Wow. One more year in the books, they go by fast in these times. I suppose we should treasure each one like it's the last, but plan to have many more. (Old proverb invented by us, just now, on the spot.)

We are all well, just getting older. Used to visit the doctor once every year or two. Now we each have 3-4 doctors who need visiting several times a year. They all say we're doing great for our age, but keep asking us to come back. Ruby is really slowing down, shorter slower walks. Still enjoying life though. We all are. We'll continue doing as much as we can for as long as we can. Keep looking for new adventures.

We spent winter 2025 in Brenda, just outside Quartizsite, as we have for some 10 years now. But we decided it's our last, time to try something new. For this year, 2025-26 we'll stay at the house in Prescott Valley. Had some good walks in the desert plus a few off-road adventures last winter.

A few big changes though. If you remember we bought a camper van/motorhome (2010 PleasureWay Excel TS) last year. Hugh spent most of the last year updating it to work for us. (Details at "Ziggy" ) Since we're no longer wintering in Brenda we couldn't justify keeping Sassy, our 25' Bigfoot trailer, and our new camper van/motorhome. So, over the summer we saddly parted with Sassy. Many memories remain though.

Since deciding to get a campervan for more off the grid travel we thought of bringing Brutus (Kawasaki sideXside) with us. But pulling a trailer with OHV on it kinda kills the idea of being small and able to access "middle of nowhere" camping. Brutus could be unloaded and driven separately, but we'd still have an empty trailer. To solve this we acquired Waldo (purple 1995 Suzuki Sidekick) to flat tow behind Ziggy. We have Waldo now set up for towing but haven't tried this yet. Another adventure in the making.

Early summer we had Ziggy ready for a test trip. This was a week on the Mogollon Rim in Arizona. Came home with a list of minor modifications. But a great first outing (see the new section, "Travels with Ziggy".)

Then for Aug/Sept a six week trip with Ziggy. The main impetus for the trip was a visit to the Lost Coast of California. A section of coast from Fort Bragg to Ferndale, about 100 miles, where there are no paved north/south roads. Building around that idea, we spent time in the Sierras passing by Tahoe, of course the Lost Coast,

on up the Oregon Coast with a stop in Bandon,

to Reedsport. Then inland taking tiny roads along the Smith River to Roseburg,

and on into the Cascades. Spent some time at Diamond Lake, thru Crater Lake

to Four Mile Lake. Best camp of the trip was Four Mile just north of Klamath Falls.

After a visit in Klamath we headed south, around Mt. Shasta, thru McCloud and over the top of Honey Lake on dirt roads to Fernley. More dirt from Eastgate to Berlin and Icky Fish. Couple of days at Valley of Fire outside Vegas before heading home. (again see "Travels with Ziggy".)

And finally, to round out the year, we re-homed a golden-doodle named Remy. He belonged to a family in the neighborhood. One of their boys was allegic to him and they just didn't have time to take care of him. He's 5 years old but hasn't seen much besides this old backyard. Thus, the whole world is new to him. Very nice, smart, and gets along with Ruby very well.

Oh, and our niece Hilary got married. We didn't go back to Wisconsin for the wedding 'cuz they just went to the Justice of the Peace and didn't let us know till it was over. They've been together for years so no change, but heck.

No political content, 'cuz you already know what we think. May you live in interesting times.