Sam Away

Getting into a chilly lake for another tubing run.

Captain

We picked up the boat and did a joy ride with Dylan learning the basics of boating. Lots of tubing after that and now a short break for lunch.

Up North

First night at kavanaughs on lake sylvan.

Hot and Sweaty

I'm glad they weren't riding in my car home.

Only 2 Subs

13 players means only two can rest at a time. Tough game in that heat and humidity.

Hot Soccer

It was a steamy 5pm soccer game on Sunday and the boys team lost again. This is a team of a bunch of high school friends playing in a Fairfax county adult soccer league. They call themselves the Sandbox Boys because they have known each other since the days they played in the sandbox together. They are having fun but can't get that elusive win.

It was 90 plus degrees with a 70 plus degree dew point for this game. The Sandbox Boys had two subs, 13 total players. The other team had almost two teams, nearly 20 players. The Sandbox boys couldn't keep up with all those rested subs coming in and out of the game. Linda and Gil stayed hydrated and enjoyed the game.

Irish Open Champions.

Tough day for Dylan and I as these boys took home the championship hats. There is always next year.

Golf Partner

Dylan and I rode together in todays golf outing. This was his third time playing and he is getting better on every hole. We los5 a best ball contest with Sam and Mike but had a great time.

Win in Boston

The DC Calvery traveled to Harvard and beat the Boston Thirteen in a wet and windy game. Dylan got some good time on the pitch and had a great time with his new team. He's on his way home now, ETA 4am.

Second team all American

Sam's teammate Anthony placed 12th in the NCAA National championship yesterday. Nice to be able to watch on ESPN and looking forward to seeing Sam there next year.

Rest Break

One of our deer catching his breath after breathing in Canadian forest fire smoke all day. It's not nice out there.

Edison Sunrise

Nicole didn't have any female running partners this morning so I joined her at the Edison track for a walk/run before the dawn. Not a good idea for young ladies to run in the dark by themselves and she needed to get the workout in before her 7am PT session. She's up to running 5k while I walked 2 and a half. It was nice to see the sunrise.

Threesome

First golf outing with both boys. This was Dylan's first ever round and while he was a little rough, he had some really spectacular shots too. Fun 18 with these two.

The Range

Getting some swings in on a lazy Sunday. Both boys seem to have taken a shine to golf lately.

MVC Championship

Sam's first Missouri valley conference championship didn't go the way he wanted but he has three more years to get the gold. Nicole and I had fun watching him in at Illinois State in Normal. We rendered a car in Chicago and drove down Saturday morning, then made the 300 mile drive to Des Moines Sunday afternoon to help Sam move out of his dorm. We are all flying home on Wednesday.

Track Practice

Track and field isn't all about throwing things. Sometimes it's hitting things.

Night Moves

My hotel in Chicago last week is one of my favorites. Nice place on Michigan ave, just a few blocks from The Bean. It's comfortable and not overly pricey. This the view of a newish apartment building next door. It's almost like a Christmas tree.

The Relays

Sam's first Drake relays. He needed his PR in discus a couple weeks ago to qualify but he didn't have his best throws today. Robbie was there to cheer him on which I'm sure made the his first relays a little better.

Approach

A rainbow on approach to DCA on Wednesday night. Good to be home.

Throwing Legend

The nice thing about the Drake Relays is the star power that comes to compete. This is Ryan Crouser, a two time Olympic gold medalist in shot put and a medalist in discus. He and other greats worked out with the throwing team this week.

Avondale

Another Council meeting in the bag and some fn with my friends at a great beer bar in Avondale. Always a good time with Bruce and Jason (pictured).

80th Birthday

Robbie turns 80 today and got a visit from Tim, her sister and some of the carpenter clan. Looking good Roberta.

New Discus PR

Grandma and Grandpa drove down to see Sammy throw a new PR, about 2 and a half meters past his last best throw. 52.70 catapults him from 95th to 39th in the NCAA west region. Second longest throw in Drake University history.

Dry Spring

Only a few tulips show up these days. I think we need to plant a few bulbs this fall. I think it's safe to say we had zero snow this winter. It was 85 yesterday and no rain in sight.

Double PR

Sam had a good weekend throwing. PR's in Hammer and Discus.

New Hammer PR

Sam's second hammer throw event and he threw a meter further than least week. The drake throwing team picked up 31 points in the Wartburg Select meet. Go Bulldogs.

Hammer Time

Sam was third in discus and eight in hammer at his first outdoor meet. Must be the headband.

Headband Night

Good game after a long day of driving and a tour of the University of Delaware. Temple University tomorrow.

First Flyers Game

The kid sitting next to us was at his first flyers game, just like Dylan and I. We didn't bring a sign so we didn't get on the big screen. I like this shot because it require focus on two things, that are the same. Good game but the flyers lost.

Together

Sam made a surprise visit home for spring break, so we got a family dinner together. Always good to get the nuclear family together again.

The Throwing Team

Indoor season is over, on to outdoor events.

Record Dreams

Dylan exploring vinyl at Shuga Records in Whicker Park.

Whisky Tango Foxtrot

Iconic architecture on the Chicago river and the cover of a great Wilco Album.

The Bean

Dylan and I got to Chicago at noon and have been visiting record stores, eating deep dish pizza and seeing the city at night. Gonna see Sam in the morning, then again at the Missouri Valley Conference Indoor Track and Field Championships tomorrow afternoon. Looking forward to seeing Sammy throw some weight around.

Hangin Loose

Mae looking pretty relaxed after an overtime victory to earn a trip to the final tomorrow afternoon. The Orono girls hockey team beat Proctor\Hermontown in the semis of the Minnesota High School Hockey tournament today and face the far north Warroad Warriors in the finals tomorrow. Go Spartans!!

Iowa Mural

Tracking Sam's phone on the way back to Des Moines from SDSU. Sammy had a personal record of 17.20 meters in the weight throw. He was 15th of 55 throwers. #1 freshman in the MVC.

The landscape of Iowa is much more interesting from space than it is at ground level.

West End

A little bar with a ton of kids in it, and me. I was easily 25 years older than the average age of the other 75 people there.

Bulldog Wrangling

Not sure drinking beer on Griff in front of the Drake diner was a good idea but I had a good time going out with the throwers last Saturday.

Meet Ready

Just water tonight for Sam as he prepares for some throwing at Iowa State tomorrow.

Mexican Sling

Nicole is doing her best to move around with the shoulder still smarting and still sporting a sling. Mexican food in East Village tonight.

Holiday Town

Steamboat Springs is one pretty town. Founded in the late 19th century, it has a ton of charm and a ton of snow when we were there. It snowed pretty much every day we were there which made the skiing fantastic and the in town dinners and drinks were lovely. I made it home without any issues last night and I'm back to helping Nicole get back to full strength. Grandma and Dylan did a great job in my absence so I will need to up my game this week.

Yampa River

Night view of the Yampa river in Steamboat Springs. Walked up to some natural hot springs on a cold snowy night.

Powder Day

It snowed most of the day today so the slopes were nice and fluffy. Cold but we warmed after a run or two.

Lookin Out Forever

Steamboat has some beautiful terrain with big views of the valley. Great bluebird ski day with the highs in the upper 20's. It felt good to be back on the snow after 7 years.

Steamboat Spring

Two, on time flights, and here I am at the Rabbit Ears Motel. It's a short, 5 minute bus ride to the slopes but walking distance to everything downtown. They have had 220 inches of snow this year and it is everywhere. They seem to be running out of places to push it.

First in Group

Sam got first in his weight throw group today at the Cyclone Open at Iowa State. He was about a half meter shy of making the finals but not bad for something he's been throwing for a few months.

Office Champion

After three 2nd place finishes in the office fantasy football pool, I finally got the trophy. No money involved, just bragging rights. The writing at its base was left over from Rhen's won from 2019. Some of my colleagues felt he had an unfair advantage. I've place this beauty in a spot, right behind me when I'm on a zoom call for all to see.

Alien Bug

Momma's shoulder reconstruction was a success and the doctor says she shouldn't set off TSA metal detectors even with a titanium plate and 11 screws. Still lots of pain but she's on the mend.

Surgery Day

Getting that shoulder done.

Georgetown

Sam wanted to try a new part of town for brunch on Sunday. We decided on Georgetown because, we don't get there much anymore and it has good restaurants and shopping. We also traversed the steep steps made famous by the Exorcist movies from the 70's.