Going Home

50 YEARS!!!! It was only yesterday that the wee small town of Libby, Montana was sending 60 youngsters out into the cold, cruel world to make their fortunes. Like bad pennies, many of us came back to our 50th reunion, maybe not with fortunes but fond memories of a time long past. It was fun to hear my classmates relate their impressions of each other tempered by a half century of life. It was especially engaging to hear the many tales of unrequited love throughout our school years. Amazing how long it takes for the truth to be known. I had no idea of the trail of broken hearts left behind. Especially delightful was time spent with my friend Marj. She has accomplished so much in her life and has made Libby proud.

While Larry stayed aboard CHARIS tending her lines, painting the bilge and reorganizing his stuff, I was toddling up and down the highway from Spokane to Libby to Seattle visiting family. Note: out West it is not highways, it is highway .... there is only one ;-)

It was wonderful to find Aunt Grace in fine fettle and once again enjoying life in her new digs overlooking Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains. She has been such an inspiration to me over the years. Her daughter, Heidi has done a yomens job working through the many challenges of caring for her mother. Uncle Vince and Aunt JoAnne are still in good health and full of stories of the early Neils family culture. The time spent with my brothers and their families is always full of laughter and there is always a tale of adventure. The latest was nephew James hiking in the woods with his family, when he fell, broke his leg and had to be helicoptered out ... took 5 hours to get to him. My sister-in-law Rene and her family turned out for dinner in Edmonds. They are always so welcoming. Love sitting with Rene overlooking her garden of beautiful flowers, sipping a cup of tea and catching up with the families comings and goings.

Along the way, I stopped at many neat little towns, fruit stands and mom & pop breakfast spots while a patient husband kept track of my escapades and kept the money flowing.

Pictures can be found at picasaweb.google.com/lropka @ going home