I took my mom to Kennywood Park for Mother’s Day.
It was her idea to ride the Sky Coaster. I was so proud.
We rode coasters all day, it was pretty great.
I helped set a Guinness World Record!
Today I was informed that the count is in and 1, 618 other people and I completed the largest raft of canoes and kayaks on June 5, 2010.
That may have been one of the craziest days of my life. I started the morning by driving down to the north shore at 8 am. I signed in and hung around for a while waiting. At 10 I got to claim my kayak. By 11:30 we hit the water. The attempt was supposed to wait until 12:30, by weather was worsening, so things were sped up. By 12:40 the rain was pouring down and people were racing back to shore; things got quite chaotic. I teenager in a kayak beside me capsized. I helped him stay in place, and hang onto his kayak till more help came. He was wearing a life jacket, and there were plenty of people around, so he was in good hands. Soon after we were all back to shore the thunder and lightening started. When I got back to shore, Brooklynne and my mom met me and we went out to lunch.
By 5 pm, the rain had slowed and I went over to Hartwood for my first 5k. The skirt chaser 5k, where all the girls get free skirts and get a 3 minute head start, then the guys chase after them. As I was rounding out the last mile, Brooklynne tried to join me, and that slowed me down more then my athletic ineptitude alone. I finished in 45 minutes, went back and carried Brooklynne across the finish line.
By that point I was ready to hit the sack, but the day wasn’t over yet. I went back down to the point for a free Guster concert as part of the opening weekend of the Three Rivers Arts Festival.
Last month I took a day off mid week to go skiing. The original plan was to go to Seven Springs. Last minute I found out that Blue Knob was having College week, where I could ski for $20, so I jumped at the opportunity to try out some new slopes.
The 2 and a half hour drive was a bit rough. As I got closer it got pretty foggy, but the snow on the sides of the road promised a great day to ski. I assume it was because it was a school day and the weather was a bit rough, but when I finally got to Blue Knob it looked abandoned. There were probably a total of 10 cars parked out front. Inside it was equally sparse.
I got geared up and headed out to the slopes. The minute I got outside I was very disoriented. After several minutes of staring at the lift and trying to find a single orient myself, I realized I was at the top of the slopes, not the bottom as I am accustomed.
Foggy days are not great for your first time at a new ski resort. Once I figured out all the slopes though, it was pretty awesome. I could go for several runs without seeing any other skiers. The runs were twice as long as I would have seen if I had gone to Seven Springs. By the afternoon, I worked up the courage to hit some of the black diamonds. They were pretty icy, but I took my time and really got the hang of it.
Around 3 pm school kids started showing up and the place really filled up. Middle school snowboarders sitting around made it hard to navigate off of the lift. I headed home around 4 pm. I got a total of 25 runs in. That made each run less than $1 each!
Best day of skiing yet!
For my latest adventure I went to Punxsutawney for Groundhog day. I left after night class on February 1st and arrive a little before 11pm. Because it was very cold and wet, there wasn’t much going on outside, so I headed into the community center. They had a full theater and were showing Groundhog Day the Movie. After the movie, for $5 you could sleep anywhere you wanted . I chose to stay right where I was in the theater and sleep between two rows of seats. It was quite comfy.
I woke up at 3 am the next morning and caught a bus up to Gobbler’s Knob where the main event happens. The weather was still very wet and cold. The town provided entertainment which included music and dancing. I made some friends and spent 4 am till 7 am dancing with them.
At 7:30 am the Inner Circle processed onto the stage. When Phil finally came out, he spoke to them in Groundhogese, and told them that he did not see his shadow, which means Spring will come early.
After Phil’s proclomation, everyone rushed to get back on the buses and head back into town. I enjoyed breakfast at the local Eagles club while my toes defrosted. The guys I spoke to durring breakfast were from Steubenville, which was quite the coincidence.
I visited all of the craft shows and the gift shop before heading out of town.
I got Sugar cookie bars for my Tumblr Eat Up, but I lost the card. They were delicious and I hope who ever made them sees this so they get credit.
So much goodness in this picture. My icicle lights, my duck duck goose hoodie, and, best of all, these delicious treats from my tumblr eat-up buddy, Traveling Tricia. What are they? Only brownies topped with a melted Andes chocolate topping. Yeah, be jealous.
Thank you, Tricia!
November 15, 2009
October 24, 2009
Baltimore
After Ropewalk, Liz and Brian took me to the Harbor, and some more of Federal Hill.
October 24, 2009
Ropewalk Tavern
This just may be the greatest tavern ever. Liz described it as a Republican Bar. This is the first bar I’ve ever seen, to have such strong political convictions.
They had a free Pac Man machine and one of only a few smoking rooms in the city.
October 24, 2009
The Shures
Once I got to Baltimore I called the Shures hoping I could meet them. They were generous enough to invite me right over for dinner, and let me stay the night. They were wonderful hosts. My cousins are awesome!
