Train trip!

For our annual summer pilgrimage to Lake Tahoe this year, we decided to change it up and take the train. My Uncle Ed, was a train nut and so partially inspired by him and my kids' constant building of train tracks and their accompanying train whistles, I booked us in a sleeper car from Denver to Truckee.

Right from the beginning, the experience was like stepping back in time. We got a recorded call the night before telling us that the train was currently three hours late and by morning could lose more time. Or, the recording said, it could make up all the time it lost and arrive as scheduled. Well, with a scheduled 8am departure, we weren't quite sure what to do with that information. We ended up going to Denver station as planned and dropping our bags. The station attendants were apologetic, stored our luggage, gave us a taxi voucher and reimbursed us for our breakfast! We walked around Lodo and had no problem killing time.

The really do yell, "All Aboard!" and whistle while going through the towns. Kai kept saying, "woowoo! That's us, mommy!" We ate in the dining car, had our beds turned down by the car attendant, hung out in the observation car and met lots of European travelers. Near Glenwood Springs, Lucy and I saw a bear standing on its hind legs just 20 feet from our passing train. We also saw antelope and lots of river rafters. What a stunning way to see the Rockies! And we all slept solidly through the night.

It was a smart decision to take the plane home, but so glad for the train adventure!

Lakhpa-pa

More than 20 years ago, Will stumbled upon a monastary just off the beaten path up to Everest. Inside was an 11 year-old monk, named Lakhpa who lead the chants and banged the gong. During Will's stay he got to know this young boy and there started a friendship that has lasted the years and continents. That same Lakhpa excelled at school, where he walked an hour each way. He then continued his studies in Kathmandu and is now earning his Master's degree in New Zealand. And through the years, they have kept in touch. Will has been back to Nepal about 4 times since that first meeting.

It is very hard for Nepalese to get visas to the US, but because he was in the midst of a Master's program he was able to come. Lakhpa stayed with us for two weeks in the middle of July. We had a blast! And the children LOVED him. Oh the tears when he left! The kids started to call him Lakhpa-pa. He has a wonderful giggle and an open-heartedness that made him the best of houseguests. While he was here, we took him on a few hikes, to a baseball game, CU campus, a real American shopping mall, and just observing the day-to-day life of America. He and a friend in Fort Collins made us a wonderful Nepalese feast where we got to learn how to make momo's (or dumplings).

After our return from travels we all really miss him and feel his absence. What a special treat it was to have him here.

Cape Cod

We had a most incredible beach rental for a week on Black Beach in West Falmouth. This was Will’s favorite beach growing in nearby Buzzards Bay and we got to watch our Boulder friends walk down the seashell-lined aisle here 6 years before. Behind our “new house” was a sand-filled path over the dunes. At low tide, the sand bar was a prime playground for the kids. The first day on the beach, the kids kind of looked at me like, ‘well what do I do here?’ And by the last day, they were collecting shells, burying their legs and sculpting them into mermaid tails.
This was Lucy’s first time on an airplane and second night away from home since the flight from China. I sensed some anxiety, but her natural sense of adventure over-rode it most of the time.
On this trip we got to visit and reconnect with Will’s family, Anni’s Peace Corps buddy, Ginny and her daughter Aliya, Will’s friend Dick, and Anni’s college roommate Missy Daniels Madden. We even walked by and took photos of Dad’s old fraternity house in Back Bay.

Will’s mom, Tina, brother Chuck, and Nephew Damian’s family are all based in Buzzards Bay just as you cross the bridge onto Cape Cod. Will’s grand-nephew is just months older than our Kai, so that was fun to get the kids together. And the kids just love spending time with their Gigi. Gigi and Lorna spent a nice day together exploring Gigi’s ‘hood. And when Lucy got wind of that, she declared that she wanted the same. The next day Lucy and Gigi had their own outing to the ice cream store. We don’t get to see Will’s family very often so it was nice to have some quality time together.

Step Families

Our first night on Cape Cod, we met up with Val’s family. I was fortunate enough to get to know when I lived briefly in Boston and now our kids are similar ages. Lucy immediately took to Great Aunt Pam (pictured here beating her grandson in ladder ball) and called her Grandma. Her daughters, Jennifer and Kendra, call Pam a “varsity grandma” because she just jumps in with confidence and the kids will follow.

We don’t know what we call each other, but I’m glad to call them family. And glad to cross paths in Falmouth.