We took a long planned and discussed family vacation this past month - which turned out for all of us that could attend to be a trip we will long remember. To Lee Vining a sleepy little town on the eastern side of the Sierra Nevada which was the first home to our Aita (father) and many, many Basque men who traveled from their cherished home to a new life in the United States.
Down a dusty road off Hwy 395, past one of the original camp sites where our father had tended his band of sheep at 19 years old after trailing (walking) them from Bakersfield in 1950 and 1951. Towards a grove of Aspens where he and many others - including us - had carved their names.
To a locked gate...our scout reported...but there was a well worn trail around the gate...
so off we went to find our past.
And find it we did...next to a babbling stream...just as we had remembered.
My father and his godson found the one he had carved in 1950 with him name.
He added his name again in 1984 "To make sure they know this guy is still around."
Our tree
My sister Jenny and Aita having lunch and a chat
A lovely picnic of Basque Sausage sandwiches, Sheep's Milk Cheese, and wine...was perfect
Our son, Pierre, having some cheese with his Aita
After lunch there was time for a little fishing.....
A grandfather to granddaughter chat....
Leaving a few more memories for future generations to explore....
Then it was time to call it a day....
a perfect afternoon full of life's simple pleasures
with some of my most favorite people on the planet~!
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That's so cool that you found the tree! Love this story. Ahh, and Basque sausage...Bill and I had never even heard of it until a sweet Basque customer gave me some last week. Oh, my goodness, we're hooked. Sorry Italians - you've been replaced by the Basque! = )
ReplyDeleteIt was a great day and very cool memories. I can't believe you never had Basque sausage before~! One of my favorite things...with a little cheese and a wine, of course.
ReplyDeletePierre and I need to take you for "Basque Breakfast" at Noriega's one weekend when you are in town....you'll love it~! Basque bacon is really similar to pancetta (sorry again Italians) and of course we have our own version on priscuto ~ ouch, poor Italians~!!
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