Missions, Riverwalks, bubbles/towels, Falls, Mapleleafs and Wings. Oh My.

It has been an unbelievable 6 days. Last Friday, I left for San Antonio...and I'm writing this in the Buffalo/Niagara Airport.

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Expecting Ava, I postponed quite a bit of business travel in June and July...and now its make-up time.

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First, I left Saint Louis, worked over the weekend and took a trip to San Antonio. I always make an attempt to stay in a downtown our tourist setting whenever I can(unless it conflicts with work) so that I can catch a site or two while in town. So on Friday night, I took a walk on the Riverwalk in San Antonio and then headed to The Alamo. I can't say that San Antonio is an amazing place, but the Riverwalk and the Alamo area is certainly worth seeing.

I returned home Saturday night. On Sunday, I went over to my mother-in-law's for breakfast with some extended family. I really enjoyed the time spent. Cara has a wonderful abundance of amazing cousins, aunts and uncles. It was great to see (Aunts) Vicky and "Roxanne."

Sunday night was also a milestone day: Ava's first bath!! Since I don't have any pictures with me, I'll save that post for when I get home.

On Monday morning, I flew out to Buffalo for some preliminary field work before starting on a big planning project for Western New York(WNY). On Monday night I found myself only 15 miles from Niagara Falls, so I just had to go see it. Amazing. Its even more amazing to know that the US and Canada only let 50% of the water run over the falls(up to 75% is diverted at night). I can't even imagine what it would have been like to be an American explorer in hostile Indian territory and come across this. Wow.

On Tuesday, I drove up to Rochester to continue my research. I'm pretty certain most people smoke in WNY, and EVERYONE smokes in Rochester!! Its like France only everyone is fat and fashion backward(I also saw more than my fair share of mullets). There were a few nice parts, but stopping by Ontario Beach was pretty neat. No views of Canada here, but the sandy beach was clean and the water was calm and beautiful...I can't imagine what its like in the winter here, where regular snowfalls in batches of FEET not inches. I've now seen 4 of 5 Great Lakes. How will I get to see Superior?

Today, I had the opportunity to stop by the "Anchor Bar." The place where "Buffalo Wings" were made famous...and they were delicious!

Now, I'm headed back home. It seems like I've seen a lot over the last 6 days. I'm so lucky to have a job I love and the opportunities that come with it. But, alas, all I can think about is my beautiful wife, her large cans, and the amazing daughter that grows and grows while I am away. I miss them and cannot wait for this plane to take me home to them.

Who knew that 1 month into being a dad of the future, I'd look forward to, with great anticipation, awesome sleepless nights with my best friend and my favorite little girl.

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