Grateful to carry on ~

Hello again friends!  So much happened after my time in Guyana.  I had physical issues that demanded attention.  I left my Peace Corps experience 1 inch shorter due to compression in my back.  I had a laminectomy with fusion in September 2016.  I had the surgery in Salt Lake City, Utah done by the same surgeon that did my sister, Laurel's back a few short years before.  I recovered at her house and spent a precious 3 1/2 months with her and her roommate.  By the end of 2016 I was ready to travel again and my good friend, Karen drove to SLC, UT to retrieve me and bring me home to Arizona.

This was a stopover in Vegas at my sister, Kay's house.  Her husband, Doug loves to decorate for Christmas!


2017 started out in DISNEYLAND!

Me, Minnie, my sister, Laurel and her roommate, Shauna enjoying Disneyland! 

Just 3 months after back surgery, I was pleased to be able to keep pace.

Traveled to Jacksonville/St. Augustine, Florida area for the balance of January.

Shauna and Laurel came to visit in Florida.

Granddaughter, Gabriella turned 4 in January! I have missed some birthdays and I was happy to be on hand for this one.  She is shown with cousin Grant on the left and brother Grayson in the middle. 

One more sister....Kay came to play!

FEBRUARY 2017

Karen and I get involved with the Oxbow Outfit.  This is a reenactment group that has fun with gunfighter skits and links to history in the area. 

HASHKNIFE EXPRESS

(http://www.hashknifeponyexpress.com/)

HASHKNIFE EXPRESS comes through Payson, Arizona every February.  It's a proud moment for the area! How do you like this action shot I took of mail passing from one rider to another?

MARCH 2017

I traveled back Maryland for Spring Break.  During that time, I took a train trip to Boston, MA and did some genealogy work.  Meet my "big" grandson, Jake at the Newseum....a GREAT place I failed to designate enough time to tour!  

(http://www.newseum.org/)

Here I am in rainy Boston in front of the State House. Worth the tour just for the FLAG room!

A stop from Boston to DC to visit a friend in New Jersey.

 After returning to the DC area, my son, grandson and I took off on a road trip to Florida!  We had a great time with a stop in North Carolina for Jake to see a cousin.  Fun reunion!

APRIL and MAY 2017

I spent time with my family in Jacksonville, filling in a nanny position during a transition period.  Lots of beach walks and fun times with the younger 2 grandchildren!

JUNE 2017 

My dear sister Laurel passed away after a brief hospital stay.  I was again on the move from Florida to Utah to help her roommate get affairs in order.  I would spend the month on June with my head spinning!  So grateful I had the fall of 2016 with her and Shauna. I would return to Arizona in July to "chill".  

AUGUST 2017

CELEBRATION OF LIFE FOR LAUREL RYAN

Sean, Jake and I did a road trip from SLC, UT to Arizona after the Celebration of Life.  

We stayed one night at the North Rim of the Grand Canyon....so beautiful!

It is with great excitement that I carry on with my next adventure.  September 2-9 finds me on the Royal Clipper again.  I sailed on this ship in March 2015 in the Caribbean.  I will reunite with friends met on that trip as we sail in the Mediterranean!  Stay tuned for the next chapter, folks!

All the best to you all ~