Friday, March 8, 2013

NYE in NYC

Emily and I have had a desire for many years to go to New York City for New Year's Eve.  Ever since I was a child and stayed up late each year to watch the ball drop on TV, I longed to be in Times Square amidst the festivities.  Since we were planning our visit to the Kerns around this time, we decided this would be the perfect opportunity.  Also, Emily was trying to chip away at her "30 things to do while 30 years old" list, and this was a top item. 
What you don't see on TV are the logistics behind standing out in the cold for many many hours just to get a spot near the ball.  We arrived around 5PM and stood outside 7 hrs just to see the famous ball drop.  Others near the stage arrived as early as noon (with no bathrooms and no re-entry....do the math) so that they could be closer to the music.  We were fine with standing a block away, yet still within great viewing distance.
our full group + a few more of Hiep's friends who were in NYC as well

the countdown begins...

Happy New Year!

Hiep and Trami sporting the freebie hats
Times Square full of crazy people like us

the police in full riot gear try to keep the crowds in check
the crowds quickly disperse after midnight, since most people have been standing out in the cold all day with minimal amenities
the aftermath

All in all, it was a fun experience, and worth the wait.  It's great to check another item off of the Bucket List, and even better to be able to do so with some of our best friends.  Happy 2013 everyone!! (albeit a little late).

Thursday, March 7, 2013

New York City

As you might have noticed, our good friends, Matt and Kristina Kern, have been absent from our blog since they moved away from Portland last summer in favor of following their careers to New York City.  We have missed hanging out and traveling with them, so we decided to book a trip to New York back in December to pay them a visit.  As with all great friends, we were able to pick right back up where we left off, and we still remembered all of our inside jokes (and created some new ones).  It truly is amazing to have friends like these, and I feel lucky that we crossed paths with them 10+ years ago when we all lived in Chicago.  Their hospitality is such that they also let us bring along a few other friends to crash in their apartment.  We enjoyed a long weekend of taking in the sights of NYC, with the best tour guides in town.

 Grand Central Station reminds me of our wedding (which was in St Louis Union Station)

 Em in a corridor of Grand Central Station

 Our Portland friends, Hiep and Trami, along for the trip to NYC

 of course, we couldn't go to NYC without the ladies wanting to go shopping....Kern does not look enthused

 Are we in Gotham City?

Despite being a week after Christmas, we were happy that the Rockefeller Center Tree was still on display.

 St. Patrick's Cathedral

 RIP Steve Jobs

For this next part, I gotta admit that I was a little skeptical at first.  When Kristina described Ann Hamilton's art exhibit at the Armory as a bunch of giant swings that are connected to a large sheet that flaps in the wind, I did not get it.  Add in softly spoken poetry, carrier pigeons, and a lady signing on a balcony, and my left brain was spinning at what my right brain struggled to comprehend.  I'm a scientist, so understanding art does not come easy.  I balked at the idea of going to see such an exhibit, yet I had no choice, because Kristina had already graciously bought tickets for all of us to go.  "OK, Brad, be a sport, go with the flow," is what I told myself.  However, once we arrived, and I observed the magnitude of this creation, I was in awe.  As I lie on the floor, staring up at the curtain flapping in the breeze and hearing people giggle on swings, it takes me back to my childhood and being outside on a hot summer day.  I don't know why, but it definitely transformed me, and I am richer for the experience.  It was a valuable lesson:  we need to expose ourselves to novel experiences in life, especially if outside of our comfort zone.  


 After having visited the Museum of Modern Art, Kristina and Emily practice their best "Scream" while on the swing...

...which causes Emily to fall off of the swing
 hilarity ensues

While on the swing, Hiep directs us to pose for the camera; Emily exaggerates a cheesy 'lean in for the kiss'...and we both crack up laughing.  I love this girl!

 Hiep and Trami share the conviviality that the large swing induces

 Em must be missing our pup Penny (as I catch her petting inanimate objects)

 We had an exquisite dinner at David Burke's restaurant.

 The Staten Island Ferry affords the best views of the Statue of Liberty.
(pun intended, as it's free to ride)  

The Freedom tower is the reason Kern had to move to NYC, as he has been working on engineering, fabrication, and installation of the outer glass panels.  It must give a great sense of pride to contribute to such a monumental project, which is so close to the hearts of many New Yorkers.

(NYC trip to be continued...)

Wednesday, March 6, 2013

Vegas, baby!

Back in December, we took a long weekend trip to Las Vegas.  Playing by our own rules, we ventured outside the strip for a little different experience than most who come to this city.  The primary reason for the trip was for Emily to join our friend Brie in the Vegas Half Marathon.  I was just along for the ride (how can I pass up a trip?).  We flew in Friday evening after work, and I gotta say, that was the wildest plane ride I have ever been on.  On Saturday afternoon, we took a helicopter ride over the Hoover Dam and out to the Grand Canyon.  We had originally planned to do this with a rental car, but heli is definitely the way to go!

 Hoover Dam from the chopper

 they say communication is the key to a healthy relationship  :)
 Grand Canyon - best viewed from the air

 Brie, yours truly, our pilot, and Em 
(best quote of the ride was from Brie, "I want a helicopter"....I couldn't agree more!)

Saturday night, we went to a Cirque du Soleil show; they never fail to amaze.  We also squeezed in some healthy time on the strip.  Despite making myself look like an uncool tourist, I could not resist to take my DSLR...this city just photographs so well...especially at night.  It also helps that my buddy let me borrow his 24mm prime f/1.4 L series lens (yet another toy added to my wish list).

 watching the Bellagio fountains is a must




 Chihuly in the Bellagio

 chocolate fountain

 great pyro in the Treasure Island show

 Caesar's Palace

gondola in the Venetian

In true Vegas style, Em ran the Rock n Roll Half Marathon on Sunday with very little sleep, yet was able to finish OK.  I did well enough at poker to fund the entire trip and still fly home with more in my pocket than I had when I arrived.  If only all Vegas trips could be this great!  I love getting paid to go on vacation.

Thursday, November 29, 2012

Beacon Rock and Hamilton Mountain Hikes

After Thanksgiving, we were looking for a good way to burn off all those wonderful calories we had consumed.  The Sunday forecast called for clear skies and no rain, so we decided to take advantage of some local hiking trails.  Driving east for an hour, we ventured into the Columbia River Gorge, home of the two elements needed to create great waterfalls:  rapid elevation change and lots of freshwater streams/rivers.  The Ice Age did us a nice favor by creating sheer rock faces, while the pioneers did us another favor by carving some of the best hiking trails in the country.  We crossed the Columbia River using the $1 toll bridge, a method much more convenient than Lewis and Clark's, to land ourselves in the neighboring state of Washington. 
We did a quick morning hike up to the top of Beacon Rock.  It was worth leaving the house before the sun had risen to be the first and only people on the trail.  As we finished the hike, the parking lot was beginning to fill.  Yes, the early bird got his worm today.
Emily at the base of Beacon Rock
early morning foggy view of the Columbia River from atop Beacon Rock

After our morning hike, we decided to treat ourselves to a Sunday Brunch....uh, OK, I guess we aren't gonna work off those holiday meals afterall  :)  An item on Emily's "30 things to do while 30" list was to have brunch at the Skamania Lodge.  I gotta say, with a spread including crab, clams, shrimp, salmon, herring, glazed ham, carved prime rib, and all the usual brunch items (omlets made to order, waffles, etc), this place should be on everyone's bucket list.  Yum!  In keeping the Thanskgiving feasting alive a little longer, we got our money's worth at the brunch.  In addition to a great meal, the lodge has spectacular views; we were especially lucky to see the sun burning off the morning fog right before our eyes.
the sun cleared up the view of the Gorge during our brunch at Skamania Lodge

After lunch, we decided to make another attempt at working off the food.  We hiked 8 miles RT and 2400 ft elevation gain to the top of Hamilton Mountain.  The first few miles of the hike rewarded us with many waterfalls, for which this region is popular, while the latter portion of the hike provided stellar views of the Gorge from up high.


The rainy week prior resulted in waterfalls which were flowing with their full might with an almost deafening roar as the water surged down the rocky cliffs.  After leaving the waterfall area, one notices how quiet the forest can truly be, and the respite it provides from the hustle of daily life.  Places like this become my sanctuary after working in a 24 X 7 job with my Blackberry ringing at all hours of the night.
It's very valuable to be able to find something as pristine and natural as this, yet only 1 hour drive from home.



view of Bonneville Dam (major source of green electricity for the Portland Area) from atop Hamilton Mountain

at the summit of Hamilton Mountain with Mt Hood peaking over the horizon (left side by clouds)

We finished the hike just before dark.  Looking back, it was an ideal day: spending a lot of time with my wife (which can sometimes be rare due to my demanding work and her hectic work/school), enjoying the outdoors, getting 5+ hours of exercise, and eating great food.  Despite only being one day and only driving one hour from home, I felt as if I had just taken a full vacation!

Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Thanksgiving in Portland

We had our annual Thanksgiving feast at our house, hosting some of our friends who were not traveling to visit family.  This year, we welcomed a few new people, however, we truly missed spending Thanksgiving with the Kerns (who moved to New York) for the first time in many years.  We hope you all had a great Thanksgiving!!