Whiting Ranch Hike with Grandsons Dylan and Bennett

Dylan, Bennett and I took a little hike in Whiting Ranch in March.

We heard a swarm of bees, saw little streams, but missed the deer we have seen before.  Each trip is a little adventure.

 Stopping by the trail side stream to launch little sticks as boats.

 Walking under the tree-bridge.

 Stopping for a snack. Dylan peels a "cutie" orange.

 

Bennett munches a cookie.

 Dylan and Bennett with the Junior Ranger badges

they received from the nice Park Ranger we met along the way.

 Back at the sculpture wall--at the end of the trail.

Time to go see Grandma Robyn and get cleaned up.

Austin's UCLA Medical School Graduation May 31, 2013

Congratulations to Austin and Rachel, on Austin's graduation from UCLA Medical School.

This was an exciting and proud day for me--I made sure we were all there plenty early, navigating through hours of clogged Westside LA Freeway traffic.

The graduation ceremony was held at an outdoor venue on campus;

some baking in the sun preceded the processional pomp. 

 Austin and Rachel after the ceremony.

 Christian and Katie brought Bennett and Dylan.

Bennett is especially attached to Rachel, and asks about her all the time.

 Grandpa Steve and Grandma Marion came with us.

Marion still recovering from a surgery but never complaining!.

 Lots of picture taking after the ceremony.

Rachel's family was there in force, Brian on the left in this shot.

 Austin on the podium, receiving his diploma and graduate degree hood.

Afterwards, we  Austin and Rachel put on a great party, held at the cultural hall in the UCLA ward building.  Greg and Jillair, Clark and Jill, Lindsey and Brandon, were all there; also many of Austin and Rachel's friends came from near and far.

Love and congratulations to Austin and Rachel.

Hi Sierras with Austin--Backpacking Trip May 23-25, 2013

Austin and I had a memorable adventure in the High Sierras, hiking the Jenny Lake Loop in Sequoia National Forest/National Monument over the Memorial Day Weekend.

 

Loading up in the driveway, early Thursday morning.

Thanks to Grandpa Steve and Grandma Marion for letting us borrow their 4-Runner

 

 After a long drive, through awesome Dinuba, CA, where we stopped at the Walmart for fishing licenses and gear, we arrived at Fox Meadows Trailhead, near Big Meadows in Sequoia National Forest

 

 Loading our backpacks

 Pointing to our trip location:

Jenny Lakes Wilderness

3 days hiking, 2 nights camped at lakes

 First night's camp: Weaver Lake

Austin's fist pump!

No luck fishing tonight.

 Nice camp set up.

We made a nifty campfire and told stories late into the night.

It was cold: temp dropped to the low 30s.

Tent was way too small: I couldn't stretch out my legs!

 On the trail Friday, Day 2.

Killer hike: 9 miles, seemed like 19

We dropped down one canyon 500+ feet, then hiked back out, and up/over a pass.

 Checking the map along  the trail. 

Are we there yet?

We chatted with one hiker who was separated from his group, w/o a map--

saved him from going 10 miles the wrong direction!

Along the trail, early in the day because I still have the strength to smile.

Notice Austin's reflection in my sunglasses.

 Taking a break.

 Thursday, "lunchtime" at 330 pm.

Austin spotted this funny looking log along the trail.

We were hiking, from 1030 am to 6:00 pm when we eventually reached Jenny Lake.

Seldom have I been so exhausted.

Austin kept me encouraged and set a great pace.

We had lots of time to talk about everything.

Saturday morning at Jenny Lake:

 Austin catches our breakfast after just 10 minutes.

A nice rainbow trout.

Before Austin cleaned the fish.

 Baking our fish in the coals.

 Enjoying the morning campfire.

 Austin enjoying his freshly cooked trout breakfast.

 Saturday afternoon, after our hike out. Austin signs the register: GREAT HIKE.

Saturday was easier, mostly downhill and a lot shorter!

Austin said: "Do a fist pump, Dad! Show everyone you still have some energy left!

Austin and I had an Epic Hike!

The only thing that would have made it better is if more of "the brothers" could have come!

Recent Doings March 2013

Feb. 23--Visit to Ventura, CA with Austin and Rachel to hear the band Marley's Ghost.

On the way, we stopped to see the beautiful campus of the California State University--Channel Islands.  Its located on the grounds of the old Camarillo State Mental Hospital, where Grandpa Steve worked briefly in the late 1940's. Read Grandpa Steve's My Personal History, pp. 36-40, etc., for his description of working and living there as an aide, walking in the hills, and the extraordinary efforts he went to to "help" a patient leave the facility!

Feb. 22--Birthday party for our friend Karen Jackson

Not shown: Clark Jackson and many friends from the Ward.

Feb 24-Visit to Austin and Rachel's ward

 We had a lot of fun attending the UCLA Ward with Austin and Rachel.

Many people told us how special they are!

We took time to visit the adjacent LA Temple Visitors Center, where we say the traveling exhibit "How Great the Love"--original oil paintings by Heather Robinson Teran's cousin Annie Henrie.

The sister missionaries started to show us around, and Robyn kind of took over like a tour guide, telling them about Annie Henrie.

March 1-3 Visit to See Ryan at Provo BYU

 Ryan took us to Session 22, a restaurant in Downtown Provo Historic District, on Center Street, where they have a whole wall of soft drinks to choose from.

My choice, below, is obvious:

Yukking it up.

 I got lost in Super Target at Orem following Robyn and Ryan around,

as we stocked up his supply of student junk food.

 Robyn, Grandma Joyce, and Ryan

We had a nice time visiting with Joyce.

Aunt Lisa flew in from New York, bringing in fresh bagels for our family party.

Here we are, saying goodbye, as we drove Ryan back to BYU, Provo.

 Ryan and two of his excellent roommates at the King Henry Apartments in Provo.

I'm getting back to learning the guitar, after a bout of "overuse" tendinitis in my left hand.

This has slowed down my guitar playing and gym activities-but only temporarily!

Happy Valentine's Day 2013

Valentine's Day Surprise

Robyn surprised me with a HUGE bouquet of balloons,

a bag of gourmet chocolates, and a homemade card.

Plus this poem:

To My Dear and Loving Husband

If ever two were one, then surely we.
If ever man were lov'd by wife, then thee.
If ever wife was happy in a man,
Compare with me, ye women, if you can.
I prize thy love more than whole Mines of gold,
Or all the riches that the East doth hold.
My love is such that Rivers cannot quench,
Nor ought but love from thee give recompense.
Thy love is such I can in no way repay;
The heavens reward thee manifold I pray.
Then while we live, in love lets so persever,
That when we live no more, we may live ever.

Anne Bradstreet (1612-72)
See link. 


Thanks for your love, Robyn!
I love good poetry, and Anne Bradstreet is found in many anthologies.

Wikipedia: "Anne Bradstreet (born Anne Dudley; c. 1612 – September 16, 1672) was the first poet and first female writer in the British North American colonies to be published. Her first volume of poetry was The Tenth Muse Lately Sprung Up in America, published in 1650. It was met with a positive reception in both the Old World and New World."

Nix Nature Center Hike 2/2/2013

We enjoyed a Saturday afternoon hike at the Nix Nature Center.

From Top to Bottom:

Robyn

Bennett

Christian

Dylan

The map from the Nature Center wasn't to scale--

So it took us longer than we thought to get to the top of Little Sycamore Trail--where it meets Serrano Ridge Trail.  Nice view, but lost on the kids.

Hence the frowny face from Dylan.

Fortunately the trip down went much faster!

Ryan is off to BYU

Ryan is off to BYU on a new adventure, for Winter term 2013.

 All bags are packed.

Notice the Guitar case and Ukulele box.

Everything fit in Dylan Lamb's car.

And they're off to BYU Provo.

Friday, January 5, 2013