Take Me Out to the Ball Game

April 13-14, 2015 -- Baltimore, MD -- The crack of the bat, the snap of the glove clasping a fastball, the sound of a slide... there are just some sounds that sound like summer.  Baseball is America's past time, I grew up loving the game and for a kid in the west with no real connection to any major league teams I soaked up the sport through players whose nicknames and stats I had memorized because of an extensive baseball card collection.

Baseball has always been, well, spiritual to me.  For years I've had it on my bucket list to attend a game in person.  Honestly, I attended a game between the Rockies and the Mets when I was in college but the experience only left me wanting more rather than desiring to make another mark on the checklist.

Two years ago, while at a conference alone in Philadelphia I found my way to Citizens Banke Park and watched Roy Hallady pitch a great game against the Mets. I was literally 20 feet from Ryan Sandberg a hero of mine growing up as he was then third base coach.

Again, a conference from work would take me to Baltimore.  I was elated to see the Orioles play the Yankees in Camden Yards with my brother.

What an awesome experience! Camden Yards is everything great about baseball.  From the statues to the greats (Babe Ruth, Eddie Murray, Cal Ripken, Frank Robinson) to the markers on the sidewalk behind right field marking historic home runs the ballpark is outstanding.

Watching Alex Rodriguez at bat against the O's.

Had the Boog's BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwich and got a picture with the former first-baseman and 1970 MVP Boog Powell pre-game.

Mondays are pretty cool at the park because Orioles Player Alumni come out and sign autographs for the fans. They had Ron Hansen (SS '58-62'), Tippy Martinez (P, '74-88') and Calvin Pickering (FB, '98-99') on hand.

Eutaw Street pre-game ( you can see a couple of the home run markers in the pavement)

Orioles Hall of Fame behind center field.

Having had such a great time the day before on Tuesday I bought a cheap seat and enjoyed a second game.  Baseball just gets in your blood, I'm still not sure I'm going to strike a major league game from the bucket list! ;)

Promontory: ATK Rocket Launch

March 11, 2015 -- Promontory, UT -- ATK and NASA fired off a solid rocket booster which was simply two minutes and six seconds of pure awesome. 

 For most of my life I've been close to ATK and have heard now and then of their solid rocket booster tests but I've never been able to attend a rocket firing.  So after making arrangements to skip out of work I was pretty excited that my first would also be the biggest ever tested. 

 It really was pretty awesome.  We got to the spectator site at about 7:30 for the 9:30 'launch'.  That turned out pretty fortunate because there were roughly 7,000 people wanting to catch a glimpse and even as they counted down there were miles of cars on the road waiting to get close. 

 Being a mile away at first it was just a silent flash of light coming from the end of the rocket. You could see the flame and I thought for an instant to myself, "well that's cute".  Then about four seconds in the sound boom hit us and as flames shot out of the booster dirt columned hundreds of feet in the air, and it was REALLY COOL!

For the next two minute we just stared in awe at the power harnessed in the rocket. 

There is an awesome video available via NASA if you want to see the test in it's entirety and for more information on the Qualification Motor 1, or QM-1 visit here.

Hardware Ranch, Hyrum Utah

Jan. 2, 2015 Hardware Ranch, Utah -- Took the afternoon off and jumped into the truck with my exploring buddy and headed to Hardware Ranch.  The Utah Wildlife Management operation is a refuge for elk in the winter to prevent them from coming into the Cache Valley to look for food. 

At the ranch, you can take a horse-drawn sleigh ride through the fields of elk and learn more about these incredible animals from those who work with the Utah Division of Wildlife. The ranch is located up Blacksmith Fork Canyon just east of Hyrum, Utah.  Nearly 500+ elk seek refuge each year at the ranch.