Ann and I went (separately) to Urbana (Ann's HS reunion) and Michigan (Dad's 80th birthday), and together to Phoenix, and up the California west coast to Oregon, and then home. First by plane, then the trip south by car.

These are (as usual) in no particular order. Some were added on Sept 04, 2005. Those descriptions will be along. . .

Here we are, returned now for over a week. Still posting a few pictures. . .

It is SO hard to narrow down these pictorial decisions, because we all take TONS of pictures!

These are late additions, posted on the seventh of September.
Jim with Jerry, Bonnie and family

The 'OTHER' porch picture, taken a day earlier -

A quick lesson in 'find the camera'.

Nick and Dillon, Henry and Dad, Trisha and Mardi

This was mostly a driving vacation. The goal was to make it down to Tempe, AZ, and see my Mom, and still have time to get up the west coast to Lincoln City, OR, and spend a few days with Ann's chums on Devil's Lake, as we have done in years past. It all worked out - over 3600 miles in ten days.

Mostly, this was Saab's moment of glory. A couple minor glitches here in town (while Ann was driving - failed relay, three dollar part) - had established it as a non reliable mode of transportation. If your car quits for no reason, leaving you stranded - as happened to Ann and Evelyn - you tend to lose the faith.

When I first suggested a motor vacation, both Ann and Evie assumed that I meant we would take her Toyota truck - Big Bob. It has the same miles on it as does Saab, but has been very faithful. No glitches leaving them stranded.

When I explained that I was hoping for a convertible experience in the Saab, they were somewhat reluctant to get aboard. 'What if it quits?'

None the less, we packed the Saab, allowing the necessary room in the trunk to lower the top at any time with no re-arranging. Meaning, leave the boot area free. It all worked out.

We drove in every type of weather (110 plus degrees in Phoenix to fifty degree mountain passes) for hours on end. The air conditioning going full blast keeping us cool, or the heat on high in the mountain passes with the top down, keeping us warm.

The Saab never gave us a lick of trouble, as well as being great fun to drive.

Evelyn developed a system for keeping warm in the back seat with the top down; wrapping herself in a down blanket - which she then placed over the rear seat heat vent, and voila: a warm air balloon!

She never complained. Well, if she did, we couldn't hear her. . .

Dan and Holly went canoeing - their minor differences about who steers were settled the old fashioned way. . .

The younger crowd afloat

The only souls brave enough to venture into the fifty degree surf - Ali and Christa. They did get some GREAT Boogy Board rides!

Holly and Dan, offering his solution to the age old question, 'Honey, can you open this for me?'

Ann said, 'Hold your stomach in!' Grilling steaks on Sunday evening, our night to cook.

Evelyn at the 'One Man Band' diner. What a cool idea! The guy behind the counter takes your order over a phone at the booth. Then he cooks it. Then he buzzes the booth to tell you it's ready. Then he collects your money, when you pick up your order. You add the condiments, and the whole thing is accomplished by 'one MAN!'

OK, there was one girl bussing the tables and helping out - but basically the whole show was run by the person behind the grill. Talk about saving on help! Here's the good part - the food was well prepared, and tasty! A coffee shop barista from earlier in the day had suggested this place.

Cruising through the mountains with the top down.

Top down at night - or in a tunnel. . .

Evelyn by a Hogan in Tuba City, AZ. Home of Jim Chee!

Inside the 'Tower' at the Grand Canyon

Saab, doing the disappearing top trick

At one point, winding up the California coast on Highway One, these two Ferraries screamed past us.
Then they were stuck. For miles and miles, there was no place to pass. They became belligerent! They actually started honking at the poor fellow in front of them, like he should get off the road so that these two hi performance machines could pass? To his credit, he ignored them, for many miles, before giving in and pulling over - at which time the Ferraries cranked it up and screamed by, never to be seem again, by the likes of us!

pool side Evie

California had some of the huggest wind farms that we have ever seen! They went on for miles!

On the beach near Lincoln City, Oregon

Ann and Evelyn at the Grand Canyon

Taken in Old Town, Scottsdale, AZ

Bob Smock with Devin at the 80th birthday bash

Deer seen near the house in Lincoln City -

Ann at a cafe where she convinced Evie and I to eat outside in the heat.

John, David, Jake, Lee, Talia, Fran, Dad and Nick - in Michigan

The brain trust - Holly, Ann and Barb - Lincoln City


Yes, these guys make it all very much FUN!

Lewis by the beach fire

Dan, Bailey, Evelyn, Lewis, Christa, Ali, Holly, Barb, Ann, David - on the ocean beach in Lincoln City.

Evie and David

Henry, Dad and I in MI

Mom and David

The fawn that went with the deer

Taking a break while driving up the California coast on Highway One.

Mom with Ann, Evie and david

Morrow Rock, in Morrow Bay


The 2005 porch picture, in Michigan - L to R starting with Fran, Dad and Henry
John, Jim, Mardi, Anne, Jake, Trisha, Nick, Jim, Adam
David, Talia, Devin, Dillon, Lee

Christa, Evelyn, Lewis - Lincoln City - Devil's Lake


The Tower at the Grand Canyon

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