Dancin' In The Desert 20Nov17-27Nov17

Kala & I hit the dusty trail to the Sonoran Desert for some fun with friends and family. The drive was uneventful and into outstanding late fall weather in Phoenix. We dropped off a couple of cases of French burgundy to our excited friends Steve & Anne Gordon. I played a round of golf with Steve and one of my oldest and dearest friends Jesse Swisher - I sucked but Swish could still hammer the pellet mightily. We also hit "Top Golf" the next day where I was much better at playing the goofy target shooting game. We enjoyed Thanksgiving with my sister Letha; Matt Coffin even flew in for the occasion - a rare sighting. I got the old Microtest exec staff together with wives (L>R in back: Mark Barmettler, Mark Johnston & Shirley, Dave Coffin & Kala Marietta, Maria Marinick & Michael, Susan Sciacero; L>R in front: Jim Sciacero, Heather Hittel & Paul). We missed Mike Sierra of course but had a raucous good time at Jim & Susan's. I rode Brown's Ranch with Jim & Michael - I like the saguaro flipping us off and the 4 Peaks (elevation 7.5Kft) between us. The next day I rode Trail 100 (my old stomping ground behind our house in PHX) with Michael. It was very cool riding in the Sonoran Desert again. We also caught up with Karen Koenig and Jimmy as well as her kids. While we ate and drank at some good spots in Phoenix, Karen's gazebo was a really keen vibe with spa, fire pit, stocked beverage cool, TV and more - perfect outdoor spot in the desert for much of the year, including late Nov. I liked her sign and being near New Mexico allowed tasting a number of Cumbre brews - like the special Project Dank.

Also, mainly for documentation, Thanksgiving is a time when we get to see MLC's main HS mates. Here the Peregrine Partners are convened again. L>R: Matt Coffin (skydiver & big data code jock), Matthew Brantley (federal lands law enforcement), David Vadnais (satellite comms firmware jock), and Mitchel Yohanan (mechE master's degree pursuits).