Homecoming

We went down to Champaign-Urbana for Homecoming.  Great chance for the boys to see the campus, especially Bart.  Its time to start thinking seriously about colleges.  Although the football team has been struggling they were playing Indiana, the other team at the bottom of the standings.  Seemed like the Illini had a chance to win.  Everyone was excited about the game.

The Illini we looking good and were off to a strong start.  Then a muffed punt seemed to turn the momentum against Illinois.

Half time was fun, but the game was all downhill in the second half.  The Illini lost 17-31.  Everyone was bummed.  One older lady said it all as the crowd left the stadium after the game, "at least now we know who is the worst team in the Big Ten"

We then took the boys on a tour of the campus.  They were amazed by the size of the University.  Bart said it was like a city.  Yes it is!

We were surprised to find the Alma Mater statue missing.  It was out for restoration.  The boys did a good impression. 

The Alps

Went to Vienna Austria for a grant review.  It was gloomy in Vienna and so I will spare you of any pictures.  But while I was in the neighborhood I went to visit my Italian collaborators who had recently relocated to northern Italy and give a seminar.  They are now in Trento, which requires a train ride (no airport). It would take a flight to Innsbruck and then a train ride through the Alps.  I only knew of Innsbruck because of a previous Winter Olympics.  The mountains were spectacular.  This is a panorama from the tarmak of the Innsbruck airport.  WOW!

The train ride was a real treat.  It was my first look at the Alps from ground level.  

All of the wineries in the mountain setting were beautiful.

Trento was so Italian after to somber environment of Austria.

It was great to discuss our research with my collaborators.

Even got to enjoy a bit of the Trento nightlife with lab members.  Its a college town.

But in the end, the thing I will remember most is the train ride.  The train ride back was illuminated by full sun and blue skies.

The pass was through a large tunnel.  But it was possible to get a glimpse of the peaks.  The lighting here was not optimal (into the sun) but you can see the silhouette of some jagged high peaks.

It was fun to listen to music and look out the window.  The train

I was fascinated by trees that looked like pines but had fall colors.  Turns out to be Larch trees.  They were beautiful.

Fall visit to Mortem Arboretum

Fall seemed to come early this year.  Fit with the early spring.  Fall was in full glory and it was Columbus day and so we headed to the Mortem Arboretum.  Unfortunately, it was a cloudy, rainy day.  Still the colors speak for themselves.  Not to shabby for Illinois.

Alex had his broken arm. So the arboretum was a great venue for a minimal impact while he was healing.

He was able to walk in the trees.

Bart was able to remain in contact with his friends.

We just enjoyed the colors.

Sometimes work can be FUN!

It was time to reclaim the back corner of our lot.  Before the strait wind of 2010 (June 25, 2010 post) it was forest.  Now it gets great sun.  There were remains of an old metal shed, rotted wood, and other debris along with piles of dirt.  Need to get help for such a big job.  Rented a Bobcat.  Made the job much easier.

After the job was completed it looked pretty good.  It also made us realized how easy and reasonably priced a project like this can be.