Colorado National Monument

Colorado National Monument is just west of Grand Junction, CO. It is stunningly beautiful. You can enter from the north off of I-70, or you can enter from the southeast as we did. We had little time to do anything but drive through and take a few pictures. Some day I am coming back with Bill to spend more time.

Curecanti National Recreation Area and Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

We spent the night in Canon (pronounced "canyon") City on US 50 west of Pueblo, CO. The motel has been used by many movie production crews. Signs on the doors of some rooms named a movie star that had slept in the room. Some names we saw: Goldie Hawn, John Belushi, and Jack Elam.



From Canon City, US 50 winds through the Curecanti National Recreation Area. The Blue Mesa Reservoir is formed by the dammed up Gunnison River. The picture to the right is of the Dillon Pinnacles on Blue Mesa Reservoir.




After leaving the Curecanti National Recreation Area, we took a turn north onto Colorado state road 347 to visit Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. We drove the truck down a 16% grade to get to the bottom. The next day we went back and drove along the rim of the canyon. It is called Black Canyon because its sides are so steep that the sun does not reach some parts of it. It was not navigated until 1901.

Capulin Volcano National Monument and the Continental Divide

The adventure has begun. Starr and I left Atlanta on Tuesday, September 1, in a rental truck loaded with the family heirlooms, abandoning Bill to his own devices. Our destination: Boise, Idaho.

The first couple of days were just to make miles, but by Thursday we were ready for some sight-seeing. We pulled off the main road in northwestern New Mexico to see Capulin Volcano National Monument, the site of a 60,000 year old volcanic cone.

The next day we crossed the Continental Divide at Monarch Pass on US 50 in Colorado - 11,312 feet!

Betty's Northrop Grumman Party

My Northrop Grumman friends threw a party for me at Bambinelli's Italian Restaurant on July 29th. Thanks to Tricia Gallagher, Shu McGarvey, Marilyn Windle, and Mary Hamilton for putting all of this together. The food was FANTASTIC and the opportunity to visit with everyone again was a real treat. The Camping World gift card will be put to good use.

Two very special guests who actually got there after the party was over were Dewey Blaylock and his mother Ginger. He just happened to be in town. Thanks to Mark Conde for contacting him.

Check out the pictures:

Bill's Dave & Buster's Party

We had a light turnout on July 10, but tons of good food at the party we threw at Dave and Buster's for Bill's F-22 buddies. Those who could not attend were missed.

As you can tell from the picture, there were a few laughs. Among other things, Emma "let" Bill beat her at 8-ball.

Made it to Lake Lanier!

We picked up the trailer Wednesday, July 18, and brought it up to the Lockheed Martin Longhollow Campground on Lake Lanier for storage. We were not yet ready to stay in it - too much to do at the house. The picture of the rig includes Bill talking to another Bill who retired from Lockheed several years ago.

Yesterday, July 21, we finally brought an initial load of stuff up to the lake and set up on a site. It is amazing what I forgot to bring. We were so used to having the basics in the old motorhome just waiting to travel.

There is hardly anyone here - just some other retirees who stay all summer. The weather has been fantastic. We have a great view of the Longhollow inlet. We have just slept in and goofed off. Tomorrow we are going back down to the house to spend the night and gather up some more stuff to bring up here.

I saw an orthopedist about my knee yesterday and tried a cortisone shot to put off surgery. It hurt going in, but the knee is a little better. It is supposed to continue to improve for about a week, then last 3 to 4 months. The orthopedist says the risk of infection is high enough for me that I should have Emory do the replacement if I want it. If the cortisone works well enough, maybe I will wait until after Alaska for the surgery.

I will post some more pictures of the rig next time.

Betty's IIBA Retirement

My FIRST retirement event was on June 23 at the Greater Atlanta IIBA meeting. They completely caught me by surprise with a balloon, two cakes, a beautiful photo album, and a Funsaver camera to start creating entries for the photo album.

I was very lucky to be there when that first what-is-the-IIBA-and-do-we-want-to-start-a-chapter-in-Atlanta meeting occurred and got to contribute my two cents worth to defining the role of the BA to the world over the following years. From that day to this I have not missed an IIBA meeting. I made many new friends that I will always cherish.

Bill's Lockheed Retirement

Bill worked for Lockheed for 25 years. He worked on the C-130 and F-22 assembly lines, did a stint as a research mechanic where he and his team tested an F-22 against all types of torture, and even worked in transportation for a while. His final months were spent in Quick Turnaround. That's Bill in the black tee-shirt.

Bill's family members attending the party included his wife Betty Baker, his son Shane Baker, his ex-mother-in-law Sarah Johnson (grandmother to Shane), his granddaughter Alison Baker and her mother Janice Baker.

Click here and select Slideshow to view more pictures of his party.

Betty's Silverpop Retirement

This is the first of many posts, hopefully for years to come. Thought I'd start with thanks to everyone for my Silverpop retirement party. It was lots of fun, and the loot was great! I just wish the people from outside Atlanta could have joined us somehow.

Click here and select Slideshow for more pictures from the party.

Walking out the last day felt pretty weird. I have worked steadily from the time my daughter entered daycare in September of 1974 until June 30, 2009, with time off only for vacations and illnesses - never unemployed! I really appreciate Silverpop's willingness to use my services on a contract basis for a while. It will make the transition to "bum" easier and even bring in a little money.