Last year’s anniversary in Napa was so much fun, we’re heading up to the same area again this year. This time we’re off to the Sonoma valley area right next door. It’s a much smaller valley than Napa, which makes for an even nicer trip. There’s nothing as nice as a big hike after a few hours of driving. We drive up to Sugarloaf Ridge state park just north of Kenwood. After a bit of confusion with the map and ranger directions, we head up to Red Mountain. ...
There’s a very special bond between our dog and her stuffed snake. And you better not come between the two of them.
Yesterday was an awesome day in Yellowstone park for wildlife, but today we’ll be enjoying some really close encounters. The antelope are out in full force as soon as we drive into the park. Here’s a great scene showing a typical indigenous human herd that roams the park looking for great wildlife. There’s a sub-herd of photographers, and one of wolf trackers. Both work hard all day long to spread the word about these great animals. ...
Yesterday was a great day, but today is going to be a big photography day here in Yellowstone. There are a few kills around the park this morning, and this one is crawling with lots of professionals including Tom Mangelsen andPatricio Robles Gil. Mark commonly runs into a great local named Mark Miller on his trips here. It’s pretty amazing to be standing next to such big names, though my photos really didn’t work out very well. I’m really going to need that BIG telephoto and lots more practice. This wolf wandered in while everyone was waiting, grab his fill, then walked off over the hill. ...
Another great day awaits in Yellowstone after yesterday’s visit. Mark has been wanting to get a great photo of some coyotes. These two may have given him his opportunity, but yet again they are a bit too far away for my lens. We did a beautiful snowshoe excursion out to the fork of the Yellowstone and Lamar rivers and spotted some fresh wolf tracks. I got my first nice closeup of a raven that waited patiently for any scraps we might accidently leave from our lunch. ...
Yesterday was a great day in Yellowstone, and today we’re off for another day of driving and photography. We pass our first big herd of elk on our way over to Mammoth. Sure wish I had the big telephoto. The cascading hot spring terraces pose for some nice photos. This is part of the lower terraces area. Here’s a nice hot spring cone formation called Liberty Cap. They call these travertine deposits. ...
I’m joining Matt, Mark, and Emily on their trip to Yellowstone this winter. I haven’t been here since a backpacking trip to the Grand Tetons and Yellowstone with Charlotte many years ago. Charlotte visited with the kids on their last drive to Michigan, so now it’s my turn. We flew into Bozeman and then drove down to the hotel in Gardiner. It’s a bit gray out this morning, but I’m looking forward to my first day in the park. ...
The prologue stage in Sacramento was pretty awesome, but today the race is coming to Santa Cruz! I’m pretty torn about seeing the race on the climb up Bonny Doon, but the local Peloton Club was a great way to support and get involved with the race locally. So it’s off to downtown to enjoy the finish along with a ton of other people. The local bike fair was a nice change from the usual walk downtown. If only it was always like this. ...
The most awesome professional road bicycling race in the USA takes place right here in California every year. It’s the Amgen Tour of California, and I’m especially jazzed this year since my friend Matt has worked so hard for many years to bring a stage right here to Santa Cruz, and this year is when he’s finally done it. Charlotte caught the racing bug with all the excitement and suggested we head to Sacramento to watch the opening prologue, what a great idea! ...
The Acura has been a great car, but I’m ready for something a bit more sporty. The M3 was awfully tempting, but I am loving the new BMW 328i coupe. Now I just have to spend a few months figuring out everything this complicated machine can do.