We wake up early enough to catch the continental breakfast. It’s all decked out for the holidays. Everyone at the hotel is clearly geared up for snowboarding. We head over to Krissie’s to rent me some snowboarding gear. It’s funny because I’m supposed to borrow another gal’s gear that Russell assures me will fit. He says the [...]
Jan 212012
Where are my keys? OR Why are you taking another photo? <– pick your own caption
Russell’s dad says we’re going to a place that sells pies. I ask are pies like pizzas or something else?
As soon as we enter the dining area, I immediately think Pines in Sparta, NC.
Notice the crowd is very K&W but not like in Atlanta… but more like Arizona. It’s like looking at the cast of Real Housewives of Atlanta versus the Real Housewives of Orange County.
Remember the pies I mentioned? These are the pies… like pastries and actual pies but not like pizzas. Oopsie!
They aren’t messing around here.
Russell starts feeling the bread and then immediately starts comparing the cost per pound of this bread to his fancy Great Harvest Breads back home.
This is why they call this Midwestern MEATS. Check out the butcher shop area.
When our food comes out, I notice that Richard, Ruth, and I all order the same 6 oz filet with mashed potatoes with gravy and carrots. This is the meal for champions!
Russell the oddball orders a Philly cheesesteak but before he eats it, he must take a photo. What a Japanese tourist!
After the good eats, it’s time for Russell’s obligatory vacation tech support. He asks me what my suggestion is for fixing this iPad dock but when I tell him, he decides his original solution is better and proceeds to do the work himself. Typical ENGINEER!
Remember that word you learned in school – foreshadowing? Remember these two photos because they will only point toward one word – hoarding!
This is only the beginning of the banana box bonanza!
We pose with the R1.
Russell doesn’t even take the time to take off his helmet or gear before visiting with the animals.
(channeling Willie Nelson) On the road again…
The daily ritual is to say hi to the animals.
Russell tells me if I don’t pet them regularly then they won’t like me.
He goes as far as picking up fallen leaves to feed them.
There are two dogs in the backyard that tear into anything left out. One day we come back and they have torn the lawn furniture into pieces and some electrical cords too.
The patriotic Japanese bike team
The SV finally keeps the rubber side down on the west coast.
My best friend who shares the other half of my brain advises me this is the place to go.
Russell is deep in thought about who knows what?
I find it interesting that they make fake lakes just like in Charlotte. It reminds me of the Thursday night live music at the University Shoppes.
The food is awesome! We order a Mediterranean plate and we also share a tuna salad with fruit slices.
Even when traveling, he does not put down that phone. In fact, the very first time I met Russell, I took a photo of him on the phone.
We meet Theresa and Andy and…
…Fuzzy the bunny! Evidently Russell has a way with the rabbits here.
I see why Andy and Russell are friends as we step into his shop that is FULL of stuff.
I also meet the turtles that started off the size of quarters and have grown into these giant turtles! Amazingly, they are only half size and will live upwards of 200 years. I suppose it is strange to have to gift a pet because it will outlive you.
Andy shows off his Moto Guzzi and Theresa has her own Sikk motorcycle as well.
Usually I’m the one with the dead battery but this time Russell takes the bullet for me. He leaves the lights on his R1 so the battery is drained.
We get back to the homestead and Mike goes to the lathe and starts fabbing up custom parts for the RV.
Mike and Sam are my kind of peeps with motorcycles galore.
In addition to machining equipment, and motorcycles, they have fair share of bicycles and other goodies.
Mark asked me if Russell would fit in with our friends. Now here’s the photographic evidence that this fella has friends with weird pets, guns, bikes, and plenty of gidget gadget stuff. I think he’ll fit in just fine!
 Welcome to Phoenix–but I sure do miss the River!Before I leave home, I have to grab a copy of the Charlotte Disturber (AKA Charlotte Observer) to go. Someone is having a bad day at the airport. When I travel, I like taking my flight approved (meaning no blade) mini Leatherman with me. It comes in especially handy when trying to crack those [...] |
 Gifts galoreThe lady at the Cheesecake Factory asks if we like coconut and then recommends this amazing cheesecake with tons of coconut and rich chocolate fudge! After indulging in that fantastic dessert, Dave and I enjoy yet another delicious meal of pumpkin pecan pancakes and split a big ol’ Southwest style omelet. Enough eating, [...] |
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 A bientot SV!Today, it’s a bietot, I hope one day soon it will be au revoir! As always, the SV wouldn’t start so the boys try to bump start the bike. Unfortunately for Russell, he doesn’t realize it’s GP shifting and goes running down the road with the bike in first instead of second gear – DOH! [...] |
 First visit with baby ParkerWell who do we have here? Fran tells us that all runners are crazy : ) The local running group runs through the Center of the Universe and spreads holiday cheer by handing out candy to babies – ahem – that’s like taking candy from strangers for small children! Perry, Fran, and Parker [...] |
 5/4 cupcakes for each personFood is always fancier on white plates, right? The house decides to do a family dinner and we feast on veggies burgers topped with guacamole and lettuce, sweet potato fries, lima beans, bakes beans, and corn. The irony is that no one in this house is a vegetarian! Bes brings the dessert and [...] |
 First walk on the greenwayThe greenway is a place for me to run, walk, ride bicycles, and on occasion make new friends. Since moving, the south Charlotte greenways have been elusive to me. I explore a new stretch of the south Charlotte greenway with Russell who has never been on a Charlotte greenway before. He’s very interested in these wood carvings [...] |
 Russell the Chief ScientistIt’s winter coat time as we embark on another adventure. Russell tries out the Charlotte LYNX mass transit for the first time. We go to Discovery Place where Russell the Chief Scientist comes out to play. At the crafts station, a Christmas tree ornament zipper pull is created. We pass on the IMAX film [...] |
 Happy Birthday Russell!I’m not the only one who has lots of adventures. Russell is also always getting into something. The big task now is getting the truck back on the road! The rolling chair proves to be quite the challenge when the truck is on the move… because the chair is on the move too! The [...] |
 Winter goodnessThe nice thing about winter is all the delicious flavors it brings and if you’re wanting to experience some real winter weather, you should check out rentals in Edmonton. I have a friend from a South American country whose company sent her to work in Canada. She learned very quickly that she needed a new [...] |
 Guess what? Turkey butt.Bes is in charge of the menu and starts wokking it up! Russell is assigned the turkey. He adds salt to brine it in the cooler. See the ice? That’s so we don’t all die of food poisoning. Guess what? Turkey butt! The turkey enters the Traeger grill and the Tervis isn’t far [...] |
 Made in China for American GirlI can’t resist some cheap gas! What’s this? Made in China for American Girl Doll? How ironic. I think Rebecca may be peeking out from behind Russell’s head! After a long day of living in a Springer – Jerry Springer – style world, I let Russell experience something AAAAA-MAY-ZING for being such a good sport [...] |
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