Mammoth Base Camp - Going for it!

Sean and Amber always love to go for it in Mammoth. Traditions always have us in the climbing and bouldering at the main lodge. It is a joy to watch the kids climb and trust the teamwork with their dad on the anchor... They really did a good job.

Seany ringing the bell.

Amber taking the hard route.

The treat at the end of the day - zip line!

Jake and Penny

Meet the new family pets. Jake and Penny. Picked this brother and sister up in Santa Maria Humane Society and applied for them. Well, they are with us now...

Believe they are some unique mix of terrier. 4 months old and expected in the 20# plus range at full size. Amber and Sean have been asking solid for a year. They got their wish and doing a good job with the new responsibility.

Oh Boy!

Mammoth Trip 2009

Our Mammoth trip this year did not dissapoint. We thank our Lord for these precious times of family fellowship, adventure, traditions, and important reflection. This picture was taken at about 10,300 feet above sea level above Mosquito Flats with a small lake known as Heart Lake.

A storm was coming in, it was 5:30pm, and time to head down. From Left to Right: Sean, Debbie, Jenn, Sean, Me, Amber, Dad, and Mom. Will share more stories of the times that included all the sisters, their husbands, and family. Great time had...

Josh Roy and Family

My cousin Josh was also in town last weekend. To my delight and surprise, this young man has taken on the cycling habit as well and is on the road to great accomplishment in the criterium scene.

When he climbs on a bike, he looks like he might pull the handlebars off since he has a very built muscular build.

Josh really worked the race skillfully staying comfortably at the front and even taking one prime mid race. His final kick to the line was awesome and showed that his sprint is effective. Third place on the line in a Regional Championship criterium. This event allows him the points to hit Cat. 3 for the balance of the year and next.

This is Josh just before the start of the mens Cat. 4 criterium in SLO.

Josh at left. Fine job!

I will post the balance of his family pictures once they are downloaded. It was great to see how well his family is growing and it was a total delight to meet his wife Stacey for the second time and the two beautiful children Isaiah and Christian. Josh is currently a US Navy Diver at the Seal base in Coronado (where his brother is - Seal Team 3) and lives in Imperial Beach.

More on the families later when I can post more photos...

Meet my cousins - The Sackets

Our family had the pleasure of reuniting with my first cousin Jennifers daughter Courtney, her husband Travis, and their sweet children Carly and Kamryn.

The last time we saw courtney is nine years (+/-) in San Diego when her brother Josh got married.

They live in Tehachapi, CA and are both doing just fine. Her husband Travis is a full on hunter fisherman with one of the funniest and easy going personalities I have met in a long time. I look forward to seeing him and Courntey again.

Blessing to see how their lives are changing and growing. Look forward to seeing them more.

Their blog is http://sacketfamily.blogspot.com/

Getting Outdoors

This Independence Day weekend was filled with adventure, business, family, and enjoying outdoor time...

In addition to some fishing time on Friday, hanging with cousins, household chores, we spent some family time in the outdoors the balance of the weekend.

On Saturday, I woke and picked up Tim Theule for a quick ride at Lopez. It was a great time together and perfect weather for a pedal in the mountains. Quickly following, the family drove to SLO to enjoy a hike to Bishops peak for a kid and parent trek to the top. It was a beautiful walk and the kids did fantastic. We bolted home to prepare a taco meal for some out of town cousins who were in town for a weekend of camping at Lopez and participating in the bike race. More on that later.

The family on the trek downward...

On Sunday, I woke early to watch Josh Roy (my first cousin Jennifer's son) race the crit downtown. I returned mid morning to pack and get in the truck for a mountain drive over High Mountain Road. The trip was a real treat and the kids were filled with experiences in the outdoors including sighting wildlife, mountain landscapes, and the High Mountain Look Out Station. As a kid I was fascinated with visiting distant mountain top Look Out stations and always understood the reasons for these facilities. It clearly appears that the fire look out operations have now been replaced with closures or other uses. In this case, the High Mountain location has replaced fire watch with scientific Condor watching and reserve staff. It was different, but also and exciting experience for the kids. I recall certain life safety devices such as chairs with glass insulators for lightning protection. Well, they are still equipped. We had a great visit and some Cal Poly students gave us the tour of the surroundings at High Mountain.

Family shot of all of us at High Mountain Look Out Station. We are standing in front of a life sized painting of an adult Condor. They have massive wing spans!

The look out is equipped with needs for on site residence which included important chairs fitted with glass insulated feet in case of a lightning strike. There is risk with being at the top of the mountain... I recall these same chairs over 30 years ago in the high Sierra Nevada!

My beautiful wife with a beautiful backdrop. High Mountain sits approximately 3190 feet above seal level directly north of Lopez Lake. Note lake in the background adjacent to Jenn's face. The pass in the mountain silhouette is the dam opening at Lopez. Very cool panoramic from this location and very worth the visit...

Showed the kids teamwork in hiking/trekking, compass declination and triangulation, recoginzing different geology/geography and much more than video games and sitting behind the boob tube will ever do!

Very thankful for these special times with the family.

Early Soccer Training

I ponied up and joined the soccer coaching for under 8 boys for AYSO. Trying to get back in the rythym of the sport in general. It is coming back... My guinea pigs...

Halibut Season in Full Swing

TJ, Dad, and yours truly hit Port San Luis this morning for a Hali run. Started slowly since the bait boat was empty. We employed a sabiki rig and caught the bait (sardines) ourselves and saved the money to boot.

Three fish on the boat and this really decent 29" fish caught shallow near the breakwater.

Blessed times...

Sean and Dad - MDO

Sean visited for the past several days on his day off. Nice time and he road a lot! In this time frame, he and Dad took a pedal to Montana De Oro for a nice 12 mile loop. Not to bad for Dad since the terrain is no cake walk.

Great time with Sean and looking forward to more time together...

Our Amber....

I was looking for new photos to post when I ran across this video. There is not really much to say...except that I love this kid!

Amber starting to sing at a very young age and her desires and passions have not changed.

Enjoy...

Summer Fishing

Santa Margarita - Spent some time fishing with the boys this past Friday evening. Seany Boy, Papa, Korey, and I arrived Santa Margarita just before 6 pm for a late evening hang out and fishing. Had some great fellowship together, good food, and some real fun. Fishing was slow but it did not interupt the fun. Off the lake at 9pm that evening. Fun to end in the dark with running lights.

PSL - Jenn, Sean, Amber, and I spent a few hours after church cruising the kelp lines in Shell Beach looking for halibut opportunity. There was no live bait available so we simply dropped frozen anchovies. Three copper rockfish hook ups and several halibut like stikes. Just some more time and we will have some flatties for dinner! Jenn was picking up the bug. Regardless of the fishing, just fun times on the water and family time...

Seany Boy landed a hefty crappie. Look at the bend in his rod...!

Nice catch and barely lipped... Nice job Sean.

A local copper - these are great to eat.

More times to be had. Praise God!

12 Years and Rolling

Today, June 21, 2009, Jenn and I celebrate our 12 years of marriage and Gods amazing gift.

With the help of my parents, Jenn and I made a trip to Santa Barbara for the weekend for two nights at the Oceana. I cannot believe it has been two years since we have been away from the kids overnight. The next trip will not take so long...!

We spent two days riding our MTB's and sampling culinary enjoyments. We spent much time simply lazing at the pool and enjoying each others company.

Sean and Debbie joined us on Sunday morning to grind some miles in the foothills and ridges over SB. We met in Summerland, had some breakfast, and headed up the hills for a 3 hours plus ride. We really appreciated their company on the last morning of the trip.

Just below Camino Cielo - Ridge directly above summerland at approximately 3500 feet above sea level. 12 years of fantastic companionship!

Our late afternoon decompression... We lounged here for nearly 3-4 hours on Friday and Saturday. 75 degrees and several naps at waterside.

So thankful for Gods wonderful gift of marriage and looking forward to more journey together.

Thanks to our family and friends for their support over the years.

Our New Neighbor

Meet the new birth of Rita the Donkey. Meet Marshmallo!

2009 Western States Police and Fire Games - Day 1 Crit

My brother Sean and cousin Mike Easter competed in law enforcement and fireman athletic games this year. Both of them raced in the criterium this afternoon. Both Sean and Mike did very well and they, in addition to today's event, are competing the ultimate cyclist category for 5 days of racing for an overall placing.

Sean's lead group just before the run up...

Sean cornering hard with big effort... Sean was animated and rode strong and tactically brilliant. Just some times you don't win... Awesome riding!

Sean threw his bike to pick up one place. He got blocked on the run up but otherwise had a great sprint. My sister Donna's fist in the air!

Sean with a silver on the podium!

My father medaled in these same events 25 years ago when he participated for the Los Angeles Police Revolver and Athletic Club. Back then, they did well. The LAPD guys got shelled in the first half of the race...

Mike riding on the wheel of the guy about to be humbled with his original thoughts! The other rider (Mike Hand) had a laugh at the start line teasing Easter that they would not have to worry about the guy with the big guns on the climb. Oops - this was one of those times that looks were not deceiving.

Mike stomping on the gas! Heading to lap the main group 2x... A different class of cyclist for sure.

Great podium finish with the Gold!

It was a blast to spend the day with the family and friends on the course. The Martin and Easter family definitely came ready to have fun with kids everywhere... Thanks to the wife and friends for their support. More to follow with other upcoming events. Bless these two guys are they move forward this week.

Connecting

Learning more and more how to connect with my children. This past couple of weeks have been particularly enjoyable with Sean and we are exploring and learning things together. Trusting in the Lord for the tools to be effective in all this...

Face painted like a tiger, and ready to scramble left field...

Ready to throw casts with no care if something bites... OK, I understand he loves it. Future fish slayer! Either way, he loves to harrass the fish and who cares if you catch anything...!

Central Coast Adventure Challenge 2009

Fellowship, sweat, fear, tears, and joy...

Much to follow on this great adventure race that took place last weekend. But enjoy some early photos and check back later. 5th place all male division.

Two registered, one cohesive team! Korey, Jeff, Rudy, and Mike.

Jeff in element ready for the heat 100 degrees!

Approaching the final leg... Missing a real part of it...

More to follow on this great adventure.

Fitness - An Important Life Style

Amber received her second Presidential Fitness Award. Sean also received his first. Do you remember when most grade school children made this a priority? I do!

I am glad to be part of a family that believes in the fitness routine. Not in an idolistic way, but in a way that honors our creator and God. Congats Amber and Sean and looking forward to carrying on this important life tradition.

Fishing Tales - Crowley Lake, CA

In a few days, I will be blogging likely the best fishing trip I can recall.

I wanted to share (hopefully not boast) a really nice land that occurred on the last day of the trip. I landed this beautiful Rainbow Trout at Crowley lake mid morning. This fine catch is a Kamloop strain of Rainbow Trout that are charateristic of having almost a salmon look and feature.

Although I believe the picture does not do it justice, I believe the fish was in the 20-22 inch range and likely weighed in exceeding 3-3.25 pounds! I was so excited with the catch that we only took one picture and did not have the benefit of really measuring nor weighing the fish. The fish breached at least twice, ran my drag several times out at least 50 yards, and was difficult to net gently. I was using 4 pound test with 5x 3 pound test leader and a size 12 hook with nightcrawler (sorry I also used flies, artificials, and spoon lures). I only have one photo since I was urgently trying to release the fish safely back into the wild so someone else could enjoy it.

In retrospect, this would have been a good one for eating and should have kept it. Next season, someone will have a whopper of a fish.

So grateful that the good Lord created these wonderful times and opportunities. More to share later.

Passion for the piano!

Amber's passion and gift of music. Enjoy Fandango!

Tree Fort

Well, it's complete enough! Just need to re-work the ladder since my rope ladder idea makes it a bit tough. Check it out.

A view from the main floor complete with a dumb waiter (pale and rope). They hoisted some beverages up for all of us. What a blast and these are blessed times...