Where the Buffalo Roam

The last week of August I roamed with the buffalo, traveling around northwestern Wyoming. I saw Old Faithful erupt (amazing! on the edge of my seat!), viewed Lower Falls in Yosemite's canyon area (of Ansel Adams fame), gawked at the sunsets at Grand Teton National Park and relaxed at "Cowboy Village," my lil' cabin/hotel. A great week of work!


Photo: Old Faithful!

Photo: Lower Falls in Canyon area of Yosemite National Park.

Photo: Grand Tetons National Park at sunset

Photo: Cowboy Village Resort in Jackson, WY

Photo: My lil' cabin at Cowboy Village

Photo: Buffalo rolling around at Yellowstone Lake

Photo: More buffalo! They are everywhere.

Photo: Ah Wyoming! View of the Grand Teton.

Floating the Snake River in Idaho

Yesterday I floated the South Fork Snake River in Eastern Idaho, a river that meanders from Jackson Lake in Wyoming all the way across Idaho to join up with the Columbia River in Washington.


We rafted in order to view a corridor of conservation properties on what the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has rated the most unique and biodiverse ecosystem in Idaho. The river features prime habitat for yellowstone cutthroat trout. This blue ribbon fishery receives over 300,000 visitors a year. I can see why - I loved floating this pristine river with mountain views.

I learned the Snake River obtained its name through miscommunication between British fur trappers and the Shoshone tribe. A hand sign made by the Shoshone representing fish was misinterpreted to represent a snake, giving the Snake River its name.

Cruising the West

Took a 1st class tour of my old Denver neighborhood in a door-less rusted out 70's era Land Cruiser, a friend's project. Impressed by the repair and enjoyed visiting friends and family over the weekend. Off to Idaho Falls and Jackson Hole next!

Sailing the Chesapeake

Photo: The Argo, sailing the Chesapeake Bay in southern Maryland

I asked my Dad and Mom, "You want to visit D.C. during AUGUST?? The hottest month of the year?" But they said, "Yes, it's your birthday," and they came.

Photo: Dad and Mom sailing.

Tom and his brother took us sailing to keep us cool. We had our best sailing day of the summer - sunshine, nice breeze, great company. We sailed for over 4 hours from Solomon's Island, Maryland to the Bay and back.


Photo: Dad helping Tom put up the sails. Dad revealed that it was one of his life goals to sail the Chesapeake, so we were glad to make that happen.


Photo: Tom and I. Dad brought a sailor's hat, but I ended up wearing it. Tom grilled us lunch on the lil' grill in the back of the boat.


Location: Solomons Island, southern Maryland

Top Chef D.C.

As an avid Top Chef fan, I am enjoying this season even more because it takes place in D.C. Last night's "Restaurant Wars" episode was filmed at Redwood restaurant in Bethesda, Maryland.

In order to celebrate Redwood's two year anniversary and the Top Chef episode, the restaurant held a party and screening with cheap drinks and free appetizers. The Maryland Governor came and we enjoyed watching the show on site. A fun party for a Wednesday night!

DCist.com has great reviews of each Top Chef episode, if interested.

We, the Pizza

Photo: Owner and Top Chef contestant Spike Mendelsohn serving pizza at his new restaurant.

In case you were wondering - I finally made it to We, the Pizza. I hope to go back for another slice of buffalo chicken pizza with mozzarella, hot sauce and creamy blue cheese dressing. Waiting in a long line during opening week was worth it, and provided a nice break after sitting through a long markup on the House Interior Appropriations Bill.


The place has a real soda fountain, and I enjoyed a C.R.E.A.M. soda. Full menu here to see the entire variety.

Now I need to find a healthier place to eat on Capitol Hill...

Falling Water(s)

Photo: Tom relaxing in the middle of the Youghiogheny River, Pennsylvania

One of my favorite college trip locations - Ohiopyle State Park on the Youghiogheny River - happens to be exactly between my brother Chris' family's house in Akron and my place in D.C. (just 3.5 hours each), which led to a fun-filled camping/river extravaganza meet-up this past weekend.


Photo: Youghiogheny River

Chris brought a friend and I brought Tom, and we pretty much played in the river for 10 hours within two days, which is what you're supposed to do in August, I think.


We took a 5 hour rafting trip on the Lower Yough. The four of us in a guide-less raft made it through class III-IV rapids with names like "Dimple" and "Bottle of Wine." Tom was our Captain, calling the turns.

July 2010 Backpacker featured an article on the "Top 3 Natural Waterslides," which included the slides at Ohiopyle State Park. Convenient for us that we already had a trip planned there! The slides were a blast.

Photo: Natural waterslides at Ohiopyle State Park

When we weren't rafting, sliding or relaxing in the river, we visited river-themed "high-culture," i.e. Frank Lloyd Wright's masterpiece, the aptly named "Fallingwater" house.

Photo: Tom and I at Frank Lloyd Wright's Fallingwater. Notice the stairs descend into the river, and behind us the water cascades into a waterfall.


Photo: Frank Lloyd Wright's Fallingwater. Built for the Kaufmann (department store) family. Wright designed it in 1935. The house made the cover of Time and it is listed among Smithsonian's Life List of 28 places "to visit before you die."

A Million Miles in a Thousand Years

The most memorable book I've read this year so far is a book about making life more memorable.

I highly recommend Donald Miller's A Million Miles in a Thousand Years, because of Miller's vivid account of his life as he takes new risks, reflects on the art of the story, and lives out the theme that "making life more 'story-like' will make it more memorable."

It's a bit of the theory that "life imitates art," in the sense that "life imitates the story we're playing out," and if we want a better life, then we need to change the themes of the story we're in.

Miller does this in form of climbing Machu Picchu, biking across the country, kayaking at night, and other adventures I won't spoil. During this span of his life, film producers follow him around in an attempt to create a movie about his autobiographical best seller Blue Like Jazz, which propels him into more introspection on "life as a story," both in how we tell what has happened in the past and how we create what's going to happen next.

He defines a story as "A character....who wants something....and overcomes conflict...to get it," and frames his reflections around each of these ideas.

He takes the famous screen-writing class that Nicholas Cage takes in Adaptation, taught by Robert McKee.

His friend teaches him the "save the cat" principle (one of my favorites).

I liked this book because I enjoy thinking about the story-theory, i.e. the arc of the narrative and other principles. This book is far from a theory book, though, because Miller presents his thoughts by recounting his own adventures and describing the actions of others who are leading inspirational lives. The book compels me to live a better story.

Bay Swimming

Tri-training. Open swim practice in the Chesapeake Bay
Sandy Point State Park near Annapolis
In background: 4.3 mile Chesapeake Bay Bridge to Maryland's Eastern Shore

Seersucker Style

Summer in D.C. Time for the seersucker suit.

July on the Hill is a flurry of hurried legislation, right before the long August recess. Yesterday I attended a markup at the House Natural Resources Committee. The bill covered oil spill and conservation issues.


I hoped the nearby "We, the Pizza" restaurant would be open - run by Spike Mendelson of Top Chef 4 fame, but, alas, I'll have to wait until next week. Instead, I went to his other joint, Good Stuff Eatery, where they have "farm fresh burgers" and the best toasted marshmallow milkshake.

Shark Week

Shark Week. Discovery Channel Building. Silver Spring, Maryland

I Lived Next Door to Russian Spies

"On Monday, federal prosecutors accused 11 people of being part of a Russian espionage ring, living under false names and deep cover in a patient scheme to penetrate what one coded message called American 'policy making circles.'" - New York Times

In my first townhouse in D.C., I had the worst living situation. I won't go into the details, because they are haunting.

This week I found out that I ALSO LIVED NEXT DOOR TO RUSSIAN SPIES!! Officially the WORST living situation in the world!

The NYT quotes my old landlord (who also lived in the townhouse) about her observations of the Russian spies, which is how I found out. I would post more links to this, but I am paranoid. You can read the news.

I am glad I moved!

Photo: Spies enjoying an American-style picnic. These aren't the spies that lived next to me, but this is an adorable photo of other spies! They are in New Jersey. Credit: Mail Foreign Service

There are Beaches in Ohio

Mainly, I just wanted to post a photo of my entire family burying Tom in the sand, which occurred about 2 hours after they met him.

Humanitarian Manute Bol Dies

This story is from DCist.com and the sites it linked. I didn't really know about Manute Bol's humanitarian work, and it's too bad it took him passing away for me to find out. Read below about the generosity of his life - kc

"Some sad news ... Manute Bol, the iconic 7 foot, 7 inch big man died today. He was 47. Bol was, quite literally, one of the more visible players in the NBA during his ten-year career -- especially when he teamed with the diminutive Muggsy Bogues (see right) to form one of the most vertically disparate duos in NBA history. Bol remains the only NBA player in league history who averaged more blocks than points per game in his career.

But it is Bol's humanitarian work in his native Sudan which is the stuff of legend, and what he will surely be remembered for long after he is gone:

According to reports, he made nearly $6 million in his career, and, aside from a few American comforts, spent it all trying to save lives and educate children back home. He has given so much and received little in comparison. He was once lured back to his home country with the promise of a cabinet post, only to find out he would be required to convert to Islam. When he refused, he was stranded for nearly five years. His trust and good intentions have been abused so many times. Even while playing, he went into war zones to help the Lost Boys and other refugees. Sometimes, those visits were interrupted by bombings from warlords who viewed Bol as a threat. His family was wiped out by Darfurians, but when that country became victims, Bol was one of the first Sudanese to speak out in support.

But despite the severity of his cause, Bol wasn't above pulling a publicity stunt to earn the public's attention, such as the time he boxed William "the Refrigerator" Perry, earning the title of the "world's largest jockey" or playing in an ice hockey match.

Bol had been helping to build a school in the southern region of war-torn Sudan when his health took a turn for the worse. Bol was hospitalized in mid-May, suffering from kidney failure and Stevens-Johnson Syndrome, an incredibly painful skin affliction which often required large doses of morphine. A Facebook page set up in the wake of his hospitalization is overflowing with words of remembrance today; in a time where the headlines seem to be dominated by athletes with relatively ludicrous problems, Bol was certainly one to emulate."

Grant the Plant

As the godmother to my new nephew Grant, I wanted to bring him a lasting gift. I racked my brain for ideas for a creative present for a little boy. I thought about something "Presidential," but an Ulysses S. Grant theme gift did not seem like a fit.

My next train of thought was to rhyme his name. "Grant the Plant!" I decided to buy him a tree.

I'm excited to watch Grant and his new liberty apple tree grow.

Here he is holding a lil' apple!

Welcome to the world Grant, our newest Cotter environmentalist!

You have already offset your baby footprint.

Georgetown Time Warp

Felt like I was back in time during a bike ride across the bridge of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal in Georgetown canal the other day.

Hipstamatic Cotters

A new iPhone photo app.

Photo: Paul Cotter


Photo: Mary Clare Cotter


Photo: Owen Cotter


Photo: me :)

Location: Chris and Cathy's new house in Stow, OH

Google Maps - Favorite Features

I've been glad about three new features* on Google Maps:

1. Google Earth button. It's on the right side of the screen. As someone who looks at maps a lot of the day and is too lazy to open the Google Earth application, this button is awesome! It also prevents using extra computer energy on opening a separate application. Once in Google Earth view, it's fun to slant the angle to see an altitude perspective. For instance, I like to fly over the Grand Tetons in Wyoming and the Snake River in Idaho. I really like the "Terrain" feature under the "More" button, too.

2. Live Traffic Button. Also on the right side of the screen. I just realized today that Google Maps shows live traffic status. Pretty helpful.

3. Biking Directions. Launched last month, the biking directions option has been added on the left side of the screen. Now you can choose between directions by car, public transit, walking or BICYCLE. In a city like D.C., and a lot of places, this feature is very helpful.

It looks there are mountain biking trails posted, too. See this site for more info.

If you have other features you like and use, please share! I am especially interested in creating "tour videos" through GoogleEarth or GoogleMaps and I can't figure out how. I think I have to have an upgraded version of the programs. Any tips would be useful.

* I think most of these features are new. At least they are new to me, so I thought I'd share.

USA v. England World Cup Game Re-enacted with LEGO players

Courtesy of The Guardian and http://www.legofussball.eu/

Watch it on mute. Very cute!

Time For Boating

Photo: Lowering the sailboat into the water via large pieces of webbing.

Tom's boat is in the water and it's time to sail!

Named "the Argo" after Jason and the Argonauts

Mainly, I am THRILLED about the fact I needed to buy BOAT SHOES in order to sail. Look at my boat shoes! I bought them in Portland, Maine. So Legit.

Yes, they are KEDS, and I wear them unironically. Keds rule the boat shoe world.

Here is a photo of the sail. Maybe I will blog another time about how terrifying sailing was the first time I went out on the Chesapeake. I have a lot to learn.

BOAT SHOES!