Info re: Tucson Dicksons

Hello Family,

 It's been quite a time since I've written anything here, all to spare you from more junk.

 Anyway, it's been an unbelievable first half of 2018....skiing in Aspen and Winter Park of course, couple of trips back to Kansas including the reunion with Addie, successful turkey hunt with my cousins, Jim Shepherd bought his little winter home on a nice golf course here in Tucson, a wonderful summer week in Winter Park, a fun week in Carlsbad CA with Ash/Erica-Jeff and kids, and some time at the ranch.

   A "best vacation ever" was had with Inger in France when Lynn and I met up with Inger in Paris, drove down to Blois (on the beautiful Loire River) and took a week long horse ride down the Loire Valley sampling crazy good food, great wines, great horses, and of course the chateaus along the way. The next week was spent in Paris and what a fun time that was. 

  Had that little incident with the Bonanza in late May but it's all good again and we are back in the air gaining more confidence every flight!

  Anyway, Lynn and I tomorrow leave for an adventure in Panama.....we will be in the city of Panama for a day or two, then we leave for an adventure in the jungle in a little jungle village, then back to Panama City, then to a private yacht for several days sailing out among the San Blas Islands. We'll be with a bunch of Los Charros friends, one who's uncle owns the yacht (he is a past president of Panama...). Sounds like fun, eh? We'll have a good crew and cooking staff too.

  We will out of contact of all wi-fi and cell when in the back country and at sea so if anyone is looking for us and we can't get back to you, that's where we are. We will be back in contact around the 9th of September.

  Bon voyage,

Love to all, Dad/UR

More brief catch up

Little cabin on the Chama River.

Our Loire Valley horse trip staying at those amazing chateaux was awesome as well.  Didn't know Inger could sit a horse so well... knew Lynn could and did! 

Later, 

UR/ Dad 

 

Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone

Brief catch up

Been a long time since some wide spread communication.  Been a crazy busy year..

Couple of pics:

1. Hangng out on good friends porch,  happy hour!

2. Nice little trail ride few miles from the ranch,  5 river crossings,  saw a bear. Lynn right in front. 

 Fun day!

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Scottsdale!

 Just arrived Scottsdale,  now back to Tucson,  back up Thursday afternoon.  Lynn  rides Thursday am and for the next 10 days or so.  Got to stitch up a horse today to boot.

 See ya this Thursday night Ash and hopefully EJ/Jeff this weekend!

Love,  Dad/UR

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February Golf

Playing a round of golf. One lives here,  one's s bona fide snow bird...

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Updates

It's been forever since I've listed upcoming stuff but I figure it's time...busy spring coming right up. We haven't had winter in Tucson this year but:

 Welcome Jim Shepherd!! As most of you know he's purchased a neat little house about 3 miles from us, right on a cool golf course with a nice view of a lake. He's got the usual wildlife traipsing around....bobcat, javelin, quail, etc. He needs to know of the coming's and going's too..

 So, dates, activities "at the ranch":

13 Feb: take USS Enterprise (aka 3 horse trailer with living quarters) to Scottsdale, set up, get settled for horse show, come back to Tucson.

 15 Feb: Lynn and maybe Rich go to Scottsdale for a huge long Arab World horse show. This actually lasts until 25th but Lynn comes back a little early. I'll be up as well for this week-end but come back 18th or 19th. Lynn stays until 22nd or 25th depending on visitors/various social activities.

 20 Feb: Rich flies to ranch, get "stuff done".

 24 Feb =/-: Rich either flies or drives to Colorado.

 26-28th : Rich skies with friends in Aspen/Snowmass.

 28: Lynn flies to Denver, we meet in Winter Park until 3rd of March, then work way home.

  March:

 8th: Rich has reservations in Vegas for PAC 12 Tourney-to 1th. If Lynn off she will join Fri night, come back together, either Droughtbuster or drive.

 15th or 16th of March: I understand Ash and kids and Erica and Megan head for Orlando; Ash for a week for a meeting as well. I think Erica comes home the 20th. I was going to go, then reservation window closed and plane prices skyrocketed. There is 30 day "open season" window that is coming up to re-check as far as if I can go. Would love to show the grandchildren the UDT museum in Ft Pierce if possible.....Diane are you listening???

  April:

   2nd: Rich leaves for San Juan River fly fishing trip with friends: back the 6th to ranch..

   16th: Rich leaves for Kansas for important Marx-Son Farms business, and, oh yes, maybe a little turkey hunting. Back by the 22nd.

   26th: Rich and Lynn leave for Paris, meet up with Inger (a big yay here), and we drive around France for a couple of days until the 29th, at which time we all three get on horses and ride ancient trails up and down the Loire Valley staying in various Chateaus. This is Inger's idea, don't blame me. Of course Lynn is packed and left yesterday...then we bum around Paris for several days, then home the 12th of May.

  June:

     1st: Leave for Kansas for Dickson reunion, fly from Mesa, stay at Augusta's. Return the 4th if the schedules haven't changed, haven't checked into that yet but it is time. Ash: Is Addie going with??

    17th: I think that's the Marbrisa check in in San Diego for that week. Ash/kids/Erica going for some or most of week as of my best recollection.

    29th June: Lynn has a nice 2 week vacation scheduled and we don't know what we're going to do yet. Out of Tucson definitely, ranch for at least a lot of it.

   22nd; I THINK that's the Winter Park check in...for a week. Lynn could not get that week off at her vacation meeting so that's a no for Lynn. 

    Well, that's all I got, no idea about September but there is an option on the table for a week in Panama in early Sept on somebody's yacht. The recently disposed president of Panama's brother rides horses with me on Los Charros and he's made a nice invite for 6 couples. We'll see. He's a great guy.  

   I just threw these out so if we're not around and someone needs to contact us, the schedule is there...plus so I know where to go next.

 Love to all, be safe,

Dad/UR

  

Update

Well, the last 2 1/2 weeks went really fast but just to keep informed we are home safe. It is so strange to realize that a day ago we spent a great few hours with Inger in Amsterdam, then were up 24-25 hours, 15 of which on airplanes, then home. Back to reality; Lynn on OB all night tonight in hospital. I'm just not looking forward to unpacking.

 Highlights: Seeing Inger, having fun at the Van Gogh museum etc in Amsterdam.

   Meeting Lynn's Swedish friends in Stockholm, spending a great day there.

   The Evening with the Czars in St. Petersburg Russia, unforgettable.

    The Oceania cruise ship was stupendous. Best ever. I see the difference in the price point.

   Denmark was interesting, not overly impressive, but stopped at a quaint real-to-life fishing fishing at the tip top north point of the country. Think Expensive but great North Sea seafood and cheeses!

   Home now; hope all is well around the country, rain has stopped, sun is shining.

Love, Dad/UR