July 4th weekend Auto Show (at Kimball Farm)

SeaWorld Orlando is moderately disappointing

My memories of SeaWorld San Diego have jaded my experience at SeaWorld Orlando.  I actually went to SeaWorld Orlando with high expectations.  Everything just seems smaller in the Orlando, FL version of the SeaWorld theme park franchise.  Even trying to find a cool t-shirt with "SeaWorld Orlando" provided to be difficult.  I will say that the two rollercoasters are actually well designed and fun.  Anyway, here's some photos of me and Allie's day there.

SolidWorks World 2013 brief photographic overview

I have arrived and settled. #sww13 (at Walt Disney World Dolphin)

Walt Disney World Swan

Walt Disney World Dolphin

Good morning from the SolidWork World Pre-Day kick off #sww13 (at Walt Disney World Dolphin)

Will I fill this room in a few hours? (at Solidworks World 2013)

Lining up for General Sesion #ssw13 (at Solidworks World 2013)

Lining up for General Sesion #ssw13 (at Solidworks World 2013)

General Session of Monday of SolidWorks World 2013 filling up. #sww13 (at Solidworks World 2013)

General Session filled #sww13 (at Solidworks World 2013)

Filling in my session #sww13

#CSWE event location. (at Solidworks World 2013)

#SolidWorks World 2013 General Session Day 2 #sww13 (at Solidworks World 2013)

Standing room only at day two of #SolidWorks World 2013 General Session #sww13 (at Solidworks World 2013)

#SolidWorks World 2013 General Session Day Two in session #sww13 (at SolidWorks World 2013)

#CSWP Now 15 yrs #sww13 #SolidWorks (at Solidworks World 2013)

SolidWorks World 2013 general session day 3 filling up #sww13 (at SolidWorks World 2013)

#BertrandSicot closes up day 3 general session #sww13 #SolidWorks World 2013 (at SolidWorks World 2013)

Swan and Dolphin on a nice sunny day #SolidWorks World 2013 #sww13 (at SolidWorks World 2013)

I've only been gone 18 months! #49ers Stadium

OK, so I've only been gone like 18 months!  The house that we owned is in the Rivermark area, practically in the shadow of the future home of the San Francisco 49ers in Santa Clara, CA.  When we sold the home, there was nothing more than a proud sign and a parking lot at the site of the planned stadium.



Eighteen months later?



I don't think I've ever seen this much progress on a project in California in such a short time! Supposedly, the stadium is scheduled to be completed in time for the 2014 season, followed by opportunities for Super Bowls and other events.

Parking is a big weakness for this stadium.  There is almost no parking on the stadium property.  But let's not bother with details right now.

The jury is still out as to whether this will improve home values near the stadium.  Some say it will bolster values, and other say it will drag them down.  If this project is handled like AT&T Ballpark by the San Francisco Giants, values will soar due to ongoing redevelopment efforts nearby.  If the project is handled like the Oakland Colosseum, eh, watchout!  I already know the 49ers wanted to avoid the AT&T Ballpark model, so a bit of concern is appropriate.  It all depends on how Santa Clara City itself handles things.

Grist Mill

A few weeks ago, Allie and I spent an afternoon on a short drive around the area to catch Autumn near its peak in MetroWest.  It's a beauty place near Wayland Inn just off of Highway 20.  It was just past peak, but still very beautiful.



Kimball Farm in Littleton, PA

A popular attraction just outside of the MetroWest area is Kimball Farm.  It's an outdoor family entertainment place with great seafood, driving range, batting cages, famous miniature golf (designed by some Hollywood types, so I hear), arcade, bumper boats, and even more famous ice cream, oh and a few farm animals too...and don't forget the iconic weather vane.  My wife and I had a chance to enjoy the "farm" several times this summer, but only really explored it at a company event held there.  The miniature gold course is one of the best I've seen in terms of creativity.  There's even one hole that pretty much requires you to float your ball down a stream in order to have a chance at getting a hole-in-one.



Walking around Philidelphia

On a recent trip to Pennsylvania, I had a chance to briefly explore Philidelphia.  The day I was there, it happened to be some celebration as taking place in front of the First Bank of the United States. 

Merchants' Exchange Building was kinda strange.  It is a bit boring on the front ,but the back is round.  Or is that the other way round? :)

Independence Hall from the backside (again, really, is this the back?).

Manhole cover in front of the Independence Hall...wait, I mean, to the building's rear...oh never mind.  I thought this would make for an interesting angle of a shot.

Maybe I'll get more time to explore this city and its long history at some later date.