It’s been awhile since I’ve posted 10 photos for the month. This post technically has 12 images, but only 10 photos I took. Anyway, here’s a sampling of what happened in April 2026.

A historic brick building with a clock tower is surrounded by tall modern skyscrapers in an urban setting.

A modern architectural building with a large geometric facade and John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum written on it stands under a cloudy sky.

A historical cemetery with old gravestones is located in a grassy area surrounded by buildings, including a prominent stone with a memorial plaque.

We started the month in Boston. Jen was there for work and I had tagged along to make use of the free hotel downtown room in a city we probably wouldn’t pay to visit again. I revisited a few of the popular historical sites, but also marked off the JFK Library (I’ve been to most of the POTUS libraries at this point, but it’s not a specific quest for me, yet at least) and the USS Constitution, both of which I had missed during prior visits. On her day off, we also made it up to Lowell NHP, a national park unit she needed to revisit. We also made sure to hit a number of breweries around Boston, though we’re generally unimpressed with all but Trillium.

A grand staircase with red railings leads up to a mezzanine adorned with hanging spherical lights and doors on either side.

After work one day, we stopped by the Herberger Theater in downtown Phoenix, a location both Jen and I needed on our Phoenix Points of Pride quests. We skipped seeing a show, but instead stopped in for a Grand Canyon art exhibit they had going on (RIP North Rim Lodge). Afterwards, we grabbed dinner and a beer across the street at the downtown Huss Brewing location, one we had been lax in marking off.

A glass of beer and a CamelBak water bottle are on a wooden table at a bar with a bee-themed logo in the background.

After finally getting some tannus armour installed in our ebike tires, we finally took them out for a longer ride—a 13 mile roundtrip journey over to Freely Taproom for lunch and a beverage. It was a pleasant ride, primarily along greenbelts and residential streets, and a relaxing way to enjoy a Sunday afternoon that featured some great weather. I expect we’ll make this journey a regular occurrence (in the non-summer months, at least).

A person wearing sunglasses and a blue shirt is sitting in the driver's seat of a parked car with the door open.

A silver SUV is parked on a suburban street with houses and palm trees in the background.

I prepped Sam the Subie for trade-in, removing all the stashed emergency gear (video coming) and taking a few photos with her and, well, also saying a quick goodbye. She’s a bit long in the tooth these days and a bunch of things haven’t worked in years, but we’ve made some amazing memories together along the way. I’m going to miss having her. We considered keeping her through the summer just as my kayaking vehicle, but the added insurance costs just aren’t worth it.

A silver SUV with black wheels is parked inside an industrial setting with machinery and piping.A car interior features three rows of seats in a spacious layout with a modern dashboard and infotainment system.

We struck out at the dealerships we had targeted, so Sam remains in the family for a little bit longer. But we did manage to secure a reservation on a vehicle, a 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander hybrid, Nightshade edition. We’re excited for the upgraded driving experience, and oh my look at all that interior room!

We spent nearly four years trying to decide which roadtrip vehicle would replace the subie, and we finally landed here on the Grand Highlander. Still versatile enough like the Outback, but with more space, and a hybrid battery. We’re excited for the extended (and more comfy) camping road trips it’ll allow. We take possession (and hand over Sam) in just over two weeks.

A can of Pabst Blue Ribbon beer is placed next to a glass of beer on a restaurant bar counter adorned with various drink labels.

I made it over to Cold Beers on my dad’s birthday, the second since he passed. I got a Spellbinder and an extra PBR in his honor—our usual orders when we we’d go there. Some other patrons who knew him got a PBR, too. Damn I miss him.

A vibrant sky is filled with dramatic hues of pink, orange, and purple as the sun sets, casting a warm glow across wispy clouds.

The last few days of the month saw me heading off towards Colorado, stopping for the night in Albuquerque. I arrived at my hotel just in time to catch this fading sunset. The plan for this trip was to pick up Jen in Denver, then explore some Kansas counties en route to our Behind the Fence tour at Los Alamos National Laboratory. I’d drive home after she flew out of ABQ.

A pint of beer sits on a wooden bar counter in front of a coaster labeled Danico Brewing, with large brewing tanks visible in the background.

I arrived early in Denver, as I was trying to beat some snow that was starting to fall along my drive. I spent several hours working on data center campaign stuff at a local brewery a few blocks from my hotel. I’ve devoted a lot of time trying to stand up a neighborhood organization to oppose this development.