Psychic Dustbunnies

Kentucky Road Trip

Just returned from a road trip with Joe and Dad. It was the kind of road trip where we flew to Nashville, rented a car and drove around for 6 days, about 1600 miles, and we had a great time.

Dad lived in Kentucky, Tennessee, and West Virgina for 2 years about 48 years ago and though this was a good time to head on back and check out the old places. We started in Nashville, drove to Elkton, KY then on to Madisonville, KY and spent the night there. Moved on to Penrod, KY, which I had intended to reclaim until I got there. Now I plan to have Josh reclaim in, renovate it, and wait for me triumphantly return in a couple years. Why Josh? Well he's 6' 7" for one thing, and he wasn't on the trip so it naturally fell to him. The town consisted of a Penrod Baptist Church, a little league field with "Penrod" on the outfield wall, a couple dozen houses, a few trailer homes and a lot of farmland.

From Penrod we moved on to Cynthianna, KY - which seems to have stolen the town plan in it's every detail from Elkton (or Elkton stole from Cynthiana). A main square that is the courthouse or town offices surrounded by the same diner, police station, etc. On to Williamstown and in to Dry Ridge for the night.
Moving on to Masillon, OH to visit Rich and family and spend the night. Then proceeded down through West Virginia and Virginia to Bristol, TN where we stood in 2 states at once. Spent the night in Bristol and next day made a detour to the Cumberland Gap and then on to Gallatin, TN and spent the night there. Out to Nashville and home after that.

We did manage to eat BBQ at Mike's in TN/KY, the Iron Pig or Pig Iron (can't remember which) in Columbus, OH, Buddy's in Bristol, TN and Jack's on Broadway in Nashville. Mike's was the most interesting - just along the county highway, Mike is a former preacher who was 'booted' out for preaching that you would know by the signs you show - and opened the BBQ a couple years ago. We ate and chatted with Mike. BBQ sauce was a TN-style, vinegar-based and not my favorite but the baked beans were the best.

Where Have I Been This Summer

Haven't been posting much lately - so what have I been up to?

Just back from a trip to california, dropping the boys off to spend the week at their grandparents, and went kayaking with Dave in Mission Viejo

Went to Yellowstone

Watched the boys swim lessons

Thinking 'how can I justify buying one of these modular dwellingsor a glidehouse and where would I put it'

Long Weekend in Yellowstone

Got back from Yellowstone National Park last week after spending 4 days camping with Johnny & Tyler. We had a great time, originally planned to come back on Sunday afternoon but Tyler lobbied hard and convinced me to stay another night.

It was an adventure with just the 3 of us - setting up the big 5-man tent with a 7 year old and 5 year old to help took some doing! Tyler kept a notebook of the animal he saw, including:
SQRL
BULD EGL
CHIPMUNK

Johnny was all about hiking and seeing the geysers.

Early in the year is a great time to go, the weather is a little cooler (ok, colder!) but many more animals down lower in the park - we saw Grizzley and her 2 cubs, black bear, wolf at a buffalo carcas - being chased off by buffalo and then standing down coyotes who wanted in on the feast, Elk (of course) including a newly born calf, pronghorn antelope & baby, pair of nesting bald eagles, and of course the "chipmunk" among others.

The Climbing Wall

Johnny & Tyler went to the climbing wall today - Johnny's 2nd time and Tyler's 1st. If you click on the thumbnails be aware the files are big.

Hat-Trick Saturday

Johnny during a rare moment of rest from his game Saturday. He plays the equivalent of the Sweeper position (except there are only 4 players on a side and no goalkeepers). He ran the field like a madman and scored 3 goals as well as making a number of great stops. He hadn't scored this season (5 games so far) and kind of dejectedly told me before this game, "I don't know if I'll get a goal or not). So he was pretty excited, but played it cool on the field after each goal. Tyler was unable to replicate his 4 goal game last week, but had a blast playing - as usual.

(a couple pics of his baseball game are in the photo albums to the right)

Soccer & Baseball

We've been busy lately with soccer season in full swing and baseball season starting up. Johnny is playing soccer and coach pitch, and has his first baseball game tomorrow. Tyler is play soccer and had his first t-ball game last night. Nothing like a saturday starting with 2 baseball practices at 9 and moving on to 2 soccer games and then 2 more baseball games and 2 soccer practices mid-week!

Double Flips

Tyler & Johnny have been having a blast with all the snow and their 'snowboards,' as you can tell from the pictures. Tyler's only complaint is that he wants to do '2 flips.' He mentioned this desire Christmas morning when he first saw the snowboards and it has not let off even after finding out it's a bit hard for him to ride standing up without ending in a face plant.

We watched some snowboarding competition Sat. and saw a couple guys do a flip. I asked Tyler if that's what he wanted to do and he said yes, except he wants to do 2 flips, not one like they did.

Boxing Day

24 degrees and snow!

Johnny (usually rides standing, but took a long slope sitting) (click for larger pop up image)

Tyler (click for larger pop up image)

Tyler (click for larger pop up image)

After

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During

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