Well, it is week three of the westward adventures for myself, and it has been a lot of fun so far. I am still trying to get used to the way things work out here. Moving to a new place is always an interesting adventure. It is very nerve racking and very exciting all the same. I try to just ease my way into it. I have had some fun weekends so far, sadly though no pictures to show for it. I went to the Reno Rodeo and went boating at Pyramid Lake. I didn't bring the camera because I didn't want to look like a tourist. Next time on the boat the camera is coming with. Imagine this though, and you will get an idea of what Pyramid Lake looks like. A big lake in the middle of the desert without even a blade of grass within a 25 mile radius. That pretty much sums up Pyramid Lake. A beautiful place.
I do have a few picture of the office. We really love it and we hope that it works out. The people that we work for are incredibly nice and they remind me a lot of everyone back home. We have been getting involved in a lot of different thing. We have a business group that meets wednesday mornings, we are joining a 20's-30's group that helps underpriviledged kids, I could be in on the ground floor of a Reno Ducks Unlimited chapter, I am getting involved in Friends of Nevada Wilderness, and Habitat for Humanity, and Amanda is in with Babies R Us. We are busy and having fun. I am just trying to meet a ton of people and havin fun doin it. It helps that Amanda has great friends and she knows a lot of people already. She is miss popular.
For the fourth we are heading up to Bucks Lake in California. I have already been there and hopefully I will remember the camera because it is beuatiful. I am also planning on doing a little fishing. Can't wait. Hopefully I have as much luck as Boone does.
Speaking of fisihing, one final note. I let the secret out to Boone today, The prodigal son shall return to Rice Lake in two years. 2008. Mark your calendars and when you do, let me know what the dates are so that I can mark mine. I am going. It will be a long trip from Reno, but I am going. I am not positive but I believe that the last time I was in Rice Lake was in 1999. You will have to consult Steve-o's notes to get the exact year. But I believe that is correct. Anyhow, 2008 is the return. Now according to the King of Glengary, and his big fish/little fish theory, that should have given the fish a long enough time to grow up. You know that fishing pressure theory he and Reno thought up sittin around doin jack shit in around the fire. Well, I am going to put it to the test with my return in 2008. 9 years, that should be enough time for the bluegill to grow up.
Waiting patiently to fill the cooler with big gills,
Tom

Happy Father's day Pops! I am going to go out on a limb and say that this is the first happy Father's day wish you have ever recieved from the pacific time zone. We have started to settle in and our first week at the office was spent on the phone and learning the ins and outs of the office. The learning curve is quite large when you start your own business. It is all very exciting and exhausting. Anyway, I thought for Father's Day I would post some pics of dad's pride and joy. ME. Just kidding, his family. I don't have pics of everyone, but I do have some great pics of Jammers and Lil'. Congrats on the new house Brian and Emily, and Happy anniversary in a few days. 3 years already!
Lookin' forward to retirement,
Tom

Well, I thought I would sit down tonight and see if blogging is as exciting in the pacific time zone as it was in the central and atlantic time zones. It is. So I guess the blogging will go on.
We had a great trip accross the US and the little S10 pulled the UHAUL no problem. 2265 miles. Quite the haul. 483 from St. Marys to Platteville and 1810 from Platteville to Reno.
The way the landscape changed from state to state was incredible. I could spend an entire lifetime just cruisin' around the US exploring all of the diiferent places.
Ohio is flat, green and full of small family farms, and tiny towns. Indiana is a mix of small farms and wooded area, and the first signs of large field irrigation systems can be seen. As you cruise into Illinois you begin to see the small family farms of Ohio and Indiana stretch out into large scale operations that consist of tens of thousands of acres. Northwest Illinois, Southwest Wisconsin, and Northeast Iowa have the most beautiful rolling hills that you could ever imagine. From here we linked up to Interstate 80 and let it take us all the way to Reno. On our way we drove through Nebraska - an incredibly long and flat state. There are a few prarie dogs in Nebraska also. Large farms make up the landscape in this state and the herds of cows are of plenty. The first signs of huge wind turbines are seen in western Nebraska also. Wyoming begins to get a bit more hilly and oil derricks are slowly churning on every hill top. For the first time, you see herds and herds of cows with no farms in sight of the interstate. Pronghorns also show in the hills. Utah is next, and Amanda says it is a mix of the best of the west and midwest because the state is mountainous, but lush, and green like the midwest. And finally, Nevada. Where it is not so green. But the horizon is beautifully lined with mountains and with mountains come the most amazing sunsets I have ever seen. By the way, if anyone wants to know our route, or needs directions on how to get here, just look on Steveo's bathroom wall next to the bricks. I left a map. Take a look at some pics. Before I leave, Amanda and I just wanted to say hello to the family back home.
Officially farther west than any other Rammel,
Tom