This year Dan and I made it a priority to be in Medina, Ohio for the 4th Annual Nate Vermote Run to Freedom. Four years ago Nathan, my stepson, joined his best friend, Kurtis Tolley, 
to bring awareness in an attempt to end human trafficking. Nathan’s passion was felt deep in his heart in his fight to stop this heinous crime. Sadly, two months after his first very successful marathon event Nathan took his own life. I’ve talked openly about Nate’s suicide in hopes the mark of devastation that is left for those that love Nathan will give people struggling with depression encouragement to seek help.
Because of Nathan’s passion to fight this trafficking war, the Medina County Coalition decided to rename the benefit walk to Nate Vermote Run To Freedom so Nate’s dream will live on with every step that crosses the finish line, every smile that is shared among the registered walk/runners, and in the smiles among all the volunteers, like Nathan’s mom and sister
. The proceeds go to help awareness and to help those rescued from this awful situation obtain the help needed to become emotionally/physically well again. Ohio has the highest human trafficking incidents in the country. Along with Nate and Kurtis’s dream to end this, I hope we can all join in the effort. It doesn’t matter if you walk, run, have four legs,
or if you are old or young …this benefit is for everyone.
As parents, we will do anything possible to keep our children safe, but this epidemic continues to be a problem. Anyone who has lost a child – there is no age limits to this crime – will attest to the pain and anguish they feel trying to get their child back. 
If they are lucky enough to see their child again it takes extreme counseling to undo the damage and that takes money. This event helps fund those needs. It takes a lot of work to put this event together, and a lot of people, but even at the end of a long morning you will see nothing but smiles. 
Dan and I hope to participate every year if we are able to be in the area. But if we can’t we will be there in our hearts – and I have no doubt Nathan is watching and is proud to be an inspiration to everyone in fighting this terrible crime. Thank you, Nathan and Kurtis, for starting this fight and letting us carry out your dream. Thank you Hermes Sports & Events for your hand in making this possible.
Information is key, so I hope parents will take some time to research and apply suggestions that may help keep their children safe.
I’ll admit I might find myself star struck if I had a chance to meet Sandra Bullock, J.A. Jance, or President Trump to name a few. But I was truthfully more excited to meet the Meierotto family from Alaska. 
I’m not a snow person, but I do have respect for the tough lifestyle of a lot of Alaskans live. Especially Marty Meierotto and his family from the History channels’ Mountain Man series. Dan and I have followed their life over the past six seasons. Marty is a trapper in Alaska and supports his wife and daughter with his trapper lifestyle. He’s the first to say this lifestyle has kept his family in financial ruins, but regardless, it’s a good life and he has a wonderful family to share it with. Dan and I had the pleasure of meeting and having dinner with this nice family during the National Trappers Association Convention in Escanaba, Michigan. Dan was born and raised in upper Michigan and has river property in Cornell. We worked out our schedule to be on the property when the convention was going on so we could enjoy this event.
After dinner, Marty graciously did a Q&A for us. He answered questions ranging from how he was approached to do the show to what he ate for breakfast…which, as it turns out, are pancakes – every morning. As the story goes Marty wrote for a trappers magazine and was approached by a writer from Field and Stream who was interested in having him be featured on the Mountain Man show. From what I gleaned it wasn’t the quick “sure, I’d love to do a show” that the Field and Stream writer was hoping for, but an agreement was eventually made. Mainly because Marty was motivated to show trapping in a more positive light. He now has one to two cameras following him around a few weeks at a time during his trapping season. I may not have all of my facts down pat, but you get the idea.
Marty flies a very small plane to his trapping areas. There have been moments watching the show that I was likely more nervous than Marty as he flew his plane in weather I wouldn’t even want to be walking in. Though when I hear Marty say “crap” I’ve wondered how that episode would end…but so far so good. He’s such an experienced pilot there is no doubt he knows what he’s doing, but Mother Nature sometimes tries to throw him curve balls that have made me close my eyes and hope for the best. There have been times on his snowmobile where he has found himself stranded in the snow and cold. And though he keeps extra parts and tools, it can be hours working in such cold conditions I can’t imagine tolerating. Of course, Marty has no choice but to push forward with any situation thrown his way. Dan, a lover of snow machines, asked which machine Marty preferred, his new one, or his old Tundra II – and as Dan suspected he likes his Tundra II over the newer model. Likely because he can strap the body of the machine under the belly of his plane, pack the rest inside, and fly his machine wherever he needs it.
Originally from Wisconsin Marty still considers himself a “cheesehead.” Another fun fact is when I introduced myself to Marty, his wife, Dominique, and his daughter, Noah, I told them my name is CJ which was short for Cecily Jane, Noah smiled saying her middle name was Jane too. And Dominique said it was her mom’s middle name as well. A simple common threads that will always make me smile. Noah was two days shy of turning twelve the day of the dinner and was excited because her birthday present was a trip with her dad for her first Dall sheep hunt. Not what most twelve-year-olds I know would be excited about, but this is the lifestyle she is happy to learn while she is young and can carry through her life. According to the shows I watch Alaska is a lot about hunting, trapping, and surviving the brutal weather…and this young lady is ready to learn.
Marty continued to answer questions ranging from how he traps wolverines to trapping martins, which are his bread and butter. This family came all the way from Alaska to share their life with us and did not accept a dime for there time. They are sweet, humble and kind people, regardless of having to live in the limelight. If you watch the show I can guarantee Marty’s laugh is as genuine off camera as it is on. What a treat it was for Dan and me to meet such a wonderful, down to earth family.
To my surprise, after dinner, they had a prize drawing and I won a photo of Marty, Dominique, and Noah with Mt. McKinley in the background, which all three graciously autographed for me. Marty also gave us a personal autograph. It’s a memory we will treasure forever. Our travels have given us opportunities I never thought I’d have, and they just keep happening so I’ll keep capturing these memories as long as possible. Thank you for letting me share them with all of you.
Wow…where has the time gone. After Sav’s graduation, Dan headed off to Michigan where I’ll meet up with him on the 23rd, so the Gypsy Tour became a man down. I stayed so I could scoop up more family time. My daughter, Kristin, two of my sisters, and I headed off for Portland to enjoy the Portland Saturday Market. When we got to the hotel it was so loud we were struggling to hear the desk clerk. Found out we picked the weekend that the Waterfront Blues Festival was going on…right across the street from the hotel we were staying…yep, two events to fill our weekend.
Friday night we were all pretty tired from our road travel so we opted to find a nice…quiet…restaurant and have dinner. It was worth the walk (which we needed after being in a car all day) to enjoy such fine cuisine. 
It was fabulous. From the wine to the dessert my palette was very happy. The next day was spent enjoying all the items the artists had on display. This is my second time visiting the Portland Saturday Market. I have such an appreciation for the heart and soul artists put into their craft. Everything from decorative wood boxes to some of the finest jewelry your eyes can take in. But the adventure didn’t stop there. After a rest and another good dinner, Kristin treated us to the Waterfront Blues Festival so we were able to enjoy the experience first hand. What an amazing evening. I really enjoyed one of the blues singers, Ruthie Foster. Her voice and energy were so great I purchased two of her CD’s, which she autographed. I decided to ask Ruthie Foster if she would take a picture with me, so here we are…
– she was so humble and sweet. If you get a chance, look up her music and take a listen. After a full day Saturday…happy and exhausted we headed home Sunday morning back to Washington. It was an amazing weekend. Of course, when you are with such great ladies how could you not enjoy your time.
The following Tuesday, my sister, Marianna, and I headed for Canada for a little more sister time. We spent two days in Chilliwack visiting our sister, Erica, and then on Thursday the three of us headed to Hope where we met Fred (Erica’s boyfriend). It was great getting to know Fred and to see life in the Hope area. 
Low-and-behold, Jamie Davis, the owner of the towing company from Highway Thru Hell – one of my reality favs, is just down the road. 
And to top it off, Fred is the key person that was responsible for having Rambo filmed in the area. We ate lunch in the pub, Silver Chalice, where filming was done. The movie also featured the Othello Tunnels…yes, I’m wearing my “fan” hat right now…but, hey, it’s pretty cool…right?
Today I spent a nice afternoon with my sister-in-law, Judy, niece, Amanda, and her new husband, Terry. Catching up on the post-wedding news and enjoying the peaceful river environment. My last week will be filled with busy times of visiting more friends and overnight stays at my sister’s…so it will continue to fly by as if time doesn’t know how to stand still…and I love every minute of it.
I’ll be leaving on the 23rd, and will miss all my family and friends so much, but I’ll be off on another adventure with Dan so that is always a positive. A big thank you to everyone that made this home visit so special. I’ll be back in a few months. Until then…love to you all.
Imagine it’s September 24, 1999. I’m at work and I get the call that my daughter, Kristin, is in labor and on her way to the hospital. Hours later…and I do mean hours…I get the honor of holding this little bundle in my arms. 
My granddaughter, Savannah. Unlike this photo, she was wide awake, not crying, just awake…and as I held her she studied me as I talked to her. It felt like I was being studied through the eyes of an old soul. Clearly, she was connecting my voice to my face.
I knew she was special when I watched her organize the movies on the endcaps of the local Blockbusters – she was less than three at the time. Those early years of watching and enjoying her great imagination and her love for infomercials continue to make me smile. There were the times we’d be camping and using my walkie-talkies while we engaged in a sci-fi exchange. I loved playing into her made-up a world that others might not understand. Savannah has shown me two distinct sides of herself through the years. One that is so filled with imagination she is almost hard to keep up with – the other side so serious and insightful you would look to see if it was her speaking or some adult that had taken over her body. I remember driving her to daycare one morning when she was four-years-old. We drove along quietly, and then I hear from the back set, “Poor choices give the enemy power.” What child makes that connection at four? Or when she was five-years-old and she spends our travel time in the morning explaining how she had plans to create a fossil fuel from corn. It was way over my head, but she sure sounded like she had it figured out. It has always been as if she was an adult in a child’s body.
As time went on, and with a lot of pleading to doctors and others by her mother, the right doctors diagnosed Sav with ADHD and autism. Because she is high-functioning autistic, Sav uses her voice to help bring awareness to others in order that they might understand autism and try to reduce the stigma attached. Savannah is an amazing, complexed, beautiful, and great young lady. 
But that greatness comes from a lot of hard work, and it equally fell on her mom’s shoulders. Kristin spent years educating herself while her daughter learned to work alongside the rest of the world. Kristin has always made sure she fought to get Savannah every opportunity for training, counseling, and any other tools Sav might need to be a success in life. Special-needs children take special tools, and none of it comes without frustration, time, patience, and determination…on both the child’s and the mom’s end, along with family’s love and support. And now, today, Savannah has become, and not surprisingly, a huge success in her life. 
Life, like a book, has many chapters. And as Savannah ends the chapter on her last year of high school, a new chapter will begin. Soon she will be on her way to college. I am beyond proud of all her accomplishments. Her intelligence (SAT score of 1210), her creativity that she transforms into amazing drawings, and her sweetness. Her striking blue eyes and dark brown hair with blonde tips peaking out here and there will light up a room. 
I know Eastern is going to be getting a wonderful student. One that will truly take learning seriously, and excitedly…well, as excitedly as learning can be…lol.
However, this new chapter takes her away from what is familiar, and into the unknown. A huge step for any young person going off to college, but even more so for any level of autism. New sounds, new people, new food, new routines, new textures, and new smells…even down to the bed she will rest her head on every night. Though we are all so proud of her and excited for her next adventure…as you can see from her sister’s enthusiastic jump…
and other family photos filled with smiles, she will be missed. She will no longer be hanging out on the couch binge-watching a show or having weekend DND (Dungeons and Dragons) marathons. My treasured memories of having her spend the night to binge-watch all the episodes of Big Bang Theory. Instead, she will add chapters to her book as she continues to grow emotionally, expand her knowledge, and venture into adulthood. 
In truth, Savannah has amazed me from her early years and continues to amaze me today…I have no doubt she will always leave me speechless and smiling at whatever she is accomplishing.
Congratulations, Miss Savannah Overby…job well done…love you forever and a day 🙂
Ahhh…Reno, Nevada. The glitter and lights, the noise of coins as the machines go clink-clink-clink…but gambling was not our focus in Nevada. It was my son, Mikey, my daughter-in-law, Silver, and our four-year-old grandson, Cameron. Other than Skype or Facebook messaging, I haven’t seen my son and his family for four years. I’m sure you can imagine how it felt to wrap my arms around my Mikey, and then to hug his little guy, Cameron, the first night we were there in Reno. My daughter-in-law had to work, and with her schedule, we didn’t see her until Sunday. It was a whirlwind weekend, filled with laughter, and fun. When I looked into my grandson’s beautiful brown eyes, it was like looking into my son’s eyes. It’s the connection you feel that melts hearts together. Over the weekend, we walked to the Truckee River with Cameron letting us know when it was safe to cross the street. He even stopped another lady from crossing before the light…safety always his first objective. We tossed rocks into the river, 
letting the simplicity of life engulf us. There were the bikes you could rent that Cameron was so excited to see every time. 
On Sunday we checked out of our hotel and spent the afternoon at their home outside of the hustle and bustle of Reno’s gambling world. It is, beyond words, difficult to leave my family with the knowledge that it could be a year before I see them again. But I can’t think about that now. All I can think about is the wonderful memories that fill my heart, and the smile on Cameron’s face when he looked at me with those eyes…eyes filled with so much love, happiness, and charming personality. Grampa Dan easily brought out his young innocent laugh that was so contagious and sweet. 
I miss them all already. 
To my son and family…I am blessed to be a part of your life. You make my heart so happy. You’ve made a beautiful family home. But it’s the happy child in Cameron that truly marks your love for your family. Cameron is a true joy and a wonderful reflection of the best of both of you.
After many tears shed leaving Reno, we pushed through to Redmond, Oregon where we met up with friends we made in Kanab, Utah. Colleen and Mel were gracious enough to host a lunch for us as we enjoyed the view from their amazing home overlooking the river. It was fun catching up with the two of them and meeting their sweet daughter. This is a family that is filled with artistic talent…be it writing, quilting, furniture making, or hot glass art. My intent is to have one of Mel’s pieces in my home someday. It was a great having time to enjoy their company. Colleen and Mel, you truly make your home a pleasure to visit and I hope next time will be longer.
Next, Washington State (aka home), but that will be another blog all its own since it is a monumental event…stay tuned. But before I sign off, I want to add a well-known piece of advice…and that is to believe in yourself. Sometimes, we simply need a reminder that life is filled with possibilities. Mike and Cameron stand tall in this word. So, BELIEVE anything is possible. 