It was quite a full month of May. I started off the month with BLFC with TriadFox which was a lot of fun, once I actually got there after a lot of stupid airport delays. If you are looking for a con that really captures the growing pulse of the fandom, that is a good one to attend. Reno is also a great venue for a lot of reasons, being that it is scenic, not horrendously expensive, there's lots to do beyond the con, and the venue is such an awesome and professional experience. The people that run BLFC are definitely professionals from the entertainment industry, and I was in awe of the showmanship of the heads of the con while they raised over 30K for charity at the closing ceremonies.

The con was also a lot of fun to see the amazing entertainment prowess of my dear friend TonyaSong who managed to be in Pepper and Fox's show on Friday, the furry musical on Saturday, sing at closing ceremonies and host an amazing panel on Native Americans and the furry fandom. This panel had an elder from the Hidatsa people all the way from North Dakota, that was an incredible story teller. He regaled us with stories of his tribal memories of Custard's infamous last stand, his opinion on sports mascots, and the first time he saw a red headed white woman. He had a whole room of mostly white furries completely captivated with his words. I enjoyed the other speakers at the panel as well, but it was so unique to hear the perspective from an older man who grew up on the reservation in North Dakota and to see him embrace the furry fandom and what it gave to his children.

The drive back from the con turned out to be as epic as the con itself. Triad and I rented a car and drove from Reno back up to where I lived in Oregon, stopping over the night at Klamath Falls. Along the way we stopped at Lava Beds National Monument and got some fursuiting pictures of him as Throttle on a volcano and lava bed.

The true high point of the trip was getting to see Crater Lake, which we also were able to get fursuit pictures of Triad wearing the fox mask I made for him. Crater Lake is not of this world. I can't even describe how eerily beautiful it was, pictures don't do it justice. The lake was also very quiet save for the sounds of people and the wind. If you have the opportunity to check out Crater Lake, definitely take it. It truly a magical place.

After the con, Triad stayed with me in Oregon and we got to spend in my neck of the woods for a while. I took him to the alien parade festival in McMinnville Oregon, and we got to see what can only be described as the best theme ever for a small town parade. We also got to check out the Evergreen Aviation Museum where Triad got to nerd out on all sorts of aircraft that he knew an entire trivia winning amount of knowledge about each plane. We got to finish off the trip with some fursuiting pictures of Triad at one of my favorite stretches of beach along the Oregon Coast.

The week after Triad left was Furlandia, and I got to see my best bird friend forever Mazz. She had gotten a room, so this time we actually got to stay at the con which made it a much more immersive and fun experience. We stayed at the hotel next to the con hotel, and we got up each morning to eat the fuck out of the free breakfast. I got to take part in the fursuit parade and the big photo this time, as Furlandia is a much smaller con and the fursuit events were a lot more manageable to attend. I bought way too much stuff in the dealers room, including books, a new collar, 2 more commissions of my character, and gifts for my furiends. It felt good to be able to support my local artisan friends including an artist I've befriended down in Medford named Jay.

Mazz had a great time as I'm sure she'll affirm, and I was amazed at her crafty abilities at increasing the take for the charity auction. She ended up bidding and winning this precious crocheted rabbit and gave it to me, who I have named Rosy.

On Sunday I went to a meditation panel only to find it was canceled, so I elected to lead it myself. I lead about 5 people in a meditation where in we did a basic body scan and then deep breathing. Everyone found it really amazing, and I think I am going to volunteer to lead such a panel next year. I'm really excited about the theme which is 1967: The Summer of Fluff. I also realized I've been going to furry cons for a long time and I feel ready to give back some of my time and energy into helping them take part, as this is my local convention now.

Next up on the calendar for me is Itty Bitty Fur Con in July down in Phoenix where I get to see my fox, go swimming and see the monsoons in the desert. Then Triad and I plan on attending Camp Fire Tails down in La Pine, which we actually got to pass through on our way back up from BLFC.

Till next time Furries.