Reviewing this past year and comparing it to 2023, our theme seems to be “More of the same, on steroids.” Travel, flying, and visitors provided the most interesting activities, with more and more time devoted to staying healthy and in shape.
After Christmas in the Gorge last year with Rich and Tabitha and other friends and family, we returned to sunny Arizona. We again had many friends who escaped the cold and snow of the north to visit us. This included what is now becoming a bi-annual event – Steve’s siblings all came for a visit and reunion. Steve again made his annual trip to Florida and Embry Riddle, this time with friend Bruce. While there, they spent time flying a ScaleWings 51 and decided it was one of the most fun airplanes in existence, so Steve got one on order. They also flew to the Oshkosh Airshow to support the ScaleWings company in our Cirrus SR22.
Just before returning to Nevada for the summer, Nancy undertook a new activity: participating in the annual Girl and a Gun Conference in Grand Junction, CO. She learned 10 years of shooting skills in 3 days, so she has decided this is something she will want to keep on her annual calendar.
A significant remodeling round was finally completed for our Genoa, Nevada house: a new composite deck, garage upgrades any man would be proud of, and a comfy new guest suite over the second garage. So, Genoa has become an attractive magnet for visitors as well. We’ve been enjoying summer guests who have discovered Genoa as a pleasant rural destination, a convenient stopover for flying trips, and for Candy Dance, the big annual arts and crafts event in Genoa.
Steve’s hangar at the Minden Airport has continued to grow as a popular clubhouse for his local soaring buddies. Most days, Steve will be there all day with the dogs and with friends coming and going to work on projects or borrowing tools. Steve now has a partner in his J-3 sailplane (with Brad) and has bought a share in a jet Arcus 2-place sailplane (with Gordon and Bruce). Gordon and Bruce have taken the sailplane over 1900 miles on an 18-hour flight using night vision goggles. Steve had some good flights this year, including one where he was #2 in the world one day, which helped lock in a top score for his home soaring club.
Steve lost his airplane pilot’s medical for two years due to bureaucratic misunderstandings. He will be permitted to reapply soon and has been working to keep himself in shape for his upcoming medical tests. Part of his program was to go back to True North Health Center for an extended water-only fast that covered almost 4 weeks.
Nancy also had a busy year flying, primarily to 99s events in Vancouver, Canada, and various parts of California, but also with friends to Bentonville, AR, and St. Louis, MO, for a wedding shower. She and Steve also flew to Colorado Springs, CO, for friends JP and Janessa’s wedding, and to Palo Alto for his 35th Sloan Business School reunion. Nancy also went on an Alaska cruise with her friend Marcie this summer after the 99s International Convention in Vancouver, and she enjoyed the wildlife and glacier viewing.
Now back in Arizona, we are already enjoying seasonal and holiday visitors. After 2 Decembers spent visiting family in various cold places, we decided to stay put for a Fountain Hills Christmas this year. Several friends and family are scheduled to visit in the new year.
Rich and Tabitha continue to do well and have decided to reverse the typical “winter-home-in-warm-weather” trend. They now have a winter place in upstate Michigan, close to Rich’s family and excellent cross-country skiing. They are hoping to spend Christmas and extended time there this year. Since they both can work virtually, they are maximizing fun and family. They visited Steve and Nancy in both Fountain Hills and Genoa this year, and we hope for a repeat of that in 2025.
Our dogs Brandy and Beckett are now 8 years old and continue to do well. We also trade dog-sitting with our friend who owns Obie, a very sweet flat-coated retriever, so we frequently have a pack of 3 dogs roaming the house. They all get along very well.
We are already eagerly anticipating the coming year with joy, and gratitude for this past year’s many blessings. We hope you continue to have excitement and spicy flavors in your life.
Love and hugs,
Steve and Nancy
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