HOME

The debut of the BMW 3.0CS coupe in 1971 marked, in my opinion, the zenith of BMW styling and driving experience.  This car was beautiful from any angle.  It saw the introduction of BMW's now-famous inline 6 cylinder engine, still touted by many automobile technophiles as being one of the smoothest, most reliable engines ever built.  The CS coupe also represented many "last-times" in BMW's history.  This became the last coupe to be a true pillarless "hardtop".  It was also one of the last BMW's to sport true wood trim as well as lavish chrome and stainless steel accents. Just ...
Read More

November 8 was the date, and 2008 Hidden Hills Dr. was the place!  Our annual jazz festivity!     Music was provided, of course, by none other than our own little homegrown jazz group, which includes:  John Hoag, piano Steve Koppell, sax  Michael Minnis, guitar James Minor, percussion Phil Auldridge, acoustic bass and Hammond B3 organ The music was rounded out by vocalist Dorothee Auldridge   and Kim Kafka ( www.kimkafka.com )  Steve Koppell and I found each other almost 5 years ago, and have been playing together regularly ever since.  The other members have joined us, one by one, and we ...
Read More

The MG car company (MG is an acronym for Morris Garage) was one of the earlier British manufacturers.  Their early cars were, somewhat primitive (not unlike most every other manufacturer), but, with few exceptions, the MG name has been associated with "sports" cars.   The MGA roadster is no exception.  In fact, if there were ever a quintessential TRUE "sports car", the MGA has to be near the top of the defining marque for that term.  The first MGA model was introduced early in 1956, and was an instant sensation in the automotive press.   These cars, as well as their predecessors, ...
Read More

In the early 1970's while serving as a junior officer in the Navy, and stationed at San Diego, I joined a base "sport" parachuting club.  It was here I met my best (and longest friend) Tom Ryals, now living on the Virginia coast.  Our little club would go jumping almost every Saturday, for a couple of years.  During this time, I logged some 200+ freefall jumps, and earned my "Jumpmaster" (parachuting instructor) license. Later, after the Navy, my first flying "job" was taking up skydivers at a dusty strip near the Mexican border, south of San Diego.  On one occasion, ...
Read More

Near the end of my stay in Idaho, Jay and I flew up north of Coeur d'Alene to Cavanaugh Bay.  These are the rest of the pictures of that trip: Click here to return to the details of our Idaho adventure ...
Read More