Where in the world are YOU?

So the post from Having Fun in Ecuador reminded me of something I've been meaning to ask... where are YOU this summer? Reply to this post and let us know, whether it is a far-flung, exotic destination, Bradenton Beach, or your own backyard. (I'll only be distressed if your answer is "on the couch.") In the meantime, I'm going to figure out some sort of interactive map for this blog...

Now introducing...

Sorry to interrupt our regularly scheduled travel & adventure programming, but I would like to introduce Kali, the newest member of our household.

Kali is less than eight weeks old, weighs about 2.5 pounds, and can jump at least 2.5 feet in the air. She will chase anything and loves to play soccer, eat, and cuddle. She's also quite talkative and gets along well with our big dogs. We adopted her from The Cat Depot, a loving shelter in Sarasota. If you are in the area and want to adopt a cat, find a home for a cat, or make a charitable donation, please check them out.

And we're back...

First, a confession: I've actually been back from Tennessee for a while, but I've contracted a terrible case of summer lazy-daze (or is that lazy days?). I have been trying to do my big Summer Cleanout (it's what I do in lieu of Spring Cleaning), but mostly I have been sleeping in and playing with the newest member of our family (more on that later).

Returning readers will notice some formatting changes. I'm still toying with the details, but I'm approaching satisfaction with the design. Also note that I've added a picture to an earlier post (see Bugs, Big Bugs) and there is a new poll over to the right.

More substantial posts to follow!

And we're off....

My camelback is barely dry from the backpacking adventure, and we are leaving this morning for Tennessee: more outdoor adventures and a music festival. Much as when I was in the White Mountains, I do not expect to have very good cell phone service (or a way to recharge it) and I'm not even bothering to bring my laptop. Although I'll admit I kind of like the electronics fast, it does mean I won't be updating until sometime next week. See you soon!

Oh Mobius, let me count your sides

If you thought cutting apart paper Mobius strips in math class was fun, you should check out this statue: it's a giant Mobius strip! The statue, Topological III, was created by Robert Wilson, an American artist and scientist. Do you know how many sides a Mobius strip has? (I won't reveal it yet, but if you know, please post the answer!) You can prove the number of sides it has by running your hand along it until you get back where you started, but you'll have to walk around the statue to do so. It's so cool! And still a little mind-boggling, even after you do it.

State Mottos

Does anyone know the motto for New Hampshire? This picture, taken on a country road in eastern New Hampshire, gives a whole new meaning to the phrase "Live Free or Die." Hopefully it is a joke (that snowboard in the picture is also nailed to the house), but I'll admit that I was nervous when my Kathleen actually turned into the driveway so I could take this picture. I suggested that the road seemed like a better place to be... preferably still moving....

Bugs, Big Bugs

It's hard to believe that the school year ended just a week ago. I'm typing from this from Cambridge, MA, in my college roommate's apartment. For the next few days we'll be attending our 5th College Reunion. For the past few days, I've been camping and hiking in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. We were near, but not on, the Appalachian Trail, which, as my mom pointed out, was the site of my first backpacking trip the week before I started college.

A note about leaving comments: I left the settings as open as possible, so if you want to leave a comment you do not have to register for a blogspot or google account. That means it is possible to leave anonymous comments, but I'd love to know who is visiting and reading. If your comment will be anonymous, please at least sign your name! And as I've told a few of you, the more comments you leave, the more excited I'll be and the more posts I'll write. (It's like checking the mail and having a letter from a friend!)

And before I go (it's almost time for dinner in Harvard Square), here is today's challenge: guess the weight of my pack (pictured below, it's the purple one), in pounds, for the White Mountain backpacking adventure.

See you soon!