2011 trip to Meridian, ID and Vancouver, WA

What a great trip!! It snowed on us going over Donner summit and massive winds caused dust storms as we crossed western Nevada. Some times you could on see a few feet in front of you. That was the beginning. We had a great time visiting Kyle, Kristen and their family in Meridian, ID. We then drove along the Columbia river to get to Vancouver, WA to visit with Carrie, Garen and their family. Saw Elaine in her Fort Vancouver Dame outfit and watched Mitchell perform in Robin Hood. Rapped it up by driving down the Oregon coastline and through the Avenue of the Giants then through the grape vineyards of the wine country. What a beautiful drive. Unfortunately, I forgot to take the camera with us. Too bad you can't twitch your nose and skip the stretch from five miles north of Santa Rosa til you get past San Francisco.

July 2010 Lyle and Kathie Topham family reunion in Utah

Youngsters playing in the river in American Fork canyon where we gathered for a picnic on the second day. The first day was spent in Provo at The Creamery (fabulous, generous ice cream) on BYU campus and at a nearby park.
A view of the mountains and clouds above where we were gathered in American Fork canyon
The river rushing by where we were having out picnic lunch
Nicole, Kyle and Carrie Lynn with Rocco (the leader of the pack).
The entire crew that was present. Garen, Clarissa and and Elaine were missing. The former two were not present for any of the reunion.

June 2010 trip to granddaughter Elaine's high school graduation in Washington

In June of 2010 we traveled up the California and Oregon coasts to attend the high school graduation of our granddaughter, Elaine Thatcher. There were miles of spectacular views of grape vineyards, redwood forests, the Pacific ocean and herds of elk as we drove along. It was great to visit with the Thatchers and be present for Elaine's graduation. She has become a fantastic cook. We had awesome weather throughout.
Elaine, Mitchell (brother) and Carrie Lynn (mom) at the graduation celebration family dinner out

Elaine with mother Carrie and father Garen
Elaine with brother Mitchell and sister Clarissa
Elaine in her new graduation dress.
Elaine, her mom, Carrie and sister Clarissa immediately after the graduation ceremony.
The Pacific ocean from the side of the highway. There are innumerable fantastic views.
An opening in the middle of the Avenue of the Giants. A large forest of huge redwood trees that are very close together. There is a small road running through the middle of it. Marvelous.

Victorian buildings in Ferndale, CA.

As a part of the LA trip, we visited not only the Reagan Library but Kathie's high school (Marshall), the house where the Tophams lived for a short period of time, the home where Kathie lived most of her life before marriage, Hollywood ward where Lyle and Kathie attended for several years and the Los Angeles Temple where Lyle and Kathie were married.