Inauguration

Today was the day our 45th President was inaugurated. Sadly, it was full of protests and riots in DC. I'm glad we were no where near the chaos and violence.

Someone set the limo on fire. pic.twitter.com/y4AFr5HNjk

— Matt Pearce (@mattdpearce) January 20, 2017

A friend of mine took video from his office at the Washington Post that included the above limo on fire. It looked like something from another country, another world. This is something I said elsewhere, in response to someone's corporate analogy about why "half the country is unhappy, but it bears repeating :

"Honestly, I think that more than half the country is unhappy, and it's a bit more complicated than just your analogy. The government as a whole has been increasingly divided, going at least back to the Clinton administration when there was an attempt to impeach him over the Monica Lewinsky stuff and his perjury. Since then, things between the White House and Congress have become worse and worse, to the point where the workings of government essentially grind to a halt for ridiculous "investigations" that go on and on and on, because the investigators' beliefs aren't verified by the results (see "Benghazi" and "Clinton emails" for the most recent examples). Neither side is immune to this bullshit; the Democrats did it when GW was in office, but the most recent GOP roadblocks are in the forefront since we've had a Democrat in the White House for the past eight years. 

I don't like Trump, I don't think he has the makings of a good President, but that doesn't mean I want him to fail, because I think Pence is even worse. Additionally, a failure of a President is a failure for the entire country. However, I don't see him being able to "Make America Great Again" because the definition of "great" for far too many is a return to a dark time where "coloreds knew their place" (something I've heard vocalized WAY too much lately), where "them faggots get what they deserve" (meaning that LGBT+ people can have the "gay" beaten out of them, electroshocked out of them, or just beaten up because they are different -- again, something I have heard with my own ears at work, in public, etc.), and generally an unenlightened America where big business fat cats get fatter and the working man trudges along with no real light on the horizon. 

Additionally, the man's compatriots do not necessarily have his vision in mind; the GOP didn't want him as a nominee, but when it looked like he could win, then they started to tentatively embrace him. Look at all those waffles who degraded him who are now trying to worm their way into his favor and inner circle, including Romney, Cruz and Rubio. I don't see much happening Trump's "way" in the next two years, and the result is going to be a Congressional swing back to the left in the next (midterm) election."

No one wants to give.

No one wants to compromise.

It's been "my way or the highway" for far too long, both in government and in society. There is no longer any "gray area," just a vicious ying-yang of perceived right/wrong where everyone just fights each other over everything instead of trying to understand someone else's point of view, much less trying to reach a middle ground.

You can be patriotic, yet still understand why others see the American flag as a symbol of their oppression. Keep in mind that the American flag was the flag of the South up until the Civil War, and even through the first part of the 20th century, when to have skin that was darkened by melanin meant you couldn't drink from the same water fountains as others, much less ride in the front of the bus. Keep in mind that the American flag was the flag of Custer and countless others, who felt that genocide was the best way to deal with the native peoples of this land. Keep in mind that the American flag was the flag that flew over prison camps that interred Americans of Japanese heritage during World War II.

Trump won on a platform of "Make American Great Again," but as I stated above, I fear that for many Americans, what they feel were the "good old days" are not something we should revisit. For other Americans, I don't think they truly understand that some jobs will not return to this country, ever, and other manufacturing returning to the US will mean an increase in consumer costs. It's a basic scientific principle; for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. In even simpler terms, there are consequences for actions.

Is the American public ready for the consequences of a Trump administration?

Be the change you want to see. If you're happy with Trump, his cabinet choices, the GOP Congress' actions, how people act in the name of Trump and/or how people act in defiance of Trump, then keep sitting there, smiling smugly. But if you want something to happen differently, use your brain. Search out unbiased sources, join a movement, help out at a shelter, make donations, run for office.

Do something. Please.

I Come In Peace

The sickness continues. Yah. At least I was able to sell my tickets for Thursday night's Caps game, and tonight is an away one.

I have to say that I was disappointed in having to miss that game, though. Watching it on TV just isn't quite the same. I was pretty surprised that the Caps not only broke the streak, they shut out the Blue Jackets by a pretty hefty margin -- 5-0. It was almost like the Boudreau era again. 

Anyway, if you didn't already know, I was recently accepted into the Subaru Ambassador program. I guess having some notoriety and a stickered up WRX is good for something. ;) 

Cool #subaruambassador icon for my #Subaru badge of ownership. :)

A photo posted by Karen (@kiirenza) on Jan 6, 2017 at 11:38am PST

I actually got word of my acceptance in a sort of roundabout way. The original "welcome" email never came through, not even to my spam folder, but I received a message on how to order swag and ambassador gear. I figured maybe I'd be getting a letter via snailmail, and since our USPS mailperson is notoriously awful, maybe I received the email before the letter.

So, I ordered some swag and gear, since I had $150 to burn up before January 1st. A week later (and after my order arrived), I still haven't received anything official from Subaru. So, I sent an inquiry.

Sure enough, there had been a glitch in the emails going out that day, and mine was among them. They resent the email, and I've since also received my "starter kit."

In the meantime, I posted up a "contest" of sorts on my Triskelion Racing Facebook page for what I billed as a winter prize pack.


While the local Maryland Subaru group had people that seemed interested, I guess it was either too complicated for them, or too much effort to post a photo. Their loss! In the end, some of my friends from Ohio were the big winners. I guess that's good for them, since they've had a lot more snow than we have in Maryland so far.

I got a lot of neat little things to give away, including some diecast Subaru vehicles (a Legacy GT, an Outback and a WRX) that will be in an upcoming prize pack, some pet-related stuff, ice scrapers (evidently a big ticket item right now) and some other stuff.

If you see me around, especially in the Subaru, say something. I will have gear to give away on the spot too. And no, I haven't coughed or sneezed on it, so it should be sickness free. :p

NPS Checklist

So, as I sit here and listen to John Walton's play-by-play of the Caps game (since Pat and I opted to stay home tonight, too), I also am reminiscing about the multitude of National Park Service sites I was able to visit last year. Since I have my Passport book, I figure I'll look back over the stamps I managed to get this past year.

Lake Mead National Recreation Area (2/13)
Old Spanish National Historic Trail: Lake Mead NRA, NV (2/13)
Tule Springs Fossil Beds National Monument (2/13)
Death Valley National Park: Furnace Creek (2/14)
World War II Memorial (2/20)
National Mall & Memorial Park (2/20)
Vietnam Veterans Memorial (2/20)
Lincoln Memorial (2/20)
DC World War Memorial (2/20)
Korean War Veterans Memorial (2/20)
Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial (2/20)
Ulysses S. Grant Memorial (2/20)
West Potomac Park (2/20)
Thomas Jefferson Memorial (2/20)
American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial (2/20)
Japanese American Memorial (2/20)
Old Post Office Tower (2/20)
Signers of the Declaration of Independence Memorial (2/20)
Washington Monument (2/20)
National Mall (2/20)
John Paul Jones Memorial (2/20)
Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial (2/20)
Pennsylvania Avenue National Historic Site (2/20)
Constitution Gardens (2/20)
Ford's Theater National Historic Site: Petersen House (2/20)
John Ericsson Memorial (2/20)
Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine (2/21)
Star Spangled Banner National Historic Trail: Baltimore, MD (2/21)
Baltimore National Heritage Area (2/21)
Antietam National Battlefield (3/13)
Antietam National Battlefield: Newcomer House (3/13)
Journey Through Hallowed Ground National Historic Area (Antietam NB, Newcomer House, Monocacy NB) (3/13)
Monocacy National Battlefield (3/13)
Underground Railroad Freedom Network: Monocacy NB (3/13)
Gettysburg National Military Park (3/25)
Journey Through Hallowed Ground National Historic Area (Gettysburg NMP) (3/25)
Cedar Creek and Belle Grove National Historic Park (3/29)
Shenandoah Valley Battlefields National Historic District: Cedar Creek and Belle Grove NHP (3/29)
Shenandoah National Park: Big Meadows (3/29)
Appalachian National Scenic Trail : Maine to Georgia (3/29)
Andrew Johnson National Historic Site (3/30)
Andrew Johnson National Historic Site: National Cemetery (3/30)
Andrew Johnson National Historic Site: Tailor Shop (3/30)
Stones River National Battlefield (3/30)
Tennessee Civil War National Historic Area: Murfreesboro, TN (3/30)
Underground Railroad Freedom Network: Stones River NB (3/30)
Stones River National Battlefield: Stones River National Cemetery (3/30)
Stones River National Battlefield: Fortress Rosecrans (3/30)
Trail of Tears National Historic Trail: Stones River NB, TN (3/30)
Obed Wild and Scenic River (4/3)
Harpers Ferry National Historic Park (5/8)
Underground Railroad Freedom Network: Harpers Ferry NHP (5/8)
Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail (5/8)
Civil War Sesquicentennial 2011-2015: Harpers Ferry, WV (5/8)
Valley Forge National Historic Park (6/5)
Schuylkill River National Heritage Area: Southeastern, PA (6/5)
Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site (6/5)
Schuylkill River National Heritage Area: Elverson PA (6/5)
President's Park - The White House (6/9)
Star Spangled Banner National Historic Trail: Washington, DC (6/9)
James A. Garfield National Historic Site (6/13)
Cuyahoga Valley National Park (6/13)
Underground Railroad Freedom Network: Cuyahoga Valley NP (6/13)
Ohio & Erie Canalway: Boston, OH (6/13)
Cuyahoga Valley National Park: Boston Store (6/13)
Catoctin Mountain Park (6/19)
Greenbelt Park (6/24)
Baltimore-Washington Parkway (6/24)
Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail: Harpers Ferry, WV (7/4)
C&O Canal National Historic Park: Sandy Hook, MD (7/4)
War of 1812 Bicentennial 2012-2015: Harpers Ferry, WV (7/4)
Clara Barton National Historic Site (7/12)
Clara Barton Parkway (7/12)
Glen Echo Park (7/12)
George Washington Memorial Parkway (7/12)
Theodore Roosevelt Island (7/12)
Edgar Allan Poe National Historic Site (7/17)
Thaddeus Kosciuszko National Memorial (7/17)
Gloria Dei Church National Historic Site (7/17)
Independence National Historic Park (7/17)
Benjamin Franklin National Memorial (7/17)
Schuylkill River Heritage Area: Philadelphia, PA (7/17)
Underground Railroad Freedom Network: Independence NHP (7/17)
Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary National Historic Trail (7/17)
Declaration House (7/17)
New River Gorge National River: Sandstone Visitor Center (7/24)
National Coal Heritage Trail: Sandstone, WV (7/24)
New River Gorge National River : Grandview, WV (7/24)
Bluestone National Scenic River (7/24)
Gauley River National Recreation (7/24)
National Parks of Southern West Virginia (7/24)
Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historic Park: Boyhood Home Unit (7/25)
Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historic Park: Hodgenville, KY (7/25)
Mammoth Cave National Park (7/25)
Shiloh National Military Park (7/26)
Shiloh Indian Mounds National Historic Landmark (7/26)
Trail of Tears National Historic Trail: Pittsburgh Landing, TN (7/26)
Fort Donelson National Battlefield (7/26)
Fort Donelson National Battlefield: Dover Hotel (7/26)
Fort Donelson National Battlefield: National Cemetery (7/26)
Fort Donelson National Battlefield: Fort Heiman (7/26)
Underground Railroad Freedom Network: Fort Donelson NB (7/26)
Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site (7/27)
Hot Springs National Park (7/27)
Fort Smith National Historic Site (7/27)
Trail of Tears National Historic Trail: Fort Smith NHS (7/27)
Oklahoma City National Memorial (7/28)
Washita Battlefield National Historic Site (7/28)
Alibates Flint Quarries National Monument (7/29)
Alibates Flint Quarries National Monument: 50th Anniversary 1965-2015 (7/29)
Lake Meredith National Recreation Area (7/29)
Petroglyph National Monument (7/29)
Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument: Quarai, NM (7/30)
Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument: Mountainair, NM (7/30)
Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument: Abo, NM (7/30)
Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument: Gran Quivira, NM (7/30)
White Sands National Monument (7/30)
Carlsbad Caverns National Park (7/31)
Guadalupe Mountains National Park (7/31)
Chamizal National Memorial (7/31)
El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro National Historic Trail: Chamizal NM, TX (7/31)
Gila Cliff Dwellings (8/1)
Chiricahua National Monument (8/1)
Coronado National Memorial (8/2)
Saguaro National Park (8/2)
Tumacacori National Historic Park (8/2)
Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail: Tumacacori NHP (8/2)
Casa Grande Ruins National Monument (8/3)
Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail: Casa Grande Ruins (8/3)
Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument (8/3)
Wupatki National Monument (8/4)
Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument (8/4)
Walnut Canyon National Monument (8/4)
Tuzigoot National Monument (8/4)
Montezuma Castle National Monument (8/4)
Grand Canyon National Park (8/5)
Grand Canyon National Park: Desert View Watchtower (8/5)
Mojave National Preserve: Hole-in-the-Wall, CA (8/6)
Mojave National Preserve: Kelso, CA (8/6)
Old Spanish National Historic Trail: Mojave National Preserve, CA (8/6)
Castle Mountains National Monument (8/6)
Death Valley National Park: Stovepipe Wells (8/6)
Manzanar National Historic Site (8/6)
Devils Postpile National Monument (8/7)
Yosemite National Park: Tuolumne Meadows (8/8)
Timpanogos Cave National Monument (8/8)
Dinosaur National Monument (8/9)
Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument (8/9)
Capulin Volcano National Monument (8/10)
Santa Fe National Historic Trail: Capulin Volcano (8/10)
Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve (8/10)
Sangre de Cristo National Heritage Area: San Luis Valley (8/10)
Old Spanish National Historic Trail: Mosca CO (8/10)
Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve (8/11)
Fort Larned National Historic Site (8/11)
Santa Fe National Historic Trail: Fort Larned NHS (8/11)
Brown v. Board of Education National Historic Site (8/11)
Santa Fe National Historic Trail: Harry S Truman NHS (8/12)
Oregon National Historic Trail: Missouri (8/12)
California National Historic Trail: Harry S Truman NHS (8/12)
Harry S Truman National Historic Site: Independence, MO (8/12)
Harry S Truman National Historic Site: Grandview, MO (8/12)
Ulysses S. Grant National Historic Site (8/12)
Jefferson National Expansion Memorial (8/12)
Underground Railroad Freedom Network: Jefferson National Expansion Memorial (8/12)
Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail: St. Louis, MO (8/12)
Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historic Park (8/13)
Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers National Monument (8/13)
Hopewell Culture National Historic Park (8/13)
Friendship Hill National Historic Site (8/14)
Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail (8/14)
C&O Canal National Historic Park: Cumberland, MD (8/14)
Arlington House, Robert E. Lee Memorial (12/28)
Arlington National Cemetery (12/28)
Marine Corps War Memorial/Netherlands Carillon (12/28)
George Washington Memorial Parkway (12/28)
Lyndon B. Johnson Memorial Grove (12/28)
Star Spangled Banner National Historic Trail: Fort Washington, MD (12/28)
Fort Washington Park (12/30)
Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail: Fort Washington Park (12/30)
Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail: Fort Washington Park, MD (12/30)
Piscataway Park (12/30)
Fort Foote Park (12/30)
Harmony Hall (12/30)
Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail: Piscataway Park (12/30)

After typing all that, that was a lot. And I hope to get to as many, if not more in 2017. I'm already trying to figure out my itinerary for this summer, and for spring break. :)

Once Upon A Time

2017 hasn't started well.

I went to sleep on Saturday night (Sunday morning?) feeling sick with a sore throat and possible fever. Then yesterday at the Caps game, I managed to fall while going up the steps to my seat, mangling my knee the process. Between those two things, I'm spending my last few hours of winter break at home, versus going to my rec league hockey game. While I'm not feeling as bad as I did yesterday, the pressure in my ears has been occasionally great enough to trigger the Meniere's related vertigo. It's safer to stay off the ice.

So, I may as well do something, like revive the blog, and recap some of fun stuff from 2016, since I didn't blog at all last year.

Last January, we had an epic snowstorm that was alternatively called "#snOMG" and "T.J. Snowshie." Whatever you called it, I planned ahead so that I could do this when the snow stopped falling.

The firepit in the snow!

Wampa!

Not quite the salt flats.... 

My last birthday was spent out of town, as the Matco Tool Expo in Las Vegas coincided with it and Valentine's Day. Unlike my friend Michael Jenkins, I'm not a big fan of Vegas, but I had Southwest Airlines miles and could do the flight for $25 roundtrip. When I got there, I had plans for the times when Pat was in meetings and stuff though.

The screams are from the roller coaster we rode as part of my birthday celebration

Saguaro cactus and Pat. This was at the Alan Bible Visitor Center.

Hoover Dam

A view of the Memorial Bridge from the midpoint of the Hoover Dam. I've always wanted to see the dam in person, ever since you gave me all of those old Vegas postcards, dad. #loveyou and #missyou so much.

A photo posted by Karen (@kiirenza) on Feb 13, 2016 at 10:30am PST

I spent my Valentine's Day in Death Valley

Happy Valentine's Day, dad, from 282ft below sea level. 💕 #loveyou and #missyou

A photo posted by Karen (@kiirenza) on Feb 14, 2016 at 3:15pm PST

Going home....alone....

...to snow and ice....

We did do things together the following weekend, including spending all day in DC prior to going to the Caps game. I hadn't been to a few of the newer memorials, and Pat hadn't really been on the National Mall since the early 80s.

Korean War Memorial

I actually prefer going to this memorial at night

The Petersen House. Where Lincoln died. 

I remember my grandma loved her Hupmobile. This was at the Smithsonian Museum of American History.

While at the American History Museum, looking at the flag that inspired Francis Scott Key to write a somewhat famous little song, Pat remarked that he also hadn't been to Fort McHenry since that trip with his mom in the 80's. So, the next day, we went to Fort McHenry. 

O say can you see....

...by the dawn's early light....

Since I bought a National Parks annual pass when I was at Death Valley, I was really gunning to use it. Fort McHenry was just the first of many, many parks I would be flashing the pass to enter. Mid-March, we stopped at my mom's place in Sharpsburg, hit some Antietam goodness, then after fishing in Point of Rocks, went by Monocacy Battlefield, a park I'd never actually gone to before. 

Daffodils bloom in the most solemn of places. #SunkenRoad #Antietam #CivilWar #history #wanderlust

A photo posted by Karen (@kiirenza) on Mar 13, 2016 at 9:33am PDT

Pat, at 6'3", standing next to the floodwaters marker in Point of Rocks

I love lighted maps like this one at Monocacy's visitor center. I don't know why they mesmerize me.

That Monday night, my rec league team for last Winter's season played for the championship. Normally, our season (and post season) would be done by mid-to-end February, but with the snow, there'd been some cancellations. Yeah, even hockey can get cancelled due to snow these days.

Yep, we won the "cup" :)

Wanderlust hits me regularly, and I try to succumb as often as possible. I get impossibly irritable if I don't. Since I'd been at Antietam and Monocacy already, Gettysburg was inevitable. I fulfilled a promise while I was there.

On July 3, 1863, a fateful charge against impossible odds occurred here... You know this already, dad, so why am I bothering trying to type through my tears? 52 weeks since your own charge against impossible odds, and I still #missyou so much. #Loveyouforever and always. 💕

A photo posted by Karen (@kiirenza) on Mar 25, 2016 at 12:22pm PDT

Civil War era fences intrigue me

Stone, wood... doesn't matter. They are neat.

The NSTA National Conference was in Nashville this past year, and because it was relatively close and during my spring break, I'd decided to drive there instead of flying. At the last minute, my mom asked if she could join me. I think I know why -- part of the reason I'd already planned on a mind-numbing Predators vs. Sharks hockey game on Saturday night. It was the one year anniversary of dad's passing. I don't think either of us wanted to be alone that evening.

We took her Ford Fusion, and Pat watched the spaz dog while we were gone. We hit some Civil War sites on the way out.

Cedar Creek, a site of a sneak attack. Who, in their right mind, would attack at 4:30AM!?

Belle Grove

Meadow Brook, where General Sheridan made his famous rallying ride

Shenandoah Valley from Skyline Drive. Kind of drab in late March.

Andrew Johnson's original tailor shop is preserved in Greeneville, TN

Andrew Johnson's home

Inside of the Franklin State Capitol building

Upstairs in the Capitol building

The Slaughter Pen at Stones River National Battlefield

Havens Brigade Memorial, the oldest Civil War monument anywhere

1800 Confederate soldiers died in an hour, trying to cross the Stones Rivers here at McFadden's Ford

At NSTA proper, I got to do a lot of neat things, including a field trip to Adventure Science Center and another trip to the Cedars of Lebanon State Park. I felt bad leaving mom in Nashville, alone, but I'd warned her ahead of time that I already had my time pretty much planned. She made her own little trips. 

I went to a bird watching workshop, and Celestron gave all attendees these binoculars!

Mom and I went to the hockey game together. It was a good way to take our minds off things, even if the Predators did lose to the Sharks.

Forsberg in the shootout. 

Fireworks on the way back to the hotel.

Toys!

The trip home was supposed to be straight through, but we got distracted by the idea of visiting the Obed Wild & Scenic River. So, we did. I will probably have to go back to this. 

I found something neat after a trip to Harpers Ferry, along the banks of the Potomac when my wanderlust seized me, and I left the beaten path.

No, this was not on NPS property. I know better than that!

Pat and I did go camping a few times, though not as often as the previous year. Since I got my own rods, the camping generally coincides with fishing. :)

Fishing and camping at Antietam Creek in May 2016

Pat had landed five or so fish at this site within 10 minutes of arrival

The campstove still works great

Hoosier Bear loves camping!

We attended several Hershey Bears games with the 404 family, especially once they got to the Calder Cup playoffs. There was a Marlies game, just so we could say we saw Nylander's kid.... but also we were kinda hoping the Maple Leafs would send Brooks Laich down so that we would see him, too. 

As the end of the school year wound down, I started getting hyped for the summer break and the road trip I was planning. 

Three weeks on the road....

To tide me over, I sated the wanderlust bug with quick trips nearby, including Valley Forge and Hopewell Furnace. 

On June 6, a momentous occasion happened. The Friday previous, I'd had a difficult conversation with a staff member about her future at the school. It had been discovered that she'd falsified grades after a pile of papers (a good 3-4 inches tall) had been discovered tucked away, but grades were entered into the gradebook. She'd been found to be playing with students' grades in other ways as well. I confronted her with the fact that I'd been told by at least a dozen people (some outside of the school) that she was leaving at the end of the year, and she still denied it. Yet, that lovely June afternoon, a mere three actual days after the conversation, I received a text that confirmed what we all knew was going to happen anyway; she'd officially submitted her resignation form. It was time to celebrate and post the job opening. 

In hindsight, this was worthy of two. Our new physics teacher kicks ass.

Graduation happened, then the 404 family was in Cleveland for the Calder Cup finals. While the Bears were able to take out the Toronto Marlies, who'd been on an improbable streak up until Hershey, the Lake Erie Monsters would prove to be too much to handle. Hindsight being 20/20, this actual foretells the Columbus Blue Jackets improbable 15(+?) game win streak heading into January 2017. Elizabeth bought tickets to games four and five, but it turned out that we only needed the game four tickets, sadly enough. 

The Monsters troll us Caps fans by having Steve Eminger in the starting lineup

Much of the crowd at the Q had no idea what was going on. Many admitted that they'd never been to a hockey game before.

With nothing else to do on Sunday, we went to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, where Elizabeth's Smithsonian staff pass earned us all a free entry. We finished the weekend with the James Garfield Historic Site and Cuyahoga Valley National Park.

Epic CAH games always occur on 404 road trips. This one was particularly awesome.

Before Presidential Libraries, there was the Garfield estate.

Garfield had this chair designed so that he could throw one leg over the side; it was his preferred style of sitting.

Cicadas were out in Cuyahoga.

The three of us at Brandywine Falls in Cuyahoga.

Father's Day was tough again this year. I spent it wandering... first at Catoctin Aqueduct, then at Catoctin Park. 

It's called "The Beautiful Aqueduct".

I find weird stuff in the woods when I leave the path.

Blue Blazes whiskey still

Hershey Park at the end of June was a family tradition, from 1977 through the late 80s. I still try to go, even if it's by myself. This time, it was on June 29th. I had a good time, finishing up at the 404 hang out, the Warwick Hotel, before heading home. 

Fahrenheit. It's fun, but not worth an hour wait in line, which seems to be the norm.

With the Giant Wheel long gone, the Midway's ferris wheel is as close to the icon as you'll get.

Stormrunner is awesome. 

Comet's first drop.

Okay, there's a story to the Trailblazer photo above. Many, many years ago, when my go-to camera was an old Kodak Instamatic and the medium was Kodak 126 film, I took a picture here, heading under the railroad bridge with it. I was scared to death that I'd drop the camera, and I was mildly worried it was a worthless venture, because I doubted it would be more than just a blur. When we got the photos developed, it turned out that the photo was focused, and it was awesome. So, when I am feeling nostalgic, I will take a photo in this area. Just for old times sake. :)

sooperdooperLooper at night

At the end of June, Pat and I went up to the Susquehanna for some camping and fishing. He and Kirk had going fishing with a guide earlier in the year, while I was in Nashville for NSTA, and they'd both caught huge smallmouth. So, naturally, Pat wanted to go again, and he threw in the camping bit to entice me. ;) It was fun, and I almost landed a good 18" smallie, but it escaped just before I brought it out of the water. Pat and the guide saw it though, so they'll vouch for its size. ;)

There is a miniature Statue of Liberty in the middle of the Susquehanna

Pat's first fish of the trip

Sunset

I finally caught something from shore, the next morning

At the beginning of July, Pat, mom and I finally got to do something I'd been trying to arrange starting in January; we got to go to the White House. So, the night before, Pat and I stayed in Sharpsburg, so that we could all head down first thing in the morning.

Vermeil Room

Library

State Dining Room

A poignant painting of JFK

End of the tour

During the drive there and back, I'd seen exits for some places that I suddenly had a hankering to visit, including the Clara Barton House, and some of the C & O locks further down the trail than I'd been. So, after some work days later in the week, I drove over to Glen Echo Park to check some things out. I'd never even known this place existed, and it was cool except for the fact that it was one of the last places in the area to integrate. 

Glen Echo's carousel

Clara Barton's house was closed for renovations

Lock 8 Lockhouse

Locks downstream seem to be in better shape than those up near Harpers Ferry and further west.

The road trip was drawing closer and closer. In the mean time, I was going in to work, getting things set up to start a new year on a good note; trying to hire the right people, and getting scaffolds in place to support my department in following some basic ideas and tenets. That meant I was going to pack the weekends as full as possible, and the weekend after the White House was no exception. 

It started with the 404 group text, after a Troegs tweet about a Mad Elf summer variant called Wild Elf. It ended with the idea of going to Philadelphia for the day, wrapping up with Troegs. 

Franklin Square fountain

Edgar Allan Poe house, stairs to the basement

I hope it wasn't this creepy when he lived here.

The room where Thaddeus Kosciuszko lived.

We'd managed to get tickets to an Independence Hall tour, but we ran out of things to do prior to our tour time. So, we got through the security area, and waited patiently for our entry time. 

Oh. Wrong Barry. #CapsFanInPhilly

A photo posted by Karen (@kiirenza) on Jul 17, 2016 at 12:02pm PDT

We got our Naked and Wild Elf beers, had some food and headed home. #404hockeynotfound

I was getting serious antsy. It was time for the road trip. But I needed to get through one more week of "work" (required meetings and other wastes of time) before I could leave. 

Another lock, I think this was 12. I visited it after leaving work early.

And in the midst of this wanderlust angst, I asked Pat a serious, adult question. 

"Do you want health insurance?" 

I picked up the marriage license with the idea that we'd get our friend Shawn to sign it after my niece's birthday party, and then I'd fax the information to work so he'd be added onto my employer's insurance. I didn't anticipate Pat to post a photo of it on Facebook, which elicited a ton of OMG and "Wait, wat?!" responses. There were also demands for a party. Well, now. That would have to wait. 

Allie turns two!

What did I do after getting married? Go fishing! ;)

I won't go through all the details of the three week road trip here. We left on 7/24, and returned on 8/14. We hit parks throughout the south and southwest. We were at Civil War and civil rights sights. Native American and natural wonder sights. We saw the beautiful and the ugly side of America in the sights we visited. I'll only post a few of my favorite photos here; maybe later I'll get around to making an album or two. 

The New River from Grandview

Near the center of the Union line at the Hornet's Nest, along a sunken road, dad. #missyou on this road trip. #Loveyouforever 💕

A photo posted by Karen (@kiirenza) on Jul 26, 2016 at 1:21pm PDT

Little Rock Central High School

Field of Empty Chairs

Can you imagine homesteading in a house like this, dad? #Loveyou and #missyou 💕

A photo posted by Karen (@kiirenza) on Jul 28, 2016 at 12:47pm PDT

Cadillac Ranch

Western box turtle in the road

Petroglyphs

Salinas Pueblo Mission at Abo

Two years ago today, I spent the whole day with you, dad, watching old movies and talking while mom met Allison for the first time. What I wouldn't give just to hear your voice again. I #missyou so much it hurts. #Loveyouforever.

A photo posted by Karen (@kiirenza) on Jul 30, 2016 at 3:07pm PDT

Painted Grotto at Carlsbad Caverns

The road up and down seemed death defying, but what a view from Coronado Mountain.

Green barked Palo Verde shelters some young saguaro #cactus here, dad, in the shadow of rocks bearing Hohokam petroglyphs. #Loveyou and #missyou. ❤🌵

A photo posted by Karen (@kiirenza) on Aug 2, 2016 at 5:30pm PDT

Saguaro cacti in the twilight

Organ pipe cacti are not found very far into the US.

You can look across the canyon and see "neighbors" from this dwelling. I wish you'd been able to take this trail when you were here yourself, dad. 💕 #missyou #loveyou

A photo posted by Karen (@kiirenza) on Aug 4, 2016 at 12:15pm PDT

Wukoki ruins at Wupatki 

Grand Canyon

Dam, again!

Same cactus Pat posed with in February, now with a bud!

The cemetery at Manzanar

It's a beautiful -- and cold! -- at the Devil's Postpile, dad. #Loveyouforever and #missyou. #nps100 #findyourpark

A photo posted by Karen (@kiirenza) on Aug 7, 2016 at 9:27am PDT

Starkweather Lake at Devils Postpile

So. Many. Dinosaur. Bones.

I kind of want to just roll down this slope, like I was a little kid again. #missyou and #loveyou, dad.

A photo posted by Karen (@kiirenza) on Aug 10, 2016 at 9:29am PDT

Fort Larned

The Arch

Of course, coming home meant going back to work and getting ready for the return of not just staff but students. I went to work, getting ready to implement my new ideas for setting a good foundation, and so far it has worked well. For the most part, the new teams are working well and consistently, and the department as a whole is working more like a team. We even finished "on the podium" in a team building competition during a staff development day in September!

Pat and I went camping a few times in September, and he's still looking for walleye and muskie. Maybe sometime this winter he'll catch a walleye on the Potomac. ;)

Come October was our marriage "party." Since everyone seemed upset that we didn't have an actual wedding and therefore an actual reception, we decided to hold a potluck party at Jailbreak Brewing in Laurel. It was pretty fun, and the taproom actually allows toddlers and pets (as long as the pets are on a leash, and the children don't drink). There was tons of food left over though; we should have expected that. :)

Princess Nymeria and Brooksie of the 404family made it out!

I helped Mollie buy a car the following weekend, so that she doesn't have to rely on others to drive her around, unless it's an emergency. She was looking at late model Hondas, and the one she really liked on looks had some issues that I didn't like upon driving. We settled on a little silver Civic, and she paid for it on the spot. 

For the first time in forever, I bought a few pumpkins to carve for Hallowe'en. Not only that, but we entertained trick-or-treaters. I had a lot of excess candy, though. I guess that's better than not enough!

The hair was long enough to keep me warm... for the most part.

The next week would prove to be trying, as Election Day resulted in the improbable happening and Donald Trump actually being elected. Talk about wishing I really had Sailor Pluto's time warping powers... 

Caps Casino Night was a time of trying for "squad goals." Pat hit his goal almost immediately, when we found ourselves on the "wrong" side of the room during the Caps' entrance. I felt a tap on my shoulder after the first few introductions and turned around to see this :

Matt Niskanen, Taylor Chorney and Pat

I couldn't convince Jay Beagle to say "woo!", but Jenn did get her photos with Niskanen and Schmidt, and I did get a photo with Williams. None of us got the chance to play poker with Mojo so that we could use the "get off the ice" line. ;) 

We spent the holidays in Sharpsburg. With Allison being a bit more self-aware, John and Jessica wanted to do Allison's first Christmas from Santa this year, so we opened some gifts on Christmas Eve. Pat and I stayed the night at mom's and opened the rest on Christmas morning. It was a bit of a change, but inevitable. 

I found this while wrapping gifts. It derailed things for over an hour. 

Allison loved this car track

I loved how she exclaimed, "It's a book!" when she opened this.

My rumtopf turned out to be a bit too much rum. All the sugar was at the bottom. :(

A few hours later, Pat was out on the Potomac trying to catch real walleye.

Winter break will be over in a few short hours now. I've spent the past week not doing anything work related; I wandered the grounds at Arlington National Cemetery and Fort Washington, and we spent New Year's Eve in Hershey after going to a Bears game. 

Pier at Piscataway Park

HooDoo nachos at the 'Wick

Here's hoping that 2017 brings more fun and less drama, more happiness and less sadness.