Oh the innocence of a child. Especially when she is your 1st Grandchild. This is Alaina and she's our adorable little bay doll! Kudos to her talented Mom (and Dad) for putting this great little montage together for us to enjoy!! Go Emily and Kolby!!
It just doesn't get any better than this!
Monday, September 17, 2007
Tuesday, September 04, 2007
The Sturgis Report
Well, even though it was almost a month ago I still have fun memories of my 1st road trip to The Sturgis Black Hills Motorcycle Rally.While I had the chance to spend a couple of nights in Sturgis, I have to admit that the journey to and from the destination was way more to my liking than the actual time spent at the destination itself.
Don't get me wrong, I am proud to say I have been there (and actually rode 24oo miles round trip there and back), but now that I have been there, I'll have a new destination in front of my Harley next summer giving way the old "Been there, done that" saying.
While there was plenty to see, clearly the people watching was the most enjoyable thing we did while actually there. There were lot's of people, male and female, that were dressed/acting wild and crazy but I have to be honest, in the town of Sturgis itself, the local law enforcement keeps things pretty tame. There is no public nudity allowed, and while some women walked around in chaps with short short shots, spankies or thongs underneath them, the larger percentage of them should have know better than to subject the rest of us to the train wreck they looked like! What were they thinking!
From what we heard, the really wild things happen in the campgrounds surrounding Sturgis as they are private property. The wild and crazy stuff most people hear happens in Sturgis actaully happens more openly in those spots than in Sturgis itself.
But I did see this :
And this:
Both of these young ladies were working in the bars as bartenders/servers and, thankfully, they could pull off what they were wearing, unlike some of the women on the street.
I did happen to get pictures of some Harley Butts as well. In fact without any type of tracking system, I kept having to guess which states I had not photographed yet and in the end, with the exception of Hawaii and Alaska, I only missed two states from the remaining lower 48( Delaware and South Carolina). You can see those here:
Sturgis Rally Harley Butts
Then there were also a few foreign Harley Butts there too:
Foreign Butts
But we all know Sturgis is all about motorcycles! And here are some shots of a few that I liked:
The bikes of Sturgis 2007
Thursday, August 02, 2007
COMING SOON-STURGIS 2007 REPORT
Yes folks, I'm riding to the annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally this year. I'll have a write up upon my return.....
Monday, July 09, 2007
Airplane Farts
Since when is it okay to break wind on a crowded airplane? I can't believe that people have the guts to do that and subject fellow passengers to their rudeness.
I (actually my wife and I) fly maybe 3-4 times a year, pretty consistently for the past 6 or 7 years. It seems to me that in the last couple of years, and especially in the last 6-9 months that there is a class of people who don't care about subjecting others to the rotten smell of a "silent but deadly" F-A-R-T in the enclosed confines of a jet airplane flying over 400 mph at 32,ooo feet.. I mean c'mon now people, where have our manners gone?
We flew to Mexico this past March and my wife and I did not have seats near each other. I was stuck in the middle seat between a couple of college guys heading down for a bit of spring break. It wasn't long before my eyes were watering and the smell was making me think I was flying in an airborne Honey Bucket.
I finally told these two young guys, "Look fellas, I'm not not sure which one of you is thinking you're getting away with cutting the cheese but one of you needs to go check your drawers and flush out your digestive system!. Of course neither of them would admit it but I had my suspicions.
Last night my wife and I were on our way back from California and as we were waiting to get off the plane once we were on the ground in Seattle, as everyone was getting up to unload, a lovely aroma attacked the rows we were in and clearly we were not the only ones who were coughing and had watery eyes.
What a bunch of inconsiderate pigs we have turned into....at least use the restroom or exit the plane....
I (actually my wife and I) fly maybe 3-4 times a year, pretty consistently for the past 6 or 7 years. It seems to me that in the last couple of years, and especially in the last 6-9 months that there is a class of people who don't care about subjecting others to the rotten smell of a "silent but deadly" F-A-R-T in the enclosed confines of a jet airplane flying over 400 mph at 32,ooo feet.. I mean c'mon now people, where have our manners gone?
We flew to Mexico this past March and my wife and I did not have seats near each other. I was stuck in the middle seat between a couple of college guys heading down for a bit of spring break. It wasn't long before my eyes were watering and the smell was making me think I was flying in an airborne Honey Bucket.
I finally told these two young guys, "Look fellas, I'm not not sure which one of you is thinking you're getting away with cutting the cheese but one of you needs to go check your drawers and flush out your digestive system!. Of course neither of them would admit it but I had my suspicions.
Last night my wife and I were on our way back from California and as we were waiting to get off the plane once we were on the ground in Seattle, as everyone was getting up to unload, a lovely aroma attacked the rows we were in and clearly we were not the only ones who were coughing and had watery eyes.
What a bunch of inconsiderate pigs we have turned into....at least use the restroom or exit the plane....
Monday, July 02, 2007
New Skin
A fresh coat of paint...looks like new skin and feels like a comfortable new pair of shoes a or good warm coat on a cold winter day. I admire artists and craftsmen that have the patience for this type of work because I sure don't. The two things I hate to do the most are painting and moving...usually they happen at the same time or one is the result of the other. This time we're not moving and have no plans to, we just needed a fresh coat of paint on the house.
We like the look, the neighbors have commented positively, in fact one neighbor hired the guy who painted our house to paint his (where's my discount??!!)
Here's an odd twist to this story...we chose this paint color quite awhile ago and had to wait for the time slot available to get the job done. In the meantime we've become involved in a new business venture involving chocolate...now we live in a chocolate colored house..Is that weird of what!
Monday, June 11, 2007
A wet 630 miles
I took a little ride on my Harley last week from Coeur d Alene down US95 to Donnelly, 309 miles due south out of my driveway.
I left at 11am and, like most of my rides, once the destination is locked and loaded in my brain cells, I am eager to get going and experience the ride. This time it was wet though.
I left Coeur d Alene in a driving rainstorm, all geared up in my rain suit, heated jacket liner and a pair of new heated gloves. This time I wore my full face helmet rather than my half helmet and was thankful I did. Rain isn't fun hitting exposed skin at 7o miles an hour. Feels like someone is rapidly poking you nonstop with straight pins.
I had not been down US95 past Potlach for quite sometime so, from this point on, it was a nice ride seeing things I hadn't in a long time. Being the eastern edge of the Palouse, it is a beautiful time to ride this stretch of highway in the early spring when the fields are so green and everything is in bloom. The rolling hills are fun on a motorcycle too, rain or not.
The rain stopped briefly just before Moscow and as I rode into the town there is a spot where you're up on the hill and can see the city in the distance. I couldn't help but think about the horror this little town experienced a few weeks ago when a sniper went off the deep end. In my estimation he was coward....he gave that rifle a blow job and ended his own life after taking the lives of others...what a weakling. I bet it's blazing hot where he is at right now.
Onward down the Lewiston grade into the industrial pit of the Lewiston area for a quick fuel up and then keep rolling. Up onto the Camas prairie, again beautiful and green in the spring rain. it rained hard too. Did you know there is a Bed and Breakfast in Cottonwood that has a guest room built in the shape of a dog? There are also a huge number of large wooden railroad trestles along the route.
By the time I got past Grangeville and to the top of Whitebird it was a torrential downpour but by then I was halfway to my goal and not gonna stop. Besides I was warm and relatively dry in my gear, just a little tense from the driving conditions.
Two things about being on motorcycle in the driving rain...paint stripes are like ice on the road in winter and the metal parts of bridges/abutments/railroad tracks are slippery as well. Your fear of hydroplaning keeps you (or should keep you) on your toes. The ruts in the road can become little rivers of runoff and the the thought of the rear end of the bike slipping out from under you on curves is constant. But that's what makes me be extra safe and make it back home.
My wife knows how much I love to ride but I also know how much she worries while I'm gone. Every stop I make, usually 5-10 minutes every 1-1/2 to 2 hours, I call to let her know I'm okay or leave a voicemail telling her as much.
Once down the grade and running along the river into Riggins it warmed up but was still wet. Climbing up out of Riggins along the Little Salmon River toward New Meadows offers a beautiful drive with lots of views of the tumbling water, including some great waterfalls.
On through the rain and McCall heading toward Donnelly, ultimately wanting to make it to Tamarack Resort. Talk about construction, the resort being built here is costing almost $1 Billion (yes with a B) by the time it is all done and over with. Condos, hotels, ski resort, golf course and multi million dollar homes set on the edge of National Forest land. There are over 1000 workers there now just building things.
My trip was to meet up with my best friend and ride back with him. He had ridden his Harley down to attend a business meeting at the resort a day earlier.
We left Wednesday morning to return north and fortunately the weather was much better. No rain, lots of wind but dry roads. Total miles were 630 round trip and an average mpg of 42.6.
I left at 11am and, like most of my rides, once the destination is locked and loaded in my brain cells, I am eager to get going and experience the ride. This time it was wet though.
I left Coeur d Alene in a driving rainstorm, all geared up in my rain suit, heated jacket liner and a pair of new heated gloves. This time I wore my full face helmet rather than my half helmet and was thankful I did. Rain isn't fun hitting exposed skin at 7o miles an hour. Feels like someone is rapidly poking you nonstop with straight pins.
I had not been down US95 past Potlach for quite sometime so, from this point on, it was a nice ride seeing things I hadn't in a long time. Being the eastern edge of the Palouse, it is a beautiful time to ride this stretch of highway in the early spring when the fields are so green and everything is in bloom. The rolling hills are fun on a motorcycle too, rain or not.
The rain stopped briefly just before Moscow and as I rode into the town there is a spot where you're up on the hill and can see the city in the distance. I couldn't help but think about the horror this little town experienced a few weeks ago when a sniper went off the deep end. In my estimation he was coward....he gave that rifle a blow job and ended his own life after taking the lives of others...what a weakling. I bet it's blazing hot where he is at right now.
Onward down the Lewiston grade into the industrial pit of the Lewiston area for a quick fuel up and then keep rolling. Up onto the Camas prairie, again beautiful and green in the spring rain. it rained hard too. Did you know there is a Bed and Breakfast in Cottonwood that has a guest room built in the shape of a dog? There are also a huge number of large wooden railroad trestles along the route.
By the time I got past Grangeville and to the top of Whitebird it was a torrential downpour but by then I was halfway to my goal and not gonna stop. Besides I was warm and relatively dry in my gear, just a little tense from the driving conditions.
Two things about being on motorcycle in the driving rain...paint stripes are like ice on the road in winter and the metal parts of bridges/abutments/railroad tracks are slippery as well. Your fear of hydroplaning keeps you (or should keep you) on your toes. The ruts in the road can become little rivers of runoff and the the thought of the rear end of the bike slipping out from under you on curves is constant. But that's what makes me be extra safe and make it back home.
My wife knows how much I love to ride but I also know how much she worries while I'm gone. Every stop I make, usually 5-10 minutes every 1-1/2 to 2 hours, I call to let her know I'm okay or leave a voicemail telling her as much.
Once down the grade and running along the river into Riggins it warmed up but was still wet. Climbing up out of Riggins along the Little Salmon River toward New Meadows offers a beautiful drive with lots of views of the tumbling water, including some great waterfalls.
On through the rain and McCall heading toward Donnelly, ultimately wanting to make it to Tamarack Resort. Talk about construction, the resort being built here is costing almost $1 Billion (yes with a B) by the time it is all done and over with. Condos, hotels, ski resort, golf course and multi million dollar homes set on the edge of National Forest land. There are over 1000 workers there now just building things.
My trip was to meet up with my best friend and ride back with him. He had ridden his Harley down to attend a business meeting at the resort a day earlier.
We left Wednesday morning to return north and fortunately the weather was much better. No rain, lots of wind but dry roads. Total miles were 630 round trip and an average mpg of 42.6.
Friday, May 18, 2007
Things I am Grateful For
A wife who I love with all my heart and gives me lots of love back. I truly feel we have a special relationship that neither of us takes for granted. I enjoy life because she is with me.
2 sons and their significant others (1 Daughter-in-law and 1 Girlfriend) who I am proud of and want the best for.
The relationships I have with both Kolby and Kaleb, individually. They are my Son's and I am the Dad but we're friends too and I love them more than they'll ever know.
A Granddaughter, not even a year old, who makes me happy and proud as well.
2 dogs who teach me how the big picture is always much better than things sometimes appear to be. As the saying goes...If I could only be the person they think I am.
A very hard and painful divorce that was the best thing to happen to me, though it was hard to see at the time. I don't wish anyone any will ill, even in that type of situation. Having gone through it and being on this side, it is so easy to see the pain was worth it, otherwise I wouldn't be able to be thankful for some of things in this post!
Memories of my parents that bring a smile to me and thoughts of things I wish they were here to experience with me now.
Our emergence from a very tough financial situation after having closed a business. Thank God for Lori and her patience in enduring what I put us though financially. It's paying off now.
A Mother-in-Law who is the greatest. She is such a strong woman and has great love for my wife and her other other kids/grandkids. I feel lucky to be included.
Living in a great place (Coeur d Alene) and in a great house and neighborhood.
My job. I get to help people.. It has a noble purpose to it from all sides and done right, I get paid very well.
My close personal friends. As a guy in his mid-40's my male friends are important to me. My best friend and I have known each other for over 30 years since school. I don't know what I'd do without that relationship and what is gives me. My other guy friends mean a lot to me as well, we are there for each other.
Patience and perseverance. Both have helped me get past a lot of crap and realize that sometimes good things take a while to make their way to you, but if you're patient it will come.
My ability to look at life as a "glass half full" not as a "glass half empty".
A belief that I am worthy of all the good things in my life and look forward to all sorts of more good things (material and otherwise).
2 sons and their significant others (1 Daughter-in-law and 1 Girlfriend) who I am proud of and want the best for.
The relationships I have with both Kolby and Kaleb, individually. They are my Son's and I am the Dad but we're friends too and I love them more than they'll ever know.
A Granddaughter, not even a year old, who makes me happy and proud as well.
2 dogs who teach me how the big picture is always much better than things sometimes appear to be. As the saying goes...If I could only be the person they think I am.
A very hard and painful divorce that was the best thing to happen to me, though it was hard to see at the time. I don't wish anyone any will ill, even in that type of situation. Having gone through it and being on this side, it is so easy to see the pain was worth it, otherwise I wouldn't be able to be thankful for some of things in this post!
Memories of my parents that bring a smile to me and thoughts of things I wish they were here to experience with me now.
Our emergence from a very tough financial situation after having closed a business. Thank God for Lori and her patience in enduring what I put us though financially. It's paying off now.
A Mother-in-Law who is the greatest. She is such a strong woman and has great love for my wife and her other other kids/grandkids. I feel lucky to be included.
Living in a great place (Coeur d Alene) and in a great house and neighborhood.
My job. I get to help people.. It has a noble purpose to it from all sides and done right, I get paid very well.
My close personal friends. As a guy in his mid-40's my male friends are important to me. My best friend and I have known each other for over 30 years since school. I don't know what I'd do without that relationship and what is gives me. My other guy friends mean a lot to me as well, we are there for each other.
Patience and perseverance. Both have helped me get past a lot of crap and realize that sometimes good things take a while to make their way to you, but if you're patient it will come.
My ability to look at life as a "glass half full" not as a "glass half empty".
A belief that I am worthy of all the good things in my life and look forward to all sorts of more good things (material and otherwise).
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