How I Spent My Summer Vacation - Part 1

In September, it seems like everyone in grade school had to write an essay about their summer vacations.  I know that I did, and when I was teaching school, I assigned the essays.  It was an easy way to get to know the students in those early weeks.

I've already had my summer vacation, actually late-spring/early-summer.  I spent 16 days in Denver, the longest I've been there since moving away in 2011.  From the first day, after I'd only been off the plane for about half an hour, it was already better than I'd expected.  On a previous trip I had rented a car and the radio was awful - lots of static.  I complained about the radio and was given a coupon for a free rental car upgrade for the future.  At Enterprise, I was told I could pick any car except the Porsche.  I chose a new (only 800 miles on the odometer) red Camaro.

Click on pictures to enlarge.

While there's almost no room for a back-seat passenger and little room for luggage in the trunk, it was a blast to drive - a lot more fun than my aging, 14-year-old Xterra.  It was hard to give the car back at the end of vacation, and I'm pleased to say that I didn't get any speeding tickets!

On the first full day in Denver I was registered to take a class with Stephen West at Fancy Tiger.  I didn't know what to expect.  From all that I've seen online (mostly on YouTube) I was afraid that the class might be a bit of a Gong Show.  I was pleasantly surprised when he turned out to be a kind, professional teacher and charming and funny. He was teaching the brioche stitch which I'd never done before.  Now I have another technique in my knitting repertoire.

Check out the "eyeballs" around his neck. On the flip side is where his phone is carried!

But wait, the Sunday wasn't over.  In the evening I went to The Hudson Gardens to see a group that I've been listening to since I was a kid, The Four Tops.

The members of the group have changed over the years.  Some of the current members are family with the originals.  The songs like "Baby I Need Your Loving", "It's the Same Old Song", Reach Out I'll Be There" and "I Can't Help Myself" still sound as good today.

Check out the flashy outfits.  When it started to get dark and the lights were on the group, those suits shone and made for great stage clothes.  Sitting in a lawn chair on the grass with my friend, P, and listening to the music was a wonderful way to spend a pleasant June night and to start my vacation.