"Tears of Sadness and Joy"

Leaving Alaska and Canada after 5 months is sad. Sam and I are getting closer and closer to the border and at this time we look at each other and tears of sadness ( at least for me) start to come, because we realize we had the trip of a lifetime. Alaska is a beautiful place with people who love America as much as we do. Everyone is friendly, and most people help each other. We all share where we have been and where we are going, and must sites we must see, we all share. As we approach the boarder we reflect on how it was the best of times. We know the questions the boarder people will ask. Do you have guns, pepper spray, fruits and vegetables? And of course we say no, no, no, but we both laugh because Sam was eating a sandwich that had tomato and lettuce as he swallowed it down in front of the border guard. Got across with all our worldly processions in tack. We were heading towards Coeur d' Alene when we starting noting more and more traffic, where did they all come from? Hey, we are in the U.S.A!!!!! On August 22 we are in the U.S. and right by lake Coeur d' Alene, Idaho. We drove almost to Boise, and spent the night in a town called Weiser. Then the next day we drove to Boise and the airport to pick up my mom, Norma. It was so great seeing her after all this time. The next day we all drove to Glenn's Ferry, Idaho to see our son Jess and his family, Our daughter Aprill is carrying her 4th child and our 17th grandchild. We drove around Glenn,s Ferry to see where the Hansen family reunion was many years ago. We also drove around the next day in Twin Falls to see where my Mom, Norma, was born and where she went to school which is still standing to this day, she is 84 years old and our son Donald and her share the same birthday (different year of birth though). On September the 2nd Jess and Aprill got the great news that their house loan went through and they at last can buy a home, right there in Glenn, Ferry. The next day Sam (Papa) and Eli (our 4 year old grandson) started packing to move into the new home. Meanwhile Aprill and I start cleaning up and packing the rented home for the move. On September 5th Sam and I take Eli and Cheyenne to Twin Falls (Filer) county fair. We had a great time, but probably the funniest time is when both kids wanted to ride the kiddie roller-coaster and both wanted to sit in the front seat. As they went up and down on the coaster there was not an expression on their faces. But as they were all done they got off and laughed and laughed. We saw lots of animals and Eli wants to be a cowboy, on a farm, with lots of pigs. And Cheyenne wants to be a princess, of course, every little girls dream!!! September the 8th Eli's birthday, where he got presents and turns 5 years old. We left for Lehi, Utah and to see our son Wayne and his wife Karen, my name sake, Ha Ha!!! We get to see our two little guys, Jeffery and Benjamin. We took all of them out to dinner and was glad to see both boys eat almost anything. We had a great visit just not long enough. Friday we got up and left for Elko, Nevada. Then on Sept the 12th we left Elko for HOME, but first we stopped and saw our son Tim and Julie and the 4 grandsons in Dayton. The wind was blowing so bad we had to go so slow. We thought what a welcome home to Nevada. We now see our HOUSE, our HOME. We are HOME!!!!! Tears of Joy. We made it. As I finish this blog and our life on the road. We had a great time. Remember Take Nothing But Pictures, Waste Nothing But Time,Leave Nothing But Footprints. LIFE IS GREAT WITH THE ONE YOU LOVE!!!!!!