River trip 2009

Greg & I came to the river on Friday the 24th as did most of the family that is here this week. I rode in the motorhome lying on the bed which made the 5 hour drive much more bearable on the body, and Greg arrived later with our Explorer loaded with supplies. While I have not really been out of the room for a large percentage of time, I have been out amongst the family group about 5-6 times during the week. The first time taking a car ride to the gathering area, and the others I have walked the 30 feet... most went well, and one that was excrutiating painful til the muscles settle down... Greg purchased a gravity lounger chair, which was great for "sitting" the 20 minutes max allowed and than I could recline very comfortable and lock it into place. Very much like lying in a bed, so it allowed me to extend my visits with family. I can certainly sense the weakness in the body as I don't have much of an appetite and am eating just the minimal amount. Before we left I stepped on the scale and since arriving home had lost 13 lbs. But it has been a nice change of scenery from the three weeks at home and I appreciate that Greg was more than willing to take on the change also.. He comes back into the room and checks on me, and I sleep alot whichs has been the one thing that has passed time easily, and the drugs make me sleepy and so to fight it isn't easily accomplished. I've read a couple of books and have yet to start the third one.

Brian & April came in on Saturday mid morning, they are heading to Havasu today for lunch and than take off tonight when it's cooler for home.. We've had a nice week together and yet he will need to be heading back to Madera on Sunday, so he's heading home a day earlier. Shane worked Saturday, driving up early Sunday morning with cuz'n Trisha and her son Christian, he will ride home with Greg tomorrow. Ashley came up on Sunday with Briana after a day in Vegas after her Friday night maid of Honor wedding committment of friend Kristi, her friend Briana and they headed home Wednesday afternoon. The rest of the river family will stay through Friday check out at about 11am. Always seems that the next years river trip comes up right around the corner.

April & Brian

Ashley, Shane and Brian

Today as I sit out here by the river in the row of chairs with the clan (as close as I will get without touching it) there is a cool breeze blowing and the temp 98 degrees, it is much more bearable than it has been the last two days at 115 with a hot wind blowing. Right now the boat and the two wet bikes are gone and so there is a large # of our group out doing something together, most likely at the sand bar or down to the dam.
Ashley in the boat heading out

There has always been an uncanny ability by the Van Meeteren boys to dive and retrieve whatever has just recently been lost, or that was lost in a previous year by someone. This year Shane and Brent did alot of salvaging of sunglasses.. Ashley was so thankful that the youngun Brent found her glasses in about 18 ft of water.

Today we ventured home at 9:30 a.m. with our stuff, Brian took alot of the large bulky things on Thursday night when he and April left, following Trisha, her son Christian, her mom Tina, Shane rode along with this group also.

I rode home in the Explorer with Greg and with a cushiony blanket and a pillow under me had no problems at all, unless a sudden braking was required.. Home in 4 hours...

See ya next year at the river!