Old Town Clovis...
Amidst massive expansion and development in Fresno County, Some parts of Clovis remain unchanged, as you can see in this photograph of old downtown Clovis.
First Stop...Sunny Las Vegas!
On our way to Clovis, Steve and I flew into Vegas for some unwinding and relaxation. After lounging by the pool, Steve and I stepped into the Bellagio Conservatory to see the beautiful gardens. It's one of my favorite things to do in Vegas. They change the garden theme every month. I tried to get Steve to pose for me in front of the daisies, but he wasn't having any of it. Here's a photo of Steve and me on the Bellagio Grand Patio.
Tenaya Lodge
After a romantic night in Vegas, Steve and I caught a flight to Fresno and stayed at the Tenaya Lodge in Yosemite National Park. Amazing. I had never been to Yosemite, but I'm already planning a trip to return with the kids next spring. Can't wait to return to spend more time here. As you can see from the photo, it's breathtaking.
Please take a look at this photo of Half Dome. Absolutely breathtaking... We thought of hiking half dome...But if you didn't already know, Steve is afraid of heights. He shrugs the term "scaredy cat"; he prefers saying that he has a "strong self preservation instinct."
The Path that Leads to Home...
Steve's dad used to quote from an Edgar Guest poem "The Path That Leads to Home." Well, we finally made the path to Steve's childhood home. It was very sentimental for Steve.
We found ourselves in front of the house taking photos from the driveway when the homeowner opened the door and came out to speak with us...YIKES! Turns out, he knows Steve's family and he ended up showing us the grounds and even invited us in (so nice).Steve wouldn't enter the house because he wanted "to remember it the way it was." Steve was so sentimental. Steve said barely a word while we were walking around the front yard. I can only imagine that memories were racing through his head--and heart.
Another photo of Steve in front of his childhood home.
And now for the drum roll please...
Clovis West Presents....
Steve's Ten...er....Twenty-Year Reunion
(sorry Steve, I can't lie).
Pictured above:
The San Joaquin Foothills in Summer
Steve wanted me to insert a photo we took of the San Joaquin foothills on the way to Yosemite (on highway 41) because it reminds him of his childhood, the hours he spent roaming the countryside on his bike, exploring dikes and ponds and hillsides, searching for frogs and other creeping things.
I've inserted a quote that Steve has often shared with me. The lines are from one of Steve's favorite poets, William Wordsworth (Lines Composed a Few Miles Above Tintern Abbey). Whenever Steve reads it, I can see that he understands it through the eyes of his childhood love for the meadows, hills, trees, and ponds of the San Joaquin Valley.
. . . And I have felt
A presence that disturbs me with the joy
Of elevated thoughts; a sense sublime
Of something far more deeply interfused
Whose dwelling is in the light of setting suns,
And the round ocean and the living air,
And the blue sky, and in the mind of man:
A motion and a spirit, that impels
All thinking things, all objects of all thought,
And rolls through all things. Therefore am I still
A lover of the meadows and the woods,
And mountains; and of all that we behold
From this green earth;
. . . Well pleased to recognize
In nature and the language of the sense,
The anchor of my purest thoughts, the nurse,
The guide, the guardian of my heart, and soul
Of all my moral being.
And now for the drum roll please...Clovis West Presents....
Steve's Ten...er....Twenty-Year Reunion
(sorry Steve, I can't lie).
Pictured above:Troy and Brooke Mathias, David and Heather Byrd, Steve and Katie Christensen
Before the reunion, we all met at Troy's house to visit and catch up. It was a great opportunity for Steve to reacquaint with his old high school buddies. I also got to meet many of Steve's friends and I wish I could post photos of everyone.
Before the reunion, we all met at Troy's house to visit and catch up. It was a great opportunity for Steve to reacquaint with his old high school buddies. I also got to meet many of Steve's friends and I wish I could post photos of everyone.
The San Joaquin Foothills in Summer
Steve wanted me to insert a photo we took of the San Joaquin foothills on the way to Yosemite (on highway 41) because it reminds him of his childhood, the hours he spent roaming the countryside on his bike, exploring dikes and ponds and hillsides, searching for frogs and other creeping things.
I've inserted a quote that Steve has often shared with me. The lines are from one of Steve's favorite poets, William Wordsworth (Lines Composed a Few Miles Above Tintern Abbey). Whenever Steve reads it, I can see that he understands it through the eyes of his childhood love for the meadows, hills, trees, and ponds of the San Joaquin Valley.. . . And I have felt
A presence that disturbs me with the joy
Of elevated thoughts; a sense sublime
Of something far more deeply interfused
Whose dwelling is in the light of setting suns,
And the round ocean and the living air,
And the blue sky, and in the mind of man:
A motion and a spirit, that impels
All thinking things, all objects of all thought,
And rolls through all things. Therefore am I still
A lover of the meadows and the woods,
And mountains; and of all that we behold
From this green earth;
. . . Well pleased to recognize
In nature and the language of the sense,
The anchor of my purest thoughts, the nurse,
The guide, the guardian of my heart, and soul
Of all my moral being.
4 comments:
Steve and Katie!
That trip looks/ sounded like so much fun. Seeing pictures of their house was especially fun. While I did not live there... I LIVED for the trips that we would take to spend with Uncle Steve, Aunt Vickie and the kids... hands down some of my greatest childhood memories were there. 20 year reunion. Wow. When is your 20 year reunion Katie? jk!
We sure do love you to! Thanks for sharing your fun trip with us!
Love,
Jon and Ash
Oh Katie! You've perfectly captured our home. I know I've already seen the pictures, but looking at your post was like walking down memory lane. You can take the girl out of the country, but you can never take the country out of the girl. I'm so glad you finally got the chance to visit the home of our memories and beloved stories as brothers and sisters. You are truly a Chirstensen now. You've passed initiation. We are sisters for life.
xoxo.
Lu
Katie -- I am so happy that you finally have had the magical experience of visiting Clovis. I know how tender the whole family gets when discussing the beloved home where they grew up. Isn't it amazing?! I can only hope to live somewhere where memories like those are made... We need to somehow all go back together - wouldn't that be so fun? :) You look beautiful! Love you!
You two are totally busted! You know the rule about coming to Vegas without visiting the Harmons: This just means we get to pick the restaurant two times in a row!
Steve and Lesha
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