December in Colorado

Uh, so, last December I went to Colorado with my sister, nephew, and parents to see my other sister, other nephews, and brother-in-law. I'm just now posting these photos. Go me. 

This is the view from right down Julie's street. Not a bad way to wake up in the morning. 

The grandparents and grandkids. Caleb and Zane loved having Jeremy there, and I think Jeremy enjoyed having a couple of shadows. 

The sisters. It's obvious to me that we're related. Anyone else?

Jeremy and Jennifer

 

We went up to Estes Park and got some amazing photos of the mountains.

Elk. Multiple elk. Elks?

There's a little place called Georgetown that we love to go to. It's a very quaint mining village, and I took this just for Foster. 

These birds remind me of the little sandpipers at the beach. I forget what they're called, but I love the blue!

It still amazes me that people crossed these mountains, without roads, for years. 

We also went to the Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum. They have an X-wing! It's something like 3/5 actual size, one of five created for the release of the remaster, I think. It's signed by most of the cast. I spent a lot of time with this Incom T-65. 

The X-wing series by Michael A. Stackpole and Aaron Allston is one of my absolute favorites of the Extended Universe collection. Part of the reason I made it all the way through the Yuuzhan Vong debacle is because of my love for Corran Horn. And I know you have no idea what I'm talking about, but if by some miracle you do, we need to be best friends. kk?

Mackinac Bridge 221-230

So I went on vacation. It was pretty fantastic, though not nearly long enough. I went with my parents to St. Ignace, Michigan, way up yonder in the U.P. It's a beautiful place with plenty of photo opportunities, but unfortunately, not a lot of variety.

Which is why you have this. 10 photos of one bridge.

But they are all different. And they are all awesome.

So there.


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 The Mackinac Bridge, late afternoon. If you're in the neighborhood on a Friday, take the Vespers cruise around the bay. It's a nice tour.

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I thought being on the bridge was terrifying. Being under it is crazy as well, especially when you can hear the cars going over.

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Also, try to avoid the shipping lanes.

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I like this one a lot.

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And this one.

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This one was taken about two miles off. Here's what it looks like during the day:

It's really difficult getting photos at night. Not many good places unless you're on the water.   I didn't have that chance. But I did...

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...have a telescope. Of sorts. You know those viewers you pay to turn on at scenic overlooks? I put my camera up to one of those.

Pretty cool, if I do say so myself.

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On the last day, we had to cross the bridge in a cloud.

Freaking.

Terrifying.



I have a lot more photos of the bridge, pretty cool ones, too. Let me know if you want to see them.

And if you're from the Michigan Board of Tourism, these photos are up for sale.

St. Valentine's Day Massacre

Valentine's Day. I'm not a fan.

It is partly because of the over-commercialization. It is partly because I'm not in a relationship. It is partly because Geoff Chaucer helped make it what it is. Okay, a huge part is because I'm not in a relationship.

But really, I don't like Valentine's Day because it's about love.

Love makes people weak.

Yeah, not expecting that, were you? But it's true. Loving someone or something makes you vulnerable. And if there is anything I hate possibly more than anything else, it is being vulnerable. People, who are not basically good like the world wants you to believe, take advantage of the vulnerable. They push and pull until they get what they want, and then they leave.

I was very quick to love when I was younger. I think every child is. Some (and I can't decide if they're the lucky ones or the dumb ones) grow up and continue this behavior.

I'm not one of them.

If I don't love someone, then I'm not hurt when they leave. If I don't love them, they can't hurt me at all.

Theoretically.

Because in reality, I'm called to love everyone. I'm called to love them like Jesus loves them. That's what my blog is about! Because his love compels me, I'm called to make myself vulnerable all. the. freaking. time.

I can't do this on my own. I don't WANT to do this on my own. Because I love people.

And then they leave.

Are you starting to understand why I haven't written anything lately?