Hiking and Fencing

This past weekend I went down to visit Ken and Becky in Charlottesville. On Saturday we went hiking. Of course on our first hike in a while, we did a hike straight up hill for about 1 mile. Needless to say I was quite exhausted by the end. But I made it, and the view was worth it.
Then on Sunday, I was able to go fencing at the Salle that Ken goes to. So yeah to getting back into fencing... Though I did get my butt kicked. Evidently I'm out of practice :-).
So Fencing was lots of fun. And I hope to get back into it I think. But we will see. For now though, my legs are really sore :-p. Hopefully though after a few days I'll be better.

So one of the hikes we went on in Terrace, was the Ferry Island hike. While by itself isn't too spectacular. Some local artists decided to get creative with it, providing a slightly more unique experience for those on the trail :-).

Most of the pictures were of the sort of peoples faces I guess. But a couple also deviated into stuff slightly more different... I'll post some of my favorites :-).


























And then there were some that were noticably different......































So these are some of the different carvings found throughout the hike. Finding these on the trees made it actually kinda fun :-).

And here is a picture of Breakfast being made.

Sidepost, news

Just yesterday I sat down with my boss, had my 23 month evaluation, where he signed my papers meaning they will keep me around. Actually what they means is that it took me off the 2 year long probation period. So they can no longer fire me for any reason they want.. I'm protected by the union rules and the like. In reality it doesnt mean too much, as I have never really been in danger of being fired. My boss has continually told me he has been happy with my work, and that if there were ever any concerns he'd let me know way in advance. But still, its just nice to know that the probationary period is over....

Hike part 2.

I took way too many pictures of mountains during my trip. I think its because In Michigan, as well as in the East Coast, really nothing. Well rather the ones we do have, are like small hills in comparison.

Nevertheless about midweek we went to the Lava Bed Parks.

As you can see the ground was covered with the lava rock. It was about 250 years ago that the volcano erupted.
And of course you can't go to a lava bed park without seeing the Waterfalls.
When the lava rolls down the hill, and covers a tree, it burns the tree out, and when it cools of course it forms these tree holes in the rock.
But even here, you can't escape the mountains :-).

But since Mountains seem to be my theme this post, this here was perhaps my favorite. There is something special about a mountain in the background, with water in front. I think my favorite was seeing the reflection of the mountain on the water before it. Ironicaly this picture was taken in late evening. Thus the darker tones to the picture. Yet that in a way I think accentuates the mountain.

Anyways, hope everyone enjoys these pictures :-).

First post, Vacation

So I decided to get into this whole blog thing. We will see how often I'll actually get to add stuff to it. But for now I figured it was an easy way to post a couple pictures of what I've been up to.

The short background is that I got a new camera. A Canon 12.5 megapixel Rebel Xsi camera. Was lots of fun playing with it. Figured I'd give it a test in a recent camping/hiking trip I took.

You can't go hiking without taking pictures of waterfalls. So here is one!
But besides plenty of waterfalls there was of course plenty of water, as well as mountains.







And I suppose I was there too....


Anyways, these are just a few pictures.. I suppose I should follow up with some more. But I figured this is my first shot at the whole blogging thing. I hope people like the pictures :-).