I love telling stories about adventures I've had along the way, so when our Mom, (Robin) posted a comment on our first blog post about para-sailing, Abigail saw it fitting that this should be the next story to our sister's blog.
The answer could of course be "all of the above". The great thing about our family is we are all willing to try new things, be adventurous and take a chance on some fun and life!
Here's a little background as to one of the MANY reasons we all have an adventurous spirit:
Oren and Pauline Johnson are our Mom's parents from Alaska, our Grandparents. We didn't get to see my grandparents but once a year if we were lucky and my grandpa always created quite the element of surprise when they did show up. One time in fact, he sent us boxes of salmon...something they normally did once a year. He asked us to go pick the boxes up at the airport and told us which flight they would arrive on...we had to get them right away as they would be on dry ice and we would need to get them in the freezer immediately. On this occasion he and my grandma were waiting there with the boxes of fish. I was like a kid in a candy shop when they just "popped" into town! When the did pop into town unexpected, we could usually count on them staying for about two weeks. Some of the most fun two weeks of each year for me.
Now...on to the story of para-sailing. If my Mom was on the phone talking to my grandpa, I was normally in the same room hoping she would get off the phone and tell us they were coming for a visit.
This phone conversation was slightly different, as we were to find out very quickly!
From my recollection, for this phone call, I was sitting at the kitchen table, the usual pleasantries of daily life...then... Mom's eyes got a little wide and then a glint of excitement. Then she smiled putting her hand over the receiver side of our old rotary phone...you know the ones with the long spiral cords that get tangled up (ours was this ugly peachy-pink color). Anyhow...she placed her hand over the receiver and asked us how we felt about going on vacation to MEXICO...in NOVEMBER with grandma and grandpa. I remember trying to process what she was saying....then literally jumping up and down all through the house I was so excited!! This FIRST adventure with just my sister Betsy! I had no idea what to expect. We had all flown before, and traveled across the states while we were growing up, trips in our old white Chevy van from Ohio to Alaska. So travel was no new thing, but going to another culture...THAT was exciting! Betsy and I were invited by our grandparents to join them for two weeks in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.
For our trip, we flew from Ohio to LA for a one night layover. Our Cousin (Josh) on my Dad's (McGuire) side greeted us at the airport. We stayed with him before taking our flight the next day to Puerto Vallarta where my grandparents met us on the ground in Mexico.
I remember getting off the plane and the climate being BEAUTIFUL! I was going to get to wear shorts, sleeveless shirts and swim suits in November ~ HEAVEN!!!
We stayed at a couple different hotels/resorts around Puerto Vallarta, one hotel in particular had a beautiful atrium with trees growing through the center, huge parrots with beautiful vibrant colors of yellow, green, blue, orange. Tropical plants and flowers everywhere, lizards, running around like they were ants. The smell of the ocean, AMAZING.
Our Uncle Steve and Aunt Katie (she was his girlfriend at the time) joined us a few days into this vacation.
After a few days there, we all decided to take a little boat over to a nearby island.
(I called my Aunt Katie today to see if she knew the island, but neither of us could remember the name.) Going fearlessly forward even without the name of this magnificent island...I shall continue the story. :-)
Once on the island we decided to try Para-sailing. My Aunt Katie and I were the only two that would take this what seemed to be "daring adventure". There was, as with anything new, slight trepidation, but I was ready for it! I don't remember being afraid...more total excitement. I got fitted for a harness, they hooked me into the sail, then.....the boat started and began to speed up, lifting me off the sand and over the water. The only thing I really vividly remember about that ride was the clarity of the water. (Lake Erie and Sailorville water isn't exactly clear)
The fact that I could see the changes in the underwater world transition from sand and pale turquoise, coral reefs and amazing colors to the deep turquoise and blues of the ocean where the reef drops off to much deeper water. I remember it being very quiet, very peaceful and not wanting the ride to end. As I landed...I had to run a bit coming down as the boat slowed down to let me back on the sandy beach.
The rest of the day were spent lounging on the beach, snorkeling with some of the most amazing colored fish, floating in the salty sea water. We went and ate lunch at this little beach cafe. There were animals all over. There were some rabbits in cages, a raccoon family with a couple of baby raccoon, and a man nearby had a great big green iguana that he let us hold. I do believe this trip is where my love for the ocean began!
Many other fun things took place on this trip, but there are a couple of things I value the most. I got to know my grandparents much more during those two weeks, I developed a relationship with my Uncle Steve and Aunt Katie that I might never have known had they not joined us. And, I learned how not to be afraid to venture out and try new things. My Grandpa Oren always put challenges in front of me...pushed me outside my comfort zone to try new things. I think of him often, I think if he were still alive today, he'd dig the life I've lived so far, and I hope that he would be proud to know that the two week trip in Mexico helped form my dreams, future and now reality!
My wish for you: Get out there, take a chance, take a risk...you never know where it will take you!
~Cindy :)
In Loving Memory and Celebration of Life:
- Galen Oren Johnson (Grandpa Oren), he passed away in 1994
- Steve Johnson (Uncle Steve), he passed away a year and a half ago due to Leukemia
Both men were treasures in my life. Before my Uncle Steve passed away, he and I had a couple hour phone conversation. He told me many things that my Grandpa Oren taught me about business....things that I just thought were fun. But, Uncle Steve said that he watched the way Grandpa used life lessons to cultivate a business sense and problem solving capabilities in my inner core! I'm so grateful I got to have that conversation with my Uncle Steve, and I'm thankful my Grandpa Oren took the time to teach me through fun.
Both men could be caught with a glimmer in their eye. Grandpa's out of a bit of mischief, U. Steve's out of the complete and utter kindness in his heart. I look forward to seeing them both again someday in Heaven!
Uncle Steve, Aunt Katie, Grandma Pauline Johnson, Robin Johnson Diehl
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