I started the day with a brief nature walk and my macro lens. After replacing the electric containment fence for the dog (last one was fried by a lightning strike) I went for a 6-mile paddle on the Concord. I put in at the Cow Pasture and travelled down stream beyond the Great Meadows Nature Preserve. The return trip was against the current and wind requiring a lot more effort than I had planned. Later in the day I watched Nico’s soccer game. His team beat a stronger opponent with a single goal in the closing minutes. It was a great victory.

 
Friends from Indianpolis, Peggy Sutphin and daughter Sara (pictured here)stop by for a few hours while touring prep schools in the area.

 
Nala enjoys sitting on the kitchen deck surveying her kingdom. The local mamals seem to have learned that encroachment on her two acres is a life threatening exercise.

 
Today I took a vacation day to attend the Massachusetts Technology Leadership Councils Innovation 2008 unConference. Participants created an agenda in real-time and broke off into small groups to discuss issues of common interest. It was a great networking and learning opportunity. Pictured here is the ad hoc meeting schedule.

 
I am milking my birthday for all it is worth. This evening we enjoy banana splits after dinner. I carefully instruct Maya in the proper sequencing of ingredients and she is soon a master of this creation.

 
With half a century behind me I am thankful for my many blessings and look forward to many more years of health and happiness.

 
With ten minutes to go before reaching the airport, I decided that I needed a picture which included me for posterity. No sooner than the thought occurred to me, so did the perfect location. All in all this was a wonderful way to conclude my first 50 years. I am truly blessed and will return home knowing that and looking forward to sharing stories of my adventures with the people I love.

 
I had just enough time to take in Jenny Lake and have decided this would be a great place to return with the family.

 
As I made my way back past the Tetons, the aspens were at their absolute peak.

 
I watched this coyote hunt for almost twenty minutes while I photographed him. Although he made several attempts to pounce on various prey he had still not made a kill when I had to pack up and head south for the airport.

 
Yellowstone is one bizzare and utterly beautiful place where there is evidence of volcanic activity at every turn.

 
My last morning takes me to the Hayden Valley where I take in the steam rising off the river as the sun comes up.

 
As the sun sets I seek out a tent site above Tower Falls. I bypass the campgrounds for a nice back country site where I can hear the sound of the falls, the wolves howling and the elk bugling while enjoying a starfield on a moonless night that surpased any other I have ever witnessed.

 
There are some photos you will have an opportunity to shoot but once in a lifetime. Fighting to win a harem of some 20 cows, these massive bull elks engage in deadly combat. I have a sequence of some 20 photos depicting this all out battle. Trust me when I say these are very dangerous animals and you need to keep your distance.