We woke up to a beautiful day. Dan and I did a quick hike Up Libby”s look. It’s one of our favorite hikes and they have put in a new trail. Much more runnable.
Today There were two fun events for FIRST robotics. The first one was at you 32 high school in Montpelier. We had gathered there today to get the first glimpse of this Years FTC challenge. At noon today the challenge for the year was revealed in students and coaches all around the world got to see it at the same moment. This year’s challenge is sort of a connect for thing.
It was fun getting together we had over 50 students and coaches from all over the state that we had pizza and drinks. It was really fun to feel the energy
There was another fun first event this evening. Our friend Michael from Boston had Chosen to hold this years executive board meeting for first of New England up here in Vermont. He wanted to introduce the board the stuff we were doing up here. It was a great opportunity to meet first leaders from around the region. It was great to get to know them and hear about the history of first robotics in each of their states
Tonight was the annual South Burlington art hub. I was really looking forward to it because This year we took our friend Alan with us… It was his first time seeing the art hub. We started at generator which had a whole bunch of really nice stuff… They had members art out, they had stuff for sale. Demonstrations like Alex using the plasma cutter… And they had free pizza which was being cooked by a guy who started a company at generator for woodfired pizza ovens..
I spent the rest of the evening walking around looking at art, seeing friends, grabbing food. I last stop was my friend Marie’s studio. She wasn’t there but there was lots of her artwork relating to the fluffy project. A nice place stay in the evening
Very quiet day today. We had planned to be doing something with Gabe but he’s now back in Portland.. Sam’s family is there And it sounds like everyone is doing pretty well. 
Not much happening here… Peaceful and very very quiet. It’s always hard when the kids leave
the plan was always for max to head home today. we woke up at 4am to get him to his flight . it’s been so great having him here
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we started the day with the plan that gabe was staying until friday. he headed off to plainfield to visit his friend tom. mid day I got a call from gabe with the sad news that his girlfriend Sams dad, Brian, had just died. it was completely unexpected. Brian lived in portland’s near Gabe and sam but had been traveling when he died of an apparent heart attack.. it was really a shock . gabe immediately turned around and headed back to our house to pack. he knew he had to be there to help Sam. I found him a flight at 5pm .I met him at the house just as he got there and we headed straight to the airport. it was a sad way to end a really good of visit. .
Brian was a really nice guy. Gibbs just started to get to know him.. our thoughts are with sam and her family. she has two brothers and one sister . Her mom lives in LA. The whole family is gathering in Portland This week.…
Diane and I Decided that being outside was the best way to deal with all that had happened. We went up Bolton and enjoy the beautiful sunset. That felt good
We’re thinking of Samantha and her family… Please send them some love
