History Lesson

Well, we're back from vacation and facing going back to work tomorrow. At least we had a good time and some good relaxation. Here's how it went:
Saturday (the 16th) - catch a flight to Richmond, Virginia; pick up rent car; drive to Hampton - it's farther than I thought and the drivers in Virginia are the worst!
Sunday - we drive to Norfolk and take a 2 hour cruise of the Norfolk Navy base seeing lots of those big Navy ships from supply ships to an aircraft carrier... we then drive to Yorktown for a tour of the Yorktown Battlefield where the Continental Army under George Washington defeated the British Army under Cornwallis - learned some new things about history.
Monday - drove to Jamestown the first English settlement in America (1607); this is a truly fascinating experience to see what the earliest settlers endured.
Tuesday - woke up with a sick tummy but started feeling a little better so we visit the Virginia War Museum. Memorabilia from every conflict the U.S. has been involved in. Pretty good.
Wednesday - spend the day in Colonial Williamsburg. This is excellent! You really get a feel for what life was like in the 18th century!
Thursday - check out of the hotel in Hampton switching the focus from southern to northern Virginia. Visit Appomattox to see the courthouse where Lee surrenders to Grant to end the Civil War. Oops, he didn't surrender at the courthouse but at a private home - the McLean house which is a couple hundred yards from the courthouse. Yep, saw the actual spot where the surrender was signed.... Then, its on to Monticello - home of Thomas Jefferson. Learned several new things on the tour. Interesting how I lacked an understanding of Jefferson's basic history.... Check in to the hotel in Richmond.
Friday - visit Mount Vernon - George Washington's home / plantation. Learned again about my lack of understanding. Fascinating history here too..... Then it's on to the Museum of the Marine Corps. They have a rich history of defending the nation. I'm sure glad that we have the corps. Oohrah!
Saturday - Catch the flight home via Newark. What a sweet place for a layover. :-)

So, what did I learn? Well, the Revolution was started by a bunch of very wealthy guys from very wealthy families who wanted more control. Not much has changed in that regard in the more than 200 years of history since that little conflict! For example, Jefferson inherited a 3,000 acre plantation at the ripe old age of 21. But wait - Washington inherited an 8,000 acre plantation at the age of 22. By todays standards, they were multi-multi millionaires & among the wealthiest in the colonies. Ditto for other patriots like Patrick Henry, etc. Like I said, not much has changed....... I'll post some pictures later.

12 Hours

Tomorrow morning Connie and I are flying to Virginia for a week's vacation. A whole week to tour historic sites from the birth of our great nation - the Revolutionary War with maybe a mix of Civil War sites. It will be good to just chill out for a week. Our first vacation in more than two years!

Whew!!!! Good News.....

I'm home! The news is good. The doc says that the stents look good and the blood flow looks good so there was nothing to do except take a look and plug the artery up where he inserted the catheter. I am on restricted activity for 48 hours - no lifting, too much walking, etc. So I'll be back in the gym next Monday..... I think Dr Gojer is great. Not only is he an excellent doctor but has a great sense of humor as well. I can be a smartass and he responds without missing a beat. He walks into the cath lab after I had been prepped. And the exchange went something like this:

Me: How do you feel Doc? I want you at the top of your game if we're gonna do this!
Doc: I feel good but I forgot to take my seizure medication.
Me: That's a problem!
Doc: Don't worry, I had some Jack Daniels to calm my nerves.
Me: Give me a shot if you have any left. :o)

We both have a good chuckle and the banter stops as the doc goes to work. Love this guy - my kind of doctor!

Too bad the insurance company opted to force this procedure rather than a CT Scan. Oh well...

New Baby

My new baby: 2008 Harley Davidson Screamin' Eagle Ultra Classic Electra Glide.

Date Night

Last night Connie & I went to the Rangers game - heat and all. Great game .... Rangers won with a walk off hit in the bottom of the ninth. One of the Ranger photographers captured this shot as we arrived.

Monday Schedule

I have to be at the hospital at 8:30 & the procedure is scheduled at 10:30. It is basically an exploratory procedure. If they find no problem, I should be able to go home Monday evening. If the doc has to do another stent or anything else, it means at least one night in the hospital. I'll post up when I get home.