2012 L3S ADVENTURE

2012 L3S ADVENTURE, a set on Flickr.

This post shares Lukes 9th birthday and the fun all of us men and our sons had. We had the great fortune of having 4 cousins and their fathers camp together and Lopez Lake. Mike Easter and had a special experience for the boys in store and our pre-planning did not dissapoint.

We designed an adventure race course for the boys complete with compass navigation, map reading, mountain biking, trail running, swimming, special tests, weapon shooting (sling shot) and generally working as a cohesive team.  They had a surprise challenge at the end to "leave no injured men behind."  The course had 7 check points (CP's) and covered much ground that took these young men nearly 2-1/2 hours to complete the course.  They were rewarded honorably by Mike Easter in a ceremony and were each given a personal "dog tag" complete with their name, date of birth, and instead of blood type, their favorite scripture on the tag.  Mike gave them a knowledge of the history surrounding the dog tags.

We had a fine time as men that weekend.  It was sad to see it come to an end.  We ate together, told stories, laughed, shared life, and simply enjoyed being the men God designed us to be.  We truly hope we are giving our boys experience and skill to be adventurous with basic skills in working in community with other men, especially in the outdoors.  It reaches them much, and provides a desire for fitness and athleticism outside conventional sport formats.  We hope they got a glimpse and a building passion for the outdoors.

Big thanks to Mike Easter for bringing the idea together and giving the boys a very special weekend.  It had a profound affect on my son Sean who loved the time of adventure and spending time with the men and boys.

The Men and Their Sons (from left to right: James and Levi, Mike and Luke, Greg and Liam, Jeff and Sean)

Praise God for these men and boys.  By His grace, we will finish the job he gave us in raising these young men.

Amber Belted It Out!!!

This is a video Korey took from the back seats.  Hard to see her but you can definitely hear her.  So proud of her hard work and efforts.  Singing is Ambers passion for sure.  God gifted her with it...

Amberito

Getting very difficult to call my daughter her baby nickname - Amberito.  She is growing, evolving, and I am not just speaking of her height!  I enjoyed a great date night in the village with my daughter last night and she talked non-stop.  When I had the chance to speak, I shared to her how her mother and I met in college and described what fantastic friends her mother and I were then, and are now.  She was listening and smiling the entire time...

Even with all the quickness of life, the growing and changing in my daughter, she shows how much she needs her father and last night she reminded me that she likes being around me and getting my full attention.  I know one day, this will change too.  I relish this time now and recording it just so that I can remember this particular time.

A few photos of her to make this post colorful and alive!

Thanks for the awesome time Amber...

Korn Dog's Toad

Fishing is brutal at times when around your buddies.  We all encourage, laugh, and have fun together when enjoying this special past time.  But when it comes to the record keeping, the contempt and questioning attitude comes out.  Language, "I don't recall that fish you speak of, do you have a picture?"

Poor guy had no reminding evidence of one of the biggest lands of the trip.  Well here we go - evidence landed!

All smiles.  20" German Brown Trout on the East Walker. Nice job Korn Dog.  We really enjoyed having you out there!

Ambers Recent Science Experiment

Amber worked hard on this experiment.  We encouraged her along and helped out where we could.  He is a video of the final report.

Family Mountain Bike Video

This video kind of cracks me up...

New MTB Trail - Lopez Lake

The newly opened trail and Lopez Lake is awesome.  Switch backs, quick climbs, great descending and banks all in tree cover to being over the water at eleveation.  This picture is the treat at the turn around looking at Pismo Dunes and the ocean in the distance.  So cool.

Be careful though, PO factor is tough and it will take a while for them to trim it back...

2012 Eastern Sierra Fishing Trip

2012 Eastern Sierra Fishing Trip, a set on Flickr.

A trip came together with John, Sean, Korey, Scott Morton, and his son Kyle. Blessing of a trip. Our guides, Dave Neal and Brad McFall simply exceeded expectations. More on that too follow. I have several other friends who wish to experience this and plan to make some more time in the Eastern Sierra playground.

Easter Break 2012

Crazy how each Easter Break is starting to connect.  Many have passed, and perhaps a half dozen to experience until the kids have different interest and responsibilities.  Not that many left...

I am sitting at home reflecting and journaling a few things.  We recently planned to go to Sycamore Canyon Campground and then to Refugio Campground.  Because of the recent late season storms, we only experienced the first and decided as a family not to set up at Refugio to a muddy and soggy mess.  We came home two days early and will remain on vacation, even if only in spirit.

The couple of days we enjoyed were jam packed and fun.  Here is some of the story.

Day 1 - packed early and headed south to Sycamore Campground.  After getting set up, the kids wanted to go to our family surfing beach, aka Zeros or Nicholas Canyon State Beach.  For some reason, each time we visit, a southwest wave pulse arrives and get to enjoy this place.  Warm sun, surfing, and just some fun before heading back to the camp for dinner preparation.  We ended the night, by fire, with open cooked burgers.  We hit the hay just as an intense rain storm arrived and made havoc through the campground.  Woke to a soggy and very wet campground and ready for day 2.

(Nicholas Canyon aka Zero's - pumping SW Swell)

(Under the Sycamores)

Day 2 - Enjoyed breakfast together, packed the bikes, and headed south to Santa Monica to spend the afternoon on the bike path and see where Mom arrived on the west coast ala Venice Beach, CA.  Had a blast tooling around, remembering places my dad took us when I was a kid, and then hit the pier at the constant request from my children to try a ride, and then the treat of the day - lunch at Lulas.  Jenn took us to a place she worked while early in college.  Truly the best mexican cuisine I have ever had.  Jenn said hello to several workers who remembered her from 18 years ago!  We returned to the campground and the girls watched a movie together while resting.  Sean and I took on adventuring up the canyon after some of the trails finally dried out.  At the end of the day, we prepared a camp roast to simmer, and then I took a road ride for an hour and climbed Yerba Buena - dang steep and tough descent.  Fun active end of the day and returned back to get the camp ready for dinner.  Awesome day indeed.

(Santa Monica Pier)

(Lulas - Santa Monica)

(Seany boy scrambling the mountains)

Day 3 - Woke early and got breakfast going to prepare the kiddos for a ride up the canyon.  The mud was mild and doable but still presented some challenges.  Nonetheless very fun and the kids rode very well.  Amber was throttling it on the way in and I think I have her talked into a mountain bike race!  We packed up and hit the road to head to Refugio Beach.  We arrived to standing water 2-3" deep in pouring rain.  After tearful disappointment from the kiddos, we pulled the plug with the looming forecast of no improvement and headed home.

(heading up the canyon)

(My little proteges)

Some special observations:

• Sycamore Canyon has no electronic availability, cell coverage, or wifi.  You are forced to go old school.
• Many things to do.  Mountain biking, surfing, hiking, and scenery. 
• Parrots everywhere!  They must have been imported many years ago.
• Let your kids see the City so they can see other lives, and so many different lives in general.  San Luis Obispo, for better or for worse, limits experience and life perspective.
• Camping makes families engage and this experience was no exception, even if only a few days.
• You can see why the Chumash called this their home!

Great time indeed and grateful for Gods blessing in this family time.

2012 Martin Family Easter Break

2012 Martin Family Easter Break, a set on Flickr.