Camelback Hike

I had a chance to hike up the famous Camelback mountain recently in Phoenix.  It was a fun hike that would have been much more challenging in the summertime!

2024 Thanksgiving!

Always fun to visit family in Bonita Springs! 

The GHS Trumpets

NCAA Bracket Pool Win!

I haven't won a NCAA Basketball bracket pool in a few years but got this one with my MBA friends.  I even picked Florida over Houston! 

Off-roading at Goethe State Forest

 Jack and I took his Jeep off-roading in the Goethe State Forest, southwest of Williston.  To get there we drove to Williston and took high 121 south out of Williston.  We then jumped on Sand Ridge Road heading north into the forest.   We traveled on Sand Ridge until being forced to turn right as a private part of the road was blocked off.  The side roads were more fun as they had more ruts and water to traverse.  

The map below show the break where we were positioned (on the side road east of Sand Ridge) when we encountered a horse and carriage caravan.

We continued North until we hit County Road 326.  We turned left and went west on 326 for a few miles and then turned left went went back through the forest on Cow Creek Road back down to 121 - taking a few side roads along the way.

San Francisco from the Marin Headlands

Our neighbor took this nice pic of San Francisco from the Marin Headlands. You can see Baker Beach in the far right middle part of the picture which is where we had our engagement photos taken in early 2003.

Retrievers

Scottsbluff, NE Memories!

Bill took a recent trip to Scottsbluff from work and shared some iconic memories from the area.  Chimney Rock - now featuring lights at night, is perhaps the most iconic thing in the area.

Ash Hollow, NE was famous, for us anyway, because of the boots placed on the fenceposts around the area of the state park.  It also indicated that we were finally starting to get close to Jeff and Casey's house after the long drive from Omaha.

Stuck in Depeche Mode!

Elle’s Final Birthday Sign Pic

I don't think they do these sign birthdays in high school.  Elle was reluctant to let me get a pic this year but she did it!  14 years old in her final year at Oak View!

Super Bowl News Coverage

The Gainesville Sun is on its last legs as a newspaper.  Here's an example from last year's Super Bowl coverage - note that there really isn't even an article on the game!  More recently, the newspaper has started deliverying through the mail only - meaning there is never any timely news.  We get the "Sunday" paper normally on Friday or Saturday.

The Little Brown Jug!

After losing a lot of skill / talent from last year's National Championship team, Michigan's big claim in 2024 might be maintaining the Little Brown Jug.

Piecaken Experiment

Bill and Olivia collaborated on a "Piecaken" for his birthday.  This one had a Thanksgiving theme featuring a pecan pie and a pumpkin encased within a vanilla cake.  Bill did not give the finished product high marks.

Hurricane Helene

Hurricane Helene brought a lot of downed trees and branches in our neighborhood.  Thankfully, it could have been much worse.

Starbuck's Elphaba’s Cold Brew - 1 Star

This drink did not do it for me. Hopefully the movie will be better than the drink!

Dolly Cake

There seem to be more and more of the Dolly branded items on the shelves.  We found this nearly a year ago at Publix and it seems to be a hit.  Note Pete laying in the back hoping to get some cake!

Happy Halloween!

Jack and pals before going to work on the "spooky trail"

Happy Halloween!

2024 Vacation: Boston 2 and Into Maine!

Amazing "golden hour" after a great dinner at Tresca.

A Red Sox win over the Yankees on July 26!

On top of Cadillac Mountain in Acadia National Park



2024 Vacation: Orlando

Our vacation started with a bonus because we got to see the Nebraska Tangemans because they happened to be on one of their grand Disney excursions.  Lots of fun!