THE TRAVELS AND ADVENTURES OF DAN AND PATTY CHANCE
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Saturday, December 25, 2010
A GRANDDAUGHTER FIX
In today's very complicated world, sometimes the best of times are the very simple pleasures of life. Spending yesterday afternoon with our GranddaughterLaila, was one of those times. The world of a 5 year old is about as uncomplicated as it gets, especially when viewed through the eyes of a couple of 60+ year old Grand Parents. Marc had some last minute Christmas shopping to attend to, so, after Grandpa fixed a mega breakfast, including Laila's favorite - Pancakes, we started the day with a bike ride around the fairgrounds here in Tucson. The Pima County Fairgrounds are expansive, so there were several stops, where some exploring just had to be done. This large rock contained pockets of crystal quartz, and turquoise, and with Grandpas help, a few samples were added to the bag of treasures. Not too long after we left the motor home, Laila decided that she could ride her bike, and hold onto Sami's leash at the same time. She soon discovered that if she placed the leash handle over her handlebars, there were times when Sami would pull her, and she didn't have to peddle as much.
This tactic lasted until Sami got tired, and decided she didn't want to play like a sled dog anymore. But, it was great fun while it lasted. When we got back to the motor home, Laila gave Sam a treat for all of her hard work, and we took off for the nearest playground. Not too far from her house, we stopped at a city park with a playground that Laila was familiar with.
The last part of our afternoon was a late picnic lunch at a second park playground, where we watched Laila enjoying the circular slide, over and over again. It was only about a year ago, when at a playground in Lake Havasu, she was a bit timid about tackling a large slide. What a difference a year makes, as there was not the least bit of fear, as she slid frontwards, backwards, and even climbed back up the twisting ramp.
Today, being Christmas day, is obviously one of the most anticipated days in the life of a 5 year old. We'll be returning to Marc, Chandra, and Laila's later in the day, and share in the joy of Christmas with all of them. Chandra was flying home late yesterday from CA, where she spent several days with her mom Eloise, who is in the hospital. She was due to land in Tucson about midnight, so it's doubtful that a lot of sleep was to be had, especially with Miss Laila's very likely early wake up call, to see what Santa left under the Christmas Tree.
Patty & I have been married for 33 great years, & have raised 3 children. Mike & Marc - mine. David - hers. We lost our beloved Beagle Sami in April, 2013, and our kitty Gracie in Sep. Since retiring from co-ownership of Jamestown Harley-Davdson in 2001, we have traveled all over the U.S. in 2 different motor homes. In 2002 and 2003, we traveled the N.H.R.A. Drag Race circuit, pulling the Harley-Davidson, Screaming Eagle merchandise trailer. In the summers of 2004, 2005, 2006, and 2007, Patty worked retail and I drove a tour bus in Skagway, Alaska. The summer of 2008, I worked as a supervisor for the Glacier National Park transit system in N.W. Montana. During the summer of 2009, we decided to travel, and completed a 5 and 1/2 month, 12,000 mile loop around the U.S. and Canada. During the summer of 2010, we traveled mostly in the Pacific Northwest states of Oregon & Washington. We spent the summers of 2011 & 2012, working at the Grand Canyon, where I drove a transit bus, and Patty worked in the General Store. The winters have mostly been spent at our home in Lake Havasu City. We recently relocated the home base to Tucson, AZ.
In today's very complicated world, sometimes the best of times are the very simple pleasures of life. Spending yesterday afternoon with our Granddaughter Laila, was one of those times. The world of a 5 year old is about as uncomplicated as it gets, especially when viewed through the eyes of a couple of 60+ year old Grand Parents. Marc had some last minute Christmas shopping to attend to, so, after Grandpa fixed a mega breakfast, including Laila's favorite - Pancakes, we started the day with a bike ride around the fairgrounds here in Tucson.
The Pima County Fairgrounds are expansive, so there were several stops, where some exploring just had to be done. This large rock contained pockets of crystal quartz, and turquoise, and with Grandpas help, a few samples were added to the bag of treasures. Not too long after we left the motor home, Laila decided that she could ride her bike, and hold onto Sami's leash at the same time. She soon discovered that if she placed the leash handle over her handlebars, there were times when Sami would pull her, and she didn't have to peddle as much. 
This tactic lasted until Sami got tired, and decided she didn't want to play like a sled dog anymore. But, it was great fun while it lasted. When we got back to the motor home, Laila gave Sam a treat for all of her hard work, and we took off for the nearest playground. Not too far from her house, we stopped at a city park with a playground that Laila was familiar with.
The last part of our afternoon was a late picnic lunch at a second park playground, where we watched Laila enjoying the circular slide, over and over again. It was only about a year ago, when at a playground in Lake Havasu, she was a bit timid about tackling a large slide. What a difference a year makes, as there was not the least bit of fear, as she slid frontwards, backwards, and even climbed back up the twisting ramp. 
Today, being Christmas day, is obviously one of the most anticipated days in the life of a 5 year old. We'll be returning to Marc, Chandra, and Laila's later in the day, and share in the joy of Christmas with all of them. Chandra was flying home late yesterday from CA, where she spent several days with her mom Eloise, who is in the hospital. She was due to land in Tucson about midnight, so it's doubtful that a lot of sleep was to be had, especially with Miss Laila's very likely early wake up call, to see what Santa left under the Christmas Tree.
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