The United States Air Force Academy - Colorado Springs, CO

I'm back, ya hooligans!

This was probably one of my favorite places of our trip - and not because of their extensive gift shop.

THE SHIRTS ARE JUST REALLY COMFORTABLE, M'KAY?

There really isn't *too* much to tour there just as a visitor, so we decided to take a "hike" and see the Cadet Chapel.

You know, it probably looks 78% shinier on sunny days.

The interior is absolutely stunning - lots of blue.
I sense a color scheme.

It kind of gives you vertigo if you look at it too long...

Back of the chapel, where the organ and choir seating are.

Outside of the chapel.
This is where some of the cadets' dorms are.

Purty.

This really just bugged me.
They probably could've leveled it out, right?
THEY'RE THE US AIR FORCE.

Are we kind of on a mountain, or at the edge of the world?!
Also, in the corner, you can see the fountains, where graduating cadets jump in.

I slipped/tripped right after taking this picture.
I'm fine, thanks for asking.

The Olympic Training Center - Colorado Springs, CO

 You know what the average person expects when they walk into the Olympic Training Center?

Maybe Michael Phelps just straight up chilling in the lobby?

Shawn Johnson doing buying her own merchandise in the gift shop?

Oh! I know! Definitely not a Fathead of a 3/4 naked Ryan Lochte for sale!

P.S. - sorry I didn't get a picture, I totally forgot. Or maybe I was too uncomfortable to stand within 20 feet of it?

Anywho, I went to the Olympic Training Center! It's where dreams come true and not where women's gymnastics trains! *sad Mary*

First, the nice tour guide woman led us over to the shooting center.

She just looks very, very repressed.

I'd like to win a crown. But the real question is: how does one balance it on its head?
Another question: is it even a crown?

I don't really know if I'm capable of such things.

Smells like sweat and VICTORY!
Also: like, 80 degrees.

This should've been the header. *sigh*

Pretty gym that we weren't allowed in.

Believe me, I would've enjoyed breathing the same air Michael Phelps has.
But, again - weren't allowed in.
(For a good reason though! People were training).

New gym! 

Can you see the unlit torch in the corner?

Yay Olympics!
I'm told all the non-Olympians are referred to the 'team behind the team'. Or maybe, just, too lazy to leave her chair and go for a jog?

We'll figure it out eventually.

The Top of Pike's Peak (And the Way Up)

Hello there my little muffin-birds!

(Can that be taken in a good way?)

This begins the first of many posts from Colorado, so I decided to kick it off with a good one.

Would this qualify as a gem of a photo?

Deteriorated log cabin count: 1

On a 1.5 hour train ride, you resort to taking dicey pictures.
Also: developing your bladder of steel.

This *may* or *may not* be Pike's Peak.
I seriously have no idea.

A view coined 'Inspiration Point' by the woman who wrote the song America the Beautiful.

Alright, this next one needs a preface:

about halfway up the mountain, the train took a stop to change the switches on the track.

A woman sitting near me spotted a black blob, and screamed "A bear! Oh my Lord, it's a bear! Sweet glory!" (may be a bit exaggerated...) Of course, everyone on the train was losing their minds, because God knows they've never seen a bear before. So, as a person who enjoys crushing people's joy on a daily basis, I zoomed in.

Not a bear.
Hello, cow.

Hello, creepy creatures of the mountains.

Hi again cow!

A mining district.

The closer we got to the top, the more limited the views got.

Eventually, this was all anyone could see.
HOW WAS SOMEONE DRIVING A TRAIN UP A MOUNTAIN IN THIS?!

As soon as we got off the train, it started to hail.
#funtimes

It kind of looks like the end of the world.

The summit of Pike's Peak.
Location: the middle of the parking lot.

The Pike's Peak Highway, which was closed for a brief moment in time while we were at the top, on account of the weather.
IT'S THE MIDDLE OF SUMMER.

The incline on the way down.

 Yay Pike's Peak!

Now excuse me while I go stuff my face with onion rings and ice cream.

The Past Few Weeks

Hello internet kinda-friends!

(I mean, you read my blog - so we're on that level, right?)

I've just returned from a trip to Colorado (where many blog posts have been photographed) and while I'm still recovering from vacation hangover, (aka: too lazy to sort through photos?) here's what's join' on!

First pee break in Kansas: that's about right.

I never thought I would hear such great news during a meal.
(The sign says promotion, but his eyes say help).

My view from lunch.

I really have no recollection of taking this, but why don't we throw it in here, eh?

Beautiful, beautiful Kansas
*forces smile*

CAN YOU SEE THE TINY WINDMILLS?!?
(Because they're actually really huge).

See? I told you.

eW.

My view the first morning. I could get used to it.

My view the first night.
Whatta hottie.

Could one call this a "sneak peak from Pike's Peak"?
Ha.

Stay tuned for more coolness to come!

Sike! I'm Not Dead!

Waddup, dudes?

So, contrary to popular belief, I have not fallen off the face of the earth.

I've obviously been doing very exhilarating things:

 Refining my photography skills (among other things):

And hanging out with these cool cats:

I swear we're all very normal.

The Mac n' Cheese Massacre (?)

First of all, let me get one thing straight. I was not planning on spending 45 minutes on mac n' cheese.

I seriously just wanted some darn noodles with melted cheese.

My first problem: there was shredded cheese in the fridge, not slices. (Wow. What a problem.)

I had no idea how to melt shredded cheese, but I remembered my days of watching Good Eats with Alton Brown - and decided the double pan concept would somewhat work. 

Nope.

Of course, the next logical step was to turn to the webz.

Help?

Yahoo Answers said not to melt it in the microwave, so the obvious answer was to nuke it.

First check: wha?

Update: I have created a cheese disc.
But I added milk, because two types of dairy is better than one.

Progress.

Have I created curdled milk?

Adding more cheese to this disaster only seemed right.

If this were an actual tutorial, I would have warned you to start boiling your noodles a while ago. But I didn't, so why should a warn you?

There's a time to learn everything.
(When you should turn down the stove)

YAAASSSS.

Final product: I'd say it was a miracle in itself.

Whatta beauty.

5 Best Firework Fails

It's the Fourth of July, ya gungans!

And as a kind American, I've taken the liberty to research the "best" firework fails this country has ever seen.

Take it all in:

 1. This guy who had one too many before exploding his explosives.

2. Such majestic. Much beautiful.

3. Isn't it just great when someone stands in the way of your fireworks?

4. A portable fireworks display.  Can you say risky? 

5. Okay, this one's kind of pretty.

Stay safe, you beautiful idiots.