a Saturday..

Just sayin' hello from the ranch:

A nice clear, quiet, crisp fall morning, the kind where you sit on the porch with a hot cup of coffee.

 Last night had the Montalto's and Derrick's over for a great dinner. We cooked a nice venison roast with a dutch oven recipe and it was delicious! Had a great time with the "Mountain Gang". We are going out to dinner this eve with the Chipman's and Montalto's into Springerville. In the meantime, time for a run to the dump of all things and Saturday afternoon Football! I think I'm going over to Silver Creek for some rainbow Mon or Tues, then fly home to Tucson. Go 'Cats

 Love, Dad/UR

Evening

Always like this time of day...from the back yard!

Tucson

Ok, back from Los Charros. Was really fun w good friends.
But, the perils of driving in Arizona!

Long lonesome ride..

Los Charros Desierto ride w a few of my buddies. Really fun horse camp down here in the  San Rafael Valley, about 50 miles south and east of Tucson. Not exactly a "lonesome" ride but seriously fun.
Love to all, Dad/UR

Back

OK, back safe and sound, with the usual URI from the plane ride, and getting out of Zombie land that accompanies the overseas plane ride. Ride back was on the new 777. That is a sweet aircraft!

 Inger: viewed the blog finally! Cool!

  So, since the blog is "all about me", here's my schedule:

This week, Charros;

 Next week, ranch to fix stuff, do HOA stuff, and winterize (it's already 28 deg at night up there according to Derrick)

 Week after : deer hunt.

 Then I'll have nothing to do. Might actually have to stick around and help clean around here. I have, incidentally, satisfactorily re-installed a driveway warning system so we will know when a car is coming down the driveway!

 Keep in touch!

Love, DAD/UR

   Doug: !! Are you coming??

More Rome

Excuse my exuberance...such a day in Rome..the Trevi Fountain and Rome from our balcony. We did of course each tossed a coin in..
Love, Dad/UR

Rome

Well, now all done with the cruise, and what a great time. We met our driver and he brought us to the Rome Hotel Cavaleri, and is dropping off the Montaltos' about 3.5 km away.
This is, without any question, the most beautiful hotel I have Ever stayed in, ever. A couple of pics of the room, along with the view from our balcony. Good grief.
Love to all, Dad/UR

Onward..

Hello all,

 Right now en route to Naples, after spending the day in Palermo. My dad was based here during the Korean War as he was running a destroyer around the Mediterranean Sea for 18 months. I heard lots of stories about Palermo and I'm glad to see some of the sights he used to mention.

 We dock in Naples tomorrow am, and then we are going to tour Herculaneum. That's a real interesting little ancient village, a seaside resort back to the Roman days, another well preserved victim of Vesuvias. Then it's on to Rome for the conclusion of our cruise and a couple of days/nights in Rome!

Hope all is well back there in the States!

Love, DAD/UR

Italian coast

Yesterday we spent the whole day on an excursion..by bus, then boat, then rail, then back to bus to ship.
Cinque Terra is a beautiful, coastal area, little old fishing villages (5) in little niches accessible now by rail and boat. Long day, but realty fun. Formal night tonight! W are having a great time!
Love, Dad/UR

Still Corsica

Another pic or two.

Corsica

Having a nice visit here today, quaint ancient little Mediterranean island. They say Christopher Columbus was born here in Calvi. Having a great time, Love, Dad/UR

Corsica

Today we enjoy Corsica; smallish island, old port, birthplace of Columbus. And, the food is great!

Lunch on the dock at Marseille

Delicious mussels! With Judy and Nick Montalto, long time traveling companions.

Marseille

The port city from the old church, and another beautiful cathedral!