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As we approach another record breaking hot day here in the capital city, my recollections of our trip to the Canadian Rockies gets better and better.  In October of 2004, Patt and I were in Banff, Alberta and drove north on the Icefields Parkway to Jasper.  As you can see in late October there are not a lot of cars on the road.

If you like open road, trees and wildlife to look at, mountains, snow and sky, this drive was well worth it.

Snow fell often and we enjoyed walking in it and seeing the sights up close too, like rivers and waterfalls and such.

There were stretches where the traffic was even lighter.  Look closely at the photo you can see a rest stop up the highway on the left.  We are talking one cold building.  Despite the scarce traffic and the quiet cold rest area, as we were leaving, the ubiquitous Japanese tour bus pulled up spilling out the camera wielding tourists.  We celebrated our timing at the rest stop and continued north as the relieved tourists, I suppose, continued south.

Here we are in front of the Athabasca Glacier, not the most colorful of backdrops.  It was a hike out from the road and there were a few other hikers, hence the photo- but it was the first glacier we had ever seen.

Baseball with the Mudcats

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A couple of evenings ago I went to a baseball game to watch the Mudcats play.  The bleachers were somewhat full as the tickets were cheap.  The box seats were not so full and expensive too.  I sat in the bleachers when I sat.  Actually I walked around a lot and tired out different seats and different food.  I like ballpark food.

The actual game was not terribly interesting to follow.  The Mudcats came up to bat in the bottom of the first inning and promptly scored I think it was nine runs, several by home runs.  The opposition, whose catchy cute name escapes me now -- (the Birmingham Biscuits perhaps), was having an off night, especially in the pitching department.  I was even able to capture a hit -- see below.  In a future life, I just might be a sports photographer --

The opportunity to get Muddy the Mudcat's autograph was something I did not stand in line for.  This little kid and several dozens more complete with parents or older siblings made the line to long for me.

As it was a night game, that means my bedtime arrived prior to the end of the game.  This photo, taken from the parking lot as I was leaving -- I had the top down- and captures the smoke following another home run.  No the home run does not cause fires, just fireworks.  Really kinda nice.

Parking Deck

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On a recent Sunday Patt and I parked in the new parking deck across the street from our church.  It has just been completed and is not yet in full use by state employees who will be moving into the new building next to our church - see below photo.  That is our car on the 8th and next to last deck or level.

the guy who was promoted into my old position was assigned to the 9th parking level.  It is nearly a one mile trip from the top corner to the exit.  What a way to spend the five o'clock hour- can you imagine.  It would not do much for my humor driving out of that place.  It would be swing shift time for sure- or I would be in an extremely serious need of a strong medication.

 Here is the new State office building and it certainly has changed the back view from our church - and limited the dickens out of future use of what used to be a small building and two parking lots as far as our church goes.  (we used to park there on Sundays).  Our church for years tried to buy that property.  We do have use of the deck- all nine levels should we ever need them.

one further note, had I not retired my office would have been on the fourth floor, facing north - or out the other side of the building.  Occupancy is not set for October.  Not by me !  ! and I will only use this deck on Sundays !! -- or one of the first two levels which are dedicated to visitors to downtown government offices.

Back in Pittsboro

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Earlier this week I had opportunity to be in PIttsboro.  I stopped at court square, into the bright hot clouded day, I got the Confederate continuing his vigil.

 Main street was getting cuter, and cute is about how it should be described.  Antique stores and craft shops populate the main street.  Not much for me to do other than take a picture of the Confederate.

The court house is still under repair from the fire a year of so ago.

Was not so hot there

Best I recall it was just plain nice with a capital N

when did you last see a turtle?

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a couple of days ago as I was walking around the north end of the house (the end opposite the chimney) and saw this Box Turtle.  It has been years since I have seen one. I  could not tell you how long ago, but long ago.

He, I do not know that for sure I should add, was headed towards disaster, the cul-de-sac, so I picked him up and set him on the drive for a photo -- he was not pleased as you can readily note.

I took him to the back yard, where eventually he peaked out from his shell.

Then the turtle left.

As a boy growing up, seeing a turtle was a common occurrence, and picking up an abandoned shell was no big deal.  I recall having several shells somewhere at one time or another.

It was good to see a turtle again.

change in housing plans

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See that sign, well it is to be taken down.  Do not know when we will put it back up.  After much looking at new, used, big, small, fancy, cheap, not so cheap, attractive and cute, no need to get out of the car ugly, near - for us, and far - for us, condo, town home, and single family house, and review of two offers, seemingly endless negotiation of the first, the second offer better than the first, being handed a contract to sell meeting our price,   -- at the last moment after more worry, anxiety, prayer, talking into the late night, waking up middle of the night and talking some more (think more stress) , we said nope.  Staying put.  

So for the time being we will not be buying elsewhere, (unless someone gives me a wining lottery ticket), and we can go back to living in our house, which by the way looked better than all the ones we looked at.

And a change of pace, going into the mall a couple of days ago Patt noticed the newly-wed's car in the parking lot.  I, thinking quickly - for me - took a photo.  Anyway -  So much for the honeymoon --going to the mall ?.

Much is made over the educational attainment status of the Triangle in general and Raleigh in particular.  Well that reputation is taking a bit of a hit.  Notice the spelling of married.  Yes sir-ree bob, used an e- just like it sounds -  merried.

Perhaps they are from out of town, hence the trip to the mall, to visit the food court ?

Fourth of July Celebrattion

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Saturday Mark and Marie hosted the lot of us for a fourth of July cookout dinner.  The day like all recent days was hot and dry.  Mark and I spent part of the afternoon at the driving range.  We hit it well and far, some of the time,  and occasionally we could hear the familiar sound of the ball crashing through trees to the right of the range- signifying another solid sliced shot and a golf ball we did not have to look for.

 Sweet baby Eric was a hit and enjoyed being held -- people enjoyed holding him too.

 Dinner on the deck was fun and allowed for much visiting amongst us all

 and we filled the deck too. -  I think there were four tables set to accommodate us all.

 a really nice table from which to help ourselves was set and loaded with excellent food.

 the cooks had a good fire going and the neighbors probably wish they were joining us as it did smell good and indeed was.

 a highlight of the day was connecting with Justin via the computer.  Note how intently Eric is looking at his Dad.

 and a lot of badminton was played.  Notice Abigail keeping her eye on the birdie.  she got pretty good before the day was over.  She played with real intensity kind of what you might expect.