There's a new Man in the Van

Picture Matching - Try and match the picture with the Pic #! (this wasn't on purpose, but give it a try!)

Pic #1: My Charlotte tennis ladies and me after a good clinic!
Pic #2: Andy fixing the van in Charlotte.
Pic #3: Doug (the best damn maintenance man in the land) & Me behind Milo.
Pic #4: Me working it at Milo w/Andy
Pic #5: Dad & Me in front of Milo
Pic #6: The Mann with the Van in front of Milo (that's my cousin Elsa on the left with the sweet Bike helmet)
Pic #7: My Great Aunt Pat & Me at the Cracker Barrel in Indianapolis
Pic #8: The new Man in the Van!
Pic #9: Rob, Sierra (my neice) & Me in Prescott
Pic #10: Luke & Me outside of his work in Prescott right before Rob & I headed out.

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The van has officially arrived at our first tournament spot in San Diego, California!

So, I headed to Columbus, Ohio on Saturday, June 2nd to stop in and play some pipe gigs to make some $$ in preparation for the major gas bill that lieth ahead. When I arrived around 9pm at Milo (my Dad's artist colony in Columbus, Ohio - see pic) about ten people were waiting for me on the front steps and ready to go! My Dad got a full crew of people to help my cause - book gigs, gather Van Feeders, and donate a great travel trailer to the cause, among many other things. My Mom arrived back in Groveport on Sunday - she had been in Prescott and San Diego (where I am now) with the Western Mann family.

So I made it to Prescott after four days of driving on Saturday. That was where I picked up the new man in the van, Rob Arnold. Rob is working on becoming a Professional Physical Trainer and chose to come with me on the road after I asked him back in December. Rob is my personal trainer for the California and Midwest tournaments during the Summer. Beyond that it's great to have someone else drive! Rob's a super-cool guy and is gonna be great to have around for the next couple of months. Rob and I are staying in San Diego with Lacey, Marnie's (Luke's wife) sister. My first match is today at 2:30. I'll be playing doubles tomorrow too.

I also played my pipes in Prescott at some pubs for some cash last night. The visit to Prescott was short but awesome, as Luke, Marnie & Sierra are awesome people...

Mann I love my family!

Signing off...

~ Nate