Kyle (![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small} kilo_foxtrot) wrote,@ 2009-01-07 23:29:00 |
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| Current location: | living room |
| Current mood: |  sore neck |
| Entry tags: | photos, year in review |
2008 In Review, Part II
Tonight's portion of the Year in Review will take us from April 2008 through August 2008. The summer months were filled with a variety of travels and adventures... let's see how they looked!
April
In early April, Courtney's parents came down to visit and take in the sights of a city filled with cherry blossoms. The Metro was packed, but the sights were worth it.
Later in the month, I had to take a business trip to Colorado Springs, CO for a meeting. My coworkers and I flew into Denver and drove down; this picture was taken on the side of the highway en route.
Some of us stayed in the northern part of the city, not too far from Garden of the Gods. Though we were only in town for barely a handful of days, I wound up visiting the park twice.
The city of Colorado Springs is about 6000 feet above sea level. However, hiking the trails and paths around the Garden of the Gods didn't seem to make me extremely winded or anything, even though Fairfax, VA is over a mile lower in altitude.
I took my GPS unit with me, and managed to do a little bit of geocaching. I didn't fare so well until my very last attempt, which consisted of crawling all over another "park" in the city... basically, rock climbing in dress shoes and stumbling around the same 50 ft. circle of a ridge in the warm, Midwestern sunshine while my coworker buddy threw rocks at me. The second geocache was easier to find, though I opted for the straight-line path instead of taking trails on a few occasions. The dress shoes didn't fare so well.
There was quite a bit of exciting fauna and flora in the area, with birds and plants I'd never before seen. Obviously, the geography was rather entrancing as well. Honestly, I was surprised by the number of pine trees present... but I suppose that makes sense, given the altitude.
Following one of our jaunts in the Garden, the group went to dinner at Phantom Canyon, a restaurant in downtown Colorado Springs. Their food was magnificent, as was their beer; the latter was brewed on the premises, and was a prime example of why some consider Colorado to be the makers of some of the best beer in the country.
Okay, this is the last picture of these rock outcroppings, I swear. I think they're really neat!
This was the view one morning from my hotel room, looking out at the Moon and Pike's Peak. If we'd had more time, I would have liked to have driven to the top. I didn't get to visit the Stargate at Cheyenne Mountain, either.
Back in DC, I attended my first major league baseball game. The Washington Nationals defeated the Atlanta Braves in extra innings, a notable and rare feat for the team that eventually claimed the worst major league record for the season. Here's a picture of the stadium on a typical game day. (I kid, I kid. Original picture credit: Carol Joynt)
May
Melanie & Chris came down to visit in May. They toured much of the National Mall on their own time while Courtney & I worked, then joined us for some more walking, a few museums, and some enjoyable dinners. Here, we rest and recuperate while at the National Zoo.
At the National Zoo, the pandas are the main attraction. They don't do much besides eat and hide, but hey, they're cute.
June
June found Courtney and I back in New York for another wedding, this time for Amanda & Jim from the Geneseo crew. More of my pictures came out clearly this time around, which is why I'm able to provide shots of this awesome Katamari Damacy wedding cake.
There was a very large number of people I knew present at the wedding, as the event served as a sort of GAGG mini-reunion. Fences were mended, stories were traded, and a good time was had by all.
A good time was had by all, indeed. Courtney caught the bouquet and Ryan caught the garter... leaving Bridget and I to console ourselves with the cold shoulders. ;-)
Near the end of the month, I bought a ticket for a dinner presentation by director James Cameron. Hanging around after the excellent dinner, I was able to meet with him and talk about exploration and film... as well as getting my picture taken with him.
July
As I am reminded without fail each year, my sister Stacy's birthday is at the very start of July. As it was her 21st birthday, the occasion called for a very special celebration. Stacy and her friend Daniela came down for a few days, taking in sights and activities. Here, Stacy enjoys her first (legal) wine tasting tour.
The Fourth of July is quite the occasion in Washington, DC, rife with tourists, concerts, and a massive fireworks display. In 2008, it just happened to include a major rainstorm in the late afternoon/early evening hours, as well. Here, camped out at the base of the Washington Monument, we display our patriotic spirit while waiting for the fireworks.
Another sci-fi convention (in the same location) yielded a new set of encounters. This time around, we met George Takei (of Star Trek fame) and Jewel Staite (from my list of top ten hotties). It was a good day. :-)
Among the sights to be seen at Shore Leave 30 were an actual DeLorean, complete with Flux Capacitor, owned by Blade the Vampire Hunter. Instead of a Viper, the construct was the Atlantis Stargate. (One of the castmembers was there, and my buddy Matt got his picture taken there with him. He was a cool guy.)
There's never a lack of whos or whats to see at a science fiction convention. At left, Indiana Jones converses with the Romulan Commander from "The Enterprise Incident", while at right the Prince from the Katamari cake holds court with Courtney and Sora from "Kingdom Hearts".
The Finger Lakes Wine Festival was the opening event in my week-long vacation back in New York. What's important to know about the Festival is that it was held at Watkins Glen International Speedway, that over a hundred vineyards were represented, and that at one point, my sister started painting my nails. Oh, and we were nearly blown off the road by a hailstorm/tornado-that-wasn't the following day.
August
In early August we made yet another trip back to NY, this time for the wedding of my friends Brian & Lily. There were concerns about rain, but the weather held up nicely. There were a few unique elements in the ceremony I hadn't seen before, but for the newlyweds, it made things all the more special. (photo credit: Katie R.)
Too good an opportunity to pass up. It's Katie R... and Ken in a tux! No way! (photo source: Katie R.)
At some point in the month of August, the then-plateless Lumina I once drove left the parking lot for good. It moved away by the power of magic, from pixie dust sprinkled there by the automotion faries of the far away land of the Chantilly Kingdom. Hooray, fairies!
The old year is now two-thirds complete, and the new year is well under way. Expect the thrilling conclusion to the Review in the days ahead!
