vacation starts - right on schedule

After more than a week in the making, considering preparation, fights, mixed messages as well as actual packing, our vacation got underway yesterday a.m., as best I can recall at 9 by simply driving our way out the street in our new (rented) Chrysler Sebring, which I did bring from the airport the nite before.

Took $400 outa the bank, then drove northeast, west and then north on the 605, 210 and 5 (no, not area codes, actual freeways) to Redding, where at about 7 p.m., we found a real-life 49 dollar motel that was, well, good. Not great. Effortless, but tiring, first day.

Second day, more enjoyable driving thru the Shasta area, Yreka and into Ashland, spent time at Lithia Park, relaxed, drove over and saw Lenny not there, then to Joe's, went over to Lloyd's, saw Jim, traded some 45s...just like in the kiddie days, except I made $150 on two of them, got some good singles for the rest 17 vs. 17.

Hang out at Joe's tonight, do more Ashland tomorrow, then push on.

69 gigs

After speaking with Bill Soon several times, he stopped by yesterday and installed 60 gig E drive in my computer and plenty o'vino into himself. Pretty fun, accomplished a lot. Now the Volvo is running shitty, so I'm between a good running computer and...oh well, life goes on.

Closer to our trip to the great north.

later...

happy 4th of July!

Good news and not so good news. On the 4th, we heard from Heather, keeping in mind that in DK, the date is just another day. That's the good news.

Bad news is that Torben is taking the impending move to the US very badly, he loves DK. We're pretty sure he'll adjust...at least we hope so.

Good news. We were invited to 2 July 4 parties, Judy & Paul's & at the last minute, Ron & Mary, where we stopped by for about an hour before trundling on to Judy's. One other guest there, girl named Cindy who works estate sales & then Glen Banks showed up just as we left. Maybe he took that personally - good! Paul noticed we were late to his event, but that's the way it goes. Love dem ribs. Bonnie Spamer kidded with me about a world of things - lojack, hers, auctions, ours, I critiqued her auctions for her, drank some Sam Adams & had a good time. Chris Flicker's finding out what it is to be a father - up all nite.

Bad news. When Dave Weathers visited, I got another tax bill from the county - and when I finally looked at it, the July 1 deadline had passed, so we'll lose our property or something like that. I verified I had paid it, then called...and waited...KTWV commls on the phone line...nasty attitudes.

Good news. Only to be told I was right, but wrong, as I'd surely mailed the tax payment with the wrong coupon. It's the one you sent me you idiots! Not a fun A.M.

Bad news. This P.M., computer down to a crawl, then to a whole lotta nothin'ness, so I called Bill, Rick and Mike - all for advice. Bill will stop by with new hard drive tomorrow.

Good news. It works okay now. Tomorrow's another day.