You Know What’s Cool?

CES, that’s what. From the South Hall to a panel on sci-fi’s influence on technology to dinner at Wolfgang Puck’s restaurant in the Venetian (P-something) to a nightcap at the Wynn, Day 1 was a whirlwind.

A few highlights.

Holy crap! A life-size Bumblebee!

This! Is! Blu-Ray!

The ultimate panel. The panelists were Dean Kagen (inventor of the Segway), Lucy Lawless (of Xena and Battlestar Galactica fame), Neal Stephenson (wrote Snow Crash, Cryptonomicon, et al), and Walt Mossberg (Wall Street Journal’s tech columnist and one of the most influential guys in the industry). Absolutely fantastic. The highlights were Lucy calling her fellow panelists “chickenshits”, Mossberg calling Kagen a “chickenshit”, and Mossberg’s quip, when talking about technology being used for evil, that “I think it can be a lot more subtle than Armageddon”.

CES-ta

Last January, I had the privilege of attending the annual Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas. The experience was beyond description. For anyone interested in technology and its role in people’s lives, there is no better event to attend. The entire show takes up a whopping 1.7 million square feet of floor space, and nearly every inch of it is filled with HDTVs, digital cameras, computers, projectors, and bleeding edge technology that’s only just now on the horizon.

Last year, I was just a participant. This year, I’m leading the charge, organizing the agency’s presence at the show. It promises to be an eventful CES on a number of fronts. BMW will have a track – yes, a track – set up in the convention center parking lot. HD-DVD will be reeling from Warner Bros’ announcement that it is going Blu-Ray exclusive. WiMAX and Wireless USB will make incremental steps forward, and everyone will be scrambling to convince the press, analysts, and retail representatives that they have the answer to Apple’s iPhone.

Check back often for pictures and thoughts.

The Biltmore Estate Kind of Rules…

Okay. For those in need of a refresher (or a fresher, for that matter), the Biltmore Estate encompasses 4,000 acres adjacent to Asheville, NC.  It is the site of America’s largest home, commissioned by George Vanderbilt and built in the 1890s.  The house is not only massive, but was very progressive for its time, employing the latest advances including electricity and running water. The dining hall and grand staircase are marvelous, and the two-story library is simply breathtaking.

We didn’t make for the home straightaway. Instead, we began the day yesterday with a tour of the grounds via segways. Yes, I had concerns about looking the dork.  After riding one, I still do. You wouldn’t catch me dead on one anywhere near a major urban center. But for touring the grounds of a 4,000 acre estate, or similar, it makes a lot of sense. And it’s an absolute blast.

        

Last night we went on a candlelight tour of the house itself. In terms of awe-inspiring interior spaces, the Biltmore is in a league with St. Peter’s in Rome and the Doge’s Palace in Venice. It is without doubt the grandest indoor space I have ever seen on this continent. Alas, no pictures are allowed inside. Which is stupid, in my opinion. How many potential tourists stay away every year, unconvinced by their friends’ assurances?

This morning we went back. Jamie wanted to do the audio tour again (we did this when we were here in 2006). I took the opportunity to wander the grounds, which I hadn’t done last time. And wow, am I glad I did! Designed by Frederick Law Olmstead (who also did Central Park), the outdoor space surrounding the main house is a thing of wonder. In some parts, it is perfectly manicured in an exact replica of an English garden. In others, trees are planted with almost perfect randomness, giving the illusion of wilderness. I was amazed at the attention paid to proportions and sightlines. The Biltmore Estate is landscape architecture at its absolute finest. Here are a sampling of images. Head over to my Flickr page (see right) for more.

Back in Asheville

Today’s leg of the drive took us across the length of Tennessee. You might call it a scenic tour of the Volunteer State’s major cities (excepting Chattanooga and it’s choo-choo). We passed through Memphis, Nashville, and Knoxville, with some Dickson and Centerville thrown in for good measure.

One of the highlights was passing by Sparta (“This is madness!”), which, sadly, was only a few miles shy of being Exit 300 along I-40. The other would have been the route through the Smoky Mountains, but alas, night comes early this time of year, and we transited the mountains in darkness. With the semi-trucks and their abundance of marker lights, it was reminiscent of a bizarre, mobile Trail of Lights.

Tomorrow we’re sleeping in, then braving the cold (and it is COLD here right now) and taking a Segway Tour of the Biltmore Estate. I figure I may as well get used to surrendering my dignity, what with fatherhood impending and all. And hey – at least they are OFFROAD segways.

 

 If you’re going to get onto one of the ridiculous contraptions, might as well go all-out, right? And my eyes must be going, because I can’t tell…but is that a dude in the back in the black and pink jacket?

After Jamie and I one-up the president and stay on our gyroscopically-stabilized two-wheeled transports, we’ll be eating at the Biltmore Bistro and then taking a candlelight tour of the Biltmore itself. Sadly, no cameras allowed.

Greetings from Nesbit, Mississippi…

From where?

Nesbit is in the extreme, far northwestern corner of Mississippi. For all intents and purposes, it’s part of Memphis.

We’re presently at the Bonne Terre Country Inn, a gorgeous place just far enough off the beaten path to feel very quiet and secluded.

In a few moment’s we’re off to eat breakfast, and then it’s back on the road. Today we’ll be shooting straight across Tennessee, over the Appalachians, and into Asheville. Personally, I’m anticipating a little more scenery (and cold) than was experience in East Texas and Arkansas.

On the Road Again…

Think of it as a last hurrah, a final ride, et cetera.

Whatever you choose to call it, the wife and I are minutes away from departing on our last road trip before Baby Nolan enters this world and throws our comfortable little existence into chaos.

Our destination – Asheville, North Carolina. We passed through on our epic road trip of summer 2006, and fell in love with the place. The mountains and rolling hills. The intense, verdant green of the place. And, of course, the “holy crap that’s huge” Biltmore Estate.

This time around we’ll be doing more than taking a quick tour or two. We’ll be taking a candlelight tour. We’ll be sampling some of the quirky restaurants Asheville has to offer. We’ll be shooting clays. And who knows, Jamie may even get me on a segway (so much for dignity).

Check back for pictures and commentary!

Road Trip 2.0 – A River Runs Through It

Yesterday was fly fishing day.  Waking up at five and setting out at six, we met up with our guides and made our way out to the South Platte River.  It was probably the prettiest scenery yet, and certainly more stereotypical of the Rocky Mountains than the landscape around Colorado Springs.

In all, Jamie caught two rainbow trout, and hooked several more.  I didn’t fare as well – catching one and hooking a second, but at least my catch/hook ratio was higher.  Our guides seemed quite frustrated that we didn’t catch more…apparently the full moon and low water levels kept the fish from feeding as aggressively as usual…but, to be honest, I was happy we caught what we did.  Moreso, I was happy that Jamie really enjoyed it. 

The internet connection here is still hating on Flickr, but I’ve gone around it and uploaded a few images directly.  Here’s one of Jamie fishing in the river.

After our return, Jamie vanished for a hot stone massage, while, despite my better intentions, I fell asleep.  Upon her return, we set out for dinner at the Phantom Canyon Brewing Company.  Good hefeweizen.

This morning, with Jamie scheduled for another spa treatment, I set out for the nearby Mt. Cutler Trail.  I’ve been looking forward to hiking in Colorado for some time.  Now that I have…I don’t know.  The trail was only a mile or so long, but over that mile climbed a ridiculous four or five hundred feet.  Talk about winded.  Thankfully, the view at the summit was well worth the effort.  From atop Mt. Cutler, one can not only look down on all of Colorado Springs, but the popular Seven Falls as well (in the far right of the below image).

This afternoon, we’re setting out for the last of our excursions, taking the Cog Rail up Pike’s Peak.  Tomorrow, we drive home. 

Road Trip 2.0 – Update

Alas, our hotel’s internet is being downright retarded.  As a result, I’ve been unable to upload any image to Flickr, so those of you hoping to follow along will just have to wait until we return to Austin on Tuesday.

We got on the road yesterday morning, leaving Canyon for Amarillo.  Not too far out of this thriving panhandle metropolis, we passed through Dumas, TX, complete with the Dumas Inn, Dumas High School, and a water tower depicting the "Dumas Demons".  Suffice to say, we snickered.

The rest of Texas and most of New Mexico were…pretty bland.  As we approached Colorado, however, things began to change, and mountains began to dot the horizon. 

Finally, around 4 PM, we reached our hotel. 

This morning we made our way to nearby Manitou Springs for breakfast at Adam’s Mountain Cafe.  I swear, the place could be picked up, plopped down in Austin, and nobody would bat an eye.  Organic this, all-natural that, with avocados, vegetarian green chili, and soy products thrown in for good measure.  Jamie ordered oatmeal.  I went for the huevos rancheros, which, while quite good, couldn’t live up to the fantastic specimens served up by Dallas’ Dream Cafe.

It was while we were eating that Jamie remarked that everyone in Colorado Springs seemed to be wearing ugly shoes.  She has a point.  After all, just because you live in Colorado Springs doesn’t mean you’re always going hiking, every hour of the day.

We’ve also noticed a preponderance of Saturns out and about on the roads.  Not sure what’s going on there.

After breakfast, we made the hour drive to Canon City, and there boarded the Royal Gorge Route Railroad.  It was a good time, with some truly breathtaking scenery that I can’t show you because I can’t upload any images.  Just take my word for it.  Sheer cliffs going up a thousand feet.  A suspension bridge far overhead.  The roaring rapids of the Arkansas River below. 

Tonight, we’re heading into town for dinner at some place called The Blue Star.  After far too much McDonald’s (hey…it’s a known quantity) these past few days, we’re looking forward to it.

Tomorrow, we’re going fly fishing.  And pondering the differences, if any, between a canyon and a gorge.

Road Trip 2.0 – Day 1

From my memories of the drives to and from Arizona, I had somehow got the notion in my head that the drive from Austin to Canyon, TX (twenty miles south of Amarillo) would be nothing but hours of flat land and boredom.

And…well…parts of it were.

Thankfully, much of it was actually pretty interesting, with the Hill Country vistas giving way to plateaus, and then some bizarre formations and outcroppings.  And when the geography let down, the manmade features pulled their weight.  Wind farms.  C-130s circling the sky like vultures.  And some great town names like Lawn and Novice.

Late in the day, we pulled into Canyon, Texas, so named due to a proximity to Palo Duro Canyon (a fact we only discovered upon arrival).  After dinner, with daylight fading, we made the short drive east to check it out.  It’s no Grand Canyon, but after that massive ditch, Palo Duro is the second-largest canyon in the U.S.  And we timed our arrival perfectly, just as the sun was sinking toward the horizon. 

With darkness falling, we returned to the inn.

Today…we’re off for Colorado Springs.  Keep tuned for more pictures from the road.

Road Trip, The Sequel

I hate airports.  I hate security lines and baggage claims.  I hate the boarding and deplaning process.  I hate airplane seating, the lack of hip, shoulder, and leg room.  Come to think of it, I hate just about every part of flying except for the actual flying part.  Which, of course, is the part of flying that the wife hates.

Last year, rather than confronting our hatred yet again, we decided to eschew the whole flying thing and instead took a road trip to Washington D.C. and back, stopping in a number of cities and seeing a number of sights, from the Arby’s in Birmingham to Mount Vernon, various Smithsonian museums, the fabulous Biltmore, and my old stopping grounds in and around Nashville.

We had such a great time that, when we got around to planning this year’s vacation, we decided to stick with the road trip format.  Only this year, instead of heading east, we’re heading west.  And instead of taking the Mustang, we’ll be taking the Mini.

At the end of April, we will be setting off for Colorado Springs.  We had hoped to go in August, and avoid the worst of the Texas heat, but alas, everyone else must have the same idea, because prices for everything in Colorado pretty much double come the first weekend in May.  So, April it is!

Jamie, acting as something of a master of ceremonies, already has a whole list of activities planned, laid out, and ready to go.  Apart from the numerous meals which you care nothing about, we’re on tap for a ride up Pike’s Peak on the cog rail, a day of fly fishing, and a leisurely and scenic train ride through the Royal Gorge.  From there, our interests diverge.  The wife will be treating herself to facials, massages, and whatnot, while I plan to take a hike.  Literally.

After the hectic year we’ve had thus far, we’re both looking quite forward to a few days away.  Keep an eye out for pictures and posts from the road.