Rena's visit

Serena came for the weekend to visit. It was really good to see her again, especially since we could hardly even talk to her when she was out to sea. She had some awesome pictures of the barge (especially those she took from the helicopter)and of the explosions. She went with us to the bbq for the volunteers for the Stonewall fish fry on Sat. evening and everyone who asked her what she was doing said she sure had an exciting job and enjoyed listening to her stories. She does miss getting rocked to sleep and requested some rockers on her bed. Also did not understand why her clothes was not washed, pressed and folded each day and was disappointed that there was not a large variety of food laid out for her each day. I told her to take a reality pill. She was told that she has the record for the being out the longest (3 1/2 weeks) and they were a little worried that she might quit, but she is ready to go out again, especially since she doesn't get paid unless she is working and they say that things really slow down in the winter. She wants to make some money while she can.

Larry is waiting to get a sub, but the way it looks he will have to miss out on the morning of opening day of hunting season. The new one is supposed to start on Nov. 5 so keep your fingers crossed.

Landed at last

Rena finally got back to dry land. She called D'Lynn today (with Cajan talk???)and said she was back. That is all I know right now. Will hopefully talk to her tonight.

Lost Maples Park

We had a great time at Lost Maples this last weekend. Vicki and Rick went also and we just kicked back and took it easy. That is about how our chairs were all weekend long. All we did was move with the shade and of course while you were up you went and got another cold one so you didn't get up for nothing. We did some hiking, but Vicki had learned from the last time that the hikes were "uphill both ways" and her and Rick did not go over the mountain like Larry and I did. It did have a 2200 ft elevation at the top and a really nice view of the other mountains. I know, I know, maybe they weren't real mountains, but when you are walking up one it feels like it.

This is from the top of the West Trail and then started the downhill part, which is almost worse than the uphill part because the rocks are so loose. Larry thinks it would be quite a challange for the jeep up and down those trails, but I think he could do it. It was nice to just relax. We also went on a drive to Camp Wood and that was almost like driving the switchbacks in Colorado. You did not get in a hurry on those roads. The trees had not changed, but the park people don't think there is going to be much color this year because of all the rain. That is too bad, because I bet it is really pretty then.

Rena is still out to sea and it looks like she may be there another 2 weeks because of the weather. She is learning a new card game and trying to keep herself occupied with movies and reading.

That's it for now.

More from Rena

Rena sure seems to be enjoying her job, even though it seems to take forever for anything to get done. She says she is going to pack less clothes next time and more things to amuse herself with since they can go for days before they get to where they are going and then it takes a long time to get set up. She says her laundry is getting done and the food is good. She does miss land. Sounds like she may be out most of the month because they are having to come in closer to land because of some threatening weather. She hopes her phone will work from there. I do miss hearing her voice.

Larry is not a happy camper since he no longer has a sub and won't have one until maybe the beginning of Nov. so he may have to miss the first weekend of hunting season which will not be a good thing in our household. He doesn't have time to get anything done at home since he has to work on Sat., but hopefully the new one will work out and things will get on a more normal keel. Will keep you posted.

That is all the excitement I have.

Quite weekend

Haven't heard from Rena since last Wednesday when she e-mailed. No telling where she is and they probably don't have any service there. Had 42 club Friday night and it was nice to catch up with everyone. Sat. I met D'Lynn in town for lunch and brought Ashlyn and Colten home with me to spend the night. Went to eat and Connie and Linvill just happended to call right before we left so they went, too, and then came over to play some 42. Connie and I skunked them the first game, won the second and they finally won the third. Compared trips (they had been on a cruise to Cozamel)and deceided that we would each go on the same trip again if we could. It was good to see them again. Vicki, Rick and Larry and I are going camping this weekend for a 4-day weekend to Lost Maples State Park. Looking forward to just kicking back and relaxing. No flights, no jumping into the Artic, no shooting a moose, just sitting and drinking beer and doing some hiking (as Vicki would say "hike uphill both ways"). Let you know how that goes.