Back on Line

Well it has been over a year since I posted anything. First there was not much to post and then there was too much going on to have time to post. But my kids are now spread out all over the country, so I thought I would once again try to update this and that way if they want to, they can keep up with what is going on at home. Also, since they don't seem to talk to each other much, they can keep up with what they are doing.

Eric moved to Austin back in November for a job. It was his dream job and he was so happy to come back home to his family and friends. Unfortunately, in January the company had a bunch of layoffs and he was going to be one of them unless he was willing to relocate to Seattle. So in March, we drove him up to his new home in Washington.

We went via San Francisco and northern California where I was born. It was a real exciting trip for me. It was the first time since I left California 40 years ago that I have been back. I even managed to find the road I lived on in Laytonville and the school I went to first grade at. I took a picture of me standing in the door of it, just like the picture my mom took on my first day of school. I am a little bit bigger now though.

Now Eric is loving Seattle weather and teasing me about how wonderful it is there at 65 degrees and how they don't even have an AC. Meanwhile we are burning up down here at 100 degrees.

Then late last month, James decided he was tired of the Texas heat also. He has loved Colorado every since we went there when he was about 12 or so. He went back once on a ski trip with a church youth group and he has wanted to move there since then. So he did. Pretty much up and left within a week of deciding that was what he wanted to do. He choose Fort Collins and is now loving his new home also. He only has a small window AC unit, but says he can't imagine using it since they are still using a heater at night time. Meanwhile, here in Texas, we are happy it has cooled off to 80 by bed time. He is still working on getting a job, but loves the town so much that he wants to stay there. Hopefully soon he will have the job.

DJ is talking about reenlisting. Not the Navy this time, he had enough of that experience last time. But he has talked to an Air Force recruiter that is setting up a MEPS appointment for him in San Antonio to see if they will consider taking him with the plate in his arm. If not, it is possible the Army will and if so, he is going.

The newest addition to our house is Hunter. I decided I wanted another dog and started hunting around for a Cairn Terrrier. I had one as a kid growing up and he was the greatest dog, so I was hoping I would be lucky with another one. And I was! I picked him up in April when he was nine weeks old. He has played ball from day one, not just chasing it, but actually bringing it back to you too. He has learned to come when called and is working hard on being house broken. He would do much better if I could be a little more routine on when I am home and when I am able to take him out, but I know he is going to get it. He is so smart that the only things he doesn't learn will be the ones I am not smart enough to teach him.

Well, I guess that is it for now. I will try to post more often.

Here She Is

I love it!

AWESOME!!!!

WOW!! Got the bike back today and the custom paint job is awesome! I will post a picture tomorrow. Got home to late today to take one. It is still red, but now it is candy red with gold flake. It has the Maltese cross on it as well as some great flames. Can't wait to show it off to everyone.

Ready to go again!

Well, we have decided on a destination and time for our next trip. September 20th we will head out to Las Vegas. This is going to be a long ride, and probably not overall as relaxing as the last one, but we want to give it a shot. Last trip was 1644 round trip, this one will be 1303 one way. Instead of several days of 150-200 mile rides, this is going to be 3 hard days there, 2 days to stay and 3 hard days back. That gives us one day to recoup after we get back home or to have an extra day for unforseen problems. Each days ride will average about 430 miles. I think the most we have riden in one day before is about 300 miles. That day we just stayed local and rode for about 12 hours, with LOTS of stops. We are going to need to try to ride about 8 hours a day, so that still leaves some time for stops, but just not as many.

We figure Saturday will be home to Roswell, New Mexico, Sunday will be Roswell to Flagstaff, Arizona and Monday Flagstaff to Vegas. Tuesday and Wednesday in Vegas and then leaving to come home on Thursday. Vegas to Gallup, New Mexico, Friday Gallup to Carlsbad, New Mexico and Saturday, Carlsbad to home.

I have talked to James and Eric to see if they are up for a road trip. It would be pretty cool to have them with us. Also, it would make packing not such a problem if we had the trunk of one of their cars to throw stuff in. They are going to give it some thought and get back to me later. While my boys have always loved our vacations, road trips have never been the part they cared for much. They say it is not the destination, but the trip that is supposed to matter, but for them I think it has always been the destination. Luckily, they do want to go back to Vegas, so the destination may be enough to get them to go on the trip with us. Also, the last road trips they went on, they were just passengers, now they will be the drivers so maybe that will be more tempting to them. I wish DJ was 21, it would be more fun to have all 3 of them, but it would be such a bore to him as they will just kick him out of everywhere we are, just like they did Katy.