Michael Elliott

Yeah, the 6 months I spent incarcerated over that really sucked!

Greg Cook

For misdemeanor money laundering? Sheriff Joe must have been really pissed at you!

Mitch Wise

Not a response, but hard to believe we have been in Bordeaux for 5 years and 8 months.  Just got our 10 year long term visa.  Yea.   No more annual gathering of docs and standing in line at the prefecture to turn in the folder, then returning again weeks later to pick up the annual ID card.  No idea what happens after this, but I guess I will find out in a few years.  Really do not want to go for French citizenship unless I can keep my U.S. status.   So unless I do somehtning really crazy, they cant kick me out for 10 years.

Michael Elliott

That's great Mitch.  Congrats.  What a life you are living!

Mitch Wise

Thanks Mike,  It has been an adventure.  Looking forward to the next 10 years of travel around Europe.  Doug Hastings the track coach and Amer. Government class teacher will be in town next Sunday, so looking forward to a nice lunch with he and his wife.  Will post a photo if I remember to take one

Clyde Hodges

I talked to Doug a month ago. He and his wife recently turned 80.

Richard Maurer

Mitch, thanks for sharing the transition to the next part of your European adventure.  I look forward to reading more about your travels and experiences.

Mitch Wise

One of the issues we had when I was worked, was the amount of travel it required.  When in NYC and VP Sales, some years I was out nearly 190 nights a year.  Back in CA, Golf sales, seems with all the events, normal sales calls, Trunk Shows, etc. I was always going somewhere, so when a time for a break came, we did not take any long vacations for a number of years.  I needed to catch up on rest.  So bottom line, being retired, already across the pond, we have found the time, etc to be able to really enjoy living here.  So far this year just the one trip to Toulouse and Albi, but we will be in London, then Budapest to Amsterdam with the Vicking River Cruise, then in CA for nealy two weeks.  Fall is still in the planning stages but most likey more spots in France we have not seen, plus it looks like a double bonus for us with our Son's famiy.  They are coming for Christmas so we will meet them in Paris then Bordeaux ++??

Next year parts of Spain we have not seen, another trip to Italy, plus trips around France.  Did not know if I mentioned I have several cousins here in different parts of France and we enjoy visiting them as well.

Year after, Austria, Ireland/Scotland.

Mitch Wise

Something completely away from SHS.  A few years ago, we had the pleasure of meeting a really nice lady here in Bordeaux.  She had just run the Paris Marathon while visiting her daughter.  Her name is Julie Weiss and she lives in the LA area.  Why am I mentinoning this, well It seems she did a huge athletic acheivement in 2012/2013.  She ran 52 marathons in 52 weeks to raise money for Pancreatic Cancer.  She lost her dad to this disease.  Since then she continues to run to raise funds to fight this disease.  Recently published a book.

52 Weeks, 52 Marathons The Miles and Trails of a Marathon Goddess,  Julie Weiss   It is an ispirational read if you ever feel you are having a tough time.  Amazon  

Greg Cook

Mitch, retiring to an area famous for its wines that's a wonderful idea. You've inspired me! I've narrowed my search down to two areas: Boone's Farm and Annie Green Springs. Not sure yet if I'll need a passport.

Doug Bell

Hey guys,

I stopped off in Bakersfield on my way to Irvine last week and had dinner with Paul Sackewitz.  He's email and computer challenged, so isn't ever on the website.

He's healthy, happy and as nutty as ever, and wanted me to say hello to everyone. So "Hello Everyone".

If you're in or near Bakersfield, drop in and see him.  If you want contact info (phone), email me through the message function here on the site.

Mitch Wise

Greg,  go with the Annie Green Springs,  not shots required.

Mitch Wise

Thanks for the update Doug,   Glad he is doing well.  Really liked the custome Rebel Footjoy Golf Shoes he had  at the reunion. 

Richard Maurer

Bobbi and I visited the Wooden Shoe Tulip Farm in Woodburn, OR, yesterday.  They have acres and acres of tulip plants and most of the tulips are blooming right now.  It is just an incredible display of vibrant colors.  Looking across many rows of tulip plants:

A different angle looking more or less parallel to the tulip rows:

Mitch Wise

Wow, really special

Michael Elliott

Dazzling.  No point in going to Holland now.

Joan Elliott (Euans)

Linda Marks (Bird)

Mitch Wise

A few of you have asked about our adventures in France.  I write TravelWiseEurope.com to keep family aware of our activities over the years.  If you find yourself with some free time feel free to google my site and scroll around  Lots of photos.

Jerry Labuda

It's breakfast tiome again. We're meeting at the famous Keno's restaurant at 2661 LaPalma near Magnolia at 9:30 AM on Tuesday April 30th. Come on down and join the fun. See you there.

Greg Cook

Not sure when it will be but found our retirement home in Hilton Head. Imagine how crazy it will be with hundreds of Parrotheads in the same spot 24-7. I just hope SC doesn't declare Prohibition again.

Mitch Wise

sounds perfect and there is just a few places to Tee it up in the area

Richard Maurer

Greg, I have never been to Hilton Head, but from the little I know it is a special place.  From your profile, I wouldn't guess a connection to Hilton Head, South Carolina.  I guess we can all be connected to Hilton Head as Jimmy Buffet Parrot Heads in the Margaritville neighborhood.

Greg Cook

Yes Mitch the golf courses are amazing and there are hundreds of them. I'm a little fuzzy on the rules however. Not sure if it's an unplayable lie or in a hazard when a golf ball lands close to an alligator.

Richard you're so right. Being a parrotthead is a state of mind and we can take it anywhere. Latitudes is an amazing concept and homes are selling quickly. Not the right thing for a SoCal boy however. The Low Country is a swamp which means mosquitos that actually fly in formation.

Mitch Wise

The first time I visited HH Island I was playing golf with a friend.  On a short par 3 my shot landed just a few feet from the pin, so I was really enjoying the scenery, decided to go look at the lagoon close to the hole.  There was a "log" in the water that was moving, without any current.  So the log turned towared me and I realized it was a very large alligator.  My friend was laughing his head off as I ran back up the embankment to the green.  He was lying three still not in the hole.  I conceded, and headed for the golf cart.