One advantage to the below average and freezing temperatures we have had lately is that Mirror Lake in Eden Park is fully frozen. My buddy Kenny caught word of some pond hockey taking place on the lake this past Sunday at noon. I haven’t played pond hockey since high school, so I immediately let him know that I was definitely ready to play.

Kenny on the Ice

Sections of the frozen lake had already been cleared of most of the near six inches of snow that had fallen recently, but we brought along a few shovels to remove any extra that we found. It seems we weren’t the only ones using the lake for hockey, in fact there was another group of younger players getting in some extra practice time, as well as a steady line of others coming out with family and friends for a good skate.

Game On

We ended up with roughly twelve guys in our group. We started by playing with teams of four as the crowd was still growing, but quickly changed to teams of three. We randomly drew teams and created a little tournament. One of the guys in the group built some awesome goals, with two small openings on either end, that proved to be challenging and way more stable than a pair of shoes like we used to play with back in the day. Everyone had a great time and some were talking about playing again this coming weekend. Let me know if you’d like to give it a go and I’ll keep you informed on the status.

A couple of days after Christmas my wife and I invited a handful of her family members to see the Harlem Globetrotters take on the World All-Stars.

Pregame Show

We arrived just before the teams were introduced, and enjoyed a couple of break-dancers who were entertaining the crowd. This was the first time I had seen the Globetrotters since I was a young boy, but I think the adults may have had more fun than the kids.

Warm Ups

There are multiple teams of Globetrotters but I think we may have seen some of the best. One of my favorites was the 5’2″ player nicknamed Too Tall. Special K was also very entertaining and was king of comedy for most of the night.

Mascot Slingshot Bowling

During one of the breaks in the action, Globie, the Globetrotters mascot, participated in a round of slingshot bowling. The two dancers from before pulled long bungee ropes on either side of a cart to sling Globie into a set of over-sized bags of pistachios.

Victorious!

Despite being down at halftime, the Globetrotters pulled out the victory 105-101 thanks to special rules such as the trick shot challenge and the four point basket. The game had us all laughing throughout and we left with big smiles on our faces.

With less than ideal snow conditions at the Heavenly Resort a few weeks back, we decided to replace one of our snowboarding days with a snowmobile tour. My brother-in-law had never ridden a snowmobile before, so this was the perfect opportunity.

Chip

We had some difficulty finding a place that was open with the early season conditions, but eventually found Lake Tahoe Adventures.

Follow The Leader

The tour group for the day was very large, so they split us into three or four smaller groups of around ten riders. The experienced riders were placed at the back of the group, and since I had ridden a snowmobile before we were among the more experienced.

Hope Valley

Our tour was throughout the picturesque Hope Valley staring at 7,200 feet, just south of Lake Tahoe. The trail climbs rapidly, quickly heading deep into the back-country.

My Sled

Due to early season conditions, we didn’t veer from the trail and with some timid riders up front our speeds were fairly slow, especially at the start of the trip.

Chip

We took a ten minute break half way through the two-hour tour. After the break we were able to speed up and I think I may have hit 40 m.p.h. at one point. Since I was second from the rear, I could slow down a bit to let the group get ahead of me and then punch it to see how fast I could go.

Bright Lights!

Though the trip wasn’t as exciting as the other snowmobile tour that I took in the past, this was still a good time and I would definitely go back to Lake Tahoe Adventures in the future, but I’d make sure the more advanced tours were offered.

South Lake Tahoe on Dwellable

We spent all of last week on vacation, first visiting with our friends Doni and Phil at their new home of El Dorado Hills, California. We spent a night with them on either end of a our four night stay at the Heavenly Mountain Resort at Lake Tahoe.

First Lift

It was our first time visiting Lake Tahoe, but I certainly hope it is not the last. It is one of the prettiest places I have been, especially for a winter sports location. I’m told the scenery as equally as stunning in the summer months.

Heavenly Views

Our first day on the slopes was a great bluebird sky day. It was and is still very early in the season, so only a handful of lifts and runs were open. I spent a quick morning on the slopes the first day and conquered all of the trails before heading in for lunch and to play with the kids while Kim made turns with her brother Chip.

Before Powder Day

We only spent two days on the mountain since so little was open, but our second day out was a powder day! Kim and I got out early to get in some runs on some fresh snow. We had a blast and wore out our legs after just a few hours.

After Powder Day

I went back out with Chip after lunch and we tore through all the open terrain once again. When the day was complete I had put in roughly 12,600 vertical feet on 20 runs. It was a very solid day on the mountain.

21,600 Vertical Feet

Heavenly treated us very well and I hope to return in the future and will make sure to go later in the season to see one of the largest resort in America at its prime.

Heavenly Valley on Dwellable

Tomorrow night is the annual basketball game between the University of Cincinnati Bearcats and the Xavier University Musketeers now known as the Crosstown Classic. I won’t be able to attend the game, but I did go to a game a couple of weeks ago with a few other family members.

Family Shot

As we typically do, we got seats up high so the kids could run around without disturbing any of the other fans. The sight lines aren’t the best from the top of 5/3 Arena, but it is always fun to catch a game regardless of where your seats are.

Go Cats!

That night the Bearcats put a 30 point smack-down on UMass-Lowell River Hawks, 79-49. Go Bearcats!

The college basketball season is just around the corner. In fact the University of Cincinnati mens team has their first exhibition game this Saturday. To help kick off the season a temporary court was placed onto Cincinnati’s Fountain Square last Thursday for what the university called “Midday Madness.”

Fountain Square

Despite the rainy weather, a nice size crowd of fans lined the court for the afternoon event. A few lucky individuals were invited onto the court to participate in free throw and three-point competitions. All participants were given season tickets for the upcoming season!

Free Throw Contest

Some members of the mens and womens basketball teams were also on hand for interviews and even a three-point contest of their own.

Three Point Contest

Members of the marching band, cheer-leading squad, and dance team were also in attendance, though they mostly stayed under cover of the stage. The award-winning dance team did thrill the crowd with a performance at center court.

Band & Cheerleaders On Stage

After hearing from both coaches, the court was opened up to all players present for a quick shootaround. After that anyone in attendance was allowed on to the court to shoot baskets while the players retreated to nearby tables to sign autographs.

Player Shootaround

Even with the less than ideal weather, the event was still cool to see and a great idea to connect the uptown university to the downtown area. I can’t imagine how much better it would have been on a nice warm day, but I guess that is the chance you take when dealing with October weather.

Ge’Lawn Guyn

With Kim already planning to attend last Tuesday’s Reds game with work, I decided it would be fun to take Trey down for another game before the season is over. My father-in-law scored some great seats just behind the dugout for the game, though not as nice as the suite Kim was watching from.

Great Seats

The game was slow and painful to watch as the Reds quickly lost control and went on to lose 1-9 to the Cubs. We made it through six innings before retreating home to get a good night of sleep. On the way out we saw a World Trade Center steel artifact on display. 9/11 was the next day and there were special events and memorials to remember the sad day in American history.

WTC Steel Artifact

We also got our first glimpse at the new Joe Morgan statue just outside of the ball park that was dedicated the weekend before.

Joe Morgan

Even though the game wasn’t a good one for Reds fans, it is always a good time enjoying the park with family and friends.

I am so glad that football is back! The University of Cincinnati Bearcats had a big opening game this past weekend versus Purdue. Unfortunately due to spending the weekend in Troy, I missed the game. My ticket went to good use as my old college buddy and seatmate took his dad to the game. From what I’m told the game was insanely hot as was the Bearcats play on the field. They easily handled the Boilermakers and won the game 42-7!

I look forward to the rest of the Bearcats season and will do my best not to miss another home game. I will also be keeping a close eye on the Bengals, as many think they can win the division this year and have a good shot at the playoffs. Time will tell on that one. I would love to see that happen and I do hope to catch a game down at Paul Brown sometime this season. Who Dey!

Last night was the third Bark in the Park of the Reds season, where fans can bring their dogs to the game. We don’t have a dog of our own, but members of Kim’s family brought two dogs to the game last night.

Paige Not Impressed

The game was special for us as it was Paige’s first time at the ball park. She fell asleep on the walk in but did wake up for the end of the game. We also remembered to get her free commemorative certificate from the Fan Accommodation booth.

Craft Beer!

Our seats were very close to the newly opened craft beer stand near the children’s playground. This is the second craft beer stand in the stadium and there are some great beers available.

Great View

Our seats were out in the dog sections in right field in the “Terrace Line.” I really enjoyed the view from these seats.

Nick Dancing

Kim’s brother Nick always gets on the scoreboard video screens at games. Last night he managed to get on twice!

Three Ed Paff’s

I’ve often been asked if I was related to Ed Paff the electrician. It turns out that his dad was cousins with my grandpa (I think that’s what he said). Anyway, he went to school with my father-in-law, who introduced the two of us last night. He thought it was great that Trey was also another Ed Paff and so we got a photo of the three of us. You should have been there, dad!

Yesterday was my third Father’s Day celebrating with my own children. Unbelievable to think how quickly time is passing by.

Father’s Day Card

I also got to spend some time with both my dad and father-in-law. We played nine holes of golf, something that they both love to do.

Perfect Form

An added bonus was that dad’s golfed for free!

Ed Paff Sr.

Kim and many of her siblings were also on the course with us.

Kim and Chuck

It was a great way to celebrate with our dads and the course even threw in a free lunch for everyone.