FINAL THOUGHTS:

America is beautiful!  I have been to many places but travelled by plane for the most part.  Driving these thousands of miles by auto and exploring small towns, large cities, Indian Reservations, abandoned communities and a mix of every culture, I realize how fortunate we are to live in the most beautiful places on the face of the earth.  I will treasure all the differences forever.

Friends are the greatest gift ever.  While I loved the beauty of the lands, the true joy came with the friends I had the chance to see and the new people I met on the way.  I wish I could have seen so many more friends but my trip would have taken many months had I attempted to reach others.  Our family members, friends new and old, business associates, and neighbors and church members from the past were the real gift of this trip.

Last week, you will recall I was in Russell for my birthday and celebrated the full circle back to where it all began.  But I also spent the afternoon and evening with my sister Sylvia, her husband Stan, and their oldest son Chris.  It was very special and none of us had any idea that a few days later Stan would die.  It was a shock but I will treasure that last time we all spent together.  Our memories with Stan will remain with us forever.  In a couple of days I will return to Russell for Stan's service.  I wish it could be repeat of last week.

We live in a time of great change.  In 1966 when Judy and I went to Ouray, we had no AC in the car, no navigation system, no adaptive cruise control, no sirius radio, no cell phones, no Kindles or MACS.  Today we take all of those for granted and they have made our lives much simpler.  But when I visited the winery in Paso Robles and asked about the reasons the vineyards are grown out of limestone on the steep hills, I was told it was to build stronger vines with riches fruit for better wine.  Perhaps we need to have a little stress in our lives too and make us stronger and sweeter to those around us.

While this journey is over, I was constantly reminded of the incredible opportunities in life that lay ahead of us.  I am thankful for the past we have all shared but excited for the future that opens up new possibilities we can't even imagine.

Thanks to all of you who contributed to this journey.  You are so appreciated.

Shalom, Denny

After I left Ouray, I was like the old horse that got anxious as it returned to the barn.  I had been very cautious with my driving and drove the limit with cruise at all times.....except 1.  As I drove out of town and headed up the hill, I saw a trooper siting on the side of the road.  I paid no attention but suddenly saw the red lights in the rear view mirror.  I wondered why he was stopping me and was shocked as he approached to learn I was doing 38 MPH in a 25 MPH zone!!!  The trooper looked young enough to be my grandson and when he spotted the urn seat belted in the seat next to me, he became very polite!  He almost apologized and said he would give me a warning ticket, returned to his car, and came back with his trooper ID card but not warning!  I was very appreciative and watched my up hill speed to the top of the pass.

I stopped in Durango and thought I might stay but the itch to get home was too great and there were too many tourists in all the "junk souvenir" shops so I drove on to Cortez to spend the night.  When I checked in I asked the front desk lady what was exciting and worth doing in Cortez.  She asked if I had stayed in Cortez before and I indicated it was my first time.  Her response:  "already knew that or you wouldn't be asking that question; there is NOTHING going on here!"  Actually, that wasn't quite right.  I discovered a new winery, Guy Drew, and enjoyed a tasting with others from VA and IL.

But then it was heading back to Scottsdale.  It has been an incredible journey but the best part is always the same.  Better at home than any other place.

After leaving Denver, I headed to a very favorite spot that we first discovered in our first year in Denver; Ouray, CO.  Known as Little Switzerland, it is an incredible community at the bottom of a box canyon.  I stayed at the Wiesbaden Motel, a very modest motel but sitting atop the hot mineral springs.  My room had no air condtioner but a fan in the window and when open at this altitude, it was very cool during the night.  But when you got up the floor was warm from the hot springs.  After checking in, I went down to the caves and it was fun but frightening at the same time.  The first room was large and warm but as I continued to the next room, the doors got smaller, the rooms lower, and the temperature much warmer.  As I sat there sweating in the 104 degree heat, I was sensitive of what would happen if a person suddenly became light headed!  After my 30 minutes I headed to the heated pool where other guests were enjoying the beauty and warmth.

I spent the evening walking the Main Street, discovering a great Italian Restaurant, meeting other visitors from around the country and absorbing the most beautiful setting.  It was good to recall our first vacation that was at this special place.

Judy and I spent over 30 years in Denver and were fortunate to meet incredible people in our journey.  They number in the hundreds if not thousands and I simply could not have spent time with all of them without moving back to Denver full time.  One of those persons we knew well was Dale who is friend and former business associate at Colorado National Bank and Rocky Mountain Bankcard.  We experienced incredible opportunity joining the bank about the same time  credit cards were ready to explode in the country.  Nearly 30 years of development of credit, debit, Plus ATM with hundreds of banks in the Rocky Mountain region and with Visa Internationally.  Those years were very exciting and involved hundreds of incredible associates in the business.  Dale was the senior guy I reported to during those years.  Can you imagine anyone putting up with me for nearly 30 years?????

After I had retired for the first time, I had an opportunity to join Nordstrom Federal Savings Bank.  I again enjoyed the association with hundreds of professional persons in Denver, Scottsdale, Seattle, and Orange County.  Janine is one of those persons I had a chance to see with her husband Joe on this recent trip.  

The church has always been important to us and King of Glory in Arvada was our church home for years.  There was a very special couple that became the "local" grandparents to David and Pam and very special friends to us.  Herman died a few years ago but Bernice (95 years young) is still a member there and lives in the same home alone near the church.  We should all do as well as Bernice who is still very sharp (puts me to shame), is physically healthy, inquisitive, and caring to all around her.  We enjoyed the service and saw many members who we knew, even though we have been gone for more than 20 years from Denver.  It was a wonderful time seeing and visiting briefly with all of them before I left for the next leg of the journey.

You probably noticed I have been absent a couple of days from posting.  This trip has provided me with some of the most beautiful scenery I have ever seen but I now know the most important part of my trip....and life....are the times with family and friends.    The last few days have been spent with friends across KS.  I stopped in Sharon Springs KS where Eva's Mom and family live and had a chance to see her, Dowell, Lisa, Etta, and Inga.  Nothing better than settling in around the large table and sharing food and drink with great friends.

Then it was on to Denver and spend time with David, Jenn, Rachel, and Will.  I am also very lucky to have parents of my daughter in law that are friends also.  Rather unusual but sure is wonderful.  You will note that some of the pictures do not contain Rachel.  She is now finishing her Sophomore year in high school and has her first real job as a bagger at Safeway.  Amazing how fast time goes.  We enjoyed a wonderful birthday dinner at the Briarwood (one of my very favorite restaurants) and time with Randy and Mike at Simm's.  David, Rachel, Will and I also got in 9 holes of golf on Saturday so I time was filled with wonderful family time.  I am so proud of them all and what they are doing.

Well, it is now June 6 and I find myself in Russell.  Not planned that way but really good because it is my birthday and I return to where it all started!!  You probably all think of June 6 as D Day and it is but you probably are confused on how that designated was created.  It was during an incredible time in WWII BUT you probably didn't realize it was my third birthday and decided it would be appropriate to name after me!  Denny Dale Dumler........can't have a name like that and not have a national holiday established in honor of my third birthday!!!!

My sister Sylvia and her husband Stan still live in Russell so we celebrated my birthday together.  Their son Chris and his family live in a small community north of Hays and he was able to join us.  It made for a special celebration with our favorite dinners from the one good restaurant in town.

I am so happy it worked out to be my birthday when I arrived but wish i had been a couple of weeks later to experience the harvest season that is the celebration time of the year in areas like Russell.  I plan to be back for my high school reunion in September!

If you have ever been to Salina, KS, you probably know about Cozy Inn!  One of those places with the slider sized hamburgers (half hamburger and half onion) on grease soaked buns with small bags of chips and soft drinks.  Cozy has been there for many years (think 1930s) and is still the same six stool counter with the "strong onion smell" rolling off the grill.  The smell is so strong you can probably smell it now as I write this note!  Can't do Salina without a stop at the Cozy!

The other picture is from St. John's Military School where David attended and graduated.  It was one of those times in life that were difficult but incredibly successful and remembered with fond memories.  It was the only time in our marriage that we both cried together after we left David off for that first day as a freshman in high school!  But it was replaced for both of us with the incredible success David experienced in his high school years there and prepared for a future that has been the best for him and all of us!!

I have enjoyed traveling thru small towns and discovering little museums and points of interest.  When I got to Concordia KS, I saw a sign for a museum for the Orphan trains in this country.  I had no idea what it was about so stopped and learned some incredible facts I had never known.  Between 1854 and 1920 more than 250,000 orphan children from New York were sent on trains across America to be adopted or simply taken by individuals and families.  These children were the result of parents who died or abandoned by families who could no longer care for them.  They were children of immigrants who got to New York, could not find work, and who lived in poverty in tenaments not meant for fit for humans.  I was told that in the 1850s New York was approximately the size Wichita is today and had 10,000 families PER WEEK coming to New York.  Amazing.

This Society is now headquartered in Concordia and serves to connect those persons and their offspring with their families from which they were separated.

After spending a couple of days in Omaha with friends, I headed out for my next stop.  At this time, I have travelled close to 4000 miles from AZ to CA to OR to WA to ID to MT to SD to NE and now to KS.  No big deal but what is shocking is the first moisture I encountered was in Concordia, KS.  Anyone who has ever been in the NW in May will be as shocked as I encountered no rain or snow over that distance.  Now on the other hand, when you get to the Midwest, the bugs on the windshield replace any moisture and requires periodic stops to simply be able to see out!

In South NE, I saw the little white church that had been restored and was taken back to earlier years when many of the churches in this part of the country were similar.  In those days most of the residents of our communities attended one of the churches and families were all involved.  Over time that trend has been reduced and now the worshipping centers have taken on a totally different look.  The bottom picture is from a new church campus in Russell, KS.  If you aren't familiar with Russell, it is a small and shrinking town of less than 5000 people in the town.  I also noted in one small community in KS three different Lutheran Churches in a 3 mile stretch (3 flavors of vanilla ice cream).  Sad the  church facilities have grown while families attending have shrunk.

I wonder how we would all be judged in these churches if we were analyzed for the amount we spend on our own satisfaction vs. our outreach!  Might not come out as well as even some of the poorest administered non profits!

Too much reflection time on my hands as I drive along the journey.

******************NOTICE OF PROBLEM IN COMMENTS

I have had a number of you contact me about the posts and your attempt to comment on them.  I am not certain  but appears that you first have to register with blogspot.com and then your comments will be posted on the blog.  Otherwise, you can certainly leave notes and comments on my facebook.  I will always respond to messages I receive so if you don't hear from me you will know I did not receive your comments.  This is my first attempt at a blog so probably have a LOT to learn.  Thanks for your kind comments and insights.  They are all appreciated.

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When I first met Judy in 1959, I soon learned of her two best friends, Kathy and LaRue.  Both of them had married so I did not initially meet them and I also learned that the guys they married (Del & Don) had another friend Ed who Judy dated and was part of the trio!  So I felt a little bit out of it with them but over a period of years they have been open to welcoming me into the group and we have spent many fun times on activities ranging from cruises to reunions!  Kathy and LaRue did come to the memorial service  the end of March and have been a wonderful support to Judy and me over the years.  In the picture from left to right is Del and LaRue, Kathy, and back row her husband Don and me (in case you forgot who i am).  We had a wonderful visit and dinner together and enjoying a round of golf tomorrow (supposed to be high 90s in Omaha with humidity).  Thought I'd share that last part in case I don't survive the weather and golf game!

When the girls came to the memorial, I noted that each of them had known Judy longer than anyone else who were able to make the memorial.  They outdo my 58 years by at least 10 more!!!!

My trip continued to Fremont,NE where Judy and I met and married nearly 55 years ago.  It was a very mixed feeling because change occurs and the home Judy lived it had been torn down and replaced with a commercial expansion.  And the church where we were married (middle picture) has been sold to another non denominational church and the new larger one just doesn't match the memories from the one above.  I did go by Judy's Dad Bill and Arlene's home in west Omaha and was very pleased to see the current owners are keeping it very neat,

But like the rest of my journey, it is the poeple I have been able to see that makes the difference.  Judy's sister Joan and her husband Bud live in Fremont near Judy's child hood home.  I was lucky to find Jodie (daughter David's age) at their home so had a chance to catch up with them and Bill, Mike, and Dan and their families.  Jo is dealing with some health issues but still maintains a positive attitude.  Bud is full time caregiver and the kids are very frequently with them.  It was good to spend the time sharing old stories and new memories

Remember the days of the Burma Shave signs along every highway in America?  Well, like those signs I saw for hundreds of miles signs advertising Wall Drug in Wall SD.  The signs had tempting notes like 5Cent coffee or 5 cent ice cream cones.  Well, I couldn't avoid the temptation and stopped to check out the drug store. What I found shocked me.  More than 75,000 square feet (probably equal to half the total town footage) of every kind of western gift, clothing eatery, or about anything else you might want.  I learned the drug store got the start in 1931 when the owner bought the drug store near the edge of the Badlands and promoted traffic by posting signs on the roads offering "free" ice water.   This creative pharmacy graduate found the way to an incredible tourist oasis in the middle of SD.  Pretty amazing and worth several hours of browsing.  

I made a point of trying to find interesting places to visit, eat, and stay.  When I got to Murdo SD, I decided it was time for lunch and I saw billboards advertising Star Cafe.  So I headed there and was pleasantly surprised with true down home cooking.  The special was a hot turkey sandwich (of course on white bread) with mashed potatoes, gravy, cranberry and whole kernel corn!  And it was only $8.50.  What a deal and it was really very good!  On my way in to town, I saw an auto museum that had been there since 1954.  So of course, I stopped.  Only $11.50 and you could tour hundsreds of autos dating back to the early 1900s with a little "fake" town including the local bank.  Many of the cars appeared to have been there for many decades with flat tires, no restoration, and dust accumulated many inches thick over the years.  But i did see the 1951 Ford coupe.  My first car had also been a 1951 Ford Victoria hardtop that looked like this one from the front but not the same style as mine.  

The other picture above is from Mitchell SD.  Their big claim to fame is the corn palace so I headed there to check it out.  Well, I come from wheat country and can't imaging taking heads of corn to recorate the exterior of the main convention center every year.  Oh  yeah, and they did the same inside the building.  Guessing those cold winters with the strong winds cause people to pursue very unique activities.

Sometimes  you discover something you never knew existed.  That's what happened to me yesterday.  After visiting the Harley Davidson museum in Sturgis, I returned to Rapid City and in exploring the city discovered The Chapel in the Hills.  The chapel is an exact replica of the Borgund stave church in Norway that was built in 1150.  The chapel was dedicated in 1969 and was given by Arndt Dahl in memory of his Lutheran Pastor parents.  Mr Dahl also built and gifted the Arts Center in Rapid City.

The chapel served as home of the radio ministry of Lutheran Vespers.  The church is a special ministry of the South Dakota Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.  I learned retired clergy are able to apply to serve for limited times during each year.

I learned that Mr. Dahl was a 60 year career banker in SD, having started his career in a small bank in SD in 1920.  He pursued this career after being unable to go to college due to the premature death of his Father.  I always appreciated people who succeed in spite of obstacles they encountered.

Like the Battle of Bighorn, we have learned of Mt Rushmore near Rapid City, SD.  Judy and her family had vacationed there from NE when Judy was in high school.  She loved the trip and would recall her fascination with the sculpture carved into the face of Mt Rushmore.  I was never excited about visiting the site but have now changed my mind.  It was amazing to see all the information on how this effort was completed.  Like most government efforts, the sculpture created by Gutzon Borglum that started in 1927 and completed in 1941 at costs far exceeding initial budgets, the gift to our country will live forever.  The primitive construction involved hundreds of workers who risked their lives as they dynamited and chiseled the faces of Washington, Jefferson, Roosevelt, and Lincoln.

I had always wondered about the crushed rock below the sculpture and learned this was all from the blasts to create the sculpture.  It was also interesting to learn of the maintenance to insure the sculptures are now kept for generations to come.  I am happy Judy and I have now made one last visit to the spot she so loved.

As I traveled from Coeur D Alene toward Omaha, I have enjoyed some of the greatest scenery and some incredible history.  We all learned about the little Bighorn Battle with Lt Colonel George Custer but to visit the battlefield site was fascinating.  My sense of the battle is now changed and I came away with thoughts of conflicting cultures.  Sitting Bull was simply attempting to champion the traditional Lakota culture and stop the encroaching westward expansion.

George Custer was a very gifted military leader who as a graduate of the US Military Academy seemed to succeed in all his battles during the Civil War.  He suffered only one injury even as he had 11 horses shot out from under him.  He was assigned to accompany General Terry and the Dakota column in the summer camp of 1876.  His nickname of "Custer Luck" was not meant to be as he and his 262 men were killed by was was believed to be thousands of Lakota and Cheyene on June 25-26, 1876.

The picture above shows the places Custer and many of his soldiers were killed.  Others are scattered around the area in smaller groups.  This battleground is located near Crow Agency MT and was a beautiful valley now silent with the markers.

When Judy and I lived in Seattle, we traveled on several occasions to Coeur D Alene, Idaho and stayed at the the Inn.  It is a beautiful hotel that sits on the lake and the premier rooms feature a sitting room looking out of an all glass wall with a three step elevation to the king sized beds where you enjoyed the same view.  It was one of our favorite places in the NW so we returned there again for the Memorial Day fun.  The town was very busy with thousands of young people enjoying the unusually warm and sunny weather.  While it had been more than 12 years since we had been there, the memories were very fresh.

Today I traveled on to Bozeman, MT where our good friends Jack and Kay Gaines now live.  Kay was one of my classmates at Russell High School and also a member of my confirmation class at St. John's Lutheran.  After school Kay moved to Denver and we again saw each other and met Jack who was the manager in the Trader Vic bar at the Cosmopolitan Hotel in downtown Denver.  Jack spent his career in senior management with the Westin Hotel organization and they lived in many parts of the world managing hotel properties and regions.  We always stayed in touch and have enjoyed time together when we all lived in Seattle and meeting in other times for reunions and fun events.  This trip has served to remind me of the incredible value of friends and family.  I have now traveled several thousands of miles in my first major road trip ever and while I have seen some of America's great views, it is still the people that will stand out from the trip.

When I began my journey with Judy I did not plan to identify friends we would see on our trip.  As I reflected I decided the trip was not complete without sharing about special friends I saw on our trip.  I told you about Steve and Jeannie and this very special visit with them.  However, I did not share others.  The day after seeing jeannie and Steve, I met with Bart, Christine, and Westin Treece.  Judy and I first got to know Bart when he was 16 and living with his Mother Dee and brother Mike in the complex where we lived until our home was completed.  We have stayed in touch since that time and appreciate the changes with his marriage, birth of Westin, completion of his bachelor degree, and professional accomplishments with the State of Washington.  We had a great time of coffee and conversation and I was pleased to see them and their success in life.

When I arrived in Seattle, I did intrude on the new owner of our home we had built but also went to our two favorite neighbors, the Kings and the Nussbaums.  They built their homes before we did and have remained there since then.  Both were wonderful neighbors and friends and exciting to catch up with them and learn of their families since we left 15 years ago.  It was amazing how comfortable it felt to visit again with them.  My only regret was Bob King who always had the cleanest luxury cars in the neighborhood and introduced me to the "Der Shining Stuff" only to have the manufacturer disappear a few years ago.  I hoped he had a new secret but no such luck!

I slipped across the street from the Westin where I was staying to the Cheescake Factory.  I knew at one time Michael Karmil, a senior accountant with us at Nordstrom in Denver had been associated with the restaurant to I inquired and was thrilled to learn he was there and about to leave for the day.  We had a chance to catch up and recall many pleasant memories from our time with Nordstrom Bank.

I called Barre Seibert who had been our CFO at TransAlliance in Belluvue with me.  I was lucky to find them home and spent time with Barre and Julie and one of their daughters and two grandaughters.  It was so good to see them again.  I asked if they were both retired and learned they were EXCEPT Barre is an independent board member and consultant with TOOTSIE ROLL!  I was so excited and would not leave until I had three bags of goodies for my trip!!

Then last evening I enjoyed time with Steve and Leanne Shelton when they returned from a long weekend with family in Eastern WA.  Steve and I had worked together at Nordstrom Bank where he was the executive responsible for all control and collection activities for the bank.

All these contacts have made my trip so special.  As I travel, I am reminded that the most important parts of our lives are not the places we lived or visited, not the trips we took, not the homes we enjoyed, not the financial benefits, BUT the people we met who impacted out life.  There are many I could not reach but these people were so important and have been the highlights of my travel.

One added note about my Seattle visit.  I went to church this morning at St. Andrew's Lutheran where Judy and I belonged the entire time we lived in Seattle.  From there I went to a favorite "dive" of ours called the Pancake Corral.  It is the only place I have ever been that serves a hashbrown omelet!  It was our usual Sunday breakfast and I decided we would do it again today.  Nothing has changed and the omelet is as good as ever!

On to Seattle for the weekend of special places in our life and special friends from over the years in the Northwest.  Judy had designed and we built a favorite home in Issaquah in 1996.  We sold that home in 2002 and I had not been back since.  I drove to the home pictured above, rang the doorbell and announced we had built this home and wanted to see it again!!!!  The current owners graciously invited me in to check it all out and it was a wonderful feeling to see what Judy had created and we so enjoyed during our time there.  I then went to the neighbors we enjoyed and found all of them home (surprising on a holiday weekend) and had time to catch up on our lives and those of our children.  It is very special to see all these friends again and it is those friendships that are so important over time.

the journey continued from Crater Lake to Bend, Oregon.  I had heard of this city but never visited so took the opportunity to spend a night there.  Stayed at a wonderful new discovery called the River House on the Deschutes River.  My new all time favorite hotel with a beautiful view of the river and wonderful staff and accomodations.

From there it was on to Beaverton, Oregon (suburb of Portland) where I had the opportunity to spend special time with Jeannie and Steve Koyen.  Jeannie is Judy's younger sister (by 9 years).  Unfortunately Jeannie is dealing with Parkinson's Disease also.  I had not seen them in several years and was shocked to see Jeannie looking so much like Judy!  Jeannie is working very hard to minimize the effects of the disease and has a wonderful attitude.

I spent the night in Portland and saw other friends for coffee and a great opportunity catch up on happenings in their family.

Yesterday was one of the most beautiful but also sobering days of our trip.  I left San Francisco early and planned to go to Medford for the evening.  I made really good time and decided to go on to Crater Lake which was not in my planned agenda.  Relying on my trusty navigation systems, I rolled further north and suddenly realized my route was toward Salem and not Bend, Or.  When I realized the error, it was too late to retreat back to Medford and discovered another route going east from Roseburg.  When I reached Roseburg I headed east only to learn that cell service, wifi, and all other aids did not work in this area.  I drove thru over 100 miles of canyons and curves with no sign of life other than an occasional car.  I tried to remember the guidance I had been given and luckily hit the right roads.  As the end of day was approaching and the climb to Crater increased, the snow levels on the side of the road got higher and higher with melting that was beginning to turn cooler as the evening approached.  Another 40+ miles off the first road and I was in Crater Lake park and now the snow levels were more than 10 feet high on both sides.  You can imagine my excitement when I finally arrived at Crater Lake Lodge.  It was the only open commercial establishment from Roseburg to Crater Lake.  But it was well worth it.  The original portion of the lodge was built in the early 1900s and was a massive entry room , a massive gathering space with a huge blazing fireplace, easy chairs, and a beautiful dining room.  The rooms were modest but very acceptable.  Only one problem:  no cell service, no wifi, no internet, no TV, no radio!!!!  Ever try to entertain yourself with no toys!  I enjoyed the dinner more and enjoyed the people watching and met a guy that had stories that would not quit.  It was a great time but comforting to get back on the road and far enough down to finally get cell services several hours later.

Crater Lake is a spectacular lake and some claim is the deepest lake in this country.  Even though it had the incredible depth, the surface is smooth as glass.  A little like people who appear very smooth on the surface but very deep and beautiful inside!!

the journey continues from Paso Robles to San Francisco

It was a mixed trip....from beautiful flat fields of many sections carefully farmed by thousands of migrant workers in the fields to forests, canyons, lakes and ending in Carmel by the Sea where everything imaginable is for sale at very expensive levels.  Art work that is truly unique beginning in the tens of thousands of dollars.  Then it was on to San Francisco and roaming the wharf and ending up at our favorite restaurant Scomas.  I had forgotten how stressful and crowded the city is with costs I had forgotten like $70 per night for auto parking at the hotel.  

Paso Robles.......I decided to visit Paso Robles rather than returning to Napa/Sonoma.  I have been to CA many times but never in the central part of the state.  So new experience with new wineries.  This picture is from Justin which is the far end of the wine country.  Very pleasant and very nice....but expensive.  I went to two other wineries close to town and enjoyed them also.  At the last one, I had a very pleasant young lady who was my hostess and she was a recent graduate of USC and earning all the money she could to pay off student debts.

One of my questions was why so many of the vineyards are on these very steep hills.  She explained that the land is basically limestone and the vines actually grow out of the rock.  The limestone provides needed minerals for growth and the steep hills forces the vines to work harder which increases the richness and taste of the grapes!  What a revelation for me and I thought it is not much different for people.  We need some challenges and difficult times to really grow and succeed.

I also asked Alexa where I could go for a nice steak in town,  as she has lived there her entire life, and she directed me to Fish Groto.  I went back to my room and after watching the news (very sad news yesterday) I went to the restaurant and headed for the bar for dinner.  I had ordered a glass of wine and suddenly someone tapped me on the shoulder.  It was Alexa and she asked if she could join me for a glass of wine while she waited for friends.  We shared a glass and her friends showed up and invited me to join them.  I did decline but felt great all night when you are "hit on" by someone that could be the age of my grandkids!    Feels good for an old man!

It has been an incredible few days with Pam, Emily, and Paige.  Their life is quite busy and full of fun activities.  Yesterday was jam packed with the final two games of Soccer for Emily's tournament, bridging scouting for Paige, pool party with Pam's friends, and special family time in the evening.

Emily and her team won the tournament for their bracket with a 3-0-1 record for the weekend.  It was quite warm and the girls did a wonderful job with four games in the two days.  I was very impressed with the team that has recently been changed and they played together very well for a new team.

Paige had a bridging ceremony for Scouts in the park at California Lutheran University (Pam's college school).  I must admit I was not overly excited about a ceremony where the girls graduated from Junior to Cadet scouts but pleasantly surprised when I watched.  There were approximately 20 girls and each brought a gift and food contribution to the buffet.  Each girl was given a helium balloon when they arrived and asked to write on their balloon their favorite memory, goal, and wish.  They were announced one at a time and walked to the top of the bridge and shared their messages and then tied them to the bridge.  It didn't hit me at the time but overnight I awakened and realized my trip is my bridge in life.  Passing from wonderful memories to goals and wishes for the future!  I have to say thanks to the leaders who have me a message I almost missed.  I went back this morning, took a picture of that bridge and walked over myself.

Last evening we enjoyed time together celebrating many great memories, planning for the day today, and dreaming of our future.  It was a very special time for me.

Day 3:  When I started this trip, there was only one mandatory stop and time on my schedule.  That was for the final elementary school production of the Lion King  with our youngest granddaughter Paige, 11, as Nala at Westlake Elementary School.  Paige has been in every production since her first grade and once again did an incredible job in this role.  While I am obviously prejudiced, she is blessed with great talent and a beautiful singing voice.  We love the singing voices of all three of our granddaughters  and Paige once again made us very proud in this production. Will takes after me and his singing voice will likely not win any national competition but he has skills in many other areas.

Paige attends the same school where Pam teaches fourth grade.  While I think she is quite good, the school has some incredibly talented kids and parents are very supportive.  I am always amazed when I meet many of them and learn of their family, lives, and pursuits in life.  This school has been wonderful for Pam in her 15+ years of teaching and also for Emily and Paige.

After the performance we returned with friends and families for an ice cream and wine bar at Pam's home.  I have always been convinced Californians were different but they keep proving me wrong with special friendships, support, and sharing.  I am so thankful for all those around my three girls in CA.

DAY 2

Our first stop on our trip is with Pam and the girls.  Judy decided to hang out on the table near the TV.  The girls are very busy with soccer practice, theatre practice, school, few chores and downtime relaxing.  With the new dog there was also the need for rug doctor to hide the early mistakes.  Guessing there might have been a few food/drink spills also.

Enjoyed a light dinner at the local Mexican restaurant and then home for homework, weekend organizing, and a few calls.  Pam has a special mattress that I get when I visit and set up in the study.  Very comfortable but required to be up at 6:00 to get everyone organized, lunches prepared, and everyone off to school.  Pam and Paige went one direction and Emily and I headed another.

I decided with free time today I would visit the Getty Museum in LA.  Judy and I had been there one time after it opened but had not returned since.  The museum is probably only about 20 miles from Pam's home so 100 minutes later I got to the museum.  Not hard for me to understand stress, road violence, and mental illness if you to drive this mess every day.  One more reason to be thankful for the Valley.

I had a great time at the museum and enjoyed hundreds (if not more) original art pieces from every era since the 1600s.  It was amazing to see the different styles, themes, and skills of the artists from around the world.  It is hard to believe you can see so many original works by so many famous artists in one place.  And the Getty itself is an incredible setting overlooking the city.  If you haven't enjoyed it, visit on your next trip to LA.

My first stop is so important because I can enjoy Pam, Emily, and Paige in their home.  I am very proud of these three.  You will note there is a new dog (Puck) that I had not met and we have not decided if we like each other yet!  The girls are still in school (CA land of PC and so many holidays the school year is nearly 12 months a year.  Bierochs are disappearing quickly here!

The girls' home in Moorpark is very comfortable and just got a fresh trim today so looks really nice on this beautiful day in SCAL.

Anthem Senior Living where Judy lived the past year.  Beautiful home in Anthem, AZ and wonderful care givers during the last year

Our home in North Scottsdale  that we left this morning to begin our tour.  Wonderful weather this time of the year and tough to leave.

5:00 Thursday in Moorpark, CA at Pam's home.  Got here before Pam and they have a new dog that doesn't know me and HE WAS PROTECTING THEM!!!  Thought I was done!

Really nice pleasant trip today.  Weather was great, traffic was reasonable, and no issues with other drivers.  I stopped at Anthem Senior Living and visited with Lapida and Norma who were Judy's primary care givers at the group home.  They are very special and we will always appreciate the care and concern they shared with Judy.  It seems very different to now return and while I know most of the residents there and it was good seeing them, it was not the same.

The trip from Phoenix to LA is rather boring but one stop is always required:  get gas in AZ before you enter CA because the price goes up over 50 cents per gallon the minute you hit the CA line.  I was about to make a political statement but think I should save it!

p.s.  This is probably my first trip with Judy that she did not critique my driving skills!

Day 1

Hi Friends,

Today begins my road trip with Judy.  Our trips have spanned over 55 years and have taken us to many beautiful places in this country but also to incredible spots around the world.  Still our favorite spots have been those places we called home and the close destinations we have enjoyed.

This trip will be different!  Judy will not be afraid of my driving, will not be giving me advice for my speed, will not be upset with my constant talk show and audio taping involvement, and will not be tired when we reach our destination for the day.  But she will be with me.  We will remember those many experiences of life that we shared.  We will revisit family and friends and I will discover new places and people.

Our trip will leave Scottsdale this morning where we have enjoyed living part time and full time since 1992.  It doesn't seem possible we have been here that long but the time slips away so quickly.  From our little patio home in McCormick Ranch to the larger home we loved in east Scottsdale and then to the smaller home where I now live after Judy required more care in assisted living and a group home. I plan to focus on those many experiences and time with family and friends and plan to take pictures and tell stories as I travel.

I am packed and if I didn't know better I would think I was moving.  I have no idea how long I will be gone so packed for close to a month before I have to do laundry.  I have my computer bag ready and the big Yeti cooler given to me as a gift by friends for this trip.  My intent is to go where and as long as I want so guessing it will be at least three days and up to six weeks!! My intended route is to Pam's home today for the weekend and then north thru CA to SF and the Napa Valley.  On to Portland to visit Judy's sister Jeannie and family.  Then on north to Seattle where we spent nearly ten great (but rainy) years.  Over to Spokane to check out Hailey's future college, on to Courde Lane ID and thru MT visiting close friends and enjoying summer in the most beautiful setting.  Then over to Mt Rushmore and down to Omaha and Fremont where Judy grew up and we met in college and married. From there down to KS to visit my childhood home, over to Denver where we spent most of our married life, and back home to my favorite spot Scottsdale.  Or, if I change my mind I will update as we go.

Talk more on the road!