Katy Trail 2023

It’s Tuesday May 30 and we’re gathering at our friends the Dixon’s family farmhouse in Junction City, KS before we head to Clinton, MO for a round-trip on the Katy Trail.  Standing is Mike Dixon who lives at the farm, his friend Rob behind Ang and I, and Tom Dixon on the right.  Tom’s wife Sharon is taking the picture.  

The next day we are make about a 4 hr drive to Clinton, MO where we’ll spend the night before starting our 450 mi trip to St. Charles and back. Angela persuaded us all to stop at her Midwest favorite fast food Lion’s Choice for roast beef sandwiches.  

We did a little test ride in the late afternoon sun to make sure our big rigs were ready to go!  Everybody passed the test and tomorrow we ride. 

We had to spend the evening carb loading and drinking Mexican Gatorade at El Camino Real to be in our best condition tomorrow. We succeeded and had fun at the same time!

Day-15 Our Last Day

Our last day in Hawaii.  Both sad and happy.  Sad to leave a beautiful and fun place but there’s no place like home.  Xander was indifferent but he was pretty stoked about dressing up for picture day! 

Mattie, Xander (who has to be held by Ryan in pictures because Mattie pretty much disappears when she holds the big boy) and Ryan dressed Hawaiin style.  

Now everybody in for a Kodak moment.  

Anglea got her last play day at Kamaole Beach. 

Ready to be a swept away, just like when she met me in 1979!

That girl is part baby seal. She loves to play in the waves!

After a little dinner and a couple of fancy drinks at the Stingrays restaurant across from gate 23 we say goodbye and good luck. 

Before the jet has left the gate Xander’s almost asleep and it looks like Mattie may not be too far behind.  8pm departure from Maui and 6:30am arrival in Denver.  Sleep well little Xander!  Our flight leaves at 9:15 for LAX. 

Ang and I are boarded, liquored, and hooded up in our warm, sleepy time sweatshirts and ready to go home!!

Day 14-Another Easy Day in Kihei

Another early morning walk with Xander. We only momentarily blinded Xander with the rising sun!

Xander likes playing footsie when he’s hanging out at the park. 

He also seems to have a preference for Papa’s PBR. Don’t worry Child Protective Services, I kept him to his Milk Stout. 

We found quite a few sea turtles playing (or perhaps mating) along the rocky shoreline. 

Xander has some fun Mommy time before his last bottle before bed.  Another nice day of leisure and family.  

Day 13-Wailea Beach

8:30 and we’re loading up our Hawaiian Adventure SUV for a trip to Wailea Beach, only a few miles south from Kihei.  Packing lightly isn’t Xander’s thing.  

Looking down on Wailea Beach from a very long paved recreation path along the coast.  

Ryan and Mattie give Xander more wave time while an outrigger paddles out for a cruise. 

Angela comes back from standing at the waters edge with her trident (AKA umbrella pole) summoning all of the nearby sea creatures to pay her homage as if she was Amphitrite, sea goddess, before she married Poseidon.  I guess that makes me her second husband. 

I hydrate after returning from baking at the beach. Vacations are so hard!

For an early afternoon dinner we take Xander to Fred’s Mexican Cafe.  Xander, having never  eaten Mexican before, raises questions about it being named Fred’s. We’re unable to alleviate his fears so he attempts to text his parents for an immediate extraction.  

Foiled because he didn’t know Angela’s phone passcode he settles in for a domestic Milk Stout, a very domestic one, with hints of Mommy. 

I ask Angela for a bite of her Baja taco and she begrudgingly offers while saying “it might have a little poison on it.”  I decide to pass. 

On a sad note, Gordon Lightfoot passed away today.  I always liked his music. RIP Gordan, and thanks for making the world just a little bit better place with your music.