Amicalola Falls SP--9-29-2010

On August 21st, 1991, Carol and I took Aaron and Tracy up to Amicalola Falls State Park just outside Dawsonville, Georgia. Just this week, some 19 years and a month later, Carol and I re-visited the falls. While it wasn't as we had remembered, it was a wonderful drive up to the park and a short walk down memory lane!

Carol, John, and Tracy on 8-21-1991
John & Carol 8-21-1991

Following are the photos we took on 9-29-2010!

1990 thru 2010--The First 20 Years

We just celebrated our 19th Anniversary this past Monday--September 20th. Our history now spans two decades! Thus, I thought it befitting to post photos of us from our very first Christmas in 1990 up thru ones we took just this week. Hope you enjoy.

1990 1st Christmas
Wedding Day--9/20/1991

1992-Allstate Honor Ring

1993-Allstate Honor Ring

1994--Yellowstone


1995-Salt Lake City

1996-July 4th

1997-Quebec City, Canada

1998--Leeds Castle in England

1999--Derek and Lori's Reception in Acworth

2000--Valentines Sweetheart Dance

2001--Northern France

2002--Paradise Cruise to Caribbean

2003-Hawaiian Cruise

2004-Alaskan Cruise

2005-Little Falls Farm Christmas Photo

2006-Christmas Photo

2007-Tab & Evan's Wedding

2008-Tracy & Odie's Wedding

2009-Retirement Party-Allstate

2010-(9-19) Little Falls Farm

2010 (9-19) - 19th Anniversary Photo

Las Vegas Hard Rock Cafe Pinsanity VI

It began months ago. The planning that is. Once I decided I would attend my first Las Vegas Pinsanity, a lot of things had to happen. Namely, redeem AX points for non-stop airline ticket on Delta. Next came the major help from special friends in the HRCPCC (Hard Rock Cafe Pin Collectors Club) who helped with lodging, transportation, and entertainment. It all came together nicely for the best HRC Pin Trading event ever!!

I flew to Las Vegas on Tuesday September 7th, 2010--from Atlanta it was 4 hours and 19 minutes. A most pleasant flight with a window seat with excellent view on the Port side--which allowed me to take photos of Hoover Dam and Lake Mead. Arrived in Vegas around 10:00 am and was immediately picked up by two friends.

After checking into room 7-425 of Tower II of the MGM (these are up scale condos attached by enclosed walked-ways with moving side walks to the MGM Casino and Hotel), the three of us drove out to Hoover Dam for a tour. They have added a really nice gift shop, covered parking, restaurant, and of course, a new by-pass road and bridge that opens November 2010.

Returned to Vegas to "The Strip" Hard Rock Cafe for the 3:00 "meet and greet". Met several pin traders for first time. The HRC also provided us with a really nice dinner buffet. At 8:00 or so, we headed to the Aria and retrieved previously paid for tickets for the "Viva Elvis" show. Attended it at 9:30--it was great!! To room by 12:00---a very long day!

First thing on Wednesday I walked to the original HRC and new Hotel and Casino only 3 blocks away for my "visit credit in the club". Back to trading in Pinsanity and a lot of photos. Had a lot of fun with several great traders. After trading over, we ate at Metro Pizza and later I walked the strip a couple of times for exercise.

Thursday was another day of pin trading that started with a furnished breakfast by the HRC. Some of the guys from yesterday opted out today and did not show--but fun was still had! I acquired the 10 event pins along with 10 Grand Opening and Staff pins--these are the only kind I collect these days and are harder to come by!

I headed to the strip in early afternoon to take several photos--I brought both the Fuji point and shoot, and my good Nikon D40--using that camera outside with a polarizing filter allowed some great photos. I ate at a Mexican restaurant with midgets of Marilyn and Elvis out front. Continued into the evening enjoying the sights and sounds till bed time.

A friend picked me up at 5:45 am on Friday and out to airport for checking one bag and one carry-on. Again, sat by the window on port side--sitting beside an Allstate Operations employee out of Roanoke who knows some of the same folks I do in Atlanta. Great tail wind as the trip to Atlanta was 3 hours and 15 minutes--arriving at 3:20 pm.

To end a perfect trip, I met Carol at Pacho's in Covington for dinner and then home to a very excited and happy Yorkie--Mattie had missed me all week!!

This is a photo of the Harley Davidson Restaurant on the strip--great detail.

Here I am in front of the Pinsanity 6 ice carving--what a great job!

This is the famous guitar at the original Hard Rock cafe--Carol and I drove by it in 1992.

I just happen to get this shot after leaving the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino.

My building is the middle one--Tower II and is called The Signature at MGM.

A photo of the strip from a walk way crossing it at the corner of MGM and New York, New York.

Here is the strip Hard Rock Cafe where Pinsanity took place--great job by staff!

Drew Spencer Ovard on August 14, 2010

Henry and Senator Hatch

Here is a photo of my grandson Henry Grant Liddiard taken back in May with the good Senator Orrin Hatch!!

Papa John and Henry--April 2010

Maya, Kyle, and Avery picking Cherries

Derek and Monster Truck

Mattie plays with Kyle

Vacation to Glacier NP, Seattle, Oregon, Boise and Beyond

West Glacier National Park--55 degrees in the morning--high of 70--perfect weather!!

Visiting Derek, Lori, Maya, Kyle, and Avery in Meridian--this was the highlight of our vacation!!!

We left Georgia on Friday June 11th and returned home on Monday July 5th. During that 25 days, we travelled to such places as: Memphis, Branson, Kansas City, Omaha, Cheyenne, Billings, Glacier National Park, Seattle, Oregon, Boise, Salt Lake City, Denver, Air Force Academy, Dodge City, Tulsa, and Little Rock. A total of 7,375 miles were driven on the new truck.

The highlight for Carol and I first and foremost was spending time with Derek, Lori, Maya, Kyle, and Avery in Meridian/Boise, Idaho. Time spent with family is invaluable and it had been a long two (2) years since I had seen the kids. We both needed a "Grandparent Fix" and this was the perfect solution!!!! It's an understatement to say I was totally amazed at how the kids have grown--in physical size, skills and maturity!!!!!

We had lots of fun with Derek, Lori and the grandkids --here are some of the highlights:

picked cherries;

had a picnic at local park that included football, Bocci Ball (Kyle is really good), and hiking to the top of a very steep hill that over looks Boise (not for the cardiac challenged);

watched Maya ride her electric scooter, Kyle his dirt bike and Power Wing, and cute Avery her pink bike sans training wheels;

played in water and gift shopping downtown;

ate lunch at a Mexican (Costa Vida on Eagle Road)restaurant;

Derek and Kyle operated electric and gas powered monster trucks on dumes;

each grandchild had their own time in Papa's new truck;

the kids played with Mattie (Avery loved to walk her--video on YouTube);

all three have drawing and art talents--they are doing so well;

Kyle's art and his advanced reading skills;

Maya's autobiography describes things about her and her nack for drawing dresses;

really got a kick watching the kids decide what they would buy at Target with the money Papa and Mimitutz gave them;

watching "Alice in Wonderland" on the new HD LED screen;

playing Wii games; and

one of my favorites were Lori's famous burritos and her home-made vanilla ice cream!!!!

We had two "firsts" on this trip that made it even more enjoyable. It had been Carol's dream for some time that she see and experience Glacier National Park (we have already been to several large parks including Yosemite, Yellowstone, Grand Canyon, Mt Rushmore, Custer, Zion, Brice, Denali, etc). Because there were 50-60 foot snow drifts at Logan Pass, we had to drive from the west to the top, stop and turn around, and next day drive from the east. The scenery was breathtaking and we loved the cool 55 degree temperature!!

The second "first" was the state of Oregon. Up to this trip, we had traveled in and thru 48 states. So it was that our bucket list include Oregon as our 49Th state. We chose to spend most of our time in the northwest coastal area and specifically in Cannon Beach and Seaside. What great views we had as we rode south on 101 down to Tillamook where they make the famous cheese!

As a side note, the 2010 Ford F150 Lariat Super Crew Cab was a pleasure to drive and very comfortable and roomy. We got real use to "air conditioning seats" real quick as there were some days the temp hoover around 100.We average around 20 MPG which is great considering the terrain and that the truck weighs 5500 pounds empty. I washed the truck at least three (3) times along the way plus I kept the bumper, grill, and mirrors cleaned from dirt and bugs ( I used Windex and cleaning rags).