Stadium of Fire

As part of the Freedom Festival - on the night of July 4th - they hold a concert/extravaganza at BYU's Cougar Football Stadium - with lots and lots of fireworks. In order to get you there, and waiting for the fireworks, they have different entertainment options.

Glenn Beck was the Emcee for the show and came in with a theme of "76 Trombones" and gave a pretty good speech on the values on which we started this country.This year they had tributes to the various flags of the United States. With people bringing them into the stadium in period dress.

Then on to the entertainment - first was a girl country singing group - originally from Utah called SHeDAISY. I don't normally like country music, but I think I'll go on iTunes and pick up some of their songs today. I liked their close harmonies, and the had entertainment quality!The next group - and the one all the kids were screaming for - was the Jonas Brothers. A pop Disney sensation. All the kids around us were dancing, screaming, and belting out the words to their songs.There was a short section of fireworks, then Glenn Beck returned and narrated a solemn ceremony to 'retire the flag' - There are proscribed processes to retire a United States flag - and we watched as they brought in the huge Stadium of Fire flag - that is now too old and worn to use for another year. With great pomp they hand-carried the flag in, and placed it in a cauldron to be its final resting place, and burned it. Then on to the main event - Fireworks! Lots of big ones, devices in the south end of the stadium, huge ones that covered most of the sky, and my favorite--big loud ones! I like to 'feel' my fireworks, and this was a great show.

We were able to park close - since the grand-parents went with us, and we had their handicap stickers, we were able to park in the lot just west of the stadium (thankfully). Though it was a bit difficult for them to climb to almost the top of the west stands. But we had chair seats so it was better than the other stadium seats the young folks were in.

And now some photo evidence of the evening. (I didn't get any photos of the 4 F16 fighter jets passing over - couldn't focus on them moving that fast - bummer)

Joe, Karrissa, McKinley Winward - and Alysha Parsons McKinley getting ready for the show The Winwards Richard & Cenia Parsons - My Parents Ken & Bev Uptain - Jill's Parents OK, I didn't get the Jets - but I did get the Helicopters Over 700 dancers, fire dancers, etc. Glenn Beck delivering his speech The stadium was full of spectators for the extravaganza
Mountains in the background of a packed stadium Audience enthralled with the Fireworks displays Photos couldn't do justice to the Fireworks

Ryan's Stylized Photos from Europe

While in Europe, Ryan and Alysha both liked taking photographs (and being photographed as well)

After returning home, Ryan did some editing and made some 'stylized' photos. Then his sisters took these and printed large copies and mounted them in frames for his birthday.

They are pretty good - so I added them to the blog.

Thanks Ryan

Versailles across the man-made lake

Walking paths at Versailles

From the top of Notre Dame

Stonehenge

Eiffel Tower

Eye of London - Ferris Wheel

Ryan's Birthday at Sundance

Ryan wanted to go to Sundance - the Grill Room - for his Birthday dinner. So we packed up the kids and headed up for another great dinner. The food was great - and the company as well. McKinley had fun pretending to be our waiter, as well as dancing all over the place.

Of course we had to get 'suckers' for everyone as well.

Afterward the little girls liked walking on the bridge over a little raging stream. It was a perfect time to teach McKinley about the game 'Pooh Sticks'!

Self-Timer on the Bridge Shot of Family

Karrissa and Ryan at Dinner

Alysha and Ryan - I've got good looking kids!

Kylie standing on Bridge

Provo Freedom Festival - Balloon Launch

Bright and early this morning we headed down to Provo - with Jill and her parents to see the Freedom Festival's Balloon Launch.

Had a little McDonald's breakfast, and watched the balloons take off, then try to return to drop bean-bags on a target, and pop some smaller helium balloons floating at 200'.

The winner dropped their beanbag only 6' from the target, that's pretty amazing since they traveled a couple of miles away before trying to return to the field.

A good time was had by all.

We also saw my daughter Karrissa's friend from High School - Andrea and her children. (along with thousands of other on-lookers)

Jill's Mom and Dad - Bev and Ken Uptain of Othello, WA

Playing 'Hare & Hounds'

Even 'Tony the Tiger' was there

Group photo taking off

Heading south before turning back toward field

Karrissa's Friend - Andrea

Andrea's eldest daughter - Brinley?

Travel Tips

Having spent two weeks in Europe on a little family vacation - it made me think a bit about some travel tips for those of you who might need to travel for work or holiday.

I've logged nearly 2 million miles in the last 15 years - and have gleaned some experience from all that travel.

In no particular order:
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Camera Strap - Black Rapid's RS-4
This strap is a new way to carry your D-SLR camera. Instead of a strap going around your neck, making the camera bounce along in front of your stomach - this strap is designed to mount to the tripod mounting hole in the bottom of your camera - and then go over one shoulder/neck, thus the camera rides easily off your back/hip and yet is still very easy to bring your camera up to eye level for a picture.This was a fantastic upgrade to my old Nikon camera strap. Much easier to carry a large camera all day - yet still very user friendly and easy to learn. Highly Highly Recommended!
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Travel Clothing
When teaching - I just wear dockers and a long-sleeve button-down shirt. But then again, those days are spent all inside teaching. But when traveling, or doing sightseeing I like to wear specially made travel clothing. A shirt with two front pockets (passport/tickets/iPhone/glasses) for flying and sight-seeing. Pants with more zipper pockets to help deter pick-pockets and are very lightweight.I've found it to be very difficult for pick-pockets to access shirt pockets that are buttoned - a person is much more protective of the front chest area - especially in a crowded area like the subway. Even with extra zippered pants pockets, I've found pick-pockets now how to work the zippers. So the wallet and cash go in the right front shirt pocket! (and the camera strap also covers right over that area for even extra security)

It might cost a bit more, but it is made for easy care, functional, and nearly wrinkle-free.
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Apple iPhones are Everywhere!
I thought our family was a bit on the edge with most of us having iPhones. But more and more I've been seeing iPhones everywhere. They do have a distinct look, so they are fairly easy to spot. More people on planes, hotel lobbies, and now even all over Europe the iPhones have really taken hold. I really enjoy mine, and find it to be not only a great phone, but a game platform, contact lists, calendars, to do list, Internet access, alarm clock, GPS, iPod for music and portable movie player.
No wonder they are everywhere!

This is also very highly recommended.
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Big Zoom Lens
I've got an older body Nikon D40 as the base... but put the extra money into a very nice lens. The Nikkor 18-200 VR lens is a great single lens to take on a trip. Not only can it let you capture wide-angle panoramic scenes, but lets you zoom way in. As a single lens it does just about all you'd want. And with the Vibration Reduction elements, you can shoot in much lower light conditions, even taking hand-held shots.Some of the shots inside the Cathedrals of Europe where made with just this lens in a hand-held position. A great addition to your camera bag. I'd opt for this upgraded lens and save money on the camera body - oh yeah, I already did that.All the pictures on my personal blog as well as my son Ryan's facebook were taken with this lens.
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England, UK, Britain Confusion
Check out an earlier blog that answers these questions.
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Skype - the ONLY way to call
I pre-loaded Skype on the iPhones before heading off to Europe. On previous trips, I've used a variety of methods to call home. Small WiFi phones, Skype specific phones, headsets and Skype on my laptop. But Skype on the iPhone was very easy to use. My wife Jill and daughter Alysha both have iPhones, and it was a simple transition to just use the Skype App rather than the normal Phone App.This saved us $$$ - especially with the daughter calling home to her boyfriend (they liked to talk...) At only $.02 per minute (an hour-long call only cost $1.20) it was great.In order to make the Skype phone work - you need to have Wireless Network Access. See following note.
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Bring your own Access Point
I travel with an Apple Airport Express - little guy - but packs a pretty good punch. I have it programmed with WPA for security, and it is easily 110v-220v capable. And it is 802.11n to boot!This just plugs into the hotel's Internet - then you do everything via WiFi. This lets us all share WiFi in the hotel. 4 iPhones and three laptops all using one Internet connection.

I've tried 5 other 'travel routers' but this is the smallest, simplest, and easiest to use. At only $99 - don't leave home without it!
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Pack only what you need
You can usually get just about anything you might need locally - if you need it. If you don't need it, why schlep it all over the world?

I use a very nice bag from RedOxx out of Montana. A single bag is a great way to travel. Easy, you can (if you have to) use it as carry-on. (see additional item below on carry-on luggage) - but it can easily hold a week's worth of stuff.Minimize the 'extra' stuff you 'think' you might need. Just learn to live with what you have and be glad for it. If you *really* need anything else - buy it locally.
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Know you own bags!
Another little pet peeve of mine with regards to luggage. At the baggage pickup, when people pick up and check bag after bag, trying to find their own. You just put in on the plane a couple of hours ago, you've already forgotten what it looks like?

If you need to easily identify your bags, just tie a piece of colored yarn or ribbon to the handle (or buy those ridiculous large luggage tags in bright green)
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Airline Carry On
Just because you *can* take a bag on carry on doesn't mean you *should*! Be a bit considerate of others on the plane. The overhead compartments need to be shared by everyone. And me, for one, ALWAYS put my backpack in the overhead compartment. I'm not going to travel uncomfortably with my feet wrapped around a piece of luggage. Don't ask to put your second carry on under my feet - just don't bring it on the plane. They have an entire baggage system to get your bag to where you are going!

Out of 2million miles of travel - I've have the airlines loose my bags on 9 times, and 5 of those were on my way home. So out of hundreds and hundreds of flights I've had to do without my bags 4 times. This is not the risk you are making it out to be. Pack an extra set of underwear in your carry on and be done with it.
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Always have pen and paper with you
I was taught by my father - and hopefully I'll pass it on to all my children - to always carry a pen with you! It is a sign of maturity and preparedness!

Also, within the last couple of years I've also started to carry 3x5 cards in my pocket. These have also been invaluable at times. Someplace to write little notes, take informaiton down, jot down a phone number or address.

Even in the age of iPhones - an index card in your pocket can be a great thing.

Always have a Pen and Paper with you!
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Get money locally
When you travel to different countries - it is so much easier (and way cheaper) to just get money locally from an ATM. They are everywhere. Don't waste your money, nor your time at the money changer places.

You use an ATM for cash at home, use one abroad as well!
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Don't Stink
This is to all the folks in Europe (and a couple in the States) - It is possible to have personal hygiene and not STINK! - Alysha would cover her nose with her hand when on the subways in Europe because all the body odor, and smell of unwashed clothes.

It's not that hard to clean yourself and your clothes! Just do it!

I think I blame the women in Europe. If they wouldn't have anything to do with these stinky men, the men would soon learn to change and worry about personal hygiene. The European women must like that smell of old sweat and wool... yeck!

If you haven't washed up your person or your clothes - don't travel! Sitting next to one of these on flights is nearly unbearable. They don't even seem to notice.
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Have stuff with you
If you need medicines, take them with you in your carry on. If you like to read, have a book with you, watch movies? take along an iPhone of iPod Touch. Just be prepared. Worried they won't have food for you, bring your own.
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Kindle & iPhone
Between these two little devices I can keep myself occupied for hours, even days.

My Kindle has hundreds of books just waiting to be read - waiting for me to have some 'down time' to read them.My iPhone is full of great games, audiobooks, Internet, and videos. If I've got time, I've got a way to spend it.
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Relax
There is usually nothing you can do to change travel fiascos around you - so just be prepared with media of some type and just enjoy the extra time. You can't change anything - so don't let the stress get to you.

Enjoy!

Reading from Europe Trip

In 1989, Ken Follett astonished the literary world with The Pillars of the Earth, a sweeping epic novel set in twelfth-century England that centered on the building of a cathedral, and on the men, women, and children whose lives it changes forever. I've since have hoped for a sequel. At last, it is here…World Without End

Two centuries after the townspeople of Kingsbridge finished building their exquisite Gothic cathedral, four children slip into the forest and witness a killing… an event that will braid their lives together by ambition, love, greed, and revenge

Another sweeping story set in the middle ages at the time of the great plagues. A good read for the summer.

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The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society - In 1946, writer Juliet Ashton finds inspiration for her next book in her correspondence with a native of Guernsey, who tells her about the Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, a book club born as an alibi during German occupation

Funny title - but a heartwarming story set right after World War II - and flashbacks to how this civilian society coped through the war.

A unique form of storytelling - it kind of grows on you.

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Amsterdam in the 1690s - a boom town with Europe's biggest stock exchange and traders who will stop at nothing to get even richer. Lienzo, a Portugese Jew, stumbles across a new commodity - coffee - which, if he plays his cards right, will make him the richest man in Holland. But others stand in his way - rival traders who do all in their power to confuse the exchange and scupper his plans, his brother who is jealous of his financial wizardry and even his brother's beautiful wife who both tempts and spurns him in equal measure.

I've started to really like what David Liss writes in these historical fiction novels! Like his other's I've read - The Coffee Trader works well.

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In an un-put-downable gee-whiz fashion, author Ben Sherwood introduces his readers to researchers, survivors (some, of horrifying events), psychologists, and scientists who look at why some survive a crisis when others don’t. This is one of those useful, lively, fun books that tells you something new and totally fascinating on every page, and I simply couldn’t stop reading it.

Want to live to a ripe old (happy) age? Pick up a copy of The Survivors Club and enjoy.

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"History comes to life" In John Adams - HBO Miniseries. This miniseries is both for those that didn't like or do well in history and those that consider themselves history geeks. Regardless of which category you fall into, either you can learn some of the history that you missed, or be thrilled with the story that is "true to the book and historically accurate." "If all history were taught this way kids would learn more." John Adams "provides a realistic view of what your founding fahters endured both personally and politically," destroying the "romantic idea" of life we have from that time. "A must see for every American."

It was great to watch this entire series on my iPod Touch on the plane ride to Paris. And I thought I knew about early American history.

Ice Age 3 with Family

Yesterday we went to see the new installment of the Ice Age movies - this is number 3...

The whole family, including the little grand-daughters all came together.

Since it was the first day showing, and the last matinee for the day... I thought it would be very crowded. So we headed down to the Wynnsong theaters in Provo Riverwoods a bit early. (I even paid the extra $1/ticket fee to Fandango just to be sure we got our tickets)

A friend of Alysha - Erin was working the ticket booth and reminded me that it was Wynnsong - we didn't need to use Fandango.

The place was empty! - Our viewing had our family, one other family and a single old lady. That's it! I think the theaters are nice, sloped well, pretty good seats, all DLP projectors with good sound systems. But since the new Cinemark moved into the Mall... as my neice Jenny says - Wynnsong is now 'Ghetto'.

But the movie was great fun. If you liked the other Ice Age movies - you'll also enjoy this one. Yes it was made for kids, but they put in enough little 'zingers' that adults will laugh as well. I busted up on more than one occasion.

Go see it - you'll be glad you did!Family ready for the movie

McKinley does not like the loud sounds in the Movie Theater