A Fashion Statement?

Ok, so I'm not making a fashion statement! This is me in a hospital room, as I recover from surgery. Not bad, really, for just having had my neck slit open. The scar will be a future story in itself to the grandchildren how I was a hero in a knife fight with villains. "You should have seen the other guy! He wasn't so lucky?"

The hospital gown is a standard issue gown. Acts like a dress in front, but wide open in the back! White with blue spotted something to break the monotony. But get a load of those support hose! Basic white...but quite warm, I do say. It is to assist with blood flow and helps to prevent blood clots in the legs when coupled with a pair of air assisted support leg ens. Those medical people; they think of everything to bill your health insurance company with!

And now the coup degras...those purple non-skid slipper socks! Screen printed on both the top and bottom, I think, so on extended hospital stays you can get longer wear before needing a new pair. A medical equipment cost savings!

Anyway...in and out of the hospital in a little over 24 hours, start to finish! Now the recovery begins. I'm just hoping the scar doesn't turn into a big smiley face and ruin my story to the grand kids! :(

Winter in AZ

Even though we have loved the fact that we have not yet had to shovel any of Arizona's Winter Sunshine, we still have a yearning for the good things about winter. Bright white snow, crisp clean air and snow skiing. (Well, snow skiing for me; Heidi would rather curl up with a hot tea and a good book by the fireplace!) Flagstaff gives us that opportunity. Just an easy 2 hour drive north along Interstate 17 from Phoenix, Old Town Flagstaff has the charm and feel of Traverse City, Michigan with mountains. With a population of approximately 55,000 people, most of the town was build in the late 1800's and is still bustling with lots of upscale shopping, eating, unique gifts and local art.

I even had the opportunity to ski the Arizona Snowbowl. Starting at nearly 10,000 ft elevation you can go up the ski lift to 11,500 ft of the San Francisco Peak, and see the world from a new perspective. The top picture above is the view at the ski lift half way up the mountain and what a sight it is to see! Skiing here is similar to Colorado; with some longer runs down a few pretty steep mountain faces. Or, you can choose to ski the shorter sloops, but more challenging and longer runs than you would typically see in Michigan.

This is a view of the corner coffee shop where we had breakfast on Sunday morning at the corner of San Francisco and Aspen. Look close, that is not a ghost, it is Heidi's reflection as she drank her tea. Old Town Flagstaff is even busy on a Sunday!

I think I have found a new playground. A place to get away to beat the heat and kick back to relax!

Christmas Greetings

Hawaii, we went, for Thanksgiving this year.
A great chance for family to share some good cheer.



We had a great time; and kept for a shrine,
the memories of fun, food and great wine.
With sand in our toes and plenty of sun,
it was just a lot of fun!

Our family is growing this new year,
2010 will bring some joyous tears.
As J adds a wife,
…and Rob & Erin creates a new life…
…an unexpected surprise to Rob's new wife!

Rather than Alaska, we wished our kids lived here,
so, as parents, we could really be near!

We pray that this Christmas, is for you,
filled with the spirit of what Christ can do.
Bring Joy and happiness, all the year through,
to each and every one of you.

Merry Christmas
& Best Wishes for 2010

Mike & Heidi Dvorak

New Address:
16201 N. 111th Ave
Sun City, AZ 85351

Email mikedvorak7@gmail.com
heidi.dvorak@hilton.com

A Growing Family in 2010!

It's now official...while in Hawaii we were collecting new family members. Dianne will join the family when she marries J in March 2010. That wedding is planned for Las Vegas.

....and, not to be outdone, Rob & Erin announced that a new grandchild is coming in August!

Here we are all together for a fun night out for dinner in Kawaihae. J & Dianne are on the side of the table with Heidi. Rob & Erin are on my side of the table. This was a fabulous place for a gourmet meal away from the the resort.

Wow...2010 will be an exciting year in the Dvorak Family!!!

So long 2009 and "Hello" New Year! Bring it On!!!

Hawaiian luau

This is our family on the Big Island of Hawaii, on our last night of a week packed full of food and fun in the sun. It really passed by too fast, but the memories will last a lifetime.

Sun City Golf

A bad day golfing, trumps any good day at work! Of course, half of the guys in this picture don't work...'cause they are retired. (...or is that just tired)?

From left to right...Jim Moore, Me, John Sharpe (my brother-in-law) and Jack Sharpe (my father-in-law).

We had an awesome time playing on a picture perfect October day in the Valley of the Sun here in Arizona. John was out for a quick long weekend trip to enjoy some fun, food, drink and golf. Come on back when you can stay longer, John. You know what they say, "All work and no play makes you a dull guy!" ...Besides, your golf game needs some more help! :)

Mountain Bell Tower Imploded in Phoenix

The Old Mountain Bell Tower (later known as the Old Qwest Tower), near Central & Thomas in mid-town Phoenix was imploded today and came down in a pile just where the demolition crew planned it to be.

We were there with a perfect view to the event, on top of a parking structure only a little more than a block away. All I can say is, "WOW! That was very cool."

So watch my video of the events of the day...

Downtown Phoenix Demolition

The old ten story Quest Office (Mountain Bell Telephone) Building in Downtown Phoenix is being made ready for implosion this Sunday, and Heidi & I have a front row seat to all the action. The world famous crew of Advanced Explosives Demolition will bring the aging building down and it will be taped by the TLC Channel for an upcoming reality show.

We will be perched on top of the parking ramp directly across the street from the event, with a wide view to the building's demise.

Read the story below, from ABC-15, or see the video of the story. ABC-15.com will stream the demolition live at 10 am local Phoenix time (1 pm EDT) this Sunday.  

Crews get ready for explosive downtown Phoenix demolition - Phoenix Arizona news, breaking news, local news, weather radar, traffic from ABC15 News | ABC15.com

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So, Alaska I went

for some time well spent,

to visit my boys

and not make a bunch of noise.

The wilderness we saw

and now are in awe,

of the caribou, moose and even bear paw.

The mountains and glaciers; they show no flaw.

The fish, the food, it’s a great summer haul.

It was great fun, but the best of all,

was the time well spent and we had a ball.

 Memories we now have for the time we spent,

no price tag can be placed on what it all meant!

Zac Brown Band - Chicken Fried

My yougest son, Rob, turned me on to this music on my trip to Alaska. I liked it so much, I thought I would share it with the rest of you. So enjoy!

Zac Brown Band - Chicken Fried Roughstock.com

Your Honor, the Mayor

This is the current "official photo" of the City Council of Owosso, Michigan. I just thought I would point out the photos on the wall in the background. It is of the 10 first previous Mayors under the current city charter, adopted in the 1960's.

Yes, there he is, #10, the Honorable Mayor Michael J. Dvorak. ...might I add, an extremely young Mayor Dvorak! :) lol

Parting Shots

Here are a few pictures at the Fairbanks, Alaska International Airport last night; as I head back home to reality! It was a wild ride, to say the least. Alaska has got to be the most breath taking state in the union and some of my other pictures and video clearly point out. But, the best part has been to be able to spend time with both my boys who are serving in an active duty capacity with the US Army in our missile defense shield in the interior of Alaska's great wilderness. Here I am with my son J and his daughter Samantha.

Here is Samantha with Aunt Erin. Erin is married to my youngest son, Rob. He had to work following a vacation to the lower 48 for the past 18 days.

Thanks, Kids, for the memories!

Alaska at it's Best

My time has been extended in Alaska...so make pictures to share; while the pictures are hot! More of my trip to the final frontier. About the only thing we have not seen is a black bear, which we could hunt without a license, because there are so many. Not to say that we have not been looking hard to find one. We carry the right equipment at all times, just in case! But the overall splendor of this state is truly breathtaking. ...and the best part has been spending some real quality time with my boys. This is what makes lifetime memories to talk about forever. So, here you go, more pics of Alaska at its best!

Wildlife & Alyeska Pipeline

Tonight Rob & I took a drive up to the remote area of Donnely Dome looking for wildlife. Big wildlife. Like the kind you expect to see in Alaska's wilderness. ...and we were not disappointed! As if trophy caribou, a medium sized bull moose and red fox were not enough excitement, we also had an opportunity to fire off a couple rounds from various firearms. (You can never have enough loaded weapons around when in Alaska!)

One of the rifles was a 45-70 lever action with plenty of kick to throw your equilibrium off. For me, it threw my reading glasses off my head and onto the ground and yes, my shoulder is feeling the aftershock!

The other part of our outing was to see the section of the Alyeska Pipeline that runs through this remote section of the wilderness. The picture is me, standing under the pipeline.

Enjoy the picture video and return regularly to see future posts; as the adventure in Alaska continues.

Ahhh...Alaska, Finally!

It has been a notable trip so far, and it has only begun. On Thursday, I went from 110 degree weather in Phoenix to 58 degrees in Fairbanks, Alaska. Delayed getting to Fairbanks, then getting up to Delta Junction, by the dense smoke of the wild fires in the area. My flight into Fairbanks was only the second commercial airline flight to arrive there that day.

I spent Thursday night and all day Friday with WO1 (Warrant Officer 1)Dave Piggott, who has been around our family since his high school Days. In fact, Dave calls his real Dad by his first name but calls me "Dad". Dave is stationed in Fairbanks at Ft. Wainwright as a Black Hawk helicopter pilot, so he took me on base and let me experience one up close. This is way cool!

Rob, Erin and Samantha were held in Minnapolis until late Friday, before they were cleared to fly to Alaska. They finally arrived in Delta Junction very early Saturday morning. Here is Samantha and Aunt Erin on the last leg of their trip up here. Rob obviously took this picture!

Early this morning I could hear the bulgle of the moose in the distance on post. It is common place for them to walk through the neighborhood. Rob had one standing in his yard before their trip back to Michigan.

Then there is Rob's dog Alex. The newest addition to the Dvorak family. He is a Chesapeak Retriever and is nearly 1 year old and has a lot of character. Here he is in the backseat of the car with Samantha.

Check back later as I will be adding to this post, as we experience Alaska!

Alaska; Here I Come!

I'm spending my weekend getting last minute things around and ready to fly to Alaska late next week for a week long visit with Rob, Erin & J. Even Samantha will be flying up there, and it will be a big surprise to her when Bumpa meets her at the Fairbanks Airport. It is going to be her first visit to see her Dad up there too! That will make this trip extra special for all of us. Here is a picture of Samantha & me the last time we were together in October, on the front porch of the WIG, in Owosso just before I moved to AZ.

Family Gatherings

It is summer, and the livin' is easy. It is also that time of the year when family reunions occur. Our family is no exception. The only problem is that this will be the first year, in I can not remember, that we will not be at the family gathering.

This is my Mom's side of the family. Coleman is the name. Out of 11 original siblings, the last has passed away late last year, my Aunt Dolores Conden. The reunion goes on, but not sure for how much longer. The family seems to be getting older & smaller. However, there are some delights in our family, like my grand daughter, Samantha.

I came across a photo and video storage disk the other day, and thought I should put together a video memory of last year's family function. If it looks like I focused on Samantha and my son Rob, you are correct. Sorry, but when you control the camera and production, you control the content.

Also featured is my cousin Gary's daughter Emily. Her and Samantha, in spite of the age difference, seem to always take a liking to one another when they are together.

So, in loving memory to Gary's Mom, my Aunt Dolores, here is my tribute to her and my Mom's Family, the Coleman's.

Train Fest in Owosso, Michigan

This is the weekend that everyone in my hometown of Owosso, Michigan has been working on for quite some time. It is Train Fest. Many steam locomotives, from a railroad era gone by are there. That, along with many people, who have come from around the world to see these magnificent machines. Here is a local TV news report from ABC12 out of Flint on today's opening day. Clik on this link to see the story...
http://abclocal.go.com/wjrt/video?id=6929631
Wow, I only wished I could be there to observe (...and of course, help out! :) )

Excessive Heat

OK, it is 10:30 on a Saturday night. Heidi and I went out late this afternoon for a nice family style Italian dinner with friends followed by a viewing a "chick flick" with my wife. The Proposal starring Sandra Bullock. Yes, it was a cute romantic movie where the girl gets the guy and everyone lives happily ever after.

Sandra Bullock, at her age, still looks great half naked. But the real reason we decided to go to the show was for the air conditioning. Not that we don't have it at home, but just the idea of getting out of this stifling heat in new surroundings.

The dog is bugging me to take her out to do her duty, but I know that the first thing she will do is head back to the door. Even the dog is considering crossing her legs 'til morning to avoid the heat. As you can see from the ABC15 weather page that it is still 102 degrees outside. The sun went down almost 3 hours ago here.

I'm not complaining, just reporting, mind you. And I keep reminding myself that I did not have to shovel a bit of this sunshine all winter long. So, I can put up with a little heat. As they say here, "If you can't stand the heat...'er huh, get out of Arizona!" Well, I plan on doing just that...next month, when I head to Alaska to visit my kids for a week.

Will I think that 80 degrees is cold? Better pack a sweatshirt just in case.

Lake Pleasant

Heidi & I spent a very nice day at Lake Pleasant, AZ. Lake Pleasant is the largest lake in the Greater Phoenix area located about 30 miles north of Phoenix within the city limits of Peoria, a Phoenix suburb. The lake features over 50 miles of shoreline with 10,000 acres of crystal clear water fed primarily from the Agua Fria River. Who said that the desert had to be dry? This is no mirage!

The lake was originally created in the 1920s with the building of the "Carl" Pleasant Dam which was later renamed as Waddel Dam. A new larger dam was constructed in 1992 which tripled the size of the lake. The original dam now lies under 100 feet of water.
Lake Pleasant is a water-lover's and boating enthusiast's paradise that includes camping, boating, house boating, sailing, water skiing, jet skiing and fishing.

12th Wedding Anniversary

Heidi & I celebrated a very nice 12th Wedding Anniversary with dinner out at Scottsdale's McCormick & Schmick's. No place for any vegan to eat...this is red meat and fresh sea food at its best! Cooked to perfection and a price tag to boot. But, the occasion calls for this kind of place. We had a private dinning booth and about 2 hours for all the meal courses to take place. A truly fine dinning experience. We finished it off with an after dinner drink at our favorite place, Corbin's, just around the corner from where we live. A very nice evening followed by a very nice Father's Day...with more burnt offerings on the BBQ. (New York Strip Steak; to be exact). A fun filled weekend, celebrated in style.

Go Red Wings!

Memorial Day Message for My Grandaughter

Well, it has been awhile since I last posted to the West Bound Kid. I have been busy and other things have been getting in the way. Mostly, I have found Facebook an easier way to keep people posted on what is going on with me. Plus it seems to be more instantaneous. But I still love the concept of the blog and will try to post more frequently.

Here is a video I made for my granddaughter, Samantha, back in Michigan. I thought she might enjoy the special video and she could see her Uncle Rob in Alaska on his new motorcycle. So I decided to share the video with the rest of you. Enjoy, and give me some ideas what other video you think she might like to see.

Michigan State University Basketball

So MSU is in the NCAA Men's Basketball Finals!!!

Go Green...Go White!

I sent a text to my cousin Jon Broker, who is a dyed in the wool MSU fan, to congratulate him on a Spartan victory. My message said, "Do you believe in miracles?", taken from the the movie Miracle with Kurt Russell, the true story behind the greatest moment in sports history when USA Hockey Team beat the seemingly unbeatable Soviets (USSR) at their own game in the 1980 Olympics held in Lake Placid, New York. Team USA took the Gold metal in an impossible dream.

So in the words of my greatest MSU fan Jon Broker, he replied, "Miracles my ass! This is Spartan Basketball!!! Bring on Villanova!"

So Broker, you were wrong about one thing...just for the record...bring on North Carolina!

He replied, "Sorry, Just another #1 seed to beat!"

Go Green, Go White, Monday Night!

Kenny Loggins Live in Phoenix

After all these years, Kenny Loggins is still awesome! What a performance. Held in the Celebrity Theatre of the Round, we sat less than 50 feet from the stage. Two standing ovations and the place went nuts. Also, it is nice to go to a rock concert with gray haired people and see them dance in the isles and flick their Bics (well some did, most flipped open their cell phones for the same effect!

Kenny performed most of his big hits, including Conviction of the Heart, Celebrate Me Home, I'm Alright, Footloose, Danger Zone (from Top Gun), and the song he is most famous for - Your Mama Don't Dance and Your Daddy Don't Rock 'n Roll.

This middle aged audience had lots of fun and high energy...by the way "don't trust anyone over 90!"

AZ Aquarium

You would not normally think of tropical fish, let alone sharks, in Arizona. But, they have a wonderful aquarium out here in the middle of the desert! Went here for lunch with an associate and our table was right next to one of the nearly dozen large tanks holding many examples of large tropical sea life. Of course I could not resist taking a picture with my cell phone in order to pass it along to all of you.

Sunrise, Hot Air Balloons & Dogs

Morning breaks over the mountain ridge. This was our backyard view this past weekend as we spent a very enjoyable time in Anthem, AZ (20 miles north of where we live). Heidi and I did some house sitting for some friends of ours who went to Florida for a long weekend of R & R. Giving us some much needed R & R, as well! Every morning the sun would come up over the mountain, looking up out the back patio.


Our Yellow Lab Abby found a new friend in Koda, a 9 month mixed puppy. Another responsibility of watching the house! They played with each others toys, shared food & water and had a great time together. Now they are friends for life!

Another treat, the daily morning balloon launches just over the mountain ridge. What a spectacular sight! Now AZ is the king of hot air balloon rides, as we have sun over 300 days a year, and plenty of vacant area to land (with coyotes, scorpions and snakes, of course!) But, if you are brave enough to go up in a hot air balloon, you are probably brave enough to deal with snakes, dangerous insects and wild animals. :)

Here is how close the balloons were to our backyard:

As if the back yard were not spectacular enough, here is our view out the front of the house...and yes, that is snow on the cap of the mountain in the distance.
This weekend has given us a another area which we could eventually call "home" in Arizona!

Relatively Speaking

Well, it was relative to Heidi and I, literally. My brother John Thomas and my nephew, Tom, passed through Phoenix today, and having relatives show up to the land of the sun is always a reason to celebrate! (Just getting them to come our way was an accomplishment in itself). The first of our relatives to visit us in Phoenix! Although the sun was a lot to be desired today with a winter cloud cover and temps barely making it into the 60's. But, they felt warm and fuzzy, as they drove here from the high country of 7,000 feet and 10" of snow at the Grand Canyon and Flagstaff this morning.

We went over to Thunderbird Park as my brother and nephew wanted to see the desert mountain terrain that is less than a mile from where we live. Plus that was the place to get a quick photo of us standing near a cactus.

Next, we were headed for the Westgate Center. That's where the Arizona Cardinals Football dome and the Coyotes Hockey Arena are located. Also, a great place to eat, drink and be merry. We decided to have dinner at Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville Restaurant. Fun was had by all!!

Ya, this is Heidi having too much fun, wearing a balloon hat, of sorts, made by the tall man with the goofy moves.

...and ya, this is Tommy, wearing a different balloon hat, made by the same tall guy making a different goofy move!

This is all of us overlooking the Westgate Courtyard after a very enjoyable time with my relatives as they pass through Phoenix and their way to New Orleans and then back home to Dixon, ILL.

Tommy, when the trip is done you should tell your Dad, "Wow Dad, that was an awesome road trip. One I shall always remember for the rest of my life!"

I know we will be talking about for some time to come, and we have pictures to prove you were here to see us.

Arizona Falls Short in Super Bowl XLIII

Go Arizona Cardinals

Rainbow in the Desert

While Heidi and I were walking the mountain at Thunderbird Park early this morning; we saw this rainbow in the distance. It is unusual to see such a site here, along with this much cloud cover. Ya, the bit of rain is exceptional too!

Wile E. Coyote

Well I have heard people say to watch out for the coyote out here, and today I saw 3 of them in Sun City! Didn't have my camera, so had to use my cell phone and only captured 2 of the 3. They are sly fellas, and scraggly looking, but sneaky.

EPIPHANY!

Epiph a ny... i-ˈpi-fə-nē (1): a usually sudden manifestation or perception of the essential nature or meaning of something (2): an intuitive grasp of reality through something (as an event) usually simple and striking (3): an illuminating discovery, realization, disclosure or a revealing scene or moment.

My life's epiphany momemt. For the first time in my lifetime, the President of the United States is younger than me. This is truley a historical moment!