Columbus

July 26th – 27th


When I got back from Denver, my mom was at my house. She and Dave started the preps for the projects ahead this week.

I am getting all new exterior doors.

They got them picked up on Monday. Which was a saga in itself; doors not ready on time, had to rent a truck from Home Depot to pick them up from Lowe's...  etc

Mom and I started sanding & painting them on Tuesday.

Dad will be up this weekend to rip out the old ones and replace.

Original back door

Original front door

And for some reason, I didn’t take before photos of the garage door??

It was in the worst condition and what started this project!

Of course, nothing ever goes as planned. Last week the sales person at Lowe’s had called to inform me that one of the doors was not going to arrive on time. Due to my limited timeline (aka: the 4 days dad would be in town), she was able to call in a few favors and get the door back on track.

Go back a few weeks.. when I had to order the doors… holy crap! So MANY decisions when it comes to ordering doors! Left outswing, left inswing.. right outswing, right inswing… peep hole height… threshold stuff… etc. When you have an outswing, you can’t have a storm door (aka: screen door)

However, by putting an outswing on the back door, I would gain a couple inches of space in my (very) small kitchen. My head was spinning!

Small factoid… in the state of Ohio, if you replace a door that is going to the garage, it has to have a specific fire rating. Which is Latin for expensive! Basically, if my house catches fire, it will burn to the ground. However, the door going from the dining room to the garage will still be standing!

And as luck would have it, my new fire rated door, arrived damaged!

I took a ton of photos and took them to Lowe’s. Due to my limited timeline, I got a nice discount because my dad had to fix the damage. There wasn’t time for the factory to re-make them.

If you plan on painting your own doors – DON’T GET WINDOWS! They are a pain in the butt to tape off! Especially curved ones!

One more mind boggling decision process… choosing hardware! Oh… I lamented over this for days. My selection was narrowed because my dad would only ‘approve’ one brand. Which both Lowe’s & Home Depot sell – but they both sell similar, yet different models. AGHHHH!!!

Denver

July 24th – 26th

NHRA: Denver

Welcome to the compound!

The track is up above us

I never got anywhere near it







This crew is simply awesome!
No other way to put it!
They always make sure I feel welcome and like part of the family.

The days are really long, but the people make up for it.

On Monday, I spent the better part of the day flying home.

Columbus > Denver

Am filling in on the NHRA show this weekend out in Denver. I traveled out early so I could check out Red Rocks which is right near the track.

Here is an excerpt from the website:
Red Rocks is a geologically formed, open-air Amphitheatre that is not duplicated anywhere in the world. With Mother Nature as the architect, the design of the Amphitheatre consists of two, three hundred-foot monoliths (Ship Rock and Creation Rock) that provide acoustic perfection for any performance. The dramatic sandstone monoliths serve as a history book of animal and plant life in the area for the past 250 million years. As spectators gaze at the towering red sandstone rocks, they view the ancient tales of prehistoric times.

Upon arrival, I discovered that there was a concert that evening – The String Cheese Incident. I really don’t know how to explain it other than a freak show. You can google it to see what kind of music it is and fans that attend.

It was very hard to drive around because there were people stumbling everywhere.  Add in the fact that I didnt know where I was going.

It’s very hippy-esque.




I did see a naked guy while driving out of the park. He was standing there peeing with his pants around his ankles, FACING the road. Quite the scene.

I was able to do a little hiking away from the Amphitheater area. Some truly amazing sights!

Next I went to a quaint little place nearby for dinner.
Had terrible service.

I went by the truck for a few hours – there was a partial set day today for the rest of the crew. I haven’t done this show for a while, so I stopped in to get ‘updated’.

Later in the evening, I had a few drinks back at the hotel with my long-time friend Pete.

Columbus

Smokey and Claude came to visit for a few days….

Cleveland

On Friday morning, I left Jonny &Amanda’s early and went downtown to STO. I had to do a little training.

After that I got checked into the hotel, had some lunch and then went to work.

It was great to see everyone on the crew again. They are all so wonderful!
If only it wasn’t baseball!

Indians defeated the Tigers 8-2


On Saturday morning, I got up and went over to Cliff & Boo’s – I was going to meet baby Avery! He is about 10 weeks old.

He is so sweet! His loves it when mom or dad hold him and do squats. It makes him very happy!






It was a nice morning spent with friends – and a new little friend!

In the afternoon, I headed back over to STO for another game.
God I love this crew!

Indians defeated the Tigers 2-1 in game 2 of a double header. Thankfully, we only broadcasted game 2. Game 1 was a makeup game from May 7th that had gotten postponed.


Sunday always comes quick! Short turnaround.
But that is all part of “living the dream!”

Indians swept the Tigers 7-2.

Columbus > Cleveland

What a roller coaster ride the past 24 hours have been!

Unfortunately, I have to head up to Cleveland for work this weekend. The timing could not of been worse.

I left in the mid afternoon and headed over to Jonny & Amanda’s place. We had an evening of dinner, drinks and catching up in store.

Amanda made a yummy dinner of chicken parm!

Shortly after dinner, Matty joined us and we sat and watched a movie.

Cats always know I love them…

But oh was I suffering… (I am allergic)

What a great evening!
I wish I could hang with Jonny & Amanda more often!  (Matty too!)

Columbus

Today was indeed an interesting day.

My best friend lost his job.

I also attended a benefit for a co-worker who has lost everything… he has Lou Gerhig’s disease and is no longer able to work. Since he is a freelancer, he has no insurance.

I am so proud to be a part of an amazing group of people who came together tonight to honor a long time friend and co-worker in his time of need.

Please take a minute to give thanks for what you DO have.
Don’t ever take your job, your family or your life for granted.
Because as I was reminded today… tomorrow, it could all be gone.

Worthington

Today was baby Isabella’s Baptism!

Dave and I set foot in a church and it didn’t burn to the ground instantly. Wow!

It was a very nice service followed by a wonderful gathering of family and friends.

Worthington, OH

Following tradition, Dave, Roger and I had a cookout today and watched the Nathan’s Hotdog Eating contest on ESPN.

Roger had to go to work, so Dave and I spent the afternoon doing yard work at both houses.

In the evening, we did what every mature adult does on the 4th of July… I packed up a cooler with Sprite, Coke, Seagrams 7, Captain Morgan and ice. Put it in a backpack.. then got out our biking sipper cups and put them in their holders. I put the backpack on, he strapped our soccer mom chairs to his bike and we peddled to downtown Worthington to watch the fireworks.

Even though it’s only a couple of miles, I have very strict drinking and driving rules. Plus, riding bikes while drunk with chairs and backpacks tied to us – only makes it more fun and challenging!

We sat on a patch of grass behind Worthington High School and enjoyed the show.

The bike ride home was interesting as the traffic is really heavy. But we made it safe and sound.

Columbus

Chicago vs Columbus - MLS


Worked the visiting feed for Chicago today.

I really have nothing to report. Uneventful day!

Columbus Crew defeated Chicago Fire 2-1

July 1st - 2nd

Columbus

Red White & Boom!

Set day on Thursday for “Boom!” went well. My suggestion of hiring a freelance TD for the day REALLY paid off! Made a world of difference.

Like every year, there were a lot of challenges, but we were able to overcome them. This event always makes me “think” and that’s good for me. So many days and events I am on auto-pilot – but not this one!

Of course there were idiots camping out for the “perfect” spot to watch the fireworks.

Really? You want to sleep for 2 days in 90+ degree weather to watch some fireworks that you can see on TV? In HD at that!






Things came together at Boom Central…

And before you knew it… it was time!

The ride back to the station is always a treat! I ride back with the talent and they are so very funny! I can’t tell you the stories though… sorry :(

Key Largo > Miami > Columbus

Went and found another great breakfast spot this morning! Doc’s Diner.

Afterwards, we headed back and loaded up my luggage.

Dad took me to the airport and then he went back to Fort Myers for the day.
Mom stayed in Key Largo.

The flights back were good.

It's was nice to be home again!
I have tomorrow off too!

Holy crap look at my garden! 

Don't look at the weeds growing on the patio though!

Key Largo

This morning I spent a few of my pre-dawn hours at the “TV Lounge” in dad’s SUV stealing the internet from afar. It’s what I have done every morning on this vacation. We have limited internet access in the trailer and its use is intended for Trimcraft.

I spent my daylight morning hours at “South Beach” soaking in as many rays as possible.

We went to lunch again at Sundowners and the spent the afternoon in the bay near Pennekamp.

A very peaceful afternoon for all on our last family day.

Key Largo

We hung out in the back bay in the morning.

Then we headed out to the Atlantic for one last chance of snorkeling.

Mom and I snorkeled on Grecian Reef.

Later, dad and I tried to get to the Jesus statue, but the water was too rough. There wasn’t an open ball close enough for us to tied up to.

Oh well, maybe next year!






We did however have some dolphins ‘run’ with us!

Excuse the camera work – it’s rather hard to keep balance at that speed!

Thank God it was only that kind of “Fins” and not the other kind of “Fins”!

Key Largo

The Captain needed another “Land Day”. So we headed out to breakfast to a place called “The Hideout” or “Hiddenout” – depends on who you ask and which sign you read at the place.

It was very Keys-y, but also VERY good!








Nearby, there was also the “Boatel” – which intrigued us for sure, so we checked it out.

That was the “nice” one. It was basically an apartment built on a barge that was permanently docked.






The rest were makeshift house boats built on former pontoon boats. Also permanently docked. Wish I had taken photos.

Next we drove around to look at the fronts of the houses we have been seeing the backs of from the water. We were also on the lookout for rentals – always looking for new places to stay!

After that, we headed down to the Hilton where mom and I had stayed for Spring Break. We had wanted to show dad how awesome the place was.

Then mom & dad took me back so I could lay out in the sun at “South Beach”.

In the evening I made flank steak for dinner.

Key Largo

Another day spent in the Gulf of Mexico.

It has been disappointing since we have the Gulf of Mexico back in Ft. Myers. We are in the Keys – we should be in the Atlantic! Plus I wanted to snorkel.

Oh well – can’t control the weather. The sun is out and there is nothing like a day on the water!

We needed some gas so we headed over to the marina. The Sh’Ed II holds 200 gallons of gas, so filling up is costly and takes a while. Marina gas is anywhere from $1.50-2.50 MORE per gallon than at a regular gas station.

The only time dad uses a marina is when he is in the Keys. It’s a lot of time & effort to get the boat out, trailer it to a gas station and then put it back in. And the further South you get in the Keys, the more gas costs even at regular stations. (the further the tanker truck has to travel from the mainland).

Anyway – while they were filling up the boat

I ventured over to the Boatominium

It’s always interesting to see the boats in there.
Yah see.. it's a condo for boats!




When I came back out, the guy next to us was filling up his boat. His GPS had like a 20 inch monitor. He also had another enormous screen for radar. Holy Crap! He also spent over $1,000 on gas!

We then wandered over under US1 and just floated around for a while. Dad fished. Mom and I read.

Wait, does that sign say “crocodiles” ?

Apparently this is the only place in the US where there are crocodiles. Nice.






In the late afternoon, we headed back since low tide was coming.

The pass is always interesting.

That is how you get from the back bay of the Atlantic over to the Gulf of Mexico.

Nice houses and boats to look at. However, this time, it was kind of depressing. A lot of rotting houses & boats due to the economy.





There is always wildlife to admire as well.

Didn’t get very good photos since they blend in, but almost every Key in the Keys is being overtaken by iguanas. For years people have let them go after they decided they didn’t want them anymore. Well, they grow to the size of their environment. When they are not in a 20 gallon tank, they tend to get really big and VERY nasty!

They can knock you off your feet with their tail!


Look for the black & green stripes on his tail – then you should be able to see him. I don’t even have the tip of his head or tail in the photo!