Geocache Weekend

Somehow we got the hook-up on trail maps for our GPS. We have been reintroduced to the art of geocaching, and spent the weekend searching for hidden treasures. The first adventure led us down the Decker's Creek Rails to Trails and our very first find. Then we got a little more adventurous and headed to the muddy wasteland of Snake Hill Road. Dj found a multi-cache that lead us from lookout point to lookout point, with views spectacular. Snake Hill Road is directly opposite the river as Cooper's Rock, so it was neat seeing views from the other side.

View of Cheat Bridge... and beyond.
View of Cooper's Rock. Hopefully, things will be green soon.

Oh say can you see...

After Becky was done showing off her poster at the nerd convention in Baltimore we decided to go see the sights. We visited Poe's grave, walked by a Dental museum, (it was closed) and ate some good eats at a local Indian restaurant. But I would have to say the funnest location we visited was Fort McHenry. At first look you might think that it would be a little boring as did we. But after a quick ten minute movie and a walk around the Fort you realize what an important historic place Fort McHenry really is and with the new found knowledge of the events that inspired the Star Spangled Banner you leave with a feeling of reverence and respect or the many brave men that fought for principles that they strongly believed in. It kind of left me wondering what happened?

After leaving Fort McHenry we went to the Hampton Estate, a huge mansion established by Captain Charles Ridgely. It was pretty cool. We determined that if you have too much money and you don't know what to do with it all, you build a huge home and furnish it with paintings and stuff.

This is a cedar of Lebanon that Eliza the wife of the son of the Governor who was the nephew of the captain brought back from their honeymoon in Europe. Its 200 years old.

Ah, roommates

While in Baltimore, I was able to meet and catch up with some old roomates. Anica has been living in Baltimore and was actually working a quick five minute walk from my hotel. When I got into town, she was nice enough to show me around; before I knew it, I was right at home. We drove by the hospital where Poe died, two John Hopkin's campuses, lots of projects, and interesting sculptures. We stopped for a cannoli in Little Italy, my very first ever. I had a great time catching up again, and re-realizing how great Anica truely is (like I could forget). It was fun to meet her for lunch breaks, walk around Baltimore, and talk politics and other fun stuff. We were also able to drive down and visit Sina and her adorable family before they take off across the world. I haven't laughed that hard in a while, rehashing old times. We unanimously decided Connection was great place to live that semester.

Society of Toxicology Meeting

This week, I was able to attend the annual Society of Toxicology meeting in Baltimore, MD. I was unsure what to expect, and was feeling a little over my head. But I really enjoyed it; I went to some really interesting talks on nanoparticles (go NIOSH!), California wildfires and the toxins created from ash, and the horrors of artifical sweeteners (or non-horrors--eat all the Splenda, Sweet-N-Low, Equal, and Truvia you can, cause they got two thumbs up from the nation's experts). I was lucky enough to present a poster at one of the Nano sessions, regarding my research on silicon. It was a great experience. I was supposed to recycle/trash my poster afterword, but I didn't have the heart. I think I'll use it as a rug for my living room instead.

Nerdiest thing you have ever done?

I just got back from a week long conference in Baltimore--great time, more to come! But, I had a multiple conversations about being a nerd. Yeah, I'm a big nerd, but what is the nerdiest thing you have ever done? For me, and I am still kind of ashamed to admit it, I am a huge Battlestar Galactica fan. As in it frakking rocks my world. We had to rush home tonight for the series finale, and I am going nuts waiting the 23 minutes until it begins. I am so nerdy I have secret crush on Admiral Adama. And his love story with the President makes me teary eyed. Sigh...

My new scarf

Dj crocheted me a new scarf with a new pattern. I love it! I call it my Mia scarf because it is so soft and cuddley and nearly the same colors as Mia. It took him about a week to make (he is taking a break from the camo blanket). The picture doesn't quite do it justice or catch the colors correctly. Here is a close up of the pattern, called the triangle stitch:

Nice View

We woke up one day this week to find this....This is what happens when Mia is inside, and the neighborhood stray cat, Kiki's Mom, surprises her by jumping on the outside of the window...