Creek Ride with my Dad

My Dad is no stranger to a bike. I'm pretty sure riding single track dirt trails was not any kind of cycling my Dad has done in the past. His most recent riding has been the crushed limestone of the Mopac Trail in Lincoln. You couldn't tell he was new to mountain biking by his riding skills. He did great. We rode the creek sections at Tranquility. While there was not much climbing or fast descents those trails can be twisty and tricky. At first he followed but I think it was better for him to lead the way and see more of the trail ahead. We met up with Greg and he joined us for part of the ride. Solid quote of the day from my Dad sending these photos, "Here's proof that you do run into good friends while bike riding on dirt trails." Agreed... My Dad seemed to be enjoying the stability of the 29+ Surly Krampus. So the timing of it's arrival this week could not have been better. We stopped a few times to talk and meet up with some of the other regulars out on the trail. My Dad was seeing parts of the papio creek that he has not seen in several decades. Back then his viewing was from a national guard helicopter while surveying flood damage on the papio creek. There have been many rides around Tranquility over the years. Some have been better than others. Today's was by far the best. Thanks for wanting to ride some trails Dad!

Postcards from France

Well, one of these is from Emma's friend in Alaska.

But Cali has been some amazing places in France in her short time there. Last weekend she was in Normandy at the site of the D-Day landing in WWII. Before that she was in Paris, Saint-malo, Dinan, and Fougeres.

Thanks for all the postcards Cali. I miss you.

Pete says you are missing from me Cali or "vous êtes absent de moi Cali".

Chicago - French Consulate Trip

Cali and I just got home from Chicago safe and sound. We were there two days and covered quite a bit of ground. The Photos in the link pretty much cover it.

Chicago - June 7, 2012

The French Consulate was not quite what I was expecting. The Visa office was pretty much like the DMV with the French people behind glass. Oh well, got r done.

Home Improvment Snowshoes

One thing I've learned about snowshoes is they are not really easy to get in and out of. The other thing is it's nice to go with someone else. Mike informed me that Menards had a sale on snowshoes that started Friday and ends today. I wouldn't normally think of getting sporting goods from a home improvement store. Turns out they were really great for the sale price. So I got some for Emma as an early gift. Now we can help each other get in and out of our snowshoes and enjoy winter together a little. Thanks for the heads up on the deal Mike!

Big Red Chili

Chili simmering all day. The house smells like football. It will be perfect by pre-game.

GO BIG RED(NOT BLACK)!

No Peek Game Day Roast

I add some Ginger Ale to mine but here is the recipe from Mommy's Kitchen...

This roast is going to be done at noon today!

GO BIG RED!

Busy Sunday

If you are going to ride your bike 50 miles, a morning like yesterday's was perfect for it. The temp was cool but we didn't really need jackets. The wind out of the West-Southwest was a challenge. But the tailwind heading back to Springfield was fantastic. We started the ride in Springfield and rode though, South Bend, and Murdock. At Elmwood, NE. we turned around. It was great to ride with friends to urge each other on. The last 30 miles of the ride were nice. I felt like my body and my bike were working great. However, the first 20 were making me wonder why I do this stuff. Heading into the wind into South Bend made me feel like this ride was going to take all day. Somehow after leaving Murdock everything felt just right. The ride ended up taking about 4 and a half hours.

I had a couple last minute donors and you guys are great! Thanks to my family and friends that supported this ride and for the help for those with diabetes.

In the afternoon we celebrated my youngest daughter Emma's High School Graduation with a family party. Nice day for a cookout, visiting with the family and seeing the kids playing in the backyard.

Small Disturbance

It's hard to believe something so small and insignifigant looking could create such a disturbance.
This is the failed starter relay from my truck. After looking online this morning, I see it's also know as the Starter Solenoid Switch. Last Sunday I took a trip to Lincoln to visit family. Since I was a little early I stopped at Wilderness Park since I always wanted to check it out. When I got back the truck would not start. After lunch my brother Steve and I checked everything we could including taking the starter out to get tested at Oreilly Auto Parts. It passed. Then we arranged a tow to Tuffy Auto South in Lincoln. By the next afternoon they had it running. I want to thank Tuffy's for getting my truck right in on Monday AM and taking good care of it. But even more I'm fortunate and grateful to have a family that cares.

Tonsil Free

So far Emma's Tonsillectomy has gone well. The morphine in the recovery room was a hit. She is not that cheerful now. Hopefully she'll be feeling much better after the recovery. Getting sick with a fever every few weeks was rough. The surgeon said her tonsils were large and it took some doing to get them out. While in recovery Emma whispered that she could breathe through her nose really good now. Now Emma has a little bell and a note pad to let us know when she needs something.

Happy 50th Birthday Steve!

My brother Steve hit 50 so his girlfriend Angie put together a little surprise shindig for him. We got together at Sun Valley Lanes in Lincoln. We let the birthday boy win of course. Thanks for having us all over for dinner after bowling Mom and Dad!

The 46th Annual Camp-a-ree

Our family from my Dad's side got together Sunday from as far away as Arkansas and South Dakota to celebrate Labor Day at the 46th Annual Camp-a-ree. Our family reunions involved camping for the first 35 or so years. This year we met at my parents house in Lincoln, Nebraska. There was a great lunch that my Mom spread out for us. Then we moved to a nearby park that had horseshoe pits. My brother Jim and cousin Jason went undefeated and were declared the champions for the day. Back in the garage we continued with other games like water balloon toss, bubble gum blowing contest and many others that we call the Dakota Relays. Great to see everyone and share a real nice Sunday.

My cousin Jill introduced a new game. The goal was be the fastest one to get the 8 golf balls out of the tissue box that is tied to your backside...

My nephew Zac was fastest.


My daughter Cali's awesome attempt.

More photos when you click here...

Camparee2010

Championship Game...

Cali Goes To College

The long awaited day arrived for Cali today when she strikes out on her own. We couldn't ask for a nicer day to get her moved in to Doane College. Thanks Mom and Dad for letting us stay with you last night and the great breakfast this morning. It really helped to have a short drive to Crete, NE from Lincoln. The facility shooed out all the parents at about 3PM today. Sounds like the freshmen will be super busy with orientation this weekend. We are proud of you Cali. You’ll do great!

Click for more photos...

Cali Goes To College

Get ready world...

My oldest daughter Cali finished the High School challenge. Her graduation ceremony was today. She did a fine job of it, graduating in the top 10% of her class at Omaha Central High School. She will be going to Doane College in the fall.

Friday Tranquility

I thought the trails would be too soft to ride after work yesterday. I was wrong. The trails dried up nice. Saw Dmars on the way to his Friday ride. I found him later on the third camel hump at Tranquility and we rode a lap together. Dmars was torturing himself with a highly geared single speed. I felt kind of guilty as I shifted thought my gears. The tom turkey was pissed off at us as we exited the Fort St Loop. He did not like us riding through his territory while he was chasing his hens and gobbled loudly at us. Much of the trails are mowed but still some needs to be. The blue sky and light winds were outstanding. Jodi, Cali, the dogs and I walked through the tree farm later that evening. We feel lucky to have this place close to our neighborhood.
dmars on the third hump

Robert, my brother-in-law, passed away this morning. He was kind. We are sad.

Central HS - Road Show 2010

These are some clips from the 96th Annual Road Show at Central High School. Also, Central H.S. is celebrating 150 years of excellence (1859-2009).







There are some photos here.

Buena Vista University Visit

Cali and I took a little Iowa road trip today. Our mission was to visit Buena Vista University in Storm Lake Iowa. Cali heard about a major they have called Arts Management. This major blends business and art eduation. We learned about that and got a feel for the campus. There have been several college visits we have taken in the past year. Cali was hoping this one would either be horrible or fantastic because the choosing is getting difficult. I think this one was closer to fantastic. Anyway, I thought the food was pretty great.

We had a nice road trip. The court house in the center square in Logan, IA is always an amazing building to me. Mo Valley had some wierd scare crows tied to lamp posts on main street so Cali took a few pictures of those.

First Day Back

Yeah! Summer is over. School finally started.
There they go.
Finally some peace and quiet!

July 4th Warning...

We all know fireworks can be dangerous on the 4th of July but there is a new danger this year. The youngster in our family, Emma, started driving today.

She passed her behind the wheel test about a week ago. She got her license Thursday and has been running around in circles wanting to go drive ever since. Yesterday we had to get the insurance taken care of too. This morning she drove herself to work. As one of two of her slightly over protective parents I had to go out and make sure she had her seat belt buckled and tell her not to TRY to catch air on the speed bumps. Anyway, you've been warned.

Have a Happy AND SAFE 4th of July.
-Paul (thinking about the money he could be saving with GEICO)

Happy Fathers Day