Day 2 part 1 of backpacking

Okay yesterday I told you we could not get a hold of my friend Joanie. We finally looked in the phone book and found her home number. I called it and she was so excited and invited us to breakfast. As we walked out of our room we saw nothing but hot air balloons all around us. The party animals were the ballooners.

They were everywhere and so close we could hear the "fire" coming in and out. Jessie and I both agreed that though we both have always wanted to go on a hot air balloon it would be a cold day in hell considering our unreasonable fear of heights.

So off we went to go to Joanie's. She's 79 and looks exactly the same. I wanted to cry. And when i got out of the car she just gave me a big hug and told me the same. Because I'm fighting a full blown mid life crisis this made me feel so good. We had home made waffles with homemade maple syrup and we gorged ourselves. We then walked around to see all her horses, chickens, dogs and cats...yes the same old Joanie.

Here is Joanie with her son in law. She had several barns, a strawberry garden with the chickens and the scenery was absolutely lovely. She calls it Shasta View because off in the distance was Shasta Mountain. As I mentioned she is 79 and is still riding. Obviously she is still my role model.

This is Bounce. I use to ride her her great great great grandmother whose name was Honey Bee.

She was just getting over a little illness but seems to be fine now.

This is Rosie. She is a rescue welsh pony and oh so sweet. What a doll. I could not get enough of her kisses.

On top of all this excitement two of Joanie's three daughters came. These girls were my idles. We looked at all the pictures of "little Lisa" on the beach in her Miss America Bathing suit. We talked about all the mischief I would get into and they told me they could never get mad at me because I was just too cute (too bad that doesn't work now).

The other most amazing find was "the door". When I spent my summers on Middle Rance there was a door that all the "little" people got to be measured and weighed and all data was recorded on that door. Even baby horses were walked into the house to have their measurements taken. The one thing they took from that house when they moved was the door and my name was still on it. It was very emotional for me. Again these memories are the best in my life. My summers on Middle Ranch were so rich and full and I truly believe that was the one and only time I was truly at peace and truly happy. I could write a book of my summers there.

We left after a few hours of a lot of catching up and I promised I'd be back every year. It felt so good to still be remembered and loved by this family that took me in so my single mom could have a break. I will forever be in their debt and will hold them all so close and dear to my heart.