Red Rock Canyon (Las Vegas)

LoneStarCon 2 (San Antonio)

The 55th World Science Fiction Convention (Worldcon), was also known as "The Second Occasional LoneStarCon Science Fiction Convention & Chili Cook-off". The convention was held August 28–September 1, 1997, at the Marriott Rivercenter, Marriott Riverwalk, and the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center in San Antonio, Texas, USA.

While attending, I rented a car and visited one of the missions.



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My London day trip to Paris

In 1995, I visited England and Scotland. I found an fairly inexpensive day trip to Paris.

On the day of the trip, I boarded the Eurostar early in the morning for the trip thru the chunnel to Paris. We boarded a bus for a 90 minute tour around Paris. (except for a couple times to get off the bus for few quick pictures - no stops)

Around noon, they let us off at a department store. On one of the upper floors, there was a cafeteria. Not knowing any french, I just pointed at something that looked safe to eat.

Back on the bus for more touring. (no stops). Then back on the Eurostar to get back to London for dinnertime.

No bargin so just basic tour. But it was fun riding the Eurostar through the english and french countryside. It gave you a nice quick overview of Paris.


Stock image of Eurostar




Nice gray day in Paris.

My night as a Kitt Peak Astronomer

Today, I was organizing some of my old photos and found some from my night as a Kitt Peak astronomer.

One year, I found about AOP. I contacted Kitt Peak about the AOP program. Then I found some cheap flights to Tucson.

Actually after the public night viewing at the visitor center, you can stay with the AOP program.

The Advanced Observing Program (AOP) is designed to give participants an authentic sample of the atmosphere of professional astronomy. You and one of our well qualified staff spend the night using one of Kitt Peak’s three public telescopes and associated equipment, exploring the wonders of the night sky.

I drove to Kitt Peak. After the public program, the telescope and the staff person was mine for the rest of the night. It was in the 30s so I only lasted to 2am in the unheated dome.

It was before digital cameras so it was too involved to use my film slr camera.

Still it was fun night. At one point,we went to the astronomer’s cafeteria for hot chocolate. Rather than having me drive to a hotel at 2am, I was assigned a unit used by the visiting astronomers to sleep the rest of the night.

Grand Canyon

During one of my trips to Las Vegas, I took a helicopter tour of the Grand Canyon. After flying low hugging the ground, we landed for lunch or was it an afternoon snack? Note: the landing zone is not in the national park proper.

ConFurence 8

ConFurence 8 was the 1996 ConFurence furry convention. It was held from January 12-14 at the Atrium Marquis Hotel in Irvine, California, with some events overflowing into the adjacent Radisson Plaza hotel. The theme for that year was "Furries in Force".
I am an avid science fiction reader. I may have been reading Little Fuzzy by H. Beam Piper when I found out about furry conventions.
The masquerade was different then other conventions since a section had women that were totally nude. And as I remember it, it was very openly gay which at that time was unusual.



I found this YouTube video of the green dragon.

Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo

The 53rd World Science Fiction Convention (Worldcon), Intersection, was held in Glasgow, Scotland from 24-28 August 1995.
Since I was in Scotland, I went to Edinburgh and attended the Tattoo.

The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo is an annual series of Military tattoos performed by British Armed Forces, Commonwealth and International military bands and display teams on the esplanade of Edinburgh Castle in the Scottish capital, Edinburgh.

The castle is at the top of the hill. As you can see, bleachers are set up in the open area in front of the castle.