David Multer

Charlotte and I are headed up to Santa Rosa to do Levi’s Gran Fondo ride tomorrow. First we need to get through San Francisco. Then there are a few cool sites while we make our way through Marin. There sure is a ton of traffic around here. A few interesting shots now that we’ve made it to Santa Rosa. They’re just starting to set things up for tomorrow’s expo while I wait in line for my registration. Looks like local framebuilder Calfee is getting his stuff together. I think this is the closest I will get to actually riding with Levi unfortunately. ...

Charlotte and Gordon have finished up closing everything for the winter. One last walk around the camp before heading out to California tomorrow. Charlotte missed the fall peak, but it’s not so bad anyway. There’s time for one last visit with Betty in Rabbit Bay as well Then a trip to Cyndi’s Jam Shop in Bootjack for some sweets to take back home followed by a drive out to Calumet and Tamarac Waterworks. ...

Sunsets like this just make me wish I was up in Bootjack with Charlotte.

Charlotte is in Bootjack to help Gordon close things down for the winter before he heads back to Capitola for another winter with us. The sunsets are great any time of year on Portage Lake. George and his buddies are up north for some fishing, hunting, and good times in general. I heard from Charlotte that the stories were hilarious.

This weekend we’re moving Nick into his apartment and new life at Cal Poly. It’s still hard to believe that this day has actually arrived, but I’m excited for Nick to start this stage of his life. I have to say I never had a view like this from my freshman college dorms. Pretty sweet. His apartment has four private rooms, a shared living room, and kitchen. As if it wasn’t good enough, one of his roommates brought a big flat panel TV. ...

I’m in Chicago for a couple of days for the Agile Alliance Agile2009 conference. It’s also a great excuse to hook up with my brother as he lives pretty close to downtown. We spent a bunch of time wandering around Millennium Park enjoying the sculptures, fountains, and other sights. Then it’s over to Grant Park to enjoy the Buckingham fountain. We then wandered over to the Agora sculpture before grabbing the bus back to Scott’s house. ...

The long drive continues through Oregon and makes its way into Crater Lake National Park. Awesome views, but unfortunately a very hazy day that prevents these photos from doing this amazing place justice. I miss my girls! A few more shots around the crater. Then it’s time for more broken down old cool buildings. And of course a good size fire. The haze continues to be a problem as they head past Mt. Shasta. Soon they’ll be home and I will be a very happy man. ...

A quick trip through Spokane, Washington before spending the whole day traveling through Oregon. The aliens have landed! Looks like the wind is really blowing over the Columbia River. Monica is such a llama lover, though it’s hard to deny the appeal of these incredibly adorable creatures. Then of course there’s the spectacular shoe tree in Shaniko, Oregon. Yet another favorite of Monica’s. Then it’s into the Newberry National Volcanic Monument. Charlotte told me this was one of her favorite places during the trip. ...

Charlotte and Monica continue their long trek home through Montana. Your eyes aren’t fooling you, that derelict wooden building really is slanted that way. And yes that is a giant penguin. This has to take the cake as the most disgusting wildlife photo I may have ever seen. This bear was gorging itself on dead horse remains along the side of the road. I think I’m going to hurl. ...

The trek continues for the girls as they travel across North Dakota. Some interesting sculptures along the way through endless fields. Looks like a visit to Theodore Roosevelt National Park is in order. Gracie has her leash on, though I suspect Monica is actually making a statement in defiance of the rules. The prairie dogs are totally adorable. Onward through North Dakota, with no time to stop at Home On The Range. ...