Fitting in a couple more trips before summer's end....

I had a crazy few weeks.  After all of the family left, I had only a few weeks until my big summer trip started.  

I quickly fit in a trip down to Columbia, MD to see Alt-J.  They were amazing.  I also just bought a ticket to see them again in Oct in Philly.

Alt-J's amazing set

Then I got up really early the next morning for the First Stop -- Minneapolis!  The 20 year high school reunion was great fun.  Sara, Josh, Bob, Seth and I all met up for dinner first.  Then we headed over to Brits to see everyone else.  It really was a great time.  

Homer and I (I have known him since I was 6!)

Matt Kunes and I

Sarah, Seth, Bob, Me & Josh

Here's the token flashback photo from Prom our senior year.  Can you find me?

I also got to hang with Chris and Jonny for the day.  We caught up with Rachel and others for dinner that night, including the lovely Amy Murray.  Quick trip to MPLS was great fun.

Brunching Around Town

On that Sunday, I flew straight to Nashville for a job.  But I extended my stay to hang with Sara VA a bit more.  She hadn't been before, so it was good fun.  We went to Hattie B's Hot Chicken, The Pinewood Social and Robert's Western World all on night 1!

First Night Out

Robert's Western World

Sara records a strike on the ipad scoring system!

So the next few days we spent hitting all the touristy activities.  We went to the Grand Ole Opry, saw Steppenwolf at Ryman Auditorium, shopped in Reese Witherspoon's shop, drove through the big mansions of Belle Meade (including crashing an estate sale!), saw Andrew Jackson's home and the Parthenon, and ate way too much good food.  

Yup, that's right.

Outside the cool Speakeasy Attaboy

Ryman Auditorium

The Parthenon

Andrew Jackson's House

Delicious Breakfast at Biscuit Love

So many murals in Nashville...

After Nashville, I came home for about 5 days before I headed back to Minneapolis for Chris and Jonny's Wedding Celebrations.  It was the first time all the Grubbs had been in the same place for quite some time.  The Minnesota kids hadn't even met baby Malcolm yet.  So it was a great time.

Bat Girl AKA Rachel gives Nora her birthday presents!

Me with the kiddos

The too many candles birthday

Peggy and John at the Wedding

More photos from the wedding will come soon.  It was so fun to see everyone.  The food was great.  The kids were cute.  I did miss the State Fair, but I guess I will have to get there next summer.  We are all thinking about a big family trip in September next year which should be great!

This autumn is a bit quiet for me at the moment.  I have a couple of gigs on the east coast, but not much big travel until next year.  I am heading to LDI in Vegas in November, so let me know if any of you are heading there.  I will be in Ohio for Thanksgiving, and hopefully hosting Mom and Dad for Christmas.  

Next year I am heading to San Diego, Vegas and Dallas at the moment.  I am hoping to get to Seattle at one point as well.  

It's still nice in Philly though, so I am hoping to enjoy the autumn here.  

Lots of love to everyone,

Sxo