What Is A Conservative To Do?

I consider myself a very conservative person. Based on my religious and political views, I could even be called a "right-winger". Unfortunately, I live in arguably one of the most liberal states in the country, Maryland. Our current politcal leaders swept what little Republican resistence we had in the state capital, out of office last November: and they even campaigned on massive tax increases, stronger unions, huge increases in spending, and pro-abortion/pro-stem cell research platforms. It has not been a happy time for conservatives in this state.

That being said, what am I to do when, after almost ten years of battling my own Party on an issue (on the local level), I owe the positive resolution of said issue to the very folks that I oppose in so many other areas? We have been threatened by a development project so massive that one of its size has never been seen before in our state in the sensitive area called the "Critical Area", an area within 1000 feet of the Chesapeake Bay that is especially sensitive to environmental damage caused by over-development. Here is today's article in the Baltimore Sun, and a local tv news story. I wish I had more time for details, but time (unlike my wife's blessings) is not something I have in abundance lately.

Anyway, I've been thinking it's a very upside-down world around here. But I am very pleased with the result, so far.

My Birthday Present

Kenzie had another softball tournament this weekend. I was the official scorekeeper, so I didn't get a chance to take many pictures. I did snap a few good ones, though. Here's one of her getting a hit on Saturday, and another of her sliding safely home.

Today, for my birthday, I asked her to give me an error free game and two base hits. I changed that to one hit, since they were only guaranteed one game (more, only if they won, which they didn't), and yesterday she only got one hit (she says two, but who was scorekeeper?) in three games and made a couple errors at first base (her first time ever playing there). Well, she accomplished the error free game easily enough, but I was getting worried about that hit request as they entered the fifth inning. That's when she got a double, and I got my birthday present.

My Trip

I have been very derelict in my posting lately, I know. I wish I had more time for this because it has its therapeutic value. Hanging laundry is a good distraction, but it has its limits.

Vicki has been filling you in on most of the stuff that's been going on around here, and I can't really add much.

The Grand Canyon trip was great! Dad and I walked down the mule trail (Bright Angel Trail) on Monday. We walked 4.6 of the 6.1 miles (one way), and went down 3000 feet (from about 6800 ft. to about 3800 ft). The going down part was much easier than the going back up part, but I loved it. We were supposed to ride the mules down on Tuesday. My dad made, but I missed the maximum weight by about 6 pounds. I lost about 30 pounds for this trip, but it wasn't quite enough. Having walked the trail the previous day, I wasn't too upset about it. I walked about 8 miles of the Rim Trail instead.

Then we went to Zion National Park. This canyon, you could drive into, as well as hike several trails. We walked one on the easier trials because dad was feeling the effects of Monday's hike, and Tuesday's mule ride: two completely different sets of muscles, all strained in completely differently ways. We spent the night in Springdale, UT, where we had elk-burgers for dinner. Not the first time we've had elk burgers, but it was the first time we had elk burgers at a place that raises elk in their back yard (which got me thinking about what we could put next to our chickens in our own back yard). We were assured the elk on the premises were pets ONLY, and that the limping elk was not the source of our current, fresh, elk burger.

Next stop was Bryce Canyon, my personal favorite. I wish we had more than one day to spend there, but sometimes you just don't know what you're going to see until you get there. We spent a few hours hiking the rim of Bryce CanyonBryce Point to Inspiration Point (and back). Then we had to head back to Las Vegas for our flight home on Thursday.

I have to say, I don't see anything appealing about Las Vegas. We flew in and out of LV because of the cheap airline tickets. My dad loves the place. My mom totally loves the place. I was more than a little appalled at the place. Luckily, I was so tired from the week of canyon-hopping, I could tolerate the overnight stay until our flight out of there, but I could not find many redeeming qualities in that city. It's appropriate that it was built in one of the hottest places on earth.

Well, it was good to get home, even with Bekah's initial cold should. Now, I have to figure out how many elk will fit in our back yard.