Da Count, Hiking & Job Status… Monday, Jul 27 2009

Since I missed blogging Friday I have to add in a Da Count because I have been in a little bit of a rough spot and it’s those close to me that have offered their support that keep me going. After losing the job it was my friends and family that really helped me keep my chin up and they didn’t allow me to get sucked into the void of the “poor me pity party” that could have occurred. So to those that really stood up and helped me with words of encouragement, acknowledgment of actions and behavior, thank you. It’s your support and love that helps through this tough time.

We went hiking yesterday. It’s s Sunday tradition that I will fight to hold on to! This weekend we went to Florence Lake to check out the camp sites and to see if we could get to Jackass Meadow. We got to the lake and then drove around to get to the backside of the dam at Florence Lake. The dam is an interesting structure that has a completely unique architecture to it. It’s pretty awesome. Pics:

Florence Lake and dam

the view from behind the dam

backside of the dam

it was really big and cool looking

a cool waterfall

Fishing and lunch spot

we found Jackass Meadow

a view from the car around Kaiser Pass

On the way back we stopped by Portal Powerhouse and read about John Eastwood

This weekend wasn’t about a major hike (although there are plans to get a leg of the Half Dome hike in next week) but scouting campsites and relaxing. It rained on us again, although not as bad as last weekend! It was nice to get away and fine peace and solice in the mountains and the beauty of mother nature. Learning about John Eastwood was cool too, educational as well as peaceful. After we got back it was a quick shower and then off to CIRCA to work. It was Matt D.’s last night (and birthday) of DJ-ing and we will MISS HIM! The crowd was great and I was ti-red after work was done.

I’m still looking for a job, it’s rough out there and the competition is high, but I will not allow it to slow me down. I’m finding little prjects to complete, Rogue to work on and lots of things to get caught up on. So, sorry I’ve been MIA, but that’s life, no?

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Hiking: Mist Falls Thursday, Jul 23 2009

In the Kings National Forest we hiked a 4.6 mile 650 ft. gain to Mist Falls from Road’s End. It was a nice day, cloudy with 20% chance of thunderstorms. After a quick bite to give us energy, we started on the trail. We heard thunder bouncing from cloud to cloud and echoing off the peaks. We were putting ourselves at risk by hiking into a storm, but we did it anyway. It was beautiful and we got cold, on a day where Fresno hit a record 112 degrees! Good timing on our part, no?

this is the trail head.

a view from the hike

it was raining in the distance and the thunder was echoing

the trail was beautiful with many different views

we hiked along the river for a bit, it was beautiful

these falls were down river from our final falls destination

had it not been raining, I don’t think we wouldhave seen this alpine river/run off

another down river falls with an impressive drop off

we came across this guy at Mist Falls

they were definitely misty! beautiful

after we made it to the falls it started pissing rain, so we stayed under some trees waiting it out. it didn’t let up completely and we knew we needed to get back to the trazil head before we got stuck. on the trail there is an exposed granite rock face, while thunder and lightening happens, you don ‘t want to be there. also we saw plumes of smoke and feared getting stuck behind a forest fire. we booked it out, completing the 4.6 miles in an hour.

we weren’t the only ones caught in the rain

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Simply Amazing Monday, Jul 13 2009

If you didn’t catch last night’s premier of the first 3 episodes of the 6 episode series WILD PACIFIC, I highly recommend you watch Discovery Channel tonight and see the remaining 3. I’m sure this series will be played again and again. It is spectacular (especially on HD) to see the formation and wonderful critters that are supported and sustained by the Pacific Ocean.  

I don’t knowif the same people behind Planet Earth is behind this one, but the camera work and the flow is very similar. It’s beautiful to see overhead camera shots of Bora Bora and other Paradise islands. Check it out!!!

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Iron Lakes, Zumwalt Meadow, Fresno Dome & The Bull Buck Thursday, Jul 2 2009

So it’s been about 3 weeks and I havne’t exactly posted about the adventures we’ve had because I’ve lagged on uploading all the pics we’ve taken! I still don’t have everything from this last weekend, but I have enough to post.

Iron Lakes was amazing. I think I have posted about this, but now I have more pics!

This is the view from the hike in. We at about 8500-9000 ft. The air was thin but it was a great view!

The boys fished a little bit, although not long enough to catch anything.

We took a hike around the lake because we saw something in the distance…

An abandoned snowmobile!

The skies looked threatening so we headed out. Safety first!

On the drive back we hit up the Fresno Dome Campground to check out the spot and see if we wanted to camp there.

The view from the meadow was amazing! Seeing this made me want to climb it and see what I could see from the top.

The next weekend had us traveling to Kings and Sequoia National Parks for a trek to Zumwalt Meadow and Roaring Rapid Falls.

With all the recent storms we had the river was roaring from melted snow!

We hit up Road’s End and Muir Rock. It was a gorgeous day. But the pay off was Zumwalt Meadow. The pics speak for themselves and it’s a wonderful place! There’s a foot bridge to the different vistas of the meadow so tourists don’t destroy it.

Then it was off to hike to Roaring Rapid Falls. There had been a fire a season or two ago and in the forest from fire comes new life.

The Falls were beautiful! And it was a wonderful day hiking! Da Mommy was tagging along and she loved it.

The next weekend we were all set for camping! Yay! We were going to hit up the Fresno Dome campground but upon arrival IT WAS FULL! So we headed a little down the road and looked at Little Sandy and Big Sandy. We found a great spot in Big Sandy and set up camp. Karen our camp host was super nice. We chilled Friday night and woke up early for some BOMB breakfast (thank you allrecipes.com) and headed to the trailhead for Fresno Dome.

The hike was great and we had a wonderful time. From the top of the Dome you could see Oakhurst and all the way down to the Central Valley. It was a panoramic view that took your breath away!

Yeah it was pretty steep!

We hiked back down and went to a waterfall on the side of the road for lunch. Then it was naptime and relaxing until we were headed out Sunday morning.

On the way back down the mountain we passed by Nelder and decided to visit the Bull Buck. An amazing Sequoia that is so big it looks fake! Pictures don’t exactly do it justice. But this 2700+ year old tree is alive and well.

The next hiking adventure planned is Quartz Mountain and the Mist Trail. (not on the same day! oy!) We saw Quartz Mountain when we were on top of Fresno Dome and the Mist Trail is a must see in Yosemite!

Sorry for lagging, but hopefully the pics have made up for the amazing times we’ve shared over the past month. If you’re in Cali, GO HIKING!!! Be respectful of nature around you and always Safety First!

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Tired Monday Monday, Jun 22 2009

This weekend was filled with Friends, Family, Hiking and WORK WORK WORK!!!

I am tired, but it’s not a tired where I am wishing I had another day off. It’s a good feeling, knowing I was able to hike yesterday and go to work after and rock it. Saturday felt good, Friday was awesome because I got to see Da Mommy more.

We’re camping this weekend so planning has begun and is in full swing.

I’ll be posting pics from our hike yesterday, we did Road’s End, Zumwalt Meadow and hiked to Roaring Rapid Falls. Beautiful day, sunburn (need lotion asap!) and a wonderful time with Halo, Da Mommy and Dr. Dave!

Happy Monday!

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Weekend Hiking: A Shortie Monday, Jun 15 2009

We packed up the Mountain Bot and went just up Highway 41 and hiked to Iron Lakes. We were trying the geo-cache-ing thing but that was at Bear Island and we didn’t know how to get to that lake. There are so many sub-alpine belt lakes up in the Sierras that it can be a little confusing. The boys had their fishing poles and we all hiked down to the lake (about 250 ft gain). It was different because although it was a short distant, the gain was really difficult to accomplish, we were at about 8500 ft and the air is super thin up there. We had to drive into this trail that was absolutely crazy, but the Bot totally rocked it! Halo drove incredibly well and kept us all safe.

Pics!!!

Saturday I went to REI and purchased new boots and man were they awesome! Of course breaking in boots can be painful (I have one blister on each of my big toes) but well worth it. I was helped out by a sales woman Patty at REI, she was great and totally helped me out! She was awesome to work with and really put in the extra work with me to make sure I had the right boot on. It was awesome.

In other sad news, a hiker was lost on Half Dome this weekend. It is very dangerous to go hiking on an extreme trail when there’s bad weather. Thoughts go out to his friends and family for their loss and for those on the Dome when it happened, may they recover from the shock. We need to learn from the mistakes from others and practice the most strict safety practices especially when hiking a potentially deadly trail.

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Taft Point, the Fissures & Sentinel Dome Wednesday, Jun 10 2009

Sunday we all packed up the Mountain-bot and headed back to Yosemite to bag us a peak! It was an iffy trip to begin with because there was a 20% chance of thunderstorms, and we didn’t want to get stuck on a peak during crazy weather. But the radar looked good so we headed up.

Taft Point, the Fissures and Sentinel Dome are accessible via the Glacier Point parking lot on the way to the Valley floor. The hike in its entirely is about 4.4 miles and there is no real gain. (Actually you feel like there is a gain but there isn’t, just a crazy 100 meter summit to the top of Sentinel Dome). On the way to Taft Point you’ll hit the Fissures which are absolutely stunning and dizzying! It’s a 3500 ft. drop off and you’re able to get right up to the edge.

Here’s Dr. Dave and me laying on the edge, and we looked down

It was quite breath taking to sit on top of Taft Point and see the Valley floor in its entirety. Such a great view! But the real monster of the hike was Sentinel Dome. Standing at 8,122 ft it is only 700 ft shorter than Half Dome. The vista from the top is amazing and even said to be better than the top of Half Dome.

Don’t believe me??

 

And when it was all said and done, I could look up at this

and say “I’ve been on top of you!”

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It Was A Backyard Party Weekend! Monday, Jun 8 2009

This weekend was (of course) filled to the brim with work and friends and gatherings and good eats.

Friday night the Grill was poppin and I re-discovered FARKLE which I will now be playing obsessively in order to beat my boss on Facebook! Yar!

Saturday was great, working in the day and then shooting over to a co-workers birthday party! It was great! When was the last time you were at a backyard party with BBQ and live music???

Speaking on live music, there was major representation of the 2nd Rate and they killed it! Check out the website and download (FOR FREE) albums from Howie Loots and Midi Mob. Mike Oz, Roque… I’m shouting these out to you guys! Check them out… home grown performers who literally play in our back yards!

Sunday we went to Yosemite and bagged Taft Point, the Fissures and Sentinel Dome… look for a post with pics on that later this week!

What did you all do this weekend??

Oh yeah, before I forget, tonight go to PECHA KUCHA

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Review: Spoken Funk Monday, Jun 1 2009

Friday night Black Light Poetry sponsored Spoken Funk. Upon entering the Tower theater music and the tone of the evening was set by Armen Nalbandian Trio with special guest Eva Scow and Nino Moschella. And wow what an amazing set! It was so much fun to watch these super talented musicians jam out together. it wasn’t a free form jazz but a compilation of the voices in music being brought together to harmonize. beautiful.

Then came Brutha Gimel spinning and getting the crowd into a mood. He announced the emcee for the evening after giving a poem of his own. The poetry used in Def Jam is not your normal Cat, Rat, Dog, Fog kinda stuff but it’s amazing imagery created withwords and sounds that completely mixes together with the poet and audience. Sometimes even brings in a little ad-lib or improv. Amazing to participate in.

Poetri was the emcee and he was so full of energy. He was full of love for Fresno and really pumped up the crowd. He got us all into the show and made us participate with him. It was a lot of fun to watch him run around and play games (yes, people were brought up to the stage and played games). he was a perfect ringmaster for his motley crew of performers.

Dwayne Perkinswas up first and (the Fresno audience was not in full force, GRRR) immediately termed up the “Little Crowd that Could”. We were not 800 mighty but we gave a bunch of love. He was hilarious, and really worked well with the crowd. It was a lot of fun to hear his stories from New York and how they compare to Los Angeles. The economy and relationships were also on his chopping block as he weaved through his routine with comic ease.  

Sekou (Tha Misfit)was our first poet. He had performed for President Obama a few weeks ago and was still pumped from that performance. He talked about love and learning from the children in his 5th grade classroom. He used imagery and words that gave me goose bumps. It was so entirely moving that words seem inadequate to describe the art that was on stage.

Joey Wells was the next comic (you see the pattern) and he was great! Weaving in and out of familiar situations and even busting some dance moves. He was very interactive with the audience and used things that happened that night in the other acts or with Poetri, it was great!

At first glance Steven Connell looks like your average guy that probably a bit nerdy. And then he gets on stage and wows you with his words. He was extremely amazing with his poems about music, spirituality and love. He talked about driving in a car with his girl and listening to a cd that was the soundtrack for the date. A verse of a song that needed to be rewound a few times to catchthe amazing lyrics. Finding a higher place in listening and connecting to music. He also had a great bit with creative hallmark card greetings. Very talented.

Our final comedian was Fresno born Ron G. He was great! Absolutely connected with the crowd because we know how Fresno is. It was funny to watch his reactions to the audience’s interactions. He talked about being lactose intolerant and the perils of being a college student eating at your parents house and realizing there’s no toilet paper. He had some great bits about females and the crazy psycho ones to look out for. His facial expressions and imitations were spot on. It was hilarious.

Amazing things happen in Fresno, and most of the time Fresnans miss the bus. I have to applaud Black Light Poetry for putting on this event, which was small in numbers but hugely successful. If you’re down in the Hollywood area on a Sunday night, check out Spoken Funk where Poetri and the gang hang out to chill and is also the longest running open mic as well.

Happy Monday!

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Da Count: Angels Bowling Friday, May 29 2009

It was cooler outside than inside last night and there was news of a Thunderstorm coming into Fresno. After dinner and ice cream (YES! I finally went and got what I was craving a while back!!! That’s Da Count worthy in itself!) we went back to the house and watched some Animal Planet. The door was open and sudden flashes of light were off in the distance.

We went outside and saw lightening flash, we could see the clouds light up. It was an odd time because you couldn’t yet hear the thunder, and it wasn’t raining. I remember years back lying on my bed with my mom and watching a thunderstorm pass by, it was beautiful. As the lightening was coming closer, your senses were engaging one at a time. You could see the lightening and clouds. Then came the smell of rain, that wonderful smell of wet dirt and rain. You could feel the gusts of wind rolling through the valley, blowing out the dust kicked up in the different fields. You could also feel the growing static in the air, the feeling of lightening about to strike and when it does, there was heat. Finally the storm reached Fresno and you could hear the rolling thunder in response to the cracking lightening. The storm dissipated as the thunderclouds collapsed on themselves leaving a less than expected rain (we thought it was going to be a gnarly violent storm) that helped us go to sleep.

It’s always neat to see nature in ways you don’t always get a chance to see. A local news station has pics you can check out of the storm, but here’s one to wet your whistle on:

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