The California Salmon season was slow in 2006

Now that I haven't been able to archery hunt as much, I have tried my luck at Salmon fishing on the Sacramento River. I have a 19' Jetcraft boat. I caught four salmon total so far in 2006. The fish that were caught were all very bright quality fish ranging 14, 22, 26 and 30 lbs. As long as I had help from friends like Mike Radcliffe, Dan Ripple, Dick Stockman, Bob Sparre and Felton Hickman, I was able to get the boat in and out of the river with my recovering arm. I have great hopes for a better 2007 salmon season. The spring Striped Bass season was red hot as soon as the water dropped from the huge rains we had in January and during spring time. There are few things that can excite you like a big "Fish On."

Yosemite is so close to Reno!

Yosemite Valley is only 3 1/2 hours from Reno. Having lived in Reno for 50 years and having driven through Yosemite a few times to get to other parts of California we finally drove into Yosemite Valley last year. I saw many things driving through without stopping that made me know I had to come back and camp to see more of the park. Thanks to our friends Jim and Judy Elsmore we finally got camping reservations for the Upper Pines Camp Grounds for the Nevada Day Holiday. These were the first dates available and even though it was colder at night and there was no water in the water falls the park was beautiful. The fall colors were brilliant. There were no crowds like when we drove through in the summer. We were able to ride our tandem bike on every bike trail in the valley. We saw bears, deer, coyotes, birds and other widlife. The rock climbers gave us something to watch on the huge rock faces.

2005 and 2006 have been recovery years

Rick has had both shoulders operated on in the past two years. When they say you pay for your previous sins, Rick knows this is true. After years of wrestling, racing motorcycles and shooting archery and having had injuries that appeared to have healed, both left and right shoulders fell apart. Dr. Norm Young has now done both the left and right shoulders. Karen Cottinger has helped Rick through his physical therapy and he is almost mended. With a few screws and many stitches, he is looking forward to 2007 and hoping that there will be no surgeries or therapy to mess up his work and play schedule.

First grandchild came on Dec. 23, 2005

Rick and Nancy have been able to enjoy watching their first grandson grow up with all of the photos and video clips that Meagan and Todd email to them. Meagan is working as an escrow officer and Todd is preparing for dental school in Louisville Kentucky. Rick and Nancy were able to travel to Kentucky and be there for Fisher's birth. Rick always thought that what ever happened east of the Rockies had no interest to him and now half of his kids live east of the Mississippi.

2006 was a big year for Nancy and Rick

This was the year that Rick and Nancy both turned 50 years old and the year they celebrate 30 years of marriage. Nancy got to choose where they would spend their anniversary and she chose Singapore. Their friends Mike and Chris Kelly hosted them and they enjoyed personal tours and local knowledge, making this a great vacation. Going from dry mild tempatures to 90 degrees with 90% humidity was hard on Rick.
Rick and Nancy took a short trip to Phuket, Thailand to celebrate their anniversary.

Our youngest son Weds in Richland, Washington

Robbie, who has been attending BYU Idaho, married Erin Winks on Oct. 7, 2006. Nancy and Rick are now empty nesters. Robbie has been a great help at home. He has helped with mechanical and construction projects for years. It will be harder to get jobs done without him. Robbie and Erin are living in Rexburg Idaho and they are both attending BYU Idaho with hopes of careers in Construction Management and counseling.

A short visit to Indy Speedway

With a few extra minutes we stopped off at the speedway that hosts races that we have seen on TV and probably will never see in person. We took the entire tour and found it amazing how much is really involved in such a big race venue. The Indy 500, Brickyard 400 and a Formula 1 race all take place here.

My oldest son graduates and passes Nevada Bar

Ken graduated from University of Utah Law School in 2006 after graduating from BYU in 2002 and has since passed the Nevada Bar Exam. Ken took a job clerking for Judge John Iroz in Winnemucca, NV. He hopes to learn about the different areas of law to decide which area of law to specialize in.

After 25 years, Falconry is back in Rick's life.

From the age of 14 until getting busy in real estate Rick had falconry in his life. At the age of 50 he decided it was time to get back into a sport he loves. Rick having bad knees and shoulders may have been another reason. Rick is with "Mag" a male Harris Hawk and with "Suka" a male Gyr Falcon.

A Visit to Purdue University

Steven is doing his graduate MBA work at Purdue University. We got to visit Steven and his wife Katrina over Thanksgiving and we couldn't have had nicer weather. The campus is nice. Thanksgiving dinner couldn't have been better.