April 29, 2011
Happy Birthday Jackson!

We started off Easter weekend with a celebration of Jackson's twentieth birthday. He's in the middle of final exams so I'm sure he's busy all week; we're looking forward to spending time with him this summer.

Easter Sunday: Cousin Betsy was down for a week with her family and was kind enough to invite us all over for a feast. Good times...................
TAR and I took a two day vacation to Ocracoke. The weather was tolerable. Spent some time on the beach, wining and dining on some great food, and sightseeing. Good to get away for a couple of days.

Saw this at a beach parking lot. A tricycle Harley with a rack for a Rascal. If that don't beat all.

In honor of Jackson's birthday, here is a shout out to Jay Froggy

One of the few landmarks I remember on Hatteras Island, and danged if it isn't closed up and for sale. I remember eating there as a kid; saw Coach Clarance Stassavich in there one time. My one brush with a famous person?

Wonder what this is all about? Go ahead and insert your caption here
Robert Stallings and Nephew Kevin; this one is for you. Who better to prepare your fast food taco than a bunch of gringos?
After a couple of days we relaxed on the Cedar Island ferry back home. Nice vacation and a pretty view.

This is birthday weekend, so alert the Adolph Coors Brewing Company of Golden, CO to put on a second shift. We're going offshore one day and up into some black water the next. Not sure where yet, but I'm betting we'll have a little fun.
Next week will be busy; moving Jackson home, catching some PGA action in Charlotte on Thursday, marrying off Niece Elizabeth Saturday and flying to California for a week next Sunday. Oh, and with a little luck I think the bike will be on the road today!

Whew, tired just thinking about it. Maybe some more time off afterwards? Oh, and due to your reading this I'm getting over 125 hits a week. Thank you; now, how can I make some money doing this?

April 22, 2011

Easter Weekend

Coming in from yet another week on the road today, taking next week off to play with my favorite grandson, catch up on some household duties, fish, and maybe finally fire up that old gasoline powered device in my garage................yes, the lawnmower. OK, and maybe that old motorcycle too.
Next weekend is birthday weekend for the FO and me, enough said about that for the time being.
It is Easter weekend! The tomb is empty.

April 15, 2011
Tax Day

And so appropriately enough I was in Washington DC this week; traveled up early Monday morning for the AHRI spring meeting. I met Andrew High about lunchtime and got a personal tour of his stomping grounds. A highlight was to go into the House of Representatives chamber, and to stand on the floor in front of the podium. They were not in session so no one seemed to mind too much. Awesome to stand in the middle of so much history, the words "a day of infamy" seemed to ring in my ears. Really neat, thanks again Andrew.

It was a beautiful day and the city was absolutely beautiful.

Andrew pointed me towards a Metro station behind the old Smithsonian office building. I felt very old when I told him about standing in line to see John Glenn's orbit capsule in that building as a child. He asked why they didn't exhibit it in the Air and Space Museum..............(because that building hadn't been built yet............)

After Andrew went back to work I walked down the Mall. All was well until this gang of thugs gathered and began causing mayhem everywhere. Hell's Angels, or something like that.......

Tuesday night we went to the Nationals game. It was my first time in the new stadium, really nice and convenient to the Metro. The Nationals beat the Phillies in a good game. The Phillies fans worked over the Nationals RF Jason Werth, formerly of the Phils. Saw multiple "tosses" by security. Very entertaining.

Going through some old pictures this week and found a couple of the Fishin Optishin as a baby. Couldn't resist sharing them with you since the 20th is his birthday.

And Adolph Hitler's birthday too......................., this is the FO after a couple of cold beers

Working on the bike on Saturday, at the end of the day I plan to be able to roll it. That's pretty important as the grass needs cutting and at this time I can't get the mower out of the garage with all the parts in the way.
Off to Michigan and Ohio next week. Might be able to get home late Thursday night or Friday.

April 8, 2011
I Can Hear the Piano Tinkling.............

.............because this is the week of the Masters. If you're a golfer you will remember the piano music CBS uses annually to introduce my favorite golf tournament. I left Sunday to visit Augusta National for the first time in ten years. It's changed, and there were a lot of people there, but it is still the shrine of golf in North America.
Only the second time I've been to a practice round, and this year I brought my camera. Don't know why, most shots of Augusta are available as prints, photographs or postcards. We were there on a windy day, and there were not many golfers out; but the scenery speaks for itself.

From the fairway to the green at 13. A marshal placed a flag where Phil hit his iron from last year; I've made that shot many times. As a matter of fact I'd say most of my second shots are from the rough, woods, pine straw, or on our course at home, the road.

At 16 on practice days players are encouraged to "skip it" across the pond after their regular shot. When Marty Hansell and I were there in 2001 the crowd booed a Japanese player who did not understand, or at least that's what I think was happening. After all, it is Augusta, Georgia.

The 10th hole. It is always impressive how the elevation from tee box to green drops off

And parallel to 10 is the Holly Hole, 18. You're climbing a steep hill coming home on Holly Hole at Augusta National. No jokes yet?

And the menu at the snack bar. Tickets are affordable, it doesn't cost much to eat, I recommend you try this trip to Augusta in your future.

Lastly, the pro shop at Augusta National. This one is not for the patrons, only for the members. At Augusta spectators are referred to as "patrons" per Bobby Jones. This gentleman's' wear store is on the grounds but only available to the membership. I'll bet they have some very fine clothing in there; and with any luck you can also buy some fresh chitterlings.

And there is the joke; any guesses where this store is?

Off to DC early Monday morning for the spring AHRI meeting (AHRInet.org) and plan to be home late Thursday night. Oh and by the way, SWMBO is not pregnant, she wanted me to clarify that..................