grandmoogus: 2017 Begins with Excitement

I am sure that 2017 is going to be a good year, despite the worries everyone seems to have, given our new political landscape; but the start of the year has been fraught with storms and excitements. We have had rain, wind, and snow. I have gone to town and to the Bay Area for G-ma's Christmas Party. And we arranged to surprise Jeffery's Mom by bringing him to her Party when she knew he couldn't make it. So, these first eight days have been full to the brim; just like our Feather River!

A touch of snow for the new year

The toll plaza at the end of the Golden Gate Bridge

A big ship goes under the Golden Gate Bridge on a chilly morning (there was frost in Tiberon!!)

Grandma's Tree, seen from the upstairs landing.

Went to get Jeffery from Kyria through the flooded roadways.

I met Kyria at the Dipsea Cafe, where groups of runners were my entertainment until the "surprise package" (Jeffery) was delivered to me.

Mom (G-ma) was so thrilled to see her son, she buried herself in his hug for 5 minutes or more. Then she put him and us to work getting ready. He got to help her with the turkey after all.

Craig set up the Party Room, and I helped, in between hauling loads down.

The game is Pie Face, and the hand throws a wet sponge at you. We used a Russian Kiss for Andrea, and she actually shot it into her mouth. It popped right out, but the crowd roared in appreciation.

The Christmas Turkey!

The game was Pictionary. Shown from left to right: Craig, Wendie, Kyria, Andrea, Brooke, Diane, C.J., and Joy

The two Dorothys

Santa and his elf get ready to pass out presents. Uncle Edwin wasn't here to do it.

The kids

Mom's tree came down before we left, and she is sad to see the holiday over, and her family back to normal life. We love you Mom!!!

I've dropped Jeffery at the airport, and begun my trip home. We love this farm, this barn, which is a Pumpkin Patch every year. Never seen it floating before.

The corner near the Barn. Eeek! Does not bode well for my home-coming

One of the many flooded orchards

Near Robinson's Corner, I saw this vineyard awash.

Oh dear oh dear! Called Brenda, and she said "come on home NOW!" so I attempted it, and achieved it.

I immediately ran into rock slides, but with the road crews out, and a "rock-dodger" companion car to lead me, I decided to be brave.

Approaching the wash-out at Shady Rest

One of the bigger River-Lappings, but we made it!

Approaching the Tunnels. We never see the river from this vantage unless it's way up.

The boil of Rock Creek, which is flowing onto the highway just out of sight to the right of this photo. I drove through it, flinging water in huge fans on either side. Wheeeeeee! Don't really want to ever do that again.