For those with access to our Flickr, I’m going to stop the critter camera updates unless something interesting shows up.
For the most part we get foxes, raccoons, opossums, deer, rabbits, squirrels, cats, and an occasional ground hog.
Some interesting observations:
Everything but the cats get along fairly well. I’ve seen a number of shots where the opossum and foxes (and other combinations) are hanging out friendly like. I imagine a fox would eat a rabbit, but haven’t seen it.
The cats are the monsters. Everything runs, hides or climbs a tree when a cat shows up. I was even surprised to see a fox head the other way when a cat appeared on the scene. The cat did it’s thing, left, then the fox reappeared.
We have 2 foxes, 3 raccoons (no idea where they live), at least one opossum, and a bunch of rabbits.
– b
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Headed to WV again with the girls for a long weekend.
The original plan was to hit the state fair, but the weather and timing didn’t cooperate (the sunny days were the first days of the fair – too crowded).
Instead we did things like the Cass Scenic Railroad and a coal mining tour.
The girls absolutely loved the railroad. They asked that we go back every year.
I can’t believe it’s still running and as well as it is after I rode it 35 years ago. It’s a highly recommended attraction.
– b
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The girls have a number of games they play while in the car.
The basic one is scoring points for seeing various automobile characteristics like roof top boxes, convertibles, and cars with black rims.
They don’t actually keep track, but they’re constantly on the look out and calling them out.
Then there’s punch buggies of course. Lauren is the master at punch buggies.
The funniest are the black rims. Either of them will be talking about something they did, saw,or experienced that day and mid-sentence will yell out “black rims!”, and continue to talk.
Makes for entertaining trips either across town or across states.
– b
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Right before I left for Dublin my Fitbit died and I was unable to get a new one.
I haven’t been without a Fitbit for at least 5 years. It’s kind of weird and kind of ok at the same time.
I definitely like knowing where I’m at in regards to steps each day, but looking at my waistline it’s not really making a difference.
The model that I use is on backorder, so it will be another couple of weeks.
Would have been nice to have it Dublin, as there was a lot of walking on my daily commute.
– b
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Spent the last week in Dublin for work.
I really liked Ireland. Not exactly sure why, but I did.
The technical market over there is very unlike what we have here in the Philadelphia area.
Everywhere you went there were conversations and opportunities for really advanced stuff. Stuff we should be doing. Stuff we need more people to do.
Much like Silicon Valley I’d assume.
It’s likely I’ll be headed back in the near future, or at least sending more people back.
– b
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Abigail lost her first tooth this week.
Didn’t have it pulled. No dentist intervention.
It came out on its own.
She was super excited.
Me not so much.
Not looking forward to the adult teeth coming in.
Not looking to forward to the growing up.
– b
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Jen got the special glasses and they all watched what they could see in Pennsylvania.
I was in Dublin all week, so no eclipse for me.
My Dad in Tennessee got a really nice picture.
– b
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For whatever reason the girls have taken a shine to their scooters this summer and have spent massive amounts of time practicing to get better.
They watch videos of tricks on YouTube at night, then spend the next day trying to learn them.
So far they’re doing pretty well. Abigail has a decent bunny hop and Lauren’s almost there.
Of course such progress doesn’t come without a few bumps and scrapes, but that’s all apart of the game.
– b
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Here we are almost to the middle of August.
Things are happening fast and furious.
Haven’t had time obviously to post, but…
we did go to a Jiu Jitsu tournament last weekend in Wildwood, NJ. Abigail did awesome, though she didn’t place higher than 2nd. It was some pretty tough competition and she fought hard. Also she avoided submission.
No gi.
Gi.
School is coming up fast. We’re not ready.
– b
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Got down to West Virginia for the 4th of July to see the grandparents and the cousins.
Fun trip.
While there, my Dad and I decided to take all the girls paddling down the Greenbrier river. He has a canoe there at the house (though he’d never used it), and I had brought Jen’s and Abigail’s kayaks. The plan was for my dad to take the cousins in his canoe, Abigail in her kayak, Lauren and I in/on Jen’s, then paddle from Fort Spring to Alderson. He described it as taking “about an hour” to do, but as we drove to the put in I quickly realized this was longer than an hour.
It was around 5 hours.
The description from the local outfitter is as follows (we did both sections):
Fort Spring to Greenbrier River Campground
Class II water. This section will challenge your paddling skills, make your heart beat faster, and give you a feeling of accomplishment. This is our most popular trip and it will give you a sample of the best rapids on the river.
- Length in River Miles 2.5
- Paddling Time 1.5 hrs.
Greenbrier River Campground to Alderson
Class II & III water and during the spring season Class III. This trip during the spring is for the experienced canoeist looking for excitement. Rapids are technical and fast running. This is a very popular trip and gives you something to brag about.
- Length in River Miles 5
- Paddling Time 2 hrs.
First of all, Abigail did awesome. My dad and I not so much. There was a lot to keep track of and get stressed over. After swamping the kayak twice, we decided my dad and I both would man the canoe while pulling the kayak. Abigail made it a while, before her boat was also tied up behind and all the girls were inside the canoe – except for when we’d approach a rapid and she’d hop out to swim to her boat and shoot the rapid before tying up again and climbing back into the canoe.
Definitely a learning experience and an adventure. We all survived and had some decent fun in the end. Unfortunately no pictures, which is probably better considering the mom’s probably aren’t too keen to see what the girls made it through.
Besides some dirt biking in the yard that was about it for this year’s trip.
Except for this…
The annual 4th of July parade got a little weird near the end when some haunted Halloween outfit came strolling by. I was pretty freaked for the kids, but they managed it just fine. I guess after the Gilligan’s Island type trip down the river, this was nothing.
– b
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