Bob and his friend Cheri arrived Thanksgiving Day (11/23/01) about 11:00 AM. The Thanksgiving feast preparation was underway and the house was filled with it's aroma. Though it was our first time to meet Cheri she didn't seem like a stranger and we spent a pleasant time getting acquainted. Our friends, Gail and Art arrived about 2 o'clock and by three we were gathered around the table enjoying the delicious traditional meal of Turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce etc. etc. It was a warm happy Thanksgiving with son Bob and three new friends.
Early Friday morning it was foggy, but by the time we were ready for the day's outing the weather was clear and crisp. We took Cheri up the Mountain for the first time. The road was closed beyond Bunny Flat, but there was in fact less snow than there had been the end of October. We walked up the road a ways and savoured the sweet alpine air and big views. After our mountain experience we drove to the town of McCloud for lunch at the Soda Shop (best burgers in the county) and tours of the restored hotel, dinner train, and lower falls. We finished the afternoon with the Castle lake tour. That evening after supper we went to town for the village Christmas tree lighting ceremony and visits to the shops -- a full day of sharing the Shasta world with a new friend.
This is how I recorded the busy Saturday tour in my journal: To Dunsmuir -- Brown Trout gallery etc. Stop at Sew Unique (quilt shop); Headwaters springs (big natural spring where Sacramento river begins); Lotus Lane area drive (nice residential area); Home for lunch; Trailer viewing; Sission museum; Rays (supermarket); Rite Aid (drug store); Naps for others, CNN for me; Supper; Pictionary (game); ping pong. By bed time Cheri had been exposed to the highlights of south Siskiyou county.
On the 26th, after the traditional Black Bear Diner departure day breakfast, Cheri and Bob packed up and pulled away about 10 o'clock under cold, overcast skies. It had been a most enjoyable first Thanksgiving of the new millennium.
Photos of the visit:
