Parque Natural Mexiquillo

6.25.2014

Winter Wood

I am in Healdsburg, CA helping my brother Don take down a diseased oak tree.



Making fire wood

Now for the rest of the tree


Will it fall where I want it to?
run


Yes it did. Perfect placement.

Our hard work is rewarded with one of Ann's excellent diners.
Smoked salmon pasta and a delicious vegetable medley.
Life is good

6.23.2014

Long Day


Saturday morning we visited to the ever enchanting Monterey Bay Aquarium. In 1984 MBA opened their new amazing aquarium. They set a very high bar for new aquariums coming on line. Thirty years later they, imo, are still the apex aquarium. 




My son’s membership lets us bypass the long line for a swift and painless entry.
First up, the new Tentacles exhibit
Steam punk cephalopod

Highly accurate and beautiful scientific drawings
Cuttlefish are so engaging. 
Rachel enthralled with an octopus squeezing its
boneless body into a very small bottle.

More steam punk depicting wharf life
Stumpy Cuttlefish

 On to the Jellies


Indo-Pacific Spotted Jellyfish
The Upside-down jelly rests its bell on the seafloor and waves its lacy underparts up toward the sun where tiny algae that help nourish the jelly and acquire their subsistence from the sun.

Checking out the touch pool

Rachel collecting stamps
Emma fascinated by the school of Sardines

On to the Alameda County Fair

We met up with Adriann's family and headed for the fair





Priority One - a pony rids
Emma, a wary cowgirl.


Looks like fun, I wonder how long their air lasts

Priority Two - ice cream
Fun on the caterpillar




Swinging with uncle Drew
Drew showing how its done

6.16.2014

Family Time

I am in San Jose spending time with my son Derek, his lovely wife Adriann and my two wonderful granddaughters, Emma and Rachel.

Rachel going crazy on the swing

Emma slipping an sliding
What a loving and wonderful family

6.08.2014

Sean Visit

I visited with my younger son Sean in San Diego. If you have to live in Southern California, San Diego is as good as it gets. He teaches graphics at San Diego City College. They have a really nice campus right in down town San Diego.


Sean is very excited about the new graphic arts building they will be moving into next month. Previously, graphic arts was housed in one of the oldest, nondescript, buildings on campus


l -r My sister Wendy, Sean and his girl friend Leanna. 

Campus quad.


Sean designed these banners seen around campus


The back side of the new Graphic Arts building

The new Science building. 


The new construction at SDCC is very interesting and exciting.

Sean gave us a tour of the nearby, new, state-of-the-art city library.

I love these front windows

I really needed my wide angle lens to do the stunning lobby justice.


Eighth floor reading room
Reading room ceiling
A cozy spot to read

What a great resource for the people of San Diego.