At 4am Tuesday morning, my son, Austin, and I will be heading to the Pittsburgh Airport…ugh, that’s TOO early, but it will be SO worth it. We’re going to visit with my sister and her family, who live in San Diego, until Friday, then we’re heading on up the coast to Seattle until the following Wednesday.
I belong to a fan fiction group, The Big Valley. Yes, THAT Big Valley. I began watching re-runs back in the 70’s and fell in love with Jarrod Barkley (Richard Long), guess my love for Justice was peeking through way back then!
It was about March 2007 that the first season of The Big Valley was released on DVD and I purchased it. After that I began searching the net, found and joined a writing group. The women (The Valley Dwellers) of the group were amazing--welcoming, friendly and since we had the love for the show in common it was so easy to “fit in”!
During “chat sessions” I learned of the Gathering, which is when many Valley Dwellers meet in person to watch re-runs, play games and just get to know one another. That year it was in Denver, Colorado. I wanted to go, but didn’t want to go alone, so asked my dad if he wanted to join me. Next thing I knew, we were off to Denver for four days.
It was a great experience. The ladies of the Valley were even more wonderful in person! I felt like I had found my home away from home. They even loved my dad and invited him to join us for the next Gathering, which was two years later, in Atlanta Georgia.
The Gathering in Atlanta was even better, because not only did my Dad go, but my youngest son, Austin went as well. The Valley Dwellers adored him! And when my dad and son weren’t joining in on Big Valley “stuff”, they were out enjoying Atlanta.
This year it was supposed to be a “family” event, but with my oldest now in Basic Training, it’s just Austin and me, and my dad is going to meet us in San Diego on Thursday. My mom left for Lake Tahoe this morning to meet her sister and their trip will take them to Los Angeles then San Diego where my dad will ultimately meet up with them at the end of the Gathering. So, the time frame couldn’t have worked out more perfectly.
I’ve been to California, but not Washington, however, Austin hasn’t been to either, so this is going to be an awesome trip for him. His Uncle Dave is in the Navy and is taking a few days off and we’ll tour his base plus we’re going to see the USS Midway and my sister has been planning meals already (she loves to cook)! Her boys are so excited to see us and I’ve missed them. She comes back home at least once a year but it’s still not enough.Then in Seattle Austin will be able to join in on Big Valley "stuff" and enjoy a 10 hour tour of Mt. Ranier National Park plus he'll have his Poppy to show him the sites! My dad will rent a car and the two of them will zoom all over the place. Grandfather and grandson--Austin will have memories to last a lifetime!
I’ll have my laptop and will try to keep up with the blogosphere but if I get sidetracked you’ll at least know why. Although I’ve been kinda negligent of blogging to begin with…life has a way of keeping us busy and with my son graduating then leaving for Ft. Benning—what can I say? I need to get on a schedule. I’m hoping once I get back I’ll be refreshed and rearing to go!
So, for the next 9 days, you all take care!
