I awoke to a skiff of snow on my car.  It will be a brief appearance only to remind us that winter is coming.

Yes, it will melt and the days will warm again for a time,

but…Summer is over.  

Since I work at a university this is always marked by students returning. The new ones always look so excited and hopeful.  They haven’t yet cracked a book to study so anything and everything is possible (come December their look will be bleaker, caffeine riddled and hollow-eyed as they cram for exams) but this past week they were busy meeting new study buddies and checking out fraternities and favourite hangouts.

My grandson also started his first day of grade 1.  He was terrified until he met his new teacher, then he smiled from ear to ear in his new school duds, sporting his new shoes and shiny backpack.  Memories of my own back-to-school days reminded me that a common first assignment was to write about our summer vacation.  I hated that because I lived on a farm and every day was the same as the next.  Play, chores, sleep, play, chores, sleep. (yeah, I know, tough life)  As a child nothing seemed to be anything exciting to write about.  Chasing squirrels and catching snakes never seemed that thrilling to me.  

So in keeping with back-to-school, I am going to write about how I spent my summer vacation. Only, I will be doing it as a photo journal since a picture’s worth a thousand words. However, if I posted every photo in one sitting it would be the equivalent of War and Peace. Therefore, I will make this a three part sequel.  

Sit back, grab a coffee and browse some pics, after all, winter is coming.

Part 1.

Probably the highlight of my summer was attending three Queen concerts with Adam Lambert stepping into the formidable shoes of Freddie Mercury. They played 35 shows plus a preview show: across Canada, United States, Korea, Japan, Australia & New Zealand in 81 days, selling out many arenas including Madison Square Gardens. Their final show was in New Zealand on Sept. 4.

Here are a few previously unpublished photos of my concert adventures. The following pics are in no particular order but illustrate their Edmonton, Calgary and Vancouver gigs. (All the photos and videos featured in this blog are my own.) 

I have published this one before but they are having so much fun it’s worth repeating!

Taking their encore bows.

Vancouver after the show.

City lights

A final toast to a fabulous tour.

  Although the Queen + Adam Lambert tour has wrapped up for now, Brian May has hinted that future shows are not out of the question.  In the meantime, Queen will be busy with other projects which include releasing some previously  unreleased tracks featuring Freddie Mercury and perhaps Michael Jackson.  

Adam Lambert is also heading back into the studio to finish up his third album, of which his fans (myself included) are eagerly awaiting. 

Tomorrow, part 2, Color-Me-Rad