My WEB Site


This Site Omaha Links Yosemite Sites Golfers Help Page Learn to Relax Fifty years of golf -- finally a hole-in-one!	Welcome to the Arko Web Site -- There are new pictures of the Grandkids and our wine tasting trips. Visit the Photo Gallery to see them. I hope that the included links in this site have provided some interesting views of some aspects that I find interesting in this very diverse world. There are also links, directly related to locations in the photo gallery, included on the individual galleries. Keep up to date by visiting the "What's New" page. (See What's new) I am trying to add some historical photos along with updates on current events. Unfortunately, I created a template page that is a little time consuming to build. I have decided to use that format only for pages with pictures that work best with a lot of narration. Other photo pages are now created using the much easier template provided by the FrontPage software. These include big family events like weddings, snapshots, and anything else I can put there. Let me hear from you -- Send Email ---------------------------------------------- Year 2022 We were looking for a quick trip for our 52nd anniversary. Kansas City was the plan, but the weather report was for triple digit temps. Not expecting to find anything, we look for a cabin at Estes Park. Bingo, a perfect spot where we enjoyed a great vacation. Click here to see the trip-pics. I also updated the site to include a trip through Hannibal, MO, and up to Springfield, IL to see the Lincoln Museum and related area attractions. Click Here Year 2021 We finally found an opportunity to travel. Still shying away from air travel, but a good road works good for us. We headed out on a 2000 mile circle that covered 5 states and 3 of the Great Lakes. A last minute change because a primary destination (President Ford museum) closed, sent us north to a bucket list destination (Mackinac Island). Click here to see the trip-pics. ~~Year 2020 -- Covid~~ Year End 2019 It’s been difficult following the death of my mom last September. Our annual visits to Lodi, and my daily calls to her will be greatly missed. We did see her in Lodi last March; it was a very nice visit. From there we headed south through Santa Barbara, and on to the Simi Valley to see the Reagan library. The trip included stops at some coastal communities, and quite a few missions (after a while all missions start to look the same). Click here to see pictures of the trip I also made a quick trip during the summer to southern California to make my first appearance at the Arko picnic since my dad’s 80^th birthday in 2005. I have missed seeing my cousins, aunts, and uncles. I will certainly make an effort to do that again soon. Last fall Wendy, Jenna, and I made a trip to the east coast to visit Charleston, Savannah, Warm Springs (to see the Roosevelt “Little White House”), Atlanta (Carter library/museum, and Stone Mountain), and a quick trip into Alabama to visit friends from nav school. Yes, it was quite a bit of driving, but a very fun trip. We have some great news about our grandkids – we are going to have one more. Carisa and Matt are expecting a little girl in March. Everyone is very excited, and the triplets (now 11) are looking forward their turn caring for their new sister – we all are. We still have three more presidential libraries to visit, Roosevelt, Kennedy, and Ford. We hope to finish them up in two trips this next year. This year will also be our 50^th anniversary. Right now our plan is to take a trip back to Yosemite, our favorite vacation destination, and where we had our honeymoon. Back Again -- Year End 2018 I have tried to get more pages added/updated. I've finally added the family vacation to Chicago to the site. Wendy and I have started visiting the presidential libraries (there are 13). We just completed a road trip to Texas to visit the three museums/libraries down there. That brings our total to 7 plus the Lincoln museum in Springfield. The Texas trip has been added to the Recent Vacation page in the Photo Galleries. My goal is to get the other library trips added in the next few months Year End 2016 I’m falling a bit behind with updates. I've added pages from the family vacation to Honey Creek Resort (spring 2015). I've also added some piano pieces that I've recorded. Mom enjoys listening while I play, and since she is still in Lodi, I've recorded some pieces for her. If interested, you can access it from the "Piano Music" button in the left column. I have also added an "Ancient Gallery" to the main gallery. I will be adding pictures from old albums and interesting documents as I find them. There is also a selection on the main gallery that has some artwork that mom has done. New additions are updated to the (What's New) page. Year End 2014 I’m back… Both hips are working great, and I’m able to do most pre-surgery activities (golf!) – without any pain. Now I’m ready for retirement – this spring. Wendy and I are looking forward to some road trips this next year. We’ve been preparing for retirement by collecting ideas for vacations across the country. Lots of places that we want to see in the good old USA before we need to look to foreign lands for our entertainment. Neither of us have a great desire to cross the ocean at this point. We’ll see if that changes later. I guess I must mention the husker's coaching change. Bo had a pretty good string of 9 win seasons, which caused some to question his departure. The players seemed to like him, and perhaps he provided good support for them....but, his uncontrolled antics on the sideline were not representative of someone who might be viewed as a role model. That, more than anything else, caused conflicts between him and the athletic director -- my take. Year End 2013 Still sneaking up on retirement, but will put it off a little longer to get both hips replaced during the next six months. Matt, Carisa, and the triplets moved about 5 blocks from us, so we are often treated by the sounds of "hi grandma, hi grandpa", as they come flying down the sidewalk on their bikes. Adam and Mary along with Lainey and Owen are also welcomed visitors, and very involved with sports with the kids. I have been giving Lainey piano lessons (she's doing very well), and Paige has shown interest, so I've started with her as well. The whole group gets together at one of our houses almost every Sunday -- great time. We had a vacation to Estes Park this summer, and were joined by our Colorado Springs cousins, Jim and Linda along with Mike Tracy, and Zack. We also made it out to California for a quick visit and a much anticipated trip across Ebbitts Pass from Lake Tahoe. Sorry, no comments about the Husker football team this year - okay, call me a fair weather fan. Year End 2012 It’s been a tough year as I start to sneak up on retirement. I think we’ve had about seven trips to California in the last 12 months; some for visiting and pleasure, others to say goodbye to family members. Wendy lost her mom last June, and my dad passed in February of 2013. We did have a wonderful family vacation in the fall with all of the kids and grandkids. We spent time in Disneyland, California Adventure, the Pacific Ocean, Lodi (with family get-togethers), and finally Yosemite. It took quite a while to condense the 2,000 pictures we all took, and get them loaded to the web site (see California vacation), but it’s finally done. It was a great vacation, and it’s not likely that we will have that much of the family together again -- don’t miss it. Fall 2011 Time for my winter update. The Christmas letters are going out, so I'd better get things in place as promised in the note. We worked in three trips this year; a winter trip to San Diego (as listed in the previous update), a fall trip to northern California, and another fall trip to Disneyworld in Florida. I think that a winter trip may become an annual event. About March we have had all of the cold we can stand (today is Dec. 3rd, and the snow is already falling), and many places are well into spring by then. Most kids are still in school, so we find a southern destination, and off we will go. No retirement yet (Wendy says I wouldn't enjoy it anyway -- ???). We spend quite a bit of time with the kids and grandkids including a trip to Adventureland. They are quite a bunch -- don't miss the newest pictures. I'm not much of a Facebook fan, so if you want to communicate with me, it's best to send an email. Facebook is a bit out-of-control. Besides the excessive flood of blather, the interface seems to do a lot on my behalf -- not directly requested by me. Email groups are much more to my liking. ---------------------------------------------- Spring 2011 Spring is finally here. This last winter seemed to be particularly long (they all do as they pound away into late January). We did make a migratory break for warm weather near the end of February, and ended up in San Diego for a quick late-winter escape. The plans developed quickly, and the days filled up even quicker. Maybe another trip next year -- I'm pretty sure that there were a few activities left undone, and people left unvisited. (See trip pictures) Lots of visitors coming this spring as Owen turns two, and the triplets turn three. Lainey will be 6 later this summer -- where does time go? Watch for pictures and movies of the grandkids as we turn our attention to outdoor activities. It should be a fun summer. ---------------------------------------------- Winter 2010 Wendy and I celebrated our 40th anniversary this year. A steak and lobster dinner at home -- just the two of us -- provided what we have always enjoyed, time together. This year's trip to California was drawn up as a slow drive into the mountains with stops at a couple of old mining towns, and a night near Big Trees. That went fine, but an overnight snow closed down Ebbetts Pass (that drive was the most anticipated part of the trip), keeping us short of our destination; Markleeville, and the Lake Tahoe area. Instead we headed back to the Jackson area for some wine tasting at the Shenandoah Valley, then back to Lodi to regroup for a drive to Monterey, and San Francisco. See pictures Visits with the kids and grandkids continue to be the highlights of our everyday life. We are very fortunate to them so close, and to have the opportunity to spend so much time with them You can read about them all in the Christmas note, and don't miss the new pictures and videos of the grandkids. ---------------------------------------------- Winter 2009 A new addition, Owen, was delivered to the family by Adam and Mary last spring. Sunday dinners at our house have become quite an event. You can read about it in the Christmas note and the grandkids. We did the north coast of California this year. There are so many beautiful trips to make in California. It's hard to select another destination, when we always find a special side trip out there. I also need to mention the short trip to Panama City Beach for a wedding. We found a great cabin on the bay at the military base. A great time. A ten win season with a near-miss at the big twelve title game, and an impressive victory over a higher ranked Pac-10 Arizona team. The offense finally showed up to support the already acclaimed defense (how about that Suh guy? He made the defensive line the center of post-game highlights). We lose Ndamukong Suh (the next pro-football multi-millionaire), but Zac Lee will be back as quarterback. Well see what next year brings. ---------------------------------------------- Winter 2008 Finally have the web site updated for the latest vacations and a year's worth of grandkid's pictures. We had two Fall vacations this year; one to Colorado Springs, and a visit with newly relocated cousins, followed by the usual trip to California with a little time in Yosemite and the Napa Valley. A strong finish to a nine win season has put Huskers football back on a positive note. There were a few of hiccups along the way, but for the most part, the ship has been righted. Time now to start looking toward the end of winter, and another great spring/summer full of family and THE GRANDKIDS! ---------------------------------------------- Spring 2008 The babies are here (all three of them). They were born May 3rd, and all weighed a little over 4 pounds. Their names are Paige Elizabeth, Brenden Joseph, and Kylan Lisette. The girls were home after about three weeks. and Brenden about a week later. They are growing fast, and now weigh close to six pounds. Matt and Carisa are proving to be exceptional parents. ---------------------------------------------- Winter 2007 Worst football season since the settlers first pitched prairie muffins up and down the hayfields. We moved far away from the great walk-on program, and the part about earning your place on the team -- always so important. We became pro-like in recruiting -- the "quick fix" junior college transfers, and twice failed "blue chip" quarterbacks became our bread and butter. Our toast got burnt. Out with Bill Callahan -- in with Bo Pelini, Ron Brown, Barney Cotton, and back to growing players as part of a system. We'll see this next season. ---------------------------------------------- Fall 2007 Well, there will be no 9 and 3 season for the Big Red this year -- five losses in a row, followed by a run-away game against Kansas State. No telling what the Colorado game will bring this Thanksgiving weekend. A win there makes us 6 and 6 -- bowl eligible -- maybe better if we skipped any more national coverage this year. We made another trip to California this fall. This time Wendy and I were on our own while Jenna vacationed in Hawaii with her grandparents (See Vacations). ---------------------------------------------- Summer 2007 We have returned from a trip to the Black Hills. We took the older kids out there 20 years ago. This trip was Jenna's turn (See Vacations). We have plans for another visit to California while Jenna enjoys a trip to Hawaii with her grandparents. Awaiting game one before I get too excited about the Huskers. I think that the next couple of years should show much improvement. Hoping for a 9 and 3 season -- maybe better next year. ---------------------------------------------- Winter 2006 It looks like Big Red football is trying to punch its way into the top 20. I'm holding back my decision about the West Coast offense brought to us by Bill Callahan (I sure do miss the ol' option play). We stumbled a little (first play fumble gave Oklahoma the ball on our own 2 yard line) at the Big Twelve championship, and will end up trying to finish with a win at the Cotton Bowl on January 1st. If not, better luck next year (we just need a couple of pass defenders taller than 5' 9"). We had a few great vacations this year. I had a couple of golf trips, the family went to California, and Wendy and Steve had a much needed trip to Hawaii. I hope you enjoy some of the pictures from these trips.	Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo features many rare species in natural habitats Yosemite 2001 See our vacation to California with our Nebraska friends

This Site

Omaha Links

Yosemite Sites

Fifty years of golf -- finally a hole-in-one!

Welcome to the Arko Web Site -- There are new pictures of the Grandkids and our wine tasting trips. Visit the Photo Gallery to see them.

I hope that the included links in this site have provided some interesting views of some aspects that I find interesting in this very diverse world. There are also links, directly related to locations in the photo gallery, included on the individual galleries. Keep up to date by visiting the "What's New" page. (See What's new)

I am trying to add some historical photos along with updates on current events. Unfortunately, I created a template page that is a little time consuming to build. I have decided to use that format only for pages with pictures that work best with a lot of narration. Other photo pages are now created using the much easier template provided by the FrontPage software. These include big family events like weddings, snapshots, and anything else I can put there.

Let me hear from you -- Send Email

----------------------------------------------

Year 2022

We were looking for a quick trip for our 52nd anniversary. Kansas City was the plan, but the weather report was for triple digit temps. Not expecting to find anything, we look for a cabin at Estes Park. Bingo, a perfect spot where we enjoyed a great vacation. Click here to see the trip-pics. I also updated the site to include a trip through Hannibal, MO, and up to Springfield, IL to see the Lincoln Museum and related area attractions. Click Here

Year 2021

We finally found an opportunity to travel. Still shying away from air travel, but a good road works good for us. We headed out on a 2000 mile circle that covered 5 states and 3 of the Great Lakes. A last minute change because a primary destination (President Ford museum) closed, sent us north to a bucket list destination (Mackinac Island). Click here to see the trip-pics.

~~Year 2020 -- Covid~~

Year End 2019

It’s been difficult following the death of my mom last September. Our annual visits to Lodi, and my daily calls to her will be greatly missed.

We did see her in Lodi last March; it was a very nice visit. From there we headed south through Santa Barbara, and on to the Simi Valley to see the Reagan library. The trip included stops at some coastal communities, and quite a few missions (after a while all missions start to look the same). Click here to see pictures of the trip

I also made a quick trip during the summer to southern California to make my first appearance at the Arko picnic since my dad’s 80^th birthday in 2005. I have missed seeing my cousins, aunts, and uncles. I will certainly make an effort to do that again soon.

Last fall Wendy, Jenna, and I made a trip to the east coast to visit Charleston, Savannah, Warm Springs (to see the Roosevelt “Little White House”), Atlanta (Carter library/museum, and Stone Mountain), and a quick trip into Alabama to visit friends from nav school. Yes, it was quite a bit of driving, but a very fun trip.

We have some great news about our grandkids – we are going to have one more. Carisa and Matt are expecting a little girl in March. Everyone is very excited, and the triplets (now 11) are looking forward their turn caring for their new sister – we all are.

We still have three more presidential libraries to visit, Roosevelt, Kennedy, and Ford. We hope to finish them up in two trips this next year. This year will also be our 50^th anniversary. Right now our plan is to take a trip back to Yosemite, our favorite vacation destination, and where we had our honeymoon.

Back Again -- Year End 2018

I have tried to get more pages added/updated. I've finally added the family vacation to Chicago to the site.

Wendy and I have started visiting the presidential libraries (there are 13). We just completed a road trip to Texas to visit the three museums/libraries down there. That brings our total to 7 plus the Lincoln museum in Springfield. The Texas trip has been added to the Recent Vacation page in the Photo Galleries. My goal is to get the other library trips added in the next few months

Year End 2016

     I’m falling a bit behind with updates. I've added pages from the family vacation to Honey Creek Resort (spring 2015). I've also added some piano pieces that I've recorded. Mom enjoys listening while I play, and since she is still in Lodi, I've recorded some pieces for her. If interested, you can access it from the "Piano Music" button in the left column.
    I have also added an "Ancient Gallery" to the main gallery. I will be adding pictures from old albums and interesting documents as I find them.
    There is also a selection on the main gallery that has some artwork that mom has done. New additions are updated to the (What's New) page.

Year End 2014

    I’m back… Both hips are working great, and I’m able to do most pre-surgery activities (golf!) – without any pain. Now I’m ready for retirement – this spring.
    Wendy and I are looking forward to some road trips this next year. We’ve been preparing for retirement by collecting ideas for vacations across the country. Lots of places that we want to see in the good old USA before we need to look to foreign lands for our entertainment. Neither of us have a great desire to cross the ocean at this point. We’ll see if that changes later.
    I guess I must mention the husker's coaching change. Bo had a pretty good string of 9 win seasons, which caused some to question his departure. The players seemed to like him, and perhaps he provided good support for them....but, his uncontrolled antics on the sideline were not representative of someone who might be viewed as a role model. That, more than anything else, caused conflicts between him and the athletic director -- my take.

Year End 2013

Still sneaking up on retirement, but will put it off a little longer to get both hips replaced during the next six months. Matt, Carisa, and the triplets moved about 5 blocks from us, so we are often treated by the sounds of "hi grandma, hi grandpa", as they come flying down the sidewalk on their bikes. Adam and Mary along with Lainey and Owen are also welcomed visitors, and very involved with sports with the kids. I have been giving Lainey piano lessons (she's doing very well), and Paige has shown interest, so I've started with her as well. The whole group gets together at one of our houses almost every Sunday -- great time.

We had a vacation to Estes Park this summer, and were joined by our Colorado Springs cousins, Jim and Linda along with Mike Tracy, and Zack. We also made it out to California for a quick visit and a much anticipated trip across Ebbitts Pass from Lake Tahoe.

Sorry, no comments about the Husker football team this year - okay, call me a fair weather fan.

Year End 2012

It’s been a tough year as I start to sneak up on retirement. I think we’ve had about seven trips to California in the last 12 months; some for visiting and pleasure, others to say goodbye to family members. Wendy lost her mom last June, and my dad passed in February of 2013. We did have a wonderful family vacation in the fall with all of the kids and grandkids. We spent time in Disneyland, California Adventure, the Pacific Ocean, Lodi (with family get-togethers), and finally Yosemite. It took quite a while to condense the 2,000 pictures we all took, and get them loaded to the web site (see California vacation), but it’s finally done. It was a great vacation, and it’s not likely that we will have that much of the family together again -- don’t miss it.

Fall 2011

Time for my winter update. The Christmas letters are going out, so I'd better get things in place as promised in the note. We worked in three trips this year; a winter trip to San Diego (as listed in the previous update), a fall trip to northern California, and another fall trip to Disneyworld in Florida. I think that a winter trip may become an annual event. About March we have had all of the cold we can stand (today is Dec. 3rd, and the snow is already falling), and many places are well into spring by then. Most kids are still in school, so we find a southern destination, and off we will go.

No retirement yet (Wendy says I wouldn't enjoy it anyway -- ???). We spend quite a bit of time with the kids and grandkids including a trip to Adventureland. They are quite a bunch -- don't miss the newest pictures.

I'm not much of a Facebook fan, so if you want to communicate with me, it's best to send an email. Facebook is a bit out-of-control. Besides the excessive flood of blather, the interface seems to do a lot on my behalf -- not directly requested by me. Email groups are much more to my liking.

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Spring 2011

Spring is finally here. This last winter seemed to be particularly long (they all do as they pound away into late January). We did make a migratory break for warm weather near the end of February, and ended up in San Diego for a quick late-winter escape. The plans developed quickly, and the days filled up even quicker. Maybe another trip next year -- I'm pretty sure that there were a few activities left undone, and people left unvisited. (See trip pictures)

Lots of visitors coming this spring as Owen turns two, and the triplets turn three. Lainey will be 6 later this summer -- where does time go? Watch for pictures and movies of the grandkids as we turn our attention to outdoor activities. It should be a fun summer.

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Winter 2010

Wendy and I celebrated our 40th anniversary this year. A steak and lobster dinner at home -- just the two of us -- provided what we have always enjoyed, time together.

This year's trip to California was drawn up as a slow drive into the mountains with stops at a couple of old mining towns, and a night near Big Trees. That went fine, but an overnight snow closed down Ebbetts Pass (that drive was the most anticipated part of the trip), keeping us short of our destination; Markleeville, and the Lake Tahoe area. Instead we headed back to the Jackson area for some wine tasting at the Shenandoah Valley, then back to Lodi to regroup for a drive to Monterey, and San Francisco. See pictures

Visits with the kids and grandkids continue to be the highlights of our everyday life. We are very fortunate to them so close, and to have the opportunity to spend so much time with them You can read about them all in the Christmas note, and don't miss the new pictures and videos of the grandkids.

----------------------------------------------

Winter 2009

A new addition, Owen, was delivered to the family by Adam and Mary last spring. Sunday dinners at our house have become quite an event. You can read about it in the Christmas note and the grandkids.

We did the north coast of California this year. There are so many beautiful trips to make in California. It's hard to select another destination, when we always find a special side trip out there.

I also need to mention the short trip to Panama City Beach for a wedding. We found a great cabin on the bay at the military base. A great time.

A ten win season with a near-miss at the big twelve title game, and an impressive victory over a higher ranked Pac-10 Arizona team. The offense finally showed up to support the already acclaimed defense (how about that Suh guy? He made the defensive line the center of post-game highlights). We lose Ndamukong Suh (the next pro-football multi-millionaire), but Zac Lee will be back as quarterback. Well see what next year brings.

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Winter 2008

Finally have the web site updated for the latest vacations and a year's worth of grandkid's pictures. We had two Fall vacations this year; one to Colorado Springs, and a visit with newly relocated cousins, followed by the usual trip to California with a little time in Yosemite and the Napa Valley.

A strong finish to a nine win season has put Huskers football back on a positive note. There were a few of hiccups along the way, but for the most part, the ship has been righted. Time now to start looking toward the end of winter, and another great spring/summer full of family and THE GRANDKIDS!

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Spring 2008

The babies are here (all three of them). They were born May 3rd, and all weighed a little over 4 pounds. Their names are Paige Elizabeth, Brenden Joseph, and Kylan Lisette. The girls were home after about three weeks. and Brenden about a week later. They are growing fast, and now weigh close to six pounds. Matt and Carisa are proving to be exceptional parents.

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Winter 2007

Worst football season since the settlers first pitched prairie muffins up and down the hayfields. We moved far away from the great walk-on program, and the part about earning your place on the team -- always so important. We became pro-like in recruiting -- the "quick fix" junior college transfers, and twice failed "blue chip" quarterbacks became our bread and butter. Our toast got burnt. Out with Bill Callahan -- in with Bo Pelini, Ron Brown, Barney Cotton, and back to growing players as part of a system. We'll see this next season.

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Fall 2007

Well, there will be no 9 and 3 season for the Big Red this year -- five losses in a row, followed by a run-away game against Kansas State. No telling what the Colorado game will bring this Thanksgiving weekend. A win there makes us 6 and 6 -- bowl eligible -- maybe better if we skipped any more national coverage this year.

We made another trip to California this fall. This time Wendy and I were on our own while Jenna vacationed in Hawaii with her grandparents (See Vacations).

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Summer 2007

We have returned from a trip to the Black Hills. We took the older kids out there 20 years ago. This trip was Jenna's turn (See Vacations).

We have plans for another visit to California while Jenna enjoys a trip to Hawaii with her grandparents.

Awaiting game one before I get too excited about the Huskers. I think that the next couple of years should show much improvement. Hoping for a 9 and 3 season -- maybe better next year.

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Winter 2006

It looks like Big Red football is trying to punch its way into the top 20. I'm holding back my decision about the West Coast offense brought to us by Bill Callahan (I sure do miss the ol' option play). We stumbled a little (first play fumble gave Oklahoma the ball on our own 2 yard line) at the Big Twelve championship, and will end up trying to finish with a win at the Cotton Bowl on January 1st. If not, better luck next year (we just need a couple of pass defenders taller than 5' 9").

We had a few great vacations this year. I had a couple of golf trips, the family went to California, and Wendy and Steve had a much needed trip to Hawaii. I hope you enjoy some of the pictures from these trips.

Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo
features many rare species in natural habitats

Yosemite 2001
See our vacation to California with our Nebraska friends