Christmas in January 2022

Day 1, Friday, January 21, Home to Craig’s Castle in Stockton

Damn Covid! It has now canceled Christmas for two years running. But this Christmas we are gathering at Craig’s Castle almost a month late – but we are gathering!

I hadn’t driven so much as a mile aboard Big Blue since Thanksgiving which was two months ago – and that was only about a 50 mile round trip as is the current one. I’ve always taken at trip of some kind at least once every month – ’til now.

I had plans to make up for the long hiatus after our Christmas in January get together – I planned to drive to Texas the following week for this year’s annual Search for Sunshine trip. I didn’t actually have to search for sunshine, as we’d had so much of it this winter. The rains abruptly stopped at the end of December, and we hadn’t seen a drop since.

Cruising up CA99 to Craig’s Castle for Christmas in January.

We arrived at Craig’s Castle just before noon. Allen and Nancy were there, and Craig was at work. It was good to greet them as they’d just arrived from Denver the prior evening. They’d had a bout with Covid in December, having caught the awful bug during a trip to San Diego in mid December. Both had tested since, and were fully cleared.

Big Blue parked at Craig’s in Stockton for an overdue family gathering.

Craig returned home from his business somewhere around 1300 hours. He arrived with Chik-fil-A and fries for lunch, and we all enjoyed those wonderful chicken sandwiches. Over an extended lunch, we all enjoyed a grand visit.

Lavonne and I spent a portion of the afternoon relaxing in the coach as the others headed out for a shopping trip.

The evening’s activities included, naturally, a huge dinner. There were just the six of us – Craig and Laura, Allen and Nancy, and Lavonne and I. Nancy made her incredible enchilada specialty. I probably shouldn’t report that I had three helpings, but I couldn’t help myself. Rice and beans accompanied the enchilada feast, and I had both. After the big meal, Laura and I worked cleaning up the kitchen – that is, ’til I got kicked out. I believe Laura simply took pity on this old man. The consequences of old age aren’t all bad!

After the meal and clean up, I bid everyone good night, and headed to the coach. The rest played the Domino game, Mexican Trains. Lavonne and I play that game at home nearly every week, but I sought out the peace and quiet of the coach. They played ’til almost midnight. When Lavonne returned to the coach, we prepared for bed, and retired at midnight. It had been a wonderful day with family.

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Day 2, Saturday, January 22, at rest at Craig’s Castle – and the family’s Christmas party.

The day was just one, long day of eating – or so it seemed. Nancy, Breanne, Lavonne and Laura whipped up so many sweets in the kitchen that I couldn’t keep up with them. There were brownies, chocolate chip cookies, banana bread, peach pie, chocolate cake, poppy seed cake with lemon topping, and more.

The party itself began around 1600 hours, and included a total of fifteen family members. There was Craig and Laura, Allen and Nancy, Lavonne and I, all of whom began the day there. Breanne rolled in pretty early so she could make all those sweets. There was Ashley and Darren and their beautiful children, Jeremy and Alexandra. Stephanie and Sam came with the latest family addition, baby Sammy. Pat joined us, as well. It was quite the family gathering.

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Nancy, Laura, and Allen in the kitchen. Breanne was one of the main cooks, and I somehow didn’t get a photo of her.

Sam, Stephanie, Sammy, Jeremy, and his dad, Darren on the veranda.

Nancy, Alexandra, and Dale all matching in burgundy.

A close up of Jeremy and dad, Darren.

Little Sammy watches his big cousins, Jeremy and Alexandra, open Christmas presents.

Here’s just a sample of the goodies for our hamburger feast.

The veranda crowd enjoying their burgers. L-R is Sammy, Sam, Craig, Stephanie, Nancy, Allen, Breanne, Jeremy and Darren.

Having dinner indoors were Laura, Ashley, Alexandra, and Lavonne..

I was behind the camera for every photo but one, and also I didn’t stay long. The house was very cool, doors and windows wide open, and it was 50° out. Nobody seemed to notice but me, and I was not at all comfortable. I ate my huge hamburger and fries, etc., and then made a hasty retreat to the coach where I was very comfortable. Still, we all had a Merry Christmas in January – and Covid be damned!

Lavonne joined me in the coach after the present opening, Bingo, and generally partying on. We enjoyed another comfortable night in the coach on Craig’s driveway aboard Big Blue.

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Day 3, Sunday, January 23, to home: 43 miles total trip

I was up and around by 0630, and joined Lavonne at the dinette as she was up and around before me. We passed the time aboard the coach ’til Breanne texted Lavonne that they were up and around, too. We joined them in the house for coffee and visit time.

Breakfast was a team effort it seemed, as several were in the kitchen scrambling eggs, frying tortillas, etc. and we each made our own breakfast burrito or some other form of breakfast. It was all really quite good and seemed wonderfully disorganized.

After breakfast and visiting, I headed down to get the coach ready for our short drive home. Soon Breanne headed home, followed by Craig taking Allen and Nancy to the airport in Sacramento for their flight to Denver. Soon after, We pulled out of the driveway for our short drive home. It had been a wonderful Christmas in January with family.

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Sometime during the coming week, I planned to head for Texas and maybe drive clear to Louisiana – just as I did last January.

Stay tuned!

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