2010: A YEAR IN REVIEW

January
1: Gas $2.839, weight 208.
1: Snowshoe hike through Mariposa Grove. 7.30 miles; 3 hrs 57 min.
2: The outside Christmas lights and lights and decorations on the tree come down.
3: Papou takes a fall in the hospital. No bed alarm.
4: First day of work in 2010.
5: Gas $2.879.
7: Gas $2.899.
9: FIL discharged from hospital and admitted to skilled nursing facility.
9: The 3-hour "test."
10: Lewis Creek hike. Hot springs located.
11: Gas $2.949.
11: Palindrome Day 01-11-10 .
13: The first major deluge of 2010.
15: BroIL gets married to AllA.
16: Death Valley National Park.
18: Witnessed rain in Death Valley.
18: Gas $2.899.
20: FIL is discharged from skilled nursing facility.
21: IL's 54th anniversary.
21: Gas $2.839.
22: Carpool. A lot of driving especially when you throw in a Starbucks run.
26: Scorpion on our bedroom ceiling. He not there no more.
27: Gas $2.799.

February
3: Papou's shoulder surgery.
7: That game.
8: Scorpion kill #2. Front porch wall.
9: Gas $2.779.
13: Lake Tahoe. Vikingsholm.
14: Lake Tahoe. Spooner Junction with my favorite Valentine.
15: Lake Tahoe.
16: Scorpion kill #3. Same location as the last on 02-08-10. Must have been kin.
22: Gas $2.799.
24: Gas $2.859.
25: Gas $2.879.
27: KC's 23rd birthday.
28: Mariposa Grove 8-mile snowshoe hike.

March
1: Gas $2.899.
4: Gas $2.959.
7: Eight-mile snowshoe hike to Dewey Point.
10: Gas $2.999.
14: Scorpion kill #4 on the bedroom ceiling in the corner.
18: Freezer goes pfft.
19: Refrigerator goes pfft.
20: Alder Creek hike and camping at Wawona campground.
26: Scorpion kill #5: Front porch ceiling.
27: Let the spring mowing/cutting begin!
27: Changed the spa water.
27: Weight 198. I did it!
28: The Lilley Mountain March. 9.62 miles in 3:22.
28: Weight hits 195 after that long march.

April
3: Zojurishi rice cooker goes pfft.
5: Flat tire. Driver side rear.
6: Scorpion kill #6: On our bed while making the bed.
10: The terrace is "cleaned up" of old dead growth.
11: Gas $3.099 in the morning...
11: Aunt Dena's 90th birthday.
11: Gas $2.999 in the evening...Up 10 cents and down 10 in one day. Profiteers...
12: Purchased new refrigerator at Lowe's.
13: New refrigerator delivered.
17: The terrace is "irrigated."
18: The terrace is replanted.
20: We attend our first homeowners' association meeting.
23: New bathroom scale and new weight measurements.
24: Planted lemon tree in observance of Arbor Day
25: Took truck in to get new struts, tires and shocks.
25: Planted orange tree.
26: New tires, struts and shocks.
28: Purchased a new eco-friendly toilet.
29: Gas $3.059.
30: Back "flares up" again.

May
1: New toilet.
1: Planted lime.
1: New struts on the Sub.
1: Weedwhacked.
2: More weedwhacking.
8: Installed new sprinkler control and new front porch light.
9: Mother's Day at The Grind for brunch and later at Sidoti's for dinner.
15: JayMi's car is repaired.
16: More planting on the terrace and mowing.
19: Gas $2.979.
19: Gas $2.959. Hey! Ten cent drop in one day!
21: Fresno Grizzlies versus Nashvile Sound baseball game. Grizzlies lost 3-1.
22: IKEA in West Sacramento. Our first visit.
25: Gas $2.899.
28: Gas $2.859.
28: Sacramento bound.
29: IKEA! Purchased new bedroom furniture.
30: Assembled our new bedroom IKEA furniture.
31: Completed assembling of our new IKEA bedroom furniture.
31: Scorpion kill #7 on the front porch.

June
5: FIL's 78th birthday.
5: Gas $2.959.
11: Lone Pine to deliver computers.
12: Thor Peak summit.
16: Gas $2.999.
18: I get a foul ball. Reno Aces vs. Fresno Grizzlies.
19: Blackberry harvest.
20: Kayaking and fishing with my wife on Blackhawk Lake.
26: Changed the spa water.
26: Goodbye, old mattresses and boxsprings. Taken to the dump.
27: JayMi involved in an auto accident. Okay. Other driver pulled out in front of her.
28: Gas $3.059.
28: 109°. HOT!

July
1: Moraine Campground.
2: Moraine Campground. Pam catches 1 trout.
3: Moraine Campground. Pam catches 4 more trout.
6: Gas $2.999.
10: Helped the ILs clean their new place in Oakhurst.
10: See my friends, Ken and Gary, at the Elbow Room in Fresno before Ken moves east to Virginia.
11: Helped the ILs move into their new place.
12: ILs have moved out. The last of the furniture relocated.
12: Mom has bypass surgery.
13: Cleaned the carpets. Gone are the residues of dog, cat, and a spilled drink or two.
14: Anniversary #3. Dinner at Pismos's in Fresno.
15: Gas $3.059.
16: Lone Pine Campground.
17: Lone Pine Campground.
18: Lone Pine Campground.
26: Flyfishing for the first time at Lone Pine Lake. I land two rainbow trout and release them.
27: We see Uncle H. in Escondido.
29: I catch my first freshwater fish (trout) as a "keeper" in Lee Vining Creek. I catch four (two got away) for the day, my wife catches eight. Got 10 for the day!
30: Uncle H. passes away.

August
3: Gas $2.999.
14: Scorpion kill #8 on the floor between the kitchen and dining room.
25: Twenty-five years living in California.
27: Susanville, CA
28: La Pine, OR
28: JayMi gets a "new" used car.
29: Portland, OR
30: Mt. St. Helens, WA
31: Newport, OR

September
1: Brookings, OR
2: Ft. Bragg, CA
3: Sacramento, CA
4: Gas $2.859.
7: Black widow kill #1. Front porch.
18: Scorpion kill #9 on den floor.
28: Wife is selected for the LDP.
29: Gas $2.799.
30: MIL's 80th birthday.

October
1: Gas $2.859.
4: Gas $2.899.
6: 103.7 KRZR changes it format from hard rock to dance music.
8: Gas $2.959.
8: Scorpion kill #10 on the living room wall.
12: Gas $2.999.
13: 3 years at our home.
14: 1,000,000th pushup at 5:19 a.m.
14: Scorpion kill #11 on our bedroom ceiling.
21: JayMi involved in yet another accident. Her "new" car totaled.
29: My wife's last day at "Mad Era."
30: Autumnal storm brings snow to the 4,000 foot level.
31: My SIL celebrates her first birthday in the United States.

November
1: Scorpion kill #12 on our bedroom ceiling.
1: My wife's first day of LDP.
8: Scorpion kill #13 on hallway floor.
11: My wife has all of her dental amalgams removed.
12: Purchased a new water heater, changed to Verizon, upgraded to Costco Executive Member.
13: New water heater installed.
15: Gas $3.059.
15: Scorpion kill #14 on bedroom ceiling.
17: New "pre-owned" dining room furniture delivered by the ILs. Seats six!
19: "Winter" storm cometh.
20: Changed the showerhead.
21: Snow levels at 2,000 feet.
21: We purchase 2 cords of almond wood.
23: Gas $2.999. Just before the big Thanksgiving Day travel period!
25: Got a new rice cooker and a fleece Dallas Cowboys blanket.
26: Got a Ruger .177 pellet rifle. Hello, Ruth! Also got a crock pot.
28: First confirmed kill of one of those dang ground squirrels. Head shot.
29: Got a soundbar for the television. Amplified sound!
30: Got a new Kobalt 2 1/4-ton floor jack.

December:
1: Gas $3.059.
4: Party at Pam's boss' house.
5: Purchased new furniture.
5: Spa water changed.
6: Picked up new furniture using the U-Haul.
6: Scorpion kills #15 and #16 on front porch by the water fountain.
7: Gas $3.099.
8: Amalgam free! Plus, a new ceramic crown to replace the gold!
11: Black widow kills #2 and #3. Hidden underneath fountain.
12: Silpada party. Nobody showed but us. Not even my ILs.
14: Gas $3.129.
18: The Claim Jumper restaurant in Fresno is shuttered. Damn!
23: Gas $3.159.
24: Caulked the shower stall.
27: Scorpion kill #17 on bathroom floor.
29: Purchased a new electric blanket since we gave ours away to JayMi.
31: No fast food for the entire year. No McDonald's, Wendy's, Carl's Jr., etc.
31: Weight 215.
31: Had fun.
31: No cold or flu for the second year in a row.

Pushups: 110,100 / 1,015,300
Crunch: 104,800 / 1,354,540
Pullups: 1,970 / 27,695
Vertical knee raises: 4,460 / 14,200
Miles: 325.43 / 121:11:40

Our 2010 resolution: Have fun. We definitely had fun.

Our New Year's resolution for 2011?

Have fun...and still eliminate the white spaces on our weekend calendar!


What happened in 2010.

SUPERSIZE NOT

As an "experiment" I vowed not to eat at any fastfood restaurants for 2010. No In-N-Out (my wife's favorite), Carl's Jr., Wendy's, Burger King, McDonald's, Chick-Fil-A, KFC (definite no-no).

Imagine a whole year without.

I did it. We did it.

AMALGAM FREE

Amalgam free. No more mercury in my system.

Plus, a new ceramic crown to replace the gold one I had back in September 2008.

GOLIATH VS. DAVID

David wins again!

Goliath...

One-hundred twenty gallons...yes, 120 gallons!














It was definitely a lot "worse" than it looked.























The grey box was the timer for the solar panels.























Ugly, definitely ugly. Definitely not the Pillsbury Dough Boy.























David...

Fifty gallons.























Professional job (well, sort of)!
























We purchased our new 50-gallon at Lowe's along with the 10% military discount on Saturday, November 12. Add in the hardware and we were set to change our lives once more in our home.

The best thing was that there were no "additional" drives to the hardware store to get "this" or get "that." That was a major first! Usually plumbing projects require "at least" two additional trips to the store...

Not this time...

Lowe's did a great job of making sure I needed all the required hardware plumbing.

I even had parts I didn't need...

RETURN!

The hardest part was extracting Goliath. I thought all of the water drained from it, but when I strapped the appliance truck, and gave a pull, it didn't budge. It took a lot of effort and maneuvering but I finally manage to get Goliath out and onto the back patio.

Once David was hooked up it was time to turn on the main water supply. Then I went and opened up the intake to fill the tank up. A little drip from the intake valve that required a tightening up, but everything else was good to go. The soldering job held up!

I set the thermostate at 120°. A couple of hours later, hot water. I called my wife, who went shopping with her mother, about the great news.

On Sunday, I applied the quake straps to finish up on David.

I then proceeded to work on Goliath knowing there was still water in him.

I laid Goliath on its side. I swung a pick axe into the bottom hoping to puncture the steel tank since I figured it was corroeded, too. Nothing. Solid. Not even a dent.

I then proceeded to remove the drain plug assembly and lifted Goliath to its upright position. All of this water came cascading out. In the water were oily opaque gelatinous globs. I have no idea what they were or where they came from. Never seen anything like it before.

No more lukewarm showers in the mornings and dishes become squeaky clean again.

There was actually steam on our bathroom mirror this morning. That's a good sign.

Yes, all is definitely good.

My wife is very happy now.

OF MEMBERSHIP, WIRELESS, & WATER HEATERS...

My wife and I went all out today. We both had the day off so we thought we would take advantage of our time together.

We head into Fresno to take care of our Costco membership. Her parents dropped us from their account. I guess in retaliation for their moving out of our humble abode. Whatever. We upgraded to Executive Membership. Hah, take that, in-laws! You can have your "Business Membership."

Next, we went to the Verizon kiosk in Costco and switched from AT&T to Verizon. Now, we will have reception in the hills and far away. AT&T did us no good, so we decided with Verizon. We are locked in for two years. Since we switched carriers, we had to get new phones as well. My wife got the Motorola DroidX and I got the LG Octane. But, honey, I wanted a Droid, too! Anyhow, we are happy.

We also purchased survival items such as bathroom tissue (aka toilet paper), paper towels, laundry detergent, turkey slices (two pounds for $11.99!, and organic olive oil (two 1.5 liters for $20.39 is a steal, too). That Executive Membeship does wonders for the ego. Let's see...two percent back for every purchase...Yep, we raked in the benefits of membership.

Next, we drive down to Lowes to purchase a 50-gallon electric water heater and some plumbing hardware.

LAST DAY

From left to right: Shanise (Operations Supervisor), my wife, Richard (security)

The "Mad Era Gang."


















All good things must come to an end...but great things continue...

Back on November 9, 2009, my wife was assigned branch manager duties for one year.

On September 28, 2010, she was notified by email from the Regional Commissioner's Office that she was accepted into the Leadership Development Program for one year effective November 1, 2010.

Today, was her last day as that branch manager.

The LDP is a challenging, rewarding and very demanding program. She will be assigned duties not only in central California, but in Woodlawn, MD, and Richmond, CA, as well. It is not a cake walk, but she knew what she was about to face.

At first, she didn't want to apply for the program since we both pondered retiring in a couple of years and that she didn't have a college degree. I reminded her that the knowledge and expertise she has amassed for over 20 years is a lot better than a college degree.

It would be impossible for me to relocate with her in Woodlawn and in Richmond, although Richmond will be a "weekender" for the both of us. Just another readjustment in our lives, but on a very positive note.

The office did a potluck and presented her with an REI card as a parting gift. Some of the employees came by her office to say their see-you-later-and-good-luck and exchange hugs.

As we took down the last of her office plaques, pictures and decorations and placed them on the box on her desk, I gave her a hug and a kiss. "Job well-done here."

I wish her all the best.

I am very proud of her.

4,730 DAYS LATER

On November 1, 1997, I decided to do pushups everyday...

I did 110...

On October 14, 2010...

4,730 days later...

999,890 pushups later...

I did my 1,000,000th...

At 5:19 a.m...

If you do the math that averages to 211 a day...

That's all?...

I interrupted my wife who was applying her makeup to witness the lifetime event...

Since we have been married, my wife has done 100 pushup and 200 pushups everyday...

The days I didn't do, neither did she...

I make a little announcement to her as I drop down to the bathroom floor and crank out just one slow pushup...

No confetti, no banners, no fanfare...

Just a kiss and a hug from my wife and...

The satisfaction knowing I did it...

There may be a few people who could do one million in a year or a million in three years...

For me, it took almost 13.

I wanted to do 100 every day...

I became "obsessed/compulsed" every morning...

Routine was 100 pushups and 200 crunches...

1997: 38,020
1998: 173,400
1999: 106,180
2000: 39,300
2001: 37,200
2002: 36,800
2003: 37,500
2004: 39,400
2005: 66,100
2006: 114,500
2007: 69,100
2008: 37,400
2009: 110,300

There was a day I didn't do any and I thought the world would end...

It didn't...

Been a few more days where I didn't do any...

Still the world didn't end...

After attaining 1,000,000 crunches on May 16, 2007, and crunching the numbers, I had a long way to go to reach my second milestone...

So, I kept at it...

On January 1, 2010, I decided that this was the year...

I have to do 94,800 to hit the "Big One."

I decided my target date was to November 1, 2010, exactly 13 years to the day...

Januaary: 9,400
February: 10,000
March: 12,700
April: 11,500
May: 9,600
June: 10,100
July: 6,500
August: 10,200
September: 10,400

Now, if I only had a dollar for each...

As for the next million?

Knowing what I now realized I have done, I am in no hurry...

One million pullups? No way.

One million bardips? No way.

One millilon vertical knee raises? Hah!

Then again, if I put my mind to it...

The following quote from Joe Tasker's book, Savage Arena, applies to mountaineering, but can also apply to this matter in particular:

"…the objective so long striven for should not, once achieved, be sufficient in itself.

It was in the nature of such objectives, and of us who sought them, that one horizon reached should lead to the next."

So life goes on for me...

One pushup, one pullup, one bardip, one vertical knee raise, one mile at a time...

As for tomorrow...

One million one, one million two, one million three...

211 a day?...

Guess I will do more and get that average up!

FOUR STATES AND 2,392 MILES LATER

Self-explanatory...


My wife standing at the entrance...























Crow sculpture.


Elk.


California Coast.


On some trail near Mt. St. Helens.


On some trail...



On some trail...

The Oregon Coast























Jonathan Livingston Seagull?





















White Feather.

Plaque on a bench on the Oregon Coast.

The best fresh seafood we have ever eaten.

Come and get it!

On the Washington side near Astoria, OR.


Johnston Observatory at Mt. St. Helens.


My wife.

Remnants of a very powerful force that snapped these pine trees like matchsticks.

Three Sisters near Bend, OR.

Mt. Hood next to the Timberline Lodge.

























August 27, 2010:

Made our way through Yosemite National Park to Lee Vining headed north to Reno and stayed the night in Susanville.

August 28, 2010:

Rain was the order of the day through the rest of California and through Oregon's Outback. We stop at La Pine State Park north of La Pine to set up camp. By then the rains had stopped. Oregon's state parks are some of the best parks in the country. In this state park, each site had an electrical hookup for RVs and a spigot. There are showers in one central location at this park with no extra charge. You can purchase a bundle of wood for $5.00. Also, the Little Deschutes River flows nearby.

August 29, 2010:

We head north to Madras before cutting across the Warm Springs Indian Reservation. We tuned into a Native American radio station and listened as we drove through the reservations. Added to the ambiance. Stopped to tour Timberline Lodge where the movie "The Shining" was filmed and get a sneak peak of Mt. Hood (11,239 feet) and then made our way to Clackamas to check into a hotel room and to have dinner at Claim Jumper. And it just so happens that REI is also in the same complex. Yes, roughing it does have its advantages.

August 30, 2010:

Drove around Clackamas and the surrounding area. We cross over into Washington. Stopped at the Mt. St. Helens Visitor Center in Silver Lake. Drove up to the Johnston Observatory. My first visit since 1989 and a lot has changed. The route used to take you to Spirit Lake. No more. It was my wife's first visit to MSH. We spend the night in Ecopark near MSH. Got a lot of flea bites. This place had a shower. Not bad for $18.00 a night. There are not fire pits. The campground does have yurts for $100.00 a night but they fill up fast through reservations.

August 31, 2010:

Broke camp and drove along Highway 4 on the Washington side of the Columbia River. It starts to rain as we near Kelso on Interstate 5. Crossed into Astoria to have lunch and to purchase some salmon steaks. Stopped to tour the Tillamook Cheese Factory. I indulge in a Tillamook Mudslide ice cream cone. We also sampled many of their cheeses. Burp! Drove further down the Oregon coast to Newport to stay at a hotel. Had dinner at Rogues along the waterfront. They brew killer IPAs: Brutal, Yellow Snow, and XS Imperial.

September 1, 2010:

Drove down the Oregon coast before deciding to stay one more night in Oregon at Harris Beach State Park just north of Brookings. Great state park to stay. We walk down to the beach to see the sunset. Doesn't get any better than that!

September 2, 2010:

We return to California and decide to go the road less traveled to Highway 1 after we reached the holy city of Leggett, CA. Twisting winding road all the way to the coast. We camp at MacKerricher State Park just north of Ft. Bragg. The next morning we realized we had been robbed by a racoon or racoons. They took off with our breakfast sausage, our hotdogs, and our SALMON STEAKS!

September 3, 2010:

Spent the night in Sacramento to go to IKEA the next day to pick up a bed for JayMi. Dinner at Islands. It is hot in Sacro!

September 4, 2010:

IKEA in West Sacramento. Note to self: Never plan a vacation trip with a stop to IKEA after having been on the road and camping. Didn't think we were going to load the entire bed accessories but we managed.

OF TROUT, TRIUMPH, AND TRAGEDY

July 25, 2010:

We arrive at Campsite 44 at Whitney Portal. Scott and Laurel were the first on the site. While pondering where to place our tents, Dave and Jane pull up.

Upon setting up camp, we walked along the upper portion of the Whitney Portal National Recreation Trail to the Portal Store to feast on the burger and fries.

After dinner, we walked in the civil twilight down the road to our campsite. After some drinks and casual conversation around the campfire, we hunkered down for the night.

July 26, 2010:

The Master Chefs
















Before our hike up to Lone Pine Lake for some quick acclimatization and some flyfishing, we all pitched in to help prepare breakfast. Dave and Jane provided the Brunton stove to prepare our campside cuisine.

Bruin break in attempt.

















I went back to our truck and noticed two pawprints on the shell. One on each handle. I mistakenly left the tackle box in the shell. Fortunately, the bear did no damage. We did find bear scat near our campsite.

We hike up to Lone Pine Lake and I flyfished for the very first time. Dave showed me the proper techniques and then I showed my wife what I learned. Landed two rainbow and released them back into the lake.

After returning to camp, my wife and I headed down to Lone Pine to grab a shower at the Whitney Hostel.

On the drive down, there was a lot of smoke. At first, I thought it was just from the campfires. Once in Lone Pine and looking west, the smoke was coming from a wildfire to the south and to the north. We had no idea where the fires were located.

We arrive at the hostel and went to the counter to pay for the showers. The shower costs $5.00 per person and includes a private stall, soap, towels, and plenty of hot water.

All of us later hook up at the Pizza Factory for a carbo dinner and then head back to our campsite.

July 27, 2010:

This day was set aside especially for the infamous breakfast at the Whitney Portal Store. My wife and I waited for two years for this moment!


Before the feast...

Jane and Mt. Pancake.

The "Breakf(e)ast."

















My wife and I ordered the "KSO" (Kitchen Sink Order) of pancake, three patty sausages, three eggs, hashbrowns, and coffee. Do note the packages of syrup on the table. Caveat: you can go through a lot of syrup with these pancakes.


After the feast...

















Show us the way back to our campsite. Note: There was still a lot of pancake left over.

After having breakfast with our friends, we decided to head north to continue on with our vacation. Upon reaching Independence, CA, my wife call to check on the status of Uncle H., who was gravely ill before our vacation start.

We decided to turn around and drive down to Escondido.


July 28, 2010:

We head towards Lee Vining from Escondido. As we pass through Lone Pine, our thoughts turned to our friends wondering where they were on the trail. There were some cumulus cloud formations, but were of no major concern.


l to r: Scott, Laurel, Jane, Dave. Scott and Laurel hiked to the top for the first time!























The following is an excerpt of Dave's trip report of July 28, 2010:

... boots to trail at 2:40 a.m., summitted just after 11:00 a.m., departed the top at noon, and arrived at the Store around 6:30 p.m. (we all took a 45 minute break/nap at Trail Camp on the way down).

Laurel and Scott really enjoyed the cool and breezy pre-dawn portion of the hike. Introduced them to Lawrence Murphy Rock. The almost-full moon shepherded us up the trail until it set just after sunrise. Tried to keep the BruinDave trail blather to a minimum -- but did succeed in getting a "bee-double-eee-double-arrrr-you-enn, BEER RUN!" into the mix a few times. Laurel and Scott were even singing it together on the way down.

I've decided that if/when I do this hike as an overnighter up the MT sometime, I'd like to camp at one of the 5-6 pads located above Mirror Lake (i.e., just before "The Last Tree"). Water is nearby, you're somewhat away from foot traffic, arguably high enough to be above the bugs, and within easy striking distance for a summit push.

On the way up, it was very cold and windy from just above Mirror Lake all the way to our food/rest break at Trail Camp. Stevie Ray Vaughn and I had a wonderful time on the switchers, where it also warmed up again. Then, at Trail Crest, very cold again with yet another clothing adjustment. Left thumb and right index finger went numb despite trying to keep them constantly moving with the trekking poles. The spring at #23 was flowing very well. Had a beautifully chubby marmot serve as the welcome wagon at Trail Crest, as he was fearlessly peering out from the wall on the righthand side as we approached mere feet from his "go ahead ... try me" face. Jane took some very close photos, which did not require a zoom at all.

It turns out that I didn't eat right on the way up, as I bonked just past the final Needle. Completely outta gas. After a couple packets of HoneyStingers and a healthy swig of the Cytomax, I was good to go in a matter of minutes. Felt stupid not monitoring my fuel needs better, though. The summit was full as usual, with a couple of large guided groups of 8-9 hikers. The weather was good with a few high clouds. Nothing like the weather you, Pam and I had two years ago. In the afternoon dark clouds appeared and sailed by without a single rumble of thunder.

Plenty of photos to follow.

The "Danuuuuuu!!" bellow on this hike occurred above the Portal on the way down, as it was my call to Jane to let her know we were all fine and only +/- 15 minutes from finishing the last loooong switchback and walking through the Portal gates. As usual, Jane descended much quicker than the rest of us, and I was sweeping from the back ... also, as was the case on our first summit together, I had a TeamBruin "wagga" on my back, so I wanted to keep everyone at a safe distance and upwind. Jane got nice photos of Scott and Laurel coming through the gates. Much-appreciated burgers and beers afterwards.

Can't tell you how much we enjoyed seeing you two and spending a little time together. Not nearly enough time, though. I don't wanna let two years pass between a meet-up again! We'll firm up the details about a quick afternoon stop-by on our way down from our Half Dome hike in October, but the date will be Sunday, October 10th.

Oh, one last thing -- we had yet another bear adventure at #44. Earlier that post-hike evening at the Store, Laurel had reluctantly expressed a wish of, "You know, and maybe I shouldn't be saying this, but the only thing that would make this trip totally complete is if we see a bear!" Well, she got her wish.

Just about 9:00 p.m., as we were sitting (and falling asleep) around our final night's campfire, everyone in neighboring #43 erupted in loud yelling and frantic chasing, with flashlights flying all over the place. Apparently, a small to average-sized 150 lb. sow suddenly appeared from the shadows boldly went up to their open bear box (they were in the process of putting their pre-packed overnight backpacks in the box), grabbed one (a big 40+ lb. backpacking pack, at that!), and ran away with it across the creek. She dropped it on top of the far bank, and stood about 20' away from it. There was a very small (40 lb?) cub also nearby. The #43-ers were strategizing how to cross the creek, grab the pack, and return. Very risky and very dangerous, as this was the Perfect Storm re a possible black bear attack when you have both food and cubs involved. With everyone else on the #43 side of things and shining their lights over, one of their guys did indeed go across, launched the bag back over the creek to #43 (amazing what adrenaline will do), and safely returned. The sow then galloped downstream on the far bank to the lower area of #44, crossed back over to our side of the creek, and bleated/called to her cub for about 3-4 minutes from behind those two huge logs down where our clothesline was. The cub was seen scampering over to her from down around where the hammock was, and was reunited with momma.

But now a pissed-off momma is in #44.

Dammit.

We all immediately did a very fast re-check of our tents to make sure there weren't any scented items at all around, and resecured the premises. We all got ready for bed, and retired. I decided to go to the small bear box to retrieve my whistle from my backpack, just in case, and also put some old gum wrappers and empty HoneyStinger wrappers that were still in my pockets into the trash bag that we had stowed in the large bear box. After opening the bear box and putting the trash into the bag, I closed it up and did a standard sweep of the flashlight -- from straight over the bear box towards the creek and then to the left towards the tables where we did clean up. As the flashlight illuminated the tables I saw the sow mid-stride -- and she was only a few feet on the other side of the table (+/- 6 to 8 feet away). Holy crapoly. Yelled the loudest and angriest "GET OUTTA HERE!!!! HYAAAAAAWWWW!!!!" that I could muster before blowing the whistle as loud as possible -- which I won't again, as my ears were ringing for about 10 minutes afterwards. Anyway, she turned tail and ran back down the hill towards the RocketShip shower.

I can only think she was curious about and intended to get into the two cooler-looking plastic gear boxes that I had stacked between the bear box and pine tree. So, with that, I jammed each and every item of those two gear boxes into the large bear box and then laid to two now-empty plastic gear boxes on their sides down the hill. She could then check them out sometime during the middle of the night to confirm they were empty and food-free.

Despite the excitement, we all slept very well that night.

What a night, what a hike, and what a great trip up there.





We secure Campsite 16 at Moraine Campground. Great location with Lee Vining Creek flowing nearby.


July 29, 2010:

I reel in my very first freshwater fish, a rainbow trout, out of Lee Vining Creek, using a standard Shakespeare rod and Power Bait. My wife catches eight while I "reeled" four (two got away). Ten fish for the day ain't that bad. Two of the biggest were wrapped in aluminum foil with garlic and lemon. It was fun. The flyfishing wasn't successful. Maybe better on an alpine lake somewhere in the Sierra Nevada.

Ten is the limit!

I was just told I had to gut all of them.

It tasted as great as it looked.




















July 30, 2010:

We break camp and head home.

From l to r: Uncle H, my FIL, Uncle T


















Later in the day, my wife received a phone call about Uncle H.

Uncle H, my wife's beloved uncle and older brother of my FIL, passed away while surrounded by family, after battling a long illness. He was 78 years "young." He was a gifted musician and artist and had the biggest heart of any person I have ever known. He was also an amateur radio operator. He will be missed by all in the family.

We love you, Uncle H.

Harry Paul, 78, passed away on Friday, July 30, 2010 at his Vista home. Harry was born on February 25, 1932 in Bayside, Long Island, NY. He grew up in New York and moved to Kansas City at the age of 16, before finding his way as a young man to North San Diego County, where he has lived since. Harry served in the Army during the Korean Conflict and also in the Coast Guard Auxiliary. Harry was a self-taught musician who was known throughout San Diego County for playing piano in nightclubs, restaurants, and at weddings and other gatherings. A gifted artist and painter Harry was also a ham radio operator who was a member of the Escondido Amateur Radio Society. He was also a member of the VFW Post #3795, American Legion Post #149 and the Disabled American Veterans Chapter 70. Harry will be remembered as a kind hearted and generous person who possessed a beautiful soul. He enjoyed making people happy and loved to make them laugh. Harry treated and loved everyone the same no matter your place in his life. He is survived by his daughters, Christina and Nikki, both of Vista; grandson, Jaden of Vista; sisters, Dena of Northridge, CA and Sue of Eureka Springs, AR; brothers, Joe and Tommy of Oakhurst, CA; and numerous nieces, nephews and friends. A graveside service will be held at 2:00 P.M. on Tuesday, August 3, 2010 at Oak Hill Memorial Park in Escondido.

l to r: My FIL and Uncle H in a very old photo.

GOING, GOING, GONE...

Ken and I

Gary and Ken














I saw my best friend, Ken, before he left California for good.

He and another good friend of mine, Gary, drove up from Visalia. I was help cleaning my IL's new place. It was best we met "half way." I had invited Ken to spend time up at our house, but he was on a tight schedule to leave and see his aunt in Sacramento before driving east.

We mutually agreed upon the Elbow Room in Fresno to blow the froth off a couple before saying our "see-you-laters." It was great seeing the two for the first time in over 3 years.

It was frickin' hot on the patio with the misters going, so we decided to head indoors to the comfort of air conditioning and television. The Cubs-Dodgers game was on and good ole Kenny wanted to switch it to the Golf Channel. He got his wish.

I called my wife to have Ken speak to her for a couple of minutes.

It was time to go. Luckily I had brought my camera to take pictures. It was unfortunate we couldn't find anyone in the parking lot to take a picture of all three of us.

We shook hands. I could see tears starting to well up in Kenny's eyes. After living in California since 1962 and working at the same place for 32 years and retiring, making a lot of friends, and then packing up and moving out for the final time, I guess it can become quite emotional.

So where are the Fugowhee? We are now disbanded to the winds of change. Bob and Jayne, and Gary and his wife live in Orange County. We live in the Sierra Nevada foothills. Ken will live in Fredericksburg, Virginia. There are other members of Team Fugowhee, but their names are forgotten and there has been no direct communication from any of them.

The miles separate us, but the emails keeps us close. I never did get an email address for Ken, but I imagine after he settles down in his new place in Fredericksburg, those emails from him will pour in.

Ken invited my wife and I to stay with him back East when we visit. We look forward to that trip to the East Coast sometime next year in the fall.

Time to breeeeeeeed!














Safe journey, my friend. You will be missed.

OF BASEBALL, BLACKBERRIES, BLACKHAWK, & BURRITOS

Friday, June 18, 2010

The coveted foul ball...
















Friday night, my wife and I, along with her boss and his wife, went to see the Fresno Grizzlies play host to the Reno Aces at Chukchansi Park. It was the bottom of the ninth with one out and the Grizzlies' catcher Steve Holm at the plate batting right. He fouls one off. It is coming our way in section 117 row 11, seats 3-6.

The women sitting in the next row in front of us are totally oblivious as to what is going on due to their constant "yakity yak" about this and about that. My wife and I and her boss and his wife are standing up to catch the incoming rawhide orb.

I can tell I will not be able to grab it without knocking down my wife, her boss and his wife. The ball falls in the row in front of his and hits the armrest of one chair in row 10 seat 5. The ball caroms towards me to the seat 3 in front of me. The ball is settles in its trajectory and has become lodged between the the chair and the person sitting in it. I grab it.

You're mine now!

Finally!

Now, I know I should have given the ball to the fan sitting in the chair in front of me, but only the strongest survive in this one-in-a-million chance. I grabbed it, it's mine. Even my wife tried to give me a lesson in ethics. Sorry, wifey-pooh, no way I am going to give up this ball. It is coming home with us.

Now, had it been a child sitting in the chair in front of me, I would have relinquished it without giving it a second-thought. Well...maybe...

The ball now sits in the trophy case along with other baseball memorabilia: The 2002 World Series Game 1 ticket between the Anaheim Angels and San Francisco Giants and the 2002 World Series Baseball still waiting to be autographed by Angels skipper Mike Scioscia, along with an autographed rookie card of former Los Angeles Angels (that still doesn't sound right) relief pitcher, Francisco "K-Rod" Rodriguez, who is now with the New York Mets.

Saturday, June 19, 2010

First harvest of our own blackberries. Plump indeed! Organic, too. Grown without fertilizer. Just duff (fallen oak leaves).















We planted blackberry bushes between two oak trees this time last year in an area that gets an ample amount of water due to the runoff during the winter and spring rains from the RV parking structure.

There is plenty more getting ready to ripen. By this time next year, we hope to have a bumper harvest. Whatever we harvest we throw into the freezer.














So far to date, we have harvested 2 pounds of berries!

Latest price check at Raley's in Oakhurst has organic blackberries priced at $4.99 for SIX OUNCES! Looks like a 25-count for THEIR berries. Their berries look no bigger than a nickel.

CHA-CHING!

Cobbler or crisp? Never had either! But not for long!


Sunday, June 20, 2010

My wife, FIL, BroIL, and I head out to Blackhawk Lake to fish. My wife and I get in the tandem sit-on-top kayak, while her father and brother get in the boat with electric motor.

Not a nibble. No stories of the one that got away. We purchased a Shakespeare rod and reel. I throw out the first cast. Just my luck, the line gets tangled up.

Other than that it was just a relaxing outing on the lake on Father's Day.

Later in the day it was burrito feasting time at Alfonso's Hideaway in Coarsegold. My FIL got a Freeloader Fork as a gag gift.

THOR PEAK

Summit register placed there by the person whose name appears on the cover with the elevation and the date.






















June 12, 2010

Start: 0830. Mt. Whitney Trailhead
Summit: 1430 via Mountaineer's Route and Secret Route
End: 1900. Mirror Lake, Mt. Whitney Trail, Old Stock Trail and Whitney Portal Store.
Total: 10.5 hours
Approximate distance: 12 miles (approximate).

Members: Bob R (ranger), Jay (counsel), Steve C. (computer programmer), me, and my wife.

Pre-hike meal: Biscuits and gravy at the Alabama Hills Cafe.

Post-hike meal: Fries and a cold one.

Notes:

No issues with acute mountain sickness. Not even a headache. Not bad for not acclimatizing.

Used no filter for the water. Drank straight from the source.

High Sierra Cafe: Will never eat there again. The service and food were lousy. The crowds are gone. They only accept cash.

Alabama Hills Cafe: Next to the laundromat has gone from serving pastries to cooking up some very tasty food.

Subway: If the Moose Burger at the Portal Store is too much to your tastebuds, you can head downhill to the Subway across from the grocery store.

Whitney Portal Hostel: Four bunkbeds to a room. Towels, sheets, pillows, mattress are provided. Our room did not have a television, microwave, refrigerator, iron and ironing board, and hairdryer. There was a clock radio. No closets. For $59.00 a night (not including tax), it was worth it. You can move the bunkbeds together or place the mattresses on the floor. The lobby of the hostel has items you can find at the Portal Store, except a hungry bear. You have an option of the alpenglow or the alley view. The alpenglow comes with truck traffic, the alley view comes with an alley.

Espresso Parlor: Still serves up delicious hot coffee.

La Florista: The one and only floral shop no longer exists.

Lone Pine Film History Museum: For $5.00 you get your money's worth!

The Dirty Half-Dozen.

Canyon.

Going up the switchbacks at the start of the Mountaineer's Route.

The start of the MR.

On the MR.

Long way up.

Bob contemplating his next move.

The "other" side.

Steve and Bob.

Smile.

This is fun.

Maybe we wind up there?

Getting ready for the "thicket" of things.
























More brush.
























Chainsaw not needed...yet.

























Taking a breather.























To the E-Ledges we go.























Steve and Bob.

Owens Valley.

Class 2 climbing.

That's a long way down!


"If there are no mountains in heaven, I'm not going there." -- Bob R


Steve.

Owens Valley.

Heading up.

Spectacular vistas.

Two options: You can stay to the right of the stream, or you can venture up the left of it.

We stay to the right.

A perspective.

Can you spot the other hikers?

Looking back.

Owens Valley.

Waterfall.

Steve documenting the route.
























Fantabulous.



Cascade.

Walk this way.

Thick brush up ahead.

Getting my machete.

Maybe not.

Getting closer to Lower Boy Scout Lake.

At LBSL.

So far, so good.

Tranquility.

We came from there.

Refilling our water bottles. This is the last place to get water before the summit. No filter required.

Resting.

Granite walls.

I know that mountain!

The igloo that isn't there...

Okay, now what do we do?

We are going up there somewhere.

I think we are suppose to go this way.

Lower Boy Scout Lake below.

Kickstepping.

A walk into the clouds.

Ooze.

Are we there yet?

Storm clouds moving in.

We will eventually stop up there to rest.

Awe inspiring.

Our path is up that brown strip.

Yeti?

This is fun.

Almost break time.

Mt. Whitney in the background.

Literally breathtaking.

We came up from somewhere down there.

Owens Valley and the White Mountains.

Just above tree line.

Getting ready to move out.

Mt. Whitney in the clouds just to the left.

Objective: Thor's Peak summit to the right.

Looking towards Owens Valley and the Alabama Hills and the holy city of Lone Pine.

Mt. Russell looming way in the background. Of all the California's fifteen 14ers at 14,088 feet, Mt. Russell is the hardest to climb. Mt. Carillon ( 13,552 ft.) is the peak to the right.

Getting to the summit is just "half" the fun.

Getting there eventually.

Jay resting up for the final push to the summit.

"Never grow up." -- Bob R


Getting closer to the summit.

Chilling out...literally!

Granite sentinels everywhere.

My beautiful wife with Lone Pine Peak in the background.

Bob R. signing in. He has climbed to the top of Thor Peak 80 times. Yes, 80 times! “The worst day mountaineering beats the best day fishing.”


Nice saddle.

Steve surveying below.

Upper Boy Scout Lake and Mt. Russell in the background.

Bob R., my wife, and Steve.

This is where we start going down.

Another look towards Mt. Whitney.

The way down is this way.

????

One step at a time.

Another peek at Whitney...yep, still there.

If we only had rock skis.

Mirror Lake

Mirror Lake.

Being careful not to step in bear scat. No bears were sighted.

Fresh air.

The stream crossing.

Fallen log, raging stream.

Looking down at Bighorn Park.

The trail down to Outpost Camp.

The purest water in the world percolates here at Bighorn Park.

Wotan's Throne in the upper center of the picture.

We were waaaaaay over there.

The "Sidewalk." This is a shortcut that takes you from Bighorn Park down to between the Lone Pine Lake junction and the log crossing. It saves about 3/4 of a mile.

Down the Sidewalk.

The Sidewalk looking back.

Log crossing.

The Cascades. It is here another shortcut starts.

This shortcut is known as the "Bush Growing over Boulder. " Look for a bush growing over a boulder. Stay to the left, you get down safely. Veer to the right and you are in for a very long day.

Jay.
















The following photos are compliments of Bob R. and Jay. Steve and mine to follow. There may be some duplicates but I am in the process of putting them in chronological order.

The start. The gentleman on the far left, Dave, hiked with us for only a few moments before turning back.

At the summit area.

At Lower Boy Scout Lake. This is my "obituary" picture when Bob took this.

Group photo at the summit.

At Outpost Camp Spring. Purest water in the Sierra Nevada.

Coming down. Yes, no ropes.

Coming down.

My wife lending a hand.

Having fun in scree and talus and falling rocks.

Trailhead

Into the clearing. Gearing up for Elephant Ears.

Second thoughts floweth...

My wife getting a foothold.

"Let's 'doo' that again."

Bushwhack time.

Scrambling up.

Foot by foot.

Now, the fun part begins.

Close to the start of the Eberbachers Ledges."

On the E Ledges.

E Ledges.

Finishing up E Ledges.

Well, at least Steve anyways.

Just another yard.

This ain't easy.

Bob encouraging my wife.

And away we go...

Now, where is that trail?

Oh, it's up there!

Follow me.

To the next level.

Allowing our hearts to return to our chests.

Getting easier.

Sidling.

Making our way up.

Through more brush.

Wait! I think the trail is this way!

Stream crossing.

Lower Boy Scout Lake. The water is so pure, you don't need a filter.

Me snow traversing.

My wife and I snow traversing. It was her first traverse in the snow.

Lower Boy Scout Lake waaaaay down below.

Postholing. God, I love it whenever I posthole!

Maneuvering on the scree.

More snow traversing.

A perspective.

In the middle of it all.

The summit is the last outcropping on the right. Doesn't look like it from here, but it is.

We are lost.

More scrambling.

My wife and I looking at the 99s. I kept inverting my cap to keep one side dry. Note the tag sticking out.

My wife and Whitney covered by the cloud. I love this shot.

Steve and Bob at the true summit, while I prepare to grab the summit register and my wife looks towards Whitney.

On top of the world while taking a moment to relax and take it all in.

We are halfway there. We are at the "getting down is mandatory part." During our summit stop, snow started to fall.

Mt. Whitney. Been there, done that.

Heading down.

Steep descent.

Going down.

Making our way down the talus.

Resting and taking it all in.

Here we go again.

Down, down, down. Mirror Lake is to the bottom right.

Mirror Lake above Outpost Camp.

Leaning in.

More to go.

It is here my pack prevents me from descending.

The pack comes off and I hand it to Steve.

“If religions disappeared, would wars too?”-- Bob R.

My wife retying her show after dumping out the grit in her boots. Note the reflection in Mirror Lake.

At lake level.

The log crossing at the east end.

Coming down to Bighorn Park and Outpost Camp.

The log crossing on the Main Trail.


















This picture was taken right at the start of the hike. The saddle is where Lone Pine Lake is. Weather forecase called for windy and cold conditions. Doesn't look like it here...

In the clear.

Not in the clear. I carried both ice axes. Kept getting "limbed" so I had to back up and crawl lower.

The Elephant Ear ahead. We had no idea that we were in for...

...some 3rd class climbing.

Jay heading to the little ledge.

I wanted "1st class," not "3rd class."

Steve answering his cellphone. Not really.

On the Elephant Ear. If you are acrophobic, you don't wanna do this. You can opt for the trail on the other side, but you have two stream crossings.

Almost to the start of the Ebersbacher Ledges.

Almost to the end of the Ebersbacher Ledges.

Thor's Peak dead center ahead.

Clouds coming in at the crest. We came across two female hikers. They said it was white out conditions near Upper Boy Scout Lake.

Lower Boy Scout Lake.

Steve getting water from LBSL. No filtration needed.

Bottoms up!

The "Secret Route."

Here we go a "kick steppin'."

We are heading up that way!

One misstep and I go for a slide. LBSL is down there at the upper right of the picture.

Thor's summit is so close yet so far to go.

Our rest stop will be the just beyond that brownish saddle.

Almost to the top. At this point, in order for me to take my mind off from the 1,000 feet to the summit, I started counting steps. I stop at 50, look up and recount again. Considering my wife and I didn't acclimate, we didn't suffer any acute mountain sickness...not even a headache.

The 99ers. On this day there were hikers going up the chute on either side of that spur of exposed rock on the northern flank.

Mt. Irvine and Mirror Lake.

Looking towards Trail Crest way in the back.

Clouds capping Mecca West.

Upper Boy Scout Lake.

Coming down.

Steve down the chute first...

...while we follow.

Weeeeeeeeeeeeee in the scree!

Mirror Lake below.

Descending down a dicey part.























There, almost done.

A much deserved break. "Will climb for food," says Bob R


Yes, we were up there.

The northern shore of Mirror Lake.

The "Sidewalk" from Outpost Camp down to the Lone Pine Lake junction. Notice Lone Pine Lake just to the center right of the picture.

No escalators here.

This is fun.

Doe in the distance. I was ready to protect my wife once more!

Who is that behind me? Why it's Dan! Where'd he come from?

Dan, Martha and TJ finished the Stemwinder of Thor. Stemwinder requires some rope.

Reward. That is Bob R.'s plate. My wife and I split an order of fries. They were delicious. When you are on the trail for more than 10 hours, you deserve it. As Bob R will say, "Will climb for beer."






















WHAT A GREAT DAY!

Wherever I may roam...