Networking in Philly: Conference Highlights & Local Flavor

Last week, I was in Philadelphia, PA for a conference. The event was fantastic—packed with meetings and sessions. I didn’t plan as well as I should have; going up a day earlier or staying an extra day would’ve given me time to explore Philly. Still, it was a fun trip, and I made some great connections.

I managed to try some Philly food, although it was mostly through the hotel hosting the conference. The Philly cheese-steak and pretzels were surprisingly good! Some locals at the conference recommended I walk down the block for fresh pretzels, but I never made it. I filled up on the ones provided, and they hit the spot. Overall, the conference food was excellent. Having breakfast, lunch, and dinner all day Monday was a treat. Each meal doubled as a networking opportunity, and we were joined by another conference group focused on banking and finance, which added an interesting dynamic.

The conference kicked off Sunday afternoon when I arrived and ran non-stop through Tuesday at noon. Sunday evening’s social event was a highlight—it was held on the 33rd floor of the hotel, offering a great view of the city.

After returning home to Topeka, I was back at work on Wednesday. Before I left, I had read that B&B Theaters would be showing live Royals games in their theaters Monday through Wednesday that week, free of charge. Watching the Royals on the big screen was a fun experience, especially with all the concessions open—I definitely indulged. The Royals won, and it was a blast cheering them on with others in the theater.

While I was away in Philly, Carrie took Oliver out to dinner at Salute. She sent me a picture of him enjoying the patio life. Carrie said Oliver loved watching people come and go, greeting everyone like the social pup he is. Silly guy!

Until next time, have a great rest of your Sunday and a wonderful week!

Royals Lose, AirPods Lost, But At Least There’s Pasta... and Beer!

Another week, another weekend where I’m struggling to decide what to write about. Oh well—looks like it’ll be another rambling post.

This week kicks off with a work trip to Philadelphia for a conference. It’s a short one—I’ll be back Tuesday evening. Since my flight leaves painfully early Sunday morning, I decided to stay at a hotel nearby on Saturday night. Smart move, thanks to Carrie’s suggestion.

Before checking in, I treated myself to spaghetti and meatballs at Old Chicago in Kansas City. Pretty good! I miss the Old Chicago that left Topeka years ago. It’s probably never coming back, but a guy can dream.

I left Carrie and Oliver this afternoon and listened to the Royals game on the drive. We won yesterday to get back to .500, but today’s loss dropped us just below again. Fingers crossed for a win tomorrow to take the series against the Blue Jays. The trade deadline brought a few moves—hopefully, they’ll help us rack up some wins.

After settling into the hotel and finishing dinner, I realized I forgot my AirPods. Yep, left them charging on the table at home. Carrie and I have a tradition: we’re not truly on a trip until we remember what we forgot. I use my AirPods constantly, especially on flights for podcasts and music. So yes, I’m mildly annoyed. But hey, I’ve got spaghetti and a beer, so life isn’t too bad.

I’m planning to crash early tonight—shooting for an 8 p.m. bedtime to catch that 6 a.m. flight. Again, shoutout to Carrie for the hotel idea. Definitely better than waking up at 3 a.m.

This will be my first time in Philadelphia. My parents went years ago and had a rough experience—something about their car getting towed and a payment dispute with the city. I don’t remember the full story, but I’m hoping my visit goes a bit smoother.

That’s all for tonight. Wishing you a great rest of your weekend and a fantastic week ahead!

Books, Bikes, and Baseball: A Sunday State of Mind

Oliver Sleeping

This Sunday morning, I’m struggling a bit with what to write about. I feel like a blank slate that I can’t quite start filling in—so I’m jumping in and writing anyway, hoping it sparks some ideas. I’ve got golf on the TV and baseball coming up later today. There are a few chores I need to tackle around the house, and I should probably think through some work-related things, but overall, it’s a pretty relaxed Sunday.

With no set plan for this post, I’ll be jumping around a bit as different thoughts come to mind. Bear with me as I shift from topic to topic.

Reading Goals and Audio Book Struggles

My reading has been steady, but I’m not quite meeting the goals I set for the year. I’ve only finished one book in the past two months. I recently started a new book and also began an audio book that sounded interesting.

When it comes to audio books, I’ve realized that unless I’m in the car and fully focused, I don’t retain much. If the TV is on or I’m following sports, my attention drifts. It’s clear that multitasking doesn’t work for me when listening to audio books—I need to be fully engaged. Right now, I’m about three books behind where I should be.

Bike Riding: Out of the Habit

I’ve definitely slacked on my bike riding. Between camping, travel, and just falling out of the routine, I haven’t been on the bike since June 6, 2025. Wow. I keep telling myself I’ll get back to it, but it hasn’t happened yet. I’ve got a conference coming up in early August, and I’m planning to restart my riding routine once I’m back. It’s amazing how easy it is to fall out of a habit—and how hard it is to get back into it.

Camping Adventures Continue

I’ve shared quite a few posts about our camping adventures this year—and for good reason. We’ve done a lot of it, and we already have another trip scheduled for the end of October. It’s been great to get out so often. Carrie summed it up perfectly: last year was our year of concerts, and this year is the year of camping. All of our trips have been in Kansas, and our final one will be as well. I’m really looking forward to it.

Family Time in Lawrence

Group Photo of Cousins

Carrie and I met up with my family on Thursday for a cousins’ dinner in Lawrence. We gathered at the Lawrence Country Club for drinks and dinner. It was a fun night. Some cousins couldn’t make it, but Mom, Dina, and Aunt Barb joined us, which was a treat. We usually meet in Kansas City, so it was nice to have a get-together closer to home.

Birthday Dinner at Fire Keepers

Birthday Celebration Wine Toast

Friday night, we celebrated my birthday at Fire Keepers Golf Course with dinner at Three Fires Steakhouse. It was our second time dining there, and it lived up to our memories—excellent food and great service. Big thanks to Joan and Eddie for the birthday dinner! Erin, Carrie, Greg, and I keep talking about making a trip to Fire Keepers to stay overnight and do some gaming. We haven’t made it happen yet, but we brought it up again while walking through the casino.

Sports Season Shifts

As July winds down, baseball is still front and center—especially with the Royals managing to stay somewhat in the hunt. But football is on the horizon. Fantasy football leagues are forming, and draft dates are being set. It should be a fun season all around:

• KU football kicks off in a newly renovated stadium.
• Washburn has a new coach and fresh energy on campus.
• And of course, the Chiefs are gearing up for another exciting run.

Let’s go!

Wrapping Up

That’s enough rambling for this Sunday. We’ve moved into the afternoon, and baseball is about to begin. The Royals are just about an hour away from first pitch.

Have a great rest of your Sunday—and a fantastic week ahead!

Our First RV Camping Adventure

Driving Down the Highway with an RV

We were finally able to use our new hitch and brake controller this past week with our first RV rental. After doing some research, we decided to use Outdoorsy for the rental. Everything came together quickly—less than a week before our scheduled trip. The brake controller was installed the Thursday before we left, and with that, we were all set and excited to hit the road

After checking out a few different sites, we landed on Outdoorsy. The process was straightforward, and after browsing several RVs, we chose one located in Gardner, KS. We mapped out our route—about an hour from Topeka to Gardner—and booked our campsite at Melvern Lake, on the outlet side of the dam operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. A few weeks earlier, we had driven through the area to pick out our spot.

Hello Camper!

Once we booked through Outdoorsy, the hosts provided all the information we needed to prepare. They were quick to respond to messages, and I kept them updated on the brake controller installation. Overall, the process was very smooth. When we arrived in Gardner to pick up the RV, the hosts walked us through everything and had us review and sign a few forms before we were ready to depart.

Carrie Greeting you from our RV

It had been years since I last drove with a trailer, but it came back quickly as we pulled out of the hosts’ driveway. Driving went smoothly, though I had forgotten how much you feel the trailer’s push, pull, and jarring motion. After about an hour, we arrived at Melvern Lake. Backing the RV into our spot went well, and we got to work setting up camp.

Sleepy Boy in Wagon

Setup was quick—much easier than tent camping. We simply moved our gear from the back of our Pilot into the RV. We put Oliver inside while we got everything arranged.

For dinner that first night, Carrie made Chicken Divan, which we heated up and enjoyed. It was delicious and made for a relaxing evening. We spent time by the water with a fire going and were in the RV by midnight. A successful first night—we were thrilled to be camping in a new way.

I woke up around 7 the next morning and took Oliver for a walk around the lake. It was beautiful. Oliver had a great time sniffing everything and “protecting” me from other camping dogs. After our walk, I spent some time finishing a blog post I hadn’t completed before the trip. Sitting by the water with a cool breeze while writing was incredibly peaceful.

Carrie in the Water

Later, I did a little fishing—no luck—but then joined Carrie and Oliver to relax. We had decided the night before to visit the beach that afternoon. We packed up, locked the RV, and headed out. We did need to make a trip into town to pick up some ice and some other supplies such as a lighter that had stopped working the night before. Then we would head to the beach.

Beach Was All Ours

We ended up going to the beach both Monday and Tuesday. It was great both days. We stayed in the shade, got Oliver into the water to cool off, and set him up in his wagon with fans. After settling down from seeing other dogs and kids, he napped while we relaxed. Carrie and I both read a lot, and I finally finished a book I’d been working on for months.

I Caught a Fish

Back at camp, we spent more time by the water. I fished again and actually caught one fish—the only one of the trip! Carrie captured the moment for me. That evening, we kept it simple with cheese and crackers for dinner and watched The Accountant 2 in bed with Oliver sleeping between us. A perfect end to the day.

Tuesday morning, we slept in a bit but aimed to get to the beach earlier since it was going to be hotter. We arrived before noon, and at one point, I took Oliver to the car to cool him off with the AC. We stayed until mid-afternoon before heading back to camp.

Wet Oliver After Swimming

 

Reading While Oliver Sleeps

Happy Boy at the Beach

More Fishing

It started to hit us that our adventure was coming to an end. We were sad knowing we’d be returning the RV on Wednesday. The experience had been amazing—waking up to coffee brewed in the RV, cooling off in the AC, and enjoying the comforts of glamping. We loved it.

Oliver by the Fire

That night, we stayed up late with the fire going, talking about our next adventure—and maybe even buying an RV someday. We finally went to bed around 2 a.m., not wanting the day to end.

Checkout time was 4 p.m., and we needed to return the RV to Gardner by then. We had a lazy morning, I fished a bit (no bites), and we slowly packed up. By mid-afternoon, everything was loaded, and we started going through the RV return checklist. It took longer than expected, so we arrived after 5 p.m., but we kept the hosts updated.

Oliver Enjoying Camping Life

If you couldn’t tell, we absolutely loved our RV camping experience. We’re not giving up tent camping, but RVing is definitely something we want to do again—and maybe even own one someday. I highly recommend the experience, and Outdoorsy made it so easy. I’m hopeful our next rental will be just as smooth.

Until next time, have a great rest of your weekend and a wonderful week ahead!

Thank You, blissBOMB – A Sweet Surprise!

I’d like to thank blissBOMB for sending me a delightful box of donuts to try out. We brought them along on our July 4th camping trip, and they were a hit!

It was such a pleasant surprise to receive a package of donuts in the mail. O’Malley, who has been following this blog and reading my posts about Munchers and other places we’ve eaten, decided to send me a blissBOMB sampler to try.

The donuts were beautifully packaged. Although they were all chocolate-based, each one had a unique twist with different toppings. They were small enough for me to enjoy in a single bite—perfect for sharing around the campfire. Everyone at the campsite loved them!

What a great idea—to be able to send donuts to someone from afar. It’s a thoughtful and delicious gift.

Of course, after receiving the package, I had to check out their website. They offer a wide variety of selections, and the best part is—they ship anywhere!

This is not a paid advertisement. I received the donuts as a thoughtful gift from a reader and wanted to share the experience.

Thank you again, O’Malley, for the generous gift and for being a loyal reader of my blog.

🎆 July 4th Camping Weekend at Council Grove

Happy 4 of July!

We went camping once again this year for the July 4th holiday weekend. The weather was great, and we were at one of our favorite spots—Council Grove Lake. It’s a fun place where we’ve rented a boat in the past, but this year we weren’t able to get one since we booked the site too late. Still, the campsite was wonderful—tucked along the dam with plenty of space and areas for our dogs to roam.

Erin and Carrie headed out a few days early, and Greg and I joined them on Thursday night. I actually made a quick trip out on Tuesday night to drop off a carload of supplies before heading back to Topeka. Erin and Carrie had great weather for their first night, with the temperature dropping to a cool 61 degrees. Carrie told me she got a little chilly that evening.

It was nice pulling into our campsite Thursday night to find everything already set up. Erin and Carrie had decorated with American flags and lights, and the tents were ready to go. Greg and I unloaded a few things from the car, and we were all set for the night. We picked up Pizza Hut for dinner since the town is only about 5–10 minutes away—another reason we love this site.

 

 

 

  

🌊 July 4th by the Water

Oliver in his Wagon

There had been a lot of rain in the weeks leading up to our trip, so the lake was flooded in some areas, and the main beach was closed. We found a nice little spot with shade where we could get down to the water and spent the 4th of July there. Charley and Oliver loved splashing around and staying cool by our sides. We think the area used to be an old campsite, so wading out was a bit tricky with hidden stumps and debris. Still, we set up our chairs in the water, dipped our feet in, and had a great day.

Steak and Potatoes for Dinner

After a relaxing day by the water, we returned to camp for our July 4th dinner: steaks, mashed potatoes, and green beans. So good! We stayed up late by the campfire, listening to music, enjoying drinks, and soaking in the night. Our friends Taylor and Rachael stopped by for a visit, which was a nice surprise.

🎇 Fireworks & Furry Friends

We were a bit caught off guard by how loud the fireworks were at our site. Fireworks aren’t allowed in the campground, but we were just on the edge of town, and there were plenty of booms and flashes. Oliver wasn’t happy about it, so I took him to the car, turned on the AC and the Royals game to help drown out the noise. That helped, and thankfully the fireworks ended by 10:30, so we could enjoy the rest of the evening.

☕ Saturday in Town

At the Brewery

On Saturday, we spent some time in Council Grove. We visited a great coffee shop that Erin and Carrie had been going to daily. Later, we hung out at Riverbank Brewing, which has been open for three years now. The beer and other drinks were great. We set up on the patio with both dogs, fans running at full blast, and had a relaxing afternoon.

🍗 Guests & Goodbyes

That evening, we had two more guests—Joan and Eddie—who came to see our campsite and brought Kentucky Fried Chicken for dinner. It was so thoughtful of them, and we had a lovely evening. After they left, we gathered around the campfire for our final night and enjoyed each other’s company.

🚗 Heading Home

Packed Car with Stuff on Top Too

Sunday, we packed up and headed back to Topeka. Our car had been acting up since July 4th, struggling to start. Thankfully, it kept working, but I wasn’t sure how long it would last. Turns out it was a bad battery cell, which I got replaced after taking it to the shop on Tuesday. All fixed now and ready for more adventures!

🌦️ A Rainy Lesson

Overall, we had a fantastic time. The rain held off, the weather was nice (even if a bit hot during the day), and we were able to bring both dogs. Oh! I almost forgot—Carrie and I got caught in a rainstorm early Friday morning without the rainfly on our tent. We had to scramble at 5:30 a.m. to get it on. Lesson learned! Everything got damp, but we aired it out and it dried nicely throughout the day.

Until next time—have a great week and happy camping! 🏕️

Smoke in the Air, Memories in the Heart

Hot summer nights, thick humidity, and the smell of smoke in the air—there’s something about the Fourth of July that makes it one of my favorite holidays.

In my younger years, you’d find me on a boat at my parents’ lake, soaking in the sun and the excitement of the day. These days, I might still be by a lake, maybe camping, but I’ve traded lighting fireworks for quieter moments under the stars.

I’ve always loved the Fourth of July. It brings a flood of memories—running around with friends, sparklers in hand, and the thrill of fireworks lighting up the sky. This year is no different. As I write this, I can hear the booming of fireworks from nearby neighbors. Our dog, who used to be terrified of the noise, is slowly losing his hearing, so the sounds don’t bother him as much anymore.

I still enjoy a good fireworks show—especially when it’s far away, high in the sky, and shared with a crowd. But buying fireworks myself? That’s no longer my thing. If someone else wants to spend their money lighting up the night, I’m happy to sit back and enjoy the show.

It’s funny how holidays have a way of bringing back memories. I hope this Independence Day brings you joy, reflection, and maybe a little nostalgia too.

Stay safe and enjoy the weekend!

Gearing Up for Our Fourth Camping Trip (and a Sneak Peek at the Fifth!)

AI Generated Image

We’re getting ready for our fourth camping trip of the year—and we already have our fifth one planned! I’m especially excited about that fifth trip… more on that later in this post.

We’ve been doing a lot of camping this year, which was one of our goals after last season ended. I’m really happy we’re making it happen. So far, Oliver has joined us on two out of the three trips, and we’re planning to have him with us on the next two as well.

Our fifth trip will be a special one—it’ll be our first time camping with a travel trailer! We had our Honda Pilot equipped with a hitch and wiring harness about a week ago. We’ve already reserved a site and an RV, and now we’re working on getting everything else ready for towing.

One thing we learned is that we need a brake controller installed. Apparently, brake controllers come standard on most trucks, but this was new to me. Back when I used to drive my dad’s truck with a boat attached, I never heard of a brake controller.

After doing some research and talking to a few colleagues, I found out that a brake controller allows the trailer’s brakes to activate when the vehicle’s brakes are applied. It’s a safety feature that wasn’t available—or at least not common—back when I was towing with my dad’s truck.

Right now, I’m trying to get the brake controller installation scheduled so we’ll be ready for our July trip with the RV trailer.

I had budgeted for the hitch and harness, knowing they’d be a big expense, but I hadn’t factored in the cost of the brake controller. One local company gave me an estimate, and it’s definitely another significant cost. Still, I think it’ll be worth it to ensure we’re fully equipped, no matter what kind of trailer we’re hauling.

On a positive note, we’ll be making our final payment on the Honda Pilot in July—no more car payments for a while, hopefully! We’re considering getting a used car to replace the Accord at some point, but there are no immediate plans for that.

We’re really excited to start our RV camping adventures and are hopeful we can get the Pilot ready in time—without breaking the bank.

Until next time, have a great rest of your Sunday and an awesome week ahead!

Back to Hillsdale: Our Third Camping Trip of the Year

Tent and Night Sky at Camp

For our third camping trip of the year, we returned to Hillsdale State Park—the same place where we kicked off our camping season. This time, it was just Carrie, Oliver, and me. In the days leading up to the trip, severe heat was forecasted for the area. We debated whether to go but ultimately decided to go ahead with it. Our main concern was how Oliver would handle the heat, but we found a way to help him stay cool, which I’ll explain later in this post.

Sunset at Hillsdale State Park

We had originally planned to head out Wednesday night after I got off work, but we couldn’t reserve our campsite for that night. So, we left Thursday instead and arrived around 5:30 PM. It was extremely hot while we were setting up camp. As I mentioned, we were worried about Oliver being in the heat, so we kept him in the shade as much as possible.

Once camp was set up, we relaxed for a bit before preparing dinner. Carrie had made meatloaf the night before at home, so our first camping meal was meatloaf sandwiches with chips on the side. They were delicious. After dinner, we got a fire going—mainly to keep bugs away, as it was still quite warm.

Big Dipper in Night Sky

We stayed up late around the fire, enjoying the cooler evening air and watching the night sky. We saw a spectacular sunset before dinner, and the stars were out in full force. Although clouds were moving in, they took their time, giving us a beautiful view of the stars.

Even though most campsites in the area were marked as reserved, there weren’t many campers around. At one point, I counted only four other groups, despite many more sites being booked earlier in the week. I’m sure the heat kept some people away. We also decided to leave earlier than planned because of the heat.

On Friday morning, we woke up early as the tent started heating up. Oliver was up around 5 AM, but we managed to get him back to sleep for another hour or so. Even early in the day, it was already getting hot, so we spent the morning lounging, reading, eating breakfast, and taking it easy.

Oliver at the Beach

By noon, the temperature had climbed to 91 or 92 degrees, with a heat index of 106. To cool off, we took a car ride with the AC blasting. We drove to Paola, KS, for coffee and to explore the town. After about two hours, Oliver had finally stopped panting, and we were all cooled down. We headed back to Hillsdale State Park and drove around to check out the beach. We decided to grab our swimsuits and return for a swim.

Oliver Wet at the Beach

The beach at Hillsdale is a great setup—plenty of space, a large sandy area, and lots of picnic benches. We had a great time cooling off in the water. We even took Oliver into the lake, and it really helped him cool down. He swam out to one of us, fully submerged. I don’t think I’d ever seen him swim before, so it was fun watching him paddle with his paws.

After a couple of hours at the beach, we returned to camp. Dinner that night was Currywurst with fried potatoes. We waited until the sun was nearly down before cooking, relaxing in our chairs and keeping Oliver in a cool spot. We read and listened to music while we waited.

Dinner Cooking

Dinner was fantastic—a perfect end to the day. We decided to head home Saturday morning. Carrie and I could have stayed another day, but we were concerned about Oliver. At 14 years old, the heat was just too much for him, and he had been panting heavily at times. Friday night would be our last night of this trip. We had a good day and I think Oliver had a fun day too. Oliver had a happy look on his face most of the day and looked to be smiling between panting. 

Oliver in Wagon with Fan

We stayed up until about 2 AM around the fire, listening to the Royals game and then some music. It was a fun and peaceful night. At one point, we set up a fan on Oliver while he rested in the wagon, and it worked—he was zonked out while we enjoyed the evening. A perfect end to the night. We knew we would be packing up in the morning, so making the most out of our last night camping.

Peck on the Cheek While Camping

Saturday morning, we slept in a bit, but once the sun hit the tent, we were up. Oliver actually slept later than usual, which gave us a little extra rest. We slowly packed up and were on the road by around 10:30 AM. We stopped in Paola again for coffee before heading out to scout future camping spots. Our next goal: Melvern Lake—this time on the RV side. Yes, we’re planning to rent an RV in July for our first RV camping trip! We’ve stayed at Melvern Lake many times, but this will be our first time with a travel trailer.

Today is Sunday, and while we were a bit sad to cut our trip short, it’s nice to be home and relax before heading back to work tomorrow. Hopefully, we’ll be out camping again soon—fingers crossed for cooler weather next time!

Have a great Sunday and a wonderful week!

Symphony in the Flint Hills: A Memorable Finale

Stage at Symphony in the Flint Hills

On Saturday, we attended our second Symphony in the Flint Hills—and the final one of the series. The last time we went was in 2013, although that year it was held on the Fort Riley base. That was still a very cool experience, but we missed out on seeing it in the actual Flint Hills.

When we heard this would be the final event, we knew we had to get tickets and head out to Strong City, KS, to experience the symphony one last time.

Panoramic Setting Sun -- Courtesy of Greg

We lucked out with the weather—it was overcast with no rain, and the cloud cover helped keep the temperature lower than expected. We went with our friends Laura and Jason, and family members Erin and Greg. We brought plenty of food and had a great time snacking and enjoying the pleasant weather. It took about 45 minutes of traffic to get into the area, but it was worth it.

Sunset, Cows, and Flint Hills

The scenery was stunning—rolling hills dotted with cattle created a picturesque backdrop. We arrived around 2:30 p.m. and found a great spot, which turned out to be right along the path of the cattle drive during intermission. Carrie captured some great photos of the cattle being driven across the land and the cowboys at work.

Selfie Early in the Evening

The Kansas City Symphony’s performance felt a bit short. Carrie and I were away getting drinks when the music began—about 30 minutes later than scheduled, as people were still arriving and waiting to get in. We later heard that some attendees waited up to two hours to enter, due to the dirt roads. Thankfully, we followed the recommendation to arrive early and were ready for the music to start at 6 p.m., though it was delayed to 6:30.

Cattle Drive and Cowboys

The symphony played a few pieces before taking a break for intermission. That’s when the cattle drive took place, which was a unique and memorable sight.

After the performance, the sun was setting, casting a golden glow over the Flint Hills. With cows grazing in the distance and the sky painted in warm hues, it was the perfect end to the evening. Knowing it would take time to get 5,000 people out of the area, we stayed until about 9:30 before heading back. We made it to Topeka by 11.

Selfie in the Flint Hills with Setting Sun

I’m so glad we were able to attend one last time for the finale of this incredible event. This was the twentieth and final Symphony in the Flint Hills. I’m grateful we got to hear the beautiful music, take in the breathtaking views, and enjoy the evening with friends and family.

Until next time, have a wonderful rest of your Sunday. Happy Father’s Day to all the dads, and have a great week ahead!