 1/06: Starting the year in the news!(more pics) |
 3/06: Whilst studying fine art, Ryann thinks of the astronomer in her life. |
Our Adventures 2005
See complete 2005 album
Julie and I made a 15 hour (930 mile) road trip to Brevard, NC to see
Beth's graduation. We had two great adventures, a white-water rafting
trip in NC, and a caving expedition in TN.
I took GEMS trips to Heidelberg in March, and then a mini-talk-tour of
Tucson and Los Angeles in April. I had a very enjoyable visit with the
kids, including the celebration of Tyler's 17th and Jason's 35th
birthdays, and a very nice
experience with the Teen Action program.
We spent
Valentine's Day weekend at the "Courteau B&B" in Kingston, Ontario.
Lake Ontario, frozen over from a bitterly cold January, sat no more
than 20 meters outside the window of the cozy lakefront residence
Stephane was looking after. We had wonderful company and meals in
Kingston.
In January, we spent a day in San Diego for my poster at the AAS meeting, then
we drove up to Los Angeles to pick our wedding rings. After a successful day
at the jewelry mart, we spent a nice late afternoon with my Mom in Venice. We
enjoyed the sunset at the beach.
We married within days of the vernal equinox's ushuring in of spring.
March 23rd in Avra valley between Tucson and Kitt Peak. A beautiful
sunset wedding surrounded by family, friends, and the serene desert.
Julie and I had many wonderful days that late winter looking for a
secluded desert spot for our wedding.
Despite "thesis hell" (a time of very hard work during which my waking
cycle precessed all the way to bedtime at dawn),
Julie and I found time to explore the
desert. This spring was particularly gorgeous as a significant fall
rainfall produced an explosive display of wildflowers. I recall some
wonderful days hiking around the Tucson and Tortolita Mtns. One time
in the Tortolitas near sunset, Rooster met a Gila Monster, luckily we
grabbed him in the nick of time.
Twentyfour hours after turning my thesis in to my committee (June 2nd),
Julie and I
flew to Africa to begin our magical
honeymoon adventure (click
this link for a great photo album Julie made that depicts our adventures
far better than this humble narrator could.)
I defended my thesis on Monday, July 2nd,
only one week after we returned from our honeymoon. July was quite a
month, we had a going-away party, packed all of our belongings, I
finalized my thesis revisions and turned it in, all in preparation for
our departure for Massachusetts. We were sad to leave the happy house
in the desert that we had grown to love.
In early February, my mom came out to Tucson to visit. Julie and Rooster
conspired
to take us all on the
Finger Rock trail hike. After awhile we all needed a
rest, even the grand conspirator
herself! Mom enjoyed the
views, the
hiking, and a
hug from Rooster.
The high point for
Rooster was a nice shady spot
after an arduous climb.
In mid February, we went up the California coast. Along the way we had the good
fortune to see (1,
2,
3), and to pet
(1,
2,
3,
4,
5) the elephant seals!
We also spent the day at
the Monterey
Bay Aquarium. Julie appeared to be having fun.
A rainy drive home took us by Big Sur.
During the summer, Julie and I flew to the east coast to attend Jason and
Michelle's wedding. After the wedding, we drove to New England to visit
Julie's grandfather. We had
a lovely day exploring the Connecticut and Rhode Island coast. Here is my
angel enjoying the seaside.
In early September, we all spent a night at the telescope on Mt. Bigelow.
The next day we went for a fun hike on Aspen Loop near the summit of Mt. Lemmon.Here are some hikers who say
they "hate hiking". Here is a rare glimpse of famed
mountain man, sometime
astronomer and distant nephew of Grizzly Adams. And an even more
incredible shot of a
striped, play station beast,
believed to be found only
in caves, or dark holes at least!
In September, Julie and I spent a romantic weekend in
San Carlos, Mexico, one
of my most favorite places in the entire world. This weekend was very special
for it marked our first full year together, and it was here that I first met
Julie. Being the romantic that I am, I proposed marriage and Julie tearfully
accepted ... it was a beauteous
occasion. Later that evening, we had a special
visitor stop by
to congratulate us. The next day we spent at the beach where we entertained
yet more
visitors. Here I am
happily engaged in
sunny San Carlos.
In October, we returned to San Carlos with Tyler and Ryann. The weather was
gorgeous and cooperative, we had a
great day
snorkeling and exploring
the beach. Here's a young distant cousin of
Jacques Cousteu exploring
some tide pools. Here is the great snorkeling master in
action. At the end of the
day we bid our flying friends
pleasant travels. I was
saddened to leave this magical place, but I know we will return.
11/05: Dan in Heidelberg, Germany (more pics)
Holidays 2005: Thanksgiving and Christmas get togethers (more pics)
08/05: Dan in Santa Cruz for NNG05 (more pics)
07/05: California High Sierras hike with 
Julie and Mom (more pics)
04/05: Party to celebrate Dan's 41st birthday. (more pics.)
04/05: Mt. Toby hike with Julie, Dan, Daka, Dusan, Irena, Jonathan, Arend, and Adam (more pics)
Our Adventures 2004
Our Adventures 2003
Our Adventures 2002
Our Adventures 2001
Our Adventures 2000
See new link
by D. H. McIntosh
