Vacation trip day one: in the car....
Well, we're off on yet another grand adventure. For spring break we're headed back to Winter Park, Colorado and the YMCA Snow Mountain Ranch.

I think that, getting older, I'm losing my tolerance to be in the car for long periods of time. My life partner was gracious enough to handle the majority of the driving as I just couldn't stay awake. I'm recovering from a cold, is what I'm telling myself.

We had a nice 2 1/2 hour break in Des Moines to visit sis & family. Her guys are all nice and fun to joke around with. And I was indulged as we got to visit the fabled Apple store in the Jordan Creek Mall, Des Moines. LOTS of store traffic, and always shiny new, desirable, high-touch-high-tech toys.

Anyway, we're all here at the halfway point, North Platte, Nebraska at a very nice Holiday Inn Express. 'Am glad we made reservations in advance. The last time through Nebraska we took our chances without reservations, and hit upon Nebraska Days; hotel rooms were at a premium.

This time again, the parking lots were full as we pulled into town. It happens that there is some bowling convention in town. Good thing we didn't leave it to chance.

We've stayed at this Holiday Inn before. Hot chocolate-chip cookies at night, and a very nice pool (not too chemical-ly). The kids treated us to a demonstration of synchronized swimming! Future Olympians, surely.

Tomorrow promises only five hours of driving, provided the snow in the mountains isn't too treacherous, never a safe assumption. Then we can relax, get ski rentals and psych up for a day on the hill Monday. More to come....

Go go geothermal

Hi,

Sorry it's been a while. In fact, Kathy Griffin was on TV last night again, and previous comments apply. Maybe every time she's on it will prompt me to come back and give an update.

Anyway, today our boring contractor arrived to drill wells for our geothermal heating & cooling system. WE ARE *SO* EXCITED about this. It's a huge investment, but besides the long-term savings, it got geek cachet.

The furnance being replaced, American Standard, is original with the 1967? house, and is reliable & powerful, but not very efficient. Same with the Amana central air conditioner, which on hot Iowa days seems never to be able to keep up, running constantly.

We're also replacing the driveway in the process, which needed to go as it has continued to crack and crumble over the seven years since we moved in. Taken together the cost is equivalent to three or four very nice family vacations to Hawaii.

Well, not much is happening yet outside. I'm home today from work with a cold, so it's a good opportunity to watch by the sidelines the progress. Hopefully the inside-word can be held off until tomorrow. 'Will keep you posted as to progress.