Catching Up With An Old Friend

Some time in the late 1980's I was doing temp work as a receptionist in family planning at a San Diego cemetery. One day a dozen roses were sent to me. Had to do a little detective work to find out they came from a young man from a Hillcrest mortuary. Later that week we went out, stayed up all night talking, and started a 5 year friendship.

In 1992 I left San Diego for my dietetic internship in Salt Lake City and our paths never passed again.

Until this past December when he looked me up on Facebook. Six months later we finally reconnected in person, and I could introduce him to my husband (and vice versa).

Gregg, me & Ray

Yay for renewed friendships!

Hello Kona

Hail Hail The Gangs All Here.
Ray, my inlaws (Ray's dad Del & his wife Mary across from him) and their friends (Deb, next to Del & Chris, next to Mary).



The traditional Kona Inn Mai Tais & Sashimi upon arrival to the Big Island.

Last Night in Kauai

Ray gave me a exquisite Ni'ihau shell necklace. So delicate and colorful.













On to Kona tomorrow!

Waimea Canyon

Beautiful drive southwest and then inland up to 4000 ft at the top. Amazing foliage - you'd never know you were still in Hawaii. Breezy and misty at the top.

More pictures on the flickr start HERE.

Kauai Safari Adventure

Kayaking, Hiking and Zipline, OH MY!



What a way to combine different activities into the day. Started with a drive to the harbor and lessons in paddling a kayak. Person in front paddles, person in back steers. Guess who was the boss. Apparently my paddling turns the boat to the right, but I say it was his oversteering. We still survived the 2 mile journey upriver (past the Menehune Fish Pond and the Indiana Jones rope swing from yesterday). Then we started the hike to another pond & rope swing (great video HERE and HERE).

Onward up to the valley for a ride to the "test your fear of heights" foot bridge and then the first zipline.

After lunch and the second zipline (side-by-side) we hiked back to the river for the ride back to the harbor and the end of a long adventure. Time to relax & enjoy the sunset.



Pictures and videos on the flickr, start HERE.

ATV Adventure

Some pictures from our muddy trip.



Jumping into the water on the rope swing used by Indiana Jones in Raiders of the Lost Ark when he escaped the natives to the plane in the river.

More pictures on flickr.

Wish You Were Here

The view from the lanai.

Welcome Home Dinner

Ray surprised me on Thursday night.
Awesome view from the Top of the World at the Stratosphere.



A lovely meal, a great evening, wonderful company, nice welcome home.



and Happy Hannukka.

Fighter Pilot for a Day

Since coming to Las Vegas I have attend many JDRF Galas. It's an annual fund raiser that features silent auction items (we got our Double Diamond slot machine the first year). In 2008 while Ray was in Afghanistan I bid/won a ride for him at Air Combat USA.



This weekend he finally got up to North Las Vegas airport to take his ride. I went with as the designated driver (in case he got sick). Due to his opponent being a no-show, I was offered the other seat at half-price. Can't pass up that opportunity!



Our instructors were seated next to us, watching all the dials and ready to take the yoke should someone start to spin (Ray) or get sick (me, twice). Five dogfights, final score 3-2 (me).



Flying back over North Las Vegas

Enjoyed the Fall with a Hike at Mt Charleston

Our friend Jill, Ray & Me at the start of the hike.

More pictures are on Ray's Flickr and mine.

Arrived in US Soil

Sitting in the airport at BWI (Baltimore) right now!

US Airways ticket home doesn't leave until 2p with a plane change in Philly. The person at the ticket counter said there was nothing earlier except standby - and I didn't want to get stuck sitting around another airport waiting for another flight since there is NOTHING that is non-stop from here on their planes.

I really try to be polite and smile when at the ticket counter, but this gal must have been having a bad morning. She had nothing to offer me, said if I wanted an upgrade to First Class I would have to use the Gov't charge card (same used to purchase the ticket) and then said there was only FC available on the 40 min hop to Philly (not the 5 hr flight from Philly to Las Vegas). It's all just a moot point since it is illegal to use the Gov't charge card for such a purchase (and I don't understand this policy since military folks have always been able to upgrade using their personal cards, or cash). Maybe she won't be at the counter when I check in for my flight and I can try again. Or at the gate in Philly.

The USO here in BWI just started their renovation last night. They moved it upstairs into a conference center. No free wifi available in that area. I'm sitting out on the concourse in a hallway so I can charge my laptop, I don't mind paying the daily Boingo fee but I wish the connection was a little stronger than 2-3 bars and would stop dropping me.

The 4-Point Sheraton offered us free showers. After getting all sweaty yesterday loading bags (in exchange for first dibs on seats allowing me to have three together on the window and actually lay down for a nap during the 14 hr flight) I feel tons better. Thank you Sheraton!

Getting ready to wake up family on the West coast. At least my cell phone is fully charged. It was so great talking to my hubby. Going to wake mom & dad then head to the ticket counter and spend the rest of the waiting time at the gate.

Pictures from Al Udeid and reports of my Deidcation will be placed in here later today (in between watching Dexter Season 1 and playing Hoyle's Poker Tournament) once the laptop is fully charged and I can maintain my connection. Just finished watching Lost on the flight home (thank you Celina for the last 8 episodes). What a great season! Amazing cliffhanger. Can't wait to hear the producer podcasts.

Wow, lots of military walking around these hallways. In blues! Not used to seeing the USAF blue uniform - I think it was only recently the commands re-instated travel wearing blues.

Speaking of blues, check out this snappy guy:


Senior NCO Induction Ceremony after the 3-day leadership seminar. I'm so proud of my husband!

Edit: Here are some Al Udeid Pictures (as promised).

The infamous coffee shop - wifi and power in the mornings - just watch out for the sunrise glare through the windows. The barristas are very friendly.



The Mall, the DFAC

and the "Bra"