A few parting words

I'm almost packed and ready to start driving west. The computer is the next thing to pack up. It's a little sad to be leaving, but I always knew this was only a temporary stop, my last summer vacation as I've been calling it recently.

Since getting back from Alaska/Hawaii, I've been busy seeking out old haunts around town. It's hard to cram 18 years worth of memories into a few weeks, but I've been able to see & do just about all big things that I wanted and then some. I attended a Notre Dame home game (well...half of one any way); went to Saint Joe the for fireworks albeit on the wrong night for the man-made variety, but saw some of a different sort in the after-effects of a divine sunset; helped my mom clear some brush at a family property; played cribbage with my dad and the Grathwohls; and spent an afternoon poking around downtown South Bend, seeing some changes, amazed at a few things that hadn't.

I wasn't able to get a ticket to spectacular ND-Michigan game, but enjoyed watching it with some family & friends (all ND fans, I might add). Staying in Niles on Saturday also allowed me to tag along on a special visit to the Niles Fire Department, even ride up the bucket in the ladder truck, and enough time on Sunday for the half-day bike ride to Saint Joe.

I've still got a couple weeks on the road as I cover as much ground as possible on my way to Denver. I'm really looking forward to this part of the journey, the romance of following the open road westward to the sunset. My mom is going to join me for 10 days during which well see Yellowstone, the Grand Canyon, and plenty of scenic wonders in between. I'll keep posting as I go.

Creek Property before Clearing

Creek Property after Clearing

Century Center

East Race

BW-3s

Niles Fire Department

Up in the bucket