Tomorrow morning at zero dark thirty, which will be after sunrise here in the far reaches of the north, we will all pile in the Fit for another installment of the great adventure which is the American Road Trip. Everything is already in the car except people and pillows. The bike is not on the back yet, because it does not fit in the garage that way, but it only takes a few minutes to rectify that. We are aiming for Weed or Redding tomorrow night then all the way to the southland the next night to stay with my sister-in-law. Our house is well guarded by delightful neighbors, and our Shadow is staying with a nice lady who loves to take care of dogs for other people. I am looking forward to seeing all of my loyal readers in the next two weeks.
Happy Trails
Friday, July 25, 2008
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Who ordered the weather?
My boy and I went to the local theme park yesterday. He had a free pass which was good any day this summer. I had a free pass that was good if I drove my Toyota into the parking lot yesterday or next Tuesday. Since I will be in Southern California next Tuesday, touring my husband's alma mater, yesterday looked like the day. It was hot on Monday. It is pleasantly warm today. Yesterday it was overcast and it rained for a few hours in the afternoon. Would it be too much to ask for some sun at the water park? We started with a train ride which gave us a tour of the facility, including this terrifying trestle.
We saw the water slides from the train. This is as close as we came to them. Note the sunny blue sky.
One reason we did not start on the water slides after the train ride is here on the right. The conductor on the train announced as we went by the blue and green pile of spaghetti that it had opened the day before. Who wants to go on water slides under a cloudy sky when there is a new roller coaster in town?
We moved a little closer to check it out properly. First we went up the right hand tower backwards. Then we went up the left hand tower forwards. We went around a few loops in between.
It seems to be a rather dangerous affair, given all the warnings on this sign. Either that or their lawyers are a bit overpaid for writing sign text. We went up, down, around, upside down then we did it all again backwards. It might have been more interesting if I could see something other than the seat in front of me. We were hanging from the contraption with our feet dangling in open space, which somehow enhanced the experience. The boy said it rocks. Mom said once was enough. They closed it when it started to rain.
My boy had to resort to other entertainment. Here he is in his favorite seat on the corkscrew. Once was enough for me on that one too, but he kept running around to do it again and again. Lots of folks left the park when it started to rain, so we pretty much had the place to ourselves.
This sign was written by a lawyer who needs to talk to someone with a degree in English. We both agreed that if we did not cut in line, we might be thrown out.
There was no line for this interesting attraction. A few hundred miles south of here, people wait all day to fly an elephant. Maybe the counterclockwise ones are more fun.
Along the lines of when life gives you lemons, make lemonade, my son so no problem getting wet while spraying everyone else on the blaster boats. Once he was soaked to the skin, there was not much wetter to get.
My chauffeur is getting ready for driving school in four years and two months. He did pretty well, but I decided to drive the Toyota home myself. His sister is glad I brought home what she thinks is her car in one piece.
We had a good day, but next year, could you please schedule Toyota Tuesday on a day when it is sunny?
We saw the water slides from the train. This is as close as we came to them. Note the sunny blue sky.One reason we did not start on the water slides after the train ride is here on the right. The conductor on the train announced as we went by the blue and green pile of spaghetti that it had opened the day before. Who wants to go on water slides under a cloudy sky when there is a new roller coaster in town?We moved a little closer to check it out properly. First we went up the right hand tower backwards. Then we went up the left hand tower forwards. We went around a few loops in between.
It seems to be a rather dangerous affair, given all the warnings on this sign. Either that or their lawyers are a bit overpaid for writing sign text. We went up, down, around, upside down then we did it all again backwards. It might have been more interesting if I could see something other than the seat in front of me. We were hanging from the contraption with our feet dangling in open space, which somehow enhanced the experience. The boy said it rocks. Mom said once was enough. They closed it when it started to rain.
My boy had to resort to other entertainment. Here he is in his favorite seat on the corkscrew. Once was enough for me on that one too, but he kept running around to do it again and again. Lots of folks left the park when it started to rain, so we pretty much had the place to ourselves.
This sign was written by a lawyer who needs to talk to someone with a degree in English. We both agreed that if we did not cut in line, we might be thrown out.
There was no line for this interesting attraction. A few hundred miles south of here, people wait all day to fly an elephant. Maybe the counterclockwise ones are more fun.
Along the lines of when life gives you lemons, make lemonade, my son so no problem getting wet while spraying everyone else on the blaster boats. Once he was soaked to the skin, there was not much wetter to get.
My chauffeur is getting ready for driving school in four years and two months. He did pretty well, but I decided to drive the Toyota home myself. His sister is glad I brought home what she thinks is her car in one piece.We had a good day, but next year, could you please schedule Toyota Tuesday on a day when it is sunny?
Whose children are these anyway?
Sunday evening we went down to the river. It was rather late in the day, but someone craved a swim. 
That someone was not me.
She convinced her brother it was a good idea.
For a moment, Shadow wanted to join in, but then she decided it was too cold for her. I stayed out, since someone had to hold the leash.
That someone was not me.
She convinced her brother it was a good idea.
For a moment, Shadow wanted to join in, but then she decided it was too cold for her. I stayed out, since someone had to hold the leash.
Saturday, July 19, 2008
Out and about with my phone
For those of you who like to see where I have been, at least I take my phone with me wherever I go. My camera seems to have been left home a lot lately, so here are some samples that I could have sent you by text message if I had been so inclined. A couple of days ago, I was passing the upriver dam which is not as exciting as it was a while ago.
Neither is mile 20 on the trail. Even the benches are high and dry now.
Just in case you thought it was just a trail I ride on, these signs attest to the fact that it is a freeway as well, at least it is where they want cyclists to go instead of riding on I90 or SR290, complete with the silhouette of Mr. Washington.
When my boy goes to swim lessons, my dog and I wander around in the park above the pool.
We smell the flowers.
We enjoy the view. The pool is down there below where the hill drops off, so you can't see it. Off to the left in the distance is where the kids ski though.
We enjoyed picking cherries in our own backyard right until the worms showed up. There has been much discussion about how to get rid of them, but they seem to be a permanent part of the scenery, so we are done picking for now.
This guy seems to be a long way from home, but his license plate says he lives around here.Neither is mile 20 on the trail. Even the benches are high and dry now.Just in case you thought it was just a trail I ride on, these signs attest to the fact that it is a freeway as well, at least it is where they want cyclists to go instead of riding on I90 or SR290, complete with the silhouette of Mr. Washington.When my boy goes to swim lessons, my dog and I wander around in the park above the pool.We smell the flowers.We enjoy the view. The pool is down there below where the hill drops off, so you can't see it. Off to the left in the distance is where the kids ski though.We enjoyed picking cherries in our own backyard right until the worms showed up. There has been much discussion about how to get rid of them, but they seem to be a permanent part of the scenery, so we are done picking for now.
I try to stay away from politics, but sometimes a statement is so outrageous, it is hard to let it pass by. What exactly is this guy saying about everyone else in the race? Or himself?
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
More of my summer vacation
I stopped by to see this guy on my way home from the bay area. There sure was a lot of sweet stuff in the building behind him. I brought home some samples, but they are all gone now.
Another day, another state.
Getting back in the Fit after a pit stop in the Golden State.
When you hand a teenager a camera, she takes her own portrait.
Any part will do. These are her favorite shoes that she left at the photographer's by her aunt's house. Fortunately for her, they found them and her kind aunt Kangamoo mailed them to her at camp.
This is the view across the river where we waited to see the fireworks. It is also houses the local Morgan Stanley office. I need to make an appointment for late on the 4th next year.
A boy in his new shirt waiting for the show to begin. This is what happens when he moves when I take a long exposure. Of course it was on purpose. He was playing with the camera while we waited.
Pretty things in the sky behind the tree. A good time was had by all.
Another day, another state.
Getting back in the Fit after a pit stop in the Golden State.
When you hand a teenager a camera, she takes her own portrait.
Any part will do. These are her favorite shoes that she left at the photographer's by her aunt's house. Fortunately for her, they found them and her kind aunt Kangamoo mailed them to her at camp.
This is the view across the river where we waited to see the fireworks. It is also houses the local Morgan Stanley office. I need to make an appointment for late on the 4th next year.A boy in his new shirt waiting for the show to begin. This is what happens when he moves when I take a long exposure. Of course it was on purpose. He was playing with the camera while we waited.Pretty things in the sky behind the tree. A good time was had by all.
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Politics are interesting
I am not sure what his intent is. Best I can tell, he is aiming to keep out the riff raff from Nevada (the closest border to this sign) and Oregon (second closest border) and Arizona. Those folks from Washington had better leave the Golden State too, on his watch. So I left. The rest of y'all who were not born there need to get out too, even if you are more than half the population.
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Morning ride
I have wanted to ride my bike over the Dumbarton bridge for a long time, but it was too far from our place in the east bay, and I never had a chance to do it from the Peninsula. There is a nice bike trail to the bridge, although it is a little close to the cars that are going so fast. It is even more exciting on the return trip, looking the drivers in the eye.
This sign is protected better than the bikes are. All drivers need to read the message, not just the ones who go by here. Of course, I was riding one handed while I used the camera. There is no helping some people. I do use my bluetooth hands free device when I drive. When I am riding my bike, I use the phone. I was even reading text messages the other day while I rode. Bad me. I did stop to send a reply, multitasking only goes so far.
I feel safer behind this wall, but not much. If someone decided to have an accident, I am afraid the wall would only slow them down on their path toward the edge and the drop over the abyss into the mud below. Fortunately, everyone stayed on the road today.
Over the hump on the way out.
One year, returning from a cruise up the bay, someone knocked a PFD overboard as we came to this bridge. Of course, we sailed in circles trying to get it back, as the bridge operator watched. I do not think we held up any trains. They had stopped using this line a while before that. Now it is permanantly fixed open. There are still crossing gates a mile up the line though.
A new function for an old friend, checking how much salt makes it this far south.
The new channel, without the drawbridge. One October, I remember sailing south from Redwood City and attempting to get the attention of the bridge operator, without luck. After several hails on the radio and loud noises from the horn, we called the coast guard. They called the guy on the phone, and we watched him get up from the ball game to open the bridge.
I remember driving on this when it was a bridge. The white boxes on the left (south) side of the bridge are sheltered benches for fishermen. Whoever put them up knows which way the wind blows here.
Morning reflections on a salt dewatering pond.
More morning reflections.
A couple of days ago, I was riding down by those white things in the distance on the right. There are lots of good places to ride around here.
On the way home, as I cross the summit.
It is not easy telling everyone where to go. Everyone has a place, except for cars. I am not sure which way the guy I saw pushing his child in a jogger stroller while roller skating falls in the grand scheme of things here.
A city that appreciates bicycles. 
This sign is protected better than the bikes are. All drivers need to read the message, not just the ones who go by here. Of course, I was riding one handed while I used the camera. There is no helping some people. I do use my bluetooth hands free device when I drive. When I am riding my bike, I use the phone. I was even reading text messages the other day while I rode. Bad me. I did stop to send a reply, multitasking only goes so far.
I feel safer behind this wall, but not much. If someone decided to have an accident, I am afraid the wall would only slow them down on their path toward the edge and the drop over the abyss into the mud below. Fortunately, everyone stayed on the road today.
Over the hump on the way out.
One year, returning from a cruise up the bay, someone knocked a PFD overboard as we came to this bridge. Of course, we sailed in circles trying to get it back, as the bridge operator watched. I do not think we held up any trains. They had stopped using this line a while before that. Now it is permanantly fixed open. There are still crossing gates a mile up the line though.
A new function for an old friend, checking how much salt makes it this far south.
The new channel, without the drawbridge. One October, I remember sailing south from Redwood City and attempting to get the attention of the bridge operator, without luck. After several hails on the radio and loud noises from the horn, we called the coast guard. They called the guy on the phone, and we watched him get up from the ball game to open the bridge.
I remember driving on this when it was a bridge. The white boxes on the left (south) side of the bridge are sheltered benches for fishermen. Whoever put them up knows which way the wind blows here.
Morning reflections on a salt dewatering pond.
More morning reflections.
A couple of days ago, I was riding down by those white things in the distance on the right. There are lots of good places to ride around here.
On the way home, as I cross the summit.
It is not easy telling everyone where to go. Everyone has a place, except for cars. I am not sure which way the guy I saw pushing his child in a jogger stroller while roller skating falls in the grand scheme of things here.
A city that appreciates bicycles.
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