GOODBYE 2011

The years continue to roll by, and this past year seems to have come and gone in a blur. 2011 was a year that we stayed closer to home, not traveling as many miles in our motor home, but were still able to experience many new things.

The biggest change for us was a summer of work at the Grand Canyon National Park. We hadn't taken seasonal jobs for 2 years, so there were mixed feelings as we parked the motor home at the south rim in mid May. My job as one of approx. 50 transit bus drivers for the free shuttle bus system at the park, turned out to be challenging but one that I'm looking forward to going back to this coming summer. Patty's job in the General store also turned out to have some challenges, as she had to learn a complicated point of sale computer program, and became a grocery checker for part of her work hours. The length of time for our jobs was just about right at approx. 3 1/2 months. All of our national parks are uniquely beautiful, and we've visited many of them. We both agreed that the Grand Canyon is something very special, and living there for the entire summer was an experience that we hope to repeat again in the future.

We planned and coordinated an RV rally in Carson City, NV. for our Golden Spike RV Chapter that we became a part of in 2010. The late September event came on the heels of our working summer at the Grand Canyon, and most everything went as planned. We all had a good time, with the central theme of the rally being a ride on the newly restored Virginia & Truckee tourist railroad.

We ended the year with a Cruise, where we were able to take 2 or our 3 boys and their families on a week long journey to the Western Caribbean. This family cruise has been in the works for a few years, and I think it's safe to say that we all had a great time. I'm sure there will be another family adventure, and we'll make sure that all the boys can make the adjustments in their work schedules for a future trip.

Tomorrow will start a brand new year, and our expectations for 2012 are as high as ever. Patty has become quite the world traveler in the last couple of years, having taken trips to China with her brother & to Greece with her son. Her brother Michael is taking her on a two week trip to Paris this coming May, as she continues to log many thousands of air miles. I love to travel, but not in cramped airplanes. Give me an open road, put me behind the wheel of the motor home, or behind the handlebars of the Harley, and I'm a happy camper.

Tonight, we have a few friends coming over for dinner, and a New Years Eve party. Since our drinking days are long gone, I suspect that this party will not end at midnight with the singing of Old Ange Zyne, but conversely, the end will be much earlier with a simple good night, and a happy new year.