Paradise means many things to many people - to me it means home. My parents moved to Paradise shortly after I graduated from high school in 1973. Fortunately, I joined them several months later. I have loved it ever since.The last time I was up in Paradise was three years ago. Rachel and I drove up just to see it and experience it again. We would love to make this an annual trip, but it just has not worked out for us!
Yesterday I took my mom and sister to Paradise. I had hoped to go the week before, on the anniversary of my dad's death, but due to the stomach flu, and the fires in Paradise, I was unable to go. I told my mom and sister this and they thought it was a great idea to go up! So, up we went!
I wasn't sure just how well either of them would do physically, but they did their best! We left Sacramento at 9 AM and were up in Paradise by 11. (with stops to take pics of the fire's destruction) We went to my brother's home and visited with him. Then we took him and my niece, Hayley, out to lunch. Rather nice place and good food! We had a great time catching up with each other's lives. (we don't see Stan often or hear from him much either)
My mom going over an old scrapbook she made for Stan:
After that we went to the cemetary to leave flowers on my dad's grave. Fortunately, every thing looked nice and clean. It's strange to think that he is buried there. He was always so full of life... even bigger than life. I still miss him, even though it's been 16 years.
My brother Stan, he is 20 months older than me:
From there we returned to Stan's. We visited for a bit, then Mayson, my nephew, showed up and we were able to see him for a few minutes. I could tell then that my sister and my mom were fading fast. I asked if they wanted to leave and it was a resounding 'Yes!' That was at 3 PM.
On the way out of town we drove by the house that mom and dad had built and they lived in for 20 years. I couldn't even take a picture of it since it looked so trashed. However, there was this deer walking right by the road on their property so I snapped a picture of her. One of the things I miss most about Paradise is the wild animals - the only thing we have wild here is squirrels! And Missy likes to eat them! Yuck!
A deer walking near the road on my parent's old property:
Feather River Hospital where Amy was born:
The fire was devastating for nearby Paradise residents. This is in the valley, just before going up the hill to get to Paradise. From what Hayley and Mayson said the damage on the other side, by Skyway and Neal Rd. is much worse. So sad. Some of mom's old friends lost their homes.
Across the street, literally, from Butte College. They must have started a fire there to protect it. I attended college for a brief time there, Pat taught a class there when we lived in Paradise.
The Rodger's old house... or what is left of it.
Scene from the Hwy otherwise known as Clark Rd.:
Oh... my... gosh!! How sad for Paradise!! It really has been a destructive summer, and it's not even half over yet. I'm really glad you were able to go. I think sometime when we have a longer vacation Brad and I are going to go up there. I love it there- and I love being able to say I was born in Paradise!!
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