Monday, June 29, 2009 by Dana.

Ever since moving to PHX, I’ve been completely disappointed at attending fireworks displays.  Because of the extreme danger of fire (everything here is very dry and likely to ignite with the slightest help), the displays seem about as exciting as any small town fireworks display.  Not to mention, it is 95 degrees at night while you watch the fireworks in the park.

This is the 5th largest metro area in the USA..  Why can’t the metro areas partner to create a giant display over the Tempe Towne Lake (small “lake” in Tempe created by damming the trickle of water that comes down the Salt River) that is set to music and lasts for over an hour, like the WEBN fireworks in Cincinnati or Red, White, and Boom in Columbus.    Or set up the launch point on the top of South Mountain and get fire departments from every metro area staged on both side of the mountain to put out any fires… which should be less likely given the additional 800 foot clearance from launching from the mountain top.  The fireworks will be visible on both sides of the mountain, and from a greater distance given the height.

If it is still a fire hazard, lets make this the laser light show capital of the world.  Blast a display on the side of Camelback Mountain or setup synchronized displays on various mountain sides all over the valley.  There are just many more options besides crummy, little fireworks displays that are put to shame by tiny cities in the Midwest.

I guess each metro area doesn’t want to give up revenue from the sale of $3 bottles of water and $5 glow necklaces.

Karen and the 2 younger boys are out of town… so my 15 yr old and me just might skip the fireworks?  Can’t decide.  Although we have not taken our deaf dog that loves lights.  Maybe he will enjoy the show.

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Friday, June 19, 2009 by Dana.

Karen and crew spent the night in Brinkley, AR at the EconoLodge.  The drove for 12 hours, and everyone was wore out, including the dogs.

Update 14 - From Karen - Pee break before leaving EconoLodge.  Piper growled at 2 people for us… good piper!  Southern hospitality is the best. I was offered a free water from a stranger in Brinkley.

Update 15 - From Shade - Tennessee!

Update 16 - From Karen - [Shade sleeping in the back.]   3rd argument from kids… spilled water lol… lasted 30 secs.

Update 17 - From Shade - Tennesee River

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Thursday, June 18, 2009 by Dana.

After a night at a KOA campground in Odessa, they hit the road at about 8am local time.  The plan is to get to Little Rock, AK on Day 2 (10 hrs).

Update 8 - From Shade - Barn! We’re in Midland, TX. We just passed some [windmills].Tired puppies.Sorry, but there’s nothing around me [to photograph].

Update 9 - From Shade - It’s pretty cool over here [near Abilene].

Update 10 - From Shade - We’re half way there.  We’re in Dallas.That’s Dallas for ya. Mom isn’t [having fun]. She made a wrong turn. Again.

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Wednesday, June 17, 2009 by Dana.

Karen, Shade, and Seth departed for Kentucky early this morning (about 5:15am) with Piper & JJ.  I miss them already.  I took Lukas for a walk because he looked so lonely, then I headed off to work.  Shade has been sending me trip updates and photos from his phone, so I will post updates here as a I have time.

Update 1 - From Shade - We’re in Tucson!!!

Update 2 - From Shade - Now we’re in Benson

Update 3 - From Shade - Ya, we missed the rush hour.  We’re in Texas Canyon.  We’re going to squeeze the lemon in a few minutes. We’re 230 miles from El Paso.

Update 4 - From Shade - Just entered New Mexico.  I will send you a picure when I find a good area.  –> That’s New Mexico for ya’ll –> JJ won’t stop licking me. 

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Thursday, June 4, 2009 by karen.

I grilled steaks last night from my favorite butcher shop in Chandler.  Shade had a friend over and they were setting up the tent to ‘camp’.  It was very fun for them.   The dogs were out with us completely enjoying the cool weather and playing.  When our dogs play, it consists of Piper and Lukas wrestling while JJ runs in circles around them barking.  JJ loves to bark.  Perhaps we are just immune to it.  When she really needs something, she jumps at us or whimpers.  I guess the neighbor isn’t immune to her barking yet.  I heart a man yell ’shut-up’ and I had to do a double-take.  I thought to myself, ‘are you talking to me?’.  Then I quieted JJ and heard the neighbor out in his backyard.  I am aware that a dog barking can be annoying…hell, I do get annoyed with it myself.  I took the ’shut-up’ comment very personal.  Seriously, you are my neighbor and you could very easily look over the fence to see if everything is alright or simply ask me to quiet my dog.  Yelling in your own backyard to ’shut-up’ my dog does absolutely nothing.  If the kids were playing loudly I am sure you would owe them that.  Yes, I just compared my kids to my dogs.

My dogs enjoyed their piece of steak.

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