Back in the Saddle Again

GENE AUTRY

I'm back in the saddle again

Out where a friend is a friend

Where the longhorn cattle feed

On the lowly gypsum weed

Back in the saddle again

Ridin' the range once more

Totin' my old .44

Where you sleep out every night

And the only law is right

Back in the saddle again

Whoopi-ty-aye-oh

Rockin' to and fro

Back in the saddle again

Whoopi-ty-aye-yay

I go my way

Back in the saddle again

I'm back in the saddle again

Out where a friend is a friend

Where the longhorn cattle feed

On the lowly gypsum weed

Back in the saddle again

Ridin' the range once more

Totin' my old .44

Where you sleep out every night

And the only law is right

Back in the saddle again

Whoopi-ty-aye-oh

Rockin' to and fro

Back in the saddle again

Whoopi-ty-aye-yay

I go my way

Back in the saddle again

With apologies to late, great Gene Autry, I am back in the great American Southwest, St. George Utah to be specific. This is home to me as I own a house, have a car, and most of my best friends are here. It has been over a year since I had red dust on my boots and it feels great. The weather is still mild and the skies are a crystal clear blue. At night, you can look up and see the Milky Way from the backyard.

Back Yard View Pine Valley Mountain

I am staying with Cheryl, Wayne and their son Kyle. For many years, they have been my surrogate family and I appreciate their tolerance of my temporary intrusion of their normal lives by letting me stay at their house.. I also reconnected with their two dogs, Bailey and Rayo, who surprisingly remembered and welcomed me after over a year. To me that is amazing! They could have just as easily chewed my kneecaps off, but they apparently have a good memory.

Bailey and Rayo Clowning Around

Rayo, the Boxer

I have been here but 4 days but have seen a lot of my favorite people. The Jet Lag Gods were kind to me this time and I was fine after a day. The trip from Abu Dhabi was comfortable as I got a seat in a premium cabin, but the 6 hour domestic flight from JFK to Salt Lake City found me in steerage with this as the in-flight meal! There are about eight goobers in there!

Yesterday I went to a party and drank too much. I wasn't the only one though!
There were some alcohol fueled death-defying stunts!

Dez Prior to the Face Plant

Rachel was a bit more Stylish Despite the Ack-Ack

Our Intrepid Stuntwomen Before the Plunge!

Party Time...The Shirt refers to OJ Simpson

Could put an Eye Out With Those Things!

It has been fun so far and I have unwound alot. A Las Vegas trip is planned in the next few days and my luck will determine whether I will return to the UAE or not. Hell, I still gotta eat!


One interesting thought...last time I visited the USA, I dreaded going back to the UAE....this time not so much! Its not that I like the US less, but maybe I like the Emirates more than I did back then.