2006

Unfortunately I missed out on Gabe’s birthday party this year since I was on our Tour of King City bike ride. While I pounded back the miles for three days, Gabe’s friends started by enjoying some pizza. Of course I’ll be back by the time his real birthday arrives. Charlotte picked up one of those helium balloon kits, and it sure was a big hit. Now the balloons and kids move into Gabe’s room for some out of control play. Gabe is so funny how he hangs back and avoids the rough stuff. ...

My friend George put together a three day bike ride that started in Watsonville, headed down to Carmel, then over the mountains to King City, and then finally back through Hollister returning home. Tony and Jeff made up the rest of our tiny peloton, with Erik saving the day with ride support. Our first day was a beautiful ride along the coast and then out to Carmel Village. The next morning was a bit wet and windy, but it calmed down quite a bit by the time we got rolling. The hot tub last night really helped prepare everyone for another long day of riding. ...

Charlotte and I managed to talk the kids into joining us for a hike out in Felton for our anniversary. It’s a great day and I knew the route would be loads of fun for them. Gabe particularly enjoyed the sandy trenches as expected Still very happily married after 18 years! Whereas Gabe looks like the long hike is making him a bit tired. We stop at the top of Bear Mountain to check out the Roaring Camp train. ...

Wearing green for St. Patrick’s day wasn’t enough for Monica, she also needed to dress up poor Abby. The humiliation this poor animal must repeatedly endure.

We had a nasty storm blow through last night that included booming thunder, lightning, and a load of hail. This morning we were greeted to a wintery scene the likes of which I’ve never seen in all the years I’ve been here. Of course this all looks like loads of fun to the kids. Only children that live in Santa Cruz think it’s novel to go down a slide or jump on a trampoline that’s covered in ice. ...

Monica and Mackenzie are over at Sarah’s house to make a little trouble. First they help in loading up Sarah’s new iPod. Mackenzie then shows the Japanese writing she recalled from a recent dream. Surprisingly, it means absolutely nothing. Their next great idea was to build a marshmallow man in effigy of a substitute teacher they aren’t too fond of. I think they may be the first to practice marshmallow voodoo. ...

Charlotte and Paula are off to a new location for one of their famous long walks. This time they’re out at Nisene Marks down in Aptos rather than the usual Scotts Valley and Felton spots. I think they got carried away given the four hours they were gone and the sixteen miles they covered. Looks like they had plenty of fun.

I head out to the east hills of San Jose today for Stage 2 of the Tour of California. It is such a treat to have a real professional stage race right in my own backyard. Of course it would have been even better if they went through Santa Cruz, maybe next year. I parked at the base of Sierra Road where a big flock of turkeys greeted me. Hope there isn’t a message in this coincidence. ...

Daisy is most definitely an outside cat. She typically gives everyone a wide berth, but it’s been a bit cold outside and she’s been meowing lately to get inside. Gabe is more than happy to love her up if he gets the chance. They both seem very happy with the arrangement.

This week Charlotte and Valri are taking Gordon over the hill to visit the San Jose Museum of Art. Charlotte really loves this little museum and their always eclectic collection of modern art.