As recently as a few months ago, my attitude towards “RV’ers” was one of disregard.. those lumbering highway behemoths clogging the roadways on their way to some crowded “campground”. Especially in light of our (very) past history of week-long backpack trips throughout the entire Big Sur range and most of the Sierras, plodding about in … [Read more…]
With the Covid-19 pandemic upon us, the specter of a possibility any one of us could be dead in literally two weeks, gives rise of thoughts of legal preparation in case of that horrible prospect. Dorothee and I have had wills for years, but the recent experience of a nearby neighbor and cherished friend sounded … [Read more…]
These are times where a bit of extra effort is required to find the “silver lining” in the Covid-19 situation. Nevertheless, in spite of all the horrible things occurring in our nation, saddled with the worst President ever, we have been able to find many rays of light here on Hidden Hills Drive. Being sequestered … [Read more…]
I’ve always been a sucker for a perceived bargain. Time and time again, I’ve chased after a promising “deal” (car or motorcycle), and just as surely have suffered the rude reminder of the old adage “you get what you paid for”. Yet, in spite of years of “lessons learned”, I seem to persist in pursuing … [Read more…]
Reaching 75 years old seemed like some impossibly far off prediction just weeks ago, but, here I am, 75 (May 3, 2020) and still breathing. This whole coronavirus ‘thang’ has certainly put a damper on traditional birthday celebrations (you know, dinner and drinks out at a fancy Austin restaurant, etc). Nevertheless, My 75th was just … [Read more…]
Earlier this year, we decided it was time to add a second pooch to our family canine collection. After much study, it was decided that a Labrador would be a great choice. Research found a nice mom-and-pop kennel located between Austin and San Antonio, just a 45 minute drive away. It turned out to be … [Read more…]
Each year Dorothee and I ponder over a locale that can provide a respite from Austin’s brutal August Summer. This year, on the basis of recommendation from our friends the Mericas, we chose Guadalajara, and it turned out to be the perfect choice. For the curious, Guadalajara, at a population of 1.5 million and growing, … [Read more…]
With Fall comes anticipation of another semi-annual bike trip with my good biker buddy, Nathan Gibson. This year, our route was devised back in June, and would be a variation of a prior trip we had taken through the Big Bend Park area. On this iteration, we chose a 3 BR Air BnB house right … [Read more…]
Come July of each year, Dorothee and I start scheming on ways to escape Austin’s unbearable summer heat. For this year, 2019, we chose as our first-phase escape, to take a driving road trip to the East Coast. This would be our second trip in our Porsche Cayman, which once again proved itself as a … [Read more…]
My biking buddy Nathan Gibson and I have typically taken at least 2 multi-day bike trips annually for the past 5 years. Our most notable trip was in 2015, a 3 week/3,000 mile adventure trip to the Sturgis bike rally in South Dakota. This spring, Nathan suggested we ride to Branson, Missouri. Given the old … [Read more…]