California Here We Come...

Trip to Phil's Funeral...

The van left Utah on Friday, September 25th at 6:40 a.m. After picking up Holly, Matthew and Bennett... Neva, John and I headed off into the darkness of early morning... While others slept, we tried to get going before the traffic started and swallowed us up.

We drove to Wendover, NV for our first stop. Breakfast!! It took about an hour with the 6 of us, but we needed a good start to a very long day.

Wells and then Elko were our first towns prior to the 'road construction'...

We stopped for a quick lunch and then on the road again.... We got to the California border while the sun was still up... and took off through Colfax to get to Hwy 20

(missed the turn off and the next exits were closed due to construction).

Holly and I drove. I took over when we got to the border due to her not knowing where we were going... Got into Pat's just before dark...pitch dark anyway... The house was full before we got there... and we just filled it in to the max of enjoyment... Visiting was what it was all about...

and rested for awhile until we went on over to the Shaver's home where we were staying.

I am going to do another story about the Shaver's house...built in 1911 by Brother Shavers grandpa... so you can look forward to "the rest of the story"...

We woke early on Saturday and made it to the chapel. The place was busy and humming. I met with many old friends of their family that I hadn't seen in years. Marvin, Doug, Gwen, the list was long.

The viewing was full...to overflowing
This was just family... No room for friends.



The chapel was full,the overflow was full and they opened up the cultural hall to set up a few rows...

He had many friends and family members that traveled a long way to attend this family reunion, to show our support for Pat and her family.

Phil was a good man, strong church member, and great husband and father... a comment was made, "I thought money made the man, but have learned that it's the heart that makes a man"... Phil was a big man...

The final goodbye's...

Jarrett and his girlfriend



Lindsay Pryde... her grandpa was very special in her life...

The burial was on Monday out in Gridley Cemetery. The weather was great... a bit hot, but not to bad. Family and friends were able to share a few words or thoughts they had about Phil, and then his oldest brother Doug dedicated the grave.

It was a very peaceful and spiritual day.


About 30 minutes north of Marysville.
Out in the farmland and orchards.



The kids had fun... a few almost fell in...



The family gathered along with a few friends... to make sure that Phil's earthly body was tucked away safely until they meet again...



This is really their family street.



The old family farm was on this road but now there is nothing is left to see of the farm. We got a nice picture of the street on the farm where Phil played as a child.

Our time was at an end and we were getting ready to go back to Utah. We went a few miles out of our way to take hwy 50 home... So we left Pat's around 10 a.m. and drove towards my old stomping ground... Roseville and Fair Oaks...

On the way we decided to take a little detour to Nimbus Fish Hatchery. That is our next story...

We washed up, had lunch and got on the road... It took much longer than we thought and a few miles later and many hours later we dropped into the Tahoe basin... only to find it cold, windy and more construction.

We made a path to Reno and the wind picked up... as it got darker and colder and windier...we made a decision to stop and get a motel for the night... We were all tired and grumpy... ok, I was grumpy and everyone else was just tired... hehe

The next morning, after breakfast we hit the road running... got home around 6 p.m. and boy was I ready for bed...

The kids were really good... Matt only really had one blow up and Bennett only had 2 blow outs (good thing Elko has a Walmart, new clothes for Bennett hurrah)... they traveled very well for their age. I would take them on another trip and that says alot...

Neva got a cold while on our trip... she is a pro at travel... no complaints from her or about her...

Holly and I just got tired of driving... tho the roads were clear...the traffic was ... ok... the construction was horrid... and we made it home safe and sound...

John was our mover and packer... he did a wonderful job going helping out everyone along the way... he got a bit tired on the way home, as we all did... He was our photographer of the journey... Thank you John for all the many photos and for packing and un-packing the van so many times....