I'm back! After some technical difficulties and some much needed vacation time, I'm back to keep you up to date on what's
happening. Hope you are all having a great summer.
Karen, Zoe and I have returned from a couple of vacations this past July. The first was in Alaska, where we boarded a cruise ship and followed the coastline from Whittier south to Vancouver. Highlights include the incredible, seemingly endless mountain scenery, cruising through Glacier Bay National Park, Skagway Brewing Company's Spruce Tip Ale, the Mendenhall Glacier and a great excursion to the rainforest with Karen to run ziplines high among the spruce and cedar trees.
Our second vacation was far more low-key and relaxing. We stayed with some friends in an old farmhouse in Vermont. The weather was great and we spent the days lounging leisurely and eating very well from the local farmstands. Right before we returned to PA I bought an amazing 2 lb heirloom tomato called "Black From Tula" at the local farmer's market. It's a strain from western Russia and the flavor was fantastic. Back at home I made a few pizzas with it, and just ate it raw. It had smoky and salty undertones. I'm going to try to grow some here next summer.
This also the summer of Led Zeppelin. An annual ritual shared with my pal Erik where we listen to a single band's
catalog chronologically throughout the summer. With all the vacations between us we got a little off schedule but we're gonna
get to them all. This week is "Houses of the Holy". Even Zoe's down with it - that's her clutching a copy of Led Zeppelin IV.
Next week I'll post about my upcoming trip to Madison - Bouckville , NY... Cheers!
