Because of an incoming storm projected for CT, we left earlier than planned, and barely had time to put away all of the Christmas decorations. In Alabama, we caught a 3 hour period of intermittent torrential rains - though we were in a car wash ! However, we arrived safely in Texas, and missed the flooding rains and tornadoes they had on Christmas weekend.
First on the agenda was to retrieve our Jeep which had been parked at DFW airport since we left in September ( gotta love Texas....free parking if you have Disabled Veteran license plates). Next stop, In-n-Out Burger:
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| In-N-Out Burgers, yummmm |
Went out for New Year's Eve with friends Carol and Stan ( the Catfish man....and hunting guide).
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| Happy New Year with Stan & Carol |
First guests of 2016......Dick and Mike, members of Campfire Club, flew down for some duck hunting.
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| TZ, Dick & Mike |
They had some wild adventures with TZ on the inaugural hunting boat trip.....Let's just say between the water in the boat and the engine giving out, it was quite a challenge for these duck hunters.
After Mike and Dick left, we enjoyed a visit from two more duck hunters, John and Jason. John is also a member of Campfire Club.
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| Jason & John |
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Jason is a trained chef !!
How lucky am I ?? |
Jason insisted on making dinner for all of us.....He slaved over a hot stove for hours, and made us a delicious "North Carolina Style" dinner -- it was so delicious, that not only did we have seconds, but we had it the next day too !
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Slow Simmered Duck, turnip greens, rutabaga,
rice and biscuits !! |
Back in the Northeast, there was a huge storm that dumped up to 2 feet of snow - Here's a photo titled: "Wishful Thinking"...
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| Sent to us from Tyler |
Our friends Gail & Steve got a new dog, Max, and it looks like TZ has a new BFF:
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| TZ and his new BFF, Max |
Got tickets to see the UCONN Girls Basketball Team play the SMU Mustangs.....it was a blowout, as usual. Purses were not allowed into the arena, so Stan offered to take mine to his car, and some other UCONN fans also took him up on the offer.
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| Looking good, Stan ! |
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| Coach Geno looks like a dwarf next to his players !! |
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| The Mustang's Mascot |
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| 'Nuff said.... |
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| Carol & Stan |
Went on a road trip at last.....spending the month of February in Arizona. Here's a familiar photo:
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| RV Trip....I drive, TZ naps |
We stayed one night on the way to Arizona at Sandhills State Park, where discs are rented for sliding down the sand dunes.....fun !
TZ had a rough day in the co-pilot's seat:
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| Had lunch, now nappy time..... |
Got to Oracle, Arizona, and rented a spot for the motorhome for the month of February. Will be visiting with my high school friends, Doreen & Bill, but also visiting others in Arizona. Hope it warms up....cold here too.
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| Bill, turn on the HEAT !! |
On the way to see friends, we past Sheriff Joe's Chain Gang doing clean-up on the side of the road....
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| Sheriff Joe's Chain Gang |
Stayed with friends Millie & Chuck in Scottsdale, always have a good time catching up. Plus, Millie's a great cook :-)
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| Millie & Chuck |
After leaving Scottsdale, we met up with my cousin Bonnie's son and daughter in Tempe. Caley lives in Tempe, and Karl in Dallas, but coincidently, he was in Arizona to see his sister and the Phoenix Open Golf Tournament.....we were so fortunate to be able to see both of them.....it's been too long!
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| Caley & Karl |
Saw Uncle Pete & Barbie in Patagonia for a few days, and went to Tombstone.
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| Uncle Pete & Barbie, and Ajax |
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| TZ's favorite seat |
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| Tombstone, AZ |
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| Sign on storefront in Tombstone |
Took a side trip to Las Vegas with Doreen & Bill, where we saw Ron, who lives in LV.
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Ron & TZ, met in Viet Nam,
almost 50 years ago |
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| Ron & Joe Louis |
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| At the Atrium in the Bellagio |
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| Doreen & Bill |
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Trouble on the way back
from Las Vegas |
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| One of many gorgeous Arizona sunsets |
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| Came back with bad colds...... :-( |
Back at Doreen & Bills, Bob, another Bedford Park Alumni came to visit.
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| Bob & Bill |
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| BPA, Class of '72 |
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| We brought crawfish from Texas for the gang |
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Out to Carraba's for our last night together,
until next time. |
Headed back for the 4 day drive to Quitman.
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| Another day, another nap....... |
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Look who's driving the RV !!! During a
Border Patrol stop, when I went to the potty,
TZ had to move the RV,
and we couldn't switch,
so he drove about 5 miles..... |
Made it back to Texas, and about a week later, we flew to Florida for a wedding in Fort Lauderdale. Janice & Chung's son Peter, got married at a beautiful beach wedding at the Ft Lauderdale Hilton. Of course, Tony was "over-served".....
Before the wedding, we met up with Loretta & Greg in Stuart.
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Dan, Margie, us, Greg & Loretta.
Dan & Tony met in Viet Nam,
and Loretta is Tony's sister. |
Drove to Tyler to see the Azalea Trail.... beautiful azalea bushes that draw thousands of people each spring.
Leo came down to see us for a week. Took him fishing and to the range. TZ also bought a basketball hoop for him......thanks to our neighbor, Robert, is was assembled. There were so many parts, i it weren't for Robert, we probably would have returned it !!
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| Leo's version of chocolate chip cookies !! |
Leo likes the new Basketball hoop we bought him.....Click arrow:
Ariel & Joe also flew down for a visit. Took them to Fort Worth Stockyards, fishing and the range.
Saw a Longhorn Cattle Drive at the Ft Worth Stockyards, went to Cooper's for some brisket, and Billy Bob's where we saw Bull Riding, and Tanya Tucker in Concert.
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| Yes, it's real !! |
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| Bull Riding at Billy Bob's Ft. Worth |
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| Cattle Drive in Ft. Worth Stockyards |
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Took them to see $12,000 pair
of handmade boots at Leddy's |
Before we knew it, it was time to drive back to CT. Until the next visit to Texas, ciao !
