tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-204122482024-03-13T07:51:15.377-04:00Shades of Grayandihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11343916706375776601noreply@blogger.comBlogger802125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20412248.post-28173030808970792592020-07-19T19:46:00.000-04:002020-07-19T19:46:25.763-04:00Sadie LadyI've had Sadie for twelve weeks now! Time flies!<br />
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She's still a lot of work, but we've settled into a routine and I don't feel so stressed all the time anymore. She hasn't had an accident in the house in a really long time. And she lets me sleep through the night! She starts her loud dinosaur yawns before 7am, but will usually quiet down a little more after that. She's getting much better at walking, and is a great little hiking buddy. And she's been an excellent dog out in public so far! That's what I wanted: a dog to take on walks and hikes that would also hang with me at wineries or on the Downtown Mall. So far so good!<br />
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We've been working on obedience training at home from the get-go, but are also starting a puppy obedience class in a couple of weeks. And she attends doggy daycare once a week for fun socializing (and to give me a little break).<br />
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Now for pictures! <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cruising the Downtown Mall</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chilling on the deck</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Checking out Sugar Hollow Reservoir</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dipping our toes</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sitting pretty at King Family Vineyards</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Quenching thirst on the go</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Off leash at the tennis court!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Best buds</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Checking out Secluded Farm by Monticello</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fourth of July hike at Walnut Creek</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ready to accept her award for Cutest Pup!</td></tr>
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andihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11343916706375776601noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20412248.post-7596119970301020762020-05-19T21:12:00.000-04:002020-07-19T19:46:46.744-04:00So much has happened.Time for some long due updates!<br />
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After spending the past several months working hard to meet draft deadlines for my dissertation, that whole thing is finally over. It's strange. I wrote a lot. I edited a lot. I worked hard. I looked forward to being done so badly. And now I am. After my advisor okayed my third draft I sent it to my two other readers. Made a few more edits based on their comments. And on April 22 I sat here at my dining table and defended my dissertation via video conferencing. I was so nervous. Not because I didn't think I would pass, but because I wanted to do a good job and appear competent. Which I guess I did, because sure enough, they said I can be a doctor. It's a huge relief to be done, but also strange how it ended so nonchalantly. No driving to Fairfax to defend. No shaking hands. No ceremony. No party. I wasn't planning to attend the graduation ceremony, but I did want to have a party with friends and family to celebrate. It took ten school years to get my PhD. That's a long time.<br />
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Anyway, that brings us to Covid-19. I've been working from home, finally using my office upstairs! I also started using my living room more because in April I did yoga every day. It was a great way to get through the end of dissertation and defense preparation days. And I started to take long walks and discovered new parts of the neighborhood. All those walks made me sad I didn't have a dog to walk though.<br />
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And that brings us to my next big update. I got a dog! A puppy, to be exact. I've been obsessing over adopting a dog for a long while now but knew I needed to wait until I finished grad school. And sure enough, a mere three days after my defense, I brought home a 10-week-old puppy from the SPCA. I never had a puppy in mind before, but since I'm home all the time now a puppy was actually a possibility. And I guess after my dissertation I needed a new project? I must say, getting a puppy sure didn't give me a break!<br />
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Anyway, her name is Sadie, and over three weeks in I can say she's settling in great and doing well with training. My walks have been cut drastically short (and slow), but some day she'll be a great walking (and hopefully hiking) buddy. It'll be fun to watch her grow.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3h9ye-LpqoYeNX-DITsNZV7HKTM-CETSNlq7Xcz-uRoFrOsODgYkvrpTK_1LbrJMW6i3nyG3X-NiYrBgD3lTd2m5a7JHQj3LrYGQ-g-UuJ4NHx4IBDEEY04hRsSPtQjSoStIv/s1600/IMG_3661.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3h9ye-LpqoYeNX-DITsNZV7HKTM-CETSNlq7Xcz-uRoFrOsODgYkvrpTK_1LbrJMW6i3nyG3X-NiYrBgD3lTd2m5a7JHQj3LrYGQ-g-UuJ4NHx4IBDEEY04hRsSPtQjSoStIv/s320/IMG_3661.HEIC" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Meeting her at the shelter!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our first "walk"</td></tr>
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<br />andihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11343916706375776601noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20412248.post-74000515972728429562020-02-14T22:13:00.000-05:002020-02-14T22:13:56.565-05:00Still thankful for ThanksgivingI am aware that many moons have passed without a post. (Let's blame my dissertation.) But I still want to remember my 2019 Thanksgiving, so here's a quick recap several months late, mostly in pictures.<br />
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I went to Santa Fe! We hiked Tent Rocks and did touristy stuff downtown. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lookin' at rocks.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Loretto Chapel</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hot chocolate!</td></tr>
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(Not pictured: visiting the cathedral and several art galleries, mariachi music with our dinner at Tomasita's, visiting a couple of museums on Museum Hill, and walking to the cross of the martyrs at sunset.)<br />
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We also visited my brother and sister-in-law in northern New Mexico on the ranch where they live and work. It was very pretty, but I was disappointed we didn't see any bison.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Green chile burritos and guacamole!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Old charcoal kilns.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It was very cold.</td></tr>
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Mom made lots of great food for Thanksgiving and we had family over to visit. We did not, however, run the turkey trot 5k because it snowed!<br />
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And we saw the "lighting of the Plaza" to help kick-start the Christmas season.<br />
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<br />andihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11343916706375776601noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20412248.post-35779422945249257972019-10-09T21:35:00.002-04:002019-10-09T21:36:09.166-04:00Brooklyn Wedding WeekendThis past weekend I went to New York for my dear friend Celia's wedding. It was a beautiful wedding and a fun weekend in the big city!<br />
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First, let me backtrack and quickly cover her bachelorette party which was a month ago, and which I also attended in New York (I flew straight there from Anchorage!). It was 90s themed, and included a private trolley tour (sort of 1890s themed) of Brooklyn, a big taco dinner, and singing 1990s songs in a private karaoke room.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix0RDPfuNvmkVkmzSXY4Q5iXOFMfQZkjWqa0kEimk09kRHY30oJlBK06VKC7KoVVJQtjPw0TE2tvJSEQLikepCvmr3ckzGVl3trPi7lM5BOaWAT__At6CMx6-tJJ4gOzxVINX7/s1600/IMG_4198.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1107" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix0RDPfuNvmkVkmzSXY4Q5iXOFMfQZkjWqa0kEimk09kRHY30oJlBK06VKC7KoVVJQtjPw0TE2tvJSEQLikepCvmr3ckzGVl3trPi7lM5BOaWAT__At6CMx6-tJJ4gOzxVINX7/s400/IMG_4198.HEIC" width="276" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My 90s outfit</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Her 90s outfit (and our private trolley)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Polaroid from the after-karaoke party. I think I went to bed around 4am that night.</td></tr>
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Okay, back to the wedding weekend. Friday there was a pre-wedding dinner at an Italian restaurant. There was so much good food! And I got to catch up with a friend from junior high who I probably hadn't seen since college.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I got to sign her ketubah!</td></tr>
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Saturday morning I went for a run along the water in Long Island City. Then I joined Celia and some others in her bridal suite to get ready for the ceremony.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A beautiful day for five miles!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Celia and her dad (whom I adore)</td></tr>
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The wedding itself was on the rooftop of a hotel in Brooklyn with views of the city. It was a little too cold to keep the roof open but even with it closed it was a pretty amazing venue. The ceremony was lovely, the cocktail hour had jalapeno margaritas, and the dinner was really good. Throw in ice cream sandwiches, a roving photo-booth-type thing, and the highly-entertaining cover band Vanilla Pop all the way from New Mexico, and it all added up to an awesome and fun wedding.<br />
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Sunday there was a wedding brunch, after which I visited the Brooklyn Museum, ate ramen, stopped by Times Square for kicks, and ended the night tasting a few beers at the Fifth Hammer Brewing Company.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The new Kehinde Wiley statue that will eventually move from Times Square to Richmond!</td></tr>
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Monday my flight wasn't until later in the evening, so I had time for my first-ever visit to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. Liberty Island has a new museum that was pretty neat, and though I spent nearly two hours on Ellis Island I wish I'd had more time to see all of the immigration museum. Alas, it was time to take a boat back to Brooklyn to enjoy a big polish dinner in Greenpoint before heading home.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm on a boat!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Great Hall on Ellis Island, which used to be the Registry Room for processing new immigrants.</td></tr>
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It was a great long weekend in New York and I'm so happy I got to share in Celia's big day!andihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11343916706375776601noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20412248.post-56395832504372092842019-09-23T22:07:00.000-04:002019-09-23T22:07:47.238-04:00Alaska!This summer I went on a pretty epic vacation with my family to celebrate my parents' fortieth anniversary. We went to Alaska! And on a cruise! Very exciting.<br />
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My parents spent a few days in Vancouver before I joined them for two nights. On my full day there I introduced them to good ramen and we went for a long walk around Stanley Park. It was a gorgeous day.<br />
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Monday, August 26, we embarked on the Norwegian Jewel for our cruise to Alaska (after I went for a long run along the water). Once onboard we briefly checked out our staterooms (they had a balcony, I had a window) before heading up to enjoy the views from the open deck as we sailed out of Vancouver.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We're on a boat!</td></tr>
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Tuesday we sailed all day. For a little while all three of us sat on their balcony to look for wildlife but all we saw were lots and lots of jellyfish.<br />
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Wednesday we awoke in Ketchikan. We went on an excursion to the George Inlet Lodge, from which we got on a much smaller boat for a little wildlife tour around the inlet. We saw bald eagles, the splash of seals (apparently), and pulled crabs up from a crab pot. Then we got to eat unlimited Dungeness crab legs. We ate a lot.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A bald eagle!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of my favorite photos from the whole trip.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I threw her back.</td></tr>
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After our meal we were driven back to Ketchikan, where we had some time to walk around before we had to be back on the ship.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Iconic view of Creek Street</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It was fun watching salmon jump at this salmon ladder.</td></tr>
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Thursday we sailed into Juneau. We didn't get off the ship until 11, so I had time to run on the treadmill in the ship's gym. Treadmills aren't my favorite but at least there was a view of the water and indeed I saw a whale. In Juneau we walked to the Alaska State Museum, which we all really liked. Then we ate lunch by the water before heading up the Mount Roberts tram. Mom headed back early but Dad and I went for a short hike at the top.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love all these snow goggles!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He asked me to take this photo!</td></tr>
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Friday we awoke in Skagway and went on another excursion. First a mini bus drove us into the Yukon Territory of Canada (with several photo stops along the way), where we had a barbecue lunch and got to see sled dogs.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Husky puppy in Carcross!</td></tr>
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Then the mini bus dropped us off at a train station and we rode the White Pass & Yukon Route Railroad back down to Skagway. The narrow-gauged train takes the route of the gold rushers. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We're on a train!</td></tr>
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When we got back into Skagway Mom headed back to the ship while Dad and I stopped into the Skagway Brewing Company.<br />
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Saturday we were on the ship all day, and we spent several hours cruising around Glacier Bay National Park. Park rangers boarded the ship and shared information and wildlife sightings over the intercom. That morning I awoke to the ranger mentioning a mountain goat sighting, so I grabbed my binoculars and kneeled on my bed checking out the passing mountain, and indeed I saw the goat! While we ate breakfast we saw little icebergs covered in seals. Then we headed outside to see (and hear!) the glaciers. And that afternoon Mom and I painted whale tales and glaciers.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pretty good view for teeth brushing!</td></tr>
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Sunday was also a day at sea. In the morning we cruised by Hubbard Glacier.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtdNw2-xBWIX5lLsvhRdGw2ilLFmt65zQ4XTkIZYSh5yRZd8jQq1wv4wOS72N4LJQg78Uocm48eFk5XIsaBuw7-_4M-sCvzq7r0D5optfc8EXhXz5TKMhzg5Xut58Tup34_EPd/s1600/IMG_4006.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtdNw2-xBWIX5lLsvhRdGw2ilLFmt65zQ4XTkIZYSh5yRZd8jQq1wv4wOS72N4LJQg78Uocm48eFk5XIsaBuw7-_4M-sCvzq7r0D5optfc8EXhXz5TKMhzg5Xut58Tup34_EPd/s400/IMG_4006.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV2Nn5g_TxpeP1jyGhehioAozTGFYSStvhRRH2vGVUGOw2x6Nx4ergcIpVB4C9UnpQgZleam-ikhJtk7zGUoN7ElmTqhBAqbd9hRcLxBgpnYR5SRonQvuZXlk8ngf4F4yS157n/s1600/IMG_4030.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1203" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV2Nn5g_TxpeP1jyGhehioAozTGFYSStvhRRH2vGVUGOw2x6Nx4ergcIpVB4C9UnpQgZleam-ikhJtk7zGUoN7ElmTqhBAqbd9hRcLxBgpnYR5SRonQvuZXlk8ngf4F4yS157n/s400/IMG_4030.HEIC" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pretty good view for morning coffee!</td></tr>
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The rest of the day was just fast and relatively view-less cruising through the Gulf of Alaska, so we rested in the afternoon. (Dad was mostly recovered from his cold by that point but I had caught it, so I was grateful for the nap time that didn't require missing out on sight-seeing.) That night we had a fun teppanyaki dinner. There were several restaurants on the ship and we enjoyed many good meals throughout the cruise. Later in the evening Dad and I wandered the ship for one last time, though it was rocking pretty badly. Water was sloshing out of the swimming pools. It was fun to see, but I'm glad the rest of the trip had been pretty calm.</div>
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Monday we awoke in Seward and our cruise was over. The only thing that made it not too depressing was that we had more fun coming up! After breakfast onboard we finally disembarked, and shortly afterwards Ryan and Lauren picked us up in a rented SUV! It was only about 10am, so we all went to a coffee shop to visit and figure out what we wanted to do next.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZoscMucUbNJaCGBTe6mTDPc4vzr8B3RIilC5VnORGG0RagAjY8PD3u1T2o04RYHKrTvdhutyUPVtFrIO5tkyFUUVkzgv94-rEn4JvS5pnBPiJcuw0UoZzU1EbSYmh6j60p25m/s1600/IMG_4040.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1203" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZoscMucUbNJaCGBTe6mTDPc4vzr8B3RIilC5VnORGG0RagAjY8PD3u1T2o04RYHKrTvdhutyUPVtFrIO5tkyFUUVkzgv94-rEn4JvS5pnBPiJcuw0UoZzU1EbSYmh6j60p25m/s400/IMG_4040.HEIC" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We're all together! In Alaska!</td></tr>
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We decided to check out Exit Glacier in Kenai Fjords National Park. It was raining, but we still went for a walk. (Overall we had excellent weather on the trip and I didn't mind this rain because it gave me a chance to try out my new rain jacket.)</div>
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After our rainy walk we went back into Seward for lunch at the Seward Brewing Company. Then we made the 2+ hour drive to Anchorage and checked into our Airbnb. It was a really pretty drive. That night we had pizza for dinner at the Moose's Tooth.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcGc9_qqlLK-PwDa0a63Qlsd1LnA67c4KplU7_p7Bs8eRoyZ3i6t5JOU6NmxwHrRYSMGSuoaw79-L7SCltQ2fwWQxWBknJ8ZJEnPdARLIb4rqyEjJLDgp-f98qgpgWEOBDa5Un/s1600/IMG_4075.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcGc9_qqlLK-PwDa0a63Qlsd1LnA67c4KplU7_p7Bs8eRoyZ3i6t5JOU6NmxwHrRYSMGSuoaw79-L7SCltQ2fwWQxWBknJ8ZJEnPdARLIb4rqyEjJLDgp-f98qgpgWEOBDa5Un/s400/IMG_4075.HEIC" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Seen from the car on the drive.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgauCQOf-9oaXblY-ZgKHMDiiQnOY9mfeD0TGaifm_6TX2ozPsQi3kj45axXf3-LyikU6JdKBEmcM3cokWiDl-QzHMpChLdPqJbX8-x2lF0DeGZKiKATjllVRARUDnRHtUQsYWt/s1600/IMG_4083.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1203" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgauCQOf-9oaXblY-ZgKHMDiiQnOY9mfeD0TGaifm_6TX2ozPsQi3kj45axXf3-LyikU6JdKBEmcM3cokWiDl-QzHMpChLdPqJbX8-x2lF0DeGZKiKATjllVRARUDnRHtUQsYWt/s400/IMG_4083.HEIC" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Enjoying a beer while we wait for a table.</td></tr>
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Tuesday we all visited the Anchorage Museum in the morning and saw a really interesting special exhibit on the ill-fated 1845 Franklin Expedition. After a break for lunch at the 49th State Brewing Company Dad and I went back to see the rest of the museum while the others, well, did not.</div>
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That night we just took it easy and had local ice cream for dinner.<br />
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Wednesday Ryan and Lauren and Dad headed out early in the morning to ride a sea plane into the bush and then ride a boat on a river to go salmon fishing. They had a great time, though apparently there were lots of mosquitoes. Here are three photos I did not take:<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Their salmon haul!</td></tr>
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While they were doing that Mom and I visited the Anchorage Botanical Garden. There were lots of signs warning visitors to be "bear aware" and the lady at the front desk said we would probably be okay without bear mace as long as we stuck together and made lots of noise. So it was a scary visit but we still had fun and did indeed talk (and sometimes sing) loudly and nonstop. It seemed to work, because we didn't see any bears. Thank goodness.<br />
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After the gardens we headed downtown for lunch and some souvenir shopping. I bought myself a pair of earrings to replace a pair I lost from my first (and only other) visit to Alaska ten years ago. Then we picked up the rest of the gang from the lake airport and headed home to rest a little before making a big salmon (and reindeer) dinner. The meal was great and was followed by a fun family game night.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The plane they flew in on.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dinner with freshly-caught salmon!</td></tr>
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Thursday we all drove an hour away from Anchorage to visit the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center. On the way there we passed Beluga Point, and indeed we saw lots of belugas! We stopped and got out to look, and Dad and I walked across the railroad tracks to get a closer look. Shortly after getting back in the car we also saw mountain goats by the road.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoqPdURlZfyxgJ0VNfmlpacyCIw_0Ix4g_xUYyxqO0onPQjPmKTcqpfOFZWxs_-8_oJGiJNevC3krnvSSdZQy8N-mrWJubUQXp-iXXgzah6PLqKxAKCHb5j9crXJgnZxSSINbP/s1600/IMG_4120.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoqPdURlZfyxgJ0VNfmlpacyCIw_0Ix4g_xUYyxqO0onPQjPmKTcqpfOFZWxs_-8_oJGiJNevC3krnvSSdZQy8N-mrWJubUQXp-iXXgzah6PLqKxAKCHb5j9crXJgnZxSSINbP/s400/IMG_4120.HEIC" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The white spot in the water was a beluga!</td></tr>
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The Conservation Center was really fun because we got to walk around in a beautiful location seeing lots of animals, including caribou, moose, muskox, and both brown and black bears.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Moose! Though a little disappointing the only moose most of us saw on the whole trip were these two, in a barn. (Ryan saw moose from their little plane the day before.)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Muskox!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A brown bear!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Reindeer! (Or caribou?)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elk I think?</td></tr>
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After our fun visit we stopped in Girdwood for lunch on our way back to Anchorage. I think we all napped, and then that evening we went out for a really nice dinner at Simon & Seaforts to celebrate Mom's birthday (which was the next day). We had halibut cheeks for an appetizer and I had more (crab-stuffed) halibut for my entree. It was delicious. When we got back to the house we topped off our night with some birthday blueberry crumble. Then we rolled ourselves to bed.<br />
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The next morning I flew out early. (I actually flew to New York for a bachelorette party.) The rest of them had lunch together before Ryan and Lauren flew out, and after some more shopping downtown my parents flew out that evening.<br />
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It was a really fun trip, filled with lots of good family time and beautiful scenery. Huge thanks go to my parents for this amazing family vacation! Love you!andihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11343916706375776601noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20412248.post-28802584147556799452019-07-18T21:56:00.002-04:002019-07-18T21:56:41.624-04:00Red Wing Roots VIII went to the Red Wing Roots music festival again this year. It was really hot but I love going. I took Friday off from work so I could get there and get my tent set up before the music started around noon. Then it was three straight days of hanging out in a beautiful place listening to music.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6h3_c7PTuA9i_do0OtWgk9uXzQluKa2enCzuWW6w6c938nXzlQ7eFEbazNMvNLhdilD7BGHo8kXne8diEQ1tX0SX7iAaQaO58k6cu51pGwonVvIpCV4kZkRHDPpLgKXcOOmIT/s1600/IMG_3646.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1203" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6h3_c7PTuA9i_do0OtWgk9uXzQluKa2enCzuWW6w6c938nXzlQ7eFEbazNMvNLhdilD7BGHo8kXne8diEQ1tX0SX7iAaQaO58k6cu51pGwonVvIpCV4kZkRHDPpLgKXcOOmIT/s400/IMG_3646.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div>
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Friday highlights were hearing the East Pointers, Mandolin Orange, and the Wood Brothers.<br />
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Saturday I got up early and went on a 30-mile group bike ride to the base of Reddish Knob. <a href="https://themanyshadesofgray.blogspot.com/2018/07/red-wing-roots-music-festival.html">Last year</a> I went all the way to the top but I wasn't in good enough cycling shape this year or in any mood to go through that terrifying downhill again. Highlights of the ride included seeing three horse and buggies go by with Amish (I think?) families! Music highlights for the day included the Steel Wheels (who host the whole festival) and Fruit Bats.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_mTZhGF6GBQfCLPTwy6HX-tGcesKc2GboJOUZE2HqgVhq2gGw2GHwR0fb8e_D9Pm-m24jmpUvF-DaZx08tmi5Oo2FBAqK_Len7_Y-qavSbTbUuJu3wf6KIU5oJ9JyhRIvF6gc/s1600/IMG_3627.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_mTZhGF6GBQfCLPTwy6HX-tGcesKc2GboJOUZE2HqgVhq2gGw2GHwR0fb8e_D9Pm-m24jmpUvF-DaZx08tmi5Oo2FBAqK_Len7_Y-qavSbTbUuJu3wf6KIU5oJ9JyhRIvF6gc/s400/IMG_3627.HEIC" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(This bike ride was also pretty exciting because I'd recently dealt with a back injury that put me out of commission for a couple of weeks, and I was very grateful to be able to use my body again!)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I dipped my feet in to cool off.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqgNcO-AtOPBHzU9cHnfBFDRvuKGzvRrUa9CjUO9qXj78jFQnQmdQeGEeTaN44eHB8qMhwF5z2jn9RKcpx1QLUaLjOqniJkqDuQxRs7Q90YO9T0L8p6V_pOtXfGnyly2YDXhOv/s1600/IMG_3636.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqgNcO-AtOPBHzU9cHnfBFDRvuKGzvRrUa9CjUO9qXj78jFQnQmdQeGEeTaN44eHB8qMhwF5z2jn9RKcpx1QLUaLjOqniJkqDuQxRs7Q90YO9T0L8p6V_pOtXfGnyly2YDXhOv/s400/IMG_3636.HEIC" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Steel Wheels!</td></tr>
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Sunday I got up and joined a group yoga session on the music meadow right beneath the chimney rocks. Then music highlights included Lindsay Lou and the Gibson Brothers. I stayed until the very end when the Steel Wheels came out for one last chorus of their "Red Wing" song, and then it was finally time to head home.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNrj1l1ZFLqekasJYu33obwn-BlrpmhzkIizXIoQGf8FKM9yJNi0jxNK1Uivu4gdj-7_HyRHsBE9lCTHLCpCurg0OQQhI2b3Yh6ZcYqoejZhEZsRTXR-L84T8dMl0hRMZR5cAo/s1600/IMG_3643.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1203" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNrj1l1ZFLqekasJYu33obwn-BlrpmhzkIizXIoQGf8FKM9yJNi0jxNK1Uivu4gdj-7_HyRHsBE9lCTHLCpCurg0OQQhI2b3Yh6ZcYqoejZhEZsRTXR-L84T8dMl0hRMZR5cAo/s400/IMG_3643.HEIC" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Morning yoga!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtTYgCoj9wQtfopskMR00IX8Yjhzs2BVPO500Z2mXfrMyQz-WBtS9uVogNCveV8BoQnvtcdKLEzE6HohjXSitQiYs_NYqmOkyVHGw5u5GFGv6Nf__IXpoyYwe8kdgqOL8Aq33E/s1600/IMG_3644.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtTYgCoj9wQtfopskMR00IX8Yjhzs2BVPO500Z2mXfrMyQz-WBtS9uVogNCveV8BoQnvtcdKLEzE6HohjXSitQiYs_NYqmOkyVHGw5u5GFGv6Nf__IXpoyYwe8kdgqOL8Aq33E/s400/IMG_3644.HEIC" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chimney rocks! I sat in the front for yoga right at the base of the rocks because I was afraid the sun would come out and hit me if I was in the back.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdgyl5eHKz-cMdgTHgQIOlj5eW2-er9JvSXQba259HeyJx0DVtlVQ2M54lk7KV6mrkWzRbrH-ie39EnCjaYzeK_ilAHqGZW_T2zAo1KAF_7IhLcUhYOLklVN8kQQxO6O3qNOfy/s1600/IMG_3645.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1203" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdgyl5eHKz-cMdgTHgQIOlj5eW2-er9JvSXQba259HeyJx0DVtlVQ2M54lk7KV6mrkWzRbrH-ie39EnCjaYzeK_ilAHqGZW_T2zAo1KAF_7IhLcUhYOLklVN8kQQxO6O3qNOfy/s400/IMG_3645.HEIC" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hanging out in the beer garden.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj07_wfT7Xt6a_wELQEBbxGQQ7RGRWQjdTZ2QC8wdqEzd25wrTF5WCXVlfPOV53cZv-DEXLr_llOgiutcX2zmM-WUyXjux7KZJjCc8dxrB-lRQvrP0IVlu3xvIBQpoyaghcB5aa/s1600/IMG_3649.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj07_wfT7Xt6a_wELQEBbxGQQ7RGRWQjdTZ2QC8wdqEzd25wrTF5WCXVlfPOV53cZv-DEXLr_llOgiutcX2zmM-WUyXjux7KZJjCc8dxrB-lRQvrP0IVlu3xvIBQpoyaghcB5aa/s400/IMG_3649.HEIC" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View across the music meadow at one of the stages.</td></tr>
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Despite all the sweat and constantly trying to avoid the sun, it was still a really relaxing and refreshing weekend for me.andihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11343916706375776601noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20412248.post-11747034170546800442019-06-01T22:13:00.000-04:002019-06-01T22:13:48.594-04:00family time in RVAMy aunt got married last weekend, and that meant lots of fun family time with people I don't get to see often who came to Virginia!<br />
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There were fun wedding-related times, like laughter yoga, a chef's lunch at Perch, a fun rehearsal dinner, and of course a beautiful ceremony and reception.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB4SG2DQYiqFhyphenhyphenKQDINIwHuISHCqIVH6go6z9xbk1kVqmfUT2-LcRL3hY4pjfyS_pzjKjvWSVAII6gcQyFwqOP5IxgaR1oUWIAHi-n4OlkDhjoUlwEyzJVU_X8Fijy3N9h8UCT/s1600/IMG_3273.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB4SG2DQYiqFhyphenhyphenKQDINIwHuISHCqIVH6go6z9xbk1kVqmfUT2-LcRL3hY4pjfyS_pzjKjvWSVAII6gcQyFwqOP5IxgaR1oUWIAHi-n4OlkDhjoUlwEyzJVU_X8Fijy3N9h8UCT/s320/IMG_3273.HEIC" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Who knew laughter yoga was even a thing?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBnxL82mWiXgJMTaj94UubgqTuQ99-jWkW413td1H3XqUGNATDnZCUM892p5QkZG151zom3CQi2701kDrTidTI0sXZ60POWt6890iQDaJt-eRr0-QdWtrJr5sIE4UU5Xi3-K5f/s1600/IMG_3320.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBnxL82mWiXgJMTaj94UubgqTuQ99-jWkW413td1H3XqUGNATDnZCUM892p5QkZG151zom3CQi2701kDrTidTI0sXZ60POWt6890iQDaJt-eRr0-QdWtrJr5sIE4UU5Xi3-K5f/s320/IMG_3320.HEIC" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rehearsal dinner!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnW1EhHsl5jUYSDxNd5b54Q-THxxlOTL56LwLeTuBFf6-fJ3ZXze1rq6LIj1CsAm0rgdEq6o_v4XVD5_MyLps6kb81C4y4sQ6dx0O82k7GK90sTl9icS7tR_gxOKxdusJ7Qjx-/s1600/IMG_3354.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1203" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnW1EhHsl5jUYSDxNd5b54Q-THxxlOTL56LwLeTuBFf6-fJ3ZXze1rq6LIj1CsAm0rgdEq6o_v4XVD5_MyLps6kb81C4y4sQ6dx0O82k7GK90sTl9icS7tR_gxOKxdusJ7Qjx-/s320/IMG_3354.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rehearsal dinner drinks!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqRLGaNNj2JOyCxtoTEqkF-E33saJWaZ2POXRWE6kS-spt9mCAVqSxiPgrTy8BLZjp2GiG6TwDzqy64a1PWgkAA1AvfIyyspuf8Pq8rMK1raLWzmVAiXl0MCG25tWcYdJCnw1M/s1600/IMG_3325.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqRLGaNNj2JOyCxtoTEqkF-E33saJWaZ2POXRWE6kS-spt9mCAVqSxiPgrTy8BLZjp2GiG6TwDzqy64a1PWgkAA1AvfIyyspuf8Pq8rMK1raLWzmVAiXl0MCG25tWcYdJCnw1M/s320/IMG_3325.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The flower girl shared her accessories at an after party</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKBaOX7GJC-Nb-MmMHk6X7q_llQIPGxSopb8WyMGWhKo-G5Iq9hrU-UX_hLE8rJ8Tc4A0DdrG17qU60qlwdtE7flS0P3yH1H5PDWoC5aKrFxcSyluhxCgxZxNQ7V7TRTcY3Y-y/s1600/IMG_3360.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKBaOX7GJC-Nb-MmMHk6X7q_llQIPGxSopb8WyMGWhKo-G5Iq9hrU-UX_hLE8rJ8Tc4A0DdrG17qU60qlwdtE7flS0P3yH1H5PDWoC5aKrFxcSyluhxCgxZxNQ7V7TRTcY3Y-y/s320/IMG_3360.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chatting with Grandpa</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3SUfSv4nuJ99WTAd99lH5rkaCYyu7HxYawuH6a_lTPxef-7lWn9VsK2cdH6DiVaKGVQ6I-5Jzhg0uZnMZi5G_CZTMxoPqPkOq1LUuU3lFv9mvihYEH4ckGvD2Fn5wP6t7oii3/s1600/IMG_3372.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3SUfSv4nuJ99WTAd99lH5rkaCYyu7HxYawuH6a_lTPxef-7lWn9VsK2cdH6DiVaKGVQ6I-5Jzhg0uZnMZi5G_CZTMxoPqPkOq1LUuU3lFv9mvihYEH4ckGvD2Fn5wP6t7oii3/s320/IMG_3372.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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There were also non-wedding related fun times, like family meals, tastings in Scott's Addition, and a visit to Agecroft Hall and the American Civil War Museum.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lunch at ZZQ!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgg1vzfNmuBGXoNyybEpy1T2M5Ljko-2kiYRHHFjEOuDc0tI13ENQlC_LZFvyjIidFuZYblja4E8SkvarxDV73I6n5b8Sr808hhBUWS739oNcVvsvuoevqjVFEV5VTkjblmr7u/s1600/IMG_3353.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1063" data-original-width="1600" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgg1vzfNmuBGXoNyybEpy1T2M5Ljko-2kiYRHHFjEOuDc0tI13ENQlC_LZFvyjIidFuZYblja4E8SkvarxDV73I6n5b8Sr808hhBUWS739oNcVvsvuoevqjVFEV5VTkjblmr7u/s320/IMG_3353.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cider tasting!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGeGtTHSbOKO9BB95dSvs_iYd71-9YxHqPGiwalUGKw4DAxVtNujsuLlL4s_1WOrDjcxlGMhCZFV_3UQtpHapKtU99t63pHENKLJ8TQw49rMNO1zR0hsBr0wQSZxOg3NjJy-YR/s1600/IMG_3351.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGeGtTHSbOKO9BB95dSvs_iYd71-9YxHqPGiwalUGKw4DAxVtNujsuLlL4s_1WOrDjcxlGMhCZFV_3UQtpHapKtU99t63pHENKLJ8TQw49rMNO1zR0hsBr0wQSZxOg3NjJy-YR/s320/IMG_3351.HEIC" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mom snapping pics in the gardens at Agecroft Hall</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTs27LJRVq2iYeTgklkOaFhEFx7e5OwKzdAr8pBqqA4TccHImmMjspnGKc9Ux_5MmHOcbQwFeTL15hllxbUmUApytMPhA4iCiEfKA4ikH9wqal4AI-lA582_y2AckZuEb0OSR0/s1600/IMG_3369.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTs27LJRVq2iYeTgklkOaFhEFx7e5OwKzdAr8pBqqA4TccHImmMjspnGKc9Ux_5MmHOcbQwFeTL15hllxbUmUApytMPhA4iCiEfKA4ikH9wqal4AI-lA582_y2AckZuEb0OSR0/s320/IMG_3369.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Learning history</td></tr>
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I had looked forward to the fun family times for so long, and they did not disappoint!<br />
andihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11343916706375776601noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20412248.post-62185511358037391432019-03-11T21:59:00.000-04:002019-03-11T21:59:04.553-04:00a western two-parterIf you know my family well, you know March means family vacation in Las Vegas time. But this year I added a Washington state bonus to my trip.<br />
<br />
I flew to SeaTac on Wednesday the 27th, and took a rental car down to Tacoma. After checking into my AirBnB, I walked less than a mile down to visit a couple who I'd known back in college. The wife was my core group leader for three years, and the summer between my sophomore and junior years they let me live with them. They're great people. We ate dinner at a restaurant down on the water, and then chatted some more by the fireplace of their home overlooking the Puget Sound. It was great to catch up, and didn't feel like more than a decade had passed. On my way back to my AirBnB I stopped into my favorite little bar, the Parkway Tavern, and enjoyed a beer and missed the friends I used to go there with back in the day.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUUM9KELSLAjyniUP4MXTt0DgfpAjfPf9T-pQdycM5257ZQJB-qH27V9XzkN-1EobZ6tEU6dOHabIvZWsbXXkEr3d17GalxuJyHpEtXl2QdTBEedfXsGYDTXdnCrwR7zeTSj8y/s1600/IMG_2778.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUUM9KELSLAjyniUP4MXTt0DgfpAjfPf9T-pQdycM5257ZQJB-qH27V9XzkN-1EobZ6tEU6dOHabIvZWsbXXkEr3d17GalxuJyHpEtXl2QdTBEedfXsGYDTXdnCrwR7zeTSj8y/s400/IMG_2778.HEIC" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from their house!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9O8PpVBmhEYixZXYmI04Vz_RdGbdUUrByXur7W7HdT9jRS9v_jDuhoVKOpqw6M2a1r_bZlIlCV5JxDbtvFjo0nmpogIr7gk-coVUEcw020w-YFAogg6UziRFunQXTfZ5ed7IT/s1600/IMG_2779.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9O8PpVBmhEYixZXYmI04Vz_RdGbdUUrByXur7W7HdT9jRS9v_jDuhoVKOpqw6M2a1r_bZlIlCV5JxDbtvFjo0nmpogIr7gk-coVUEcw020w-YFAogg6UziRFunQXTfZ5ed7IT/s400/IMG_2779.HEIC" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We used to play shuffleboard here.</td></tr>
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The next morning I went for a 7-mile run down to the water and all the way to Ruston. I used to go for long walks from campus down along the water, and this was the number-one thing on my to-do list for my short Tacoma visit. It did not disappoint. Blue sunny skies and Mount Rainier visible in the distance!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigmGzm3FICPnb6Wq7IfG8KRRUrBYvEBVYIzXue0JPDMdMWtBofnN8i-u4vqyskB3MnGTn5gLgomuhJs_Iu09mmelJh_aiEl5412O8Jm2HCPF1f86REpR1XiFXpXT68da7TWIqG/s1600/IMG_2784.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigmGzm3FICPnb6Wq7IfG8KRRUrBYvEBVYIzXue0JPDMdMWtBofnN8i-u4vqyskB3MnGTn5gLgomuhJs_Iu09mmelJh_aiEl5412O8Jm2HCPF1f86REpR1XiFXpXT68da7TWIqG/s400/IMG_2784.HEIC" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mount Rainier!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijEL8XHjFXtqw_VomQfKQJ3Nw-edxuQAGSUkwcyEloUnZ71qV-6w6m0JcWVwf3hOlu2Nwqcl9zVO9ATtprCfy1uGwFYljPlGJlcOqDK4gh7DDjOuivWxzr2rYKDew-7dmgqRxZ/s1600/IMG_2786.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1203" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijEL8XHjFXtqw_VomQfKQJ3Nw-edxuQAGSUkwcyEloUnZ71qV-6w6m0JcWVwf3hOlu2Nwqcl9zVO9ATtprCfy1uGwFYljPlGJlcOqDK4gh7DDjOuivWxzr2rYKDew-7dmgqRxZ/s400/IMG_2786.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div>
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At the end of my run I stopped into a coffee shop where I used to love to get a scone. They didn't have the cranberry-orange I'd hoped for, but blueberry was a fine second choice. I ate my scone and drank a latte on the walk back uphill to my room. Then I had to quickly shower and pack up to check out by noon. I drove back to Ruston and got a bison burrito at Tatanka Take-Out for lunch. Feeling fortified, I next visited Point Defiance, a really neat big park. I took a short walk on Owen's Beach (and saw an otter!), then drove the 5-mile loop once through before finding a place to pull off and take a quick hike into the mossy and ferny forest. I also saw about twenty raccoons on the side of the road, which were cute but also a little creepy since there were so many of them. Luckily I didn't see any while outside of the car. After the hike I stopped into the Antique Sandwich Company for another latte. It was another reminder of missed friends.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Raccoons!</td></tr>
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At this point my Tacoma time was over. I headed up the interstate to Bellevue, and went to <br />
Sam and Allison's house to meet all their kids and catch up on the ten years that have passed since they moved away from Richmond. Josefina and her husband and baby also joined us. Allison and Josefina and I met freshman year of college and were in the previously-mentioned core group together. So good to catch up! At the end of the night I drove up to stay with Josefina in Lake Stevens, and the next morning I got to hang out with her and her cute little boy. We went for a walk by the water in Everett, then had lunch in Snohomish. And then all my Washington time was over and it was time to drive back to the airport, getting my only peek of Seattle while stuck in traffic.<br />
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I had been missing Tacoma and the Pacific Northwest a lot lately, so it was a lovely little visit.<br />
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After that whirlwind came a flight to Vegas and family time! I arrived Friday night, and after my parents picked me up from the airport we ate dinner at the barbecue place at our hotel. The next morning I hit the treadmill for a few miles, and then hung out with mom all day while dad went to the Nascar race. We headed down the strip and stopped at an outdoor spot for nachos and margaritas. Then we checked out the conservatory at the Bellagio. We went to Planet Hollywood (where I saw Gordon Ramsey at a distance, but in real life!) for a spin around the shops and a little slot time, and next we headed back to the Bellagio to visit the art gallery, where we were humorously underwhelmed by the <i>two pieces </i>on display. Eventually we met back up with dad, and enjoyed dinner at the Shops at
the Forum. Then we headed back to our hotel and for the second night in a
row I went to bed relatively early.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Art! (Apparently.)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More art. Forty-five seconds worth!</td></tr>
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Sunday dad was off to the races again. Mom and I ate lox and bagels at the Carnegie Deli at the Mirage, and then ended up at Siegfried and Roy's Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat. We watched a dolphin training session, checked out a baby dolphin, and visited the lions and tigers. Oh my!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Four-year-old while lion brothers.</td></tr>
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After all that fun we walked to the High Roller and took a ride. Had the pod to ourselves!<br />
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Next up we drove downtown and visited the Container Park for a bit, then grabbed dinner before going to see Sarah Brightman in concert. Dad got us box seats and it was a fun show! After the concert we finally got to meet back up with him, and he and I hung out a while walking around the Venetian and playing some slots until after 1am. Yikes.<br />
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Monday the three of us ate brunch at our hotel, then headed out to Red Rock Canyon. I always love going out there. We stopped at the red rocks and dad and I climbed around for a short bit, then we drove over to the Lost Creek Trail and all three of us hiked! Mom stopped at a boarded viewpoint, and dad and I continued on to the waterfall before turning back around.<br />
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After our outdoorsy fun we went back to our hotel and walked to the Venetian for dinner. Then we played a little there and back at Treasure Island before calling it a night. The next morning I hit the treadmill one more time before they drove me back to the airport.<br />
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Very thankful for my week out west!andihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11343916706375776601noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20412248.post-922126545083523812019-02-21T21:14:00.001-05:002019-02-21T21:14:44.211-05:00new year new yogi?I've been curious about yoga for a while, but always too nervous to do anything about it. But not this year. I just completed a six-week intro to Vinyasa yoga course at my gym. I was determined to complete all six, with the hope of liking it enough to continue on afterwards. And so far so good. I'm still a little too nervous to go to a "regular" class, but the instructor of the intro course teaches a Vinyasa I/II class earlier on the same night. Two nights ago I went, prepared for my first real class but with a familiar person who would know I still don't know much. It was an unpleasant surprise, however, to find out there was a sub this week! But I persevered. I was brave. And I survived.<br />
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I'm currently getting over a knotted calf that has messed up my running. I even went to a sports massage therapist to help deal with it. And once again, just like a few years ago when I went to physical therapy for my IT band, I've relearned that everything is connected and weakness in one area (ankles, hips, glutes, etc.) can affect others. And ruin my running. So I'm trying to be good about doing my strength and mobility exercises, and I think yoga should help with my stiff and inflexible self. Fingers crossed.andihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11343916706375776601noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20412248.post-1830037706091561802019-01-08T21:30:00.000-05:002019-01-09T20:11:49.048-05:00Santa Fe ChristmasI went home to Santa Fe to hang out with my parents for the holidays. It was so nice to be back.<br />
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I was there for ten nights and don't remember all the details so I won't give my usual rundown, but I'll throw out some highlights.<br />
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Christmas Eve I went for a five mile run outside that included stopping briefly for two last-minute shopping errands. I liked being able to multitask.<br />
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Family came over for our traditional posole and tamales on Christmas Eve before we all went to church together. Then Dad and I walked Canyon Road to see all the farolitos, walked down a really long street with neat big old houses I'd never seen before, and checked out the lights on the plaza. Then we went to the cozy bar at the Hotel St. Francis (which has also become our Christmas Eve tradition) and enjoyed fancy cocktails.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Setting up farolitos at our house on Christmas Eve</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Enjoying the lights on the plaza</td></tr>
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Christmas Day my parents and I had a nice breakfast, then Granddad joined us for "tree," then more people joined us for "dinner."<br />
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The day after Christmas it snowed! Dad and I walked around downtown in the snow.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Santa Fe in the snow!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snowy plaza</td></tr>
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One day the three of us ate at Tomasita's before seeing the new Spiderman movie at Violet Crown. Mom and I really liked the movie. Dad napped. It was also neat to visit another Violet Crown (since there's one in Charlottesville).<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaXvZlJTpKzYaxss4P37Eo18mzDGgNd5lDyqIfDdOceubYurXyCd6KIrxzL0_lIcfSWnz4rqGlE1Cnvta8d8Jj8mtdCxki0Z311H62THd6CcOd6rZwW7WaQl9UVVlfKHEJTc_y/s1600/IMG_2610.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaXvZlJTpKzYaxss4P37Eo18mzDGgNd5lDyqIfDdOceubYurXyCd6KIrxzL0_lIcfSWnz4rqGlE1Cnvta8d8Jj8mtdCxki0Z311H62THd6CcOd6rZwW7WaQl9UVVlfKHEJTc_y/s400/IMG_2610.HEIC" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We only went out for New Mexican twice, and both times I got a giant burrito with green chile.</td></tr>
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The three of us also watched <i>Godless </i>on Netflix over a few nights while I was there. Dad still napped some though.<br />
<br />
With all the snow, I helped Dad shovel several times. We also shoveled over at Granddad's house.<br />
<br />
Mom made scones one morning for breakfast that were supposed to have cranberries but had to be substituted with dates. They were still really good. I love scones.<br />
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One afternoon the three of us headed to Museum Hill, where we visited a great modern exhibit at the Museum of Spanish Colonial Arts, took a quick spin through the Museum of International Folk Art, and arrived at the Santa Fe Botanical Garden just in time for sundown and their Glow. The place is small so we made two laps (the second one after it truly was dark), and took a hot chocolate break in between because it was freezing. Way below freezing, actually.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIv19bsbsX9BJL5x5gjI17azl44oIqDS0JYCtgqOpnAKZsFPxZeo0evKzw1nHziL_ckN6AbqykiFDRn8K931FVuESGmW2inQ7iBVDrLubJkzJcNKRYmbBMfCjQ4hGmowsMFLAX/s1600/IMG_2613.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIv19bsbsX9BJL5x5gjI17azl44oIqDS0JYCtgqOpnAKZsFPxZeo0evKzw1nHziL_ckN6AbqykiFDRn8K931FVuESGmW2inQ7iBVDrLubJkzJcNKRYmbBMfCjQ4hGmowsMFLAX/s400/IMG_2613.HEIC" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snow and art on Museum Hill</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsgq1p-1fzvfsAMG1SxxLijq3QsAaEdTi9McA47FqehZm-qUfA1IYQR1RHdtPTfw3-Pdxl9F6eU9Irzb_lk_pCxiXmHVsGAzZ0GB-fSJSMUzyYYMCsY923e-KO19mY2CyrAeb8/s1600/IMG_2617.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1203" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsgq1p-1fzvfsAMG1SxxLijq3QsAaEdTi9McA47FqehZm-qUfA1IYQR1RHdtPTfw3-Pdxl9F6eU9Irzb_lk_pCxiXmHVsGAzZ0GB-fSJSMUzyYYMCsY923e-KO19mY2CyrAeb8/s400/IMG_2617.HEIC" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bundled up to enjoy lights at the Botanical Garden</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7nsez4myolegdNYkmB-hHYHJdwsvSVukTXI5DuVgNMS49Buzd2-AnzMVHVwKMpPf342BNbV39ycj7J-fEwcyahVx0rD6k4nMtA_MEoq6Vci9ZeVbLe8Vb8GxQwL-V_rCCezMo/s1600/IMG_2621.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7nsez4myolegdNYkmB-hHYHJdwsvSVukTXI5DuVgNMS49Buzd2-AnzMVHVwKMpPf342BNbV39ycj7J-fEwcyahVx0rD6k4nMtA_MEoq6Vci9ZeVbLe8Vb8GxQwL-V_rCCezMo/s400/IMG_2621.HEIC" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hot cocoa!</td></tr>
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To warm up after the Glow we visited the Chili Line Brewing Co. (new to all of us) to taste some beer. They do all smoked beers, and they had red and green chile flavors. Those weren't my favorite but it was a fun experience.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt33Hw4mJjXD-Ch9mVpwoWCHGduFF2MTVyqcuAabr8XSzQeOhDBTsrafRRvQI6jmcX_RiKP5gFQFG9bSEKnPs-OJeUse_d2zClqu82AeAVXkxZmhjW_qk0_Lr5Is66SKv9Edkk/s1600/IMG_2627.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt33Hw4mJjXD-Ch9mVpwoWCHGduFF2MTVyqcuAabr8XSzQeOhDBTsrafRRvQI6jmcX_RiKP5gFQFG9bSEKnPs-OJeUse_d2zClqu82AeAVXkxZmhjW_qk0_Lr5Is66SKv9Edkk/s400/IMG_2627.HEIC" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tasting smoked Chili Line beer</td></tr>
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Sunday after church we ate lunch with Granddad, then Dad and I attended a little handbell concert at St. Francis. Then we walked around downtown some more.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC7uzCGwbZ3-fDQ4i1GP29zE3aJg_E3z8vfVepxcQvyieWdyYvWWokGXhEkZ5VyKUT3ZIUb7NGCw43wxyG7XmSku0g9fbkANt_wSF5ipBm79fF6b83JlmSnE72Bct97stp9oJt/s1600/IMG_2630.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC7uzCGwbZ3-fDQ4i1GP29zE3aJg_E3z8vfVepxcQvyieWdyYvWWokGXhEkZ5VyKUT3ZIUb7NGCw43wxyG7XmSku0g9fbkANt_wSF5ipBm79fF6b83JlmSnE72Bct97stp9oJt/s400/IMG_2630.HEIC" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Handbell concert at the Cathedral Basilica</td></tr>
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Dad and I saw the new Mary Poppins movie, which I really liked, though he did a little napping again. Sheesh.<br />
<br />
On New Year's Eve I went for another five mile run, only this time everything was covered in snow. It was so pretty! That night the three of us played Tri-Ominos. We had played earlier in the week too. And it snowed some more. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvySw4hwv0YpK2ZoX0IM-R90ddtYbv94ieiegzsOY-E1M_bghg7EC4aiZ5v1S3dvbjB8a83uDrvORqWBdDuRWzUDlHqEbGyXReo31w-wJmIbuTWtDQJphwaCN5HVa-FC0IMdQv/s1600/IMG_2644.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1203" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvySw4hwv0YpK2ZoX0IM-R90ddtYbv94ieiegzsOY-E1M_bghg7EC4aiZ5v1S3dvbjB8a83uDrvORqWBdDuRWzUDlHqEbGyXReo31w-wJmIbuTWtDQJphwaCN5HVa-FC0IMdQv/s400/IMG_2644.HEIC" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snow packed running!</td></tr>
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I think those are all the highlights. I also got to catch up on my sleep while there, which was really nice. (I didn't do it during the movies though!)andihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11343916706375776601noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20412248.post-30264489694328568102018-12-10T19:11:00.001-05:002018-12-10T19:11:04.422-05:00momentous times in D.C.Earlier this week I spent two nights in Washington, D.C. for work. (Real work, not PhD work.) I took the train up Sunday afternoon, and after walking a short distance from the station to my hotel to drop off my bag, I proceeded to a Metro station to head toward the National Cathedral. My plan was to get there in time for a snack and a look around before attending the 4pm evensong service. After my Metro ride I had to walk over a mile (uphill!) to finally get to the cathedral. And then I discovered it was closed and services were canceled so they could prepare for President Bush's funeral the upcoming Wednesday. I was pretty bummed as I'd really been looking forward to the service, but I did get a peek at all the action happening as workers bustled around the grounds moving stuff inside and preparing for the big day.<br />
<br />
Glumly I left the cathedral grounds and found a pizza place for my (really) late lunch (early dinner?), from which I consulted my phone for backup activities and decided to check out Zoo Lights at the National Zoo. Another mile-plus walk and I arrived at the zoo just as it got dark. It was pretty crowded and I was actually a little disappointed in the lights, but it wasn't too cold out and gave me something (free) to do on a Sunday evening. Afterwards I took the Metro back toward my hotel, and had a small dinner (second dinner?) before calling it a night at 7:30 with very tired feet.<br />
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Monday morning I walked a few (big) blocks to the Library of Congress, and spent all day in the manuscripts room of the Madison building. When that closed at 5 I spent another hour and a half in the newspaper room. When I finally left the library, with dinner on my mind, I noticed lots of unusual activity happening outside the library and near the Capitol. There were large Red Cross tents set up, some streets closed to traffic, lines of people in corrals, and big stadium lights shining on the Capitol. Wondering what the heck was going on, I consulted my phone again. The first thing to pop up was a news story about how President Bush had arrived at the Capitol to lie in state and lots of important people were inside with him. At the end of the story it said the public would start being admitted at 7:30. Not having any other plans for the evening (other than eating) and knowing what my dad would do if he were in my position, I joined the line of public visitors waiting to enter the rotunda. After forty-five minutes of waiting for them to start letting us enter, the line started to move slowly but steadily. When we entered the building we had to go through security, and then there were more lines inside. We stopped moving completely for a while, which was when President Trump made his visit. Then we kept moving and finally got to the Rotunda. It was quiet and respectful inside, and I was probably in there a total of two minutes as I moved slowly in a half circle around the President's flag-draped casket. It was neat to get to visit the Capitol's rotunda for such a special occasion. And I was okay with the fact that I didn't get out until 9pm and thus had a late dinner.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkznZydzNrBFvrji0OQKQWF9bTjiX2XUPALmBsVyjz8ClFywM1u_vVfqIbYQUXuSNbuWHO26qG9raMxGaAk8WrYUXkSf3vNKpST38mE28m5KUDxlLYdlPQsOiXfdnXDA3ZpL5A/s1600/IMG_2578.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkznZydzNrBFvrji0OQKQWF9bTjiX2XUPALmBsVyjz8ClFywM1u_vVfqIbYQUXuSNbuWHO26qG9raMxGaAk8WrYUXkSf3vNKpST38mE28m5KUDxlLYdlPQsOiXfdnXDA3ZpL5A/s320/IMG_2578.HEIC" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In line to enter the Capitol</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Tuesday I was back at the Library of Congress, only this time I started in the Rare Books and Special Collections room of the Jefferson building. Then in was back to the Madison building and manuscripts for most of the day, except for a quick jog back to the Jefferson building to see a book in the main reading room. I had been nervous I might not get everything on my list done, but I finished at 4:30, with 30 minutes to spare! Since my train didn't leave until 6:30 I had a little extra time to kill. I thought I'd just walk down the National Mall a little, but the first place I came upon was the U.S. Botanic Garden and they very serendipitously were open late on Tuesdays, so I got to take a stroll around and check out plants and their train station displays. I also got to continue carrying the coffee I'd just purchased before heading to the mall, and it was much warmer in the greenhouses than outside, so it was all around a winning experience. After seeing all there was to see I walked back to my hotel to grab my bag, then headed to the train station.<br />
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Overall I really enjoyed my three days in D.C. Lots of walking and productive work and seasonal displays and attendance at a very historic moment! andihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11343916706375776601noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20412248.post-92196698534108809192018-11-01T21:56:00.001-04:002018-11-01T21:56:43.444-04:00Halloween in my 'hoodI live in a new-ish neighborhood of town houses. I remember watching the development being built from my old apartment (it's true, I didn't move far) and hating the sight of it, thinking it looked too much like Northern Virginia. When I started looking for a house to buy, I didn't even consider looking at these town homes. I was really against them for some reason. But my real estate agent wanted me to see one of the units just in case, and sure enough I ended up liking it. I liked the size, the location, the fact that I don't have to do any yard maintenance, and the amazing view off my deck. So here I am, in a place that is great overall even if it has the soul-less look of NoVa.<br />
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Unfortunately I don't really know most of my neighbors. Being an introvert, I'm not great at meeting new people. There was even one terribly awkward time when I shoveled snow for an hour right next to my neighbor who was also shoveling snow, and we didn't say a word to each other. (To be fair, I think he might be even shier than I am. I coincidentally sat next to him at a movie once and he fumbled a little, not knowing how to reply to my "hi there, I think you're my next-door-neighbor" besides saying "my wife will be right back" and leaving the rest of the talking to her.) Anyway, I don't really feel much of a sense of community with my neighborhood except for one day of the year: Halloween.<br />
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My street is awesome on Halloween. Lots of houses decorate for the occasion. My pumpkin and owl decoration look pretty measly compared to several of the houses. And apparently word has spread that it's a good street for trick-or-treating, because we get a ton of kids. Today my coworkers were complaining that they had little or no kids show up at their doors last night, but I sat outside on my stoop with a steady stream and passed out over 300 pieces of candy. Some got two pieces. Some only got one. That means a <i>lot </i>of kids.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1-7hoonhTBExVGRu3GTz_MzvzfdT5ywxYAaHEaeDVYoXuExYDAk-oDN-oFDJAzd4YtYsVFCdt26VUmxT1SePkcJa7dgFT8Q1EDjYYzGagWN68Bcd2ImFAxqlYqJVRn-NwDtF-/s1600/IMG_1371.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1-7hoonhTBExVGRu3GTz_MzvzfdT5ywxYAaHEaeDVYoXuExYDAk-oDN-oFDJAzd4YtYsVFCdt26VUmxT1SePkcJa7dgFT8Q1EDjYYzGagWN68Bcd2ImFAxqlYqJVRn-NwDtF-/s400/IMG_1371.HEIC" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(Full disclosure, this photo was taken last year. I took a couple photos last night but it was too dark and they aren't worth sharing.)</td></tr>
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Clearly many (most) of them don't actually live in the neighborhood. But I love that on this one night a year I join a bunch of my neighbors hanging out outside sharing candy and a friendly Halloween spirit with kids from our larger community. It makes me proud of where I live, and happy I ended up in this place at which I originally turned up my nose.<br />
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andihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11343916706375776601noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20412248.post-6676355025534599382018-10-22T21:53:00.000-04:002018-10-22T21:53:50.527-04:00Cycling!After not riding my bike outside at all in 2017, I did pretty well on the cycling front in 2018. Most of it was training for my August triathlon, but I kept it up until mid-October. Over the summer I did two rides with friends, a couple solo rides on the Capital Trail outside Richmond, a couple solo local rides, and that mountainous group ride as part of the Red Wing Roots Music Festival. After the triathlon I wanted to keep up my cycling fitness and build up my mileage to do a metric century, and some of those weekend training rides were spent inside attending two cycling classes in a row at the gym (plus a little extra after the second class, until I reached 40 miles on the bike computer).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0PE_7IziUw-zHITb4zW1nZ4NptXKQeWO_TEsudcj_eMSOKpG9oZzYLhnHkqHqalzFh3BkxBTy-sjyTIVC43ounvG79hKikI2qiSib8TY1EO1iGz8VIUbDuBCsS8QloB0NBD7t/s1600/IMG_2491.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1203" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0PE_7IziUw-zHITb4zW1nZ4NptXKQeWO_TEsudcj_eMSOKpG9oZzYLhnHkqHqalzFh3BkxBTy-sjyTIVC43ounvG79hKikI2qiSib8TY1EO1iGz8VIUbDuBCsS8QloB0NBD7t/s400/IMG_2491.HEIC" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heading off for 60 miles around Culpeper County.</td></tr>
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Two weeks ago I drove up to Cupleper to attend my third Culpeper Century. I just did the metric century ride (about 60 miles), which went well. It's a pretty ride but it was really overcast all day and I didn't get to see the mountains in the distance.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzIxcpyFE2scWqgssqO3akSs07-Idn8v9FOTa7k8BKuFp3-uOPDKCcMfVSnxA0VNK1dUAxPk_uLn6qvPPrY83Kh_BvbSH1wCJgkWTNn3YeVG43wV0wfrlXrHDqhyphenhyphenUhq90qBWaZ/s1600/IMG_2500.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1203" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzIxcpyFE2scWqgssqO3akSs07-Idn8v9FOTa7k8BKuFp3-uOPDKCcMfVSnxA0VNK1dUAxPk_uLn6qvPPrY83Kh_BvbSH1wCJgkWTNn3YeVG43wV0wfrlXrHDqhyphenhyphenUhq90qBWaZ/s400/IMG_2500.HEIC" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">About to start the Tour de Greene. This was probably my chilliest ride ever and I wore a jacket plus wind breaker. I warmed up plenty once riding though.</td></tr>
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I thought that would be my last ride of the season, but then I learned
about the Tour de Greene the next weekend and wanted to do another 60
miles. So last weekend I drove to Stanardsville for that ride, but about
11 miles in I found myself losing steering control and realized I'd
gotten my first flat tire ever. Knew it would happen eventually. I
pulled off the rode and up a little driveway to get away from the road,
and luckily a really nice lady spotted me as she rode by and decided to
stop and help me out. I was prepared to figure out how to fix the thing
myself (even if I had to use my phone to look up tricky parts), but it
was so much better to have someone helping who knew what she was doing.
It still took a while and involved her telling me I needed to clean my
chain more often and probably need new tires. Oops. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Getting ready to fix my flat rear tire. But look at that beautiful sky!</td></tr>
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We eventually got me back on the road and continued on another 9 or 10 miles. By this point we were way behind everyone else, however. I had already decided to drop down to the 40-miles ride after losing all that time, but then my knee started bothering me a little from my IT band. And since I'm also training for a half marathon that I've already paid a bunch of money for I didn't want to mess up my running legs with unnecessary end-of-season cycling. So when the SAG vehicle pulled up with the lady who'd helped me out hitching a ride to the nearest aid station so she could finally catch up with her group, I went ahead and asked for a ride to the finish. The SAG guy was super nice and I learned all about the Greene County amateur radio club. He was happy to give me a ride because it gave them all something to do and radio each other about. At the end I went ahead and stuck around to eat some finish line food (these rides all seem to favor barbecue) and the ride organizer there was super nice. The Tour de Greene is a no-frills (no t-shirt or swag) ride that raises money for Habitat for Humanity and only costs $20! That's way less than some of the other fall rides I was also looking into. And Greene County is beautiful, so I will definitely keep that ride on my radar in the future. I ended the day having only ridden about 20 miles, but I was still happy since the day had been so pretty and I had learned how to fix a flat. (And the next day my leg didn't give me any problems when I ran 10 miles!)andihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11343916706375776601noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20412248.post-36554623991714187462018-09-13T21:24:00.000-04:002018-09-13T21:24:12.619-04:00Labor Day CampingLabor Day weekend I went camping with some friends. We like traditions so we returned to Crabtree Falls Campground where we'd camped the year before, and even stayed in the same two sites. We also arranged our tents in the exact same places as last year, though I'm not sure all three are ideal spots. Anyway, it was fun. I wish I had time to go camping more often.<br />
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We'd been worried about storms in the forecast, but luckily the weather wasn't too bad. We showed up Friday night and got set up and then enjoyed Cory's homemade grilled pizzas. And of course we had a fire.<br />
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Saturday morning we had bagels for breakfast, then set about rigging up lines and tarps to protect some of the tents from any impending rain. Then we drove about four miles away to hike up Spy Rock. It was about 2.5 miles uphill (but not super steep) and then a final little scramble to the 360-degree views at the top. The top also had puddles in the rock with lots of tadpoles. And even though we sat for a little bit and enjoyed a break and snacks, we didn't stay too long because there were clearly storms in the area and sounds of thunder sent us down to get away from any potential lightning. (Though I was surprised at how many people we passed going down who were still on their way to the top, umbrellas in hand and weather-be-damned.)<br />
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Luckily it didn't start to rain hard until we'd reached the cars. Then it poured for a little while and got all our chairs wet even though we'd gathered them under a little popup tent. Oh well. Once the rain calmed down a little and we'd all had some food we sat under the popup and played Mexican train dominoes. And when we realized it really wasn't raining any more we took a break to go down the little trail from our camp site and check out the river. It was running much harder than last year.<br />
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For dinner Saturday I made everyone frito pies. Then we had another fire and made s'mores before one more game of dominoes.<br />
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Sunday we ate more bagels for breakfast and then packed up our site. I'll be honest I was bummed we were all cleared up and ready to leave by about 9:45am. I wanted to stay longer. But at least we kept the fun going by stopping at Devil's Backbone Brewery on our way home for a 3k walk and an outdoor lunch. I'm ready for a 3-4 day camping trip next time, but it was still fun to get outside with good friends. Hopefully we'll do it again next year!andihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11343916706375776601noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20412248.post-6574115017365589402018-08-27T22:02:00.000-04:002018-08-27T22:02:23.767-04:00Walnut Creek TriathlonSaturday I finished the olympic Walnut Creek Triathlon just outside of Charlottesville. I'm pretty pleased with how it went, even if I came in (almost) last place.<br />
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This was my fourth triathlon, but also the one for which I trained the least. I did a few weeks of base building that I made up on my own, and then followed an 8-week training program. Mostly. There were several weeks in which I didn't get all the workouts in, which is unusual for me. But I guess I was mostly just training for this tri as a way to stay fit over the summer and mix my physical activity up a little after last fall's marathon and the IT band troubles that followed. I also spent week 7 of the training program at the beach and didn't do a single workout, so that didn't help. (Though it felt like great rest.)<br />
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Anyway, Friday after work I went to packet pickup and stayed for the optional pre-race briefing. I also got a look at how far apart the buoys were in the lake and panicked a little. Not only did they seem very far apart, but we were going to have to do <i>two </i>laps. Yikes.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The right half of the swim course, showing the middle yellow buoy on the left and the third buoy on the far right.</td></tr>
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Saturday I made sure to get to the race venue plenty early. I got my bike set up in transition, then sort of hung out for a while chatting with a few other people I knew who would be racing. I also made several trips to the restroom (of course), and was grateful for real bathrooms instead of the usual porta potties at races. Finally it was time to leave my shoes behind and head down to the beach.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nervous and excited to start!</td></tr>
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I was nervous about the swim. I'm terrible at the swim in tris. In the past three I've done I've always been unable to get into a good breathing groove and have panicked and just done the backstroke instead. (Which hey, has always worked. But isn't ideal.) So this time my main goal for the whole race was simply to swim normally, no matter how slowly I needed to go. So going into the swim I was nervous but also determined to slowly do what I needed to do, knowing I'd probably come out last but also knowing I've always been one of the last people out of the water anyway and it's okay.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What a pretty day!</td></tr>
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I started in the back of the pack (which was all the olympic women and relays and was still probably under twenty people), and took it slow. And my breathing seemed fine, and my sighting was good, and everything worked out just as I'd hoped. I did it! I swam freestyle the whole way! And I made it just in time not to be clobbered by the sprint swimmers who started forty minutes later. I was a little annoyed a few times with how closely some kayakers clung to me, but I think they were just trying to help. I'm sure I looked like I needed a lot of help. Finally after making my two big laps I finished the 1500 meters, but not without getting tangled in a patch of lilly pads on my way out of the lake and actually shrieking a little and turning on my back to kick them off. That was the part where I realized I could just stand up and walk out. I got out, said "hey" to my friend Rachel who came to spectate, and ran up a grassy hill (already out of breath) to get ready for the bike.<br />
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Swim--1500 meters, 46:05, 32 out of 33 overall (I could have sworn I was last out but apparently I passed a guy?)<br />
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T1--2:14 (I should have used the buckets of water they had to help get grass off my wet feet.)<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My bike and transition setup.</td></tr>
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Next up was the bike ride. Unfortunately I was already feeling pretty winded from the swim, and the bike route got really hilly really quickly. I'm never fast on the bike, even if I try, but this was also the first time I remember starting the bike when I already felt a little tired. (Thanks a lot freestyle.) In any case, I just looked forward to enjoying a bike ride on a beautiful day, not terribly optimistic that I'd ever actually catch up to anyone else. I was also extra cautious on the hills, because the last time I'd ridden outside (about three weeks prior) I had actually failed at shifting properly on a steep hill and had fallen over in the middle of a street with a car crawling right behind me to witness the whole embarrassing thing. I was fine, but it made me paranoid about hills and I spent most of the race downshifting drastically on all hills, and thus going a little slower than I could have. Oh well.<br />
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Bike--23.5 miles, 1:36:19, 31 out of 33 overall (Apparently two ladies had slightly slower bike times but were far enough ahead of me that I still came in last on the bike.)<br />
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T2--2:54<br />
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Finally came the run. I had been worried during the week leading up to the race that I'd be cold before and after the swim, but thought the running temp should be perfect. Turns out the running temp was a little warmer than perfect. And there were still so many hills! (The first mile+ of the bike and race course are the same as you head out of the park, and there's a giant hill!) The run was an out-and-back, and I wasn't really feeling it. I was also not about to push myself enough to cause any IT band trouble again. So I ran what I could, and walked most of the big uphills. I also walked a steep downhill. And I stopped briefly at all the water stops. I already knew I was in last place and didn't feel like killing myself. And about 1.5 miles from the finish I did actually pass a guy, who I think might have been injured and walked the whole run course. So when I headed into the finish line and saw Rachel cheering on the side I was able to say "I'm not last!" Barely.<br />
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Run--6.2 miles, 1:05:47, 30 out of 33 overall<br />
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Total--3:33:21, 32 out of 33 overall<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Happily finished!</td></tr>
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I had been hoping for a bike time under 1:30 and thought my run might be closer to 1:00, but I also didn't care that much. (Obviously, or I would have trained better.) I had still worked hard for over 3.5 hours and was sore and happily donned my finisher's medal. I also finished just in time for the award ceremony. Turns out I was the only person in my age group (they divided by 5s) and got called onto the podium for a first place award! Highly amusing. I got a neat pint glass and a reusable cooling towel thingy.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First time on a podium!</td></tr>
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Overall it was a great race. The swim was my biggest accomplishment, and the rest just leaves room for improvement. This was also my first local tri, and everyone seemed really friendly. Maybe I'll finally join the local tri club next year? Maybe?andihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11343916706375776601noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20412248.post-46886020445974580952018-07-26T21:49:00.001-04:002018-07-26T21:49:04.288-04:00Red Wing Roots Music FestivalLast year I attended the <a href="https://www.redwingroots.com/">Red Wing Roots Music Festival</a> for one day, and I liked it so much I told myself I would return the next year and camp for the whole weekend. And that's what I did two weeks ago.<br />
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I took Friday off work to pack up and get ready (which always seems to take longer than you'd think). Finally I left town and drove the hour+ to Natural Chimneys Park in Mount Solon, Virginia. I schlepped all my stuff from the overflow parking lot to the "no frills" camping area (thankfully they had a golf cart shuttle to help with some of that), and set up my tent. It was pretty hot out, so when that was finally done and everything was stowed away I headed to the music meadow to sit in the shade and listen to some tunes. John Moreland and Kuinka were great. Trampled by Turtles were also fun but I was getting pretty tired by the end of the night so I cut their set short to shower and hit the hay. I needed a good night's rest because I had a bike ride coming up! Who doesn't love a music festival with a bike ride?! (They also had organized runs and yoga.)<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The natural chimneys lit up at night.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fun lights in the beer garden</td></tr>
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Saturday morning I woke up and ate some breakfast in my tent, then got ready for my bike ride. That meant walking a long way in one direction to fill my water bottles and then walking an even longer way in the other direction to my car and bike. I ended up starting the 8am group ride about ten minutes late, but luckily I figured out which way to go. The first fifteen miles or so (I don't remember exactly) was through rolling farmland, and then we headed into the George Washington and Jefferson National Forest. Which means we also started heading uphill. At about mile 17 there was a water stop, and the intermediate ride turned around there and headed back. But I decided to attempt the "intermediate/advanced" ride and head another 6.5 miles straight up to the top of Reddish Knob. It was a slow and painful climb, and I'm so proud of myself for making it. I passed some other riders, and one guy commented "you're fast!" but it's all relative because at one point I was logging 13- to 15-minute miles, which is pretty darned slow. I had heard we'd be riding along a ridge at some point, and I looked forward to that flattish ridge so badly. When I finally got there about four miles in I was feeling pretty spent, and then I spied a spur road making a steep and immediate left turn up to the top. I couldn't make that turn right away, since I'd psyched myself out so much about the flat ridge. So I stopped and ate a snack and drank a lot of water and then actually rode a little ways out on the flat main road just to get my legs spinning again and to gain some momentum. Then I turned around and headed up that dreaded last two miles. I saw some of the people I'd passed earlier make that turn without stopping, so in some ways I feel like I cheated. But I still made it (and re-passed those riders). I made it to the top just in time to hear the bluegrass band play their last song before packing up. I ate some snacks and enjoyed the 360 views of Virginia and West Virginia. (I knew I was seeing West Virginia somewhere, but wasn't sure in which direction. And it wasn't until I got home and looked at a map that I realized the state line was actually right up there on the knob, and that some of the rode up actually crossed into West Virginia a couple of times. So I was in another state without realizing it.) Then it was time to head back, which was pretty miserable. You'd think having several miles of downhill would be relaxing, but it wasn't. I clenched my brakes almost the whole time, which was actually kind of painful for my hands and arms. Not to mention the general tense stressful feeling of not wanting to crash and die. And then it was a strange sensation to have to start moving my legs again when the road actually started to level out. Overall it was a forty-mile ride and definitely the hardest cycling I've ever done. It was also my favorite part of the weekend.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Virginia? West Virginia? Beautiful either way.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Parking lot at the top, with drinks and snacks (and musicians packing up).</td></tr>
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Back at the festival, Patrick arrived to join me for two days of music in the mountains. Saturday some of my favorites were the Secret Sisters, the John Stickley Trio, and of course my favorite performing artist of all, Josh Ritter. He didn't come on until 10:30, but he was also the only set of the weekend I actually stood up front for. I love him. Patrick and I also made the short hike up to the top of the natural chimneys to check out the sunset.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yes I bought a fanny pack for this festival. It was perfect. And it wasn't cold, that's just the newly-purchased festival sweatshirt Patrick bought me that I didn't want to carry all the way back to the tent.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Josh Ritter!</td></tr>
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Sunday morning I had originally intended to go for a run on my own (since the group runs were only on Saturday), but I didn't have it in me. So I hung out in the music meadow enjoying a dirty chai and watching a man make giant bubbles. Then it was more music. Favorites included David Wax Museum and the Steep Canyon Rangers. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Giant bubbles!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Enjoying a set from inside the shady beer garden.</td></tr>
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The whole weekend was amazing. Yes it was very hot, but other than that I loved being outside all weekend, camping and biking and listening to great music. I love Red Wing Roots and definitely want to go back next year.andihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11343916706375776601noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20412248.post-18788881429488221382018-06-28T21:42:00.000-04:002018-06-28T21:42:11.687-04:00busy busyI'm so neglectful of this poor blog. I was going to post about my trip to Montauk, where I spent two nights at an ocean-front resort with Celia on another work trip of hers. It was pretty great. One day we got a few hours of sunny warm beach time in. The next day we got some chilly windy beach time in. We also ate lobster rolls two days in a row, took a private water aerobics class, and had a two-hour spa treatment with full body massage, facial, and foot scrub. All free (to us). But that was several weeks ago now. Time flies.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our trip was all courtesy of the company on the paddle board!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">nerdy beach time</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">bundled up on the beach</td></tr>
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I finally started writing my dissertation, which is now sort of consuming my attention. As of today I have a whopping twelve pages! Only a billion (or so) more to go! It's kind of stressful.<br />
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I'm also training for another triathlon. Olympic distance. I've been trying to do each of the three activities 1-2 times per week in a sort of "base building" phase, but next week will start a more official 8-week training program. After my marathon last fall I stopped running for several months because that race messed up my IT bands (I used to just have problems on one leg, now it's both!). I've been building back slowly, and have run up to five miles but I take regular walking breaks. I'm hoping I'll be in shape enough to be able to run the 10k during the triathlon without having to stop, but I'm not going to try to push myself so much that I just get injured again. Don't worry.<br />
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And I'm a little obsessed with house plants recently. Some day I'll share pictures of my growing plant family, though they never come out nearly as well as all the plant photos I look at on Instagram.andihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11343916706375776601noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20412248.post-45551108830057039072018-05-15T21:34:00.000-04:002018-05-15T21:34:56.649-04:00I went to London!Two weeks ago I got to tag along on a friend's work trip to London. I haven't been back to London since I spent a semester abroad there in 2004. It was a short but awesome time!<br />
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I arrived Friday morning, and made my way to our Kensington apartment. I arrived a few hours before Celia, and after dropping off my bag I headed to the Gloucester Arms for lunch. When I got back I had a shower and then Celia finally arrived (her flight was delayed). After she had a chance to freshen up we headed out to dinner (Nando's for Peri-Peri Chicken), then walked to the Victoria and Albert Museum. They had a neat special exhibit on fashion and nature. After the museum we stopped by a shop for a late-night snack and provisions for breakfast. Back at the apartment we enjoyed cheese and crackers and the free bottle of sparkling wine left for us.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbAUEiaQh9oQXvVnzTrRhoa_Yyn8DfWXkKusrTBhpPIq2h8ghAX58M4CPkzonpMLQMcHpLurVfVdMQHYb2xiAnMXJdHU8NBVXr6vt1TsUeAAMFyKQZuT_GU2CxVWkvjPF-pxV-/s1600/IMG_2012.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbAUEiaQh9oQXvVnzTrRhoa_Yyn8DfWXkKusrTBhpPIq2h8ghAX58M4CPkzonpMLQMcHpLurVfVdMQHYb2xiAnMXJdHU8NBVXr6vt1TsUeAAMFyKQZuT_GU2CxVWkvjPF-pxV-/s400/IMG_2012.HEIC" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our adorable street in Kensington</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_1c95tM-ZPxS4jwCcuSzUhIfbO_ZUwmrjX0tfNV4N8wr0cC3wD3nxs7gtp8arciTVC11J6aEw1uFNll8bpIu0ea8nSQztca_Jd-C9WfBLfiAmkgms0Gh1SO6WlnNUPrhVkvqG/s1600/IMG_1959.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_1c95tM-ZPxS4jwCcuSzUhIfbO_ZUwmrjX0tfNV4N8wr0cC3wD3nxs7gtp8arciTVC11J6aEw1uFNll8bpIu0ea8nSQztca_Jd-C9WfBLfiAmkgms0Gh1SO6WlnNUPrhVkvqG/s400/IMG_1959.HEIC" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our apartment!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW39EVOKfylk08ngxqi4qESOrgjVV5NIvv50Pvo7XJ8B8iAi80yohJSqZrzN3ZM94Ps9rAam1_4SBJq5zL_l21XbknLnQ05b0hXImmV1_DDNohs6zuwCLb_fbQGg_fh-xE2vMe/s1600/IMG_1949.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW39EVOKfylk08ngxqi4qESOrgjVV5NIvv50Pvo7XJ8B8iAi80yohJSqZrzN3ZM94Ps9rAam1_4SBJq5zL_l21XbknLnQ05b0hXImmV1_DDNohs6zuwCLb_fbQGg_fh-xE2vMe/s400/IMG_1949.HEIC" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from my bedroom.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnfNblM_EygsKcwd_Lei0tJRjYRa4wrx8l3klIdhmHo8KTg6mOobShCEj2QChEh05B_6WPTMZJjAXhW-rlawUxHe-pIQqu3nJJnn4p5hSFzXuBSuWgy7fpoh2FQcr5sP-KYXM1/s1600/IMG_1955.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnfNblM_EygsKcwd_Lei0tJRjYRa4wrx8l3klIdhmHo8KTg6mOobShCEj2QChEh05B_6WPTMZJjAXhW-rlawUxHe-pIQqu3nJJnn4p5hSFzXuBSuWgy7fpoh2FQcr5sP-KYXM1/s400/IMG_1955.HEIC" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spotted at the V and A</td></tr>
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Saturday morning after making breakfast we hopped on the Tube and visited Westminster Abbey. We had to stand in a long line in the drizzling rain before we could get in, but it was worth it. We used the audio guide and saw a ton of famous dead people.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEL_s4nwWcm0LVLrHXP6ux2oBLJxD-ocAONfd_rAL_OiBZ0eCQ6ADAmCFtHBb2ilfc7tcduOsWmNPqMS88Yul3ODPYij7V-Q42vsQCqfiJDHddAu7bHG9ZAiWX6JPD0Ga47J2w/s1600/IMG_1975.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1203" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEL_s4nwWcm0LVLrHXP6ux2oBLJxD-ocAONfd_rAL_OiBZ0eCQ6ADAmCFtHBb2ilfc7tcduOsWmNPqMS88Yul3ODPYij7V-Q42vsQCqfiJDHddAu7bHG9ZAiWX6JPD0Ga47J2w/s400/IMG_1975.HEIC" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Westminster Abbey</td></tr>
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From the abbey we took the Tube back to Kensington, and after grabbing a quick lunch we visit Kensington Palace. They had a special exhibit on Princess Diana's dresses. After touring the palace we took a tea and scone break at the gift shop, then visited the sunken garden.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipgZUwBZaK3OvWivLjsdfoaTd-_q4AmA4pKpmarfMIxkNH4jKevjNRv6CbAV8h-wlhhB_-Hb2P63BXDHRC0htCVCiHSeJT3l1H4JVWZyBtQ7Wm9SXEylOn40mU0Ohv30xiNayW/s1600/IMG_1978.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipgZUwBZaK3OvWivLjsdfoaTd-_q4AmA4pKpmarfMIxkNH4jKevjNRv6CbAV8h-wlhhB_-Hb2P63BXDHRC0htCVCiHSeJT3l1H4JVWZyBtQ7Wm9SXEylOn40mU0Ohv30xiNayW/s400/IMG_1978.HEIC" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Catherine Walker day suit owned by Diana</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-sI4KEK7PQLnxYFwyDuK0Fq5FJr7ODZ7ls77lBpI1m-efm09iuaxYzUFBIV9WugBYZIugHeQNIXhBdg9XEP1bvsQpxQy0UQTrpzmFmvsC45lGxVezaMdauKhpfMMtZd56Ajxe/s1600/IMG_1981.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-sI4KEK7PQLnxYFwyDuK0Fq5FJr7ODZ7ls77lBpI1m-efm09iuaxYzUFBIV9WugBYZIugHeQNIXhBdg9XEP1bvsQpxQy0UQTrpzmFmvsC45lGxVezaMdauKhpfMMtZd56Ajxe/s400/IMG_1981.HEIC" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More of Diana's dresses</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA79Kga06mqugr9LEyHpPbkyaCyMVzYzz-XLhWnieeOw25vInnKdZsjwINGIP2c5DCOftn2u21CGIpFHXNbyz4bRjq4LtZ2Mp7_-yM0jfEqdS9uh2XzZoHSG4wCmc2l-NF67f2/s1600/IMG_1986.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA79Kga06mqugr9LEyHpPbkyaCyMVzYzz-XLhWnieeOw25vInnKdZsjwINGIP2c5DCOftn2u21CGIpFHXNbyz4bRjq4LtZ2Mp7_-yM0jfEqdS9uh2XzZoHSG4wCmc2l-NF67f2/s400/IMG_1986.HEIC" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Break time</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHJFCE6OF7J4t3C9QhIQfwUkD11f-IGglO0-6cze6xoqoQIZ9uV_neUVQlSqzMODpBwsXhhCZkm3lkAlOFlCaa74szdVgoIQH6RKbKrjKTf3DAtVM-_h_iF5x1qadIi9lV1D7t/s1600/IMG_1991.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHJFCE6OF7J4t3C9QhIQfwUkD11f-IGglO0-6cze6xoqoQIZ9uV_neUVQlSqzMODpBwsXhhCZkm3lkAlOFlCaa74szdVgoIQH6RKbKrjKTf3DAtVM-_h_iF5x1qadIi9lV1D7t/s400/IMG_1991.HEIC" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So many tulips! And clouds.</td></tr>
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After the palace we headed toward the City of London and walked around
St. Paul's Cathedral, then across the Millennium Bridge. Happening to
see the Globe Theater we stopped in to see about attending a show, but
the only tickets available (for the next night) had obstructed
views and since it's an open-air theater it would have been pretty
freezing. Next time. Then we visited the Tate Modern. By this point we
were pretty tired and achy (getting old!) and hungry, so we didn't enjoy
the modern art quite as much as we might have otherwise. When we
finally found a comfy bench to rest on we were stuck with a view of
Duchamp's Fountain.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPPRnLD85IxFU1c39_WRVU1nPE-w0zVwSlcxNdq9qGTlZVBspPCN1WKepaUBsnKONxlwZvsVfYxpvY5N1WRPSP5WQpWpDaS0kGiLPazsmcMLgsLkTK-fAOg2RYYC2THefKeYNl/s1600/IMG_1994.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPPRnLD85IxFU1c39_WRVU1nPE-w0zVwSlcxNdq9qGTlZVBspPCN1WKepaUBsnKONxlwZvsVfYxpvY5N1WRPSP5WQpWpDaS0kGiLPazsmcMLgsLkTK-fAOg2RYYC2THefKeYNl/s400/IMG_1994.HEIC" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">St. Paul's</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEUH7c1D6rbrTp9if6i0641OqxxNZ2X1BGQiLU4iXdLmBsC4JKe8cIHp3bU68ODADQDEqf972G9BgdSYwinitdBYJtmCeftXp3kATt2RQ93sJIAv6lmpm3jZdNiAmyMebYDBSp/s1600/IMG_1997.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEUH7c1D6rbrTp9if6i0641OqxxNZ2X1BGQiLU4iXdLmBsC4JKe8cIHp3bU68ODADQDEqf972G9BgdSYwinitdBYJtmCeftXp3kATt2RQ93sJIAv6lmpm3jZdNiAmyMebYDBSp/s400/IMG_1997.HEIC" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A view of the Globe across the Thames</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PJq8A5XbwfY/Wvjw--aGLnI/AAAAAAAAHys/lQsgv6QXN-8V7V6Cw4BhoEQ32lP_RBKRACKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_2003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PJq8A5XbwfY/Wvjw--aGLnI/AAAAAAAAHys/lQsgv6QXN-8V7V6Cw4BhoEQ32lP_RBKRACKgBGAs/s400/IMG_2003.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Art"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We cut our time at the Tate short and walked back over the river to Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese for dinner. It's a really old pub that was frequented by literary guys like Charles Dickens, and was also the site of my end-of-semester party when I'd studied abroad. After dinner on our walk to a Tube station we happened upon a sign for Samuel Johnson's house, and naturally wanted to take a peak. The sign was a bit misleading and turned us down an alley, and more signs kept pointing us farther down the dark (kinda scary) winding alley so that at one point Celia said "this is the nerdiest way to die." But we finally found his house and we didn't die.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSQnQHfYFOmGlQxJg77kFLSKXGLNF-1_ATx9mHimQ5iYjhqKGDZ1kakM7V2Q1duH-_lM5NrvAO4aOgUEpsuSRBZ1zaVakIynTQZ_PXgbYfLEJL1IKwDPMVZCao-mEtkwD6iyG4/s1600/IMG_2004.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSQnQHfYFOmGlQxJg77kFLSKXGLNF-1_ATx9mHimQ5iYjhqKGDZ1kakM7V2Q1duH-_lM5NrvAO4aOgUEpsuSRBZ1zaVakIynTQZ_PXgbYfLEJL1IKwDPMVZCao-mEtkwD6iyG4/s400/IMG_2004.HEIC" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fish and chips! And mashed peas! And a pint!</td></tr>
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Sunday we enjoyed our last breakfast in our apartment (finishing off the sparkling wine in mimosas), then packed up our things and walked a few blocks to our new accommodations, a fancy five-star hotel looking directly across at Kensington Palace. (Don't forget, this was a work trip for Celia and we didn't have to pay for either of these awesome places.) After checking in (the butler said we had the "best junior suite") and getting a little tour of the joint we headed out for a tour of the Tower of London.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKCljR650PsMZ77VCo1mElJiZI65FtCu53OOhTXo2PuPtWvxCP1n6frsZ0Oj1Seqqta0zsg6Ci9YmQm3Ez4AD0ltMcIcEoUg4BCF4WbuSryYAKPcW29rQ5ELRs7lky3AD8-pBF/s1600/IMG_2085.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKCljR650PsMZ77VCo1mElJiZI65FtCu53OOhTXo2PuPtWvxCP1n6frsZ0Oj1Seqqta0zsg6Ci9YmQm3Ez4AD0ltMcIcEoUg4BCF4WbuSryYAKPcW29rQ5ELRs7lky3AD8-pBF/s400/IMG_2085.HEIC" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our new digs.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2aiwyeu1LbI1iOmMAta68mD2WwthrzL4MfG7p88hjDG9RD7Nt_ithJyvPdSCXSQ8R3sXbWtZUXCuxMagGhEJfv50dEA88eNf52FblajU35oUSdW0kJqm9n7qb-gCwSfh5RmDw/s1600/IMG_2097.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2aiwyeu1LbI1iOmMAta68mD2WwthrzL4MfG7p88hjDG9RD7Nt_ithJyvPdSCXSQ8R3sXbWtZUXCuxMagGhEJfv50dEA88eNf52FblajU35oUSdW0kJqm9n7qb-gCwSfh5RmDw/s400/IMG_2097.HEIC" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from our only window. If you zoom in, that's Kensington Palace behind the big tree in the forefront.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We spent several hours at the Tower of London, first enjoying a guided tour with a beefeater, then wandering all the other sites inside on our own. The place is so old! And we got to see the crown jewels. It was also really cold.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLxXgcJJ5KnLrGNeb3sztZ0HUmhyzqVIDYAYAnkRiLoDUlxTpfXoZXxh9HSQzSXdiYeOHfXYFMPtD7mJtz9frvAOJJ1pfujR1I3a0Mp3qxZsHYg4V0g1_a3gz2UZmzOe2ikMDs/s1600/IMG_2013.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLxXgcJJ5KnLrGNeb3sztZ0HUmhyzqVIDYAYAnkRiLoDUlxTpfXoZXxh9HSQzSXdiYeOHfXYFMPtD7mJtz9frvAOJJ1pfujR1I3a0Mp3qxZsHYg4V0g1_a3gz2UZmzOe2ikMDs/s400/IMG_2013.HEIC" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tower of London</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj0x4LnEZGmlOz-jnxH2kSWbDk08sNgxiLBfkY60D9kECazrQ_b3cMVXwSEBQrcyZ10ceBdUcwWXH4OcP-uDeMGv7yUHIELC0A0Zt6Jkn3cES5CyU86pQPaXWgflLqWa-GAHbe/s1600/IMG_2016.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj0x4LnEZGmlOz-jnxH2kSWbDk08sNgxiLBfkY60D9kECazrQ_b3cMVXwSEBQrcyZ10ceBdUcwWXH4OcP-uDeMGv7yUHIELC0A0Zt6Jkn3cES5CyU86pQPaXWgflLqWa-GAHbe/s400/IMG_2016.HEIC" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Neat Tudor buildings inside the Tower of London</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimDXRXotSCYAvBNOnhSAn6RYbU6trlvF2qIAyYYPgCXo6aY2JuOuIDUAEmmYbTgKDiVe8p2I_oFxb0WTxF_4bI54EBsqxofVc9-KGH11ARCsJHNnGhVudvMat1pD04yvg3r7QS/s1600/IMG_2020.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1203" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimDXRXotSCYAvBNOnhSAn6RYbU6trlvF2qIAyYYPgCXo6aY2JuOuIDUAEmmYbTgKDiVe8p2I_oFxb0WTxF_4bI54EBsqxofVc9-KGH11ARCsJHNnGhVudvMat1pD04yvg3r7QS/s400/IMG_2020.HEIC" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tower selfie. That building is from the 11th century!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrNDPYWCuK3Qglw7QEfGeD0m53qqqL2WBmY0LwQLb1R0Mce6Bgk6ChyOEgMN2FUOihyNe1xOa4k3A2KJ6rXvX9keH2vv1p1GpYIw874lTpCbCihIN-oVgbq_VCGsHtPbaZL5Cn/s1600/IMG_2021.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrNDPYWCuK3Qglw7QEfGeD0m53qqqL2WBmY0LwQLb1R0Mce6Bgk6ChyOEgMN2FUOihyNe1xOa4k3A2KJ6rXvX9keH2vv1p1GpYIw874lTpCbCihIN-oVgbq_VCGsHtPbaZL5Cn/s400/IMG_2021.HEIC" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View of Tower Bridge</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjruN9XnTHozzS2PopScNTloxm5aOhWRXY5gP3ZAyjGa5ncD5lN3bBhIKwt6VCuvDJK2zRsGb2jcz1Y1MJ18nVMIQ_P5eQFAztwQOXfRL24B9UV4o0ZgsQP098PqQMSS4TBOKwQ/s1600/IMG_2027.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjruN9XnTHozzS2PopScNTloxm5aOhWRXY5gP3ZAyjGa5ncD5lN3bBhIKwt6VCuvDJK2zRsGb2jcz1Y1MJ18nVMIQ_P5eQFAztwQOXfRL24B9UV4o0ZgsQP098PqQMSS4TBOKwQ/s400/IMG_2027.HEIC" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Guarding the Crown Jewels</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieHb8jEGLKXdaQo_lTRavJAzGV8UBtfFbkBZgBzaTy3R9cwWNNWsva0y_clS4jQug_FQBSfS9K28UErrbTP4OS0LGig6U0lmNiOR_jlsG_Q5oCAPirKZ5NtqFVOhpysz2slz_6/s1600/IMG_2028.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1152" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieHb8jEGLKXdaQo_lTRavJAzGV8UBtfFbkBZgBzaTy3R9cwWNNWsva0y_clS4jQug_FQBSfS9K28UErrbTP4OS0LGig6U0lmNiOR_jlsG_Q5oCAPirKZ5NtqFVOhpysz2slz_6/s400/IMG_2028.HEIC" width="287" /></a></div>
We finished up at the Tower just as it was closing. From there we headed to Trafalgar Square, then walked to an Indian restaurant (Dishoom) in Covent Garden that our concierge had recommended. We had to wait outside in the freezing cold for about 45 minutes, but they brought us hot drinks which was nice. And the food, once we finally got to sit and eat it, was delicious.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicPHrm4sE3ntVxrR-qAynBUriuPy1YZOnANHNy04VrnuOPKDL3tGgy6o-KaTl7Srz9HkigCLAYJwRsyz83-cB3AFaMBvZChx1I_7SivF15mbwijUhyMIM4bepUgZN7A_Belk4V/s1600/IMG_2033.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicPHrm4sE3ntVxrR-qAynBUriuPy1YZOnANHNy04VrnuOPKDL3tGgy6o-KaTl7Srz9HkigCLAYJwRsyz83-cB3AFaMBvZChx1I_7SivF15mbwijUhyMIM4bepUgZN7A_Belk4V/s400/IMG_2033.HEIC" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trafalgar Square</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj165BuJtvXdg-6hn6o_sYTGix3vjTXir2UuzVEYferX2A1i1OliEHD4HeqMzHQ1JFxD979dgkLr0Fz7kStlXXUkRRj8yVaEVWITuzuPV028hMGVqSndMXLlwLEo-Fi4tHvzRpB/s1600/IMG_2035.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj165BuJtvXdg-6hn6o_sYTGix3vjTXir2UuzVEYferX2A1i1OliEHD4HeqMzHQ1JFxD979dgkLr0Fz7kStlXXUkRRj8yVaEVWITuzuPV028hMGVqSndMXLlwLEo-Fi4tHvzRpB/s400/IMG_2035.HEIC" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dinner!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
After dinner we headed back to our hotel, where we found scones and Negroni makings. The Negroni makings were compliments of the hotel (they said Meghan Markel likes them), and we later learned the scones were actually thanks to my brother calling up the hotel!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX6iQBDk4soEMVN0ws8vz4wq28LxGBS-_5AIH9mCxrFzGJrcOON2zP_lika4NQmPva_-R69lFj1CrxiEsfc4e3ifHuly4VzqPZkn_i9L_uKijHEaO9zAwJeX3vG3skU-dd-5tw/s1600/IMG_2041.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX6iQBDk4soEMVN0ws8vz4wq28LxGBS-_5AIH9mCxrFzGJrcOON2zP_lika4NQmPva_-R69lFj1CrxiEsfc4e3ifHuly4VzqPZkn_i9L_uKijHEaO9zAwJeX3vG3skU-dd-5tw/s400/IMG_2041.HEIC" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Drink makings and late-night scones.</td></tr>
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Monday morning we enjoyed traditional English breakfasts at the hotel, then took a train ride out to Windsor. Celia had an interview scheduled with a shoe company so I looked in touristy shops and got a coffee until she was done. Then we headed into Windsor Castle! We got the audio guides and listened to all the stops. St. George's Chapel is inside, and is where the royal wedding is happening soon. We were there for a few hours, then enjoyed a cream tea break before our train ride back to London.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiieFCPgCq1j-mGHlAs1x62fR3iw4bVw98zNohytOVsmLN1yycX180Ftju89t8id3j5Uj5bb-iDd1dtpHisu0GuNxBdGJWkGydIrOuvLUHGery8Si831GamuCxsBICuS7K3ewpr/s1600/IMG_2043.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiieFCPgCq1j-mGHlAs1x62fR3iw4bVw98zNohytOVsmLN1yycX180Ftju89t8id3j5Uj5bb-iDd1dtpHisu0GuNxBdGJWkGydIrOuvLUHGery8Si831GamuCxsBICuS7K3ewpr/s400/IMG_2043.HEIC" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Breakfast! (Yes, I at least tasted all of it.)</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6SrA5blQ9zi3eYKXsfExKk7OtKs2OigCd4sbbDswlJGkFb1fB9HAYAftQseWBgUmIM-JeGBwf2U5rjvF9E7SIfxBhE1zhiLxiLS8CJQjrgv6f1G2UeFKHF0HP8ukiNrVM0TkH/s1600/IMG_2048.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6SrA5blQ9zi3eYKXsfExKk7OtKs2OigCd4sbbDswlJGkFb1fB9HAYAftQseWBgUmIM-JeGBwf2U5rjvF9E7SIfxBhE1zhiLxiLS8CJQjrgv6f1G2UeFKHF0HP8ukiNrVM0TkH/s400/IMG_2048.HEIC" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Windsor Castle</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKmpaHtdDzTT_OG02RqVC6w9l1aZ0vC3UKcWRfXv1LzPAx-KjC-KYg1t5D3NHabqQxv6ZejuByTl3Dp3BnjaHDIt1CK8hqXQ7EqfxBxOecUBOf_ku2j7sTeqUT8245NXqzk7bT/s1600/IMG_2066.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKmpaHtdDzTT_OG02RqVC6w9l1aZ0vC3UKcWRfXv1LzPAx-KjC-KYg1t5D3NHabqQxv6ZejuByTl3Dp3BnjaHDIt1CK8hqXQ7EqfxBxOecUBOf_ku2j7sTeqUT8245NXqzk7bT/s400/IMG_2066.HEIC" width="300" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNTG3HWPIIyWDZyZuyrSpUCg_7n2LFYD98C1R6fNZmIkgF7D-ZJemmrcu7dEOiRZMfSPbL4TM48ymtmLjeOusVXZUc7GD7BWgCYZkuNaM7Jp_vC47Mmg-AwtO9vtdDv-DuoNs6/s1600/IMG_2069.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1203" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNTG3HWPIIyWDZyZuyrSpUCg_7n2LFYD98C1R6fNZmIkgF7D-ZJemmrcu7dEOiRZMfSPbL4TM48ymtmLjeOusVXZUc7GD7BWgCYZkuNaM7Jp_vC47Mmg-AwtO9vtdDv-DuoNs6/s400/IMG_2069.HEIC" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Windsor Castle selfie!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvkdwsbBhi0JRrkAun_p60lt_ZMSsd0yyQyuYQ84Tiu4L50DH9Xu8gfSxNE5hvACbR2ZBc-sUe2wywN9e-CngpGkuB_VkuXcpjjm92lF0lX4UhcD32-SYW3JlKyOevWb693emL/s1600/IMG_2071.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvkdwsbBhi0JRrkAun_p60lt_ZMSsd0yyQyuYQ84Tiu4L50DH9Xu8gfSxNE5hvACbR2ZBc-sUe2wywN9e-CngpGkuB_VkuXcpjjm92lF0lX4UhcD32-SYW3JlKyOevWb693emL/s400/IMG_2071.HEIC" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">St. George's Chapel</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9kOeHLhc8v7YiEQ7ATpQdtb0643VMRwJRfz5M38wdAsx_mRatjFQRr_LksBXS8P9zHo3TzMRn1QbUC6a7QZG_b-6zO7arVmpmzG-mrgdY3BFZL_c-5__d5_fqsxqzOvDVCNPL/s1600/IMG_2073.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9kOeHLhc8v7YiEQ7ATpQdtb0643VMRwJRfz5M38wdAsx_mRatjFQRr_LksBXS8P9zHo3TzMRn1QbUC6a7QZG_b-6zO7arVmpmzG-mrgdY3BFZL_c-5__d5_fqsxqzOvDVCNPL/s400/IMG_2073.HEIC" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cream Tea</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTmiBJkRohkEslNGXvtyTIU7l3U-FJ37e8kEghtqG1cipasbcrsWi6ivv1NRLXrE9BfZxP1LsUZgPHcvhNc8yMCR_DVeAI1A9RzGlORxgiy2HX4tfGj_Xl_IiJpBxgF3qefqcC/s1600/IMG_2080.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTmiBJkRohkEslNGXvtyTIU7l3U-FJ37e8kEghtqG1cipasbcrsWi6ivv1NRLXrE9BfZxP1LsUZgPHcvhNc8yMCR_DVeAI1A9RzGlORxgiy2HX4tfGj_Xl_IiJpBxgF3qefqcC/s400/IMG_2080.HEIC" width="300" /></a></div>
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Back at the hotel we changed into nicer clothes, then went to a dinner appointment with a PR person. The restaurant (Galvin at Windows) was on the 28th floor and had amazing views of the city. The sky also cleared for the first time during our trip so we could actually see the sunset! The food was fancy and French, and really good. Before we left for the night our waitress said she had a special treat for us, and walked us through the kitchen to a small balcony with a view of the full moon and lights of the city below. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZiJcvCw_PrMJZbaCtKU0CaKaqS9uqWD-SJ193X9_-pdoWEo77IBvJrBzKNXP9clODlPgiuxmlIMJrRyleVZTQI9tjIxNPoi2GvlBIjxU7fc_ee7Laa5Q95xkCkKUz3Q5njXjd/s1600/IMG_2088.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZiJcvCw_PrMJZbaCtKU0CaKaqS9uqWD-SJ193X9_-pdoWEo77IBvJrBzKNXP9clODlPgiuxmlIMJrRyleVZTQI9tjIxNPoi2GvlBIjxU7fc_ee7Laa5Q95xkCkKUz3Q5njXjd/s400/IMG_2088.HEIC" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dinner views</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikgncqklCfTcNnElunsN0BHqncMjuVO_fXUovTHaJyMVEBHwXvZW55x9p9d5wuGnuyKEvL-tF3MfxA9MQgnmrmup7FPhu5_kul0kEsV6uCiaO6dWZ0x_dan_mJpf-feIKyVXPC/s1600/IMG_2091.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikgncqklCfTcNnElunsN0BHqncMjuVO_fXUovTHaJyMVEBHwXvZW55x9p9d5wuGnuyKEvL-tF3MfxA9MQgnmrmup7FPhu5_kul0kEsV6uCiaO6dWZ0x_dan_mJpf-feIKyVXPC/s400/IMG_2091.HEIC" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">fancy appetizer</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8GNI2OaYqJSi3InRXTlsEPGao7FJV7tZXZxphUPmSYDzpAwACXcHCXW01ZAEr32aZbc1qOiROqbCMRaNGijKclodAlXH6PiqOzdyUYRDuo1yVrZwnQ-o20afgYU407zTjUnhY/s1600/IMG_2094.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8GNI2OaYqJSi3InRXTlsEPGao7FJV7tZXZxphUPmSYDzpAwACXcHCXW01ZAEr32aZbc1qOiROqbCMRaNGijKclodAlXH6PiqOzdyUYRDuo1yVrZwnQ-o20afgYU407zTjUnhY/s400/IMG_2094.HEIC" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">special treat night view</td></tr>
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Tuesday was our last day, and the most hectic. After another nice breakfast in the hotel we went across the street for the Kensington Palace photo op we'd missed the day we'd visited, then hopped on a bus and headed to Celia's interview with a well-known clothing atelier (maker of the red suit above). It was pretty neat to see the workshop and get to sit in on the interview. From there we went to two more interviews with royal warrant holding jewelers, and at the first one we each got to try on a diamond tiara!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj30bvZqVgu5K1arMNU7kECxfKUCr5JqSmkWlZKIAvLWH73ASvYogzxnG3lEjMy5k1ky78na5o1-hi0QncBUdM1w3XVt5Pm7eggIWe0IKg6NicROHY3Gqe1Gh6N-2msA1Kziygz/s1600/IMG_2109.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj30bvZqVgu5K1arMNU7kECxfKUCr5JqSmkWlZKIAvLWH73ASvYogzxnG3lEjMy5k1ky78na5o1-hi0QncBUdM1w3XVt5Pm7eggIWe0IKg6NicROHY3Gqe1Gh6N-2msA1Kziygz/s400/IMG_2109.HEIC" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fancy photo-op Kensington Palace gate</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8jfomE32m91uhtq5cfikaWqgXfd6qUv-gSTz9TEySIpJcKetEWez0O8b37L1uC8cs-MSbLQ2RYbPEpGwAmPhOTDVBX1bhgVHpAqHs7I0jdcz8z6P90mM9M6gupTogJA_BsrO-/s1600/IMG_2111.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1203" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8jfomE32m91uhtq5cfikaWqgXfd6qUv-gSTz9TEySIpJcKetEWez0O8b37L1uC8cs-MSbLQ2RYbPEpGwAmPhOTDVBX1bhgVHpAqHs7I0jdcz8z6P90mM9M6gupTogJA_BsrO-/s400/IMG_2111.HEIC" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We loved riding in the front on the top of the bus!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCVgX7QKaz05rVLPBrX1OrYfzxMxpgQLK1HdI2XeR3AuAUtZLtfCdzv5AxgLuDXuhkPoQeF-SgKcrIo8eePtV_dgR-aBDQ2neg_XiUs0o3cXKzom20_s0YiHQl9Xgwp9_0rd7u/s1600/IMG_2112.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCVgX7QKaz05rVLPBrX1OrYfzxMxpgQLK1HdI2XeR3AuAUtZLtfCdzv5AxgLuDXuhkPoQeF-SgKcrIo8eePtV_dgR-aBDQ2neg_XiUs0o3cXKzom20_s0YiHQl9Xgwp9_0rd7u/s400/IMG_2112.HEIC" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gorgeous fancy clothes</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmkneYGyV1JV1zhO2prITz_u4abMuD7xPEAUUjpyhpTXfXAPg-i4SAYH5h4Bj68M4eGwmV7pefmByp-MD5GfjoMPy-J9Z3C0J26v1ThrjF8i8KpKpUNU0qb1ukoKKwEPE81GxV/s1600/IMG_2116.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmkneYGyV1JV1zhO2prITz_u4abMuD7xPEAUUjpyhpTXfXAPg-i4SAYH5h4Bj68M4eGwmV7pefmByp-MD5GfjoMPy-J9Z3C0J26v1ThrjF8i8KpKpUNU0qb1ukoKKwEPE81GxV/s400/IMG_2116.HEIC" width="298" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5TEuSc-iduT2GrCEfvRIYXyR9WKz0RWmHPObTplvnVi91vMl5T1-JSpD7RToWmVlzKy-tnq49xJMFobjU6Th05ncjRt6LWqWdeW1Au5u3JiAS89FthZmmF5gp6Pgre34ugVVn/s1600/IMG_2120.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5TEuSc-iduT2GrCEfvRIYXyR9WKz0RWmHPObTplvnVi91vMl5T1-JSpD7RToWmVlzKy-tnq49xJMFobjU6Th05ncjRt6LWqWdeW1Au5u3JiAS89FthZmmF5gp6Pgre34ugVVn/s400/IMG_2120.HEIC" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Festive Piccadilly (and blue skies!)</td></tr>
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The interviews ran a little long, and as soon as we finished with the second jeweler we had to rush back to the hotel to change clothes, check out, and head our separate ways to different airports.<br />
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It was a short trip, but so much fun. And while I repeated some of the same touristy things I'd done years ago, I also got to experience a much fancier side of the city thanks to Celia's work situation. I'm so grateful she invited me!andihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11343916706375776601noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20412248.post-86660186808690935112018-05-13T21:38:00.000-04:002018-05-13T21:38:10.377-04:00Sacramento conferenceA month ago I traveled to Sacramento to present my first paper at a history conference (other than a grad student conference ten years ago that doesn't really count anymore). This was good for my CV, and was the first thing I'd "written" toward my dissertation so far. (I'm still sorting through my research but plan to start writing very soon. Finally.)<br />
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I arrived Thursday evening, and after dropping off my bag I went for a walk past the California State Capitol and down to Old Sacramento by the river. It wasn't quite as warm as I'd been hoping, but it was nice to see sun and blue skies!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6TLiG_2ds3g0MM9QuDf9hTWJPu8j9Q5IramW2Sm_R60Sou5NBP4A1LwZxrg4_PE8jSwV8jlR0pNT18VXVXDQXouxH1Zt19yDZUZWUrmoMx9YdBiyT4hKpgjwHcDLlBov8WmXN/s1600/IMG_1896.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6TLiG_2ds3g0MM9QuDf9hTWJPu8j9Q5IramW2Sm_R60Sou5NBP4A1LwZxrg4_PE8jSwV8jlR0pNT18VXVXDQXouxH1Zt19yDZUZWUrmoMx9YdBiyT4hKpgjwHcDLlBov8WmXN/s400/IMG_1896.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div>
That first night I attended the opening plenary session on California history, and while skimming the list of conference attendees I found an old friend from my masters program. We got in touch (during the plenary) and met up afterwards for a drink. We hadn't seen each other in ten years so it was nice to catch up. Also, she and I have the exact same birthday, which was the next day!<br />
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Friday, my birthday, I went out for breakfast and visited the Leland Stanford Mansion in the morning. Then it was time for my panel to present! There were only about ten people in the audience, but that's okay. Overall it went fine. My boss was there as our panel's moderator, and he said I read a little fast and he could tell I was nervous, but hopefully that didn't convey too prominently to the rest of the people there. After our panel I attended a session on westerns. Then I met back up with my fellow panelists for dinner. It was a bit of a bummer being far away and, other than my boss, essentially alone on my birthday, but he gave me a birthday toast and overall it was still a pretty good day. After dinner I attended a packed session on Confederate monuments.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjav4PuMY3-uhGvTxovVOWQYQtxlj_NVIay1D9R86YYm6jqGdzLIhNZRPfipJQKNE8fKDShsYv28kPUuXv4tHzuwGiLMOqXEdU7OcgVmnPhiJejRuEgj7kBSBx0kR9p8FeW5B1U/s1600/IMG_1897.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjav4PuMY3-uhGvTxovVOWQYQtxlj_NVIay1D9R86YYm6jqGdzLIhNZRPfipJQKNE8fKDShsYv28kPUuXv4tHzuwGiLMOqXEdU7OcgVmnPhiJejRuEgj7kBSBx0kR9p8FeW5B1U/s400/IMG_1897.HEIC" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Giant, warm, delicious strawberry vanilla birthday scone.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC8AfREyuahIWE6xwQtNaTmPB74iSVNwL8geEOkkLqoytB_lWGHORqdNvUZiTJfoysbaLrxMEGbNDUXu2ipfjK6EUExBq3gS3skgQk8X5jbLf3RDf2X2Ngcr_0efwisZsGli_l/s1600/IMG_1900.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC8AfREyuahIWE6xwQtNaTmPB74iSVNwL8geEOkkLqoytB_lWGHORqdNvUZiTJfoysbaLrxMEGbNDUXu2ipfjK6EUExBq3gS3skgQk8X5jbLf3RDf2X2Ngcr_0efwisZsGli_l/s400/IMG_1900.HEIC" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An orange tree and the Stanford mansion.</td></tr>
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Saturday I attended two conference sessions, and went back to Old Sacramento to visit the California State Railroad Museum. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ67o37lbCRWtoqdhEs-S16ClGBRNV_6x5BUtu0GATdaBGa5fHGw37_kHr8x4qS5sZ22SNebSIKL6CGcEWHa9YtEVOopumGtkXpSVUUDib2AxOXAB_gy25Eqa-YFEeYiheZBEi/s1600/IMG_1921.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ67o37lbCRWtoqdhEs-S16ClGBRNV_6x5BUtu0GATdaBGa5fHGw37_kHr8x4qS5sZ22SNebSIKL6CGcEWHa9YtEVOopumGtkXpSVUUDib2AxOXAB_gy25Eqa-YFEeYiheZBEi/s400/IMG_1921.HEIC" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A cute little sculpture I saw on my walk to Old Sacramento.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj43XY5UFfOvBdVN3nVUFICYqyssMjm0f8ygTRHyOrpakLvk5y2E7E__DcIpG6vqTob0aEyIIHVSPlKoS5sKQ9x1_FZl3ZAe0LiBNjfmwr_ZT4dbzRjc4ovWE4tcEF4-n-6yI9k/s1600/IMG_1922.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj43XY5UFfOvBdVN3nVUFICYqyssMjm0f8ygTRHyOrpakLvk5y2E7E__DcIpG6vqTob0aEyIIHVSPlKoS5sKQ9x1_FZl3ZAe0LiBNjfmwr_ZT4dbzRjc4ovWE4tcEF4-n-6yI9k/s400/IMG_1922.HEIC" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More cute sculptures.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQBTq8yubYtG2HEqMtbtYENkVJNNJtK-DBKHtnmpjiXEoLXthP3Mifdoag68ymqmhAh1o1Mc9lX414Y-HyfEKOQmBauq9ASU9TOMe41nDt0e6xVWIPP5lI8-s64iGAARJSFSz_/s1600/IMG_1924.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1203" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQBTq8yubYtG2HEqMtbtYENkVJNNJtK-DBKHtnmpjiXEoLXthP3Mifdoag68ymqmhAh1o1Mc9lX414Y-HyfEKOQmBauq9ASU9TOMe41nDt0e6xVWIPP5lI8-s64iGAARJSFSz_/s400/IMG_1924.HEIC" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Enjoying the old-timey western feel of Old Sac.</td></tr>
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So that was that. First conference paper done (two more coming up this year), and a nice little trip to Sacramento.andihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11343916706375776601noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20412248.post-91815120908924737522018-03-21T16:40:00.000-04:002018-03-21T16:40:01.445-04:00Vegas 2018A few weeks ago I headed out to Las Vegas for my annual family vacation. After getting stuck overnight in Charlotte I made it to Vegas on Friday morning.<br />
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We stayed at Sam's Town this year, which is way off the strip but still a fun hotel/casino with a western theme. After my parents picked me up at the airport we enjoyed lunch together, then spent the rest of the day at the casino, including the buffet dinner with my aunt and uncle. After dinner mom and I had a drink in the center bar where we could see the little light show they put on with animatronic animals.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAL71HdOG-U-AybtdFGY0ky4TZoYKI9LeJegMgUw42Kk2yaKpNqDqKsErSJxG-gmKe-HMENUj8nELJMopVGVa1qtIBO7bmrzK9fQ6UFshljl6vNq7CVg5-53M6DAuzGodPvv0V/s1600/IMG_1748.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAL71HdOG-U-AybtdFGY0ky4TZoYKI9LeJegMgUw42Kk2yaKpNqDqKsErSJxG-gmKe-HMENUj8nELJMopVGVa1qtIBO7bmrzK9fQ6UFshljl6vNq7CVg5-53M6DAuzGodPvv0V/s400/IMG_1748.HEIC" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waterfalls and fake wildlife in Sam's Town</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsjgivE3AoF3ReD51PkYNPY4iOP5WQMRzN9jxLILzA0sCPwnwqo4LFDxrZe_sNgh2NIjDQVc9pwB3GYp4zrVKPyUvKxOzvUEtFbVUuXrzZMSvnYf4MaS_ZwdeEINQwIBrVJ4YT/s1600/IMG_1747.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsjgivE3AoF3ReD51PkYNPY4iOP5WQMRzN9jxLILzA0sCPwnwqo4LFDxrZe_sNgh2NIjDQVc9pwB3GYp4zrVKPyUvKxOzvUEtFbVUuXrzZMSvnYf4MaS_ZwdeEINQwIBrVJ4YT/s400/IMG_1747.HEIC" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My dad loves the buffalo games.</td></tr>
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Saturday my dad and uncle headed to the Nascar race, while my mom and aunt and I went shopping at the outlet mall. That night I made reservations for us to have dinner at Culinary Dropout at the Hardrock. We all agreed the food was good but it was a little too loud for the old folks' liking, and my uncle actually pulled out his earplugs from the race and stuck them in.<br />
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Sunday was another race day, during which mom and my aunt and I went to the Ethel M Chocolate factory to get some chocolate and walk around the cactus garden. Then we drove out to Red Rock Canyon and enjoyed the sights along the 13-mile loop.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm55pwVHmhVgCwbwIH9hVDRVaurAxhy7H46uUyGqki-0KJQj2C7wKLs5beyrSwtABaQjSDM7AyAHe1bkXBeuzQ2EfAhIIJFQefOTpJAvytwVzr7XA7oSivr9ZQ8ITUL1WlZX5q/s1600/IMG_1749.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm55pwVHmhVgCwbwIH9hVDRVaurAxhy7H46uUyGqki-0KJQj2C7wKLs5beyrSwtABaQjSDM7AyAHe1bkXBeuzQ2EfAhIIJFQefOTpJAvytwVzr7XA7oSivr9ZQ8ITUL1WlZX5q/s400/IMG_1749.HEIC" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cactus garden at Ethel M</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgbyGKWuIFY6QjEXA-nHvoofNscU1aqtCArz-qbaBY4K3WvYcRZVQXfA9HlVSuh0x25dzApJ3Wh0J3K6VgN7nxzNBXziaEmHwgHPsVeAwCNpwONhIaq3cKD2WmJMVQPsBQb7ea/s1600/IMG_1768.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgbyGKWuIFY6QjEXA-nHvoofNscU1aqtCArz-qbaBY4K3WvYcRZVQXfA9HlVSuh0x25dzApJ3Wh0J3K6VgN7nxzNBXziaEmHwgHPsVeAwCNpwONhIaq3cKD2WmJMVQPsBQb7ea/s400/IMG_1768.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">See the red rocks in the background?</td></tr>
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After our drive we stopped at Ikea just for fun, since neither my mom nor aunt had ever been to one. And that night I redeemed myself in the restaurant-picking department by choosing a good Italian place that was much quieter.<br />
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Monday we all went to the Neon Museum downtown and enjoyed our informative tour, followed by lunch at the Golden Nugget.<br />
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After our time downtown we drove to the Bellagio to see the flower display in the conservatory, but alas they were between displays. So most of the crew went back to our hotel but dad and I stayed on the strip for the rest of the night. We checked out his favorite autograph store at the Shops at the Forum, enjoyed a drink at Margaritaville, played some games at the Flamingo, ate dinner and played some more at the Paris, and played a tad more at MGM. Then we got a ride back to Sam's Town and another margarita and did a little more playing. Had to make that last night really count, you know?<br />
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We missed Ryan and Lauren on this trip, but we still had another fun Vegas family vacation.andihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11343916706375776601noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20412248.post-3369906053631077912018-01-23T21:46:00.001-05:002018-01-23T21:46:40.199-05:00Christmas in RichmondI spent Christmas (a month ago...) with family in Richmond. My parents flew out from Santa Fe, and we enjoyed hanging out for a week.<br />
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I arrived Sunday evening, in time for a nice Christmas Eve service at my aunt's church. Then we ate our traditional New Mexican Christmas Eve meal of posole and tamales. (And chips and guacamole, of course.) The next morning we opened presents in our pajamas. Then it was on to getting the big meal ready. We had osso bucco, and I made rolls. After Christmas dinner their was music time around the piano singing carols.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The tree! And a fire!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grandpa sharing a reading before we opened presents.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We were told we couldn't wear jeans for Christmas. So we both wore Sunni's denim skirts...</td></tr>
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Other highlights that week included playing Scrabble with Dad at Isley Brewing Company, watching a movie with my parents (and trying to get Dad to actually stay awake), enjoying drinks and dinner with my parents at Fine Creek Brewing, <i>finally</i> getting to eat Mom's biscochito cookies, and several of us visiting the art museum with Grandpa to see the Terracotta Army exhibit.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Concentrating.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4CE3AACmIP2ob4_xUpDHr7FdzYA6wlCpFRykdPL9g4ekvcrBbA5ohbb67Hb5o5QrrwNoy4vN1WzlJZf2FFoRqd81zXEKconH8R0K09fFMy-FSc5KoOJrbQZdC245A4Ek7sojl/s1600/IMG_1600.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4CE3AACmIP2ob4_xUpDHr7FdzYA6wlCpFRykdPL9g4ekvcrBbA5ohbb67Hb5o5QrrwNoy4vN1WzlJZf2FFoRqd81zXEKconH8R0K09fFMy-FSc5KoOJrbQZdC245A4Ek7sojl/s400/IMG_1600.HEIC" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Concentrating some more.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A terracotta warrior!</td></tr>
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andihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11343916706375776601noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20412248.post-73384289970613892432017-12-23T09:19:00.000-05:002017-12-23T09:19:19.565-05:00ThanksgivingI know Christmas is only two days away, but let me quickly go back and share some pictures from Thanksgiving. Patrick and I flew to Santa Fe for five nights, and had a nice time hanging out with my family. Thanksgiving morning Dad joined us for a Turkey Trot 5k downtown. I ended up only running the first 1.3 miles before pain from my IT band forced me to walk the rest of the way (a result of the marathon I'd run only 1.5 weeks before). Dad, who I thought planned to walk the whole thing, ended up jogging several downhill sections. Overall it was a fun way to start the day. Mom hosted Thanksgiving at our house, and we had a nice meal with relatives and friends.<br />
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<br />Friday Patrick and I walked Canyon Road, checking into lots of art galleries along the way. Saturday all four of us visited Bandelier National Monument. It was a beautiful day to be out there!<br />
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We also walked around downtown a lot, visiting the plaza (all lit up for Christmas), the Fine Art Museum, and walking up to the Cross of the Martyrs.<br />
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Good times in Santa Fe!andihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11343916706375776601noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20412248.post-29623149677278202022017-11-16T22:38:00.002-05:002017-11-16T22:45:21.811-05:0026.2 in RichmondLast weekend I ran the Richmond Marathon. I realize I haven't talked about running on the ol' blog for a long while, but I've been doing it. I joined a training group and followed a training program, spending the last many Saturday mornings getting up early to go out to beautiful places around the county and run. My training went pretty well, too. Two weeks before the race I started to worry about some tightness in one of my calves, but other than that I didn't have any injury problems. And with a lot of deep tissue massage the knot in my calf seemed to be almost 100% gone in time for the race.<br />
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The morning of the race was freezing. Below freezing in the 20s, to be exact. Patrick went with me to the start, which meant I could keep wearing extra layers to stay warm until the very last minute. Then I shed the sweat pants and fleece vest and sweatshirt and ear warmers just in time to hand them off to him and hop into my wave group.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trying to stay warm.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ready to go after shedding a few layers.</td></tr>
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The first mile of the race I kept it slow, just like I was supposed to. I heard my coach call out from the sidewalk somewhere in there, which was a nice surprise. The second mile I also kept it relatively slow, per the plan. Gotta start slow and warm up. I also made a quick pit stop at mile two. After that I was supposed to ease into my marathon pace, which was supposed to be 9:25. I wasn't terribly far off from that (i.e., faster than I was supposed to be), but my coach had warned me not to go even 9:23. And I didn't follow that as closely as I should have. I tried to slow down, but it's hard. And I was feeling good, and I think the cold helped me move faster. We ran down Broad and Monument Avenue and Westmoreland and Grove and River Road and across the Huguenot Bridge and along the river on the South Side. It was chilly but the sun was shining and it was a beautiful fall day. I remember enjoying the party stop at mile 13, and there was lots of crowd support as we headed across Lee Bridge and back downtown. Patrick was stationed at the turn onto Main Street at mile 16.5, which was something to look forward to and nice to check in with him briefly as I headed into the last 10 miles. I'd been worried that my calf might act up and I might not even get to finish the race, but this was a chance to let him know things seemed to be going okay. And since he was tracking me he knew I was coming in ahead of schedule. Which didn't last long after that.<br />
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At about mile 20 as we headed into the North Side, I started to slow down. My calf was feeling okay but my old IT band problem started to worry me a little. And my hip flexors started to hurt, probably from picking up my speed on all the downhills. I took another pit stop at mile 22. I started to slow down and use the water stops. I think I stopped twice for short walk breaks during the last three miles or so. Everything was feeling pretty painful. I definitely had to use my head more than my body to make myself keep running those last few miles. I was so ready to be done.<br />
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I forced myself to push it a little more during that last mile. The race ends with a big downhill toward Brown's Island, but by that point downhills hurt a lot, too. I fought back tears of pain as I made it through the last stretch lined with cheering spectators. I spotted Patrick on the other side of the barrier straight ahead at the end of the street, and looked forward to seeing him again at the end of the finishers' chute (where I was given my medal and a fleece blanket and a finisher's cup) so I could finally hide my face in his chest and cry. I was exhausted and in pain and so glad it was over, and crying felt good.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the finish line! Finally!</td></tr>
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Aunt Judy and Mary found us at that point, and it was really good to see them, too. Apparently they'd been cheering loudly for me at the finish line, but I didn't see them. They were fun spectators and came decked out.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With my silly race fans.</td></tr>
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After a short bit I was ready for my finisher's beer. It was still pretty cold out and Aunt Judy pointed out that they had free beer back at the house, but that wasn't the point. Patrick and I each enjoyed a beer while we all listened to live music and I did a little stretching on the grass. Then I was ready to head home and get warm.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Happy finisher.</td></tr>
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My goal for the race had been 4:10, and I ended up finishing in 4:16:07. Not too bad, and definitely still a PR after my two Blue Ridge Marathons. Yes, the end really hurt, but it was still a fun race overall and I left a happy marathoner. andihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11343916706375776601noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20412248.post-16434256207647362492017-10-01T14:10:00.001-04:002017-10-01T14:10:54.749-04:00A Low Country Labor Day WeekendA few weeks ago I headed to South Carolina to hang out with Ryan and Lauren and take advantage of the family discount at the resort where they both work. It was a fun long weekend.<br />
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I flew down Saturday afternoon and Lauren picked me up from the airport. We drove straight into Savannah, where we walked around with a beer by the river and checked out some craft booths, then ate a good noodle dinner before heading home to Bluffton, SC.<br />
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The next day I checked into the resort. They upgraded me to a cottage (instead of a hotel room), which was awesome. I had my own screened in porch, and all the cottages have bikes outside to ride around the property. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My cottage and bike!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me on the bike!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View of the river from my screened-in porch.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Overlooking part of the lagoon at the resort. That dark speck in the water was an alligator!</td></tr>
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Since Ryan wasn't working that day we got to hang out. We ate lunch at one of the resort's restaurants, then went kayaking on the river. We saw dolphins!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Paddling.</td></tr>
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Afterwards we got cleaned up and joined Lauren (after she got off work) for a holiday oyster roast at the resort. They had steamed oysters plus tons of other food.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYhxqUjACmtRwMpcesp_an5jaMz1hSX8bB5ZDxhtNI9IujsGdP_tSdc_d3xYa-RuSn5yCrjDenjcVG0GtXoXUIhMkCW43axBJTfD1pLoNTtiP8oTf1rtT5Sd4ayz0RKio7iUXq/s1600/IMG_1198.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYhxqUjACmtRwMpcesp_an5jaMz1hSX8bB5ZDxhtNI9IujsGdP_tSdc_d3xYa-RuSn5yCrjDenjcVG0GtXoXUIhMkCW43axBJTfD1pLoNTtiP8oTf1rtT5Sd4ayz0RKio7iUXq/s400/IMG_1198.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oysters steaming over a fire with a five-story tree house in the background.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiIKW8F07dLMlpoYTyg_gD5yKGgrpvAJzPBkFkZt-KevKnt92YyXlem5v3BLQaXNRu1E0JK3M7BBlrtjg_wd4_6zvH-Y_bzYB37DrR5sBMDrFcxxCc3cKcqFpAwTNEl7xmmY-P/s1600/IMG_1196.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiIKW8F07dLMlpoYTyg_gD5yKGgrpvAJzPBkFkZt-KevKnt92YyXlem5v3BLQaXNRu1E0JK3M7BBlrtjg_wd4_6zvH-Y_bzYB37DrR5sBMDrFcxxCc3cKcqFpAwTNEl7xmmY-P/s400/IMG_1196.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yum.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7Gk2iebNhWbVq7voOQBgjD8Hl8tXBBvgmlMYPbIAOQ1GDiCKtUiTfHe6yZUymw5UzW226oOp38YZW-9YNt5LyR_Git_oW3e97jrR1yDDDIdReOlhSDgK4Wnd2FFj2v9dSIA3-/s1600/IMG_1199.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1203" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7Gk2iebNhWbVq7voOQBgjD8Hl8tXBBvgmlMYPbIAOQ1GDiCKtUiTfHe6yZUymw5UzW226oOp38YZW-9YNt5LyR_Git_oW3e97jrR1yDDDIdReOlhSDgK4Wnd2FFj2v9dSIA3-/s400/IMG_1199.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Say cheese!</td></tr>
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The roast was next to the river, so while eating and drinking we also got to take in really pretty views.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8IBzI1ymMa84wtMkaWwTEDTOXvZRCEdOoNGWI9bHnlN5LdnUJDTYrJ4ulmhG82t5kZ9X86J_5xW0kGAWUyzTAcA0rxx5amNIc-9LflSNvXw4jsPiKoAWG3ILGmq9cvvjzPnbU/s1600/IMG_1200.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8IBzI1ymMa84wtMkaWwTEDTOXvZRCEdOoNGWI9bHnlN5LdnUJDTYrJ4ulmhG82t5kZ9X86J_5xW0kGAWUyzTAcA0rxx5amNIc-9LflSNvXw4jsPiKoAWG3ILGmq9cvvjzPnbU/s400/IMG_1200.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunset moon over the river.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIzkfXSQm9YehW7o9r20e5YDx6v2A5425kXIkBFtmtUfoIq8r3prqedt_HiTUrVDJijrk5r7tMbDbbNVHMEr1vNjRUqvCM48f0G43O9BybUt7W6iYiX8WIGvxdEUnYYnCfB1nZ/s1600/IMG_1206.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIzkfXSQm9YehW7o9r20e5YDx6v2A5425kXIkBFtmtUfoIq8r3prqedt_HiTUrVDJijrk5r7tMbDbbNVHMEr1vNjRUqvCM48f0G43O9BybUt7W6iYiX8WIGvxdEUnYYnCfB1nZ/s400/IMG_1206.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">When I actually ate my cotton candy a stranger lady took a picture of me. Awkward.</td></tr>
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Monday I slept in and enjoyed my cottage, then biked over to lunch and explored some more of the resort. I went kayaking again, only this time on the lagoon side so I could see alligators. Sure enough, I saw two: one on the bank of the lagoon, and another in the water not too far from me. I stopped paddling for a while just to hang out with him. There were also a ton of neat birds to see. Afterwards I biked over to the pool and read.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYNYiQI1dRNWG3hFtYrzWpgzdWwYxE03I9HnWlchCXp74Xeipw8Yp5D_47xzh4Rod3DkUbidq7SPGfX8Xc2D2dK1luitul_GybWsgR6gwZHFriP_MQdg6W9JRSxNkgYC7O0P9H/s1600/IMG_1229.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYNYiQI1dRNWG3hFtYrzWpgzdWwYxE03I9HnWlchCXp74Xeipw8Yp5D_47xzh4Rod3DkUbidq7SPGfX8Xc2D2dK1luitul_GybWsgR6gwZHFriP_MQdg6W9JRSxNkgYC7O0P9H/s400/IMG_1229.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ruins of the mansion that once stood on what is now the "village green."</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the three pools.</td></tr>
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That night after Ryan was off work he and I went into downtown Bluffton to walk around and eat dinner. When he dropped me back off at the resort I stopped by the s'mores cart and roasted a marshmallow before hopping back on my bike and heading to my cottage for the night.<br />
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Tuesday I went for a run, then got in a little more pool time before meeting up with Ryan and Lauren for lunch in Bluffton. After lunch I hung out with Ryan a bit and said goodbye to his dog Tess at their house before going back to the resort to pack up and check out.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3ex0YZ9vXgQa4ndCaymyku0ck-nNiJlqf85fZvgUwppv2sMZRvQnjPFSdTOcm2lQBHrZU5Vc4ZKnpx9LoGb6gpJReB6TyyM8JpdUV2-9aencOWwH6Mgbiigy6Z-6IYH1WVOtj/s1600/IMG_1246.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3ex0YZ9vXgQa4ndCaymyku0ck-nNiJlqf85fZvgUwppv2sMZRvQnjPFSdTOcm2lQBHrZU5Vc4ZKnpx9LoGb6gpJReB6TyyM8JpdUV2-9aencOWwH6Mgbiigy6Z-6IYH1WVOtj/s400/IMG_1246.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tess!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ0DmDh_yoTL0SNT0qF87jumGgmufqTHVzi9OtvcVW-xwANLUUKZxFgr4lAPLori_xxvJu3ltGyo39Sy8EuLIJPgF9URBvO8iHPpiDyZ-fKeL87L_kGvGWqBuSJ-Hf_j2QMd_j/s1600/IMG_1268.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ0DmDh_yoTL0SNT0qF87jumGgmufqTHVzi9OtvcVW-xwANLUUKZxFgr4lAPLori_xxvJu3ltGyo39Sy8EuLIJPgF9URBvO8iHPpiDyZ-fKeL87L_kGvGWqBuSJ-Hf_j2QMd_j/s400/IMG_1268.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the "canine ambassadors" in the lobby of the resort when I checked out.</td></tr>
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On the way to the airport Ryan and I drove through the Savannah National Wildlife Refuge and looked for alligators. We saw two. We got out to look at one, but when Ryan made "mating noises" at it and he clearly turned toward us, we booked it back to the car.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2FpB5XvUCqADIE-WGjX4tZ05IJA_4PevT1Qu6ud3f6VCGNZiIS3fRnql7S8UgFH5s3UReKatzdIihI_wlB39OUFcsnTSeK35PXXMdi5iX5vpSjSwsrKXghc58_6qNtFwbvsla/s1600/IMG_1269.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2FpB5XvUCqADIE-WGjX4tZ05IJA_4PevT1Qu6ud3f6VCGNZiIS3fRnql7S8UgFH5s3UReKatzdIihI_wlB39OUFcsnTSeK35PXXMdi5iX5vpSjSwsrKXghc58_6qNtFwbvsla/s400/IMG_1269.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hard to see, but the dark spot in the middle of the murk was an alligator.</td></tr>
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It was a quick trip but good to see Ryan and Lauren, and fun to hang out at the resort!<br />
<br />
(P.S. They ended up evacuating out of South Carolina the next weekend due to Irma, so I saw them again in Virginia. Two weekends in a row with them is unheard of!)andihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11343916706375776601noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20412248.post-6841307874618441602017-09-04T11:23:00.000-04:002017-09-04T11:23:41.071-04:00history in PhiladelphiaIn July I went to Philadelphia for a whopping ten nights to do dissertation research and attend a history conference. I took the train up on Monday, and after scoping out my Airbnb and eating an early dinner I spent the rest of the evening walking to a bunch of stores looking for a cheap and easy way to make my morning coffee (what kind of rented apartment doesn't have a way to make coffee?!?), eventually settling unhappily for a French press. (I wanted one of those cheap pour-over cones, but couldn't find one.)<br />
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Tuesday through Thursday I spent my days at the Pennsylvania Historical Society, which was just under a mile from my apartment. I also spent each of those mornings running along the Schuylkill River, which was close by and had a great paved trail. Thursday evening the conference started, so I attended the plenary session and reception. Friday I attended a couple sessions with a break in between to do more research at the historical society. I attended another reception that night at the Masonic hall, then treated myself to a really good Italian meal. (My pasta came with a little scoop of savory gelato on top!) <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcBmOfczWErElRCjgb3Bkz53c56ZrIzZD56kO2Sy_brXSateWyr0xrh1sP_6m02dxZbbYwYgVqAeziqxNayAj5CJ9p2Y6dFc6dEOWeczhey35vvI8T5NXCxTfCx_m-qlz1Qaqh/s1600/IMG_1064.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcBmOfczWErElRCjgb3Bkz53c56ZrIzZD56kO2Sy_brXSateWyr0xrh1sP_6m02dxZbbYwYgVqAeziqxNayAj5CJ9p2Y6dFc6dEOWeczhey35vvI8T5NXCxTfCx_m-qlz1Qaqh/s400/IMG_1064.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pennsylvania Historical Society</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-BI0yskxXd3Xiou4HR8WZ9GIW07HQGHLqi0oICtOc1jLXk6YHXHq8TcuZC4woLNv3SqbpTcaz6BGF9v7wmYWJ3eAPa1-KvVSbDsjMiK0kYrL7AwGZrtg84gr2Ya8L_tfFjGDE/s1600/IMG_1062.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-BI0yskxXd3Xiou4HR8WZ9GIW07HQGHLqi0oICtOc1jLXk6YHXHq8TcuZC4woLNv3SqbpTcaz6BGF9v7wmYWJ3eAPa1-KvVSbDsjMiK0kYrL7AwGZrtg84gr2Ya8L_tfFjGDE/s400/IMG_1062.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Schuylkill River Trail</td></tr>
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Saturday morning I ran nine miles before attending a couple of conference sessions. Then when I was done with that for the day I met up with my friend Celia, who'd come down from New York to hang out with me for the weekend. We ate dinner, then walked to Spruce Street Harbor Park to check out the lights and hammocks and floating island garden. It was a fun place to grab a beer and do some people watching.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggtFDB_3o-2q9YtKRiOFMm_4a1UjEeFMjrZo5fWV0sIjeh4lttDr8Iet0I-zj2SNrRWDuTgmgObcWYAq2FmDFobsF5FR4mqJEAI4FUVD7fUx_-HZJlT5ayF6Dd-iK7uznZG_K0/s1600/IMG_1068.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1203" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggtFDB_3o-2q9YtKRiOFMm_4a1UjEeFMjrZo5fWV0sIjeh4lttDr8Iet0I-zj2SNrRWDuTgmgObcWYAq2FmDFobsF5FR4mqJEAI4FUVD7fUx_-HZJlT5ayF6Dd-iK7uznZG_K0/s400/IMG_1068.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It had rained and the hammocks were wet, but that didn't stop us.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwb673sYtSO2oDuxf1axZ8wpLaNxsa6KLD7PxeR1FKxi6e3tdEYW8ckY11Tvpf1mgwiXHOrr3jrl6gTX-USGazn6_Cze10JgKwjNiNVLeIPUSmrLu8l3IoSLVpDD2njcAXXedR/s1600/IMG_1071.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwb673sYtSO2oDuxf1axZ8wpLaNxsa6KLD7PxeR1FKxi6e3tdEYW8ckY11Tvpf1mgwiXHOrr3jrl6gTX-USGazn6_Cze10JgKwjNiNVLeIPUSmrLu8l3IoSLVpDD2njcAXXedR/s400/IMG_1071.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Neat moving island thingies at Spruce Street Harbor Park. </td></tr>
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Sunday I attended two final conference panels, then spent the rest of the day doing touristy stuff with Celia. After a good lunch we walked to the Barnes Foundation, which I hadn't known about but was a really great art museum. It was also neat because almost every room had New Mexican retablos, which Celia was really good at identifying. From there we walked to the historic district, where we toured Independence Hall and visited the Liberty Bell. Then we took a break at a beer garden, and when it started to pour down rain we booked it for the closest restaurant we could find for dinner.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbws9QoFpczcYX8pkEA5QO8Y1batVHniUDspLu-bX6XIYbX7K7hlqcOoTW4yeSg6lSHc_COGTS_V9iJLwMJCO_XXStSqPfa3hfLbZJ17c3OLk9e8jQXEHW7ZCufjvi09BoyH1F/s1600/IMG_1072.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1201" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbws9QoFpczcYX8pkEA5QO8Y1batVHniUDspLu-bX6XIYbX7K7hlqcOoTW4yeSg6lSHc_COGTS_V9iJLwMJCO_XXStSqPfa3hfLbZJ17c3OLk9e8jQXEHW7ZCufjvi09BoyH1F/s400/IMG_1072.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Obligatory Independence Hall photo.</td></tr>
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Monday was full of more history. We visited the new Museum of American Independence, the Christ Church Burial Ground (where Benjamin Franklin and a few other Declaration signers are buried), the Portrait Gallery in the Second Bank of the United States (which I loved because it was full of Charles Willson Peale portraits, and I love Charles Willson Peale), Franklin Court, and the Betsy Ross House. After all that we grabbed an early dinner before Celia had to catch her bus back to New York.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7vU8lUl6TCn_MaaNEQM4jsq7dt9Cy9yxNNntADVOWcK-d0UtznWSuDr2__g8jQp88Zj_OxViJ_-qShVDfRCvme_3DyS_giOUJmqkGBPnpsq4SDesvFPYptDzWO6jH9ebK50dX/s1600/IMG_1074.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7vU8lUl6TCn_MaaNEQM4jsq7dt9Cy9yxNNntADVOWcK-d0UtznWSuDr2__g8jQp88Zj_OxViJ_-qShVDfRCvme_3DyS_giOUJmqkGBPnpsq4SDesvFPYptDzWO6jH9ebK50dX/s400/IMG_1074.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A replica of the rising sun armchair (what Washington sat in when he presided over the Constitutional Convention) at the Museum of the American Revolution</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd9BJtuPIZXLSDUMEWzMC0AQJjJbXTzSiPaCgLocpVnqODOQVcA0-OqObDhapscg3jxnT_ZZ7LH0XNr41MQyhhffLeLVd0wYuv9DdlyLFqYiHYYVCn9VSqFlRbahUM74hqRjEX/s1600/IMG_1080.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd9BJtuPIZXLSDUMEWzMC0AQJjJbXTzSiPaCgLocpVnqODOQVcA0-OqObDhapscg3jxnT_ZZ7LH0XNr41MQyhhffLeLVd0wYuv9DdlyLFqYiHYYVCn9VSqFlRbahUM74hqRjEX/s400/IMG_1080.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Peale portraits! (And so many of the men I read letters to and from every day at work.)</td></tr>
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Tuesday and Wednesday I was back in the historical society doing research all day. And finally on Thursday after I checked out of my apartment I had a little bit of time to visit the Philadelphia Museum of Art before my train ride home.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZQKQzF9cdRQj1nTb8uDYZ7-1SulXENNHh2PMpWDERrMjJ_UhpuH8552cvWqxomTr_rzMCgZh_3bzu1o6O9FJqG7k9iYIO-x8KAs7yVGIAOpEsYjV2HiesDc85v20lSOpQdzLp/s1600/IMG_1085.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZQKQzF9cdRQj1nTb8uDYZ7-1SulXENNHh2PMpWDERrMjJ_UhpuH8552cvWqxomTr_rzMCgZh_3bzu1o6O9FJqG7k9iYIO-x8KAs7yVGIAOpEsYjV2HiesDc85v20lSOpQdzLp/s400/IMG_1085.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another Peale painting, this time at the Philadelphia Museum of Art</td></tr>
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That was my final big research trip (following Boston and New York). I really loved all three of them, living in apartments in the city and walking to work in different repositories all day for my dissertation. Now I just have to come up with intelligent things to say about what I found...andihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11343916706375776601noreply@blogger.com0