Convention Roundup 2015

'Vention in my state of residence was very good.  It feels like it's been so long ago (3 months) that I don't have a lot of specifics to share.  But it was definitely edifying, I remember that much.  The weather was a bit iffy on Thursday and Sunday afternoon, but other than that it was great.  Now I remember something else.....because of the change in time of year for this, there were way more campers and tents there.  When I went to set up my tent on Thursday afternoon, there was already a shortage of tent spots whereas in the past I pretty much had my "usual" area all to myself for the first two days.

I faced the storm head-on and set my tent up even though the oncoming clouds looked like this.  Luckily they dissipated and/or went around us.  I did cheat and looked at the weather radar on my phone before I made that decision.

Beautiful scenery on a morning walk.

The next weekend was 'vention in Iowa, so I went there for the weekend.  There were two notable things about that trip.  One was getting stopped by a cop in the corny state for speeding.  I lucked out and got off with a warning.  He did ask a few questions about the large box of peaches in my back seat.  Maybe he thought they were hiding contraband or something.  He didn't call out the drug dog or ask to search my car.  I must be looking more respectable these days.  The other notable thing was the weather was pleasantly cool.  I didn't even need my special feet cooling towel.

One of the few pictures I took there.  This is a dew-covered spider web in the grass on the side of the road.

In mid September I went back to the old stomping grounds for the weeknd of 'vention there.  There is something special about going back where almost everybody knows who you are and where you came from and who your relatives are.  I also find it kind of fascinating that some people that I would say I hardly ever talked to when I lived there (but for sure I knew who they were) greeted me like an old friend.  Besides the spiritual food, it was great to see my youngest niece there as well.

Starting early on her electrical engineer training.

Whoops, maybe I didn't teach her enough safety about not putting metal stuff into the electrical outlets.

Me with Muggles and her little girl.