Foggy Bay Area

Trip to Tiburon/Stinson last weekend was great, though foggy. Had GREAT food, a fun Birthday party at the beach, and a couple great bike rides. Dinner at the Buckeye Roadhouse was a highlight, as was drinks on the patio at Sams in Tiburon Sunday afternoon (in the sun).

The last week I've spent mornings hiking in the canyon, and aftrnoons doing I don't know what. It's great.

Friday night was "Menopause, the Musical" in Reno (very funny, and lots of fun) and a fun shopping trip to Scheels (in Sparks, NV, a HUGE sproting goods store that after nearly 2 hours, I'd only covered about 25% of).

Tonight watching Rugby on ESPN, and wondering how I ever played that sport!

Memorial Day weekend

I can't believe it's already Memorial Day weekend. It seems like it should still be early March to me. I feel like I lost a couple months in the transition, moving, driving, settling, etc. But here we are near the end of May.

The weather here has been lovely. Warm in the day (but not sweltering) and cool at night. With a nice breeze. Soon enough it will be hot. We heard planes flying low the other evening, and thoughts of fires in the canyons came to mind. All's well for now, but living so close to the canyon (and the dry hillsides) you do worry a bit.

Off to the bay area for the weekend. Tiburon/Stinson, and maybe a trip home via the east bay. Can't wait!

New Digs

ok, so I've moved (again). I found a place in Auburn, across town from my mom's. It's closer, more convenient, and feels more familiar (I grew up here for heaven's sake!). Moved in on Wednesday--still have a lot of boxes to retrieve from Mom's but it's starting to feel like home. Needs help with the window screens (it's a bug and mosquito fest--it's somewhat secluded--on a hillside shaded by oaks) but otherwise is cook, and peaceful. And close to trails that head down to the American River canyon. Hoping to make that hike a regular part of most days (hot weather notwithstanding!).

My Cali turf

Here are some photos from the area where my mom lives. I've spent about an hour most days walking/running/hiking in the area--it's beautiful this time of year--the landscape of my heart. Soon (very soon) it'll be brown and dry and very hot, but right now, it's still green and slightly tender and lush.

The last day of the trip

We drove 3000+ miles with my cross country skis in the back of the car. Because we thought we'd ski along the way (nevermind I was still recovering from a sprained ankle!). By total fluke of weather, our last day we got stuck in Truckee, CA (near Tahoe) due to snow over the Donner Pass, and our lack of tire chains. We FINALLY got to ski that day outside Truckee. At last I used those skis! It was so fun and worth the extra day and all the jostling around of the skis in the car!)

Arches National Park, Utah

We only had about an hour before sundown at Arches (Utah) but it was enough time and totally worth it!

Colorado

One of my favorite places on the trip: the Black Rock Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. It's in Southern Colorado--not too far from Telluride. It was amazing--far better (I think) than the Grand Canyon. A total hidden treasure! (this photo doesn't do it justice--it was awe inspiring.)

Garden of the Gods, CO

More from March trip: Garden of the Gods, Colorado Springs, CO. (March 2009)

More photos from March XC trip

St. Charles, MO. We rented bikes and rode along the river. Cute town, nice ride.

A few more photos

Having a bit of trouble importing photos--but here's one from my trip from NJ to Cali in March. This one is the St. Louis Arch under cloudy skies.

Photos at last (part 1)

Photo/Left: Somewhere in VA? Photos posted from my cross country trip (was that almost two months ago? Wow!).

Photo/Below: the ponies (the only ones we saw) at Chincoteaque.

The World Wide Web

I just broke down and signed on to Facebook today. I'm now sorry I didn't do it sooner. I've found several friends from high school that I haven't seen or talked to in years. It's an amazing tool. It's one more way to stay connected when I feel so far away from my former life.

I swear I'm still trying to post some photos--FINALLY took my disposable camera (photos from the trip cross country) to get developed. Should be ready this weekend. Soon!