I share with you the latest random photo from my cellphone.  How hot and nasty are most parking lots? This one is no exception; but check out this hearty little flower growing from a crack in the pavement.

Here is my latest piece of cellphone ‘art’.  I drive past this view of the new Children’s Hospital every night on my way to pick up Kate’s carpool from rowing in Millvale.   On more than one occasion I have noticed the sun shining only on the hospital - it glows like fire.

I am making a habit of taking a few photographs a week from my cellphone.  They are a bit random, but it is surprising the things that I am starting to see because I am looking for an interesting shot.

Take this image for example.  I mean seriously, what are the chances of my being stopped at a traffic light and seeing this perfectly placed banana peel?  Many thanks to this litterbug.

We’ll see how long this exercise lasts.  If I start posting images of the computer keyboard or my rolodex, you can write to me and ask me to stop.  Or at the very least, to please go outside for a little while for a change of scenery.

We got a very unexpected phone call from Dave, our first contact with him since he left September 5th for a 2-month long trip with Outward Bound. Upon completion, he will receive certifications for kayaking and rafting and a wilderness ‘first responder’ ranking as well.

His group stopped briefly in Moab, Utah for showers and ‘real food’ this past weekend.  They cook for themselves daily with food that they are carrying on a supply raft, so their first stop this weekend was a grocery store, second stop - a restaurant.  For the most part, they are in an area of the country so remote that any communication they have for emergencies is by satellite telephone - if it works.

They spent the first 1/2 of the trip on the water, kayaking and whitewater rafting.  They will be on dry land for the next week and a half for intensive wilderness first aid - before heading  back the the river.

Dave is loving every minute of the adventure, even downplaying his side trip to the ER for a torn shoulder muscle that happened during kayak rolling drills.

Here is a photo from his cellphone of the area where they stayed this weekend near Moab; and their first sightings of modern civilization in almost a month…

With the crazy work schedule that Steve and I keep, like many parents, we can’t always attend every event that the kids are involved in.  We managed to catch one of Kate’s races at the Head of the Ohio at the point on Saturday before our wedding.  After having 3 kids in the sport for the last 6 years, we look forward to seeing old friends from competing schools as much as we love watching the races with Fox Chapel’s families.

I love this race.  The North Shore is  transformed into a tent city by participating schools, corporate sponsors and food and t-shirt vendors.

Teams are identified by the color and design of their oars, each one is unique.

After spending a full day on the river, Kate and her friends cleaned up, had a quick dinner, and rushed over to their homecoming dance.  Thankfully, there was no short supply of digital cameras and parents willing to share photos with us.  Don’t they look cute?!!

James & Kate

I took Nina back to school at Parsons over the weekend and am really feeling some separation anxiety. I don’t remember being this bad last year.

I think we were both ready to turn around at the Holland Tunnel - it’s just such an intense place to live and an assault to the senses.

Then after a few hours in the city, the excitement starts to wear off on you - the sites, smells, great food, activity at any hour of the day, shopping…. It’s such a cool city. Not sure if I could live their permanently - maybe with a penthouse apartment and a wad of cash.

It was a busy weekend couple of days, getting some things for her dorm room, but we did manage to have some nice meals and enjoy the sites.

We are back at home, relaxed , rested and a little sun-burned.  It’s difficult to get back in the swing of things after time away - we never know where to start!  Here are a few final vacation photos to share…

Hands down, my favorite vehicle at the Findley Lake Vintage Car Cruise-in.

The lawn of The Bemus Point Hotel.

Sunset over Lake Erie.

This should really say, Stop or else.

Early morning coffee and breakfast overlooking the lake, loved the silverware.

Lake Chautauqua, NY

A woman in Findley Lake, NY transformed her front yard into a unique flower garden.  For $8, can pick your favorite flowers and she will cut them for a healthy-sized bouquet.  In addition, she creates bouquets and centerpieces for weddings.  Nina, Kate and I spent about 20 minutes strolling the garden, picking our favorite flowers and are now enjoying fresh cut flowers on our vacation.  Check it out!

It is cloudy this morning and looks like rain.  That is a good thing, because we are all burned to a crisp.  I just couldn’t resist sharing a few vacation photos with you in my down time.  We are spending the week at Peek n Peak in Clymer, NY - between Lake Erie and Lake Chautauqua.  We are loving the cool nights and low humidty days.  I am in biking heaven here.  Check out the scenery, all within an hour bike ride from Peek n Peak.

As far as your eyes can see, there is corn.

At first I thought that this huge marker was a little pretentious in this tiny little cemetery, then I realized that it belonged to a Minister, and all of the other markers face it.  Except for 3 irreverent souls in the back, which face the street - probably smoking cigarettes and playing cards.

The intersection of Main Street and Shady Side Road, Findley Lake, NY.  Now, that’s living.

My sister, along with her 2 daughters, spent most of last week with us. We had fun with the simplest activities; painting, playing with clay and running through the sprinkler. They are so darn cute!!  Steve was happy to find that the girls love Star Trek too, and happily watched with him.

Ella tells a story.

Hanging out with Sadie.