We returned home whereupon Jeff and Dave headed up to Tahoe to repeat the Death Ride. For those who don’t remember, this is a 132 mile bicycle ride in the Sierras over five mountain passes for a total of 16,000 feet of climbing. And you do it in one day. The rest of us followed Bennett to such fun activities as playing in the water at the Fountains, having yogurt with friends from the neighborhood, meeting new dogs to love, and playing on the local playground.
A trip to the fire station increased Bennett’s fire hat collection. He let Uncle Jeff try one on.
Cheryl took time to reunite with Carmichael friends from her youth while Bennett flirted with a friend’s daughter.
Bennett and Jeff led us for a hot day at the California State Fair.
Bennett played “upside” (outside) chasing bubbles and trying out his new scooter, a gift from Karen, Anna Lee’s friend and writing mentor.
Inside he enjoyed Nelope, aka Penelope, a large stuffed penguin Jerry had brought home for Anna Lee several years ago.
He also led a march to the music from Cookie Monster, a toy he borrowed from Kyle, a neighbor’s grandson.
On Saturday evening the guys returned from their ride. Dave again completed the course and Jeff more than doubled his 2013 efforts. Talk of doing it again in 2015 was overheard. Here the men all pose for a photograph.
On Monday, the planes took our family back East. Now the house is clean. Everything is put back in its place. And there is silence. We count the days until we can return to the chaos that is delight of a family together.
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