Mom and Norm Visit

During Quinn's spring break during March, Grandma Pat and Grandpa Norm came down from Sacramento to babysit so Scott and Wendy wouldn't have to take time off work. We had a GREAT time hanging out. Quinn went to the zoo, Legoland, and spent lots of time playing at the local parks. We even had an Easter egg hunt. One of our best adventures, though, was going over to Palm Canyon for a hike among the wild flowers.

We started off with a picnic lunch and then headed up the trail.

The ocotillo (below) were blooming... As were the beavertail cactus (above) and the barrel cactus (below)

Although the weather report predicted temps in the 60s and 70s it actually turned into a 90 degree day. Whew!

Quinn made it 2/3s of the way up the trail and then we decided to send him back to cool down and rest. Grandma and Grandpa kept going...

At the top of the trail is a palm oasis with a waterfall. A breath of cool green in the desert.

Then we had to stop at Julian on the was home for some pie and ice cream. Life is good.

Cuyamaca Rancho

A late winter camping trip in the mountains of east San Diego County. We were joined by our friends Odie and Suzanne. Other friends, the Family Martin, could not make it due to last minute responsibilities (next time!). It was typical late winter camping; beautiful days and freezing nights. Odie and Suzanne brought a great fish taco dinner. Thanks guys! Let' do it again soon. Perhaps less driving around next time?

Cuyamaca was devastated by the Cedar Fire in 2003. This area used to be heavily forested. Now, most of the trees are dead skeletons. The view of Stonewall Mountain is more clear now, however.

The understory is making a brisk revival. Wendy thinks the dominant understory shrub is Palo Verde.

On Sunday we made a long and arduous trek to Borrego Springs to view the wildflowers. We were probably about a week early...but were not entirely skunked. This field of wildflowers was on the north end of the Town of Borrego Springs. Just on the edge of the State Park. By the time we got there the wind was absolutely howling. This was a preview of the night to come.

That night we were awakened by a windstorm that bent and swayed our little tent until finally one of the pegs came out of the ground. Scott got up and reset the tent peg, but eventually, the wind knocked the whole thing over and tore a hole in our rain fly. On the way down, we saw the trucks being held up by the CHP for the high wind advisory.

Some hike pictures:

Tattoo Me

So, as some of you may know, I have been threatening to get a tattoo for quite some time. I have always put it off, because you have to stay out of the water (no surfing) for so long; at least two weeks. If you have anything that requires multiple sessions, it could keep you out of the water for 6-8 weeks. Well guess what? I can't surf until May or so, because of my pectoralis injury, so I am getting inked up. I had my first session today. The tattoo is of kelp (Macrocystis pyrifera). Those of you who know Wendy and I well, know that our early courtship was in the kelp. Cooper from Guru Tattoo managed to make my vague aesthetic descriptions into a real design concept. I am really stoked. I have had this idea for a long time. Cooper made it happen. Posted pictures are only of initial outline. Extensive fill-in is to follow. I will update in two weeks.

San Diego Snow

Strange as it may seem, there are mountains within a short drive that often receive snow when a cold storm blows through. On President's day we drove up to Mt Laguna to catch the remnant's of the previous Thursday's snowstorm.

After a hearty breakfast (Quinn ate 2 HUGE apple pancakes) we arrived at the same campground where we had adventured last August (http://wendyscottandquinn.blogspot.com/2007/08/mountain-climbing.html). Quite a difference! Although the snow was melting quickly on the warm day, we found a little hillside to slide down and some drifts to make into a snow troll and throw at each other. Fun fun.

Then a volunteer patrol came by and Quinn got sworn in as a jr ranger - Do you promise to protect the forest? Yeah!!

Next time we'll get out to the snow earlier after a weather event and have less mud mixed in with our snow fun.

Grandparents Visit San Diego: Mission San Diego de Alcala and Whale Watching

Grandpa Lee and Grandma Jean came for a quick visit this month. Quinn is so lucky to have so many great people that care about him. He is very fond of all of his grandparents. When Dad and Jean were away at their hotel room, he wanted to go see them. On Saturday, we went to the San Diego Mission de Alcala. On Sunday we went whale watching. In between, we had some nice meals and drank wine and talked quite a bit. Very nice for them to visit.

Here are some pictures:

Jean, Dad and Quinn on the couch goofing around:

Dad in profile:

Jean, Dad and Scott out in front of the Mission:

Facade of Mission San Diego de Alcala:

Fountain on the grounds of the Mission:

Everybody loves Francis:

Group shot of Scott, Jean, Wendy, Quinn and Dad on the Mission grounds:

Sunday on the Adventure Hornblower, a whale watching vessel:

A blast from the past: the New Horizon, I spent many days on board, doing CalCOFI cruises.

Whale tails:

Pretty sailboat: