Bill had big ideas for a family business. He wanted the family to stick together and work together. Back in the 1980s he lobbied the family to start a "Check-a-Check" business. He went so far as to buy the starter franchise setup with hopes that the kids get involved. Another family business idea was to build a pyramid mausoleum in the desert somewhere. People could buy a block in the pyramid in which to have their ashes entombed. The pyramid would also serve as a tourist attraction.
The family was sufficiently dysfunctional that there wasn't support for such grand plans. Bill did have more success on smaller scale family initiatives. Below is a customized "ballot" sent to family members to join a three week trekking expedition in Nepal.
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| Ballot inviting Noel to Trek in Nepal in June 1986 |
Indeed Bill did manage to get all three adult kids on a three week trek to complete the Annapurna Circuit. Although everyone looks like hell, the photo taken at the summit of the Thorong La pass (17,700 ft) was one of his most cherished -- an enlarged and tattered version hung in his work room for years. The negative has long since been lost -- all that remains are a few 3x4 prints.
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| Bill, the "Mentor", and his three kids at Thorong La summit |
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| The family together - Mt Bonnell, Austin |
When I first met Bill I decided to take him for a tour of a solar house in northwest Austin. Driving there I commented that the Adornos are one of the closest families I know. Bill was distressed and unusually speechless. Until I clarified "... as long as everyone are on opposite sides of the world."
ReplyDeleteBill speechless?!? It didn't happen often. A moment to cherish.
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