Midwest

Finally we are in Ohio, at Gregg's parent's house. We are happy to not be driving anymore, and to be sleeping in a bed, sleeping late and lazing around.

We spent 2 days in Chicago, catching up with my old friends there - and visiting the museum of Science and Industry, where there is now a permanent exhibit of U505 - a military event which Gregg's grandfather is involved in. His name is up on the wall in the museum now.

Holy moly do I like sleeping in!!!! and doing crafts all day!!!!

Catching up on sleep and personal time has been oh so phenomenal for me. Gregg is a little bored with our unextreme lifestyle - but then again, when is he not bored!!!!!!

Gregg's house is HUGE here. 5 bathrooms - all with some sort of shower or bath - like 4 or 5 bedrooms - expansive lawn (pictures soon perhaps)...it's ridiculous!!!!

See a video of SFarb slacklining!

So-Dak

Here are more picture of Mt. Rushmore then you ever needed!!!!!
The momument really blows me away every time. I can't imagine sculpting with any precision whatsoever out of dynomite - or at that scale. And, of course, no trip to the Black Hills would be complete without a stop at Wall Drug - and a scenic detour through the magnificent Badlands National Park.

These pictures are out of order, BTW.

Yellowstone and Beyond...

Pictures to accompany Gregg's post.....The pictures aren't in order - but you wouldn't know anyway even if they were - now would you?!

Let's have a little test. Mom, Stepmom Diane, Karen, Dad - email me if you are reading this.

Leaving Day!

There is not much of note to report today - Gregg is currently writing a more thorough trip-o-logue...We left and drove as far away from Seattle as we could before the snoozies set in. Nowadays, that's about 10 pm or so. Lame!

Freedom!

I practically skipped out of my office Friday afternoon, with a sense of freedom that I hadn't felt in awhile. 5 weeks off!!!!! I finally started packing until dinner time, when we went out to farewell dinner with a gaggle of friends.

Gregg refreshicating for the big sojourn.

Aaron floored after receiving his Bday presents.

Brother Jason coming for the big sendoff dinner...

FAQ 2

From beloved reader Leora:
Q. What city/country/area do you desperately want to visit for the first time?

A. I really want to see Patagonia (Southern Argentina and Chile). I am also interested in going to Buddhist parts of Asia - such as Nepal, Tibet, and back to Thailand. I found Thailand to be one of the most peaceful places on earth, which I largely attribute to it's population of 95% Buddhists. I am also sort of enchanted by the idea of working in Antarctica....in summer of course...

Q. Or go back to?

A. Thailand as stated above, and also The Middle East - Jordan, parts of Turkey and parts of Egypt - and Israel / Palestine. I think region will always hold a special place in my heart.

Q. Or never go back to?

A. I can't really think of anywhere of the top of my head that I NEVER want to return to. Certainly places like Pennsylvania, Indiana, Ohio (Sorry Gemins!) and Jersey are not high on my list.

From beloved reader Lydia:
Q. How long can you hold your breath underwater?

A. Certainly no longer than 15 seconds. Providing I have me earplug in that is.

FAQ

Q. How do you and Gregg get so much time off work?

A. Gregg and I both are taking unpaid leave. Gregg gets about 45 minutes of "comp" time every day because of his ferry schedule - which has helped him take excessive vacation in the past. I am allowed as much unpaid leave as I want - I am up to probably around 2 months this year after this trip.

Time doesn't equal money, it equals happiness!!!!

Back on the Road!

Hello friends, family, neighbors, stalkers and puppies:
I have been laboring away trying to update my website, clean it up a bit, and get my stuff together for the road trip Gregg and I are leaving on. I know I have been lax about updating my blog - I have been so busy with trying to get my website and my work in order, I have had little time for everything else. I found while traveling, constantly updating my blog has become more of a burden for me than a pleasure - So I will attempt to find a balance between actually doing, and writing about doing.

Gregg and I are taking 5 well needed weeks to drive to the East Coast and back. Some of the destinations along the way will include: Glacier National Park, Montana; Climbing the Durrance Route on Devil's Tower in Wyoming; Possibly Mount Rushmore, Wind Cave and the Badlands in South Dakota; Seeing old friend in Chicago; Gregg's family in Ohio, Climbing at the Red River Gorge in Kentucky, 3 nights in a swank, all paid for hotel on Pennsylvania Ave in DC - as I work at a Gasification Conference for a few days; visiting My family in Connecticut (I haven't been home in a year and a half); Taking a scenic flight around NYC, from my pilot friend Jason King; Climbing at the Gunks in New Paltz, NY.....and surely much more.

I am trying to find balance in my life. It is hard for so many reasons. I have had a hard time in the past separating obsession and excellence. Lately I am willing to give up excellence for balance.

Another note regarding balance: I am reading, as recommended by my brother, Awakening the Buddha within: Tibetan Wisdom for the Western World by Lama Surya Das. It is a wonderful book that encourages introspection to fix the ills in your life. It teaches how to find happiness within, as not to be so dependant on the outside world for happiness. Most interestingly, it does not suggest that anyone need to convert to Buddhism to attain this inner peace. It talks about how anyone, in any walk of life and any religion can find more peace in their life.

A Quote my wise older brother sent me, from the Dalai Lama in the movie Seven Years in Tibet -

"If the problem is such that there is a solution, there is no need to worry about it; if there is no solution, then there is no point in being overwhelmed and paralyzed."