Tioga, Bluegrass, Vacay & Besties

TIOGA                                                                                                                                               Michelle here as your storyteller for August...

We set off on our fateful journey with no inkling how interesting things would get... fast.  We left Colorado in our faithful Suburban and made it all the way to Harlowton, Montana.  Whereupon, the suburban proceeded to throw a rod.  We had to make a quick decision, as we were due in Calgary that night. We have put too many miles on that ol' wagon to justify fixing her at that point, so we looked around the booming metropolis of Harlowton to see what our options were.  The only thing in town that would fit all of us and our gear was Tioga. Tioga is a 1974 Doge camper.  As we were standing there praying about what to do, I remembered that Barry has been praying for an rv for a year now.  I could not stop smiling as we drove Tioga towards the border.  The kids were ecstatic at the lack of seat belts, the bench seating and the table.

 

I was ecstatic about a potty and fewer stops.  We were less ecstatic on the ride home when she started to leak like a sieve.  And increasingly less ecstatic at the thought of driving Tioga (currently our only family vehicle) to Wal-mart.  Let's all thank God for Tioga and join together to pray for a new vehicle for the Pattersons!

BLUEGRASS                                                                                                                                      Onto the musical portion of this month's blog.We played a house concert with my uncle Al in Calgary and it was a warm and comfortable as a house concert gets. Old school friends came out for it and that set the tone for a "reunion" theme for the whole trip.  We Tioga'd on out to Caroline, Alberta, my hometown, for a Gospel Music Festival.  It was really moving to be playing at the Living Faith Bible College campus where I grew up. I learned loads of Scripture there as a child, how to play volleyball and how to sing. I felt the heritage with many warm fuzzies.  One of the highlights of the festival was getting to hear the Larsgard's play.  They are a family that I grew up with that now has formed there own bluegrass band and it's a hoot to see these kids all grown up and mastering their instruments, actually, kicking their instrument's butts. Brilliant. We also had an intimate house concert with a gal I used to cheerlead with.  It was intimate enough to really get to have meaningful conversation and we loved it. Thanks, Aleta!

 

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VACAY

For the vacationish portion of our trip we did things like ride a roller coaster, go to a small town circus, swim in the creek, visit the Olympic park in Calgary, canoe, mini-golf, fish our brains out and drive around and look at some of the most incredible beauty in the universe.  We stayed with my parents, which was divine.  Gramma and Papa loved up on us hugely and the kids had the time of their lives.

      

LAKE LOUISE

BESTIES
One of the special parts of the vacationish part for me, was reuniting with my two closest childhood friends, Penny Harrison & Leona Dirsten. We have all been in each other's weddings but this was the first time all of our progeny was together at one time.  Please note and commend us for multiplying so well.  (one child is missing due to illness)  There are some friendships that are for life and these girls are lifetimers for me. What a blast to be together again.

  

Oh Canada, we enjoyed thee so much.  What an adventure! We can't wait to come back.

Comments

[Janice Pruett]

Love the pictures & stories. Your parents look great & the kids are all growing up. Thanks for sharing! :o)