Here's to Rocky Raimondi

Special thanks to our friend, Rocky Raimondi, a NYC firefighter.  Rocky was on his way to go surfing on Sept. 11, 2001 when he was called in to help save lives and assist in the clean-up of  the destruction that took place.  Here's to you Rocky!!!  When you get some time off again, we hope that there are waves waiting for you.  

Congrats to Ed and Denise Crowley

Allison and I were unable to obtain flights to attend the marriage between our good friends Ed and Denise on 10/20/01.  Even though we can not be there, we will be celebrating with you out here in California.  What a great couple! - we love you guys and wish you a long and happy marriage.

Back to Denver!  After a six hour drive from Crazy Horse we made it to Scott, Cami and Jackson Chaplick's house.   Marty and Scott graduated from Toms River High School South in 1987 and remained close friends over the last 14 years.  Scott was also the one who provided the contacts for Marty at Rhythms NetConnections (Marty & Allison both worked there in 1999, Scott started there in 1998 and is still employed by Rhythms).  It was a time of regrouping, taking advantage of sleeping in a real bed, cleaning laundry, eating quality food, and seeing our old friends from Denver.  Jackson has grown a ton since we last saw him a year ago, and he has developed an obsession with the video, "I Dig Dirt", the show, "Arthur", and all types of trucks and tools.  It reminded us of the way our nephew, Jake, is infatuated with sharks.  Marty experienced a neighbor's birthday party with Scott and Jackson, Cami made us with some great meals and overall, it was just great spending time with the Chaplicks again.  Thanks you guys!!

Rover spotting in Denver.  We thought we have seen it all until we saw this  ultimate land rover extension .....too bad it is not a Defender.

During our stay at the Chaplick's, we managed to seek out some of our friends that we had while living in Denver back in 1999 - sorry we did not get photos of everyone.  We shared breakfasts, lunches, dinners, drinks, and good times with Scott Franklin, Jeff Goergen, Brian Kelly, Kris Kramer, Bob Massitti, Jim Greenberg, Jim Campbell, Nikki Williams, Mike Calabrese, Howard Michalski, Phil Rotherham, Dan Karlson, Terry Gannon, Vicky Rickowski, Chris Gentile, Amy Clark and several others (sorry if we missed anyone).  

One evening was spent watching the Rhythms Netcrashers defeat some team by a 12-0 score.  Marty played roller hockey with the netcrashers while he lived in Denver and it brought back some great memories.

The biggest surprise so far came in Denver.  When we went to visit  our friends, Ed and Kristi Janos, at their store, Cook's Fresh Market.  They were thrilled to see us, especially Allison.  Allison helped them out with some marketing when they opened their store over a year ago, and now they were looking for some additional help.  After a great meal at their house and discussing all of the details, we made the decision to have Allison stay in Denver for a month or so to help out our friends, gain some more chef training and also make some extra cash. Ed and Kristi are great chefs, in fact, Ed is one of only 52 certified master chefs in the USA.  It was an experience that Allison could not pass up.  Marty decided to depart Denver and head west in hopes of finding some surf, visiting some national parks and starting his writing career.  We stayed our last night together in Denver at Ed and Kristi's house on 9/25.

On to the National Parks...Marty departed on 9/26 after determining the course he would take.  It was decided that he would travel north to the Tetons, Yellowstone, Glacier, Banff, and Jasper National Parks before heading west to Vancouver, Washington, Oregon, and California.  He would end up in Truckee, California at the home of  Don & Lenna Hossack, Allison's parents. 

Rt. 25N, Rt. 80W, and Rt. 191N took Marty from Denver to the Grand Teton National Park in about 8 hours.  $20 entrance fee was paid to enter the park.  He found a free place to stay near the Flagg Ranch Campground.  The park wanted $15 to stay one night in the campground, but when Marty asked them for free camping, they told him that there are free sights about 2 miles from the campground.  Lesson learned....it pays to ask for a free sights at the National Parks!!  Although there were no animal sightings at the Tetons, the dramatic vistas along the Teton Skyline were most impressive.

Rover arrived at Yellowstone on 9/27 and spent the day driving from the South Entrance to Mammoth Hot Springs (the northern most section of the park and a campground to boot).  The $20 paid at Teton N.P. also allows you to enter Yellowstone.  While Marty entered Yellowstone, he noticed a yearly National Parks Pass for $50.  This pass enables you to enter every National Park, National Monument, and any other national park system in the USA for up to one year from the date of purchase.  Since the Rover is planning on visiting numerous other National Parks over the next year, we decided to purchase the pass (We were able to get a refund of $20 for the entrance fee we spent 9/26 - good thing we asked!!)

Enroute to Mammoth, we met Sean Clark, Kina Pickett, Tim Coakley and their dog, Kava.  They run Snake River Kayak and Canoe in Jackson Hole, WY.  They seem like nice people, so if you are out that way, look them up and go on out for a kayak trip.

You can't visit Yellowstone without visiting Old Faithful. We learned that this geyser erupts about every 30 minutes and lasts for about 2 minutes.  Kind of boring sitting around waiting for it to erupt...luckily we were able to meet some kind folk.  Arielle Hubbell, and Bob & BJ Cadzow recently bought a 1960's VW bus in Canada and were driving it back to their home in Florida.  They purchased it on EBAY for $6000.

We made our way to Mammoth and saw some moose and elk along the way.  At Mammoth, we were disappointed to learn that all the sites were filled, so what else to do except hit the local bar in Mammoth.  While drinking some specials, Marty met Matt Ewer, Elizabeth Blessing and one other guy whose name he can't remember.  Once they learned about Marty not having a place to stay, they indicated that they were heading to their friend's house in Bozeman, Montana and that he was more than welcome to join.  On to Bozeman - Brett Byers place!  Once there, a party broke out.  These guys all work for Gibson Guitars and after a few drinks they all busted out singing and playing some righteous tunes.  Too bad no pictures or sound recordings were taken.

Exhausted and pissed off, Marty decided to head directly west and meet up with some friends in Seattle.  It was getting late, about 10pm on Monday, 10/1 and he was only in Idaho, so he figured he would find the next bar and catch the last of Monday Night Football before finding a suitable rest stop or turnoff to camp the night.  Marty found the Klondyke bar.  The door was open and all 20 people inside looked out as he pulled up.  Marty was greeted by Bruno, the owner of the bar  Bruno welcomed him to his establishment and said, "Your first beer is on me, looks like you need one.  If you need a place to stay you are more than welcome to camp beside my bar."  They play a strange game at the bar during Monday Night Football.  Each time a point is scored a drawing is held.  You get tickets by purchasing a drink.  The prizes were  items that you may or may not need.  There were two drawings while Marty was there and he held one ticket in his hand.  Turns out he won and they presented him with a Turkey Baster.  When the game was over, the bar switched to a "Mexican Dice Game".  Marty wound up winning the major pot of the night - ~$80.   Instead of taking the money, Marty bought rounds for everyone.  This pleased everyone and the bar cleared out at about 3am.

On 10/2 Marty called an old Rhythms Employee and friend, Pete Magill.  "Pete?....Bruce Berry was a workin man"....Pete replied, "He used to love that econoline van...what is up Marty"  A few hours later, Marty made it to Seattle.  Marty, Pete and Matthew Lamprose went out for drinks and played some pool.  Next morning, Pete went to work and Marty had a hunger for some surf - so he left and headed for the coast after doing some laundry and sleeping in.  

Made it to Olympia, Washington and spent the night at a Rest Stop on Rt. 5.  Next morning, Marty took off for the coast of Oregon.  Nice truck we ran into at a gas station...

Arrived in Pacific City, Oregon on 10/4 and was pleased to find the ocean, waves, and some really great people.

Could not manage to leave this place!  Marty was only going to stay a day, but wound up staying for four.  It sucks you in.  The waves were fun - got up to about head high.  Hung out with Allison, Jeremy, Joel, Crissa, and Daryl at the beach during the day and at a local bar at night.  We all got crushed in pool by Allison, the pool shark.  We must go back to this place!

Made it to Jacek and Michele's house on Sunday night.  Jack immediately took Marty out on the town in Ashland.  Played some pool with some locals and actually won some games.  My friends from Pacific City would have been proud. 

It was a good time hanging out with Jack and his family.  Had some good food, great time Mountain Biking on Ashland Mountain, and it was unreal to take a long hot shower.  The kids, Izabela & Mikolaj, were a blast - Michele is a great mom!

On 10/10, Marty left Ashland and headed for Truckee, Ca.  He made it to Redding, CA and stayed the night at a rest stop.  Then next morning he found his way to Allison's parents (Don and Lenna Hossack) house.

Invasion of the bear & raccoons...