Spring Break 2009, Part 1

No real time for text, the pictures will tell all.

For Californians (using acronyms): PCH from LA to SF.

For outsiders: a most excellent trip driving up the coast, the standard fare of beautiful sunsets, ocean views, wine tasting high class hotels, camping on the cliffs, and all with the best possible company.

Left from Santa Monica, cruised through Malibu on California Highway 1; Pacific Coast Highway.

Brief photo with a solar car and chaser van on the Santa Barbara pier!

Some good-lookin' folks enjoying the sunset in Santa Barbara.

Snazzy pants and a fishing sign on the pier.

Little Black Sambo's Restaurant in Santa Barbara. Sambo likes pancakes.

Perfect hotel on the beach, Santa Barbara.

San Luis Obispo Mission

San Luis Obispo Mission, Nave. Exquisite paintings of flowers and birds.

Nice little wildflower. Or planted flower. Whatever.

Hard to beat: Soft Cheese, fresh berries, Pinot Noir, and a killer view.

West of Los Olivos, CA

Strong to quite strong. 356, says Jos. (Note the pups in the window!)

Just south of Big Sur, PCH, picnic lunch stop.

Big Sur, north side of Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park.

Big Sur, south side of Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park. (Great camp site in the trees at the top left of the photo.)

Just outside Davenport (Santa Cruz), CA.

Feeding penguins at California Academy of Science, San Francisco.

Aquatics at California Academy of Science, San Francisco.

Aquatics at California Academy of Science, San Francisco.

Aquatics at California Academy of Science, San Francisco.

Magnolia Bar on Haight St., San Francisco.

Two "Racers" in Golden Gate Park.

Racer in a race with Holden.

Beautiful Raleigh bicycle that lives in Palo Alto and needs some attention.

Title Goes Here. :-)

Last year at this time I wrote one blog post about every 3 days, and now I'm struggling to keep up with one ever 3 months. It's not the fact that my life is less exciting, but rather that I talk with more of you on the phone or in person, now that I'm back in the US.

My life, as always is in flux, and change is in the air. I'll try and make a new post if and when I move or get a job nailed down. For the time being, I just wanted to keep things in perspective and share this 4-minute video with you. The following clip is of a comedian, Louis CK, discussing the spoiled generation. I love when he calls someone a "non-contributing zero." Enjoy by clicking the link below.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LoGYx35ypus

Thanksgiving Adventure!

With Utah ranking as my favorite US state for the outdoors, I couldn't very well turn down an offer to backpack Zion over Thanksgiving! After a tortilla-roll filled day on Thursday, we woke up Friday morning in one of the most aptly named National Parks this great land offers: ZION!

My friend Rip is an excellent photographer and has posted some pictures from the trip, and I'm stealing some here. You'll find more stunning photos on his website: RoadTripRip.com or click the photos.

Highlight photos on this post, email or call me for stories.

Sunrise alarm clock. Can't be beaten! Here's my pad on the edge of the west rim, facing east (South and North Guardian Angels just off the photo to the right). Favorite moment of the trip, thanks Rip. (And yes, wine bottles backpack well. And I'm not kidding.)
Gotta love those natural curves! I haven't found the link between me and rocks, but I feel its probably stronger in some of us. They make me melt.

Just gettin' some good use out of Rip's smoked glasses:
The crew on the hike down from the rim (and I do mean down). Clockwise from top left: Rip, Katie, Nick, Lauren, Conor, Caroline, Holden.


Footsoak in the frigid water on the canyon floor was sublime!

And I know it's been a while so here are TWO places not to fall down!


This one's a bit of a vertigo display. (But probably won't look like it on such a tiny computer screen!)

(Yep, the end of the video is Angel's Landing, from the back.)

Monday morning was time for some jumping pictures! Style points for synchronization & also for symmetry:

Excellent picture of a burned AND frozen log. Oh, and that whole lighting thing.