donforrester1947 posted: " One of the nice things about living in Dripping Springs is that traffic doesn't always represent an impossible situation. Don't get me wrong, that is not always the case. Traffic jams in Dripping Springs can match anything you can find in Austi" Carpe Diem
One of the nice things about living in Dripping Springs is that traffic doesn't always represent an impossible situation. Don't get me wrong, that is not always the case. Traffic jams in Dripping Springs can match anything you can find in Austin. Traffic has its moments; perhaps I should say, "very long moments."
At about 5:30 yesterday afternoon, I discovered a text message written by Kevin Karschnick, a long-time friend and mentor, an hour earlier. He wrote: "Tracy and I are at Camp David if you and Treva want to venture out this way to say 'hi.' We should be here until 6:00 p.m."
It wasn't as though Kevin hadn't provided me advance notice. We talked on the phone a couple of weeks earlier, and he told me about their plans to be in the area.
"Out of sight/out of mind" is too often my modius operandi. I looked up from my phone and asked Treva: "Can you come with me?" I asked knowing she'd have to pass. She was in the middle of baking cakes.
With some awareness that time was short, I hurriedly made my way to the Camp David Retreat. Since Camp David is a new adventure retreat venue in Dripping Springs, I had not been there before. It has much to offer including multiple pickleball courts. For inquiring minds that want to know, April is National Pickleball month".
Pickleball was invented in 1965 on Bainbridge Island, a short ferry ride from Seattle, Washington. Three dads – Joel Pritchard, Bill Bell, and Barney McCallum — whose kids were bored with their usual summertime activities — are credited for creating the game. Pickleball has evolved from original handmade equipment and simple rules into a popular sport throughout the US and Canada. The game is growing internationally as well, with many European and Asian countries adding courts.
Honestly, until the past couple of years, I had not heard of pickleball. From my perspective, it has become an almost overnight sensation. I suspect that like golf, it also has an addictive nature. My friends, Kevin and Tracy play four times a week. Perhaps that explains why they are physically fit.
Yesterday, Kevin was participating in the men's doubles. He and his friend Rob were playing together. Rob's wife Angela was partnered with Tracy. The visit was good!
Pickleball looks a lot like tennis, ping pong, and badminton all rolled into one. Though smaller, the court is stripped similar to a tennis court with right and left service courts. It also has a seven-foot non-volley zone in front of the net (referred to as the kitchen.) It looked like great fun. I think it was about 7:30 before I left the tournament. Kevin and Rob tentatively thought they would be the winners. I did not wait until the end to find out.
Kevin gets credit for motivating me to write my book, "More Than Enough". We were having lunch one day and Kevin remarked: "Don you have such incredible stories. You need to write them down." I responded that I was writing them down. He fired back, "You need to write a book."
I confirmed that it was my intent, and he asked what he could do to help. I thanked him and responded that his encouragement was a help. He then asked: "Would it help if I gave you a deadline?"
"Probably" was my one-word response. He gave me a month to provide him with the first chapter. I went home and started writing to find that I couldn't stop. In two months, the first draft of my book was completed.
I dedicated a chapter in my book to Kevin. I referred to him as the Dos Equis Man. You may remember the beer commercials that ended with a reference to an incredible feat and the line: "I don't always drink beer. But when I do, I prefer Dos Equis." Each commercial ends with him stating the signature sign-off: "Stay thirsty, my friends."
I referred to Kevin as the Dos Equis Man because his life is filled with adventure and incredible feats. He does leadership and communication training for companies all over the world. Our friendship is one where shared time with Kevin always leaves me with fresh ideas.
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