It's Better in Wyoming.

Walter is a wonder dog. Here he keeps me company when Maggie was in Albuquerque for a conference.  Here is Walter in a moment of dignified repose. Walter guards the tent at Friend Park Campground.

I'm damn lucky to have such great people in my life.  And this year has been an overflowing river of good times.  In addition to the big trips with friends and to celebrate Maggie's family, we spent lots of little times, close to home, with good people. And I got to spend spring break with my sister and nephew at my grandparents' place in Phoenix: And more time with my sister's family for birthdays, an author talk in Fort Collins, ice cream at The Forks, keeping an eye on my niece while Sarah and Joel were in Alaska, and at Fort Laramie for Father's Day. With Kendall at the Geology Museum in July. Plus I got to hang out with the Dutchers when they came down for Homecoming, catch a football game with my Nebraska friend George, play Apples and Oranges with new friends Nicole and Troy, eat good food with neighbors, and just spend a shitload of quality outdoor time with lots of great people.  Apparently I don't take many pictures of my friends.  

2014 wasn't a big year for live music: a local Gregory Alan Isakov show and a trip to Red Rocks with Julia and Nevin for Head and the Heart and Iron and Wine.   Just one decent photo, from Red Rocks: And one video of Isakov, just enough to give a taste. A funny thing, I suppose: I hardly know a single line from any of these performers.  Damn, though, I like to listen to their voices.  

In terms of the big travel events this year, the trip to Grand Cayman takes the cake. But, Maggie and I also camped at Friend Park and hiked Laramie Peak, spent a great night at Brooklyn Lake with Julia and Nevin, spent a great week at Maggie's folks' place in July, and returned to Wisconsin again in October for Maggie's cousin's wedding. A few photos of our adventures: Us on the beach at Grand Cayman.  Not pictured: Mary, John, and Katie. Maggie and Walter in the sunset near the Laramie Peak trailhead and Friend Park campground. Wisconsin in July.  Door County, after kayaking on Lake Michigan. At the Brooklyn Lake cabin in August.  Not pictured: Julia and Nevin. Wisconsin in early October, when the leaves are just starting to change.

Given the lack of posting this year, I figure I should at least pause now to look back over the big excitement of the year.  Making a list over dinner, I realize that there's been enough excitement to warrant several posts.  So, here's the first bit: work-related stuff. A new short-term role, as the coordinator to help colleagues develop and revise courses for UW's new gen-ed "communication" courses.  This role runs through spring 2015 and has given me a chance to extend my own skills as well as meet lots of interesting, fun, great faculty and administrators across campus. Travel to Virginia Tech and to Portland for conferences (CHEP and AACU)--and for a chance to explore some new places and ideas.  I'm glad to have caught up with my former colleague Kelly and also her husband Gary, who tragically passed away this fall.  Gone far too soon.  I'll remember Gary for genuine, infectious curiosity. New colleagues.  The English department hired two new facu