Joe McWilliams

The cat is out of the bag. I LOVE SPACE! Now that I'm a real person and actually have income I decided to take a trip to Florida to see the Kennedy Space Center. It just so happened that the first commercial spacecraft to dock with the International Space Station was scheduled to take off on April 30th. I jumped on the phone and called my best friend to see if he would meet me in Florida. He was on board! I never had my hopes totally set on seeing the rocket take off. I knew they often got delayed and this was a first so it was even more likely. To this day it still hasn't taken off! Nevertheless, it was still an amazing trip! As my plane was flying into Orlando I could barely sit still! I wanted to scream I was so excited. It was so great to see my best friend and his wife. We enjoyed our time in Orlando over dinner before driving to Titusville where I had a hotel booked. The first day was all about NASA. We drove out to the island and took our Up-Close tour that took us...

I had the opportunity to visit a friend who just moved to New York City in the Fall. I took the train, which was my first Amtrak experience. I took a bus to the Amtrak station in Boston and had some extra time so I laid down in a park to take in the warm air and sun. Relaxing in Boston On the first day we went to Times Square to buy tickets to Phantom of the Opera. Times Square was where I spent the most time on my last trip to New York so it was nice to be back. It's a very busy area but kinda cool. Times Square Next was the Intrepid Museum. The Intrepid is a retired aircraft carrier that was turned into a museum. My favorite part was seeing the SR-71 Blackbird . It is the plane that was being designed in Area 51 during the cold war. My next favorite part was the real Soyuz capsule that was used in 2005 for a manned mission to the International Space Station. Soyuz Capsule that went to the International Space Station After we saw Phantom of the Opera ...

Sorry I haven't written in so long! Things have been busy. Not in a bad way but in a way that makes me happy. Last week it was in the 70s and beautiful here. I soaked it up all I could and loved  it. I went to Fort Williams with some friends but of course by now it's cold again. I wait patiently for Spring! Lighthouse at Fort Williams Beach area at Fort Williams A tanker rolling in at Fort Williams

A friend of mine was going to Boston on Tuesday for an interview and I decided to tag along and see the city since I had never been. I took the train into town and walked to the New England Aquarium. It was so cool! Unfortunately the battery on my camera was dead but I did get a few shots with my phone. Boston financial district Penguins at the New England Aquarium A sea cucumber thing at the New England Aquarium A giant turtle (probably about 5 feet long) at the New England Aquarium Boston View from the port

I decided to take an adventure this weekend and go to a small island outside Portland called Peaks Island. The port is just down the street and it's only 5 bucks for a 20 minute ferry ride. It was so beautiful and a nice mini getaway. Riding the ferry Getting off the ferry A nice view on the walk around the island I really liked this cliff The island had some really amazing seaside houses The nature trail was really cool Such a nice place to collect one's thoughts The ferry coming for the return journey

I had the chance to go to Vermont for the weekend and snowboard! It was an absolute blast but my whole but is sore. I have to say it was completely worth it. On the way to the ski resort View from the lift Me plowing down the mountain Great success!

Maine is still treating me well. The weather has been great. It just started snowing again this morning for the first time in a while. The fresh powder of white snow makes the city look so beautiful! So far I am loving my new job. It's plenty challenging and the company is great. All of the developers, including myself, moved downstairs last week. It's a cool space on the street level of downtown portland. A long view of the new downstairs office are I sit at the seat on the left next to "Jesus" Meeting/Lounge area The rest of the office is upstairs in a more traditional setting. Entrance to the upstairs office The more "traditional" office arrangement I've also had a chance to try and cook some of the fresh seafood. Not as much as I had hoped but there is still time. Fresh Atlantic Salmon