Summer Showers

My Mom held a really fun shower for me at her house in Cincinnati in August.
My aunt was telling stories that made my Mum crack up. When my Mum can't stop laughing, I can't help but laugh too.
My friend Christine who I love to be around. Everything she bought for me came from the dollar store.
Serving up some lemon and berry desserts with my cousin's daughter Alyssa.
A lingerie set from the dollar store. Actually pretty cute.

In celebration of our up-coming October wedding, John's Mom and sisters threw a great shower for me and John. It was really fun, and great to have John there to share in the gift opening.
John's family.
John with me, my Mom, and Sister-in-law, Tracy.

Albuquerque, New Mexico

John and I made a stop in the Old Town Plaza in Albuquerque during our visit to see his friend Gary. This beautiful and historic church is San Felipe de Neri Catholic Church.

The Sandia Peak Tramway was really fun. This tramway is the longest (4.5 km long, vertical rise of 1.2 km) and fastest (13.6 mph) in the world.
At the top of the peak, it was pretty windy and cold, but amazing to see.
During the winter time, a ski slope is operated here.

Arizona

John and I went to visit my friend April in Ajo, Arizona the first week of May. We had so much fun!

Ajo Historical Society Museum. I really like the Southwest architectural style. A pretty Catholic church in Ajo.
Horse Ranch in Tucson, Arizona.
The ranch was very scenic, located at the foot of the Tucson Mtns. and right at the edge of Saguaro National Park. John looking handsome, as always.
Horse-back riding in the desert was one of my favorite things, especially at such a pretty time of the year.
Many beautiful desert plants were in bloom during our visit.
Organ Pipe National Monument was a great place for a hike! We took a 4.5 mile hike to part of an old, abandoned mining operation.This was a snack shop we found during a quick trip down to Mexico for lunch.

Indiana Transportation Museum: Dinner on the Diner

Arriving at the Station.
One of the passenger cars in use.
John checking the arrival and departure schedules from an early 20th century caboose.
Enjoying a smoke in superior comfort and style.
A spacious, modern kitchen facility.
The adjoining diner car from 1958.
An old baggage car.

The restored 1930 diner car.

Dinner in the restored 1930's diner car was so much fun! John and I loved the side-to-side rocking departure and enjoyed great views on our ride from Noblesville to Tipton, Indiana.

The blue car is the 1930 Louisville and Nashville Diner Car that we enjoyed our ride in. The weather was slightly cooler, but very nice. Besides the train ride and dinner, getting to walk through the various, older train cars was my favorite thing, especially the passenger cars. John and I will definitely go back!

Spring Bird Mist-netting Trip

Setting up the mist nets.

A beautiful male, Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus).
A bitey Dark-eyed Junco (Junco hyemalis).
A fiesty male Tufted Titmouse (Baeolophus bicolor).
A great look at a Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata).

This morning, I was able to tag along on a mist netting trip to Cooper farm in Muncie, Indiana with the Ball State Wildlife Society. The weather was crisp and sunny, and we caught a variety of very cool birds. We also caught Song and Swamp Sparrows. I'm holding a Swamp Sparrow (Melospiza georgiana) above.

Historic Union Terminal Train Station

John and I got to spend a couple of days in Cincinnati last weekend. On Sunday, we went to the Cincinnati museum center at the historic Union Terminal train station with my Dad. It is a really beautiful Art deco style structure that was built in 1933. Unfortunately, only a very small portion is still used as a train station. However, there are so many great exhibits to see there, it is still a really cool place to visit. My favorite is the Cincinnati history exhibit.

Winter sunset

I get really great views of the sunsets in winter from my tree-top apartment.