Oops:

OK, fine; wrong blog. sorry. This is me and Gen'l Custer, taken in 1867 on the Washita. sorry.

Ah the good old days. Remember this Frank?

Wed 27 April

Greetings from Elk Ridge:
Came up today, brought the horses and i cow, picked up from ranch down just past Patagonia yesterday, after I worked @ Sells. But, here we are!
It's cold; last night temp was 19 deg of all things and I guess we should be expecting that as well tonight, then it warms up. Poor horses might actually relish going back to Tucson.
Everything looks ok up here, except the fencing, always the fencing. Don't know if the elk really mess things up, or if the bull calves do, but the the two little ones are hilarious just in the short time we've watched them. Tomorrow the work starts, tonight a nice steak and maybe an attitude adjuster.
We plan on driving home Sunday.
Love to all, Dad/UR

Apology

Well, looks like I sent a note to the wrong blog! I do two of them,
one for family, and one for a few friends who share my interest in
the Indian Wars period who liive remote, and who are coming to AZ
next fall or spring for a mini-conference led by moi to see some
Apache sites!
Sorry for the inconvenience!
Love,, Dad/UR

Adobe Walls

OK. One more thing.
Driving down the Juornado del Muerto, down the Rio Grande valley from
ABQ, in the pre dawn hours. One of the plainsmen there using a Sharps
was a Shepherd, such as my cousins family. They've been here for
generations, and it's entirely possible he has that DNA. But that's
not what's occupying my mind.
That onslaught by that stone-age culture trying to hold on, led by a
half breed, a product of a previous murder and abduction, and then
child rape, occurred only 137 winters ago. 72 seasons before I was
born. I would say 90% of the area is totally unchanged in that remote
place. Neither, I suspect, has basic human nature. I think I need to
get home, get the black tie dinner party and Easter with the grand
kids behind me, saddle up, and go for a long lonesome ride!

Kansas plains

Up date from Kansas plains/Indian wars walk-about Drive about..
Found Adobe Walls very pretty and even haunting.
Got to my and my cousins farms north of Emporia and shot 6 evil Tom turkeys.
South from Wichita the flat yet gentle rolling farmlands are green
and beautiful . Remember; One Kansas farmer feeds 128 of you inner
city Easy to imagine thousands of buffalo.
Somewhat disappointed in Medicine Lodge. I don't think the locals
appreciate the history there.
I will see what's left @ Camp Supply in the OK Terr.

Honeymoon Blog Day 6

 
Day 5/6-
Wahoooo!
 

Jeff here.  Wahoo is a local fish in GCM; not only is it local, but it is also delicious.  The night started with Erica's announcement that we should dine somewhere casual and "beachy."  Of course that sounded perfect to me.  The selected spot seemed to fit the bill:  beach, tables, menus.  However, they were  much more interested in serving shots than dinner.  A conversation with a server steered us to a cab ride to the end of the island and a spot called Morgans. 

 

The hurricane six years ago really devastated many of the "real" locals but they take it in stride.  Our cab driver explained to us that she lost everything except for the things that mattered, her photo album and china. Luckily, a government grant of $15k permitted her to rebuild her house, along with purchasing household appliances.

 

Morgan's had a great table right on the harbor and friendly staff.  "Blackened Wahoo with risotto" was the servers suggestion.  "We'll take two."  Wahoo is a slender fish that resembles a barracuda, and as previously stated, is delicious.  Erica exclaimed "the best meal I've ever had" several times in the last 24 hours.

 

Sunday (today) was brunch.  By far the best bargain we've found on the island.  $50 for everything from crab to eggs, roast beef to caviar, kangaroo to alligator; and all the champagne you can drink.   One drawback:  the local drinking age is somewhere around 18.  So, "kids" that can loosely be referred to as locals, most likely college students at some nearby easy entry college, treated the champagne like it was spring break in Mazatlan.  Nevertheless, we had a wonderful time and a great meal that ended with paddle ball on the beach at sunset.

A call today confirmed the fishing charter we had signed up with had found two other clients to share in the charter cost.  So, we leave at the crack of 8am for some reef fishing.  Can't wait!

 
 

The Semi-Walk-about.

First: Love the info coming out of Grand Cayman!!! Thank You Jeff for playing along, joining in! Sounds like you guys are having a great time. I'm hoping it may whet the appetites for some P.V. time next spring!
my little journey: well, it's beautiful, good to have some down time, and the site was just amazing.
Up at 4:30 in Holbrook, saw the false and true dawn coming from AZ into New Mexico. The colors on the rocks/mesas were beautiful.
Along The Staked Plain in the Panhandle of Texas, imagination runs wild. Stopped in Amarillo for a museum and welcome center, stopped in Borger TX another museum, of course found some guy there traveling from Kansas and we have friends in common. Of course.
Got a map, finally made it to the Adobe Walls site. It's in a beautiful river valley that comes out of no-where. Very desolate and lonely, wind swept, came across a herd of mulies. Perfect.
I'm tired; turning in @ Liberal KS. What a town, nothing good here for sure. Ah, the stories.
Tomorrow up early, see my cousins, murder turkeys, maybe.
Be careful in the ocean; I know you guys down there must be really having a great time, shoring up some lifelong wonderful and fun memories. Thank you Both for letting us all be a part of it. And I mean All of Us, from California to Georgia to Alaska! Wheee!
Love to all, DAD/UR

RE: Honeymoon Blog Day 3-4

Day Five:  Rum Punch, Two Punch, Three Punch, Four:
 
Ok, just kidding, but that's about what it took for me to brave Sting Ray City and snorkeling at the reef right after.  BTW, it was amazing...pictures to follow.
 
Last night we went to Royal Palm where we dined on more wonderful local fare and stared at the sea.  Not long after dinner, a Carribean band came out and we danced for a few hours.  Then, my Capital One card got declined.  I was less than pleased, especially after paying a sizebale protion of the wedding bill and securing off-coast purchases last Monday.  After a few more dances in our lobby while the pianist played I called Captial One and gave our friend, Tony (lead manager), a what-for.  By the time it was over, Captial One gave me a $100 credit towards purchases...whew, that will help.
 
At any rate, this a.m. we took it easy and caught up on some local tv before hitting our boat excursion.  Local TV is New York City and they have had a pretty high murder rate this week.  We were a few minutes late, but luckily the "bus" came back for us.  We then catamaraned (sic) to a beautiful crystal-clear sand bar where we FED and HELD huge stingrays in waste deep water.  My hand was literally sucked up in one and it took some effort to break loose.  They were all over, including our in between our legs, around our wastes and shoulders.  It was the most amazing thing I've ever experienced.  After that, we rode a short distance to a small reef and jumped overboard to snorkel.
 
Jeff had already jumped in right off the side of the boat as the other tourists were waiting to walk down the stairs.  After his coaxing, I was building the moxy to jump off the side when a 10-year old boy was right behind me.  I (politely) asked the boy to go first...he was hesitant (scared) and said "ladies first!"  I couldn't believe it.  So, I held on to my top and plunged overboard, mask and flippers and all.  What an amazing experience.  The reef was beautiful and we took about two underwater cameras full of pictures.  Can't wait to show you all.  We didn't see any sharks (except for the one in the corner of my eye/imagination).   By the time I became nervous, it was time to board to head back, so that was great timing.  Jeff was an excellent trouper and made me feel very comfortable in the water.
 
After we were back at the hotel, we hit the pool and met a nice couple from Detroit.  Now, we get ready for dinner and a nice Saturday night out.  Everyday is better than the last.  It is the most amazing trip.  Might snorkel some more tomorrow if I can brave it.
 
Love and miss you all!
 
Love,
Erica

 

 

Honeymoon Blog Day 3-4

Day 3-

The Pharmacy:

Jeff here.  With ailments stacking up, our morning started with a trip to the local pharmacy in hopes of relief via modern medicine.  It was mostly a success although my ears remained plugged going into day 4 now.


We still revel in the story of finding my ring in the ocean so be prepared to hear more about it upon our return.  I think the mask/snorkel/fins contribution in finding the ring has allowed Erica to open her heart to underwater sea life and snorkeling.  Today, we rented a two man kayak and paddled out to a local reef teaming with angel, trigger, parrot, blue tang, and scorpion fish, as well as a sting ray with a few hanger-on friends.  She seems to have caught the bug so maybe a scuba certification is on her horizon.


Our trip to the local market paid off for today's in-room happy hour (GCM is great but it is very expensive).  Champagne looking over the ocean; it makes you wonder why you toil away at a daily job.  We then hopped a cab with a cranky driver (very rare for GCM) to a nearby harbor for our sunset catamaran sail to Rum Point.  Wind is a premium here so they hoist the sail as a symbolic gesture and run on outboards the entire time.  The sea was terrific as was the view.  Erica, for the 3rd time, said this was her favorite night yet.  The restaurant on Rum Point was set right on the sea and had an amazing view and even more amazing food.  I have traveled quite a bit and nowhere have I had better food than GCM.  The entire country seems to consist of ex-pats from all over the world.  Our bartender formally worked in Dubai and served Tiger and "The Roger Federer."  We spent the trip back on the front nets of the catamaran relaxing and recapping the meal and the day we just had.


Day 4-
The Bus:
Walking the streets since we've been here, I've noticed constant short car honks.  I thought maybe everyone knows each other, or, maybe they are honking at Erica.  It turns out the bus drivers honk at anyone walking in the direction they are driving in a "polite" attempt to ask if they would like a ride.   The term "bus" should be revised to 7 person Volkswagen van but it is actually a great way to get around the island.  We took it into the capital, Georgetown, for some shopping and sightseeing.  I, of course, detoured us to Fidel Murphy's, the only Irish pub on the island (more pub than Irish).


Erica made a third foray into the sea and this time entirely on her own.  Tomorrow we sail to sting ray city and another reef trip so she will finally see why so many people love sea life.  Time to get ready for dinner.  Hope all is well back home.


More to come on days five and six later...

Texas/Kansas

Now in Casa Grande, finishing up a work week, then heading north and east. End of week always finds me tired out, especially now after the famous Last Week-End. It's been busy with ups and downs, but it's Freedom for a whole Month!
Points of travel include up to Flag, east to Lano Estadilo, down to Amarillo area, up to Canadian (Adobe Walls), north into Kansas.
waiting for an update from the Grand Caymans!
Everyone, have a great week-end! Love, DAD/UR

Honeymoom Blog...

Hi All - Here are a few tidbits of the honeymoon thus far....
 
Day One:  Red Eye Adventure
 
We hopped on 1st class red eye to Grand Cayman, connecting through Charolette.  For my b-day, Jeff gave me US Airways Club passes, so we spent the 3-hour layover resting in style.  No other way to go, I must say.  Before reaching Charolette, I watched "Gigi" on the plane.  What good memories it brought back.  I could "hear" Boo on the "it's a bore" song and many others.  :)  Wonderful time. 
When we reached the island, there was a band playing Neil Diamond to great us.  We made it through customs with no problem and then checked in.  The room is AMAZING.  We have a pool and ocean view and lovely patio.  It is also nicely air conditioned, which helps in this humid weather.  The sea is lovely.  Crystal blue.  It's also not very crowded, nice and quiet and relaxing.  We spent the afternoon walking up and down the beach while I tried to psyche myself up to get in the water.  We also hit the concierge (sic) to make various reservations for land and sea excursions. 
 
When we made it back to the room, a bellman knocked on our door with a bottle of champagne, a lovely note to "Mr. and Mrs. Krobot" and strawberries.  It was wonderful.  We managed to hold off on the champagne and are about to pop it now...a day later.  :)  We went to a casual dinner at a local sportsbar and watched the D-backs beat the Cardinals. 
 
Day Two:  The Krobots 1; the Sea 0
 
Today, Wed., we walked up/down the beach.  Before doing so I asked if we should put our rings in the safe and, since Jeff was wearing his, I decided I'd wear mine, too.  After all, it's warm and humid and my fingers look like marshmellows, so I figured we were good.  While we were walking back to our hotel, we decided to go for a dip.  About 5 minutes in, I asked Jeff to make sure his ring was on...he said "yes" and then, "no."  It was gone.  I figured it was gone forever and tried to tell myself it was ok, b/c Ashley said he has had to buy a few for Paul.  Like the rain at the wedding, I kept saying it would be ok.  Jeff told me to stay put and he went to rent snorkle/mask/fins.  As he came back, a tour group came through with their snorkles.  Great, I'm thinking, they will find the ring and there will be no way to convince them it's ours.  Jeff announced to the group to keep an eye out for the ring as he contiued to search, at which point, I also left to get a mask.  Some time passed, years it seemed.  In reality, probably 45 minutes.  While snorkling, I saw a beautiful silver fish swim right by me.  I thought it was a good omen.  At that point I hear "E!!!!" and I looked up and there was Jeff with ring in hand.  He found it in water about 15 feet of water, half burried in the sand.  It was a miracle.  We instantly decided (learned) to keep rings in the safe while we swam.  The remainder of the day was spent celebrating the miracle of finding the ring in the sea.  I'm hesitant to call out the score of us "1" and Sea "0" (given we are snorkling in a few days on a reef), but am so grateful Jeff was determined to find the ring. 
 
After securing the rings safely in the room's safe, we snorkled some more.  We found a graceful stingray with a little fish in tow.  We followed it for some time, alerting swimmers off/on of its presence.  It was beautiful...another good sign, I'm sure!
 
Now, we rest and catch up on social networking and will enjoy our champagne delivered to the room yesterday.  Tonight, a nice dinner and out for fun.  We are having a blast and meeting nice couples who both travel here frequently.  It's a beautiful place. 
 
More to come in the next few days...we're looking forward to swiming with the sting rays in sting ray city and snorkling on the reef.  We also plan to kyak tomorrow and more snorkling.  Who knew what fun it would be!  No shark sightings yet and I'm actually comfortable in the water, especially with the "good fortune" of finding the ring...it must have been that good luck from the rain on our wedding day?

Yay!!!
 
Miss you all, love you,
Erica