Chargers vs. Bengals On The Field!

December 2 was a memorable day.  Gail and I drove down to San Diego to attend the Chargers/Bengals game.  We met up with the Timboes and family for a tailgate party prior to the game. Joe Pistoia joined us.  Then, we took our field passes, courtesy of Marvin Lewis (head coach of the Bengals and Rick's friend) and worked our way down to the field, where we met up with Joe and his son, Tyler.  While on the field, we got to observe professional athletes up close and personal.  Wow, their size and athleticism is incredible.  While on the sideline, Marvin Lewis came over to say hello.  I also had a chance to talk with Mark Carrier, former Poly, USC, and Chicago Bear great who was a student of mine at Newcomb!   And yes, he remembered me from the late '70s.  What a day!

Palm Springs Classic Car Show

I've been attending McCormick's Classic Car Auction in Palm Springs for the past several years.  This year didn't disappoint as I saw my two favorite vintage automobiles -- a red Porsche 356 and a maroon VW Microbus with skylights and a ragtop.  Maybe some day........

The Bears of Lake Tahoe

We've been to Lake Tahoe before but this trip had an added bonus.  We did the usual types of things -- drove up to Emerald Bay, Virginia City, and Sparks/Reno.  However, we did not expect to come face- to-face with two wild bears in the woods.  At first we were amazed to have found a creek where the salmon were spawning.  Then, out of the woods appeared two wild bears!  We couldn't believe our luck to be in the right place at the right time with our cameras.  There were some photographers who got within just feet of the bears.  I suggested to Gail that we join the photographers up close, and she was game (pun intended).  I later warned her that she was getting way too close to them!  It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

San Francisco Theater

In an attempt to become even more cultured, I traveled to San Francisco with Nana and Gailee to attend the theater.  Ann Hopkins, our sister-in-law and Ray's wife, had a nice role in a musical at the San Francisco Playhouse entitled, "Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson."  Ann, who played Storyteller, was very, very good in this enjoyable production.  Prior to the performance, Ray joined us for dinner at an amazing restaurant called Farallon.  After the play, Ann joined us for drinks and a "post performance debriefing."  Of note is that we attended this play on the evening of the first game of the World Series in San Francisco.  As it turns out, the Detroit Tigers were lodged at our hotel, The St. Francis.  But on this night, it was Ann who "hit one out of the park" with her performance.

Maui, Hawaii

We keep returning to Hawaii, usually Maui.  The blue ocean, the palm trees swaying in the trade winds, the pristine beaches, the warm weather -- all combining to form a paradise.  On this latest trip, we snorkeled with giant sea turtles, enjoyed the cuisine at Mama's Fish House, relaxed on a sunset cruise, enjoyed Polynesian/Hula dancing performances, and walked about five miles a day!  We're looking forward to future adventures in Hawaii.

Pumpkin Patch

As is the custom each October, we picked up the grandkids from school and headed over to the Pumpkin Patch for a couple hours of fun.

Betty Keller's Big Week

Betty Keller, known to her family as Nana, enjoyed a really big week.  First, there was an 85th birthday party held in her honor.  A large contingent of family members gathered for a barbeque, cake, and gift opening.  One gift will take place later in the month when she sees Crosby, Stills, and Nash in concert.  Staci Keller also thrilled her with a handmade photo album of Griffin's accomplishments with the Long Beach Pony League World Series champs.  Second, Nana was honored by Community Hospital of Long Beach for her outstanding contributions over many years.  Her picture was unveiled on the "Legacy Wall" featuring those who have made their marks in that hospital's history.  Congratulations to Nana on her 85th birthday and her enshrinement on the Legacy Wall.

Angel Stadium with Wally Joyner

About twenty years ago, I attended an Angel game with my son, Ryan.  Wally Joyner hit a wicked, hooking foul ball that came right at us.  Ryan ended up with the ball as we narrowly missed getting hit by a major league line drive.   Flash forward, twenty years later, I attended an Angels-Oakland game with Eric, Ray, and his son, Griffin.  Our host was none other than Wally Joyner, who has become a friend and golfing buddy of Eric.  Wally took us out on the field for batting practice, introducing us to various players and coaches.  We then enjoyed the game although the Angels'  last inning rally fell short by a run.  That ball that Ryan has kept for twenty years?  Wally signed it for him.  It read, "Ryan, Really glad this missed you!  Wally Joyner."

A Day at the Bay

The tide was in so it was time to take Mason to give surf fishing a try.  We set up the rigs, planted our pole holders in the sand, attached the bait to the hooks, casted, and waited.  It was not long until Mason had hooked a nice fish I suspected was a Corbina.  He fought a good fight, only to have the fish break free as it neared the shore.  Camille studied an anchovy Gail caught in a sand bucket.  Exhausted from all the excitement, Grandad sat in his chair in the shade and nodded off.

Time With G.G. at Crystal Cove

In Laguna Beach, Crystal Cove rents out beachside cabins for overnight visits.  G.G. (short for great grandma) joined us for a two-day, one-night stay.  We set up chairs and umbrellas on the beach during the daytime and engaged in boogie board riding, sand castle building, picnic lunch eating, and sand crab gathering.  Time is one of the greatest gifts in life, and we make sure G.G. gets plenty of time with her great grand kids.

High Achieving Nephews

Brother Eric and sister-in-law Staci have a lot to be proud of when it comes to their sons.  Our nephews, Griffin and Campbell Keller, are high achievers in every sense.  Campbell excelled as a straight A "gold robe" student while at Millikan.  He was also a star swimmer prior to moving on to the University of Missouri.  Griffin was named top scholar/athlete this June as he was promoted from Newcomb School.  Following Campbell's lead, Griffin is bound for Millikan having been accepted into the prestigious Quest program.  Griffin did something really special this summer as a Pony League baseball player.  He was selected as an All Star, and started for the team as it proceeded up the ladder all the way to Pennsylvania beating Chinese Taipei for the world title!  In addition to being excellent students and athletes, both Griffin and Campbell possess all the fine qualities one would hope for in young men.

DK's Car Obsession

I admit to having a fascination with automobiles.  I've owned more than 20 since my first purchase while in college.  I started with a beautiful VW bug and currently own a luxurious Porsche Cayenne.  In between, I've owned assorted Fords, Jeeps, Volvos, Volkwagens, and Porsches.  In addition, there was a Fiat, a Datsun, a Mercedes, and a BMW.  I believe a root cause of my obsession was my dad's  valuable VW Microbus which has long since disappeared like my baseball cards.  Even now, I have my eye on a beautiful vintage Porsche 356 sitting in a showroom in Orange County.......if I could only own this, it would probably be my last!!!!!

Oregon Millikan Reunion

We traveled north for a weeklong vacation in Oregon centered around a reunion of former "Millikanites."  Twenty-three Rams, mostly relocated residents of Oregon, gathered for a social hour, dinner, and reminiscing at the Bowers' residence near Medford.  Prior to the reunion, Gail and I enjoyed three days in Portland, our first time in the Rose City.  We enjoyed a trolley tour, a day at the Columbia River Gorge, shopping, walking around the city, dining at some of the famous breweries, and a morning at the Saturday Street Fair. The fun continued when we arrived at the Bowers' residence for the reunion.  Following the reunion, we had a great day hiking and dining at Union Creek followed the next day by an exciting four-hour jet boat adventure on the Rogue River near Grants Pass.

The Life of Riley

The Ward family was expecting a new addition with a "due date" delivery on June 21, 2012.  Riley Willamette Ward spent his first day with his new family doing what most puppies do -- exploring his new environment.  Riley is a beautiful white Labrador Retriever puppy about eight weeks old.  True to his billing, this "pick of the litter" actually conjured up in my mind an unmanly adjective I rarely use, but had to use it on this pup.  Riley is adorable.   About thirty years ago, we shared a wonderful experience with Amos Moses Blue, our family Labrador.  We hoped to duplicate the same wonderful experience for our grandchildren.  We think we're off to a great start.  As much as I respect Riley's given AKC registered name, I make no "bones" about it......I'm calling him Rileydogdaddy!

Two Weeks in Europe

In mid-April, Gail and I were off to Europe for a two-week trip with our good friends, Rick and Lee Timboe.  Our time was spent mainly in Berlin, Prague, Vienna, and Munich.  Several "side trips" included Dresden, Potsdam, Salzburg, and Mittenwald.  Highlights in Berlin included the Brandenburg Gate, the Berlin Wall/Checkpoint Charlie, and the Reichstag.  We traveled from city to city on the Autobahn, where there is no speed limit which was obvious as cars roared by in the fast lane.  We adjusted to using Crowns and Euros as our currency and ate Czech, Austrian, and German food which featured schnitzel, sausages, potatoes, goulash, apple strudel-- most of which was heavy and full of calories.  Prague featured the Charles Bridge, palaces, and churches.  All roads and sidewalks were cobblestone.  Vienna was the home of the Habsburgs.  We visited both their winter and summer palaces and viewed a performance by the Royal Lipizzaner Stallions.  In Salzburg, we toured the home of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.  We dined at the Hofbrau House in Munich, which had an Octoberfest atmosphere with a live band. Munich also provided testimony of horrors of the Holocaust at Dachau Concentration Camp.  Finally, we took a trip to Mittenwald, a small Bavarian village in the Alps.  A gondola ride to the top of the mountain was thrilling.  We're hoping and expecting that this marvelous trip is an indicator of future great travels during the wonderful world of retirement.