2021 September: USA Travel Saga Continues

The USA Saga continues. Our original plans went like this: After two years of the Virus, waiting for the shot, and airport restrictions lifted, we set out to fly to the USA. We planned to fly into San Diego, hit the road with Johnny and Cash (our truck and trailer), and head to the home of my sister, Melissa, in Brookings, Oregon, where my 91-year-old mom is also living.

A family camping reunion was planned for the first weekend in August at Loeb park, on the Chetco River, just 15 minutes from my sister’s home. We had planned to spend a week and join the family campout, then hit the road to do some camping in Washington while visiting my son in Tacoma. We were looking forward to driving slowly back to San Diego to attend my high school 50th reunion and enjoy my granddaughters.  The Thanksgiving holiday camping in Borrego Springs had been reserved for our traditional family gathering as well as reservations for our December San Diego Christmas holiday with my daughter and her extended family!. Then a flight home to Germany in January 2022. Perfect dream, perfect plan, perfectly altered.

Instead, the universe had other plans. The last time we checked in with each other, Lutz’s green card was revoked since he did not live in the USA for the past two years. He was denied renewal, and we were told: “the virus was not an excuse for not traveling to the USA.” Thus the green card was taken away. We decided to make every effort to re-instate it with an interview at the Embassy but to no avail.

During this same week, I received a call from my sister that my brother had some health issues and needed her assistance.  Melissa is a retired RN and immediately headed to Camarillo, California, to assist my brother through his challenges. The following week my sister called from California saying she had received a call that my mom’s “red button” was pushed, and she had fallen and broke her hip.

At this point, Lutz and I discussed the possibility that I should fly alone, and he would come when his ESTA was cleared. The decision was made for us. I reserved a flight to the USA on the 28th of July, arriving in Seattle. After two years, I had a brief layover with my dear cousin Amy and a two-hour dinner and a hug with my son, which made the whole trip worth it.

I arrived two days later in Medford, the same day my sister returned from her two-week stay with our brother. Steve, my sister’s husband, was the official taxi driver for the day, gathering his rescue team!

Mom ended up in surgery after two delivery attempts at two different hospitals, 30 minutes away from Brookings. The family camping took place minus my brother and his family, however, Melissa’s daughter and family arrived…

Along with my daughter and her family. It was so great to see them all after two years with no hugs!

After fours days, they were off and running, and so were my sister and me. Mom was in the hospital for a week then transferred to a rehab recovery location in downtown Brookings. Our days were filled with mom visits, my sister on the phone with Medicare, insurance, and local officials in hopes of securing a place in an assistant living nearby. The virus had other plans, and lockdowns were imminent. So in the meantime, Melissa and I spent the days cleaning out Mom’s things and packing her belongings in preparation for this challenging move. It’s a difficult decision; however, my sister is needed once again in California, and having our mom in a is safe and secure home is the most important thing at this time. We move her belongings; but, another lockdown deterred her moving date. Today she awaits her new home, which I thoughtfully and carefully set up with all her paintings and furniture and a special bottle of wine in the fridge!

It’s been a long month, but not all days were stressful! We did find time to make some great sea view hikes and reconnect with my sister.

Kayak tours with my old childhood friend, Janet Hart, in the Chetco River.

Visits with old friends Steve and George Gavin from the San Diego area. Plus, a chance to celebrate George’s birthday with fresh blackberry pie!

Or course, a swim in the Chetco was on the top of the list during 100-degree heat!

After a month of hectic changes and unforeseen circumstances, it was time to hug mom goodbye and wish my sister luck as she settles mom into her new home before heading back down to California to help our brother. She’s got her plate full, and my thoughts are with her. I decided to head down to San Diego and spend time with my daughter and her family while waiting to hear more about Lutz’s situation, which remains hopeless. We have sent in his green card along with the i407 form, tried to get an ESTA (3-month tourist visit), which has been denied four times. We’ve made the earliest possible appointment for a B2 interview (6-month tourist visa) for May 2022 with proof of marriage to an American, and still no news. We’re open to any advice you might have, so send me some suggestions! Meanwhile, Lutz is definitely not suffering. He’s spending time in our new Jacuzzi with his cousin Axel and working hard to finalize our new home. He deserves a dip now and then!

The phrase “bend or you’ll break” has a new meaning for me. When you let go, the universe can do its thing, and it is what it is! Perfect plans turn to perfect needs. Meanwhile, I’ve landed in Seattle and spending four days with my son, and then it’s off to San Diego to see my grandkids and a visit to my brother for sure.

Thanks for keeping up with our situation and sending good vibes our way! Again, I’m grateful for life, love, family, and friends. The thing that gives stamina. Be flexible and perfect plans arrive in your lap!

Oh yes, and the cooking never ends. Check these super recipes I’ve been creating for your holiday weekend!! Fall is coming, and Gooseberrys are disappearing while pumpkins are on their way in, so take advantage of both while you can.

Gooseberry Pie/Stachelbeeren Kucken

Cassava Pumpkin Cake

Plus, a new resource just for you!

6 Mind-Blowing Reasons You Should Take Selenium