A Stroll Down Memory Lane

Two weeks ago...

I stepped on a jet plane and flew off to Sacramento to spend some time with my parents. When my Grandmother passed away last November, my mom knew she would have to travel back and help get the house ready to sell. When the time came, she was pretty apprehensive I think. And, rightly so. She moved into that home when she was 3 years old, and didn't move out until she married my dad. That means there were TONS of Memories to sort through...and it wasn't easy.

I went to try and help with all that sorting, but by the time I got there...most of the hard work was done! I think my mom was in need of a desperate break, so after finishing everything on Thursday, we planned to spend Friday exploring some of my Dad's childhood memories, and a couple of my mom's.

Stop #1: Marie's Donut Shop

This was possibly the best stop of the day. Yup, pretty sure about that. This little shop has been around for many a year. It's nothing special, fancy or cutesie like all the fad places these days...but their donuts are to die for. My Grandfather used to take us here to get donuts when we would visit. All the way home he would remind us, "Now, remember, don't tell your Grandma where we went." Grandpa was always sneaking treats, because Grandma had him on a strict diet...yet he never lost weight. Hmmm, no wondering why there. And, apparently we were kindred spirits because he was a maple bar lover too. Feature Donut...the cream filled one...dipped in maple. And, when I say cream filled, I mean CREAM FILLED. Like real cream, and lots of it. I even took a picture to show. Don't be jealous...I ate every bite and enjoyed each one thoroughly. And if you know me, I'm not really a donut girl, but these are not your average donuts.


Marie's Donuts...and THE donut. This picture hates me and rotates when it uploads. I tried everything and I can't fix it...

Stop #2: Muir Woods National Monument

Muir Woods is one of those places where the sheer awesomness of the trees, aka their height, makes you feel pretty insignificant. I have never stood side by side with a redwood or sequoia tree. I've always wanted to, and now I can say I have. They take 2000 years to grow to their full height (Sequoia's take 3000+ years). Amazing. Muir Woods is located across the bay north of San Francisco. If you're ever in the neighborhood...it's worth a visit. There are miles of hiking trails that you could spend hours on...I'm going back one day.



Stop #3: The Oakland Temple

From the Oakland Temple, you can see the entire valley below you...and it was quite picturesque...even with some smog. I had never been to this temple, and it was where my father was sealed to his parents when he was eight-ish (I think) and my parents were sealed to each other. A pretty significant place for our family, and worth the visit. It's already showing signs of spring in California...daffodils in bloom, tulips coming up, primroses looking cheery...and the Camellia bushes were beautiful. I know why people live in California, because the weather is delightful. Too bad there's all that traffic and such.



Stop #4: San Jose

My dad's old stomping grounds. You see, my dad lived the quintessential childhood. He had a group of friends...4 to be exact...and they had some good, clean fun. Bikes, tag, wheelies, mud, baseball, welding, visits to the drugstore for sodas, haircuts at the barber shop, these were the things my dad did. We were able to visit the house he grew up in, which is being remodeled so we walked around the inside too. He took us to the elementary school...and the high school.


The house on Ross Drive (that used to be blue...)


Sartorette Elementary School

I think my favorite stop was the church house. It was one of the last buildings the church built where the church provided materials, and the members donated their time for labor. My grandfather was a concrete contractor, and did a lot of the flat work around the building...you can still see it. My dad learned to ride his bike, backwards, sitting on the handlebars, in the church parking lot (much to every one's amusement). I think there was a lot of crashing involved. He also showed us where he would start doing a wheelie...and how far he would try to go before he had to stop (we're talking miles here people). It was great hearing all these stories, and I'm so glad we went.


The church house and Grandpa's flatwork

We finished the night at a friend's house, one of the 4 I mentioned above. My dad has kept in contact with all of them throughout the years, and it was fun to hear more stories and realize he's exactly the same now, after all these years!

I am so grateful that I was able to go on this trip with my parents. In addition to all the fun we had, it really was wonderful to spend time in my grandmother's home. The smell when I walk in reminds me of my grandparents. There are so many great memories tucked away in that house...the playhouse, fireworks with grandpa, sneaking out for treats, playing with the cousins. I swear I could hear my grandmother's voice saying, "Oh Bill..." Grandpa was always teasing her you know. Although it's hard to let someone go, I am eternally grateful for all the memories that I have to treasure.