you didn't waste my day

Delish weekend! On Friday we walked down to The Cavern to see Cotton Jones and two other bands. Drinks were cheap but the one roadie (I guess he was a roadie?) had the worst B.O. I have ever smelled!!! I also should have done a beard-count since it was just plain over the top in there.

Anyway, the first two bands were okay. The girl singer from Wye & Oak has a voice that makes me want to take a nap. Whatevs.

Cotton Jones played a fun set, and they seemed to be having a really good time together. I wish Clint would have been there! I read some article about them that said he was apparently the inspiration for the band name? Haha, I love it. I haven't seen Clint in forever.



It was a little strange though to see Chris Morris drumming for them. I was a real jerk to him many, many years ago. He didn't see me though, despite me being right up front video taping! hahahahah Not sure what this song is called, but it was their last of the night.



The next day, we somehow woke up at 8:30 and went hiking in the Heard Wildlife Sanctuary. At first when we got there, we felt pretty out of place because there were TONS of little kids running around. They have some "Dinosaurs Alive!" exhibit going on and there are all these animatronic dinos creeping in the woods.

We braved it and went on several of the hikes. Sometimes we went on service roads instead of the trails :( worst signage ever! Check out the gorgeous scenery:









Also, it's officially fall. Crazy storms with Harry Potter skies and the birds are coming back...





AND Chief is still cute, don't worry.

There's Raining and There's Laking

Well it's been a rainy weekend, but it's the first week of the NFL season so it all evens out. So far the Ravens are doing really well until a blocked punt return for a touchdown. That crap will do you in every time.

Anyway, Brittany and I returned this past week from Vegas Vacation number 2. I love that place, even though it always takes my money. We have a ton of pictures, so try not to lose focus!

This is Brittany getting pumped up on our first evening



We stayed at Planet Hollywood. I certainly recommend it for your next stay.



Our first morning we drove off to Death Valley, CA.



Just cruisin'



This is our new tradition at the entrance of any National Park we visit



In case you didn't realize, it gets really hot there.



Zabriskie Point



Same spot, different direction



Not much life down there, literally.



But I was determined to find something



It doesn't get any more desert than that.



Sand dunes!



Salt flats in the distance



Just one of the roads we were on



You could hear a pin drop out there



Had a tough time navigating through the dense vegetation.



It reached 117 degrees while we were there.



Is that a mirage?



I scattered some b&w shots in there



The Devils Golf Course



Another B&W



Don't fall! It would hurt



It's like walking on the moon, except for the gravity part.



Badwater, where all the water, or lack there of, collects at the deepest point



That is way down there



Way up the cliff it says "sea level." Can't really see it too well in this picture.



We made it back to Vegas in time to watch the VT-Alabama game. It didn't go as well as hoped.



There are some crazy people out at night!



The easiest picture to take in the entire city



The Bellagio is pretty easy too.



Obviously Planet Hollywood was meant for us, or at least Brittany



We also went downtown. Better payouts my butt.



Our view from the pool



Sorry for showing pictures of food, but this was an outstanding crepe.



Oh the fountains



It looks a little different during the day



The Excalibur



Part of the almost completed construction on the strip



We had trouble finding a place to gamble.



Inside PH. Brittany was winning all her money at this time



Blue disco ball



We actually saw Elvis a few times this trip



B for Brittany, and Bellagio



While we were waiting for breakfast



I hope those people in the balloons realize there is a ceiling



I'm just kidding, no one was really in those balloons.



Brittany's Bellagio Bellini. Even I thought that looked good



Again, a picture of food. But this was the best ever. 4 layers of hash browns, canadian bacon, Maryland crab cake, and a poached egg. Holy cow



I should have taken this picture at night.



Now this guy is a creep. He was just walking back and forth



Unfortunately, we had to leave at some point



And we could actually take a couple of pictures from the plane



Including the Grand Canyon



So that's it! Ravens are now really really worrying me. Yikes