My plan for working out, which started in July, is going well. I have worked out three times so far this month, and I actually started running on June 30. It has been a good start to my running program. I'm using more of a run/walk approach to ease back into the routine of running and gradually build my ability to run for longer periods. It has felt good, and I am really enjoying the process.
I had planned to start riding my bike again in August, but now I'm questioning whether I will. That would have me running three times a week and biking one or two days a week. I worry that might lead to burnout, so I'm still debating whether to add cycling back into the mix. I enjoy biking as well, but I'm concerned it could end up being too much.
There is also some travel coming up starting in August, and I need to make sure I continue running even when I'm on the road. I can't let travel become an excuse for skipping workouts. That's easier said than done, especially with conferences and evening events on the schedule, but I need to make fitness a priority and avoid making excuses.
As I mentioned, I'm following a run/walk process to get back into the routine, so my pace isn't great right now. After three runs, including today's, my average pace is 14:17 per mile. I'm hoping to see that improve over the coming months as I stay consistent. Ideally, I would like to get down to around a 12-minute mile. It will be interesting to see how things progress, and I'll be sure to provide updates here along the way.
Carrie started water walking last week. I've gone with her twice, and I enjoy it too. It's a good workout, and I can definitely feel it in my legs the next day. We water walk in the lazy river in North Topeka. Carrie enjoys it so much that she's already planning to get a season pass next year.
We typically walk for about 50 minutes, spending time both with and against the current. According to my watch, I cover nearly two miles during each session. Walking against the current is brutal, and sometimes I nearly get knocked over by the water jets in certain areas. It's a lot of fun, and it gets me in the water, which I enjoy.
I'm also keeping up my walking routine after my runs. Yes, I know I already do some walking during my run/walk workouts, but I still set aside an additional 10 to 15 minutes for a separate walk. It helps me feel connected to Oliver, whom we had to say goodbye to in early June.
I can still walk the same path we used to take and remember him stopping to sniff everything, hopping on and off the curb as he investigated every scent and searched for signs of other dogs. I miss him so much, and these little moments help me stay connected to him. He loved going for walks, and I'm sad I didn't take him on even more of them. Still, I have many wonderful memories of our walks together, and revisiting those places has been helpful as I continue to process losing him.
That's all for today. Have a great rest of your Sunday and a wonderful week ahead.
Carrie and I made a return visit to Costa Rica from June 18 to 23 to celebrate Javi’s 50th birthday. We had a great time, and it was wonderful to see Javi and his family. We stayed at an all-inclusive resort that Javi had picked out, since he had been there before, and it did not disappoint. Our stay was so enjoyable that Carrie and I decided to add an extra day. The food was good, the drinks were flowing, and we lucked out with the weather. It only rained hard once, and that was our first night.
FC with Javi
Our flight left bright and early on June 18, so Carrie and I stayed in Kansas City the night before near the airport. It was well worth it and made getting to the airport easy. We connected through Dallas, which allowed us to meet up with Javi and his friends, who were on the same flight to Costa Rica. Javi, Carrie, and I all sat in first class, which was a fun experience. It had been a long time since I had flown first class, so we enjoyed it. We were in the same row as Javi, and even though the drink service was a little slow, we still had a great time. The food on American Airlines was really good.
We stayed at The Westin Reserva Conchal on the Pacific side of Costa Rica. We arrived at the resort after about a 45-minute ride from the airport. The ride was fun since we were with Javi and his friends from Dallas, and we made a stop at a convenience store to pick up some local beer, Imperial, and snacks to enjoy along the way.
Javi Bday Celebration
That first night, we headed to happy hour in the main building before going to dinner. Of course, we checked out our rooms first and were very happy with the setup. Most of us stayed in Tower 2, with a few others in Tower 1. Everything was close, which made it easy and fun to meet up and explore different areas of the resort together.
The resort has around 8 to 10 restaurants, so we had plenty of options. The food was good at every place we went, but the desserts were disappointing at most of them. We did enjoy dessert at Cauri Lobby Bar & Bistro, but at the other spots, desserts fell short. The appetizers and main dishes were consistently good, so overall we still ate very well.
Us on the Beach
Our first full day at the resort was spent at the beach. We enjoyed the waves and sand for a few hours. Carrie and I had reserved a cabana by the main pool, so we spent the afternoon there. It was definitely worth it, and we liked it so much that we reserved the cabana again for the next day.
On Saturday, we went back to the beach early to get some snorkeling in before it got too hot and the waves picked up. We rented equipment from the resort, but it was not very good. Javi and some of his friends brought their own gear, which worked much better. Next time we travel somewhere with snorkeling, I plan to bring my own equipment. Even with the subpar gear, we still saw a lot of fish, which made it worthwhile.
Snorkeling Spot
Our days fell into a great routine of getting up early, heading to the beach, spending time at the pool, and then enjoying dinner in the evening. It was an incredible rhythm, and it made it hard to leave. On Sunday, I told Carrie I would check with the resort about extending our stay and keeping the same room. They said it was no problem. From there, it was just a matter of adjusting our flights and transportation back to the airport, which also went smoothly. Just like that, we extended our trip and planned to leave on Tuesday instead of Monday.
Dinner and Celebration
Sunday night, the whole group met at Cauri Lobby Bar & Bistro for dinner. It was a great meal, and as I mentioned earlier, the dessert was very good. The restaurant overlooks the golf course, and we were treated to a beautiful sunset. Since Javi and his friends would be leaving the next day, we said some goodbyes that evening. After dinner, a few of us stayed at the bar to have a few drinks. It was the perfect way to end the night.
Flying Home from Great Trip
On Monday morning, we met Javi and some of his friends as they prepared to leave around 10 a.m. to say our goodbyes. They were heading to other locations in Costa Rica to do some sightseeing, while Carrie and I stayed one more day at the resort.
Tuesday morning, Carrie and I ordered room service and enjoyed a relaxed breakfast before packing up to head out. It was a great way to wrap up our stay. The food was good, and we had plenty of time to get to the airport for our flight home.
Sunset Our Last Night
It was fun celebrating such a big milestone for Javi. I am really glad we made the trip and had the chance to spend that time with him.
Until next time, have a great rest of your Sunday and a wonderful week!
A week after Oliver turned 15, we took him to be with his maker. He had such a great time celebrating his birthday the week before on our quick trip to Kansas City. But when we got back, on Sunday, June 7, he started going downhill. He stopped eating, wouldn’t take his medication, and was having trouble standing. It was almost as though his little body said, “I made it to 15, and now I’m ready to rest.”
I had a conference scheduled Wednesday through Friday this week. Carrie took Oliver to the vet on June 10 so they could take a look at him. They gave him a steroid shot since he was coughing, having difficulty breathing, and struggling in just about every aspect of being a dog. I left that morning to drive to Emporia for the conference and told Carrie to keep me posted.
I was able to talk to Carrie around 1:00 on Wednesday. The vet told us his little body was failing. The steroid helped with the coughing, but with a collapsed trachea and an enlarged heart, it was clear that his time was near.
I’ll admit, I was naive. I thought we might have a few more months, continuing his medication three times a day and just enjoying having him with us a little longer. But his little body had other plans, and his decline happened quickly.
I can still remember when his cough first started. It really wasn’t that long ago, Martin Luther King Jr. weekend. That Sunday, he was playing in the family room, wrestling with a blanket, when he laid down for a minute. Suddenly, he got up and made a horrible sound. More of a yelp than a cough, really. But that became the cough we knew for the next four and a half months. Some days were worse than others, and there were nights when he, and us, were up most of the night as he struggled to breathe.
Someone mentioned to me last week that when they saw my post last week (see Fifteen Years with Oliver), they thought it was about Oliver passing. At the time, I was glad to say no, he was still going and still causing problems. How quickly that changed. What I thought had become our normal of medication and coughing turned into a rapid decline and conversations about putting him down. It’s a very difficult decision when you are saying goodbye to a member of your family.
I want to share a few memories of Oliver over the years.
Some of my favorite names I would call Oliver... other than Oliver included Tappie Toes, Doofus, Handsome, Sweet Cheeks, Precious Pancake, Tee Tee Rodriguez, Handsome Pants, Fussy Britches, and I am sure many others....
One of my favorites is from when he was a puppy. We got him in September 2011, and he was born in June 2011, so this was probably October or November. We were chasing him through the house one evening, and he was flying through the living room at full speed. He wasn’t quite in control of his back end, and as he came through, it drifted to the side and he ran straight into the coffee table with his backside. He stopped immediately and looked at us like he couldn’t understand why we would have hit him. He might have yelped a little too. Poor guy.
Joan and Eddie always took such wonderful care of Oliver when we traveled, and Oliver truly looked forward to spending time with them. Every visit felt special, full of attention, comfort, and familiar routines that made being away easier for all of us. While we were gone, Joan would thoughtfully share pictures, giving us peace of mind and little glimpses of Oliver’s happiness. Knowing Oliver was so well cared for and genuinely enjoying the time made every trip more relaxed and reassuring.
Oliver always got excited when we told him that we was going to see his Aunt Erin and Uncle Greg. Another person Oliver had a special connection with was Uncle Greg. He would light up every time he saw Greg.
Another favorite was our trip to Crystal Beach, Texas, in 2016, his first and only time seeing the ocean. He was so intrigued. He would run toward the water, then sprint away when the waves came in. Eventually he got into the water, but it took him a while. At one point, we decided to take him off his leash so he could really enjoy it. That turned out to be a mistake. He took off at full speed down the beach, running through people’s setups while they laughed and pointed. We eventually caught him and got the leash back on.
Mom shared a couple of great stories about when Oliver stayed with her. One time, she took him out back without a leash. He walked out into the yard, turning back to check on her every few steps, making sure everything was okay. Once he finished his business, he came straight back inside with her.
Another time, when Mom wasn’t feeling well, she went to bed early and Oliver stayed in the room with her. Normally, he would wake up around 6:00 a.m., head downstairs, and perch on the back of her chair to watch for people and dogs to bark at. But that morning, he stayed with her and didn’t leave until she was ready to get up. She just told me that story recently.
There was also the time he tried to get on her bed. Oliver is used to sleeping on the bed with us, so he naturally assumed the same rules applied. Mom told him no after he had already jumped up, and from her description, he seemed surprised and quickly got down. After that, he never tried it again.
Oliver had a special bond with my sister Dina. From the time he was a puppy all the way through adulthood, we could say her name and he would perk up. I think a big part of that was that Dina would pet him for as long as he wanted, which was basically forever. A few months ago, we were able to have Dina watch Oliver while we were out of town for the first and only time. I wish we could have done that more. I know they both enjoyed it. Even later in life, if we mentioned Dina or Grandma, he would start looking around, expecting them to walk through the door.
Brenda and Javier were also on his favorites list. Oliver would get excited when we said their names and try to figure out when he might see them again. Brenda had Patches, and the two of them were best friends. When they first met at our house, even through the glass, it was like they had known each other forever. From that point on, they were often together, going on little adventures or just resting near each other. Even after Patches passed, we could still say his name and Oliver would perk up.
Since he was a puppy, Oliver always wanted to be with us, no matter where we were in the house. He kept close tabs on us, moving from room to room to stay nearby. If we went into the bathroom and closed the door, he would paw at it until we let him in. Eventually, we just got used to leaving the door open.
At times, he would get a little too involved and climb into my underpants while I was trying to take care of business. More recently, he would just come in, lay down facing the door, and keep watch. I liked to think he was protecting me. It’s something I’m going to miss more than I expected.
I’m also going to miss the nightly routine of him herding us to bed. Around 10:00, he would start letting us know it was time. He wouldn’t usually go upstairs without us, but he would stand in the kitchen and look at us like we were the problem. On weekends, when we stayed up later, he would eventually come back into the family room and lie down, clearly unhappy with our choices.
And then there was the licking at night. He would lick my elbow, ears, and hand if I let him, and most of the time I did. He could go for hours before moving on to Carrie’s legs. I don’t know what he got out of it, but it was oddly relaxing, and I think it soothed him too as he settled in for the night.
Losing a pet is incredibly hard. This is the third one I’ve lost. The first was Captain when I was young, and I remember that pain clearly. Then Carrie brought Sidney into my life. I had never been much of a cat person, but Sidney won me over. When we had to say goodbye to him in June 2011, Carrie and I were a mess for a week.
Now here we are again. It’s Saturday as I write this, the day after we said goodbye to Oliver. Carrie and I are a mess. I still expect to hear his tappie toes while I’m watching Royals baseball. I expect to see him when I wake up. I expect to hear him scratching at the bathroom door. But none of that will happen now.
He’s gone, but we have so many memories and so many pictures.
He was a great friend and a loyal companion. I can’t believe he’s gone, but I know he’s in a better place, and he can breathe again.
I love you, Oliver Haverty. You were the best dog in the world, and we were so lucky to have you in our lives.
See all the photos I could find of Oliver on my Flickr page. There are quite a few, along with some videos as well. I know this is something I’ll come back to often as I remember my sweet Oliver.
One thing I wanted to add to this post: when Sidney passed away, Carrie sent me a song about a cat named Sidney. I listened to it a lot during that time, and I still find myself listening to it today.
After losing Oliver, I wanted something similar, a song that captured his personality and all the little quirks that made him who he was. Using an AI music feature, I created this song to help remember Oliver and celebrate the joy he brought to our lives.
Thank you for visiting my site and remembering our sweet boy.
The 2026 camping season has officially started for us with our first trip over Memorial Day weekend. It was some of the best camping weather we have ever seen. It did rain for about an hour on us the first night, but overall it was wonderful. Cool during the day and dipping down to chilly in the evening, but with a fire going, it was perfect.
We went back to our regular spot in Council Grove, where we have camped a number of times. We love the location, and this was probably our sixth trip there. I have truthfully lost count, but it was another great weekend.
This trip was a little different for us. We went out Friday and came back on Monday. The only thing we cooked at the campsite was hot dogs, which we had for lunch one day. We decided to keep things simple and, since we were close to town, eat at local places instead. We went to the Mexican restaurant twice during the weekend since it was the only place open on Sunday. We also tried a brand new BBQ place that opened that Saturday, and it was delicious. A Chinese place was new to us as well, but they were closed for the holiday weekend.
We arrived at the campsite late Friday afternoon. After getting everything set up, we were ready to relax. Carrie and I bought a new tent that sleeps nine, and we can actually stand up inside it. It is also a fast-up tent, which is nice, but we had no idea how to set it up or take it down. Thankfully, Erin helped us since they have one that is similar.
Margarita's and Dinner
Friday night was our first visit to the Mexican restaurant, El Rancho Viejo, and it was excellent. The AC was not working very well that night, so it was a little warm, but the margaritas and food made up for it.
Cards Under the Canopy
We stayed up late that first night after returning to the campsite, keeping a fire going into the late hours. We listened to music, talked, and enjoyed a few drinks. It rained on us for about an hour, but we had a canopy set up and moved under it to play cards. It was actually pretty peaceful listening to the rain tapping on the canopy while we played. After the rain stopped, we moved back to the fire, which somehow kept going. A fun first night.
Sunset Over the Lake
On Saturday, we had some friends come out to visit us that evening. Laura and Jason stopped by in their new vehicle. We had a few drinks around the fire before the girls ran into town to pick up Pizza Hut for dinner. After we ate, we all went up to watch the sunset over the lake. Laura and Jason left shortly after, and we spent the rest of the night relaxing around the fire once again.
Cottonwood Falls
Sunday’s plan was to take a trip to see some waterfalls. We drove to Cottonwood Falls, about an hour away from our campsite. Erin and Greg had been there a few years earlier and thought we would enjoy it. It was another beautiful day, and we took a short hike to reach the falls. It was a popular spot with a lot of families, and a great way to spend the day. The area was beautiful, and the water was cold.
After our trip, we drove back to Council Grove and picked up BBQ from Jonny V’s, which had just opened that Saturday. We brought it back to the campsite, and it was really good. The beans were especially good.
Campsite with Lights
Sunday night, we went back to the Mexican restaurant, which was a nice way to wrap up the weekend. We all ordered something different from our first visit. The AC was working this time, which made it more comfortable. It was a fun way to finish out our meals for the trip and a nice break for Carrie, who usually does the cooking on our camping trips.
Of course, we had to make the most of our last night by staying up late around the fire. We had a lot of firewood to use up before we left, and we managed to go through all of it. Erin and Carrie had gathered wood from the woods earlier in the day, so it was fun putting that to use as well.
Selfie of Us Watching Sunset
This was a different type of camping trip for us, but we really enjoyed being close to town while still having that camping feel of staying up late and enjoying the clear night sky. We are already trying to figure out where our next trip will take us and how many we can fit in this summer. We know we will be camping in October, possibly around a Washburn football game, but nothing is scheduled yet.
Until next time, have a great rest of your weekend and a wonderful week ahead.
Happy Memorial Day! To many, the weekend signifies the start of summer. Pools are opening, kids are out of school, and summer vacations are beginning. Of course, the day is meant to honor those who gave their lives in service to our country. We honor them during this holiday weekend. Thank you.
It is hard to believe we are starting summer 2026. I have said it before and I will say it again, but the year is flying by so fast. As I get older, it seems like time moves faster and faster. Seriously, it feels like just yesterday the fall 2025 semester began, and now the spring 2026 semester has ended. I remember being a kid when the days seemed to drag by so slowly. It makes me wonder if, as I get older, the days will always feel this fast or if, once I retire, they might slow down again. Either way, I am good with it as long as I can enjoy the later years of life and everything that comes with them.
Back to the holiday, I hope you are able to enjoy some time off from your busy life that makes the days fly by. Sit back, relax, and reflect on those who gave their lives for our country. Take a moment to give thanks for their sacrifice so we can enjoy this weekend and every day here in the United States.
We had one final project in which each of our core groups was given $40 to use however we wanted to give back to the community. Several groups pooled our money and went to Hazel Hill Chocolate to purchase chocolate and suckers. The owner, a former LGT alum, generously donated an additional four boxes to our effort. In total, we had over $1,000 worth of chocolate to help make Friday a little brighter for members of the community.
The four groups, consisting of 24 people, split up and headed in different directions downtown to hand out the candy. One group went to Washburn University, another to NOTO, and two groups covered different areas downtown. I was part of one of the downtown groups, and we focused on the area around the Capitol, specifically seeking out construction workers, police officers, and people walking nearby. We had written notes of encouragement to accompany the candy as we handed it out. It was a truly rewarding experience. People were hesitant at first, but once we explained the purpose and offered free candy, they were happy to accept it. One construction worker was especially excited to receive a sucker on a hot day while working outside.
I really enjoyed this experience and the opportunity to give something simple back to our community. There were no strings attached, just a small gesture paired with a kind message. It may have been my favorite activity of the entire LGT program. When we returned to the office and shared our experiences, that sentiment was echoed across the groups. Everyone found the experience meaningful and rewarding.
LGT Core Group. Front row: Jenae and Maggy. Back row: John, Lauren, Alicia, and Ben
That evening, we attended the Bollywood Nights graduation for the Leadership Greater Topeka class. It was a fun night to celebrate and connect with past graduates of the program, as well as spend time together as a class. The event was held at Prairie Band Casino and featured a Bollywood theme, complete with food and dancing before the graduation ceremony, which concluded the evening.
LGT has been a truly rewarding experience. I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity and for the connections I made with the 35 members of the Class of 2026. I look forward to staying in touch with them in the years ahead, especially my core group.
Saturday night, Carrie and I went to Roar and Pour at the Topeka Zoo. It was our first time attending, and we had a great time. The weather was perfect. We went with our friends Laura and Jason, who invited us to attend. They had been several times before and thought we would enjoy the event. They were right. We loved it. Carrie now wants to get a season membership so she can go and sit in the Japanese Garden whenever she wants.
We also ran into friends we had not seen in years. They live in Kansas City but still enjoy making time for events in Topeka. It was great to see them and catch up with Carla and her family. I met Carla back in 2000 when I went on a cruise, which is also where I met Carrie. We were able to chat with Carla and her family for a while at the end of the evening, which was a lot of fun.
I also saw one of my fellow Leadership Greater Topeka Class of 2026 classmates, Caleb, who was volunteering and serving wine. Caleb used to work at the Zoo, so he was helping out for the event. His station was serving Champagne. I had forgotten that Jason and Caleb worked together for a year or so, so it was fun to catch up and hear stories about their time working together.
Carrie Feeding the Giraffe
We arrived around 5 pm for the VIP session, which ran from 5 to 6 and included feeding the giraffes along with dinner. Feeding the giraffes was a lot of fun, although we could not pet them even though they seemed to be asking us to. The food was good as well, and Hazel Hill Chocolate provided desserts that were excellent. I had part of a caramel apple, and it was delicious.
The event picked up around 6 pm when the general public arrived. Even then, it was still a fun time and not too crowded as we moved from wine station to wine station. They also had food available as part of the event, including wings, and Toppers Pizza was handing out slices. It was a good way to finish the night. The evening wrapped up around 9 pm. Afterward, Carrie and I stopped by Erin and Greg’s place for a drink and to tell them about our night.
Group Picture to End the Night
It was a fun way to spend our Saturday while giving back to the community. We lucked out with the weather, especially since I remember hearing about downpours during previous years when friends attended. I would definitely sign up for this again next year. I really enjoyed the evening, and seeing the animals throughout the night was a bonus.
Until next time, have a great rest of your Sunday and a wonderful week!
I went on my first run this morning. The last time I exercised was in June or July of 2025. The last time I actually ran was in June of 2024. Wow. I knew it had been a while. I have not been exercising at all, so I was pleasantly surprised that it felt fairly easy to get out and run this morning. I felt good and honestly felt like I could have gone longer than the 28 minutes, but it was a good start for me. No, I was not running the entire time. I am working back into it gradually with walking and jogging to build up my endurance. I also made sure to stretch before and after.
As some of you know, I have lost weight over the past year thanks to Mounjaro, which I have been taking for a while now. I have lost around forty-five pounds since October 2024, and that is without doing much at all over the last year or so. I have been fairly stagnant with weight loss for the past six to eight months, so I am hoping that starting up an exercise routine will help jump-start things again.
I was doing well riding my bike on a regular basis, but I got out of the habit after traveling and never really got back to it. I enjoy running and I enjoy biking. This morning was beautiful, with a slight chill in the air, which had me wearing long pants for my run. It was perfect. My hands were a little cold at the start, but after running, I warmed up and felt great. I enjoy the whole process, from running when it is chilly to running when it is hot out.
After a workout, I still enjoy seeing our dog, Oliver, get excited for his walk. He knows he is getting walked. Even after not feeling well over the past few months, he did not disappoint this morning. He was excited and waiting for me at the door when I returned.
I took Oliver out for his walk, which ends up being my cool-down. Oliver had a great time, although I did have to pick him up and carry him home for the last block or two. He definitely enjoyed himself, and he is now spending his Sunday afternoon sleeping. Granted, that is pretty normal for him whether we go for a walk or not, but he does seem a little more sleepy this afternoon compared to most days.
All of this is to say that I am trying to get back into a regular exercise routine. For now, my plan is to run at least three times a week. Those days will likely be Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday, although I can always move things around to accommodate other events. I am putting the workouts on my calendar to help lock them in and avoid excuses. I know Oliver will also enjoy me being on a more consistent workout and walking routine.
Until next time, have a great rest of your Sunday.
We spent the weekend in Kansas City to celebrate Carrie’s birthday. She wanted to get away, so we stayed at our favorite hotel in Kansas City, the InterContinental on the Plaza. We arrived Friday evening and have had a wonderful time. We did a little shopping, but mostly focused on relaxing around the hotel. We brought Oliver with us, and he has been enjoying the many walks we have taken.
On Sunday morning, Easter morning, we are headed to Lawrence to spend the afternoon with Mom. We picked up a dessert from Costco for everyone to enjoy. Everyone will be there except the Browns. Carrie and I keep talking about making a trip to Wichita to see them. We need to get that planned and just do it one weekend.
I am looking forward to spending the afternoon in Lawrence. Tim will be bringing his Bloody Marys for all to enjoy. I am sure I will overeat with all the Easter food. It will be good to see everyone, and we will miss our sister, Jen, who is in Wichita.
May each of you have a fantastic Easter. Have a great week, and know that spring is happening, with trees starting to bloom.
The year is flying by, and somehow we are already at the start of baseball season. It feels like we just wrapped up spring training, yet here we are. The opening of the season has been a little odd this year, with teams starting play on different days. Only two teams kicked things off on Wednesday, a handful more played on Thursday, and then everyone else finally got going on Friday as they begin their 2026 run.
The Kansas City Royals opened their season Friday night, and it was not the start we were hoping for. We lost and did not score a single run. We left multiple runners on base, which has unfortunately become a familiar storyline over the past few seasons. The pitching was not great either, as we gave up six runs while putting up zero of our own.
It feels like expectations are higher for the Royals this year, at least in my house. I’ll admit I always start the season optimistic, but this year feels a little different. My expectations are higher than they have been in a while. Last season we finished 82-87, and there were some games that were tough to sit through. Most projections have us right back in that same 82-87 range again this season, and honestly, I would take that without hesitation.
This season also brings something new to the game with the introduction of the Automated Ball-Strike Challenge System. Players can now challenge strike zone calls, with each team getting two challenges per game. If the call is overturned, the team keeps the challenge. In Friday night’s game, Salvador Salvy Perez wasted no time showing that he plans to use this new system. It will be interesting to see how teams decide when to challenge calls and how strategic they become with it. I’m also curious to see what this does to pitch framing. It did not look like Salvy was framing pitches Friday night, so I will be watching to see if that continues and whether other catchers follow the same approach.
Getting ready now to watch the second game of the season, with first pitch set for 6:15. Hopefully tonight brings our first win of the 2026 season and kicks off our march toward an 82-87 win year. Let’s go Royals!
We took a vacation this past week while Carrie was on Spring Break at her work. I took a few days off so we could all go on a trip together. We traveled with Erin and Greg, and while we had originally planned to go to Florida, those plans did not work out. Instead, we threw a bunch of destinations into a virtual hat and voted.
From that list, we narrowed it down to Chicago, San Antonio, and Little Rock. We do plan to go to Chicago at some point, likely by train, but decided now was not the right time. While we had all passed through Little Rock on various trips, none of us had ever spent any real time there. With the voting finished, we started researching places to stay and, more importantly, places to eat.
We reviewed several Airbnb options and selected one. About two weeks before our trip, the owner reached out to let me know they needed to cancel. What? There was some mix up on their end, and they said they could no longer host us. The host asked us to cancel the reservation so they would not lose their preferred host status. Instead, I contacted Airbnb customer service and asked them to assist with the process. The host was not happy about it, but they ultimately had to cancel, which allowed us to receive a full refund. Airbnb'sFAQ clearly states that if a host asks a renter to cancel, you should not do so and should contact customer service, which is exactly what we did.
Lunch at Torchy's Tacos on our Way
We scrambled to find another place since several of the spots we had originally saved were no longer available. We did find one that had been on our original list, but it was outside of Little Rock. The house was in Alexander, about twenty minutes from downtown. It turned out to be the perfect spot. The host was excellent, kept us updated on everything, and provided great recommendations on where to eat and drink.
We stayed in the Little Rock area for five nights, leaving on Saturday, March 14, and returning on March 19. We could not take Oliver with us, so Joan and Eddie watched him while we were gone. We figured he would have a better time with them than traveling with us, and the Airbnb we selected did not allow pets anyway.
Between friends, Reddit, vloggers, and our Airbnb host, we had no shortage of recommendations for places to eat, drink, and visit. We had a great time exploring the area and even managed to fit in some cultural stops along the way.
Some highlights from our trip included the following.
George’s Little Rock is an upscale Italian restaurant in the Heights neighborhood of Little Rock, located on Kavanaugh Boulevard. The menu focuses on classic Italian dishes, along with house made desserts and a thoughtfully curated wine list.
Lasagna at George's
Brave New Restaurant overlooks the river and is located in a business area. The food was delicious, with a menu that includes seafood, wild game, and locally sourced ingredients. It was a perfect spot for lunch or dinner. We went for lunch and sat outside.
Shrimp for Lunch at Brave New Restaurant
The Oyster Bar was a place we discovered while searching for local spots. It was a great find, offering oysters, Cajun options, and other seafood selections. It worked well for either lunch or dinner.
Oysters and Lobster for Lunch
Dust Bowl Lanes was another spot we found when we decided to go bowling on Sunday. It is a retro location where we bowled on old school lanes, drank local beers, and had a great time.
Brood & Barley was recommended by vloggers Kelly and Cody, whom I follow. We stopped in for drinks. While we did not eat there, the food coming out of the kitchen looked amazing. We almost went back before we left town but decided to try something else. It is definitely a spot we will visit again on a future trip.
Local Lime was another place we came across while researching. It offers Mexican inspired street food done very well. They also had some of the best margaritas I have had in quite a while. A great spot overall. No pictures from this visit.
Scoops was one of the ice cream places we found that had not been on our original list. We each ordered two scoops, which turned out to be a lot of ice cream, but I finished all of mine. It was a great stop and one I would highly recommend if you are in Little Rock. We almost went back again before leaving the area. No pictures from this visit.
Delicious Temptations was the one breakfast spot we visited. It is family owned and was very busy, with about a twenty five to thirty minute wait, but it was well worth it. This was a recommendation from our host, and I would absolutely suggest stopping in if you are nearby. No pictures from this visit.
Bill Clinton Presidential Library
Those are just a sampling of the highlights from the trip, covering breakfast, lunch, dinner, drinks, and dessert. We all want to go back again, as there was so much more to do beyond eating and drinking. We also did some sightseeing to expand our cultural experience. We visited the Bill Clinton Presidential Library, which was interesting to see, and stopped by the Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site, a key moment tied to the Brown v. Board of Education Supreme Court ruling and one that connects directly back to Topeka, Kansas.
Sunset in Little Rock
It was a fun trip, and we all hated to leave and head back home. I cannot wait to visit again. Hopefully next time we will be camping, as we scoped out several locations for a future camping trip. After all these years of driving through Little Rock without stopping, I am glad we finally did. It was well worth the trip, and I look forward to going back.
