I was born in the San Francisco Bay Area.  From there, my family moved to several areas of the state ranging from the coast to the central valley.  We eventually migrated to Nevada, the land where we finally settled.

After graduating from high school in 1984, I spent several years enjoying early adulthood by travelling throughout Northern Nevada and California studying my favorite mode of transportation, railroading.  I have many fond memories of these travels as they included liberal doses of good times - some so good that I'm embarrassed in my advancing adulthood to admit to... :-)

Part of this time was spent in "intense" pursuit of my love of railroading as a volunteer with the Portola Railroad Museum.  It was here, during five years as a volunteer, that I got to experience my dream of working on the railroad.  In addition to performing building maintenance as well as constructing and repairing track, I enjoyed working as a train brakeman, conductor, and locomotive engineer.  I also enjoyed the company of my fellow volunteers - a great bunch of people who were (and at times, still are) a BLAST to hang out with!

During my travels, I spent two years living in Elko, Nevada.  This time was some of the most memorable in my life.  In addition to many great times there, I met some of the finest people I have ever known.  As a licensed amateur (ham) radio operator, I had great times working with the Elko Amateur Radio Club where I enjoyed travelling to area mountaintops working on the club's repeater equipment and in doing so learned a lot about radio. I was also active in the club's efforts in providing support communications to local firefighting agencies during major wildland fires.  My affiliations with people involved in commercial radio led to my involvement in the formation of the Ruby Mountain Translator Association, a non-profit group formed to keep broadcast radio translators providing diverse entertainment formats (jazz, rock 'n roll oldies, and Christian programming) on the air following legal challenges to their operation.

I mentioned my love of railroading (several times, I guess) - although I still cling to it, doing it as a profession was not to be.  My time in Elko was followed by two years in the small city of Mesquite, Nevada (mostly uneventful), before I returned to Reno.  In the present day, I am employed as a supervisor in an administrative support department for the Silver Legacy, the largest and most elaborate gaming establishment in northern Nevada.  But that's just work...life begins thereafter.

Life...means the pursuit of many interests.  When not slaving away to earn a paycheck, I can be found holding down the fort at the home I share with my wife and daughter - or, pursuing one of my interests, which include:

• Photography
• Travelling
• Camping
• Amateur Radio
• Nevada History

In 1998, I met the two women to whom I would make a committment to be bonded with for life, "Kwanna" and "Star". Kwanna is my gift from God, the best wife in the world.  She is unconditionally loving and supportive, bright, beautiful, wonderful beyond belief, and a servant of our Lord.  Our daughter Star is a gift from God as well.  She is the product of her mother's upbringing, a bright, energetic, and beautiful young woman.  Being in their presence is the light of my life!

Our home is also graced by the presence of of the cutest, yet most spoiled feline ever to live.  She's the real boss around here!  Being fiercely independent as cats most often are, she insists on having her own page.  Look for this to be added to our site soon.

In January, 2001, we added to our family! Click here to see the web page of, "Little Tank"!

Through my relationship with Kwanna, I was introduced to Our Lord Jesus Christ.  As I came to know him, his calling was clear.  I surrendered my life to him and accepted him as my personal Lord and Savior in early 1999.  Now I lead my life each day aspiring to follow His example.  He is my rock and my salvation, and it is through His leadership that I find each day the ability to be a good husband, a good father, and a good man.

We are members of Spanish Springs Baptist Church.   We hope to help bring our church a "web presence" by setting up a new site for it soon!.

The 36th State of the Union .  110,540 acres of forests and deserts, mountains and valleys, rivers and dry lakebeds, silver and gold.  There's no other place in the world like it!

The bulk of the over 2.2 million people who live here are located in the Las Vegas valley.  But the history of Nevada can be found here in the north.  Here is where the first settlement in the state, Genoa (originally "Mormon's Station"), is located at the foot of the majestic Sierra Nevada mountains about 50 miles south of Reno.

Living examples of the state's silver and gold mining heritage can be savored throughout the northern portion of Nevada in the forms of both ghost towns as well as old mining towns that continue to resist the trials of time in the present.  Traditions are clung to vehemently here both by the natives as well as we emigrants who view the rich history of this land as a treasure most worthy of preservation.

St. Mary's In The Mountains Catholic Church, without a doubt THE most ornate structure in historic Virginia City, Nevada.  This Structure was built in 1876 following the great fire that destroyed much of the town.

             

Couldn't wrap up this visit to my life without bringing up my favorite subject one more time.  My presence along the railroad tracks here in northern Nevada with cameras in hand watching the big iron roll is not uncommon.  I like it so much, I even have my own page about it!

With the desert on one side and the Sierra front on the other, UP 951 East approaches the middle crossing of Constantia Road just south of Doyle, California near M.P. 358 on the Winnemucca Subdivision on the afternoon of April 24, 2001.

Make sure to check out the website of my friend "Cowboy Jim".  He's got lots of neat railroading stuff there!

Since becoming licensed in 1991 (call sign N7TOD), I have enjoyed participating in the provision of emergency and public service communication through amateur radio.  I presently pursue this through service with Northern Nevada Amateur Radio Services, the coordinating body for Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) and Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service (RACES) activities in this area.  I currently serve as ARES Emergency Coordinator for Washoe County and also as Chairman of the Sierra Nevada Amateur Radio Society (SNARS) radio club.  I hold a second ARRL Field appointment as Net Manager of the Western Nevada Noon Net, a local bulletin, traffic handling, and social net serving the Reno/Sparks area daily on 2 meters and affiliated with the National Traffic System.  Additionally, I work with the SKYWARN severe weather spotter program as coordinated by the National Weather Service, Reno Forecast Office and am trustee for station license WX7RNO.

I presently possess an Extra class license. My YL, "Kwanna", just earned her Technician ticket in April, 2003 - now, with her on the air, ham radio is even more enjoyable!

Thanks for stopping by to visit me.  If you enjoyed your visit, please sign our guestbook, which is located back on Our Oasis, and/or drop me a line to say hello.  Also, drop by again from time to time to see some new pictures and stories!

E-mail:  NVRRFan@netscape.net

ICQ Number:  1033158

 

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This page last updated on May 15, 2002.