It is my happy chore to update the blog this weekend. Life is so crazy it is hard to find the time to stop and reflect upon it- although it seems like that feeling of not being able to journal is always a sign that my life is happy and full, so i suppose that's a good thing. As of late, Chris has been traveling to conferences several times a month, presenting his work in Baltimore, Berkeley, San Diego, etc. with more travels on the horizon. I just finished up the RCIA proccess, culminating in my baptism and confirmation in the Catholic faith, as well as wrapped up my final exams in several Early Childhood Education classes. Just as this weekend presented a feeling of calm and a chance to pause, I know that more classes, visitors, and travels await as summer approaches and we can't wait for the coming adventures.
I am posting two links below. They lead to photo albums from March and April, when Maddie, my Mom, and Chris's family all came to visit us in Davis and we did lots of adventuring to Napa Valley, Sacramento, and San Francisco. Clicking on the link, or pasting the address into your browser, should allow you to view the album regardless of whether you have a facebook account.
March 2009:
I am posting two links below. They lead to photo albums from March and April, when Maddie, my Mom, and Chris's family all came to visit us in Davis and we did lots of adventuring to Napa Valley, Sacramento, and San Francisco. Clicking on the link, or pasting the address into your browser, should allow you to view the album regardless of whether you have a facebook account.
March 2009:
This Memorial Day weekend we just stayed in Davis, taking advantage of an opportunity to hang out with each other and relax. We saw the new Star Trek movie- as someone who has never seen any of the tv shows, I was really impressed. I definitely recommend it.
On Sunday we took a day hike out at the Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve, near Antioch CA. The preserve is part of the wonderful East Bay Parks system, and is a wilderness area that encompasses the remains of coal mines and mining ghost towns from the 1800s. Unfortunately the underground mine shaft/visitor center was closed for repairs, but several other caves and mine entrances were open for exploration. Dogs are allowed off leash in the preserve, and a good hike was had by all. We were disappointed that we didn't get to observe some of the more exotic wildlife in the park, which includes rattlers, tarantulas, and cougars. Our animal spotting skills revealed the typical California beasts- some free range cattle, lizards, and vultures. The coolest spot on the extremely steep 6 1/2 mile hike was a spot called "Jim's Place"- a scene straight out of Mark Twain's adventures- the remains of a hermit's cave, complete with a skylight, shelving, and stovepipe hole carved into the sandstone. The doggers went wild climbing and scrambling on the rocks above the cave, looking down at us through the holes, then racing back down into the cave with tails wagging.
On Sunday we took a day hike out at the Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve, near Antioch CA. The preserve is part of the wonderful East Bay Parks system, and is a wilderness area that encompasses the remains of coal mines and mining ghost towns from the 1800s. Unfortunately the underground mine shaft/visitor center was closed for repairs, but several other caves and mine entrances were open for exploration. Dogs are allowed off leash in the preserve, and a good hike was had by all. We were disappointed that we didn't get to observe some of the more exotic wildlife in the park, which includes rattlers, tarantulas, and cougars. Our animal spotting skills revealed the typical California beasts- some free range cattle, lizards, and vultures. The coolest spot on the extremely steep 6 1/2 mile hike was a spot called "Jim's Place"- a scene straight out of Mark Twain's adventures- the remains of a hermit's cave, complete with a skylight, shelving, and stovepipe hole carved into the sandstone. The doggers went wild climbing and scrambling on the rocks above the cave, looking down at us through the holes, then racing back down into the cave with tails wagging.
Scout, Luke, and Me enjoying some shade in an old mine entrance
Chris and dogs on the trail
An old cemetery containing the graves of miners and their families- predominant causes of death seeming to be mining accidents and diphtheria
exploring a cave
Something is wrong with my camera... or at least this file. Anyhow, this would have been an adorable picture of my family looking down at me through the sky light of the hermitage
Something is wrong with my camera... or at least this file. Anyhow, this would have been an adorable picture of my family looking down at me through the sky light of the hermitage
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