Blakely Campout

The campouts for our den have been a lot of fun. I will say that the time spent around the campfire after the kids all go to bed have probably been the most interesting conversations. The kids love stomping around in the woods. The smores are always a hit and camping ain't camping without hot dogs. That's a law.

 

 

 

 

Make sure you ask about the bumper bar...if you haven't heard that one...you're missin' out...!

Sacramento, CA

I flew into Sacramento today. What beautiful scenery there is flying over the Rockies... Learn yet another travel lesson though... bring a jacket it is pretty darn cold at 35K feet. This area actually reminds me of rural Alabama kinda funny huh.

The school year is ending and it's gonna be harder to leave the kids during the week while they are at home (driving Annette crazy).

We drove north out of Sacremento to Williams, CA. Not a bad drive, but I discovered a universal truth.... all Pilot Rest Steps (like the one in Grand Bay, AL and in California) are loaded with IQ's less than 70. Stay away, stay far far away!

Minneapolis

I thought this might be a good way for me to keep up with some interesting and useful information gathered while traveling around the country. I have about 25 trips under my belt at this point; so I am not a seasoned traveler but not a newbie either. For instance, I can get through security without the body cavity search because I have learned which belts set off the detectors, got slip-on shoes, keep my 3-1-1 packing in check and whatever other stupid rules they develop that do not make me even a little safer. Also, when I get on the plane and there is already a passenger in the front seat wearing a coat... he is an armed sky marshal; that makes me feel safer. I am trying to weasel a camera phone out of the company, but thus far have been unsuccessful. Then I will be able to add some pictures as well. There are a couple of truths I have come to believe.
1. You get more flies with honey than vinegar, but sometimes you also end up just sticky.
2. Comfort trumps style any day of the week.
3. The earlier you start, the less Mr. Murphy and his law is able to get into your way.
4. Never check a bag that you can't live without; it may not make it.

I am sure there are others but that is enough for now.

As for Minneapolis (MSP), Delta flies out of the Lindberg terminal (not the Humphrey) and the GPS will mostly try to take you to the other. The Mall of the Americas is a truly amazing place. It's got a river water ride in the middle of it for God's sake. It's also got a lot of fine eatin' in there as well. Gas stations are another story all together. Fill 'er up on the way back and avoid the hassle.

We stayed the night in New Ulm, MN. It is a very pretty town with a strong German culture. Its sister city in Germany shares festivals, bands and other events throughout the year. Very nice in the spring; VERY COLD in January.

I'll try to keep this up a little more frequently and had a little flare at times.

God bless everyone.

It's politics as usual....

I hope that everyone who voted for BHO in 2008 because of their frustrations with the war in Iraq read this and regret their decision.

"A key factor in the pace of the U.S. drawdown will be making sure that there are sufficient U.S. forces in Iraq to assure that national elections scheduled for December are peaceful, officials said. Another will be the speed with which Iraqi military and security forces gain the ability to maintain order without American help.

Under Obama's plan, a force of between 35,000 and 50,000 U.S. troops would remain in Iraq after Aug. 31, 2010, to train, equip and advise Iraqi forces, help protect withdrawing forces and work on counterterrorism. They'd remain until Dec. 31, 2011, the date on which the Bush administration agreed to withdraw all troops under a pact with Iraq.

That number, too, could depend on conditions in Iraq and on the need for additional U.S. troops in Afghanistan, where the Taliban have made significant gains, and where national elections also are scheduled."

It is amazing the level of federal spending in that last 30 days. It's like Annette at Shoe Station with a No Limit credit card. I guess this is just one more campaign promise broken; but who is counting.

Fifty Funny Fellows

Annette and I had a great time at the Fifty Funny Fellows ball last night. It is a much more tame atmosphere than we'll experience tonight at the Striper's. Annette looked so beautiful in her formal gown it was hard to take my eyes off her. She is such a wonderful soul mate. I am the luckiest man alive.

I'll try to include some pictures soon.

Syracuse, NY

I have been in Syracuse, New York for a couple of days and had dinner at the coolest family restraunt called The Green Onion. An Italian place in a cobblestone house built in the mid 1800's by the masons that also built the Erie Canal. Very good food and the little Italian chef came out to the table to check on things and talked about cooking and the house. It was kinda cool b/c he and his family also go to Orange Beach every winter for a couple of weeks. Small world huh????

A View of the country

I flew into Baltimore today. Gorgeous weather and just warm enough to make me appreciate the A/C. We drove into rural Maryland and over the Chesapeake Bay. What a body of water! I saw my next home... sitting on a peninsula out in the bay. I am looking at the 1000 year loan with no interest; then it's mine. The farmland is a contrast of deep green soybean and golden stalks of corn all over the place. Unfortunately, I forgot my camera so you'll have to take my word for it.

Looking out the hotel window is a huge corn field. It reminds me of the corn maze and the fun we had last year getting lost... because Annette wouldn't ask for directions. A repeat trip to the Corn Maze is planned in a couple of weeks so we'll see how Alabama corn matches up against this Yankee corn.

This Saturday is Christopher's first Jamboree... Preseason Bantam Football. It's as big as the NFL to me though. Tonight is Katie Ann's first dance class; new school, same excitement. She is such a Princess. Matthew is pulling up and it won't be long until he is cruising the furniture looking for Maggie. He loves to "pet" her which looks alot like pulling her hair out to the uneducated eye.

Busy couple of days and I'll be home soon.... I am getting this travel thing under control. 3rd trip in about as many weeks and I haven't gotten lost yet. More to come.....