Photo Gallery
2026
Settling into retirement by working even harder.
A Bit of Connersville in Virginia?
Eileen combs the Reston/Vienna Buy Nothing Facebook group always looking for more junk we don't need. But one day, she came across someone who lives very close by giving away this antique dresser made in Connersville, IN. Bruce had just connected with his old friend, Joe Minnerick, who had just been elected president of Historic Connersville, Inc. (HCI). And when Eileen told him about the dresser, he told her to nab it as fast as possible. Bruce will deliver the dresser to HCI on his trip to Connersville this summer. There, it will undergo restoration and be put on permanent display in the local museum. Talk about luck and timing!
Bistro Don Giovanni's
Eileen and Bruce had dinner at Bistro Don Giovanni's the last time they were in Napa. They enjoyed the experience so much they mutually agreed that a revisit was absolutely in order. Not too many pics during the dinner, but these will hopefully give an idea of the spirited atmosphere there. Definitely worth a dine if you're ever in Napa.
Far Niente Winery
Eileen and Bruce had made it a point of the March Napa trip to visit wineries. Certainly as many Hall (family) venues as possible were a must (since they are members), but there had been so much hype about Far Niente that they just had to check it out. Arrival is a tad intimidating as it is a very private property with a very long entry driveway. The property is just stunning. But the experience was, at least in Bruce's opinion, lackluster. They just decided to take-in the scenery and the over-the-top hospitality to the maximum.
E-bike Rides
Rather than have a separate page/gallery for each group e-bike ride Bruce went on, he decided to just put all those pictures in one place.
Napa Balloon Ride
Eileen and Bruce decided on a whim while out in Napa in mid-March to take a hot air balloon ride over the Napa Valley. Every group trip available required them to be at the launch point by 6:30am for a pre-flight briefing. This wasn't their first balloon ride. They did one back in 2001 (predates this website) when the kids were very young. It was a foggy morning in Middleburg, VA, but the experience was still breathtaking. If you've never done one of these, it's definitely a bucket list item.