Yesterday we got to Kings Canyon too late for any hiking, but this morning we’re heading out to Cedar Grove and the hike up to Mist Falls. Now this is one big descent down into the canyon. With a few very pretty little flowers along the way. The Kings River is really rolling like crazy. We don’t stop at Boyden Cave, but we do make a quick stop at Grizzly Falls. ...

Charlotte, Monica, and I are on the road to Sequoia & Kings Canyon for some hiking in the Sierra. We couldn’t talk Gabe and Nick into it, so it’s kind of a girl’s weekend with me along as the third wheel. It’s going to be awesome! A freakin big tree welcomes us to the park after not too long a drive from Santa Cruz. It’s very cool to walk in a redwood forest filled with Sequoia’s instead of the usual coastal redwoods. ...

Tonight is the SVHS senior awards event. It’s a bit of a mystery as to why we received an invitation, as we don’t know what his awards will be. It turns out to be a great event honoring all the seniors that stood out through academics, community service, and athletics. It’s great to see these exceptional students recognized for all their years of hard work. Nice job Nick! It’s also good to see a bunch of Monica’s friends helping out at the event. ...

It’s nearly the end of the school year, and tonight is awards night for all grades at Scotts Valley High School (SVHS). Nick, and especially Monica, are pretty much friends with everyone here tonight. Nick grabs his award and runs. Monica looks jazzed. And the girly grabs a record busting two awards.

Gabe’s previous track meets were practice for the real thing today. He’s had plenty of opportunity to get used to throwing the 1.6kg discus, though he really was looking forward to breaking the area record for the 1kg discus. Now he’s got a new goal to keep him motivated. Today he got first with 67 feet and is aiming for the record next year. His cousin and constant companion Doug is looking good out there too. ...

Lynda and I are off for a hike out near Lancaster this morning, before I head back to California. It’s been a great visit and I’m sorry to go, but this is a nice way to spend the day before a long flight. The Middle Creek wildlife area is a bit of a trip, but I see why Lynda enjoys making the drive out here regularly.

I decided at the last minute to grab a flight out to Philadelphia to surprise my sister Lynda for her birthday. It’s also a great chance to see my mom for Mother’s day as well. An added bonus was an opportunity to join in for the big disco party Lynda has been planning for some time. Let’s just say it was a little bit funky. The dance floor was a mirrored ball, flashing, colored light spectacle from some other planet. The fog machine was also a nice touch. ...

A family of quail has been very active around the house lately. Either you hear them chirping like mad in alarm, or the male is on a perch above his family watching for trouble. Today he’s on the back deck posing for me.

Time to head north to sand dune beach for lunch and fun in the sand. Nick enjoys a walk along the rocks by himself. Gracie is our little ball fetching cowgirl doggie. The wind is blowing and the gulls are soaring. While Monica shows me her killer kung fu. Run for cover, it’s an attack helicopter! Gabe and Gracie head for the same rocks a little while later. I missed the shot of Gracie way out by Gabe. ...

This year is the seventh running of the most excellent SVEF Mt Charlie Challenge. I’ve been doing it every year, even before the current route up Mt Charlie. It’s always a ton of fun for me and for Charlotte, though she puts in a ridiculous amount of time to pull the event off. Charlotte, Paula, and Sally really anchor the whole effort, and it’s always worth a big thank you to them for making this the best fundraising event for SVEF for the past seven years. ...