Trains Of Thought

Last weekend I went on a photography expedition. MAX’d up to the airport and scoped out the view from the 7 story parking garage for some excellent plane spotting, then MAX’d downtown to take some pictures for an upcoming “art show” display I’m working on.

Here’s a couple of fun shots I got while out and about.

Last weekend, Emily and I went out to the Oregon coast for a weekend away from the hassles of project management, job hunting, and the like.  Had a great time and are definitely planning to go back.  Here’s a sampling from the weekend.

We headed out to Newport, OR, but went out a bit circuitously so we could drive some coastline and visit Tillamook, home of Tillamook Cheese. They have a viewing area of their processing area, so naturally I had to see it. If you want to see the glee of combining automated manufacturing with tasty cheddar cheese, check out my gmail picture (a bit maniacal looking, but no surprise there).

Not your typical beach wear, but then again it’s Oregon. Look how cute we are.

Saturday we checked out some great tidepools north of town at the Yaquina Head. Emily was giddy like a five year old exploring all the nooks and crannies, finding plenty of starfish, anemone, and hermit crab. Even a group of seals loitering on the rocks a bit out.

Meanwhile, I came upon some great storm lighting (sunny foreground with gray background).

That evening, a view from our room. We were lucky to be upgraded to a beach view room free thanks to a cancelation at the bed and breakfast we stayed at (highly recommended BTW - The Tyee Lodge). The weather on the coast here changes quickly - those clouds on the horizon made it to the beachhead within 20 minutes and brought a rain storm with them, only to lead to clear skies again half an hour later.

…make (space) lemonade.

A botched connection in Houston (due to a stupidly tight connection time booked by the company travel agent and deicing on the initial flight) on the way home from Dayton, OH meant an eight hour layover in Houston, TX.  We literally watched the jetway pull off the plane.  So my coworker and I decided to see if there was anything to do aside from sitting in the airport all day.  And what would we find in Houston, but Houston.

As in: Mission Control.

As in Nasa’s Johnson Space Center.

So we rented a car and drove south.  We took the tram tour, and saw the Apollo era Mission Control, and an honest to goodness Saturn V rocket lying on it’s side.  Amazing.  And all because we missed a connection.

Where else could one go to participate in an annual zombie walk?

Been finalizing details for our quick trip to visit my sister in London next month, and we’re all set now.  Going to London, Paris, and Lyon in a whirlwind week of awesome sister, awesome wife, trains, and other cool things!  Woo!

Most awesome descriptor of relative size in the universe ever.

Called it.

We have a bassoonist practicing in our basement.

Awesome. :)

Normally, I don’t think it funny to laugh another’s misfortune, but in this case, I’ll make an exception.

Ha ha!  And someone said there wouldn’t be a part two…

Sunset in Santa Barbara.

Morro Bay is quite shallow in its southern most reaches. As a result, parking a boat is as easy as letting it sit until the tide goes out. And actually seeing the tide move is pretty darn cool too.

Oh my gosh! An Elfin Forest! And in Morro Bay of all places! Perhaps I’ll meet Legolas and his woodland kin!

What a gip. No Elves. Though the scenery was pretty cool. Now where’d I put that polarizing lens…

That’s right. We love each other. Deal with it.