Sand Castle Design Patterns

Before the heavy thunderstorms rolled through the Cape after lunch, it
was warm and sunny. On a previous day while out on the flats with
Matthew we found two perfect sand dollars - right next to each other.
Today we all set out at low tide and searched out a half mile onto the
flats. No sand dollars to be found. We found clam shells and many
scallop shells.

Jack issued me a design for a sand castle and we set to work. The
trick with sand castles is to start it down far enough on the beach to
develop a pool of water once you start digging. Two advantages with
this. First your castle gains a moat. Second the pool provides a
source for liquid sand that works like mortar.

Our castle lasted a couple of hours before the tide came in - and the
thunderstorms rolled in.

Arrived in Cape Cod as the Tide Was Going Out

The ride was uneventful and the only traffic we faced was on the Cross
Bronx Expressway and congestion at the Bourne Bridge. We stopped for
gas only and got to Brewster by four in the afternoon. The tide was
just starring to go out. We decided to take care of our traditional
picnic dinner at the Sesuit Harbor Cafe this evening. When we got back
to the house the tide all the way out. Quite obvious why its called
the Brewster Flats. The lightning was striking out on the horizon and
we could hear the thunder. Never saw a colorful sunset next to a
thunderstorm before.

Leaving Pennsylvania in the Morning

Tara has been packing all week. I could hardly drag my butt out of bed
by six to start packing the family truckster. I had never set the
Yakima Space Case on the black truck before and blew an hour doing
that. All done two hours later and we set off. Then we realized we
forgot the EZPass blew 15 minutes retrieving that. Brewster here we
come.

Comcast Center All to Ourselves

Friday the 13th was a logistical challenge. I drove Tara to work in Haverford and then took the back way into the city. I had more than a few things to bring home from work over the weekend because the CIM office move into the Comcast Center. Tara and I thought this may be the best opportunity for the whole family to go into town. Dani took Matthew, Jack and Jillian downtown on the R5 and Tara picked up the same train after in BrynMawr after work. I picked up my pile of stuff and lugged it from 2000 Market to 15th and Race where I had parked and then waited in Suburban Station for everyone. We grabbed dinner at Nodding Head Brewery and walked over the Comcast Center as the Sun was starting to go down.

The massive High Definition LED Display in the Lobby is absolutely stunning at night - the contrast is awesome. Jillian, Jack and Matthew all got their picture taken and received vistor badges. It was like we had the whole skyscraper to ourselves. The views away from the sun to the river were spectacular. They got to see "Ralph's Cafe". Jillian asked "who is Ralph". I explained: "he is the man Jillian, he is simply THE man". We ended up on the wrong elevator and ended up on a floor where we found some major bean bag chairs. The kids said, "who ever works on this floor is really lucky!"

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