Trip to Lassen

Our 6th anniversary weekend was supposed to be spent in Lassen Volcanic National Park, instead we spent Friday there and around the park and the rest of the weekend back home packing. I'm not disappointed, it meant we could take Lulu with us for a hike (outside of the park of course), sleep in our bed (which is much more comfortable than the ground), and I had brunch with some really good friends later in the weekend (see other post). The smoke wasn't bad in the park although there was a little haze. The hike we chose was at the end of a 9 mile gravel road. Both Lulu and the car received baths on Saturday.

Summertime

It's hot, It's Smokey, but here are some pictures of summertime that are great (not great photos, great things).

Anniversary Day

Here is to Number 6!

Lucky Husband
Lovely Wife
Had a Wedding
Built a Life.
Chased some dreams
Caught a few...
Here's to making
More come true.


I'll post our latest trip when I download the pictures to post the couch on craigslist, because that is right - it is staying.

To move the couch or not...

Bob has left the decision up to me. Do we move the couch back to Oregon or do we get a new one? We have been putting money away into savings so that we could buy some new things when we return to our little house, but I just don't know what to do. We bought the couch 4.5 years ago for less than $500. The cushions are a little warn (misshapen and have had things spilled on them) there is a tear near the edge of the frame, but it is hidden under the cushion. So do we leave it behind and start over? Do we keep it and re-stuff it/clean it and then buy something to go with it? I really would like to have more than just a sofa to sit on. Four people watching a movie on one couch is funny.
We've actually started getting rid of things and packing boxes already. Bob is so anxious to move that if I didn't have my job to finish and 2 camping trips planned, I'm pretty sure we would have moved this weekend! Up until now I've been fine to finish out the next 3 weeks, but shopping for furniture now has me pretty ready to move, weird I know.

Weddings to Fireworks to Girlfriends

This was once again a whirlwind of a visit, but it was great. I'll catch the rest of you after July 26th!

Why I'm Voting

Thanks Katie for the link!

A trip home

I love to listen to this song before my trips back to Oregon. There really is no place like home. Pictures form all the events when I return.

Elbow 'Station Approach'

I haven't been myself of late
I haven't slept for several days
But coming home I feel like I
Designed these buildings I walk by

You know you drive me up the wall
I need to see your face that's all
You little sod, I love your eyes
Be everything to me tonight
Be everything to me tonight

I never know what I want but I know when I'm low that I
I need to be in the town where they know what I'm like and don't mind
(repeat)

The streets are full of Goths and Greeks
I haven't seen my mum for weeks
But coming home I feel like I
Designed these buildings I walk by

You know you drive me up the wall
I need to see your face that's all
You little sod, I love your eyes
Be everything to me tonight
Be everything to me tonight

Signs of Summer in a Northern California College Town

1. No one is around. (Okay this is the only one applying to a college town.)
2. The cold water from the tap is hotter than the hot water.
3. The air is either brown from pollution or smoke from nearby fires.
4. You have to wash your car once a week to see out of the windows because of the amount of dust, smoke, and air pollution.
5. People talk of vacationing to Hawaii, where it is cooler.
6. You have to take allergy medicine to relieve the itch of your bug bites.
7. Tomatoes, peaches, and strawberries have been in season for at least a month (and at least a month before anywhere else).
8. You have to wear a sweater to work because the AC is on so low, but a tank top under it because it is so hot outside in your car.
9. You hear a report about the top 10 summer reading list and think to yourself, 'They are just now coming up with this? Hasn't it been summer for months?'
10. You have to walk your dog in the dark so it is cool enough.

Virginia Lakes

East of Yosemite

Views from Yosemite

Training

Last weekend Bob and I sat down and planned out our weekends in June and July. So now we are in training mode. Next weekend we are headed to Yosemite and then in mid July to Lassen. These two trips are leading up to Sequoia (yes, three national parks in one summer.) Yosemite will involve two day hikes and two different base camps. In Lassen we will camp the first night and then backpack in for the second night. For our trip to visit Ranger Alison and Ranger Steve in Sequoia, we will camp at the trailhead to adjust to the elevation, then hike in 13 miles for a two night stay and then back to base camp. I look forward to posting each adventure and our other training hikes (like the one from Berryessa.)

Lake Berryessa

A little hike on Monday.

Alcatraz

I have so many pictures, it might take a few posts. This was an incredible visit. The day was beautiful (even though rain was predicted) and the audio tour (which you will see us modeling) was even great.

Alcatraz Part II

Alcatraz Continued

Catching Up

We had a great weekend, but are still trying to catch up, but I hope to download pictures tonight!

I'm also playing catch up at work. Yesterday, I went to a National Standards fair for our biggest client. While that may sound cool, it was in Oakland and some of the seminars were less than interesting.

Last night I caught up with a close friend and two nights ago I talked to my mom and my mother-in-law, both of which I can't remember the last time I talked with on the phone!

So tonight, I need to catch up the blog, email photos and give double J a call to continue my catch up week!

If we had more three day weekends, life would be much more pleasant!

Soccer Run Down

Last night at 9pm, when it was still 87 degrees (yes even though it was dark) there was a great intramural men's soccer game. At 9:30 it was still 0-0. At 9:40 they started a 10 minute, sudden death overtime. At 9:50 the penalty shots started. At 10pm, they were victorious 4-3. The next playoff game is Sunday at 6pm and the high for the day is supposed to be 99.

Here they are! (Mel, Jakub, Miles, Kevin, Jeff (goalie), Paul, Andrew, Davis, Nate, Jordan, Bob, Chirstian and Andy.

Other things to mention...

I can't believe in my last post I forgot to mention my sister and niece visiting (see her blog back in April for details).

Bob and I also drove into SF one evening to see a band called Elbow. Yes, they are British. It was a great show and I'm glad we had purchased the tickets ahead of time, because I would have flaked out otherwise!

It is officially HOT here now. This week we are mostly in the 90s with one day expected to be over 100. I think we'll have to break down and turn the AC on. My office has had it running for weeks now.

Bob's intramural soccer team has made it to the playoffs. Last term they were undefeated, but their low sportsmanship scores kept them out of the bracket. Let's hope they can keep it together tomorrow night. I'll post a team picture next time.

Busy Busy

It seems that since mid April, Bob and I have been so busy that I can't seem to focus on one blog topic so I don't post anything at all, and for that I am sorry. So now you will get a post of random things.

Last weekend was a small version of Cinco de Softball. There were a few other people who managed to get out of the photo... For those of you who couldn't make it, you were missed and you better be there for the 10th annual next year!! Amy even surprised me with a cake!

Here are swimming pictures of Cait and Will and Tonya. They were all so cute! (sorry they are fuzzy)

Back to Davis. My office is being remodeled which makes it even harder than usual to get work done.

Items to look forward to in the future: Spencer, Amy, Ty and Heather coming to visit.