Update

It has been a long time since we changed any postings- maybe because not much exciting happens in Empty Nesters lives or maybe it is because the last thing I want to do when I get home from work is spend it at a computer. Anyway, a few photos to bring some things up to date. We went to Oregon for a family reunion with Kathy's family and then to Utah for a few days. Kathy went commercial and I flew the RV. Jeff rode with me from Utah to Oregon and back and then from Utah back to Virginia. Here is a photo of four generations with Grandpa Carl (95), Jeff, Reid, and me.

We got a new puppy- his name is Henry and he is alot of work....so far
This is the Salt Flats west of SLC from the airplane.
A photo of the Oregon Coast at Cannon Beach.
Utah Mountains.
Colorado
Starfish in the tidal pools
More Oregon Beach
Great Sand Dunes National Monument
Blue Mesa Lake in Colorado
Utah Mountains
Landing at Spanish Fork in Utah Valley
Oregon Cascades
Family at Jeff & Elise's
Reid
Landing at Prineville Oregon for fuel
Oregon Canyons
More Cascades
Jeff & Adam
Kathy and me
Colorado Rockies
Crop Circles

Flight to & from Utah

Here are some photos from the flight to Utah and back in the airplane. There were many highlights on the trip- getting to see Bryan and Leah and go to a day of training with Bryan, spending time with my Mom before she died and being with her as she left this world, Dad's birthday party, being with my brothers and sisters and their families as well as Kathy's family, and giving family members rides in the airplane. A special surprise was to be able to see Jeff, Elise, and Reid the day before I left to come home. Thanks to Bryan & Leah, Dad & Maxine, and John for letting me stay with them.

Short Trip to Atlanta

Kathy and I took a short trip to Atlanta to visit Jeff, Elise, and Reid. We flew the RV down on Friday morning and it only took 90 minutes compared to 6 hours of driving. Jeff picked us up at a small airport outside of Lawrenceville. The clouds were really pretty- this photo was taken at 11,500 ft. as we stayed above the tops on our route. We returned home on Saturday.




On Friday afternoon, we went to the Georgia Aquarium. It was really cool, especially the biggest aquarium in the world. Reid was facinated by the swimming fish and had big eyes the whole time.





It was way way hot there and Reid liked to cool off with some mist. Thanks to Jeff, Elise, and Elise's Mom for letting us stay the night.

Pud Follows Eppie to the Next Life

This evening after I got home from work, Pud was not doing so well. She has not been acting right since Eppie died, but she was really in bad shape tonight. I think whatever she has had finally ran its course. She couldn't walk well and was meowing as if in a lot of pain. Her breathing was erratic and she was showing a lot of swelling back by her tail. I did one of the hardest things I have had to do and put her out of her misery. We buried her next to Eppie. So, here is a little tribute to our ol' cat "Pud".

Saying Good-bye to our old friend Eppie

This morning, Eppie's old body finally failed her. She just layed down on the grass and couldn't even raise her head. Her breathing was very labored. Kathy & Britney called me at work and I came home and lifted her into the truck and took her to the vet. They gave her a sedative and I patted her head for about 10 minutes until it took effect. She still had that affectionate look in her brown eyes until she closed them. The Vet then injected her and her breathing stopped after just a couple of minutes. I brought her home and we buried her in the back yard.

It was pretty hard to see her go. She has been such big a part of our family for almost 15 years. From going on runs to her fetching obsession, she was the best pet ever. She brought lots of people joy and was known by park visitors as the Rockeater. We will miss her a lot.

Visit to the Airport

On Saturday, we made a visit to the airport. Britney and I took a ride among some big puffy clouds at about 7000 ft. and Ezra got to sit in the airplane and fool around with the controls and go for a ride in the tug and the tractor.