Dallas

Before we headed home, we all headed to Dallas where Chris had a conference. We spent a day with family friends, the Diricksons, after another long span of time. 

Then we checked out Fort Worth and the Stockyards. They soaked up the western vibes!

The girls and I went to Medieval Times, the hotel water park, a 27th floor steakhouse, Inside Out 2, and Grapevine Mills mall.

We had more fun days before finally heading back to PA!

Veterans Day With Our Veterans

Veteran's Day this year was one for the ages. All of the Holleys gathered in Brenham for the dedication of an F-111 my dad, a team, and the community spent the last 3 years restoring with the permission of the Museum of the Air Force.  It is now on permanent static display standing proudly to remind us that all gave some and some gave all.  We were blessed with the presence of 2 Vietnam POWs shot down in an F-111.  I don't think any who encountered them will ever forget their story, their bravery, and their humility.  Six F-111s were lost during the Vietnam War carrying twelve men, these two came home.

While it was a fast trip we crammed the days with family, friends, and hometown fun.

God bless America, this family, everyone who traveled for the event, and all of those in Brenham who have left such a beautiful legacy for the community.

South Texas Whirlwind

The girls and I were like Texas tumbleweeds bouncing around south Texas having fun from Brenham to Industry to Lyons to Chappell Hill to Hempstead!

 

In the very first day of our visit they got to ride a 4-wheeler with Mr. Del at his ranch in Industry where we went to visit new calves born to Daddy's cows summering there.

 Then the gator at our ranch.

Then Sugar.

Then the tractor back at home.  We also got to visit with the Purvises.  The girls were thrilled to see Zach again!  And we got to meet adorable baby brother Colin.   

We spent a good deal of time at the ranch this trip.  The girls had missed the horses!

  They also caught grasshoppers to use to try to trick some fish.

 

 

 Sadly the fish won that one.  They didn't catch anything but had fun doing it.

I also got to try my hand at herding cattle.  Not for the weak!

And Daddy proudly showed off his hard work from the spring.  This ought to keep those cows where they belong!

 Naturally we toured Blue Bell and tried the new flavor.

A highlight of the trip was touring the "new Holley Oil."  It was wonderful and heartwarming to see this next phase.  So much good has come for both Daddy and Craig and it's been a long time in the making.  As Daddy says, "I love it when a plan comes together."  And it has.

 Another big highlight was visiting with Mimi, Jim, Amy, and Emily. 

Amy has recently graduated with a nursing degree, passed her boards, and moved into her first apartment.  Being able to celebrate with her and share her joy made us immensely happy.  She's extraordinary and has extraordinary things ahead.

Emily also finished a hard academic year wonderfully and has a clear idea of her path forward.  She's determined and excited and remarkable as well.

I spent an afternoon with our family friend and extraordinary quilter, Gretchen.  She gave me some tips and even agreed to offer phone counseling.  Here's hoping I can put her tricks into practice!

We had a great fast and furious time in Texas then rounded up the whole Holley clan and headed to Guanaja, Honduras.  Another post coming soon!

Hang Gliding

The US National Championship Hang Gliding competition is held each summer in Big Spring, TX; who knew?? There were competitors in town from as far away as Hungary & Australia to take advantage of what we were assured were awesome thermals.

Ryan & I went out for a tandem flight each; after some instruction the ultralight towplane didn't waste any time getting us up in the air.

 

The views were spectacular, even if it WAS all flat & dotted with wind turbines & oil rigs!

 

Steering the glider is all about shifting your weight, which I was really good at since I have a lot to move around. Johnny, the instructor, showed me some aggressive maneuvers (wing-overs, negative-G porpoising) that were a lot of fun but brought us down pretty quickly.

All in all, it was about a 20-30 minute ride, and we had a great time! At this point the only aerial activities I need to cross off my list are wingsuit flying, bungee jumping, leaving the atmosphere and flight in an open-cockpit biplane...Maybe next year!