Reno 2006 Day Four

Kent Pietsch touches the left wingtip of his 1941 Interstate Cadet on the tarmac during his drunken pilot act.

Kent pietsch lands his 1941 Interstate Cadet atop a moving aircraft carrier that doubles as his RV.

Kent Pietsch has his crew drive his plane atop the RV past the grandstand crowd. He later flew the plane off the top of the RV.

Reno 2006 Day Four

One of the few F-4 Phantoms still being flown by human pilots. Most are being used as target drones. Old F-4 pilots are fond of saying that the Phantom was testament to the fact that if you put a big enough engine on something it will fly.

Reno 2006 Day Four

Thunderbirds 5 and 6 provide the crowd with a virtual mirror image.

Reno 2006 Day Four

Unlimited racer Precious Metal moves to pas the F8F Bearcat of Texan Howard Pardue.

Reno 2006 Day Three

At 8 a.m. today, the temperature was 48 degrees with 18 mph winds gusting to 25 mph out of the southwest. Yet, both the Formula One Class and the Sport Biplane Class (above) flew and flew well.

Reno 2006 Day Three

An F-15 Eagle goes supersonic at show center.

Reno 2006 Day Three

The Tailhook Legacy Flight features fighters that have served the U.S. Navy through the years. Leading the formation is a F6F Hellcat, followed by an FJ4 Fury (the navy version of the F-86 Sabre), an F8F Bearcat and bringing up the rear is an FA-18 Super Hornet.

Reno 2006 Day Three

The Thunderbirds performed their "low show" due to the high winds. Here, Thunderbird One flies straight over the grandstand crowd.

Reno 2006 Day Three

Aerobatics pilot Michael Goulian puts on a show for the cold crowd at Stead Field.

Reno 2006 Day Three

The frontrunner for the Unlimited gold appears to be Mike Brown's September Fury.

Reno 2006 Day Two

Yesterday it was Thunderbird 8 who showed up. Today the rest of the team conducted a survey flight of the air space. Here, Thunderbirds 5 and 6 pass each other just in front of the crowd.

Reno 2006 Day Two

A passenger flight of a different sort. Gene Soucy takes wing-walker Teresa Stokes for a ride.

Reno 2006 Day Two

Kent Pietsch lands his 1941 Interstate Cadet atop an RV that is moving at 60 mph down the runaway.

Reno 2006 Day Two

This is the Heritage Flight. The propellar-driven aircraft are P-51 Mustangs. The jet at the top is an F-15 Eagle. The jet at the bottom is an F-4 Phantom.

Reno 2006 Day Two

Strega out for an early morning workout.

Reno 2006 Day One

A familiar sight to air racing fans. The home pylon at Reno Stead Field.

Reno 2006 Day One

This beautiful P-40 Warhawk is on display in the heritage area.

Reno 2006 Day One

Rare Bear departs for a qualification run which ended with a couple of loud pops in his engine.
There will be late nights in the Rare Bear pits.

Reno 2006 Day One

Thunderbird 8 showed up in early afternoon to scout the airfield

Reno 2006 Day One

The T-6/SNJ Class is trying a new start that brings them in front of the grandstands in formation.

Reno 2006 Day One

The Jet Class raced today with John Penney winning his heat race.

Shave and a hair cut..two bits!

We took Kato and Kona to the beauty parlor today. The result for Kato was quite revealing.

Shave and a hair cut..two bits!

Those of you who know us are aware that we have a dog door to the backyard. We also have some oleander bushes and a tree that sheds acorns. Kato has been sampling the leaves from the bushes and acorns from the trees. Thus, while the boys were at the beauty parlor, we fenced off the backyard to limit them to the west side of the house.

Shave and a hair cut..two bits!

A face only a mother could love!

Mount Lemmon Sojourn

With temperatures hovering around 110 degrees in Tucson for a second day in a row. Kathy and I headed up the Catalina Highway to Mount Lemmon.
 

Mount Lemmon Sojourm

One of the more unusual rock formations as you head up the mountain.
 

Mount Lemmon Sojourm

The last time Kathy and I journeyed to Mount Lemmon was Memorial Day weekend 2004 when Pam and Mike came to visit. Three days later a massive
fire started and continued to burn for weeks consuming much of Summerhaven. 
The Mount Lemmon General Store survived the blaze.
 

Mount Lemmon Sojourm

The main street in Summerhaven is still recovering from the 2004 fire.
 

Mount Lemmon Sojourm

 
Heading back down the highway to Tucson and the heat.
 

Working on detente

Kato is showing off. 

Working on detente

Kona and Kato, with some help from Kathy, are working on getting along. 

Meet the new addition to the family

As most of you are aware, we recently lost Ms. Khloe to illness.  Meet Mr. Kona's new friend Mr. Kato. He was born April 20, 2006. "Kato, Arizona Sunrise" is a Shifon, a mix between Shitzu and Brussels Griffon.

Meet the new addition to the family

Mr. Kona, aka "Kona Arizona Sunset," seems to be concerned about his new "buddy."

A playful puppy

Kato may only weigh 3.7 pounds, but he has already chased Kona around the living room and his bark is somewhat loud. 

Kona still top dog

Kona has been blue since Kloe's passing. Despite being a bit leery of Kato, he now appears to be happy. 

Capturing Lightning in a Bottle

Like his grandfather before him, my nephew Kevin joined an exclusive club on Friday, Dec. 30, 2005, he bowled a perfect, 300 game. What a way to celebrate turning 16 years old earlier in the month.

Left, you will find Kevin being congratulated by the youth director at his favorite bowling alley in Houston. Also. there's a copy of Kevin's scoresheet.

Congratulations Kevin. May this be just the first of many perfect games.

60th Anniversary

On Monday night, Hazel played the piano as Lester, Kathy, Cheryl and Gary joined in singing. The house was full of music!

60th Anniversary

The message on the cake says it better than I could.

60th Anniversary

The love birds, Lester and Hazel, celebrate 60 years together.

60th Anniversary

Hazel's sister Marjorie made the trip from Billings for the anniversary celebration.

60th Anniversary

Joining Hazel and Lester (center) are Kathy and Dave (left), Diana and Dewey and Cheryl and Gary (right).

60th Anniversary

Joining Lester and Hazel (left) were Lester's sister Betty, oldest brother Elmer, and brother Linden and his wife Anna.

60th Anniversary

It was a tiring day for Hazel and Lester.

60th Anniversary

Lester and Hazel were married 60 years ago Oct. 7. They celebrated their anniversary with their three daughters, Cheryl, Diana and Kathy in Casper, Wyo.

60th Anniversary

Daughter Diana and son-in-law Dewey enjoy the conversation at the 60th Anniversary dinner.

60th Anniversary

Glenna and Mike joined the anniversary dinner festivities at Outback.