12/21/2008

We made it!

Anyone who thinks it never gets cold in Southern California, the top picture below was taken during our drive to Tahoe. This is north of Los Angeles in the Tehachapi's mountain range. I-5 through this area is called, "the grapevine" as the north and southbound lanes criss-cross each other as you climb and descend from 100ft to 4500ft in 45 miles. This was our first bathroom break at a McDonald's. It was about 38 degrees and blowing 40-50 mph gusts = cold dash from the car!!


We made it almost 600 miles in 8 hours and 15 with just two potty/gas stops, from San Diego to the rental house in Soda Springs, just west of Donner Summit and about 25 minutes from Truckee, CA, and 45 minutes from Squaw Valley and the ski resorts of the greater Lake Tahoe basin.


Today is a snow fun day, with snow play, sledding, and Erin Project stuff on tap. Later today, weather permitting, we're scheduled to attend a party at the parents of a good friend's in Incline Village, NV. Max hated cold weather. He never liked the snow, though both times that he was in it he was sick as a dog and so who does like snow when they're sick? But we feel Max's presence with us this trip and like to think that Max has delivered the awesome snow scenes we will experience this week, with fresh snowfall forecast for everyday through Christmas.

18 comments:

Anonymous said...

Glad to hear you made it up there safely and in good time. The cabin looks super. Looking forward to see what you'll post for the Erin Project. You've got quite a followup challenge after Pat Lacey's! But I'm sure your wit will match his word for word.

I seem unable to stop thinking about Max... Make a snow angel for me. xolisa

PS Melis, keep your guard up. Hannah is planning a snowball assault. :)

Anonymous said...

Seeing where you are at brings memories of when my children were little and we went to Truckee too. Have fun....throw a snowball for me. xo Linny

Anonymous said...

Really? You guys are cold?! :)

Randee said...

A cute story about Melissa's first trip to the snow when she about three. Born in Southern California the only snow she'd seen was on Sesame
Street when Cookie Monster through "snowflakes" at Oscar the Grouch. She was so excited driving up to the Cuyamaca Mountains to see the snow and play in it. Melissa thought snow what like white sand and did not like the cold feet and icey fingers. She went back to the car to stay warm. I guess Max's dislike for the snow came from no stranger. Have a wonderful time. Tonight when you look up there just might be a twinkle in sky from our warrior angel Max!!!

Anonymous said...

I've been thinking about your family alot this holiday. Hope you have a Merry Christmas and the thoughts of Max enjoying the snow with you brings smiles. Interestingly, we were in Tahoe last year - our first Christmas without Lucas.

Thank you for addressing Lucas in the guestbook - I don't need to tell you how much that is appreciated.

Warmly,
t

Randee said...

Merry Christmas--missing you guys!! May your old memories blend with your new memories to make make everlasting memories!! Love, Annee Ranee

Anonymous said...

We are missing you and envying your fun in the snow! It's not nearly as much fun romping in the rain! I know you are storing up all these special times together and making memories to last a life time.
Merry Christmas an hugs to all. NANA

Anonymous said...

Thinking of you all... I dreamt about Max on Christmas night; that was a perfect gift! Thank you, Max! xolisa

Anonymous said...

Wishing the Mikulaks a peaceful new year. I won't even try to imagine how hard it is without Max right there.

Max has touched a lot of lives...more than you know. I am deeply touched by Max's story. You never know what's in store, but I hope to live my life in a manner as courageous and dignified as Max lived his.

San Diego Mom said...

Happy New Year, guys. Kent, Sam, and I were in snowy mountains of Japan, enjoying snow, family, and friends. We had great snow and a beautiful weather. His cousin was telling us a story about his classmate who broke his arm. Kent said, the friend should thank god its just a broken bone and that he had a friend who passed away from cancer. The funny part was he didn't know what cancer was in Japanese and said cancer in English, which his cousin didn't understand. Though I think he got the message.....

Wishing you all a peace of mind in the coming new year.

Shiho

Anonymous said...

Yesterday, a friend surprised me with a card. When I opened it up, it played "Ring of Fire" (Social D). My friend said, "it's not that great a card, you don't have to get emotional". I told him about Max and his personal rendition of the song. As the night wore on, we found ourselves singing the song for Max, in that way he had of pronouncing his "R"s: "Ring of fiyow, the ring of fiyow". We bopped around and thought of him and we realized that we were dancing for a boy we never even met, but missed just the same. We can only imagine the breadth of your longing for your son. Thinking of you.

Gberger said...

I just found your blog through Susan's "How Can I keep From Singing?" blog. I am so very sorry for your loss.
Our 12-year old daughter, Katie, passed away from adrenocortical carcinoma just over a year before Max did. I feel much in common with the emotions that you express; your honesty is refreshing and healing. Thank you for sharing about Max here. He was a gorgeous boy, and his spirit shines through his eyes, as well as through your words about him. God bless you.
www.caringbridge.org/visit/katiegerstenberger
www.karengberger.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

It's one of those difficult-to-sleep nights for me. A thought crossed my mind - it would be nice if we had a sleepover so we can have a good cry while the kids sleep. You have been so gracious about letting us know your availability - I look forward to meeting you, though my actions may indicate otherwise. I am stuck in firefighting mode and just can't get organized enough to plan ahead. Maybe we should just make an informal date to go through overdue bills...

Thinking about you, Max. Lucas would have loved to sing with you.

t

Anonymous said...

I just went back to look at some of Max's pictures. My heart is heavy looking at the pictures taken shortly before he passed away. I have the same mixed emotions when I look at Lucas' pictures taken shortly before he died - amazed and in awe that he looked so happy and sad about all that must have been going on in his body. They were so generous to leave us with such indiminishable spirit.

t

Talita said...

I always carry all your family in my heart, and now that the hollidays are over I can´t imagine how hard it was to spend it away from our eautiful Max. Praying allways for god to confort all of you.
Talita
Calebs mom

Anonymous said...

Dear Melissa and Andy,

Thank you so much for your incredibly beautiful post in Erik's guestbook...it really touches me to the core. The connection is so real for me too...I saw so much of Erik in Max and so much was a flash back to that age...How I wish for all these precious ones to be given the privilege of growing up...it breaks my heart beyond belief, and I can't take a breath without thinking of the tragedy of it of it all.

Max's personality and gusto and sweet smile has captivated so many hearts, and it will always always hurt terribly to know how much more we wanted of Max...

Much love for you all and many prayers--Donna

Bree said...

Hi guys! Just stopping by to say hi, let you know that a day doesn't go by without me checking in AND thinking of your sweet boy Max!
Lots of Love always!

Randee said...

I, too stop by daily and have missed your posts and enjoy so much reading the thoughts and feelings of others who stop by here. The picture of Max on his red snowflak pillow is too sweet for words. Love you guys!!

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