My best friend Ryan has been living in Pittsburgh for the past 5 years or so, and this is only the second chance I’ve had to visit. I went up a couple years back in late summertime and caught a Pirates game at PNC. This recent trip has been in the works for a really looooong time. I’m a HUGE Pittsburgh Penguins fan, and even though my mom is from Pittsburgh and I spent a lot of time there as a kid, I’d never been to see the Pens play at home in the Igloo. That was unacceptable, especially since they might not be there much longer… Long story short, on February 18th we saw the Penguins beat the Washington Capitals 3-2 at Melon Arena. It was a dream come true for me (hey, I’ve got attainable dreams alright!). The best part was that I got to see the game with Ryan and share the experience with Sarah and Asher.

We were lucky enough to stay at Ryan’s Aunt and Uncle’s condo at the Hidden Valley Ski Resort about an hour east of the city. I really can’t write enough about how great Ryan and his family were. Ryan chauffeured us around all weekend, which was precarious at times due to the 458ft of snow that fell while we were there. Seriously, it snowed almost non-stop. Ryan and I spent all day Saturday skiing on fresh powder at Hidden Valley, and even though it was about 15 degrees, it was still incredible. I don’t think Sarah had ever been in weather that cold (and I don’t think she’ll ever want to again).

By the way, Asher is the most laid back kid I’ve ever met. On the plane? Awesome. In Ryan’s car? Awesome. At the game? Awesome. Sleeping at night in a strange place? Awesome. Scratching the hell out of Uncle Ryan’s face? Awesome.

Here are some photos from our trip to the Burgh:

The Igloo

The Pens

Me and my baby Penguin

Winter Flower

A Blizzard at Riverview Park

Snow

LOTS of Snow

View from the slopes of Hidden Valley, PA

All of these pics are posted on the photos page under Places –> Pittsburgh – Feb2007

Yesterday, my dad and I played golf at the Old South Golf Links located just outside Hilton Head Island in Bluffton, SC. I wish I could blame my terrible golf skills on something other than me sucking at golf… but, this time the course was in great condition. On the 5th hole, a hungry alligator bit off my arm while I was looking for a lost ball, but I did manage to snap a great picture of him as he swam away. Kind of gives a new meaning to “water hazard”…

We’ve also spent a lot of time on the beach… just like every other vacation Sarah and I have EVER been on… not that it’s getting old or anything… (it’s getting really old). Once again, I’ve got sand in a very uncomfortable place (like the back seat of a Volkswagen?). One of the things I do like about the beach is that you can take some great pictures. It’s been a lot of fun chasing Ally around on the beach taking pictures.

Sarah and I are vacationing with my family in Hilton Head, South Carolina. My parents have a timeshare property at the Marriot Barony Beach Club at Port Royal and they invited us to tag along with them, my sister, Caron, and her 2 1/2 year old daughter Allyson. It’s been a pretty good time so far… the pool and the beach have been VERY relaxing. I sooooooooo needed a vacation…

Both of my parents are avid golfers and have been for decades. Growing up, most of our family vacations were spent in Horseshoe Bay, Texas. My sister and I would be bored out of our minds all day long while my parents played kid-free golf. I’ve been playing golf for as long as I can remember, but I’ve never really been that good at it. These days I’m lucky if I play 2 rounds of golf in 6 months. Hilton Head is reknown for it’s great golf courses, so I’ve been looking forward to this trip since we bought our plane tickets back in October of last year.

Today, my dad and I played the Robber’s Run course at the Port Royal Golf Club. It was the first time either of us have played there and we were NOT impressed. The course has a lot of potential, but it was in absolutely terrible condition – the green’s keeper should be ashamed of himself. I wouldn’t even recommend the course to my greatest golf nemesis, Mr. Ryan Lafield. We will not be playing that course again. Ever.

It’s been a lot of fun getting to hang out with our niece Ally. It gives Sarah and I a taste of what it will be like when (IF) we go on vacation once Asher is a toddler. All I can say is that it should be very interesting…

Plane rides + Long car rides + Toddler = DISASTER.

There is one other thing I want to mention… I guess I’ve been living in the stone ages because until this vacation, I’ve never been swimming in a salt water pool. It is greatness. I can’t really describe it, but the water just feels so much better on your skin and especially on your eyes – it’s like swimming in saline solution.

Oh, and as I type this, my mother is watching a “work out” video on her portable DVD player while SITTING at the kitchen bar. Yes, this is my family’s idea of exercise… and some of you wonder why I’m such a lazy fatass. I rest my case.