Solitude

Today marked 17 years since my dad passed away. I took the morning off to go for a hike in the mountains, on a trail, aptly, to Lake Solitude. What was supposed to be a 3 mile hike turned into 6 because the trail was not well marked. Or it could have been because of all the snow... 

For my dad

Happy birthday to my dad. Who loved ice cream. I miss you. I love you. 

To Dad

Cheers to my dad. So much has happened in the last 15 years. I miss you. I love you. 

Hello Raleigh

After too many hours of flying, we arrived in Raleigh. 

Why in the world is there a picture of a McDonald's ice cream cone do you ask? Well, growing up, whenever we would travel to a new city with my dad, he would always have to sample the ice cream. Even if it was a McDonald's cone. We were going to a new city and I was super emotional so I decided to get some ice cream - even if it was McDonald's and even if it was in Chicago O'Hare which we've been to a million times. It was comforting. And bloating. But the emotional soothing made it worth it. :-) I had one. And then brought one over to the kids and Jeff. 

Hello Raleigh

We arrived in Raleigh late in the evening if I remember correctly. Aaron was in good humor and got a huge kick out of rolling his backpack over the bumps after the escalators. He said something like, "backpack farting". Great comic relief kid at just the right time!

My Dad's day

Today marked the 12th anniversary of my dad's passing. While the kids were in school, I took Aaron up to Cabrillo for a nice scenic hike that my dad would have loved. And in the evening, Aaron went with me to a little wine bar to toast to my dad with a glass of Malbec and fruit snacks for Aaron. And we played some Bunny Hop. For dinner, we had his specialty of red macaroni and cherry milkshakes. I sure miss him.