France 2024 - week 3 - Sailing on the Rhone

This is one very long river - the full distance from the Alps in Switzerland to the meeting with the Mediterranean is just over 500 miles - and our trip from June 12-19 was more than 200 miles, from Arles to Lyon. Along the way we passed thru 12 locks going up river, and being on the “front deck” while the boat moves into the lock, waiting while the water goes up or down, then sailing out, is fascinating.

France has 101 departments, which are similar to our counties, and we have spent time in Bouches-du-Rhone (Marseille), Vaucluse (Nyons and Avignon), brief stops in Ardesche and Drome, and Rhone (Lyon). Most of our days have consisted of shore outings in cities and villages, The Pope’s Palace in Avignon, Roman ruins of many types, and lots of shops. Sunday morning’s tour was a hike in the department of Ardesche, beginning with a short coach (bus) ride to the top of a hill for a walk down thru vineyards. Unfortunately the bus broke down and we had to walk to the start of the official hike, an addition of 1.25 miles, for a total of five miles. 

Our guide gave a great history of the area as we walked, so it was all worthwhile.

We have six new friends from Oregon! One couple from Klamath Falls and two couples from Portland area. While we didn’t know them before this trip, we have friends and work associates in common with two of the couples. Such a small world!

We’ve now been in Lyon for two days. Our boat, the Viking Hemdal, has been parked on the east side of the Rhone, allowing easy access for bus and walking tours. Today we are transferring to another boat on the Seine River, which requires a train ride from Lyon to Paris. Off we go!

Pont du Gard

France 2024 - Cars and Food

 France 2024, Week 2…

We have been settled in our Nyons apartment since June 1, enjoying this lovely town and all it has to offer. The area is beautiful, very green, with a river on the edge of town.

Driving from Avignon was off to a rocky start when we were given a stick-shift Citroen, which I named “Midget”. It’s been many years since we’ve had manual shifting vehicles, but we didn’t see a problem, and off we went with Dunny at the wheel as I navigated (our standard mode of travel). He struggled with the vehicle, which I think was due to having such a lovely Mercedes for the past five years, with all the safety features, etc. The MC is so easy to drive but the Citreon is not. I’ve driven on our recent outings, which has been fun - much like the ice cream scooter I drove summer after 10th grade! Added benefit is that Dunny has been able to enjoy the scenery.

One of the many joys of France is the food - all fresh, and so delicious. While we have eaten at some wonderful restaurants, we have often cooked at home after visits to farmers markets in Nyons and Vaison La Romaine. On Thursday we drove to Orange for lunch and a tour of the ancient Roman Theater.

Today, June 9, we visited the walled town of Sablet, drove past a second walled town (Roaix), and accidentally drove thru another tiny hill-town…. So small my little car was a tight squeeze thru the main street! We then met Jean-Claude at the archaeology museum here in Nyons for a private tour. His limited English and my limited French were an equal match.

Bonne journee, dear readers!

Travels in France 2024

 MSH and I are in the “travel mode” and we have begun our big adventure for this year — 

France 2024 - week 1

We left PDX on Sunday morning, May 26. Connecting at O’Hare, a Lufthansa rep sabotaged our “carry-on-only” plan by insisting we check our bags. Off we went to Munich, arriving at 1pm on Monday. After a short flight to Marseille, we arrived Monday evening...however, my bag decided to stay in Munich. 

My new favorite travel accessory is Apple AIR TAGS. I was able to watch my bag for the next 24+ hours, first sitting in terminal 2, then moving to the building with shops & gates, then to the tarmac (baggage cart? plane?). After no location update for 2 hours, the tag arrived at the Marseille airport!

 

We are in Marseille for two days, including Notre Dame de Garde (views from the hilltop) and Chateau d’If (Count of Monte Christo). The Bouillabaisse was wonderful. Took a train to Avignon on Thursday, then drove a tiny Citroen to Nyons, our base for the next 11 days.

Friday we walked and had lunch in Vason de Romaine with friends from Eugene, then evening drinks with new friends from Scotland.

Time for Bike Rides!

With my sweetie

My bikes have both been sitting in the office, one in mine, and the other in MSH's office space.  He keeps his bike in his office, too.  Why are they inside, you might ask?  Because we now live in a 4th floor condo with no garage.  We do miss the space that a garage gave us for all those years, but giving that up also resulted in no more yard work.... which pleases us both.

My favorite cycling buddy is MSH, but as he has many other activities keeping him busy, I've had to figure out other riding options.  Most often I go out with my friend Jana.

Yesterday, April 2, we were able to get in a 21 mile to the north of Eugene - we call it "Bottom Loop" because it involves riding on that road north of Coburg.  We try to fit in multiple rides each week, when the weather permits and when we're both in town.  

Fellow cyclists Dave, Rex, Jana, Karen, me, MSH

Rides in the 20-35 mile range are just right, taking a couple of hours out of my generally very busy days.  Cycling is the perfect exercise for me, and I'm planning to ride as much as I can over the coming months. 

I have knee problems (and who, at this stage in life, doesn't...), but what I've found is that cycling does not hurt in the way that walking does.  

Take care of yourselves, dear readers, and I wish you a happy Spring!

The Importance of Volunteering

I'm finding myself extremely busy as we wrap up the FIRST QUARTER of 2024.  Two major changes are happening in my life:

• After 40 years of being a computer trainer and consultant, I am wrapping up my "paid career" in this field.  I have loved almost every minute of this wonderful opportunity which landed in my lap in 1984, when the City of Eugene decided they needed someone to teach WordPerfect for staff.  They asked me, and the rest is history.  Thanks to ALL of the local government organizations with whom I was blessed to work over the past four decades.
  
  
• 
  In November 2023, I was elected new governor for the Oregon Society of Mayflower Descendants (OSMD), at a lovely Compact Day Meeting at The Edgefield in Troutdale, Oregon.  More than 85 Oregon Society members attended the luncheon.  We were especially blessed with the visiting of Governor General Lisa Pennington from Plymouth.  She spoke to our group on the importance of sharing our Mayflower history to keep the story alive, and she also inducted those of us who were new officers.
  

I have served on a variety of boards in the past, both arts, non-profits, and elected positions.  What I've discovered about this new position is that it's a full time job right now!  I'm loving working with the people on the board and those who are members of this organization. 

We will be celebrating the 100th anniversary of OSMD in 2028, so we're already thinking about that event.  Meanwhile, both May 2024 and November 2024 meetings and luncheons are on the schedule, with places reserved, and I've begun preparing our agenda for the Spring event.  

The title of this post is the importance of VOLUNTEERING, both in our communities and at further distances.  I hope every reader of this article is already volunteering, even if you are still employed. If you are not volunteering, please think about where you can contribute. There are so many tasks in our communities which would NOT get done if it were not for volunteers. If you ARE a volunteer already, 

 Thank You!

I'm a Williams!

 

Cecil Williams and
Mildred Bassham - 
wedding day 1929

Having been married for over half a century, there are many people who assume Sorensen is my given name.  When correcting people's spelling of SorensEn (not SorensOn), I have been known to say that I never experienced people misspelling Williams.

I realized recently that I have rarely mentioned my paternal family in this blog, and today I want to fix that.  My father's family settled in Tennessee and Alabama, with deeper roots in Kentucky, Virginia, and the Carolinas.  Much like my maternal line, these people arrived in the US centuries ago, fought in the various wars of our nation, and mostly farmed and raised large families.

Cecil & Mildred
with Opal (age 3) and
my dad Theo (about 1 yr)
Top left is Mildred's sister

My paternal grandparents, Cecil Williams and Mildred Bassham Williams married in 1929.  They raised six children, four girls and two boys, and my father was the second child and older son.  The family lived in Lawrence County, Tennessee, and I remember many fun times at the farm when I was a child, playing with my brothers and cousins, helping feel the animals, bringing in eggs, collecting produce from the garden, and learning to make biscuits with grandma.  

Cecil & Mildred, probably in the 1950s

Four generations:
Mildred, Cecil, Theo, with
Shawn (9 months) and me

I really enjoyed my grandparents and the love and attention they gave us. 

Grandma lived until 2002, when I was 48 years old, and my last visit with her was the summer before she passed at her home in Illinois.  She was in good spirits, cleaning her home, insisting on cooking for me, and giving me more information about our family, providing pictures, and sharing stories and memories.  It was a wonderful visit. 

Mayflower Descendants visit Plymouth MA

That's the Mayflower II
behind me in Plymouth Harbor.

 For those of us with Mayflower ancestry, a visit to Plymouth Mass is a wonderful way to spend some time.  There is so much to see, as well as lots of our shared history to learn.  On a September 2023 visit I was blessed to be involved in the following:

• MWH (my sweet husband) and I spent several days on Cape Cod, including seeing Provincetown, First Encounter Beach, and Corn Hill.  All three are important parts of my ancestors arrival in November 1620.  Friends from Boston gave us the use of their home in Wellfleet, which was a very nice place to rest for a few days.
• We traveled to the Massachusetts Statehouse, with a special viewing of the William Bradford documents.  These are not available for the public to view, but were brought out for our members to see... a wonderful opportunity.
• I attended a banquet and meetings for the Pilgrim John Howland Society, of which I am a member.  It was great to meet some of my "cousins" and get to know more about this organization.
• I wore my Mayflower costume for the first time!  Well, part of it anyway.  I left a number of pieces home, as I knew the weather would be warm AND when traveling I only bring a carry-on suitcase.  So the sleeves for the jacket, chemise, apron, and hat didn't make the trip. Next time!

My new costume!

PJHS banquet, with re-enactors John and
Priscilla Alden, and (in the dark costume),
my 12x great-grandfather John Howland.

• 

  Nancy (from the Texas Society),
  me, and Jenney (Oregon's
  in-coming deputy governor).
  
  

  I was privileged to participate in the GSMD (General Society of Mayflower Descendants) Congress, which happens every three years.  As an Oregon board member, I was one of two voting delegates representing the Oregon Society of Mayflower Descendants.  Votes  were held for the GSMD Governor General  and other national board members.  As the in-coming Governor for Oregon, this was a wonderful learning and observing opportunity for me.  Oregon's out-going Governor, Beth Lambright, was elected to one of three member-at-large positions, which is a huge honor both for Oregon AND for the entire western US.  

I hope you are all enjoying the Fall weather, dear readers.  Carry on!

My Navy Connections

I've been working on family history for quite a few years, and I've just this week come around to the fact that I have a larger (wider?) connection to the US Navy than to the USAF.  This was a surprise to me, as my father was career USAF and served in Germany, Philippines, Japan, and Vietnam, along with a dozen or more bases in the US.  

Shawn, my first child
taken about 2012

My son, Shawn, joined the Navy in 1971 and retired in 2014, serving on submarines at Bangor, Pearl, Kings Bay, and also assignments in California and South Carolina, prior to retiring as a Chief.  His father, MSH (my sweet husband), did not serve in the military but was a super supportive dad.  

If you have read some of my earlier posts, you may recall that MSH was adopted at birth, and in finding his biological father we learned that HE was also in the Navy.  He served during WWII, followed by many years in the Montana National Guard.

Earl Hansen, the father-in-law I never met

Kenneth Brown

In addition to these fine guys, my great-uncle Kenneth Brown was also in the Navy in WWII, as was MSH's uncle Jack Soderling.

My own family, both paternal and maternal, has served in every war back to the beginning of this country, so I probably shouldn't be surprised when I find these connections.  

Jack Soderling

My real interest comes with the fact that in my DNA work with adoptees and NPE folks (not parent expected), I am amazed at the number of men I am finding that also have a USN connection.  

Take care, dear readers, and enjoy the end of summer wherever you are!

Williams Family in Walla Walla!

 Family get-togethers are a wonderful opportunity to visit, catch up on what everyone has been doing since our last meeting, and see how big our younger folks are become.  Fact... I am quickly becoming one of the shorter people in my family. 

Four Generations, Scar, Logan,
Shawn, Dolores, Emily, Debra

A total of 29 family members joined in for some or all of the week, July 24 to 29, 2023, in Walla Walla, Washington, coming from as far away as North Dakota and Nebraska.  This area in the southeast corner of Washington state has long been known for   "Walla Walla Sweets" onions, but has also become a wine-mecca over the past several decades.  

My mom, Dolores  (age 87), was joined by her three children and spouses/partners, seven of her nine grandchildren and some spouses/partners, along with seven great-grandchildren, for a total of 29 people attending the fun week.  The food offerings were wonderful, and a 50th birthday party with cake and balloons was held for Shawn, the eldest of those grandchildren.  

Logan, Emily, Jeanette

Wednesday was "lake day" which was spent at Bennington Lake.  People brought paddleboards, kayaks, and canoes, and there was lots of swimming and splashing around in the water.  

Logan Standing on paddleboard

I managed to get a few short bike rides in, including a ride out to the lake and back, and I handed out family history/Mayflower line packets to the great-grands in attendance.  

So, I managed to address BOTH of my passions of genealogy and cycling during our vacation week!

I hope you are having a wonderful summer, dear readers.  

Me with my sweet little Bike Friday "Emerald"

So much to learn!

I've spent the past week in GRIP class, sponsored by the Genealogical Research Institute of Pittsburg, and I learned SO MUCH!  All classes, meetings, and even our small group assignments, were done on Zoom, so I didn't have to make my way to Pennsylvania.  While I do have some PA ancestry, it's not on my list of things to research at the moment.

The focus for the week was "Digging Deeper: Records, Tools, and Skills" and I was online about 6am each day learning from some excellent instructors.  Most attendees were from the eastern or central time zones, so it wasn't so early for them!

The coordinator for this event was Paula Stuart-Warren, and I enjoyed so much learning from her - she's an excellent presenter and I will be looking for more presentations by her!

In addition to the three other instructors (Cindi Ingle, Debbie Mieszala, and Cari Taplin), who were also great, it was so interesting to be in a group of folks who love genealogy and are eager to learn more AND to discuss what they're finding, offer advice, ask questions, and all those things that I also enjoy.  

I am very inspired to work harder on not only work I've taken on for other people, but also my OWN family work... of which there is so much to be done! 

Carry on with your own research, dear readers!