Concours and Enforcer

March 11th, 2011- I've been enjoying my new Kawasaki G1400 Sport Tourer. Power and handling is incredible although fuel mileage is down as compared to the v-strom, I'm sure its just my desire to twist the throttle! still getting 45+mpg.

I had a friend call me the other day and asked me if I would like to check out Mesa's motor officers riding the police version of my bike preparing for the national course championships to be held in Las Vegas, of course my answer was yes! As we arrived it was nice to see the variety of motorcycles used by various agencies through out the state, Beemers ,ST's, Kawi's and yes Harleys a little old' school compared to the high tech bikes.

The Enforcer model of my bike had the obvious difference's lights and sirens as well as custom crash bars. An obvious mode was to the steering stops being shaved to allow a tighter turning radius'.

The most impressive part I witnessed was the trust the officers had in their cycles pushing them to extreme handling maneuvers. I wish I could have been able to ride one of the police models through the course, but even I admit for as many years that I've been riding what they were doing takes extensive training and lots of crashing. And I wasn't willing to ride mine through the course without crash bars and simply the cost to replace plastics so I remained a happy spectator.

Arizona Centennial Copper Motorcycle

February 18th, 2011. With Taylor in town we decided to check out Fountain Hills Arts and Crafts three day Festival. Taylor is our artsy girl so events like this give her new ideas or different perspectives on projects she is working on.

Low and behold I spied a motorcycle on display, Yes! Upon checking it out we found out that local custom motorcycle builder Paul Yaffe was commissioned by the state of Arizona to build a copper motorcycle commemorating Arizona's one hundredth year as a state, February 12th,2012.

The attention to detail, fit and finish was incredible. If you get a chance to view it do it motorcycle enthusiast or not. It's got Arizona history in it! It will be on display at Arizona Bike Week from March 26th to April 3rd after that it will continue to travel around the state at various events.

Kars for Kids

January 8th, 2011

FBCOM 2nd annual car show, Kars for Kids. Myself and two other men from our mens ministry organized this years event. We chose Sunshine Acres Childrens Home as the beneficiary of this years show. We had an excellent turnout of participants and a large number of spectators, many who where just driving down the road and saw the cars and large crowd of spectators.

Many of the entrants asked if there would be a 3rd. annual car show, yes there will be. All the time and energy that went into organizing and running the event was absolutely worth it! We'll be back!

Canyon Lake Ski Trip

8-02-2010- Canyon Lake Ski Trip
We were invited by my Firefighters Local to Canyon Lake for an evening barbecue so we thought, take the boat and a little skiing would be in order. The lake is contained by Mormon Flat Dam. Its beauty is enhanced by the surrounding high cliffs and the occasional views of the Bighorn Sheep scaling the rugged cliffs. Being this late in the day we didn't spy any of the Bighorns but certainly enjoyed the view.
Sly at the wheel motoring up the canyon.
Taking a cool swim checking out the rock formations.
The girls taking over the helm while I was on my swim venture, "Humm, Should we leave him or not?"
Sheri enjoying the cruise on smooth water.
A little ski time for Sly up the canyon.
Sheri hitting the water for ski time, "Brrrrr.. This water is cold!" With Canyon Lake being deep and narrow the water temp is cooler than the other local lakes.
Lex cutting on some nice water.
Spray time.
With the sun setting our ski time was being cut short but we enjoyed every minute of it. Now it was time to barbecue with friends and tell stories. What an awesome afternoon and evening!

Thank you Lord for the beauty of your creation.

Have a Blessed day, Sly

Kayaking the Salt River

8-01-2010- Kayaking the Salt River. Up at 8 a.m. heavy cloud cover, occasional sprinkles, humid, breezy but this wouldn't keep us from a leisure float down the Salt River. For today our designated transporter, Sheri, would deliver us to the river. The Yaks' were loaded into the truck with all our gear, water and snacks the priority as Lex would say! Twenty five minutes from the house and we were unloading on the river about a quarter mile below Stewart Mountain Dam that holds Saguaro Lake. From here we would Yak down to Phon D. Sutton where the Salt River and the Verde River come together. Here Sheri would pick us up after about a three hour float.

Lex contemplating our float. The water flow was slow today with all the rain over the last couple of days. So water demand was down for the farmers for irrigation needs. That meant a little more paddling than normal.
We're off! With no glaring sun we were able to enjoy the beautiful scenery.
It was quitely eerie on the water, very calm, lots of wildlife and no huge crowds for a Saturday.
I never get tired of the view of the mountains along the upper portion of the river.
Getting ready to go under Bush Highway at the Blue Point Bridge.
The Salt River Recreation Boys working the river. Logan B. on the right one of Lex's forever friends. Yes they do get paid to float the river.
Today was one of those days we encountered the wild horses from the Indian Reservation. We saw several small groups of them today with a few new young ones.

The little philly in the middle was pretty frisky!
Sly below a large overhang in the Coons Bluff area. In the 70's Hollywood filmed a couple of Westerns in this area. As a kid I would hangout out here often with my best bud's Bobby S. and Rick C. we did a lot of cliff jumping and swimming in this area.
Red Mountain from the east side. another quarter of a mile and we were at Phon D. Sutton. We had a three hour paddle and float, saw some awesome sights, enjoyed the beautiful weather and had a great father daughter day on the river. Special thanks to our transporter Sheri, you were great, and thanks for lunch.

If you get the itch and want to Yak, give me a ring!

God Bless, Sly

Dinner Night on Saguaro Lake

7-30-2010- Dave gave me a call to see if we would like to do a dinner night and swim at Saguaro Lake, and the answer, Heck Yaa!! Dave and Gay and Terry headed up with the Rendezvous in tow as we loaded up the ice chest and were off to meet them at the dock. Cheryl would be on her way up after work. Hey Dave, "Is Gay really asleep at the wheel?".
Our awesome host's, Dave and Gay.
Something about a warm spot in the water!
Hanging as we head up the channel to Sandy Beach.
Parked at Sandy Beach. Cement' doing his Tattoo impression, "Da boat Boss Da boat".
The Ladies whipping up dinner. Gays' chicken salad was Perfecto!
Three Amigos, more like three old dude's.
Women talk at the bow! Cheryl, Sheri and Gay solving the world's problems.
Mirrored cliffs on the lake. Super calm water.
As far up the lake as we can go. Mormon Flat Dam holding back Canyon Lake above us.
Dave wanted to press on towards the dam but he decided it might not be worth the cost of a new propeller.
Sly and Sheri.
Dave, Gay and Terry.
With the sun setting and and full belly's and a cool swim, it was time to head back down the Lake for a nice cool cruise out.

You just can't beat a evening on the lake with good friends, food and drinks.
Thank you Dave, Gay,Terry and Cheryl we had a blast.

God bless ya', Sly

5-26-2010 Beyond Az.- Maui

5-2010- 27th Wedding anniversary and Sheri's 29th?? Birthday. We enjoyed a week together in Maui staying on the west coast north of Lahaina on the leeward side of Maui. Our crib for the week was the Marriot Maui Ocean Club, unusual no book of Mormon to be found, Yeah!!!!
After arriving at the airport we drove to the resort, 27 miles from the Kahului Airport. After checking in and heading up to our condo this was the view of the beach, yes!
Ladder Truck! Our neighboring resort the Westin Maui had a Two Alarm fire in their patio area so I had to take the pic.
Our first evening sunset. Sheri on the beach.
Early morning rain clouds on the mountains looking east. We only received a light sprinkle at our resort during the week.
Beach side of the resort.
From Kaanapali Beach looking towards the island of Lanai.
Oh for the crowded beaches.
Sly getting some Maui attitude.
Resort location and layout.
The pool below our room and Kaanapali Beach.
Man you only take 345 steps and your there!
Downtown Lahaina.
Sailboat on the reef at Lahaina Harbor.
My first Bamboo Forest, as we trekked further it got thicker and thicker, crazy!
Sly and Sheri at Haleakala National Park.
Made it to the top of the first waterfall.
Shower time for me at the second one up. Cold!!!! Water.
Ladder and rope time as we continued up on our trek.
Way worth the trekking!
North Shore coastline from the Hana Highway.
Local Church.
Rental boards from a local out of his van.
Just another Maui sunset!

I took a bazillion pictures and obviously I couldn't post them all. So if you have time stop by and I'll share them.

Gods creations are amazing and we enjoyed every bit of them while in Maui. I will always have the mental pictures tattoo'ed on my brain as well as my camera to reflect on His beauty.
Thank you God.
Blessings, Sly