So what do you mean by aquariums?

Since not too much new is going on out here, besides getting ready for the big move to get Julie out here, and all our stuff into a storage unit, I figured I'd take the time to show you all a little bit about my new company. Reynolds Polymer Technologies casts acrylic panels for use in really cool things. It can be used for signage, furniture, architectural uses, and of course, aquariums. Really big aquariums. This blog post will focus on that, cause I think they're really neat.

First off, one of the biggest projects RPT has been involved with, is the AquaDom in Berlin, Germany. It is the biggest cylinder aquarium at 52 feet high, 36 feet in diameter, holds over 2,000 fish, and has a glass elevator riding up through the center of it. It had to be assembled on site, and then crane lifted and lowered into the atrium.

Along those same lines, there is also a project in Lithuania, that's not quite as big. Only two stories tall, as you can tell by the escalator next to it.

Now our panels don't necessarily have to be used for the outside of the aquarium. Like in the dolphin exhibit in Indianapolis, we made an entire room and connecting tunnel that was placed inside an aquarium/pool. Allowing people to walk in, and under the water, to view a dolphin show from a whole new angle....and 360 degree viewing.

Similarly, we've done some tunnels that allow you to walk right through an underwater exhibit, like the one in the Aquarium of the Pacific, in Long Beach, California. This pic really gives you an idea of the size of these tunnels.

And we've also done work zoo's too, like Detroit's Arctic Ring Exhibit. Making a full tunnel from which the polar bears and seals can swim right up to you, as you stand in a tunnel under the water.

Quite a far cry from molding interior car parts, huh?

Another Reason for Moving out Here

Just wanted to point out the fact that we didn't just pick Colorado to move to cause it's beautiful, the skiings great, the weather's way better than Michigan, or that none of our annoying friends live here. One of the biggest reasons we moved here was to be closer to family.

Almost all of Julie's family has migrated to this state, with her grandparents, aunts, uncle, and cousin up in Fort Collins and her parents in Silverthorne (her other cousin in the pic below is currently living in Missouri). This pic is from this past Christmas, and even includes her Aunt Deb's dog, Bailey. Unfortunately her Aunt Sharon & Uncle Leo's dog Haley wasn't in this pic. Maybe next year.

For my family, my Aunt Diane, & Uncle Jerry have been out this way for a long time now. Long enough that their son, my only cousin, Paul, has lived out here all 21 years of his life (sorry no recent pics to share, even though I've seen you guys over three times in the past 4 months). But of course, I do have pics of my little nephews. The pic at the top of this post is my sister Julie, her husband Artie, and their almost 1 year old twins, Zack & Ryan (from left to right in the pic). And here are a few more shots of them, cause they're oh, so cute. Like when they eat their Speghetios:

Or when we took them to the park for their first ride on the swings:

and of course, when they're tired and just cuddely, like Zack here sleeping on his momma:

(more family pics to come next month when everyone's here for their first birthday & baptism)

Disc Golf - My New Game

After moving out here, I was looking for a cheap new hobby. Most of the sports I play require other people to play with or against. And as soon as you start signing up for leagues, it gets a little pricey. I already play golf, but greens fees are attroshush (no idea how to spell that). And of course there's skiing in Colorado, but again, very pricey. That's where a co-worker came in and was talking to me about Disc Golf.

Ever since I used to drive by a park with a disc golf course near Julie's old apartment, I've kind of had a craving to try out the game, but just never had. So I was talking to my co-worker, and he brought up the best fact.....it's free. Most of the disc golf courses across the country are free. They're set up in public parks, that are usually well maintained, and don't charge you to use them. Yeah there are some that will charge fees, but those are few and far between, and including gondola rides or the cost is so minimal, it's like $5 or less.

Plus the discs are pretty cheap. I started looking into it, and almost all discs are between $8-$15. And that includes the top of line brands and models. Actually the only time discs start to cost more than that are when they're dyed, or are extremely rare and out of production.

So I hit a local store, bought three discs and a bag (total cost $45), and started hitting the course. For those that don't understand what I'm talking about, a course includes holes like golf, with a tee box and a fairway, however instead of a cup in the middle of a green, there's a metal basket, suspended on a pole about 3 feet off the ground, with a bunch of metal chains loosely hanging above it (see the pics). The chains act like a very forgiving backboard, either catching your disc, or allowing it to fall into the basket. That's it. Pretty simple. The grass just needs to be mowed, not really close. And the better courses include elevation changes, hills, trees, obstacles to throw around (or through). But really that's about it.

The rules are simple, they're alot like ball-golf. You tee off by throwing from the designated tee box. Then you walk up to your disc, stand behind it, and throw your next one (aiming at the basket). The few throws it takes you to get it in the basket the better. And of course, the discs are all designed differently. Some are used for more distance, and they're called drivers. Some for better accuracy, called putters. Others as a combination of the two are called mid-range or approach discs. Then there are ones suited for more trick shots, discs designed to fade to one side or the other, discs designed to roll better, discs designed to turnover in mid air, etc.

Well, that's about it. Just wanted to let everyone know that this is my new game. I don't call it a sport, cause it's not atheletic enough for me to call a sport. But there is alot of walking involved, so it gets me out and walking around. I can play it by myself, and I also signed up for the local club, to get out and play with other people. Now I just gotta get better.

So if anyone wants to come out and play a round, I'll gladly go out with you. It's alot of fun. And of course, the area out here is so scenic for it.