new job.............

Aaron has gone to school for being a lineman- working on utility poles. He changed his job from truck driver the week we arrived. He works 40 hours in 3-4 days and has the long weekends off unless he's doing overtime.

This is our early parting dinner at the Mexican restaurant near Michelle's work. Aaron was called this morning to travel with his crew to do utility repairs around Georgia and maybe Alabama. 

It was great seeing him, but we understand his leaving early for work. He'll get great experience and good $$$$ 

rough weather in Georgia

There were severe thunder and lightning storms including tornados coming into Georgia from Alabama.

About midnight the local tornado serens went off, so we turned on the weather channel. Thomaston was right on the edge of a tornado projection. Tons of lightning and threats of large hail were described.

Luckily we only caught the edge of the storm. 

The next morning we drove to Manchester, where Michelle works and passed where the tornados crossed the road. Trees were snapped off and laying in every direction. Homes had trees on them and large pieces of the homes had vanished. It was an horrible display of natures power.

Barnesville, where we went to the BBQ festival and High Falls State Park, where we had hiked, were both heavily hit by the tornados. We were lucky to have been missed by the storms........

Hiking at Sprewell Bluff Park

It was a beautiful day and great weather for a hike along the Flint River.

http://www.trails.com/tcatalog_trail.aspx?trailid=HGD175-055

Easter in Thomaston

It's certainly spring in Georgia. Here's Preston and his friend Austin for their first swim of the season.....many more to follow. Michelle and Aaron have the pool in pristine condition.....plus it's warm!!!

Followed by the traditional Easter dinner......ham, AJ's deviled eggs etc...........

Cody, the lover cat wants in.......

another lengthy holiday...........first to Georgia

We're off to Georgia to see Aaron and Michelle.
On Friday, we went to High Falls State Park outside Barnesville......

'

 a lot of swift water and glamor.....

 next was to the Barnesville Blues and BBQ Festival
great Brunswick Stew.....!!!

 then we visited Michelle's dad- Ray...........

the next day we were off to Columbus and hit their favorite BBQ place for lunch- Country BBQ

We relaxed that evening- here's Michelle with Cody snuggling up......

again at Lake Skinner.....

We went camping at Lake Skinner. It was all family with Royce & Gina, Mary & Phil along with the girls and Kay. It's so close and fun........and yes, I got out on my kayak again. Lake Skinner is one of my favorite places to kayak.

 Here's Captain Gina with her "back seat" driver!!

 It was really a beautiful day on the water........

 And, of course, BBQ.......... and Dutch Oven desert!!!

Montezuma's Castle...........

We went out one morning to low clouds and snow in the mountains.

We visited Montezuma's Castle, which was neither Montezuma's or a castle..........

They were well preserved cliff dwelling.........

A week around Cottonwood, AZ

We went to the 1000 Trails in Cottonwood, AZ called Verdi Valley. We stayed in a cabin, but we were here with the kids on our half year trip in 1987.

No picture (of course), but we tied up with an old friend and teacher, Duane Vild. He came up from Tucson to meet us. It was really good to see him after..........40+ years!!!

We hiked and really liked the red rocks.

This was our first Cactus League spring training game. We've been to Florida Citrus League games before. The Padres creamed the Cubs.

In Sedona we visited the really nice and natural  Catholic Church on the hill.

Spectacular views................

Another day, we went to Jerome. We had a great, scenic lunch at the Grand Hotel.

Stopped in to see a woodworker, Lonnie Anderson, and ended up having the "ghost tour".

On the way out of Jerome, we stopped at the old high school and met the artists,  Robin John Anderson.............

and his wife and potter, Margo Mandette.

We loved their work and bought a few pieces.........And, it turns out our neighbor, Duane (and Joan) actually lived in  Jerone and even stayed with his Grandparents in an apartment in the high school, since they were the custodians........small world!!!

Later in the week, we stopped in on an Arizona  flywheel meet in Cottonwood. I loved it.........Carol...???

Wood from Arizona.............

I found a wood merchant in Cornville.

This is a juniper burl I bought.

 This piece of juniper on my lathe was a 4" slab.

 And a huge mesquite burl, partially burned......very hard!!

 The back of the juniper slab turned for a large bowl.

 And the insides of my split juniper burl.

more to come...................