SoCal in July

I spent a week in July with family in Southern California.

First I was greeted by the other residents in the house.  Meet Ace (Border Collie) and Keno (Lab).

My sister and I played tons of Pokemon.

We went to the LA Zoo one day.  A few favorites:

We took a trip down to Hollywood and Universal City Walk, for lunch and more Pokemon hunting.  Keno came with us.  Voodoo Donut is coming to Universal. A Portland icon is coming to Universal!

We found a cool sweet shop in Universal called "It's Sugar".  They even welcomed Pokemon hunters!

A dear friend of mine from Sacramento was in Simi visiting her sister.  We managed to meet up one night.  I have to admit when Viv suggested a place in Moorpark, I was a bit leery.  What she suggested was Carrara's Pastries.  I didn't know it, but the chef was part of the current season of Food Network Star.

My cheesecake was AMAZING!!!  I can't wait to go back to try a meal.

I even got to see my favorite spot in Simi every morning on my walk.  Turns out it's now a Poke Stop.

It was a good trip, but all good things must come to an end.  Luckily, I sat on top of a Poke Stop at Burbank Airport.  Killing time was easy.

The grandpas

I found this going through photo albums with my aunt a few months ago.  My aunt wanted me to take some of the pictures, ones that had meaning.  I found one that would mean something to only me, and my sister.  My Poppa's 75th birthday party.  An image of my grandfathers, both of whom passed years ago and are missed.

It was so much fun to see old memories, the stories that go with the pictures.  With the age of digital, I think we sometimes forget the memories that pictures draw from us.

Boise

A few weeks ago I had to go to Boise for business on a Friday.  Rather than fly home late Friday night, I flew home Saturday afternoon and did a bit of sightseeing.

I made a trip to Powells for a few treats.

Saturday I stopped at the Boise Train Depot.

Big Mike was built in 1920 by the American Locomotive Co, and is on the grounds of the Depot.

I love being able to explore.

Happy Father's Day

Happy Father's Day!

Me and my dad taking pictures together in Tahoe.

A couple of my favorite dad photos from a few weeks ago.

My favorite dad picture.

Missed Connections

On my recent last minute road trip to South Lake Tahoe, I extended an invite to my Sacramento friends to meet up if it worked out.  I got a text from a friend, who happens to be a photographer too, that he was in the area.  A few texts exchanged.....we tried to meet up but no cell service and time constraints on my part meant it didn't happen.  BUT the spot we were going to meet, Picketts Junction, gave me a photo opportunity I hadn't planned on.

Sorry I missed you!

Road Trip - Part 2

Dad and I took a ride through Diamond Valley one morning.  The rivers in the area are finally flowing, after years of being very low.  We even got to see some of the local wildlife!

Local Wildlife

We headed towards Hope Valley.

And then up towards Luther Pass.

We made a trip out to National Wild Horse and Burro Center at Palomino Valley after Dad found out they did indeed have horses.  After dropping Stitch off at the doggy day-spa (aka PetSmart) for some grooming, we headed out.  The winds were horrible and kept us from staying more than a few minutes (especially with our cameras out), but we did get to see a few of the horses and the burrows.  I wish we could have stayed longer.  The horses are beautiful, and one had a sense of humor!

We also managed a drive around Lake Tahoe, after a start at Ernie's Coffee Shop for breakfast.  Amazing views, but it was COLD.  We had snow showers off and on all day.  Perfect excuse to have a fire once we got home.

Monday was the adventure home.  700 miles, 12 hours....not quite as much fun.

Memorial Day - The reason for a long weekend

Fort Vancouver Barracks Cemetery isn't far from me.  Fort Vancouver National Historic Site is run by the National Park Service.  Vancouver Barracks Cemetery

Not far from me, it's become a quiet gem that I sneak off to now and then.  I've wanted to do a cemetery walk on Veteran's Day, to take pictures, but either the weather or work has never been conducive to it.  Yesterday I drove through the cemetery and noticed that they were placing flags for Memorial Day.  (Side note:  I think it was the landscaping crew, but it was hard to tell. There were only two people actually placing flags.)  I went back out this morning with my camera for a while.

I knew there were multiple Medal of Honor recipients buried in the cemetery and I found (stumbled upon) two this morning.

Moses Williams
First Sergeant Moses Williams was a “Buffalo” soldier, serving in Company I, 9th U.S. Cavalry during the Apache War in 1881, a unit made up primarily of African American troops. On 16 August 1881, while on patrol near the Cuchillo Negro Mountains of New Mexico, the Apache attacked. First Sergeant Williams: “Rallied a detachment, skillfully conducted a running fight of 3 or 4 hours, and by his coolness, bravery, and unflinching devotion to duty in standing by his commanding officer in an exposed position under heavy fire from a large party of Indians saved the lives of at least 3 of his comrades.” Williams remained in the Army, and became the Ordinance Sergeant at Fort Stevens, delivering supplies to various Coastal Artillery Batteries along the Washington and Oregon Coasts. When he retired in 1899, Williams moved to Vancouver, and died in bed, of heart failure, three weeks later.

Rest in Peace and thank you each for your service.

Road trip - Part 1

I ended up with an unexpected road trip last week - the chance to meet up with my parents at our cabin in Northern California.  700 miles?  No problem! I spent the night in Medford and made it to the cabin mid-afternoon the next day.

The drive south had amazing scenery.  I guess I should have cleaned the windshield first.

It was a little cloudy at the Mount Shasta viewpoint.

Meet Stitch

Meet my welcoming committee.  He likes to steal socks and shoes.  No one was safe.....But he's so cute and he loves an adventure.

The Lake Tahoe Software Development Company headquarters, or our family's cabin.  Cabin is a loose term.  It's a four bedroom, two bath 1,400 square foot house on 5 acres.

Did I mention the views?

Mount St Helens

Mount St Helens has been a bit more active recently. Scientists are saying small earthquakes under the crater are magma moving around. They say you can see steam coming out of the crater. Dad thought I could go check it out, but suggested I not get too close. I did that Friday, May 13th. Johnston Observatory didn't open until the next day, but I didn't realize the last 5 miles of the road would still be closed as well.  Still, it was too nice a day not to get out of the office and hit the road (and it was going to rain Saturday).

You can see the steam in the photos.