Ellen came down with the kids today to join in on some beach boardwalk fun. A few new rides greet them including the Double Shot, a real favorite. A little beach time is in order following many hours of spinning and zooming.
Our first attempt at a bonfire this year didn’t work out very well, but today was a perfect day. We had a great crowd and a beautiful day.
Charlotte, Paula, and Sally are off for a hike this morning down at Pogonip. The old clubhouse is quite a site.
Today is a very big day. Not only is it the start of summer vacation, but it’s also the last day for Nick at Middle School. Next year he’ll be going to High School, driving, dating, and other very scary things. The family gets dressed up for the big event. There’s plenty of milling around before the event starts. Monica and Gabe aren’t very happy about all the waiting. I’m just hoping the weather holds and it doesn’t start pouring on us. ...
There’s an award presentation ceremony at school today and Monica is racking up quite a few for herself. It’s been a good year academically and at track events. We’re awfully proud of her.
Charlotte’s off for a hike with her friends and had to try out the new camera. The Minolta Dimage we’ve been using finally reached the end of its productive life. Our new Nikon 5900 looks like it will make a great little camera for everyday use. I’m still itching for a nice Nikon D50 when the photos really count. A point and shoot camera sure is convenient, but they’re always a compromise. ...
I’ll be leaving for home tomorrow after a great trip to visit with our engineering team in Romania. Everyone has been great, and I’ve enjoyed the view from my office while I’ve been here.
Time to wander around the city to see what Cluj and Romania has to offer. My first stop is the Botanical Gardens on this very hot day. Walking in the gardens reminds me of the hikes around home, though with quite a few more people. Every city has to have a great park where you can take a break from things. Downtown is full of beautiful old buildings like the Catholic church. I missed the Orthodox church by one block unfortunately. ...
After countless hours crammed in coach seats, the day that started in San Francisco finally ends with my arrival in Cluj, Romania. I’m not thinking very straight right now since I can never sleep on the plane. A few shots from my hotel room at the lovely Hotel Transilvania, then a quick bite to eat, followed by hopefully many hours of sleep.
Charlotte and Paula discover fabled Bear Mountain in Roaring Camp during a hike in Henry Cowell. The girls are always in search of new paths through the woods, and today is no exception. Most people take the old steam train up to this spot, but not these intrepid hikers. A few shots from the observation post and then it’s back down to civilization. Back home the garden is just getting going. ...