Camping Sucks

So the trip over Memorial day up to the Pocono's for backpacking was a disaster. I got lost on the way up there, got a ticket from a friendly small town cop and pulled a muscle not 300 yards from my car. So net result was me sleeping just inside the trail head overnight and then turning back and getting home on Sunday by noon to watch every episode of Entourage that was OnDemand. That show is great.

Because I sat on my ass all day Sunday, I ended up feeling lazy though and rode out to Valley Forge on Monday. That is a 45 mile ride and it resulted in me being completely dehydrated and exhausted. Anyway I have a softball game tonight so that should be a goodtime.

Summer is here

So Memorial Day is right around the corner and I am fully embracing it. I have 2 racks of baby back ribs ready to be smoked on Saturday and if the weather is nice on Sunday I plan on doing an overnight hike, maybe up in the Pocono's somewhere. Amy is off to DC for the weekend to hang with her "short people" from law school.

Also my friend Greg and his pregnant wife is will be in Philly this weekend. So it will be good to see them. Not sure if they are opening my pool this weekend, but the Rita's water ice that is opening across the street is bound to be a clutch addition to the neighborhood this summer.

One last note the new Magic Hat hefeweizen, circus box is pretty damn good.

Wedding

So it has been a months, but I guess I should take the time to post about my cousin Danny's wedding at Notre Dame. It was a great weekend with the family. It did start out with quite an adventure for Amy and I. We left Philly at 7:15am, flew to Pittsburgh, on to Chicago. Take the redline train into the city, kill a couple of hours waiting for the METRA train to south bend by checking our bags at the Hilton, and getting Subway and Arby's for lunch. One guess who got Arbys...

Then after a nearly 3 hour train ride to South Bend, we wait 25 minutes for the hotel shuttle driver, b/c he was picking up his dry cleaning. But the important thing is we made it in time for a great dinner. The wedding itself was gorgeous inside the basilica;


And of course I got to see TD Jesus.


Overall a very good trip.

October Surprise?

There was a good article that was sent to me yesterday, and while it is a little leftist it is interesting to think about. I am sure that there will be an October surprise that Bush will pull out of his hat. I just hope it is not another terrorist attack...

Also in somewhat related news here is a tool to find the lowest gas prices in your zip code.

Also after a couple of bad experiences with Starwood hotels the Westin in Chicago is trying it's best to make up for the others (Las Vegas Westin and the NYC Sheraton). They sent me an email with the weather forecast, special deals on restaurants and other cool things. That is the kind of customer service touches that really make a difference.

Back in the 'Nati

So I was home this last weekend and had a great time. Got to play some golf with my Dad and did some kayaking with Mom and Don on the Whitewater river in Indiana. Got to eat some great food and besides the rain on Saturday and Sunday the trip was great.

I am looking forward to my cousin's wedding in South Bend, Indiana this upcoming weekend at Notre Dame. Amy and I fly in to Chicago and are taking a system of trains to South Bend (thanks Andy!) It will be good to see my sisters and Amy and I are staying in Chicago Sunday night at the Westin on Michigan Ave. Should be a fun stay.