John’s Home Page

We had a large job in California, near San Jose, last week. But just because we were working long nights didn’t mean I couldn’t find some time to visit Mount Hamilton, the highest point in the county. The 254 rods tall mountain is home to the University of California’s Lick Observatory, founded by James Lick, a Pennsylvania Dutchman.

Went hiking yesterday at good ol’ Nixon Park, the park where I proposed to Jen so many months ago. If anyone remembers what day it was, please let me know before she reads this!

This past Friday, Jen and I were able to fly to Tulsa and take part in the wedding of Eugene and Amber Metcalf.

So right now I’m killing time, waiting to board my plane destined for Tulsa. The weather here in Chicago is poor, and my original departure of 7:55 is long since a memory. I brought but a single book (oops), and I’m nearly finished with it. On the bright side, I’m posting this from my iPhone. I don’t think I could go back to a phone that can’t surf the web. Plus the new website backend makes posting from the phone a lot easier and quicker than it was before. American Airlines even has a mobile version of their site so that you can get flight status quickly on an iPhone or Blackberry.

I've always been a fan of Sean Connery, but it pains me to tell you that he is not part of the Alcatraz United States Penitentiary tour. This came as quite a blow, but I was able to recover. CW & I got tickets in advance of our latest San Francisco trip. I made us miss our designated boat (I thought the walk would be nice & short; turns out it was nice & long). We were still able to catch the next boat, and finally check out what is probably the most famous prison in U.S. history.

I took some more pictures at Longwood Gardens, this time with RD. Look at them, I command it!

Finally got around to posting the pictures from the Decemberists a few weeks ago. This band is definitely one of my favorites, I'd say top 5. They have a specific sound & feel that is a bit folky, yet still very modern. Sea chanties abound, and tales of chimney sweeps and Spanish Princesses. The show was terrific, and they played almost everything I wanted to hear; alas, no "Mariner's Revenge." Enjoy the pictures, I will post the videos when I have some more time.

All in one day - that must mean a trip to Harpers Ferry! The historic town sits on the intersection of the Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers. I have written about the place before, so I will not go into its history. Needless to say, we hiked maybe 4 miles, up to the top of cliffs across from the town. Good times were had by all, and I even took some pictures I'm not ashamed of.

This past Saturday the family got together and celebrated Grandma's 70th birthday at the Phoenixville Country Club. I saw people that I have missed, both those living far away, and those living near (I was on the receiving end of numerous chastisements). The food and drink were good (brie oh yeah!) and the company pleasing. Happy Birthday Grandma!

We spent some time in Albuquerque, New Mexico this week. I was able to go on a short (yet bitterly cold) hike through the Petroglyph National Monument. The area is home to thousands of petroglyphs carved by the Pueblo Indians.

Ah, the holidays. The mad bustle of shopping, the screaming and yelling of cooking, and the mad cacophony of a dozen simultaneous conversations 'round the tree. Such is Christmas at the Woltman house.

This past Saturday I "took in a show" at the Little Theater in Mechanicsburg named "Chuckles and Tears." It was a really good show, but I haven't time to write much about it. Enjoy the pictures, instead.

This past Sunday, JT took his level #1 black belt test at Winterpast Dojo in North Carolina. His dedication to the martial arts is truly amazing. I have never seen him so intense, so driven as when he was being tested on his forms, on his moves, and when he was sparring. JT is one scary dude.

Quote from Scott: "He looks like pure evil...he's so focused and pissed looking"

Work seems to have taken us back out west, this time to the capital of Colorado. I still had a Travel Bug that I needed to take to Coors Field and drop off. JL and I drove to the downtown area of Denver, Coors Field and the 16th Street Mall.

After I was finished working in Bakersfield, I had to drive our big beastie van 1000+ miles to Denver, Colorado. I traveled through some amazing scenery, especially in Utah. But overloaded, aging Dodge vans aren't really made for driving up and down mountains. I eventually arrived in Denver, where I met up with Kristen. She suggested hiking in Rocky Mountain National Park, so we did a 6 mile hike, and drove around the Ridge Road.