GUNNAR AND LINDSAY VISIT AND GIVE US A HUGE (TINY) SURPRISE

 Too much time had past between visits with "Sir Gunnar" and his beautiful wife Miss Lindsey. Today, thanks to the US Navy transferring him to Jacksonville, we were able to catch up.

They brought their dogs to check out our hacienda at the edge of the Everglades. Everyone took a walk. We went in different directions so the dogs stayed calm. Along the way the conversation brought time closer to our daily lives.

Later The Seldens gave us a card wishing us a happy Christmas Season. Inside the card was a picture. It was a black and white and looked like a space capsule, but then it became clear. An Addition to the Clan is on the way. 

Gunnar and Lindsey earlier in the year

THANKSGIVING ENGAGEMENT

NEWS RELEASE! 

Cassidy and Will are now engaged.          

That is good news. It is also a great way of telling everyone the news. The picture says it all. We are so happy for these two "kids." They look great together and we hope they will have many many years of happiness ahead of them.

SECOND SURGERY FOR POPPY

After enjoying a nice ten day tour of the National Parks out west Poppy had a huge surprise when going for a check up on his shoulder. The X-rays showed he broke it again. Actually the doctor said the prosthetic in the shoulder failed and broke through the bone. The doctor said "I guess we go to plan B."

Plan B was surgery in November. At that time the old prosthetic was hammered out and a full reverse replacement was completed.  

For the next eight weeks the arm is to remain in a sling. Depressing. Poppy tells everyone "I am in the 8th month of a 6 week recovery."

The pictures are from the trip out West. Notice how Poppy is doing a fabulous job hiding that left arm which he sneaks out of the sling every now and then.

GRADUATION AT CHARLESTON

The base at Charleston is so huge that several branches of the military call it home. Being located in the same City the different service branches frequently take on various tasks as unit. Leadership School, conducted by the United States Air Force, is an example of a joint endeavor. On Nov. 18, 2022, Zachary graduated from this program and is all smiles as evidenced below.

Zachary receiving his certificate (L).  Zachary and Taylor (R).

KATELYN'S MARCHING BAND WINS STATE TROPHY

Katelyn is all smiles after H.S. Marching Band wins State Tournament

Well Congratulations to New Providence High School. Their Marching Band won the State tournament and is the best marching Band "Two Years in a Row."

We now have one happy teenager - Miss Katelyn. She has participated on the Band all four years of High School.

GOOD JOB KATELYN

OUR TRIP TO THE WESTERN NATIONAL PARKS

 We like to travel and just see the great things  on our planet. Lois wanted to see "Old Faithful and our National Parks so with the help of AAA we booked a tour by motor coach (Bus) to take us to as many as possible.

Getting ready was more exciting then usual. It was so exciting that we left (Hurricane Ian ) three days early. That was a good move as Naples was devastated, but our small community did okay. Well to start the trip on a lucky note we flew to Las Vegas to meet our Tour Group.

We didn't lose our shirts here in Sin City

We stayed at Bally's Hotel & Casino. Our tour group went together for dinner and a ride on the monster Ferris Wheel. Following that it was "Get a good nights rest and be on the Coach (Bus) 7:30 AM."  

That is not our Coach

    This is the Ferris Wheel with fabulous views

 We had good weather, and this was a good spot to view the mountains and stream              

In this colorful park Dennis gets to show off his moustache and beard as well as new sweat shirt. Lois has a nice Blue coat.

After our first day we got up for breakfast and learned that we will be getting up early everyday. And we did get up every day to hit the road. We went through Zion and Bryce National Parks and then  had a "City Experience" in Salt Lake City.

Organ in Merman's Tabernacle Church, Salt Lake City, Utah

Following this visit we rode our stallion to Jackson Hole, Wy. This was a cool location and definitely a money town. It was also a real "Cowboy Community" that featured The Million Dollar Cowboy Bar. On the trail leaving Jackson Hole we saw a nice little Church on the plains with moutains in the background. The picture tells all.

Little Church on the Prairie

      

One of the better Views we enjoyed

        

Even though we had a Coach (bus) driver who knew all the curves in the highway (trails), it was an exhausting day. When we stopped we saw "Old Faithful" shoot her hot steam into the air. After that is was food and sleep.       

OLD FAITHFUL

Lodge where we stayed

Small Geyser

It was now time to climb higher and view some fantastic scenes featuring Green Trees against White mist with barely visible Mountains in the background. A beautiful Waterfall  is a sharp contrast to the  Mountains. Further down the trail is Dennis & Lois dressing a little warmer . We even got to see a Buffalo grazing at the side of the road. I was glad the Coach (bus) didn't hit it.

Fantastic view of Mountains and Water Fall

On the trail with our nice new coats

Buffalo - Picture Opportunity

You might think the Buffalo lead they way to "Buffalo Bill's Center of the West." This was a nice stop and had tons of old artifact from the 1800's including guns, animals and Indian lore. 

Old Stage Coach

BEAR - Glad it is stuffed

Buffalo Bill

As our trip continued we visited The Battlefield where Gen. Custer made his famous Last Stand, and also saw a work in progress - The Crazy Horse Memorial carving  and my favorite - Mt Rushmore. Below are some pictures from those attractions.

Graves mark the spot where the 7th Calvary died

Memorial Sculpture to Indian lost lives

Indian pottery and Head Dress

Still wearing our warm coats now zipped up

Closer view of Mountain

Crazy Horse Mountain is a popular spot to see but it is not easy to get there. We were really happy that we did not have to drive these roads. It was good to be on the Motor Coach (no damn bus for sure).

Crazy Horse looking down on Us

Hole in Crazy Horse's Mountain

Seeing Mt Rushmore was a life goal for me. It was a tough road to get there and they had a very nice Visitors setting. You could view Mt Rushmore from an observation window without going outside. There was only one problem. Fog. Mt. Rushmore was not visible, but I found a way, with a little waiting, to get my close up. How I got the shot is my secret. I'll never tell.

Our trip ended with dinner. We were treated to a presentation regarding Indian History and Culture. The man pictured below is working on an MBA, and is a tribe financial manager. He also brought family who performed native dances and chatted with us weary travelers. 

Tomorrow we head home to check out the damage from Hurricane Ian, and to see if we still have a car (parked at airport which was closed several days.) Our friend said he would work some magic spell to assure our safety and good luck on our trip back home. 

LEIF JOINS US MARINES

 

NEWS: Cheryl told us recently that Leif has started basic training at Paris Island with the United States Marine Corp.

This will be a rough road, but this will also be a dream come true. Leif looks forward to the challenges he will face.

GOOD LUCK LEIF