Travel Plans, Birthday, Babies, and a Wedding Annoucement

Seems like we just got here and now we are making plans to get back to KC. We have reservations for April 15 to fly back.

We also have tentative plans to go to Seattle by car the weekend of April 5 to see Heather, Leslie and Evan. Evan's first birthday is on the 16th, but we need to be back in KC by then - so an early visit.

New Baby on the Way:

Sophie (John's Significant Other) is on bed rest waiting for the arrival of their first baby. They visited the doctor last Monday and the doctor would like to have a couple of more weeks of development on the baby before the birth - so hang in there Sophie!

Wedding Plans:

Jennifer and Ryan have announced their wedding plans. Here is the message they sent - make sure to checkout the website:

"Hi All,
We've finally decided on a wedding date and would love to have you all join us if you can make it.

The date: July 13th, 2008
The place: Elings Park, Santa Barbara, CA

We'll also eventually be sending out invitations, so when you have a minute please email one of us your mailing address.

We'll post information about hotels, directions, fun things to do in Santa Barbara, etc., here:
Wedding Channel

Hope everyone is doing well,
Jenn & Ryan"

Update - long past due (Sorry)

We have started to get settled in. Internet and TV was installed Monday, but had some problems with the Internet that seem to be resolved at this point so now I have no excuse for not getting more information published.

Last weekend Robert and Diane took us to Portland to celebrate Easter. We left Saturday and spent time at Ikea looking for chairs for one of our condos (successfully) and a table for our dining area in Bend (unsuccessfully).

We spent the night at a motel that Diane worked on remodeling. Apparently it was a blight on the neighborhood and a local church bought the facility and refurbed it. They used low-cost materials and fixtures to do the work, but it looks excellent! They have a great coffee shop, with Internet, and a small church above the coffee shop that appears to be geared toward the people in the immediate neighborhood.

Easter Sunday we went to the local Episcopal church for services. They had a great brass quintet playing and an excellent choir. All of the ordained ministers in the church where women - a pleasant surprise to us as refurbed Catholics.

In the afternoon we went to an excellent brunch at a hotel that Robert & Diane visit on special occasions. The food was extensive and excellent with all the coffee, champagne and juice included! A great idea from Robert!

Prior to the feast we had our picture taken. The young folks where using a Polaroid, and the scan of the photo leaves a little to be desired but here it is:

Update

Well - no Internet access so sitting in the downtown coffee shop putting this together. Helen is out spending money - needs some items for the kitchen.

Below is a sequence of picture of unloading the motorcycle - a bit hair raising but accomplished successfully!

Arrived Safely!

Sorry for the delay in information - we actually arrived late Thursday night in Bend. Of course we have no Internet connection and our neighbors have the audacity of having security turned on for their WAP. We spent Friday unloading the truck. Jim's brace for the motorcycle worked beautifully, and after a few moments of fear I managed to ride the thing off of the truck into the garage.

I'm sitting in the cafe at the 7th mountain to do this quick post - more later.

Wednesday - Travel Day 2

Well - spent the night last night with Jerry and Annette in Goodland. Always great to see them - and the room rate for the night was perfect. Only place in Kansas that you can sleep under the stars no matter what the weather is!

I had worried that the truck might be overweight, but we weighed in at 14,500 lbs -weight limit on the truck is 16,000 lbs.

Today we made it to Evanston Wyoming. Statistics for the trip so far:

• Miles traveled - 950


• Diesel Fuel Purchased - $415.00


• Miles per Gallon - about 10


• Number of stops - many, old people go to the bathroom often


• Herds of Antelope - 5 numbering at least 100, 1 group of 50, 1 group of 25 (several resting by the side of the road)


• Deer - 25 in one group - 1 all by him/her self.


• Snow - lots on the ground, but none in that air and so far all roads clear


• Wind - all across Wyoming


• Fabric YoYo's constructed 18


• Pounds lost due to jiggling in the truck - at least 5! Each!


• 3 way stations


• 1 port of entry


• One dead end parking lot with snowbank to back into - successfully extraction was a team effort!

Tomorrow's The Day

Truck is packed (hopefully it's not overweight) and toilets are clean - time to head on out.

T-2 And Counting (Again)

Saturday I picked up the truck and John helped me get the big stuff loaded, after which I was ready for a nap. So nothing further was accomplished until today (Sunday). Jim and Toni came over so that Jim could help me get the Murdercycle in the truck - he constructed s brace system to hold the bike upright - thanks a lot James!

We took the truck up to Ranchmart Shopping Center and used their loading dock to get the bike on the truck - Helen's idea, I hate it when she gets ahead of me.

Here are a few pictures from Sunday - sorry John, didn't get any Saturday.

Getting Closer

Helen's brother and his wife (James and Antionette) where here today helping us get some of the heavy stuff out of the basement. James as usual impressed us both with his practical approach at getting things done. As part of the festivities we moved a couch over to Uncle Bob's - I'm sure the girls (the two cats that Bob inherited fomr us) will be happy to have it as they spent many an hour sitting on it.

Also visited the Post Office (twice) trying to make sure we understand how Premium Forwarding Service(PFS) works. The next great adventure will be picking up the 26 ft truck on Saturday.

Until then...

The Preperation Begins

Well (there's that word again!), we are preparing to hit the road again. Spent the day taking furniture apart in the computer room and getting it wrapped. Just as in any task - preparation is the key!

Also, as I prepare this post, the last (?) of the quilt meetings is occuring in the den. Hopefully we will get this place sold and get moved permanently!