Fall in Ohio

I Have been so lucky to have experienced at least 3 Falls this year, Colorado's came and went pretty fast, but I also got to see Minnesota and now here are pictures from my trip last week to Ohio.  I flew into Columbus and drove east for and hour to Zanesville.  These are pictures along the way.

The window of the church was incredible

The whole church

A very cool headstone in the cemetary next to the church

The long and winding road...

Loved the barns!

A cool surprise in the high school parking lot that I just happened to pull into to turn around, who knew?

I love the reflection in the water, very cool!

Another surprise, these were just sitting in a field - wish I knew the story.  Check out the deer to the left of the chopper.

I would love to do some shots on tracks like this, I love trains and this was a fun photo stop.

The Veterans Memorial in Zanesville

The City Building in Zanesville

Something that reaaly struck me in this small city was all the different churches.  I drove around looking at them and can't believe that I don't have one stinkin' picture.  Next time!  Another thing I discovered was the Bob Evan's restaurant.  I have seen them in my travels but never stopped at one.  s starving and decided to stop for breakfast, I had french toast with blueberries, it was INCREDIBLE!  I'll be stopping in there again for sure.

Another shot

Since we all liked that last picture, here's another one.  I think Bruce was shocked!

A Rare Thing

I just like this picture, wish life was just this simple....

We're expecting!

Well, if all works out...Dira should be expecting puppies around November 9!  So exciting and something good to look forward too.  No Hoss is not the dad, he's still maturing and has all the moves but just doesn't quite get the connections made, maybe next time around.  Dad is a beautiful male named Vito.

Should be gorgeous puppies, I'm already trying to prepare myself so I won't want to keep all of them, but it will be tough!

Vito

Leave it to Beaver

When I first thought about flying float planes, I found this plane and its owner on the web.  Until last week, we had talked and emailed, I was surprised to run into John and the Beaver at the end of my flying day.  This is a gorgeous plane with a long history.  It is a 1957 DeHavilland Beaver, they don't make them any more so you are very lucky if you get to own one.  They sound even better than they look.  When John finished flying for the day it was just getting dusk, he asked me if I wanted to go up for a quick flight, you don't have to ask me twice, I was in the right seat so fast his head was spinning.  After we took off, he handed the plane over to me and I flew for a bit, what a great experience and the perfect end to an already incredible day.

Getting ready to put her in the water.

Taxiing out to the channel

Beautiful in the sun streaks

In flight against the setting sun

On final approach

We have a successful touchdown

A very proud and excited papa!  Watching John watch his plane and seeing the sheer joy he had at hearing the engine, seeing it come in for a landing or any minute part of his plane's existance was contageous.  He was giddy with excitement and it made us all giggle and remember why we like flying and being around flying so much.

My turn at the controls, check out the grin...

Bringing her in for the night

John said that flying the Beaver was almost better than sex...he is almost right.  Me and the guys, the smiles say it all.

Flying the Northland

Another picture perfect day flying float planes off Lake Superior in Duluth, MN.  I wish I was closer so I could do it more often.  I flew twice on Wednesday and the morning was the best ever.  Some shots from the cockpit.

This is before the first take off of the day on a seriously calm lake.  This is what is referred to as glassy water.  Very difficult to land on it simply because it is hard to gauge where the water actually is in relation to the plane without waves.  It is deceptive because it is so calm and so clear.

Me and my instructor, Tom Sullivan.  I lucked on to flying with him, he's kind of a rock star in the world of flying and float flying.  He's been a great instructor and I like him a lot as a friend.

First pass over the landing spot on the lake making sure I know where the sand bars, boats, islands and rocks are.  Glassy water and check out the changing fall colors, simply beautiful!

I practiced cross wind landings around this point taking off and landing on one float.  It was a lot of fun and I got pretty good at it.  Check out the house in the background.

Here's the close up.  Pretty nice place, this might need to go on my vision board.  What an awesome place to get away too.  With the economy in the toilet these homes are pretty inexpensive, so who knows, I guess you can never say never...

On to the next lake and landing spot, as you can see the lakes are just one right after the next.  So beautiful and this is one of my favorite shots from the day.  Yes I am flying and have one hand on the stick!

This guy or gal has the right idea! Check out the plane at the end of the dock.

The shadow is me flying in the Cub, very serene.

The bald eagle sitting in this tree didn't seem to bothered by us making several passes for pictures.  We saw a handful of bald eagles and for me it was pretty exciting.  From what Tom said, they are the only bird that holds their ground and does not get out of the way of the plane so you have to be watching, guess someone told them they are protected!

Another shadow shot of the Cub as we prepare to head back to Lake Superior.  What an awesome flight!  I could have stayed up much longer, but the rest of the learning has to get done in the time I have.

Heading back across the farms to finish up before lunch.  I feel so grateful for the opportunities I have to travel and experience so many great places.  Both times I have been in Duluth it has been spectacular as far as the weather.  After lunch we headed back to the plane to finish getting me ready for my check ride which is scheduled for 7:00 am the next morning.  After a great morning, I SUCK in the afternoon.  The only thing that went right was my emergency landings.  I was getting tired I guess, it takes a lot of strength, especially in the right arm to continually take off and land the Cub.  By the end of the day I have probably done 35 or so take offs and landings.  On the last one, I just could not physically hold the stick back, so Tom took over and we just did some fun flying.  He showed me some maneuvers he does as practice and I must say that practice makes perfect. 

Next post I'll put up some pictures from the late day fun flight in the Beaver.  But to wrap this post up, in the middle of the night the rain started, the wind was howling and it was pretty evident that I would not be doing my check ride on this trip.  Part of me was grateful for that because I was so tired from all the flying the day before.  It also creates the necessity to go back to Duluth at least one more time to finish up and hang out with the guys up there, which I enjoyed immensely.

My new countertops!

After 17 years, we finaly upgraded our countertops from the laminate to granite.  I honestly don't know why we waited so long, it looks fabulous!  I am so happy with the way it turned out, we also changed the faucet in our sink, it was so old and worn out.  I even took pleasure in cleaning out all the bottom cupboards and throwing old stuff away, almost like a new kitchen and I am HAPPY!

Still missing you Booner Moon Doggie...

Booner

To My Buddy

The  years we had together were not nearly enough, I always thought you'd be with me forever.  You were loyal, protective, loving and obedient, forever the faithful guard and companion.  I miss you every day my friend.  I still look for you to go walking with me and to sit by me when the worry of the world is just to much to bear alone.  I miss your eyes, the way your tail rotated when you ran, the big spot on your tongue and the talking, you were such a big talker.  I only hope that you are running free through the fields and flowers some where beautiful and that every once in awhile you turn and look for me too.  I love you buddy and miss you more than you can ever know. 

Some Sister Time

Love this shot, me and Beanie in Rocky Mountain National Park.  We had a really fun day poking around in Estes Park.  We both took a lot of pictures, some good and some that will never see the light of day.  Here's a couple more...

Love this shot of my sweet sister, she's the best!

And another great shot of the Bean Blossom

The two of us at the end of what looks like a really long log!  I love the sky in the background.  It was an incredible day, the weather was perfect and it just added to the awesome company.  So much fun to just spend a day doing whatever catches your fancy.

We ate hamburgers for lunch at this joint on the main drag in Estes, not too bad.

We watched a glass blower make a very cool candy dish.  It was amazing how hot it would get when he'd pull that glass out of the furnace.  It was something like a 120 degrees in there where he was working.  Very cool to see a master working.  I am mezmerized by the colors and swirls of the glass.

No trip is complete without a little retail therapy...

Or a drive by of the famous Stanley Hotel where "The Shining" was filmed

And topping off the trip to Estes was the lady walking around with the chicken hat.  I tried to get a good picture but it's hard to sneak when you have a huge camera!  It was a super fun day, I loved every bit of it.

Later, Gator!

Lake Tahoe

My work travels are taking me to some pretty cool places.  I got to spend 4 days in beautiful Lake Tahoe.  This is a picture from a hike around Spooner Lake, love the reflection of the clouds in the lake.

This is Hannah, she's the daughter of my bank client from Pennsylvania, go figure that the PA bankers are holding their annual conference in NV, I'm not complaining!

A picture of me on my perch overlooking Lake Tahoe, boy did I want to fly that day.  I tried to get a plane, but it was hot so the flight school didn't want the planes going up.  I would have killed to land a float plane on the lake, someday!

I did get my feet in the water and it was COLD!  Beautiful scenery, and a great place to reconnect with the rhythm of the soul.

Moment of silence

I don't know how to post a quiet moment, so I will share a quick reflection.  As the days have led up to the 10th anniversary, I have watched and listened to a lot of stories from different aspects of lives that were affected that day.  I know where I was and the impact it made on me, but I am blown away at the all the things I never even thought about, the kids going to school near ground zero, the people consumed by fire balls as the elevators opened, all the people that made the decision to jump, the kids (babies) that will never see a parent, the people calling loved ones to tell them good bye and one lone tree that survived the towers coming down around it.  The tree was taken to a park in NJ and nursed back to health, during the recovery, it was also hit by a bolt of lightning, it is now growing at ground zero, one side scarred, and one side full and beautiful a memorial in itself to the resilience of the human spirit.

Hoss

One last attempt at getting both ears to stand up straight....tried and failed, love you floppy Hossie!