Making a Statement...

Hi Family and Friends,

Have I lost it or what? No just wanted to make a statement about myself and life as I see it. At 63 years old I got my first and most likely one and only tattoo I will ever have. Yes it hurts a bunch to have done. Here is my creation, of course I had to have a tattoo artist put to ink my thoughts.

Here is my interpretation of my tattoo. The bicycle rider is me of course, the upper background is the rising sun a symbol for a new day/new life, the lower dark area is the earth from which we came, the butterfly represents joy, happiness, rebirth and renewal of life for which many Christians as well as other ancient and current cultures seek. The word “Nika” comes from a battle in 532AD during the Byzantine Empire, when all looked lost for the Empire Victory finally prevailed. Thus “Nika” loosely translates to “Victory” against overwhelming odds. Here’s my take on the whole picture, my passion for bicycle riding is helping me cope with hardships of life, such as the loss of my father in-law and good friends, to be victorious in my journey to a renewed happiness for life now and forever more.

What do you think? Pretty heavy stuff coming from a lowly educated old fat guy reaching his golden years, some thought I’d never make it this far myself included.

May your dreams and aspirations live as a fire within you to reach for the stars and follow your heart to a life of joy and happiness within your soul.

God Bless!

Rememberiing 911...May we never forget...

Ms. Vickie our dog Tigger and I hung flags at the entrances to our store in rememberance of that fateful day. May we never forget. God Bless America!

Joplin Group Bicycle Ride...Labor Day 09

Vegas

Here I am in Vegas again working like a dog to earn a pitence, when am I going to get to enjoy retirement, I guess when I win Powerball. Well I did have a couple days to ride my bike up and over the summit at Red Rock Canyon. Second day I made it t...o the top without stopping. Of course my heart was trying to leap out of my body, screaming crazy ole fool you're to old and too fat. Ah, what a way to go.

Alaska 2009

Visiting our son and daughter-in-law and Grandson Ben....

Grandpa Frank and Ben checking out the Brown Bears

Ben running after tickling Grandma Vickie's foot to wake her up

Ben meeting a Puffin downtown Anchorage

Ben and Grandma Vicki

Shawn and Ben climbing up the slide for a thrill ride

Shawn, Ben and Ms. Vickie on the Bouncy Bear slide

Ms. Vickie modeling Ben's new hat..

Ben with monkey on his neck and Munster Frankenstick

The family at Ben's baptism

Cow and two calves on side of Coastal Trail where I rode a bicycle most days. The calves came within ten or twelve feet of me but I dared not let them get any closer as I got in big trouble with Shawn for getting within touching distance of a bull two years ago on the same trail

A couple bull elk at the Wildlife refuge


Me and Ms. Vickie on cruise of the Glaciers in the Whittier area.

Not quite right pool team pool party...

My teamates have been asking for several years for Ms. Vickie and me to host a pool as in swimming party for our pool team as in billiards. Thus Saturday we finally hosted a party.


Can't have a party without cake



Bella our team mascot with her mommy Tami



The gang in the pool..





With my favorite drink "Margarita"

Ragbrai....

RAGBRAI, Register's Annual Great Ride Across Iowa, has become addictive as this is my third year in a row to ride it. Fantastic week riding, meeting folks, eating and drinking its 20,000 strong moving party across Iowa.

Wartburg Knight Riders--the group I ride with

Liked this temporary tatoo so much in 2008, I did it again for 2009

USA flag welcomes us to one of the many pass through towns...

One of the more unique ways to ride--bike sailing

Mt. Pleasant offered us a wet welcome

Dipping our tires in the Mighty Mississippi at rides end...