Here's a compilation of photos from the second half of our trip. Again, the slide show includes more items for our scavenger hunt.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Monday, August 24, 2009
2009 Summer Road Trip - Part I
The following is a compilation of photos from the "to Seattle" leg of our trip. This slide show includes a few of the photos for our scavenger hunt. How many can you spot? Some are marked, but others are not.
Good luck in spotting our "finds!"
Good luck in spotting our "finds!"
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Road Trip Scavenger Hunt
The local paper ran a scavenger hunt for summer road trips. The hunt ends on August 26, but we've completed our search and have submitted our entries. The following are the items that we were to find over the course of our road trips this summer:
1. Town mascot
2. Gas station adapted for different use
3. Professional fisherman with catch
4. Town square clock
5. Headstone inscribed with date before 1800s (bonus point if before 1700s)
6. Double-decker bus
7. Dog on the beach
8. Traveler from your team assisting street performer
9. A real outhouse (no portable potties allowed)
10. Red barn
11. Sign with Mother's, Mom's or Ma's on it (or foreign equivalent)
12. Cobblestone street
13. Oversized animal sculpture
14. Outdoor pay phone
15. Statue or art made entirely of edible food
16. A sign that is intentionally or unintentionally funny
17. A camel (bonus point if not from a zoo)
18. Town sign with population of 100 or less
19. A former jail
20. Something unusual not on the list
We had to have a photo of each of the items above with one of our travel party in the photo. The photos could not be from locales in the Bay Area.
The places we visited to collect entries for the hunt included items found at or near the following places:
California: Redding, Hilt, Dunsmuir, Humbug, and Truckee
Oregon: Grants Pass, Florence, Newport, Riddle, Wolf Creek, Canyonville, and Winston.
Washington: Seattle (Fisherman's Terminal, Pike Place Market, and Lake View Cemetery)
So as you can see we had an adventurous summer once again.
1. Town mascot
2. Gas station adapted for different use
3. Professional fisherman with catch
4. Town square clock
5. Headstone inscribed with date before 1800s (bonus point if before 1700s)
6. Double-decker bus
7. Dog on the beach
8. Traveler from your team assisting street performer
9. A real outhouse (no portable potties allowed)
10. Red barn
11. Sign with Mother's, Mom's or Ma's on it (or foreign equivalent)
12. Cobblestone street
13. Oversized animal sculpture
14. Outdoor pay phone
15. Statue or art made entirely of edible food
16. A sign that is intentionally or unintentionally funny
17. A camel (bonus point if not from a zoo)
18. Town sign with population of 100 or less
19. A former jail
20. Something unusual not on the list
We had to have a photo of each of the items above with one of our travel party in the photo. The photos could not be from locales in the Bay Area.
The places we visited to collect entries for the hunt included items found at or near the following places:
California: Redding, Hilt, Dunsmuir, Humbug, and Truckee
Oregon: Grants Pass, Florence, Newport, Riddle, Wolf Creek, Canyonville, and Winston.
Washington: Seattle (Fisherman's Terminal, Pike Place Market, and Lake View Cemetery)
So as you can see we had an adventurous summer once again.
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Saturday, August 01, 2009
Friday, July 31, 2009
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Negotiating with Ryan
Ryan is following big brother into becoming a Lego nut so it was no surprise when he started picking out what he wanted for Christmas from a Lego catalogue.
Ryan: Hey, Dad, I want this and this and this and... (you get the idea)
Me: What will Santa say if I ask him if you've been naughty or nice?
Ryan: Yes.
Me: No, have you been naughty or nice?
Ryan: Yes.
Me: Your choices are "naughty" or "nice." Do you understand what I'm saying?
Ryan: Naughty?
Me: So if you've been naughty, what do you think you will get from Santa?
Ryan: No, I want you and Mom to buy the Legos for me!
Ryan: Hey, Dad, I want this and this and this and... (you get the idea)
Me: What will Santa say if I ask him if you've been naughty or nice?
Ryan: Yes.
Me: No, have you been naughty or nice?
Ryan: Yes.
Me: Your choices are "naughty" or "nice." Do you understand what I'm saying?
Ryan: Naughty?
Me: So if you've been naughty, what do you think you will get from Santa?
Ryan: No, I want you and Mom to buy the Legos for me!
Monday, July 27, 2009
Cuban Sandwiches in Seattle
One of our best food finds this year during our trip to Seattle was Paseo Caribbean Restaurant in the Fremont District. It's been around since the mid 90s so we've probably driven by the place (which is easy to do).
Be prepared to stand in line to get your eats at Paseo and don't forget to bring cash. They don't take credit cards. Also, don't plan on eating in. They might have enough seats for perhaps 8 people, maybe less.
We went for sandwiches because it was lunch time, but it seems that they serve just about everything on the menu in a sandwich or as a plate. The sandwiches that we got were the Cuban Roast (made with super tender pork shoulder meat - came highly recommended by Chuck's mom), Smokin' Thighs (chicken thighs marinated with the skin on - great flavors!), Fish of the Day (which turned out to be catfish - never had catfish so good!), and Grilled Pork (had to try their original sandwich). We also got an order of rice and beans. Everything was terrific!
They are closed on Sundays and Mondays. They have a second location in the Ballard District. The original location in the Fremont District is at about 43rd Street on Fremont Avenue.
Be prepared to stand in line to get your eats at Paseo and don't forget to bring cash. They don't take credit cards. Also, don't plan on eating in. They might have enough seats for perhaps 8 people, maybe less.
We went for sandwiches because it was lunch time, but it seems that they serve just about everything on the menu in a sandwich or as a plate. The sandwiches that we got were the Cuban Roast (made with super tender pork shoulder meat - came highly recommended by Chuck's mom), Smokin' Thighs (chicken thighs marinated with the skin on - great flavors!), Fish of the Day (which turned out to be catfish - never had catfish so good!), and Grilled Pork (had to try their original sandwich). We also got an order of rice and beans. Everything was terrific!
They are closed on Sundays and Mondays. They have a second location in the Ballard District. The original location in the Fremont District is at about 43rd Street on Fremont Avenue.
Are You Ready to be a Traffic Engineer?
Check out this game from the University of Minnesota to see if you have what it takes to be a traffic engineer. Of course, in most cities the timing of signals is controlled by a computerized system.
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Ygnacio Wood Seahorses - 2009
Where's Naomi and Ethan in the photo below. The team photo was taken before Ryan was on the team so he is not in the photo.
The coaches naturally had to cool off after their hard work in lining up 130 or so swimmers for the photo session.
The coaches naturally had to cool off after their hard work in lining up 130 or so swimmers for the photo session.
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Ethan Hits His Mark
Ethan has found a comfort zone with karate. Things do get more difficult as one moves up, but Ethan just this past weekend passed the belt test to make it to the purple/blue belt level in the Dragons Program at Bay Mountain Martial Arts here in Concord. We have been very happy with the programs at Bay Mountain. The instructors are terrific with kids and although cramped, the place has a family atmosphere.
Here's Ethan with Sensei Alex at his recent belt test. These tests are fairly involved affairs that could take well over two hours to complete depending on the number of kids testing.
Here's Ethan with Sensei Alex at his recent belt test. These tests are fairly involved affairs that could take well over two hours to complete depending on the number of kids testing.
Ryan Promoted to Swim Team
Ryan was okay with making the swim team next year, but with the 6 and under boys often unable to have enough kids at meets to field a relay team there was a need for more team members. So Ryan made the team and took part in his first meet last week. The requirement to make the team in mid-season is to be able swim the full 25-yard length of the pool unassisted. Swimming against boys who have been swimming all season, he won his first race. At this point, he can only swim free style, but swimming this season means that he will have a leg up on next year.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
The Juggler's Assistant - Twice!
One able-bodied juggler's assistant wanted. No experience necessary. Any takers?
Juggler: Here, can you hold my glasses? [hands his 1980s style sun glasses to Ethan]
Ethan: [turning to me] What do I do with these?
Me: Just hold them, I guess, until he asks for them back.
The juggler starts his ball juggling routine and finishes with a four-ball flourish.
Juggler: Who has my glasses?
Ethan: I do!
Juggler: Come on out here and put them on me.
Juggler: I need another volunteer.
Ryan: Pick me! Pick me!
Juggler: [points to Ryan] You kid. Come on out here!
Juggler: What's your name?
Ryan says something that most of us can't hear. Apparently the juggler dude didn't hear too well either...even though he was right next to Ryan.
Juggler: What's that? Frank? Okay, everyone please give a hand to Frank!
Ryan stands quietly with a somewhat sheepish look on his face. Thought cloud here. [Ryan: He's messed up my name.]
Juggler: Does he understand English? [looking in the general direction of our family]
Dorothy: Yes, he does and his name is Ryan!
Woman in Audience: That sounds better. Who names their kid Frank these days?
Juggler: Here, can you hold my glasses? [hands his 1980s style sun glasses to Ethan]
Ethan: [turning to me] What do I do with these?
Me: Just hold them, I guess, until he asks for them back.
The juggler starts his ball juggling routine and finishes with a four-ball flourish.
Juggler: Who has my glasses?
Ethan: I do!
Juggler: Come on out here and put them on me.
Juggler: I need another volunteer.
Ryan: Pick me! Pick me!
Juggler: [points to Ryan] You kid. Come on out here!
Juggler: What's your name?
Ryan says something that most of us can't hear. Apparently the juggler dude didn't hear too well either...even though he was right next to Ryan.
Juggler: What's that? Frank? Okay, everyone please give a hand to Frank!
Ryan stands quietly with a somewhat sheepish look on his face. Thought cloud here. [Ryan: He's messed up my name.]
Juggler: Does he understand English? [looking in the general direction of our family]
Dorothy: Yes, he does and his name is Ryan!
Woman in Audience: That sounds better. Who names their kid Frank these days?
Friday, July 03, 2009
Kismet On the Road
We finally made it to Seattle on the 4th day after spending three days in Oregon, most of it on the coast. Our overnight stops in Oregon included Medford, Coos Bay and Newport. Each year, Medford seems to be the first stop no matter what time we leave our home. Call it kismet.
One year I think we finally left the house around dinner time. I'm not sure why we bothered to leave, but we did. This year we managed to finally shove off right after lunch. At least we wouldn't have to stop to eat.
On first glance our scavenger hunt checklist looked daunting. Town mascot? Our first thought was Grants Pass, Oregon because of all of the painted bears that they had on display a couple year ago. Surely, the bear must be their town mascot. Little did we know.
Traveler from our team assisting a street performer? We are adventuresome, but volunteering for a street act is usually not in our repertoire. Ryan to the rescue! Actually, both Ryan and Ethan got into the act.
Statue or art made entirely of edible food? Having not checked this one off by the time we arrived in Seattle, we resorted to home made art made of food. Yuki baked up a cake shaped like the U.S. flag for the 4th of July. It was a grand effort, but we still felt maybe it was too much cake and not enough art especially when we tried to hold up the cake pan to take a picture and the flag part of the cake slid down the pole part to half mast. We were saved later when we came across art made of food while on a visit to Pike Place Market. Kismet again.
So the road trip rolled on. We ping ponged around. Learned that the Lake View Cemetery is where many of the founders of the city of Seattle are buried. This is also where Bruce and Brandon Lee are buried.
One year I think we finally left the house around dinner time. I'm not sure why we bothered to leave, but we did. This year we managed to finally shove off right after lunch. At least we wouldn't have to stop to eat.
On first glance our scavenger hunt checklist looked daunting. Town mascot? Our first thought was Grants Pass, Oregon because of all of the painted bears that they had on display a couple year ago. Surely, the bear must be their town mascot. Little did we know.
Traveler from our team assisting a street performer? We are adventuresome, but volunteering for a street act is usually not in our repertoire. Ryan to the rescue! Actually, both Ryan and Ethan got into the act.
Statue or art made entirely of edible food? Having not checked this one off by the time we arrived in Seattle, we resorted to home made art made of food. Yuki baked up a cake shaped like the U.S. flag for the 4th of July. It was a grand effort, but we still felt maybe it was too much cake and not enough art especially when we tried to hold up the cake pan to take a picture and the flag part of the cake slid down the pole part to half mast. We were saved later when we came across art made of food while on a visit to Pike Place Market. Kismet again.
So the road trip rolled on. We ping ponged around. Learned that the Lake View Cemetery is where many of the founders of the city of Seattle are buried. This is also where Bruce and Brandon Lee are buried.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
U.S. Side's Prayers Answered!
In the Confederations Cup tournament underway in South Africa, the U.S. had no business shutting out the Egyptians let alone advancing to the semi-finals. After the first two games of the group stage, the red, white and blue clad Americans found themselves as the bottom shelf team of Group B. No wins, and having scored a single goal while giving up six. Back to the drawing board.
This is what the Americans needed in their game against the Egyptians on Father's Day to advance to the medal round of what is a tune-up tournament for the World Cup next year:
1. A win against Egypt who had earlier shut out the Italians 1-0.
2. More than a win, a win by at least 3 goals to overtake the Egyptians on the goals scored differential tie-breaker.
3. A loss by the Italians against the Brazilians.
4. More than a loss, a loss of 3-0 or a loss where the Italians are out scored by 4 or more points.
On this Father's Day, the Americans did exactly what they needed to win. My treat to myself was a little bit of time to watch not only the U.S. versus Egypt match, but also the equally important match between two of the world's most elite teams, Brazil and Italy.
The most fitting end was the goal by Clint Dempsey to make the score 3-0. The announcers of the game mercilessly hounded the play of Dempsey, pointing out every misplay of the midfielder. Even almost begging for Dempsey to be subbed out. I thought this hounding was somewhat unnecessary. Then in the 71st minute, what would be the semi-final berth clinching goal was scored on a thread-the-needle header by #8. There would be no more calls for the removal of Dempsey from the game after this goal.
Now it was score board watching time. Since the Brazil - Italy match was a few minutes ahead, the Americans knew exactly their position relative to making it into the semi-finals. With the final score locked in as 3-0 Brazil, the U.S. knew all they needed to do was to protect their 3-0 lead to advance to the medal round. This would be the most improbable of outcomes. Happy Father's Day!
Here come the red-hot Spaniards now. With no one giving the Americans a chance to win, their only hope is probably to play for a scoreless tie and rely on penalty kicks. Let's see what happens tomorrow.
This is what the Americans needed in their game against the Egyptians on Father's Day to advance to the medal round of what is a tune-up tournament for the World Cup next year:
1. A win against Egypt who had earlier shut out the Italians 1-0.
2. More than a win, a win by at least 3 goals to overtake the Egyptians on the goals scored differential tie-breaker.
3. A loss by the Italians against the Brazilians.
4. More than a loss, a loss of 3-0 or a loss where the Italians are out scored by 4 or more points.
On this Father's Day, the Americans did exactly what they needed to win. My treat to myself was a little bit of time to watch not only the U.S. versus Egypt match, but also the equally important match between two of the world's most elite teams, Brazil and Italy.
The most fitting end was the goal by Clint Dempsey to make the score 3-0. The announcers of the game mercilessly hounded the play of Dempsey, pointing out every misplay of the midfielder. Even almost begging for Dempsey to be subbed out. I thought this hounding was somewhat unnecessary. Then in the 71st minute, what would be the semi-final berth clinching goal was scored on a thread-the-needle header by #8. There would be no more calls for the removal of Dempsey from the game after this goal.
Now it was score board watching time. Since the Brazil - Italy match was a few minutes ahead, the Americans knew exactly their position relative to making it into the semi-finals. With the final score locked in as 3-0 Brazil, the U.S. knew all they needed to do was to protect their 3-0 lead to advance to the medal round. This would be the most improbable of outcomes. Happy Father's Day!
Here come the red-hot Spaniards now. With no one giving the Americans a chance to win, their only hope is probably to play for a scoreless tie and rely on penalty kicks. Let's see what happens tomorrow.
Friday, June 19, 2009
Don't Try This at Home
Got this off YouTube. His name is Josh Womack. He was originally drafted by the Seattle Mariners in 2002 in the second round (pick #69) right out of Crawford High School in San Diego.
This is the same draft that produced current major leaguers B.J. Upton (#2), Zack Greinke (#6), Prince Fielder (#7), Jeff Francis (#9), Jeremy Hermida (#11), Joe Saunders (#12), Khalil Greene (#13), Scott Kazmir (#15), Nick Swisher (#16), Cole Hamels (#17), James Loney (#19), Jeff Franccoeur (#23), Joe Blanton (#24), Matt Cain (#25), Micah Owings (#50), Jon Lester (#57), Jonathan Broxton (#60), and Fred Lewis (#66) all before Josh. Seems that this was a loaded draft at least in the first few rounds.
After Josh these players were picked: Curtis Granderson (#80), Josh Johnson (#113), John Maine (#166), Scott Olen (#173), Joel Zumaya (#320), Dana Eveland (#469), Jacoby Ellsbury (#674), and Brad Ziegler (#938) who are also current major leaguers. In all, there were 1482 players selected over 50 rounds, but I'm guessing that only Josh Womack knows this trick:
This is the same draft that produced current major leaguers B.J. Upton (#2), Zack Greinke (#6), Prince Fielder (#7), Jeff Francis (#9), Jeremy Hermida (#11), Joe Saunders (#12), Khalil Greene (#13), Scott Kazmir (#15), Nick Swisher (#16), Cole Hamels (#17), James Loney (#19), Jeff Franccoeur (#23), Joe Blanton (#24), Matt Cain (#25), Micah Owings (#50), Jon Lester (#57), Jonathan Broxton (#60), and Fred Lewis (#66) all before Josh. Seems that this was a loaded draft at least in the first few rounds.
After Josh these players were picked: Curtis Granderson (#80), Josh Johnson (#113), John Maine (#166), Scott Olen (#173), Joel Zumaya (#320), Dana Eveland (#469), Jacoby Ellsbury (#674), and Brad Ziegler (#938) who are also current major leaguers. In all, there were 1482 players selected over 50 rounds, but I'm guessing that only Josh Womack knows this trick:
Monday, June 15, 2009
Conversation With Ryan
Ryan who's 5 yrs old made a special card and insisted on placing a family picture in the middle.
Ryan: Mom, you make sure you keep this and look at it to remember us when we're gone.
Mom: Where are you going?
Ryan: Well, Mom, one of these days Naomi, Ethan and I will be living in another house...not together...I'll have my house and Naomi will have her house and Ethan will have his house. Because one of these days we'll find a girl to marry and live in a different house with.
Mom: Naomi, too?
Ryan: Naomi will find a boy to marry....someone who's not taken. I'd marry you, but you're taken.
Mom: Who's got me?
Ryan: Casey.
(pause)
Ryan: Maybe I'll marry Naomi because she helps me...she helps me take care of the guinea pig.
Mom: Brothers and sisters don't marry each other...they find other special people.
Ryan: Oh.
Ryan: Mom, you make sure you keep this and look at it to remember us when we're gone.
Mom: Where are you going?
Ryan: Well, Mom, one of these days Naomi, Ethan and I will be living in another house...not together...I'll have my house and Naomi will have her house and Ethan will have his house. Because one of these days we'll find a girl to marry and live in a different house with.
Mom: Naomi, too?
Ryan: Naomi will find a boy to marry....someone who's not taken. I'd marry you, but you're taken.
Mom: Who's got me?
Ryan: Casey.
(pause)
Ryan: Maybe I'll marry Naomi because she helps me...she helps me take care of the guinea pig.
Mom: Brothers and sisters don't marry each other...they find other special people.
Ryan: Oh.
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Swim Season is Here!
Swim season is underway once again for the Ygnacio Wood Seahorses of Concord, California. Naomi and Ethan are swimming once again and Ryan could make an appearance when he is ready.
Ethan's been working on his dives. That's him below starting his leg of a recent free relay race.
Ethan's favorite stroke is the breast stroke.
Naomi's been making strides too swimming this year with the 9 and 10 year olds. This is the first age group where the swimmers have to swim two lengths of the pool (50 yards) in their races. Here's Naomi going out in a recent 50 yard free style race:
Here she is going for the finish in the same 50 yard free style race:
However, perhaps the best part of recreational swimming is the time spent with friends. There are not many activities around that involve the participation of kids 4 years old up to 18 years old at the same event.
Ethan's been working on his dives. That's him below starting his leg of a recent free relay race.
Ethan's favorite stroke is the breast stroke.
Naomi's been making strides too swimming this year with the 9 and 10 year olds. This is the first age group where the swimmers have to swim two lengths of the pool (50 yards) in their races. Here's Naomi going out in a recent 50 yard free style race:
Here she is going for the finish in the same 50 yard free style race:
However, perhaps the best part of recreational swimming is the time spent with friends. There are not many activities around that involve the participation of kids 4 years old up to 18 years old at the same event.
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