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Ironically, one of my favorite pics from our “leaf peeping” weekend in Vermont doesn’t have any leaves in it.

I finally got some much needed R & R on my vacation this past week. Although most of the week was overshadowed by Hurricane Katrina and the relief efforts, there were a few highlights:

New York City
- American Museum of Natural History
- Central Park / Tavern on the Green
- Walking 45 blocks in the rain

Crayola Factory Store
- We didn’t get to see the factory, due to a power outage
- World’s largest crayon — 1,500 lbs.

Sturgis Pretzel Factory (America’s Oldest)
- We rolled our own pretzels, but weren’t allowed to bake them (the law)
- Best soft pretzel I’ve had in a long time

Hershey Park
- Chocolate, Chocolate, Chocolate
- Storm Runner roller coaster (zero to 72 MPH in 2 seconds!)
- The Train, Monorail, Train, Monorail, Train, Monorail…
- Ruby and Little Joe (a late night wrong number on my RAZR)
- Remy Martin (who kicked my ass)

Misc
- Backyard BBQ’s
- Personal battles with SATA hard disk drivers
- $3.59 per gallon for gas
- Sean Penn’s relief boat sinks

And last, but not least:
- Seeing my kid laugh and smile the whole week and early confirmation of a special package that’s due to arrive in April 2006.

In the spirit of Overheard in New York, my wife and I overheard this (while waiting in line at Chocolate World) at Hershey Park in Pennsylvania:

Man: All this chocolate stuff is great, but I really don’t even care for Hershey chocolate.

Woman: I know, me too. I wonder if there’s a “Godiva Park” somewhere.

Hershey Park

World’s Largest Crayon

Remember Katrina and The Waves from the 80’s? “Walking on Sunshine”? Well, doesn’t look like they’ll be much of that this coming week… my vacation week. @#$%! Thanks Katrina. Although, I guess I shouldn’t complain, it could be worse. All we’ll get is some heavy rain, but those folks living by the Gulf of Mexico are in for some serious havoc.

I can’t believe how strong hurricane Katrina has become (currently Category 5). When she got close to Florida a few days ago she was barely a Category 1, but surprised everyone and caused some serious flooding damage. Now it looks like she’s headed to New Orleans, which is six feet below sea level! Not a good thing. I doubt my trip to New Orleans in a couple weeks will happen if Katrina visits first. Good luck to all those folks in the Gulf.

Here are some good links for hurricane pics and info:

NOAA
NASA
US Navy

My R & R has begun… Sunny, 80 degrees, low humidity, cool jazz, a fine Dominican cigar, and a glass of Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Whiskey… a beautiful afternoon in NJ. I’m blogging this post sitting on my deck using an AMD Turion 64 HP notebook (and my new Verizon Broadband WIRELESS access — thanks Lino!). I’m at least 4 hours into this 12-cell battery and still at 60% capacity (full brightness on the LCD too). Awesome. I love weekends (and vacation)!

More to come on the VZW Broadband…

I’m now officially on vacation until Labor Day! This will be the first full week that I’ll be off from work since starting my job late last year. It’s very much welcomed, considering I’ve pretty much been going full steam all year. I’m looking forward to a little rest and relaxation… the Jersey Shore, Hershey Park, backyard BBQ’s, and hopefully some golf. Oh yeah, sprinkle in “a few” household chores in there too. Hopefully the weather will cooperate (hurricane Katrina)!