John Lennon once said: “Life is what happens while you are busy making other plans.” That is pitch perfect. I didn’t post an annual recap last January, so this one here will be a two-fer in the life and times of Ron & Terry. It was indeed an interesting journey...
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Punta Arenas, Chile – I launched the year 2018 by joining my good friends, Kevin & Denise, on a three-week trip to Patagonia. Pictured here is the elegant Shackleton Bar, where we toasted both the start and the end of our adventure at the edge of the world.
Straits of Magellan, Chile – Full-size replica of La Victoria, the first ship to circumnavigate the globe.
Fitz Roy Range, Argentina – Words fall short to describe the trekking in Patagonia. With me here are Kevin and our North Irish hiking/drinking mates for much of the trip, Pete & Nikki.
Moreno Glacier, Argentina
Mammoth Mountain, Spring Break 2018
Climbing in the Buttermilks, Eastern Sierra
Feral Child – Our granddaughter, Hayden: a six-year-old virtuoso of theater and art. Gotta get this girl a talent agent.
LiKe MiNdS tHiNk AliKe – Terry and Randi met at a café for lunch one afternoon to discover that each was wearing something printed with artwork by Gustav Klimt. What are the odds?
Venice, Italy – The magic of drifting through the canals late at night when all is quiet and still. We spent three incredible weeks in Italy in 2018.
Florence, Italy
Michelangelo’s iconic David
The Dolomites – We spent a week in the Italian Alps, climbing four of those days. Nirvana.
The Dolomites – The airy traverse on Ferrata Tomaselli. Exhilarating.
My Heroine – This is my sister-in-law, Beth. I was at her house in San Francisco on Labor Day of 2018, having coffee with her at the kitchen table, when things started to get a little weird. I thought I was losing my voice due to a cold coming on and didn’t think much about it. Lucky for me, Beth is an ER doctor, and to her, the subtle changes in my speech was a red flag. Next thing I knew, she was rushing me to the hospital, where they confirmed that I was having a stroke. Terry had to fly up and drive me home, ending my solo road trip. Talk about a sobering reality check.
Parking Lot Czar – Terry “volunteered” me to sort out her school’s traffic problems during student drop-off in the mornings. Since my doctors all but had me under house arrest after the stroke, I took the gig. The kids are awesome; the parents are gracious (they give Starbucks gift cards and other goodies at Christmas); the PTA awarded me School Volunteer of the Year. And if you’re wondering about my attire in the photo—it’s Halloween and I went as Indiana Jones. “PULL. FORWARD.”
Thanksmas 2018 – My side of the family frequently has a holiday bash between Thanksgiving and Christmas. My niece, Charlene, hosted this one. L-R in front of me is brother TJ, cousin Kathe, and sister Therese. Kathe came down all the way from the panhandle of Idaho to catch this hootenanny. That’s how much she loves us.
Calf Creek Canyon, Grand Staircase-Escalante Nat’l Monument – We spent Spring Break 2019 in southern Utah, embracing rain, sleet, and glorious sunshine. After seven months on the bench, it was good to be back on the road in the camper van, hiking, mountain-biking, exploring slot canyons…
Spooky Gulch Slot, Grand Staircase-Escalante – A tight fit, but it goes.
Peek-a-Boo Slot, Grand Staircase-Escalante – Toby the Pudelhund: peak-bagger and canyoneer extraordinaire.
Mission Inn, Riverside – Brunch with my beautiful daughters, Heather and Allison.
Auto Club Speedway, Fontana – Pinch me, I must be dreaming. Terry gave me a gift certificate that put me behind the wheel of a Ferrari 488 that I could drive on the track as fast as I dared! Do I have an awesome wife or what? And yes, I wore a helmet.
Dynamic Duo – Kevin & Randi on their Salsa Powderkeg mountain tandem. I can’t keep up with them.
Mammoth Lakes – On the trail with our grandkids Hayden & Logan. We spent a wonderful week in Mammoth with family, keeping it real: hiking; fishing; camping; 4th/July parade; fireworks… Good times.
Lunch at Mammoth Mountain – CJ, Hayden, Heather, and Logan—a hungry crew.
A Keeper! – Doug had the magic touch at Mammoth Lakes.
Holcomb Valley, San Bernardino Mtns – Toby is gung-ho for mountain-biking. He has no trouble keeping up.
Noah Walter Druz – On September 30th, 2019, Doug and Brianna became happy parents! Woohoo! Another grandchild for Grandma and Grandpa to take on adventures.
Doug, Brianna, and little Noah
It’s a Boy! – But wait, there’s more... Allie & Brandon are expecting a baby. Suddenly it’s raining grandchildren!!
T H E H O L I D A Y S 2 0 1 9
Hot-tubbing in Big Bear Lake – The weekend before Thanksgiving, we rented a big house on the lake and invited all the kids up. L-R here is Brianna, Doug, Terry, Heather, and Hayden.
The Big Bear Gang
Thanksgiving in Portland – The incomparable Mulcahy sisters: Beth, Kathy, Terry, and Maureen.
Master Chef – Terry’s brother, Dan, worked his magic in the kitchen on Thanksgiving Day.
Lost in the Oregon woods with my wise little friend.
Christmas in Moreno Valley
Allie & Brandon will soon be parents! ETA: April, 2020
Christmas Day in Yorba Linda
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Wishing all a very happy 2020!
