20210911 - Cool Dudes

20210911 - Up later in the am and we checked out. We checked our bags with the bell hop and so we didn't have to carry them around all day and headed out. We caught the bus north and stopped a couple places J saw the last couple days that he wanted to revisit. We then took a break from the heat and found a sports bar in a casino where we watched the end of the OSU Oregon game. OSU lost, BUT, because the $20 sport wager I placed had the best chance to profit if the Ducks won and I bought a 'Oregon to Win' ticket, I turned my $20 in to $110!!! We headed back out in the heat and caught the bus to the las Vegas sign where we found a local that took us past the line of folks waiting to get their pics taken and got pics for us. 

Back to the hotel, got our bags and hung out in a sport bar for a bit. I headed out and cashed out all my chips and sport tag. We then walked through to Mandalay Bay to kill some time and caught an Uber to the airport. 

We headed there early because we didn't know what traffic was going to be like, or security at the airport and didn't want to miss our flight. In hindsight we could have found a couple more places to explore and still had plenty of time. We found some neck pillow and got to the gate and just waited and watched people. We got ton the plan at 10pm PST and will wake up in Columbus.

Back at home L got the bathroom grouted today and G had a XC meet that he went down with some boys last night and spent the night and went out for a team dinner. He came in 31st out of 300+ runners in the JV race!

20210910 - Front Row

20210910 - Up in the am and J and I headed down to find the buffet. It was in the basement of the pyramid and it was MASSIVE. We got our fill and then caught the bus heading north. We got off in old Vegas, walked a couple blocks and arrive at the Pawn Stars Gold and Silver Pawn shop. We went in and checked the place out. J got a little necklace for JGF6 there. We walked across the street so J could check out a tattoo shop. We caught another bus and headed to the Strat Casino where we headed Shout on the strip for another 2.5 mile hike in the 102 degree desert day. We stopped at Circus Circus and saw a trapezes show and J found a sweatshirt. Found a couple more Tattoo shops he wanted to visit. We went in and out of casinos checking them out and when we made it to Treasure Island we caught a bus and headed back to the Luxor. Back to home base and cleaned up and killed some time resting until we got ready and caught an Uber to the Rio.

It was my first Uber ride ever and I was amazed at how easy it was and wondered why I hadn't done this before... We got the Rio and J got kicked off the casino floor while I signed up for a rewards card. J&I met up at the entrance and headed up 50 floors to the VooDoo Steak and Roof Top Lounge. I got a smoking drink and we had FABULOUS STEAKS. J had to take lots of pics of his food and we enjoyed every bite. After dinner we found the theatre and got checked in. J tried to buys us water before the show at the bar and they wouldn't even sell him water... We got our two $7 bottles of water and made our way to the front row of Penn & Teller and settled in for an AMAZING, MIND BLOWING and fun show. It was GREAT! We were right next to them and still have no idea how they do the things they do. We caught an Uber back to the hotel and J was tired and headed up to the room. I wanted to learn how to bet on a sporting event so headed to the sport booking section and the lady there taught me how to do it. I placed a little bet on the OSU vs Oregon game (my 2 favorite teams). Next thing I wanted to learn was roulette. I watched some some guys for a little bit and then dove in with the $50 I was willing to lose. I played for about 20 minutes and it was really fun. I cashed out and walked away with about $200. Up to the room, checked in with J and to bed.

20210909 + Las Vegas

20210909 + Up in the am and everyone home today. We got word that G’s COVID test was negative! I headed out and got a hair cut while J finished packing. Home and L and Hazel ran J&I to the airport. We realized the last time J was on a plane was when he went to Disney when he was about 8. We got through security and grabbed a bite to eat before heading to the gate. The got on the plane and J got the window and videoed the take off. I fell asleep shortly after and when I woke up J had been drawing amazing pictures. We landed and the slot machines were there as soon as you step off the pane. We made our way through the airport and found our bus to hotel. As we got closer to the strip the size of these buildings started to settle in on J's brain and we stayed in the Luxor, the GIANT pyramid with the HUGE sphinx out front. We walked in and J's head exploded! We got checked in and ventured out exploring in the hotel a bit before getting a really good meal in a neat Mexican place. We couldn't get back in the room so headed to the front desk for help and upgraded to a corner suite on the 23rd floor.  We moved our stuff and headed out. Walked south to the Mandalay Bay Casino and then headed north for 2.5 miles to Treasure Island. We stopped at all the casinos along the way, did lots of people watching. We watched the fountain show at the Bellagio, Walked through the streets of Rome at Caesar's Palace and saw many other picture snap worthy sites. I couldn't take another step so we bought a 3 days bus pas and headed home. Back to the room. Jack ventured out and got some cans of Starbucks for the mornings and candy bars while I hung out in the room. To bed LATE from a busy day.

20210811 - Only a Couple Rounds

20210811 - Up in the am and got a couple of works things done and being G's last day of Summer I got him up and forced him out of the house. We went to the Westerville mini-golf course and payed 36 holes. That's all we had time to do and I got back to the desk and he got his things ready for school tomorrow. He's getting so big.

20200820 - Half Day with G

20200820 - Up in the am and L at work. I checked email and had a call. J home from his friends, he swung through the high school to pick up his laptop for next year, home, showered and ran to work 20 min late... Came up with a last minute plan to do something fun with G so we got L to bring the car home and then we headed out for a putt-putt-a-palooza! Our first stop was Westerville Mini Golf, we have been here many times before and we played both courses and got our picture taken in the same spot we have in the past. G wanted me to try Top Golf so we went there next and it was a BLAST! On to the Olentangy Mini Golf where we played both courses and it definitely has the trickiest holes. From there we went to the Magic Mountain at Polaris for two more courses and these greens are mashed down, super fast and heard to play. On to the Texas Roadhouse for steak dinner and to tally up the points. We played 108 holes, had 15 hoe in ones and had a blast!  We swung by D's apartment on the way home and it was a bit sketchy... One last stop adn UDF to get some ice cream before making it home and checking in with L and telling her about the afternoon while we enjoyed our ice cream. G then headed for the xbox and L&I hung out on the back porch until late.

20170916 - Artful Bfast & Flight Home

20170916 - Up and D&I got ready and packed and headed out. We walked for about a mile past some interesting places and art to get to the Butcher Block Cafe for a HUGE bfast topped off with butter covered cinnamon rolls. We walked up over a rail yard to get to the train that took us to the airport. We got through security and whittled around for our flight. In the air and home by 7pm. We got unpacked a bit, DGF7 showed up, we told all about the trip while we watched the rest of the Buckeye game and then everyone headed to see the McClain's new house. I got the tour while L helped unpack some more; LJ&G have been helping them move Fri and all day Sat. We headed home, boys cleaned up and we watched college football until late.

20170915 - D Meets the Rockies

20170915 - Up at 4 with 3 hrs sleep in me. Got D up and we headed to the airport. We got to the gate easy and on the plane. After being seated for a while we were asked to get off the plane until they brought a life jacket for the cockpit, its FAA required, even if you're not flying over water... Finally on the plane and in the air. I slept most of the trip. We got off the plane about 8am and headed to the terminal where we met up with Eric. We got some bagels and headed out. Eric took us through Boulder and up Flagstaff Mountain. We climbed some things and looked down on the flat East half of Colorado and over the mountainous West. D climbed way out on some rocks for an awesome view.

Down the mountain and we swung by Eric's house to meet his dogs and then headed into Denver. Eric took us to get our tickets for the stadium tour, then to our Airbnb place to drop off outlets bags and back to the stadium for the tour. The tour was awesome, we got to go down on the field (where I got a handful of dirt for D), the press boxes some other cool places. After the tour we walked to Union Station and checked out the terminal. A short bus ride to downtown to eat at the 5280 Burger Bar for a good Linner. We then walked to Rocky Mountain Chocolate Co. to load up on sweets.

Back on the bus and to the stadium. We went to the team store and D got a hat and shirt to wear to the game. We got in early and D tried to catch some of the balls from batting practice but it was too crowded. We got to our seats and watched the opening ceremonies where they introduced the 2007 Rockies that went to the World Series. The game started and it was awesome. 

In the 3rd inning the ushers came down and sang 'Happy Bday' to D. We headed up above the purple seats to watch a bit of the game from a mile up. We got some hot dogs on the way back to our seats and hung out there for the rest of the game. It was a great game and the Rockies won. We walked the 1.8 miles to our Airbnb, got cleaned up and crashed. What an awesome day with my man D!

20170827 + 31 Coasters

20170827 + Up in the am and J&I headed out.  We swung through McD's to get some grub and then headed South to Kings Island.  We had all-inclusive tickets so we had extra parking and photo passes that we gave away.  We started riding at 10:30am, got in 31 rides, and finished at 8:00pm = 9.5 hours =1 ride every 20 minutes.  J&I rode every roller coaster there at least twice and our favorites we hit 3 to 4 times. It was a perfect day, the weather was awesome and the Fast Passes were priceless. In fact the Fast Passes were J's favorite part of the day. He said 'I love walking past everyone waiting in line and just getting straight on the ride'. We had an awesome day, just J&I having fun riding rides playin carnival games and hanging out. He is a great kid and I can't express how luck I am he is my boy.

I cherish these one on one days I get, as the boys are growing up so fast and we don't often get to just sit back and enjoy each other's company. I love you Jacky boy.

20170721 - 207 Holes!

20170721 - Up in the am and got a couple of things done. G and I headed out for our Dad & Me day with not as much planning as in years past. I asked if there was something else he would prefer to do and he declined Our first stop was the 36 holes at the Westerville putt-putt. G and I have been doing this course first for any years and I have many pick of us in this same spot.

G didn't want to do the batting cages to make sure we had time time to get our goal of 200 holes this year. The next stop was the 36 holes in Olentangy. It is a new brand new last year with no landscaping. This year it was complete and we enjoyed the course and the tricky holes, our favorites. After that we had to run an errand for our friend's the McClains dog from the vet.  We then swung by their house and picked up a cage and took it all back to our house.  We introduced Lilly and got the pup settled and then headed out for lunch at Waffle House where G a huge lunch and he ate almost everything.  

We love going to Waffle House.  We then made a quick stop at an auction house to pick up some goodies before heading to Magic Mountain on Brice Rd for 36 holes.  On to Grove City, getting blazing hot now, for another 18 hole at the course where you spin the wheel and have to do what it says.  It was a blast.  we then headed up around 270 to Galaxy Golf where we played the first 9 on the big animal course and then checked out the mountain course to see if it was too wet; NOT FOR US! So we played another 18 holes there.  On around the loop to Avery Rd putt-putt for 18 holes on their colorful course.  The sun was heading down and we made it to the top of 270 for 36 hole at Magic Mountain Polaris.  it was the hardest of the day but maybe because of the shadows and darkness.  We finished in time to get to the Marcus Theater to see Valerian on its opening day in reclining seats with a beer and pizza.  It was a good move and we headed home after, arriving at 1:30 AM.

We played 207 holes today breaking our several year goal of doing 200 holes in 1 day.  It was exhausting and fun at the same time.  We did and talked about many things throughout the day and it was fun listening to all the things this little guy has to say, and he has a lot to say.  He is a fine young boy and I am very lucky to get to do things like this with him.  I hope he always remembers them.  I will, especially this year because I got 4 hole in ones and G only got 1  :-)

What a great day with my littlest man!

20160824 + Pirates Ahoy!

20160824 + Up and D&I walked down the road to have a huge bfast at DeLuca's. We headed towards the park and stopped by the Pittsburgh sports and Heinz ketchup museum. There was some cool stuff there. We then headed out for more walking and headed over the river to our great seats to watch the Houston Astros at Pittsburgh Pirates. After the 1st inning D got the ball throw in to the stands from the first-baseman. It was a good game and we got D a shirt and hat. After the game we walked to where the 3 rivers meet and caught some Pokemon. We walked through the downtown and stopped at a Brazilian restaurant for a good dinner and avoid some of the traffic. In the car and D drove me home. We got home before LJ&G from G's baseball practice. What a fun fast trip.

20160823 - D&ME TO PA

20160823 - Up in the am and in to work. Had a full morning of meetings and updating actions. Home a bit early to get D and he drove me to Pittsburgh. J had a xc meet this evening and ran a 16:45. D&I drove and drove, making a couple stops for some of the World's Largest things and Pokemon. We came to the tunnel and POW, I love how the city explodes right in front of you and you are right in the middle of it. We got the hotel, checked in and walked to the famous Primanti Brothers for huge sandwich, #2 best seller. The sandwiches come with coleslaw and fries on them, it was a new experience for D. We walked a bit further for Pokemon and ice cream. Back to hotel, we could see the stadium from the room, and watched the game taking place there on TV.

20160814 - Day 3 J's Dad & Me Day

20160814 - UP and packed, a bit stiff and stopped down at the main office and because more than 3 people bought videos of the trip and got a bit of a refund and a fancy little camping cup for J. We hit the road for some Pokemon hunting and stopped at a great little restaurant for bfast.  On to Charleston to find some Pokemon at the State Capital building.  Then we ventured on toward the Ohio River where we stopped for a couple weenies at Hillbilly Hot Dogs, it was awesome!  Hit more famous spots and Pokemon. drove through the southern most point in OH and worked our way over to Portsmouth where we caught some rare Pokemon and saw the cool murals on the flood walls.  Our last stop was a steakhouse in Chillicothe where we had an awesome meal.  Home late, but another great weekend with one of my favorite people in the world.  I love you Jack!