We installed the first store in Huntsville, Alabama today. In general, all went well. It still is amazing to me that I’m sitting here in my bare feet and doing a bunch of work on machines hundreds of miles away. In the past I often had a monitor screen up as we had only a few stores. I used it again today and there are now 11 stores and it was interesting to note at almost all the time at least one pump was dispensing. Lord willing the response will be good and we will roll out the remaining 100 stores and finally be stable.

I talked with my friend Chris today and we remain ever so pleased that we hiked Big Frog Mountain. No, it is not Mount Everest, but it still is a bigger effort than the vast majority will ever do. 11 miles in just over six hours, with a bit of sightseeing, some difficulties with snow, and the 2000+ foot rise made it a great hike.

I do think with joy about the time I hiked with Jack. He probably could easily do Big Frog today. It grieves me that statistically he won’t be able to do it at 63 since he will probably not be alive. He is my son, and I still love him.

Dorothy-Jane, as I stated from the nearest top-of-the-world, I love you!