

Monday, June 15
Woke up at nearly 9 a.m. in our Bothell WA Holiday Inn Express. After arriving so late last night, it was a relief to sleep in. After a quick breakfast at the hotel as part of our stay, we headed North to Tswassasen BC where we are going to get on a ferry to Victoria, on Vancouver Island.
Coming across the border was easy, but I’m so bummed, they didn’t put anyting in our passports, like a stamp – they just looked at it!
We arrived at the ferry terminal about 15 minutes before the 2 p.m. sailing, but missed getting on by about just 7 cars!
So we are sitting here waiting for the 3 p.m. ferry – but it’s nice weather, and they have a cute terminal with lots of eating places and shops in it. We used the restroom and then shared a raspberry crepe! Of course now I have Canadian change!
We’ll board the ferry in about 20 minutes, and then it’s 1:30 hours over to the island. Wee’ll still try to do Buchart Gardens today, since it doesn’t get dark until late.
[Monday night] – We got on the 3 p.m. ferry and it was a great ride over to Vancouver Island. The ferry was amazing – lots of nice seats above the car decks, even a restaurant and kids play area! We were outside much of the trip enjoying the fresh air and views of the islands we went through. We even saw Orca whales, from a distance!
After an hour and a half, we landed in Swartz Bay and drove to Buchart Gardens. What a beautiful place. Lots of flowers everywhere, in very different gardens, including a rose garden and Japances garden, and one made in an abandoned limestone quarry. The wife of cement producer Buchart made the gardens and the family has kept them up as a tourist place and Canadian historical site. We ate dinner at the gardens, and then headed to Victoria and our night’s stay at Red Lion Inn and Suites, which luckily has internet, so I can upload pictures and this blog!
Tomorrow we will see Victoria, and then take the ferry back to Port Angeles, with our night stay in Forks, Washington – a town made famous by the Twilight series!