Women Who Snowshoe

Wow. It's been a long time since I've done an entry, aye? Here's a little attempt at catch-up...some pics from a Women's Snowshoe Adventure up Sonora Pass in early January before I returned to work. If you're one of my Facebook friends (and you know you wanna be!), you've seen most of these, but I've added a few that some of the other gals took.

Having just piled out of the trucks at the bottom of Sonora, we're all ready to go. Left to Right: Debbie, Kim, Aimee, Malinda, and Arleen. I'm behind the camera.

But jumped into this one while Kim took the camera reins. I wanted proof that I 'shoed with these wild women!

Finally heading up the pass. The snow was icy, icy, icy, so there was no sneaking up on unsuspecting mountain lions and bears. Shucks.

Leave it to Arleen to get a snap of me blowing my nose. Yah...like people really want to see that.

We left 108, the main road, and wandered about a bit near Cloudburst. Here, we did a little winter Rockettes pose.

It's true that I might have had a few drinks the night before, but this is not what it looks like. Arleen (again) actually caught Kim and me in an odd-looking pose one second before this was taken, as Kim was having me, well, stare at her boobs so she could see them in the reflection of my sunglasses. I know...but she was intrigued by her sports-bra uni-boob. Really....who designed those?!!! At this point, we were hysterical with laughter.

Once we'd channeled Jeremiah Johnson and gotten serious again, we headed into the aspen. Gotta love the aspen.

With Kim as our fearless leader, we came to this RAGING RIVER that we had to cross...here, Arleen takes her turn. And I must say, those are some STYLIN' snowpants, Arleen! They make you look, oh, 15.

And to think...my students don't believe me when I tell them I can walk on water!

We took a little break at this conveniently located picnic table along the way. We hoped the winter equivalent of some "cabana boys" would show up with coffee and Baileys, but no such luck.

And when we looked up from the picnic table, this is what we saw. Kinda makes you want to live in a nest.

Kim might be fearless, but she forgot here that we needed snow...

...so we just smiled and waited for Kim to find a trail with some of the white stuff.

Malinda made like a mountain goat and headed up into the rocky cliffs to see if it was worthwhile to go straight or whether we should turn around.

We made a loop to get back out of Cloudburst, and headed further up 108. On the way, of course, we had to stop for lunch. Well, and some MGD 64. (Thanks, Kim!)

Cheers!

Celebration of Dad's Life -- In Pictures

Some random visuals from the Celebration of Dad's Life at the Bridgeport Barns and Terrace on October 25, 2009.

Dad's ashes had the best seat in the house...on an original BUMCO barstool up front. Just as Dad would have liked.Flags were at half-mast all over town, and the one at the Barns was certainly the largest.
Momentos of Dad's life, set on the flag of Scotland.
Some of Dad's favorite baseball hats.
Benny Romero, owner of the Barns with wife Linda, welcomed everyone and shared a few words about Dad before turning it over to me.
I spoke for the family and did a eulogy-of-sorts.
Willard Eidson, one of Dad's best and oldest friends who was with him in the early days of his CHP career, told a great story about their early years together in Ventura.
Diane Evans spoke, too, representing his service as Mono County District 4 Supervisor; she was his campaign manager in his last campaign.
There were a lot of CHP there, including Jim Mann, one of our childhood friends, who is stationed in Mariposa.
Our best estimate?...about 500 in attendance.

Dad would have been so proud of having so many CHP there, as well as sheriff deputies from Mono County and LA County.
Lynda Pemberton and Roxanne Foley arranged all the food and drinks, and our local friends really rose to the occasion and provided quite a spread. We were blown away at their generosity and caring.
What would my dad's services be without a full hosted bar?...Lynda made sure everyone had what they wanted.

All of the dress uniforms were so impressive...here, Sean and Tim Minder, childhood friends of ours, stand with another local deputy.
After the eulogy, the family toasted to Dad with a shot of Glenlivet.
Just after the toast, while Dad's favorite song, "American Pie," played, Missy gave me a big hug. I needed it after doing the eulogy.
21-gun-salute.
The parking lot was full of CHP and sheriff cars.
During the 21-gun-salute, all other law enforcement officers saluted.
Good friends -- Garth, Christopher, Michelle, and Kenny.
More of Dad's fans -- John, Bill, Jason, Tim, Kenny, and Marcus.
No doubt Dad's sitting at heaven's bar with Wimp. I would imagine they're doing some fishing, too.
On behalf of Governor Schwarzenegger, a CHP chief presented Mom with a California state flag that flew over the capital on the day Dad died.
The snap of Dad that greeted folks as they arrived...it was taken in Scotland in February when he was there with Mom, Jim, Missy, and Lacey. A lifetime dream that we're so glad he made come true.
More snaps of Dad -- gotta love his grin -- and a kilt in the Reid tartan that Mom wore years ago. I have a matching one that I wore when I was about 6...it's on a teddy bear now.
Jim with Lacey as we got ready for the toast. She's wearing a kilt they got her while in Scotland.
The CHP chief and Mono County Sheriff present Mom with the State flag.
The weather and scenery couldn't have been better.
Couldn't have a service for Dad without a bagpipe and "Amazing Grace," his favorite bagpipe song.
Me drinking a little liquid courage to get through the eulogy.
The CHP brought in the colors to get things started.
Beautiful.
Flags at half-staff at the Mono County Courthouse where Dad's office was.
John and Jason Pelichowski. Thanks to Jason and Bill Jones for these pictures.
Dad's badge.

Bill Reid
December 31, 1934 - October 21, 2009

Here's lookin' up your kilt, Dad.