Adventures of Megaweapon!
- Thread starter Ray Dunakin
- Start date
Ray Dunakin
Senior Member
All through January Cris was very weak and tired, and sleeping about 18 hours a day. But recently she's been feeling quite a bit better. She's not sleeping as much and has more energy. The past several nights she hasn't even needed help getting to the bathroom. So for now we're holding off on the hospice and in-home care.
...That's great news, Ray!...
mynameistory
New member
Ray, I've really enjoyed your adventures as told through your photos and videos. I hope to visit Julian soon because of your storytelling.
I can't imagine facing the prospect of losing my wife and life partner. Blessings to you both and I hope you are able to adventure together as much as you can.
I can't imagine facing the prospect of losing my wife and life partner. Blessings to you both and I hope you are able to adventure together as much as you can.
Ray Dunakin
Senior Member
Last January it looked like Cris' time was just about up. But then she bounced back, and ended up making it to our 40th anniversary last month. Unfortunately by that time she was becoming very ill again.
Yesterday I lost her.
Cris was the sweetest, kindest, most generous and loving person I’ve ever known. She loved children and “spoiled” the neighborhood kids with presents at every opportunity. For the past 30 years she made it an annual tradition to deliver a carload of new toys to the Salvation Army toy drive on our anniversary. And for over 50 years she helped support Native American children through Children Inc. And for a few years she was a volunteer at Children’s Hospital.
She was always thinking of others. Several years ago following treatment for breast cancer, she began taking early morning walks. She thought how nice it would be if people didn’t have to go out to their driveways to pick up the newspaper, so she started moving some of the neighbors’ newspapers to their doorsteps. She continued this habit until her health declined and she became too unsteady.
She had an innocent and childlike spirit. She collected over 5000 teddy bears, as well as many dolls and other toys. She had little interest in expensive or pretentious things, but took joy in silly, simple things.
Cris endured numerous afflictions throughout her life, including bipolar disorder and anxiety, and various physical ailments. Despite this, she remained a bright light who was loved by all who knew her. I wish more people could have known her, but her health issues made it difficult to maintain a social life.
She was my joy, my angel, the beauty and center of my life. She gave me a home, a family, and a purpose. She was my best friend, my biggest fan and cheerleader, who thought that everything I did was amazing. I was truly blessed and honored to spend forty years of my life loving and caring for someone so special. I was at her side and holding her hand as she took her last breath.
The world is a much sadder place without her.
Yesterday I lost her.
Cris was the sweetest, kindest, most generous and loving person I’ve ever known. She loved children and “spoiled” the neighborhood kids with presents at every opportunity. For the past 30 years she made it an annual tradition to deliver a carload of new toys to the Salvation Army toy drive on our anniversary. And for over 50 years she helped support Native American children through Children Inc. And for a few years she was a volunteer at Children’s Hospital.
She was always thinking of others. Several years ago following treatment for breast cancer, she began taking early morning walks. She thought how nice it would be if people didn’t have to go out to their driveways to pick up the newspaper, so she started moving some of the neighbors’ newspapers to their doorsteps. She continued this habit until her health declined and she became too unsteady.
She had an innocent and childlike spirit. She collected over 5000 teddy bears, as well as many dolls and other toys. She had little interest in expensive or pretentious things, but took joy in silly, simple things.
Cris endured numerous afflictions throughout her life, including bipolar disorder and anxiety, and various physical ailments. Despite this, she remained a bright light who was loved by all who knew her. I wish more people could have known her, but her health issues made it difficult to maintain a social life.
She was my joy, my angel, the beauty and center of my life. She gave me a home, a family, and a purpose. She was my best friend, my biggest fan and cheerleader, who thought that everything I did was amazing. I was truly blessed and honored to spend forty years of my life loving and caring for someone so special. I was at her side and holding her hand as she took her last breath.
The world is a much sadder place without her.
///AIRDAM
New member
Hey friend, sorry to hear the news, i too recently lost someone dear to me and it hurts like no other. I can only hope and pray for you and wish you the best, i know it wont make things better today, or tomorrow, but just know that we are thinking about you and hoping for comfort.
I wish you the best and hope for brighter days ahead.
TRD PANTHER
New member
So sorry for your loss. You were fortunate to have someone you loved and that loved you for 40 years of your life.
JohnTheLuck
Member
Ray, I am so sorry for your loss, even if it was anticipated. From your multiples references to her in your past posts, you were so lucky to have such a exceptionnal woman in your life. May she rest in peace and be remember. Sincerely.
Ray Dunakin
Senior Member
Thanks for all the kind comments. I made a video tribute to Cris' life to show at her memorial, and it's on YouTube now if anyone would like to see it:
Cris Dunakin Memorial 1952-2024 - YouTube
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/0q-YuHUQsnA?si=82jTHbBdUjF4PEnc" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Cris Dunakin Memorial 1952-2024 - YouTube
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/0q-YuHUQsnA?si=82jTHbBdUjF4PEnc" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Last edited:
Centrifugal
Member
What a lovely lady. You were so blessed to have her in your life. Thank you for sharing that video tribute.
Ray Dunakin
Senior Member
New video - Ocotillo Sunrise: A Desert Adventure
I just finished a new video featuring footage from an overnight trip to the desert in February:
Ocotillo Sunrise: A Desert Adventure
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/cmRiTdqRwvs?si=-8dYYWs3K_1bNxhx" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe>
I'm planning to do a lot more videos now that I'm free to travel.
I just finished a new video featuring footage from an overnight trip to the desert in February:
Ocotillo Sunrise: A Desert Adventure
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/cmRiTdqRwvs?si=-8dYYWs3K_1bNxhx" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe>
I'm planning to do a lot more videos now that I'm free to travel.
JohnTheLuck
Member
Awesome video, Ray. I am amazed by the quality of the pictures and the drone shots. Keep posting these!
Ray Dunakin
Senior Member
Wow, I didn't realize that it's been two years since the last time I posted here. Anyway, since I'm now free to travel I've made several trips to Nevada. I took four trips there in 2024 and two longer trips in 2025. I'm just now starting to get videos made using the footage from those trips.
Here's one:
Allard Ranch, NV - In this video I'm exploring a pioneer ranch site with a picturesque stone house and other ruins, all set in a remote, scenic area of Nevada.
Here's one:
Allard Ranch, NV - In this video I'm exploring a pioneer ranch site with a picturesque stone house and other ruins, all set in a remote, scenic area of Nevada.
Ray Dunakin
Senior Member
Here's another new video...
A short trip to the Red Ant Mine, an interesting little tungsten mine with an unusual headframe in Nevada.
A short trip to the Red Ant Mine, an interesting little tungsten mine with an unusual headframe in Nevada.
Ray Dunakin
Senior Member
Come along as I explore a fascinating mercury mine in northern Nevada! The Cordero Mine has some great features, including a large steel headframe and ore bins, a massive two-drum hoist, and another building full of old ore samples.
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