So this is time off...

     Holy cow! So this is what time off feels like!  It's a Sunday and I'm not making sure someone else is having a good time.  I do not have to work until I leave for New York on the 24th and I have planned a road trip up to Mesquite Nevada and into Utah to play some golf and do some hiking and picture taking in Zion National Park and the north rim of the Grand Canyon.  So those of you who are my Facebook friends should see some beautiful nature shots and of course spectacular golf courses photos... (the kids are excited to be going along also).  The plan is to drive up to Mesquite later today and then I have a round of golf in Utah on Monday (add Utah to the bucket list of 50 rounds in 50 states) and then 36 holes in the Mesquite area on Tuesday.  Wednesday and Thursday I plan on hiking in Zion National Park followed on Friday by a trip to the north rim of the Canyon and a walk on Uncle Jim's Trail.  A quick overnight stay at the Grand Canyon Lodge and then back to Mesquite on Saturday and maybe another round of golf or two before coming home on Sunday.  Monday and Tuesday I'll get ready for NYC and then I'm off to the East Coast for 3 weeks.  Nice!

     I don't know what my work schedule is yet...(I think they don't want to scare me off) but as you all know (or maybe don't) once the tournament starts they don't take a day off until it finishes two weeks (fortnight) later.  And the matches last all day and sometimes late into the night so who knows how much free time I will actually have.  I am bummed that I will miss the San Gennaro street festival (it starts on the 15th) but I am glad to be in NY for the tenth anniversary of September 11.  That day is forever burned in my memory...(as I'm sure it is for all Americans) and to be back in the city for the occasion will be an emotional time. 

    OK...got to pack up the car and get out of here.  Not much of a break in the weather up in Utah (100 during the day and 70's at night)  but I get to wear shorts and I'm not at work.  Working on further vacation plans for Virginia in October and of course Aruba in November... (back to normal work environment until it picks up in January.  Let's not get too far ahead.  ROAD TRIP!!