Niagra Falls Visit 5/1/14

Now that the truck, van and trailer are all packed...time to head to our new home actually located in Crown Point Indiana (10 miles from East Chicago.  That's why we always say we live in Chicago.  Its Chicago time, news, ect.)  We set out from CT about 11:30am.  My folks and I decided between the three of us we would just drive the 15hrs straight switching drivers when needed. On our route to Chicago, we knew Niagara Falls was along the way so decided to stopped. Of course the weather didn't cooperate-it was misty and 45 degrees-freezing. The falls are just beautiful. They had not opened for the summer yet-lots of construction. Most of the walkways close to the river and falls were closed. We also discovered there is still ice at the bottom of the falls and along most of the outcroppings. Couldn't believe it! At least I got to see it one last time!

The ice still at the bottom of the falls

Praxair Facility Tour Suffield, CT 4-30-14

Stephen Dale Johnson and Dave LeValley from Praxair allowed our robotics team Aces High 176 to visit for a facility tour. What an interesting place. Stephen told us the history of the facility and explained distillation process for air into other elements which his company then trailers to customers all over the East Coast. It also gave Stephen and I an opportunity to say good bye to our robotics team! Thank you Dave and Stephen and Thank you Aces High 176 for a wonderful three years of robotics!!

In one of Praxairs new trucks!

Watch out...Dads driving!

Aces High 176 Robotics Worlds in St. Louis 4/22-4/27/14

We start our afternoon of 4/22/14 at Windsor Locks High School 4:30pm loading the bus with all of our belongings and spare robot parts and tools.  We head north to pick up or bus mates NRG4055 for a long, 18 hour bus ride to St. Louis.  We traveled all night making stops for dinner and bus driver changes.  It was not comfortable sleeping on the bus!! Below is a list of preliminaries.  We played on the Galileo field- Preliminaries are out!
http://www.usfirst.org/roboticsprograms/frc/blog-Divisions-and-Preliminary-Match-Schedules

Well, we made it to St Louis. We dropped our stuff off at our hotel, had a quick lunch, headed to Edward Jones Dome to unpack the robot and some of us headed to the Arch. We had a great time going up in the arch taking great pictures along... the way. We had a brief visit back at the dome for a practice round and ended our long evening at the old Spaghetti Factory with a fabulous meal... All after an 18 hr bus ride from CT. Our first of 3 exciting days to come!! See More

During our visit a one of the many teams attending the competition hosts a RoboProm.  We had decided as a team that we would attend.  After a busy, crazy day of tough competition we have finally made it to the hotel to "make ourselves pretty" for RoboProm. So excited! We were hoping for pictures by the arch but it was pouring rain. The kids had a blast!  Thanks to Peter and Bob for keeping me company and to Ron and Linda who busted out some awesome partner dance moves at the end of the night!!

Very tough, aggressive competition!  Our robot did well but our alliances were less to be desired!!  Because we did not score very high in the matches, our team was not picked for finals.  I think we learned we need to do a bit more socializing with the teams in our group instead of just scouting!!

I started this adventure out by my self because Stephen had to work.  Well he surprised me for the weekend and flew down Friday night and flew back to CT Saturday night.  Not only did Stephen surprise me, but we got to go out Friday night with Cody and Elisa.  During Saturdays competition Phyllis, Cody, Elisa, Kambrye and Lindsay came!  We had a wonderful lunch at the Spaghetti Factory (again-but do love that place) and they all go to see our robot, competitions and got to go in the pits to see our robot!!  What a great day to have the family attend and see what Stephen and I do and are very passionate about!!!

Saturday night we left St Louis after the finals and awards only dreading our 18 hour trip back to CT.  What a great experience!!  Hope the teams makes Worlds next year so Stephen and I can attend-with a wee mere 4 hour drive!!

Linda Horn and I having breakfast on the 18hr bus ride to St. Louis

The kids at the top of the arch

Our ride down the arch

The arch lit up at night from another mentors balcony.

Bruce, Shahil and I out for $2 pitchers!

One of many dinners at the Old Spaghetti Factory

Time for the final championships!

Ms Stacy performed excellent!!

Hooka with a few mentors and family!

Ms Stacy-a robot selfie



So excited the family came!!

Night out with the St Anne Country club clan!! 4/19/14

I'm a bit behind with the blog posting so now its time for catch up!!!

What a wonderful night out with a bunch of great people I worked with at St. Anne Country Club! We started the night out with dinner and drinks and went bar hopping in North Hampton. We finished up the night by closing down a piano bar in Springfield MA. What a blast!!! Thanks for everything guys!!