Vacation 2011 with Dad

My dad (that is Grandpa to a lot of you) and I had been talking about going to the Grand Canyon for years now. The original plan was to ride mules to the bottom, but that plan really never worked out. My dad called me earlier in the year to ask "When are we going?" I decided at that moment this was the year to go, so I made all of the arrangements.

I started by driving down to Southern California, and spending the weekend with my friends from school. We had a fantastic time. We did not normal Pizza gathering. This is nice, because the group is small enough that we can all talk to each other. I enjoy the regulars such as Gumby, Eric Schubel and Cobos and others, yet each time there are people who have never come before. In this case, Steve Brady was one of the people I grew up with, play little league baseball, swam and played water polo. I had not seen him since high school. We also had a couple of others that had not attended before including some from the class of 1975 (Debora Coffey) and even someone from Royal Oak!

Beside the pizza gathering I managed to visit the Renaissance Faire and even a birthday party for someone I did not know. There Gary Dahle's wife, Judy was performing. How cool was that? Did you know that Cobos could juggle? Now you do!

Monday, I drove up to Las Vegas and Checked into the Golden Nugget. It is the longest running four diamond casino resort in Las Vegas. It is in the older downtown section, but what a beautiful place and what a great value. I love the pool with a slide that goes through a shark tank!

I picked my dad up from the airport and we enjoyed a nice dinner and went to bed. The next morning, we were off on a helicopter trip to the Grand Canyon. My dad knew about this, but what he did not know was that we would be picked up in a stretch limo. First Class all the way!

The Helicopter tour of the Grand Canyon is pricey, but worth it. These memories are ones that we will cherish forever. I had never been on a helicopter before and my dad was only on one in the military. He said this was a much nicer ride. We flew over Hoover Dam, and saw where the Colorado River emptied into Lake Mead. The water from the river is very muddy and the lake is blue. Where the two come together is beautiful.

The tour covers the West Rim and while I have been to the Grand Canyon before, it has always been at the South Rim. I was not expecting too much. I knew that the Grand Canyon was a national park and therefore protected. What I did not realize was that parts were owned by Native American tribes and that the tour company had business arrangements that allowed us to fly over, into and land in the Grand Canyon.

It was amazing. We landed and they served us a Champagne Brunch. I was not expecting more than a snack and my dad had no idea at all. The brunch was served in individual picnic baskets. I wish I had taken a picture. Imagine two Bears and they give them picnic baskets! LOL

I knew we would land, but I figured it would not really be in the Canyon. It would be on some private property close by, but no, we were inside looking up at the canyon walls and the river was not far below us.

Before too long, it was time to return, we took a different, but equally stunning route back to the airport that included flying over the length of the Las Vegas strip. On way back in the limo, we say Batman!

Back at the resort, we went swimming and yes, my 72 year old dad went down the three story slide though the shark tank. What a fun place!

My dad treated me to dinner "The Steak House" in Circus Circus. Who knew that something that elegant and delicious would be hidden in Circus Circus? Well, my dad did. Best steak dinner ever!

We finished off the evening with the Penn & Teller show. Next to the Beatles Love show at the Mirage, this is my absolute favorite show in Las Vegas.

The next morning, we drove from Las Vegas, across the new bridge over Hoover Dam, around the West Rim of the Grand Canyon to Flagstaff Arizona. We stayed a nice enough hotel, it was a 2.5 star property. After we checked in, we checked out the meteor crater. That evening we went to Black Bart's for dinner. That was my surprise to my dad for dinner, that night. What is so special about this place is that besides having great food, the waiters and waitresses get up and sing and dance like in the old western movies!

The next morning after breakfast, we made our way up to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon for a different experience, a different view of a different part of the Grand Canyon. The South Rim is deeper and wider than the West Rim. It is the part of the canyon that is most often visited. It was beautiful and we enjoyed a picnic in the shade of the canyon.

While at the South Rim, we enjoyed a number of different vistas, and had a couple of close up encounters with Mule Deer. They did not seem to be afraid of us at all. This perhaps because they have rangers armed with guns protecting them. These animals are truly beautiful and the South Rim is Magnificent.

We finished the day by driving back to California and spending the night of Cinco de Mayo at the Americas Best Value Inn of Blythe California. I was very pleased at our accommodations and found their website for booking reservations to be very easy to use and helpful. I chose Blythe because we did not want to drive too far on any one day.

Friday morning we are up bright and early. After breakfast we head off to Indio, California. Date capital the USA and stopped at Shields to enjoy some dates, pick up a Mothers Day present for my mom and get some dates to bring to the friends we were about to visit.

The Millers live in Palm Springs. My dad had not seen them in close to 35 years, yet when we lived in Southern California we saw them all the time, were in each other houses. We were in Boy Scouts together, along with the Browers who made the drive to Palm Springs. All of these people are like family to us and it is a shame that we allowed so many years to pass without seeing each other. We did however try to make up for lost time. The Miller's are such great hosts. That soup was delicious. We enjoyed our afternoon with them and the Browers talking about old times.

From there, we managed to cross the LA basin without too much traffic to have dinner with my brother David in Sherman Oaks. It was good to see Dave. Dave works in the film industry. Since he lives so far, we don't get to see him as often as we would like. We need to take a picture next time we visit him. After dinner, we drove through the Grape Vine and spent the night in Buttonwillow.

The next morning, we got up bright and early. Had a McDonalds breakfast in the car while we drove home. It was the only time we stopped at McDonalds. We got home, by noon the day before Mothers Day.

I enjoy spending time with my dad and this trip will provide fond memories for many years.

2011 New Years Resolutions

First let's start off with how I did with last years resolutions:

Resolutions for 2010:

Play in the COHS alumni waterpolo game. Failed. We did not know when it was. Need to set up communication with the coach.

Seeing more COHS friends. Yes, and it was wonderful!

Keep another 5-10 pounds off. Nope, I think I am the same.

Get more active: Hiking or swimming. Nope.

Get more active: Helping other people. About the same.

Improve our financial situation (reduce debt). Significant improvements, but still have a ways to go.

Canning: Trade with more people that can; add to what I make: salsa, speghetti sauce, soup. Add to methods of canning such as freezing and using wax. Did salsa, relish and Chinese pickles and two types of pickled peppers in addition the the normal canning of pears and jams. Did not do spaghetti sauce, soup or anything like that. Also did not freeze or can using wax.


Be More Green - this is way to general so I want to accomplish some of the following: Did a few more things, such as hook up a 205 gallon water cistern to collect rain water.

Plant a tree - No

Plant more vegetables: tomatoes, onions and garlic, ginger, herbs - Did tomatoes, onions, garlic, but ginger. Herbs did not work out well.

Increase the number of LED lights in use. Yes, several.

Better composting. Yes

Let fruit we grow not go to waste. About the same.

Resolutions for 2011

Get an AARP card and use it.

Read a book that is not related to work.

Play in the COHS alumni waterpolo game.

Seeing more COHS friends.

Get more active: Hiking or swimming.

Improve our financial situation (reduce debt)

Canning: Trade with more people that can; make: speghetti sauce, soup. Add to methods of canning such as freezing and using wax


Be More Green:

Plant more ginger, herbs and lettuce.

Increase the number of LED lights in use.

Better composting

Let fruit we grow not go to waste.

Bucket List

December 28, 2010 I turn 50 years old. Inspired by the movie with Jack Nicholson, I have decided to write my "Bucket List".

Eat lunch with Laura (Tamura) Harris and Kim (Charles) Byrnes.

Travel - Take the trans-Siberian railway. Visit Australia and Africa. In Africa visit Egypt and Kenya and go on Safari (shoot animals with camera).

Take a train to Chicago and back.

Go to the Grand Canyon with my dad.

Get my picture taken crossing Abby Lane.

Take a cruise to Alaska

Swim with dolphins

Travel the Amazon

Live off of the electrical grid.

Have my own well in the back yard.

Have an electric car.

Have a waterless urinal installed at my house.

Have a composting toilet in the Back Yard.

Pay off my house and owe no money.

Be an extra in a film.

Harvest a bison.

Grow Bananas at home.

Write a book, that is not a manual.

Perform with a band (not just singing)

Perform Standup in a Comedy Club

Buy nothing for one week and eat from the food that is stored at home.

Buy nothing for one month and eat from the food that is stored at home.

Make a significant difference in the life of a total stranger.

But I'm Not 50 Yet!

After attending a a biker wedding, I got back just in time to get cleaned up and go to the Roundtable in Ontario, California. I was in Las Vegas the prior week and instead of flying home, I decided to visit my high school friends in Southern California.

The idea is that I post that I am going to be at some pizza place and about 15 people show up and we eat pizza and have a good time going down memory lane. Each time there is some sort of surprise. This time would be no exception.

Debbie Watanabe is someone I never knew. Debbie is David Watanabe's little sister. I never knew he had a sister. Turns out that my little brother David and her were very good friends. In fact they found each other via me on Facebook. So, Debbie says that she is going to come to have pizza with us and that she is going to bring Donald Hoffman!

The Hoffman family lived 4 doors down on the corner. Each of the kids names started with the letter "D". There was Deann, Dell, Duane, Donald and Danielle. Donald, now Don and I did everything. We played, fought, laughed, cried, built forts, flew kites, rode bikes and got into trouble whenever possible.

Donald did now know that I knew that we was going to be joining us. I had also looked at his picture on Facebook, so when he popped in, smiled at me and extended his hand for a handshake, I looked in his eyes and said ""Donald Hoffman". He could not believe that I recognized him. I could see "Donald Hoffman" in his eyes, but I confessed that I had been tipped off.

One of the coolest things I remember about Donald, Duane and Dell is that one day, their dad bought Navy surplus bunk beds, that were bolted to the wall. They were three high. When you are a boy, there is nothing cooler!

Back to Debbie, she is as wonderful as she is beautiful. It is hard to imagine her brother David sitting on her so she would not change the channel on the TV. In fact, if we had known how pretty she was, David would have been treated like a king in high school.

Deann Call Lent arrived with her two youngest sons, her husband Tom and her mom! Her mom was so cool, I really enjoy meeting the parents after all these years. It is always special when Deann can attend. She lives so far away and has such a large family, it is amazing that she can fit us in. We are all grateful to the reunions that she does so much work on. Deann has been married three times, but I must say that the in her case, the third time was the charm. Tom is great, and really should be an honorary Lancer. Tom does not get just the customary handshake, Tom gets a great big bear hug.

My brother Dave, who had not responded to my message asking if he would be able to attend showed up about 30 minutes later. That was a great surprise and he and Debbie and Don had a lot to chat about.

Two of my closest friends are Cobos and Judy Zeiter. They were both there. In fact, I can't remember a pizza event they have not attended. Cobos brought Logan, her grandson. I have known him since he was a bulge in his mommy's tummy. He is such a good kid and always manages to steal all the attention.

This evening, Cobos and Judy were up to no good! To my surprise, they came ready to celebrate my birthday. What a surprise that was. Gifts, Cake, Cards and all. I keep thinking about Monty Python and the Holy Grail. The old man kept exclaiming "...but I'm not dead yet!". John Cleese would respond, "You aren't fooling anyone!". I wasn't 50 yet, but apparently I wasn't fooling anyone, especially my friends...

Biker Wedding

David Miller was in the same boy scout troop that I was in. Troop 477, the "Eagle Machine". All of our families were close. Dave was several years younger than I was. Our family moved away the day after I graduated high school. At that time, Dave was shorter than I and was a clean cut kid just like his parents.

When we had the Boy Scout reunion, the Miller's were on the road and were unable to attend. It was a case of next time you are down here, let us know. So I did, only to find out that David was getting married on that day. I had dinner plans and had started some lunch plans, so I thought perhaps we could get together for breakfast, but honestly, the day of a wedding is so hectic.

I just let the lunch thing die, but I didn't tell anyone. I decided it would be a surprise. I could not get anyone to go to the wedding with me, but a good friend (Cyndi Riggle) loaned me her car. The wedding was scheduled to start at 1pm, but they were going to wait for David's nephew who had to take the SAT test that morning, so I decided to show up just before 1pm.

As much as I did surprise them, attending a biker wedding was an even bigger surprise to me. You see, David had become a biker. He was now taller than I, with long hair and a long beard. He had taken the nick name of "Bear", which I thought was an excellent choice!

I was old not to wear a suit, so I wore a dark blue polo shirt and blue jeans. The wedding party was dressed in black shirts with their biker club emblems and patches. They wore jeans, chaps, leather vests and knives in some cases. There were a lot of tattoos and some piercings. Despite the picture you might paint in your mind, everyone was happy, polite and respectful.

I was there for the wedding ceremony, photos, dinner and the cutting of the cake. Like all weddings it started late.

I really enjoyed seeing my friends from childhood. David and his parents Eleanor and Charlie. When it was time to go, there were hugs and kisses just like any other wedding, but the most important part .... David is truly in love and is a very happy man.

I wish him and his bride a long and happy life.

Bill & Elaine Van Horn

Some of my earliest memories are of Bill and Elaine. When I first knew them, they were not married. Bill was my dad's childhood friend. He had known him since 3rd grade. Both Bill and Elaine lived in the apartment complex that my folks managed. Elaine shared an apartment with Ellie, who often baby sat me. I had a habit of throwing their cigarettes in the trash can.

Bill and Elaine would eventually get married and were always very special friends of our family. They bought a house in Daly City and later in San Francisco. They raised two children Noel and Tish. My mom and Elaine would become very close. I know they miss each other.

Bill is a cartoon artist and Elaine is a retired nurse. Noel is also a cartoon artist. They did work on Duck Tales and Mickey Mouse. Today they write and draw comic books of Donald Duck under the Disney label for a company based in Denmark.

Sometime in the 1980's, they moved to North Vancouver in British Columbia Canada. I recently was in BC while attending the annual Best Western conference. I took the time to visit Bill and Elaine. They really look the same except for a bit of gray hair, but who am I to talk? It was really wonderful and they could not have been nicer. I got to hear some great stories. It would be great if they and my folks could hook up, but Bill does not fly. The border between the USA and Canada has become a real pain, but still you never know.

I am really glad that I got to visit them. It had been over 25 years since I last saw them. I hope I don't wait that long next time.

Green Festival November 2011 - San Francisco

I don't know how man Green Festivals I have attended, but I have been going to them for quite some years and I always enjoy them. This year was no exception. This year I took my wife, my mom and Cindy Riggle President of Sunshine Hospitality. This was my mom and Cyndi's first time attending the Green Festival. The Green Festival is family friendly.

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(Family Friendly most of the time)

Starting 2010, the Green Festival takes place twice a year in San Francisco. Once in Spring and once in Fall. Each time the Festival is the same yet different. I keep telling myself that I want to attend some of the educational seminars and each time, I don't. I just don't have enough time and I get so tired. There are so many booths and that is often times where the real education takes place.

The Festival offers a number of ways to get passes. You can pay for them, you can get a membership with Green America, you can donate canned foood. This time you could also recycle a cell phone or get passes from your local Nissan dealer.

The Nissan Leaf was on display. We are currently in the market for a new car and the Nissan Leaf is one of the cars we are considering. We are also looking Ford Fusion Hybrid and the Chevy Volt. The problem with the Leaf and the Volt is that even the dealerships don't yet have them on display. They had one on display at the Green Festival. We got to see it, touch it, smell it and sit in it. I am impressed. Apparently the Federal Government is offering $7.500.00 tax rebates and California is offering a $5,000.00 tax rebate. That makes a total of $12,500.00 which is a lot of money.

One Company makes paper products, including business cards out of Elephant Poop. This is by far one of my favorite booths. It is hard not to smile when you look at it. Recycling Elephant Poop is a wonderful idea, but as Cynidi Riggle points out, shipping it all the way from Africa to the USA is not green. Think local! They should be using these products in Africa and we should be recycling horse and donkey manure. Still, I have a soft spot in my heart for these folks. The idea of giving someone my business card and knowing that I am handing them a pile of Elephant Poop is enough to make anyone smile.

Cyndi was looking over products and services that she could add to her company's line of environmentally friendly products and services. She came across one in particular. A Water Bottle designed for those of use who travel on airplanes. The water bottle has a filter fitted to the top of the bottle and filters water faster than any filter I have ever seen. When you go through security, you are not allowed to bring liquids, including water; The TSA confiscates them, but once you are through security, there are plenty of shops willing to sell you a small bottle of water for $4.00 or higher. With these filter included bottles, you can go through security with an empty water bottle, then fill it up at the water fountain or the sink in the bath room and enough clean filtered water with the taste of that nasty chlorine. This will be a great addition to the Sunshine Hospitality product line.

There was an interesting Hands Free Faucet. As Cyndi pointed out, the problem is you are trading water savings for electricity. That is often a difficult decision. Which is the lesser of two evils. Wasting water or wasting electricity? Is there another option? Sill, with water becoming scarcer and scarcer, we must consider all options.

One thing about Green Festival, is that it is more than just business setup with booths selling there wares. It is a true festival, and the arts and music portion is not to be ignored. One of my favorites was this hand made Alphorn, native to Switzerland.

Most importantly, the festival helps us to stay focused, get back to basics and use our imaginations. I look forward to the next one.