Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/763593
71 www.thunderpress.net THUNDER PRESS nJanuary 2017n Albuquerque he'd spontaneously ride to Santa Fe for a hot dog. But today with population growth, the two cit- ies seem to have merged and getting around takes signifi cantly longer. "Any beautiful place eventually becomes populated." He spoke of the changes that took away from living in Montana when newcomers perched their homes in grizzly bear habitat, only to com- plain about the presence of bear. Mike met his wife Denise in Half Moon Bay, California—not far from his home and work in San Francisco. At that time Denise was a successful real estate professional in San Mateo County. Since relocating to Arizona, Denise has also retired but volunteers counseling at the county jail, working with female inmates. Born in Australia, surrounded by the sea, her family moved to the Bay Area when Denise was six. It wasn't easy convincing his wife to move inland in 2012, leaving behind the Pacifi c Ocean. She resisted a bit until Mike asked, "How often do you go in the ocean?" and she had to admit it wasn't often. Population growth and highway congestion had diminished the allure of California for Mike, so a move that coincided with his retirement held appeal. The argument for life being an adventure convinced his bride of the move and the two have never looked back. He's comfortable with the idea of yet another relocation as they see Sedona growing, but now that Denise is settled in, he realizes it wouldn't be fair to her. They're plan- ning on staying put (for now). Mike's a pilot, he enjoys horse- back riding, is an accomplished sailor and performs service to com- munity. He volunteers a couple days each week for the Sheriff's offi ce in the county of 82,000 square miles. I asked him if his fellow offi cers know of his medical specialty and he admitted they do a little teasing. Today he rides a 2016 Fat Boy, already with 7,000 clicks. Personal friends with the Dudley Perkins family, he didn't buy in Arizona but looked up Dudley's son Tommy for the recent purchase. And even though he's away from so busy a place as his former Bay Area home, and granted, Arizona doesn't require the headgear, Mike admitted, "I always wear a helmet." 4 Where am I? Continued from page 64 Digital not for you? Get Print at $29 for 1 year (12 issues) www.thunderpress.net/subscribe Choose the Inbox Instead of the Mailbox Less Waste. More Convenient. Your Way. iPad & Mobile www.thunderpress.net/subscribe Digital Edition Available on all Platforms. Digital not for you? Get Print at $29.00 for 1 year (12 issues) www.thunderpress.net/subscribe J $14.99 per year (12 issues) J Available one week prior to the print version J Page-for-page replica of the print version J Hot links to advertisers' websites J Save a tree: Every digital page is one that doesn't go through the paper mill