Moving Rocks

Our gardener/landscaper brings out the big toys to move around some rocks that came out of the ground when we replaced the septic tank with a bigger model, as required by city code when we added a bedroom. This area will be a new terraced lawn, using the big rocks as part of the retaining wall.

Chula Vista Nature Center

My photo club visited the Chula Vista Nature Center (along the coast in Chula Vista) this day. The associated album are a collection of the best pictures from all members who submitted photos.

About 1/2 the people bucked up and went inside while the cheaper amongst us (including me) wandered the grounds outside for free.

Lion Camp at the San Diego Wild Animal Park

My daughter had never seen the new "Lion Camp" exhibit at the San Diego Wild Animal Park, so we went there to let her see. I knew it wouldn't be that special because the cats had got older and were more adult lion-like -- pretty much lethargic. While we were walking up to the exhibit, a mother was saying to her young children, "Weren't the cubs cute?" "Well, they USED to be cubs," I thought. Imagine my surprise when we got there and saw the new cubs that now occupy the exhibit. They were only 13 weeks old and this was the first week they were in the open enclosure with their mom. Several zoo behaviorists were around watching the family and this morning they were quite active and very interesting to watch.

Lunch at Newport, OR

For a little difference pace, we drove over to the coast and followed it down from Lincoln City to past Crescent City before cutting inland to the freeway. The view was spectacular, but since I drove the whole way, I took only a few photos. The associated album is limited to three events. 1) our stop at Mo's in Newport, OR for some lunch; 2) the one and only stop and look we made, somewhere in California; and 3) somewhere along 299 we spotted some bull elk sparring in someones front yard. We ended up staying at a hotel in Sacramento for the night, then finished the drive home the next day -- all without taking a single photo.

The photo above is of the bay in Newport, looking from a dock near Mo's restaurant. If you ever find yourself in Newport, make sure you stop in to Mo's and sample some of their "World Famous" clam chowder. If you don't like clam chowder, they have other stuff, but that's like going to a steak house and ordering the fish, or going to a seafood restaurant and ordering the steak. Mo's claim to fame is the clam chowder.

AAA Baseball -- the Portland Beavers

The Portland Beavers are the Padres Triple-A team. Some of the folks playing today we've already seen "in the bigs" but some are yet to make it to the majors -- or maybe never make it. It was fun to watch, regardless. Naomi (my sister) had lots of extra tickets because they had to buy them as part of her grandkids football and/or soccer or something sponsorship. Anyway, we paid $5 each to upgrade the tickets to really good seats. Seats that would cost $75 or so at PetCo for the equivalent seat -- but we got for $13.

It was a good game -- the Beavers won over the Bees. It's fun watching these guys, knowing one day I'll be seeing them in San Diego.

It was some sort of Mascot reunion, so there were tons of mascots there. All but one was in the standard big furry suit costume. The one that wasn't was the best mascot I've ever seen. He was the Timber's Lumberjack, and he was entertaining to watch. He climbed on top of a pole (logger style) and beat his drum. He hung from the rafters and beat his drum. He walked back and forth on top of the dugout and revved his chain saw. He really got the crowd going. I'm not sure what was more entertaining -- the ballgame or him. I think it might just be him.

Awesome Yard Party

My brother and sister-in-law have established the "event of the summer" by hosting their second annual yard party. There was live music, horseback riding, trout fishing, and tons of food -- plus the opportunity to visit with family members you hadn't seen in decades. All in all, a very swell time. I'm already looking forward to next years hoedown.

The photo above is titled, "Those that were there." Well, more or less those that were there anyway. All these folk are related to me -- or related to someone I'm related to -- which makes them relation, right?

You might find the associated album boring -- or not. I really like it because it helps me remember the good time of visiting with family. This is something I don't get to do very often, so when I do it is a cherrished event. Anyway, the photos in this particular album are not all mine. Different family members submitted photos to make the overall album. Nearly every photo made it in the final album we had printed up and presented to my brother and sister-in-law as a thank you for throwing the party in the first place. They loved the album -- so see, it is all in the perspective.

Spruce Goose Cockpit

After visiting Mac multiple times since the creation of the museum, we were finally able to go check it out. It is pretty cool. This is a full scale museum, not just a little home town type thing. My old high school classmate is the curator for the museum, so she was able to take us up to the flight deck of the Spruce Goose where we got this cool picture of me sitting in Howard Hughes pilot seat and Bev as the co-pilot. We got a couple more photos of the flight deck. Most photos in the linked album are ones anyone can take, provided you visit the McMinnville Aviation Museum, that is.

Silver Falls State Park

A trip to Oregon isn't complete without a visit to Silver Falls State Park. There are 14 miles of trails to hike, if you have the time and the energy. We went in the late afternoon and only got to spend about an hour or two there, but it is still nice to visit. Of the dozen or so falls, we only visited 2 -- the south falls and Frenchie Falls. The South Falls are pictured above. Frenchie Falls looked more like a wet wall than a falls. Still, the overall scenery cannot be beat.

Drive to Oregon

After driving through the boring southern parts of California, you arrive at the beautiful parts of Northern California and Oregon. We drove up to McMinnville, Oregon from Poway, CA in one day, more or less, in our BMW Z4. Even though it was I-5 most of the way, we still managed to enjoy ourselves. I don't have very many pictures though since I did most of the driving. I only snapped a few whilst Bev was driving. You're more than welcome to check out what I did get though, by clicking the title link above to get to my on-line album of photos.

The above photo of Mount Shasta was taken while zipping along the road at, well, let's just say zipping. Shooting photos whilst zipping is tricky, at best, but I did manage to get a couple good shots.

Another Trevor Time

This year has been great. While the Padres have had a little trouble here and there, they have been in first place in the National League West for most of the year. Here's hoping not only do the Padres win the National League West, but the National League Pennant as well, and dare I say, the World Series?

Also on track is Trevor Hoffman for the all-time career saves leader. He has to get 43 saves this year to set the record. I think he'll make it before the year is over, but we'll have to wait and see. This game was one more step in both those goals: The Padres won and maintained first place in the NL West and Trevor notched another save into his belt.

Caroline doesn't always get to come to the games with us, but this time she did and she enjoyed it as always. We took the opportunity to get the classic "yes we went to the ballgame" photo.

The link will take you to a slide show, but a little different show this time. I only had my little Nikon with me, but it does video (without sound) and I was playing a bit with that. The only video I have is of Trevor Time (when Trevor comes in to get a save) and of part of the fireworks after the game. Still, if you're inclined, enjoy. Use the "slideshow" option to hear Hells Bells (Trevor's theme song) played while you watch the videos. It will better set the tone.