Home! There is no place like home! I truly enjoyed my travels of late. However, arriving home is always such a nice experience when one has been away as much as I have been away.
On thursday, Jennifer, Stepan, Cynthia, Helena, Tetra Hanka and myself went on an 8.4 mile hike of the Buffalo River area forests. A little over halfway into our trek, Cynthia and I decided we might have bitten off a little bit more than we could chew. It seemed that each time we stopped to rest, it was very difficult getting our "mountain walking legs" back. It took us about 5.5 hours to complete our journey. We stopped once for lunch at a very beautiful scenic overlook area, that afforded us a wonderful view of the Buffalo River. We also stopped about 2.5 miles shy of the finish line for apples. At this last stop we found a stick bug. We took alot of pictures of it. You will need to check out Stepans photo album. Jenny and I had almost a religious experience when we were leading the pack and 2 deer crossed our path. One stopped and established eye contact with us. I think he was as curious about us as we were about him. I hope that we were able to get some good photographic shots of him. I want to share this experience.
On the trip home, Jerry got pulled over by a Texas DPS officer. I'll be damned if he only got a warning. I thought at first what a great time to tell him about the ticket I got in Houston during the Cinco Ranch Tri. Not to be. However, the day I left for Austin to attend the wedding, I called to enter my plea of innocence with the judges office. I was informed that the ticket had not yet been turned in by the ticketing officer. It had been about 17 days since issuance at that point. Maybe, the officer thought that I was quite funny and decided not to turn it in. I am going to make one more attempt of resolving the ticket on Monday. If there is still no record of my offenses, I will write the judge and plead my case. I will do this in case the ticket turns up at some later date.
Today, Jen, Stepan and I went to see the Europeans off at the airport. Urs, Martina, Raphael, Aline and Moritz were on their way to a weeks stay in Cancun. Vladimir and Helena were heading back to Switzerland. I have to admit I fell a little bit in love with Moritz. If Urs and Martina ever decide that they do not want him I am going to be first inline to get him. Actually, they are such a sweet and lovely family, I would not dream of interrupted their life. They will just have to keep Moritz with them. I will keep him in my thoughts. Helena and Vladimir had a later flight, so the five of us left and went to Saltgrass for lunch. It was nice spending some extra time with them. I hope to go to Switzerland and visit with Jen and Step on Christmas 2003. I look forward to seeing them again.
On Wednesday, October 16, 2002 I will celebrate 30 years employment with SWB. My 30 year gift that I chose is a Bose Wave Radio. I cannot wait to get it.
Posted by Rita at October 12, 2002 09:49 PMI heard from Stepan that his mom sets a mean pace when they are out on walks. My mom said she could barely walk the next day! I'm sure going straight up a mountain wasn't easy. But as a triathlete, thinking of it as some off-season training.
My fingers are crossed re the ticket. Maybe he lost the ticket book.
I think that would be really neat for you to go overseas for Xmas next year--you would have a blast! Have you ever been to Europe? I really hope you can make that happen. I am sure you would be welcomed and would have all sorts of interesting new experiences. I am very happy for you that you have acquired a new family that you like to spend time with and that you feel affection for. That doesn't always happen! Your daughter certainly chose well.
Posted by: Elizabeth at October 13, 2002 01:52 AM