Going Away

Last night my family had a going away party for me. It was my choice where we all went out to eat, so I chose the Manchester Tavern...this little neighborhood dive bar in my town that I like. They have good food and a relaxed atmosphere. So we reserved the back room with the pool table and had a bunch of family in. It was a blast!

Allie's (my sister) birthday was on Thursday, so we also had a cake for her and sang. Well about half an hour after we sang we were all just hanging out and this lady comes walking back into the back room with two drinks and asks, "so where is the birthday girl?" It seemed like she had had a couple, but we all just looked at her and kinda pointed at Allie. (As it turns out, they had the same birthday.) So she hands Allie one of the drinks and says something like, "so, Happy Birhday!" and Starts drinking. Allie just kinda looks around. The family is no help. We are all just staring with bewildered/amused grins on our faces. Then she takes a small sip. The lady is like "No girl, Drink It!" So Allie tops back and down the hatch. Then the lady asks..."So, how old are you?" Allie replies: "20...........1?" The room erupts with laughter.

It was a fun party and that part made my night! Happy 20th Birthday sis!

...And I've Never Been to Boston in the Fall

Well, I'm about to be off on a new adventure, so I figured it might be time to resurrect the old blog. (on the off chance that anyone actually cares to read my random ramblings...) If you don't "get" the reference you have been truly deprived and need to immediately click on the the YouTube link to be educated. :-) We are now T-minus 7 days until the the big men with the big truck show up to get my things and move me to Hanscom AFB just outside of Boston.

I know no one there and am starting a new civilian job with the Air Force. Hey, They may be grossly inferior to the Army, but that have nicer things. ;-) The more poking about I do though the more excited I am getting. There is so much cool stuff there! First fun break...Allie (my sister) is coming out for her fall break and we are going to hit up Halloween festivities in Salem. Spooky... Anyway, Stay tuned for random ramblings.

pats run pics

I'm working on it mom, i promise!

Happy Mothers Day!

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY MOM!

I finally got all of these uploaded and sorted. I love ya!!

At the house just before leaving...My fully laden bike...boy was that a pain going up hills! Talk about a fall risk too whenever we stopped!
At San Onofre State BeachAt the top of Torrey Pines hill. Oh my gosh this thing was huge!!!! Just north of La Jolla

Waiting for the tram in San Diego

At the Dolphin Show at Sea World

Go Shamu!

Me and the big guy

Smooching Manatees

Self portrait at Sea World

Enjoying a beer at the Anheiser Busch Hospitality Center

Sunset over San Diego Harbor

On the train to Napa

Yes, it looks crazy, but it is actually really good!

Enjoying dinner in the dining car

Our tour guide at Mumm Winery in Napa

On the patio at Mumm

In the tasting room. Awesome champaigne!

Painted on the bathroom wall...

On the ride back from Mumm to our hotel

Stopped to smell the roses...they were awesome!

In front of our hotel in Napa

On the road from Napa to Sonoma

The first of Theresa's three flat tires in three days

All fixed!!!

eating lunch at the park in Sonoma

Clowning around at the mission in Sonoma

My hero!

I wish our barracks were this nice now...

Our angel Karen who rescued us on the road from Sonoma to Petaluma

Riding through Marin County...

About to ride across the Golden Gate Bridge...very cool!

Pat's Run in San Jose. We ran on the team for the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America and had a great time! Theresa is third from the left in the front and I'm just above her. At Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park

This picture does not do justice to the INSANITY of these hills! we were walking our bikes up and we couldn't stop because even with the brakes fully engaged the incline was so steep that the bikes would slide down the hill!

Our last night in Salinas

Our train on the way back

At Union Station in Los Angeles on the way home

Whew...All done!

Trip totals: 350 miles total, average 45 miles per day on riding days, top speed 32 mph.