The Anniversary of Stacy's 29th Birthday

Yesterday Stacy turned 4_ (fill in the blank) years old and we celebrated her birthday.

She wanted to take a long bike ride to Patti's 1880's Settlement in Grand Rivers Kentucky. I checked map quest and I check the shortest route, then programed the route into my head. I-24 east to exit 31, left, 3 miles, 1st left to Patti's.

So we got on the bike and headed out. As soon as we got on I-24 and headed east toward Kentucky, she leaned forward and informed me that she didn't want to take the intestate. She wanted a nice country back road type of ride, nice and slow. Of course she did, I was suppose to know that.

After getting off of the interstate at Exit 4, I took the back roads, US 79 to Merryweather to Trenton Road to Tiny Town road to 41-A into Hopkinsville Kentucky, where we stopped to check out a map.

It was a long way on US 91 to Princeton then to Grand Rivers, so she opted to go east on US 68 toward Russellville Ky. But US 68 was an improved 4 lane and not a "country road." She also asked me to slow down because the wind was making her head shake from the wind.

We stopped at the Jefferson Davis Memorial, looks like the Washington Monument but smaller, much shorter. I asked her if she wanted to take the tour to the top, nope, she has never like heights. So after walking around and looking at the sights we got back on the road. We headed east on US 68 again , then took a left on US 475 (I think) followed the road up and down, back and forth, left and right. We dodged horse poop from the horse drawn carriages, the Amish on bicycles, and all the other "county" creatures.
After going back and forth on the road, we went back and forth on where to eat. She decided the OG would be good. Because everyplace I picked she said no, why do I even ask? It worked out great as she was able to eat and spend time with Lisa and Nichole.

Stacy loves yellow roses, so when she woke up she had them a card and her favorite candy.

Because she does like them, I have a tattoo of a yellow rose with her name on it.

(Don't ask, you can't see it)

But nothing compares to the real thing.

She could not be more beautiful now than she did the first time I saw her.

Just before we fell asleep, I asked her, "Did you have a good birthday, she said, yes."

Some things get better with age, and I can attest to that.

Short Vacation Day

I took a vacation day on Thursday after a long two days on the road, I am exceeding tired of this required travel and having a totally incompetent boss. The situation at work has become almost intolerable, nice thing about this is I am at ease about it. We have followed Dave Ramsey and I can walk away from the this job and it's stress if I want and I'm going to. Soon.

This was proceeded by the news from Lisa that she was seeking a divorce from her husband of 4 years and moved back home with Emma. So as Stacy and I prepare for Mandy's wedding to David, Lisa and Emma are back for a temporay stay until they can find an apartment. Mandy also had a good friend Monika stay a few days with us while she prepared to move back to Colorado Springs. For awhile I thought I was operating a home for wayward girls and children.

I would like to thank those who have been in prayer for our family, I can feel the love of those who are close to us. Again, thanks for you prayers and sense of humor.

I started my short vacation day with Emma playing in my briefcase, card keys, GPS, camera and so many other goodies. Moms can you see the mischief in those eyes? Emma loved my small notebooks and decided it was fun to tear out the pages.
Nana and Emma playing the make a face game while getting ready for breakfast.

Emma wanted to grub into my Moss' fat and cholesterol free breakfast.

But, instead Nana gave her French toast. French is sissy stuff Nana.

We got all this great food for this little? Ah, no wonder Pop loves Moss'. But I have no pockets yet Pop, which means I have no money, so you got hosed again.

Your so smart Pop, I could listen to you all day. Tell me the one about pulling your finger........
After breakfast and running a few errands, Stacy thought I could use some golf to relax. She is doing the streatching before we get started.

My mobile office, PDA, note pad, cigar.

Nice view
It's always good to be in God's great outdoors, especially when you see a burning bush.

At some point in life you have got to measure your life, family, friends, work and the rest of life's distractions. When something gets out of balance, just like the front end of a car, you have to get it adjusted or it will just get worse.

Next week, I will be making that adjustment, not sure if the adjustment will work or if I will need to get the whole thing replaced.

She is still not Married

Memorial Day 2009

Memorial Day we had the whole gang over to the house, we grilled, gave thanks to those brave men and women who gave all for our freedom.

Lots of food, family and fun.

David, Jerry and Lisa getting their grub on.

The Grill Master.

Nichole, West and Emma chillin.

Looking down on the grill, oh yea.
The grill looking back at me.

Stacy, Bonnie and Emma.

The garden, coming along real good.

Emma, Stacy and Bonnie.

Just hanging around having a good time.

Earlier in the day, Jerry and I went for a ride. We went to Bumpus Mills and worked our way through Kentucky to Hopkinsville before we returned. Emma trying my riding boots on.
David, Emma, Stacy and the princess, Nichole. Who for some reason believes she does need to recline on the deck.

Views from the Hotel Window

The view from my hotel window in Chattanooga this morning was excellent.

The bike was parked right were I left it, and as I looked out the window in all directions, the day was going to be good.

Back at the Gap

A week ago, I took on the "Tail of the Dragon" at Deal's Gap in my zx2, and said I would return this week and do this on the bike.

So I did.

It was late Tuesday afternoon, and there was not a lot of traffic this time of day. The bike weighs in at 658 pounds, but I loaded the saddle bags and seat bag full of the stuff I needed for this three day business trip. Because of the weight of the bike, some of the curves I took so close that the floorboards on the bike were dragging on the pavement, at least 100 times over the 318 curves.

It was an awesome ride!

Not a lot of traffic at the resort this late in the day.

This is the hotel at Deal's Gap. The restaurant, gas station and store on property.
The clean machine.

Yes, the cigar was necessary. It's just something I do after I check something off my list.
Got the hat and t-shirt, and the patch. Now I just need to get a vest to put this on.

When My Mind Rambles

Sometimes I feel like I'm in a rut even though I am constantly doing something, nothing is the same, and my job is ever changing. I passed this sculpture in downtown Knoxville yesterday. Then it hit me, I have been paddling and not getting anywhere. The currents not moving either, I need a change.

So I have decided to look at thing a bit different from now on. I'm not going to worry about anything, and pray about everything.

I'm going to ride where I want, in this case to Sonic.

I'm going to eat what and where I want. Chili cheese tots all around.

(Ok, somethings won't change.)

I can golf and enjoy the outdoors and have time to think whenever I want.

I'm going to look up more, I have walked past this federal building in Knoxville and never noticed this huge window to the sky before.

There are still plent of streams that I have not explored in a kayak yet. So I'm going to paddle all that I can. I'm no longer going to wonder why my oldest daughter Nichole is almost 30 and not married.
Oh, yea, now I remember.

Deal's Gap, North Carolina

This afternoon, I got to visit the "Tail of the Dragon" an 11 miles stretch of road 26 miles south of Maryville Tn., which is 15 miles south of Knoxville. Which is 98 miles southwest of Johnson City TN., where I started this morning.

This 11 miles has 318 curves in it. Some of the curves double back on each other and the speed limit is 30 mph. No one but me was doing 30 mph. Bikers on rice rocket sport bikes we trying to set land speed records and the guys in the hyped up Hyundai's we trying to keep up with them. Then you have the trucks and SUV's swerving into your lane. Probably the most dangerous piece of road I have ever been on. That's why I am doing it again next week, but next week on the bike.

Some of the curves.

More curves.

Anyway, 318 curves in all, one way, so 636 curves, cause you gotta go back.
Deals Gap.

View from one of the lookout spots, with the dam in the background.

Yes, Stacy, it was straight down.

You didn't think I did all that math in my head did you?