Galena is down in San Diego for most of this week, visiting a friend who's normally in Abu Dhabi these days. So Caedmon and I are taking the chance to explore those little aspects of life that don't receive quite enough attention under a maternal regime. I anticipate that dirt and creeks will feature prominently in this exploration.
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| From Caedmon - 13 Months |
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| From Caedmon - 13 Months |
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| From Caedmon - 13 Months |
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| From Caedmon - 13 Months |
Todd Keller and I spent four days up at Robin Lakes this week. I don't think we could have asked for a more perfect trip. It was late enough in the season that we were practically alone in the Robin Lakes valley (we briefly saw two other parties), but the weather was absolutely perfect: a few clouds on Tuesday, but only sunshine every other day.
The approach was pretty tough: it was a little over 8 miles in from the trailhead, with nearly all of the 3000 foot elevation gain coming in the last three miles. The trail at times wasn't much more than a few cairns marking the easiest route through a third class scramble.
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| From Robin Lakes |
But once we were up there, no photographer could have asked for a more "target rich environment" (as Todd put it).
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| From Robin Lakes |
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| From Robin Lakes |
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| From Robin Lakes |
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| From Robin Lakes |
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| From Robin Lakes |
The flowers had mostly finished blooming (some daisies and lupine aside), but the fall colors had begun to make their appearance, with predictable beauty.
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| From Robin Lakes |
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| From Robin Lakes |
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| From Robin Lakes |
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| From Robin Lakes |
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| From Robin Lakes |
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| From Robin Lakes |
The best photography of the trip, though, came when one of the goats that frequent the valley practically invaded our campsite.
<1p> |
| From Robin Lakes |
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| From Robin Lakes |
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| From Robin Lakes |
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| From Robin Lakes |
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| From Robin Lakes |
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| From Robin Lakes |
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| From Robin Lakes |
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| From Robin Lakes |
We spent most our time in the valley climbing some of the surrounding peaks.
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| From Robin Lakes |
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| From Robin Lakes |
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| From Robin Lakes |
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| From Robin Lakes |
More pictures here.
Galena and I just got back from a trip to Southern Oregon, where we celebrated my 40th birthday with family of various stripes. (For those who don't know, the "blood" members of my family are pretty badly outnumbered by those who have joined through marriage, adoption, foster relationships, or just assimilation, i.e., they've hung around for so long that my parents finally put 'em in their will.)
We spent time hiking, horseback riding, exploring, working, and mostly talking. My birthday isn't for a few more days, but it was a great way to celebrate the beginning of my fifth decade on this planet.
I've posted the full selection of pictures here, but a selection of the selection follow:
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| From Southern Oregon (September 2008) |
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| From Southern Oregon (September 2008) |
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| From Southern Oregon (September 2008) |
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| From Southern Oregon (September 2008) |
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| From Southern Oregon (September 2008) |
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| From Southern Oregon (September 2008) |
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| From Southern Oregon (September 2008) |
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| From Southern Oregon (September 2008) |
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| From Southern Oregon (September 2008) |
One thing I messed up on was not getting any pictures of my Grandpa, especially with Caedmon. We did have a long conversation about my grandfather's trip down the Salmon River in 1932/3, supplemented by the satellite photography from Google Maps: View Larger Map
For my Dad's birthday in July, I offered to take him on a backpacking/photography trip to a location of his choice. We ended up going to Dorothy Lake and environs, and spent a couple days hiking around, taking pictures, cooking steak and bacon. I haven't seen my Dad's pictures yet, but a selection of mine follow.
More here.
Caedmon – our personal hobbit – was having an odd day today. He ate hardly any "second breakfast", and refused to eat any lunch. He ate a normal amount for "second lunch", but when dinner came around he was famished. He ate two slices of cheese, half a hot-dog, and then three bowls of blueberries.
After dinner he took a bath, and then had his standard bedtime bottle, which he drank completely.
I was cuddling with him for a few minutes before putting him down when I noticed he was, well, hiccuping, or something like that. That went on for 15-20 seconds.
Then it all came back, like a bad debt.
The first wave of formula, blueberries and hotdog washed all over my shirt, shorts and the chair.
Caedmon turned to look at me, astonished.
The second wave exploded directly onto my face.
I hurriedly moved him out to arms length.
The third wave drenched my arms, his sleep sack and the carpet.
Poor Caedmon dangled for a few seconds, as stunned as I was, then started to cry.
Sigh.
I comforted the poor guy, then dropped him off in the bathroom, stripped down to my shorts, and proceeded to clean up. A new onesie for the over-eager hobbit, some quick cleanup of the larger pieces, and Caedmon back in bed, I was finally able to take a shower. But I'm not sure the smell or Daddy's trauma will be leaving anytime soon.
Getting going:
The ocean under the fireworks:
More.
