Our trip to Busch Gardens Europe (aka Williamsburg) over the weekend was a total success. We had great weather on the long Memorial Day weekend – going in, we thought we made a bad call because we were afraid the park would be packed – but we had beautiful sunshine, a cool-enough breeze, and almost no lines at all. We drove up Friday, hitting some traffic – apparently an overturned 18-wheeler – but we had enough time in the schedule to absorb it. We hit our traditional eatery, a nice Mexican restaurant at just about the halfway mark, and the kids collected some great custom ballons from visiting clowns – weirdness! We got in to our nifty little Econolodge in time to hit the sack, after a quick trip to Food Lion and Wawa to pick up park entry coupons – $10 off the $60 admission, the best deal around. The next day everyone was pumped up and we hit the road at 8:30am. We were at the park by 9am, in the first row of parking, whoop! They opened up Scotland at 9am, which let gave us time to pack our stuff in a locker (no bags on rides any more), ride Loch Ness Monster and get in line to storm the rest of the park. Then we hit the Griffon, and were screaming down the 200+-foot-freefall by 10am. What a start! Everyone’s heart was pumping after that, and we basically didn’t stop until 10pm that night. We crawled home and fell asleep. After a nice jump in the cool pool the next morning (with Wrenny jumping in without testing the water haha!), we headed home for some well-deserved rest. Wahoo!! Good job to the whole crew, everybody did their best to have a blast. :>

At 24 miles one-way, it was a good ride! There’s something extra fun about seeing skyscrapers appear on the horizon, then biking into their shadows. Ricardo and Jim joined up there. And there was swag to be had! Water bottles, leg bands, lights, and the Red Bull girls handing out free ice-cold energy in a can, whoop. I’m logging my miles here now, check the top right for the latest summary. I’ll try to add some more fun graphs soon…

I got my semi-annual CT scan last week, and the 9mm tumor near my spleen has not grown at all. NO change. That’s about the best news you can get! Dr. Levine says “keep doin’ what you’re doin!” Happy day. Thanks to everyone for the words of encouragement. I suppose I should throw a party!! Would you come? :P

My nephew Tommy tied the knot with his girlfriend Mindy this weekend in West Chester, PA. We had a blast getting together with everyone right before the holidays – Ma and Pa were there, and brother Dan, Val, Bailey, Corey, Niki, Tammy and Diane, Uncle Chuck and Aunt Jeanne, Tommy’s friend Colin, etc. – it’s been a long time since that whole group has been in one place. We drove up through awful traffic on Thursday, but Tommy had a worse travel story, missing his plane and doing lots of driving just to make it to his own wedding. But we all arrived safe and sound. While the bridal party had their rehearsal dinner, Andrea and the girls and I and my folks, headed to SuTao, a completely vegan Asian restaurant that had an entire buffet including desserts. We were all in the same nice Holiday Inn hotel Friday night, Dan and I hung out with Corey and the rest of the next generation for a few drinks and an overdue tech talk. Entertaining the wait staff with our antics kept us pretty busy Saturday morning. Then the wedding – downtown West Chester has that quaint charm, and it rolls on for blocks. The Catholic church was a beautiful stone building with gorgeous stained glass windows and an old worn hardwood floor. In between the wedding and the reception, we had a chance to grab a muffin and a coffee/tea/hot chocolate with Uncle Chuck and Aunt Jeanne. The reception was the highlight – on the Greystone Manor grounds – an old English-style manor that is reserved for special occasions. Instead of a large generic banquet hall, the catering took place throughout the manor, in all the nooks and crannies. Hord’erves were everywhere, drinks were served in the colder lower wing, while Andrea and the girls and Bailey and I had the main course next to a massive roaring fire. The caterer made us a special pesto meal with a wonderful glaze. Later there were chocolate-covered strawberries with coffee, and of course dancing. The girls showed off their moves! We did our best swing dancing, and everything else we could think of. We were up late again, ending up at the hotel bar with the younger gang. We had more fun at another hotel breakfast. We’re finally back home now, and we’re exhausted! CONGRATS TOMMY AND MINDY! :>