Beautiful Weather for Camping

We had a great time in the Adirondacks. All the rain waited until after we left - sweetness! The campground was so nice and quiet since the season hasn't quite started yet. We had the whole tent portion of the campgrounds to ourseleves; So on our first day we had tons of room for dart tag and frisbee. Later on we played putt-putt and "tennis".

The next day we hiked what was supposed to be a anyone can hike this trail trail; however, that's only true if you know which trail that is. Apparently there are two ways up the small mountain we hiked. We went up the "Oh my God I'm not going back down that way" tempered with "Do you think the other trail will be this hard?" and "How could anyone think this is a anyone can hike it trail?" What we discovered on the way down is that indeed there's a gentle but steep trail up, instead we took it down. I told my wife that I don't want to hike anymore mountains no matter how little they are. Up kills me and Sonshine, and down takes out Wife and SweetPea. What I discovered is that I really like meandering trails along rivers or lakes, trails that lead me through forest or glen. But, mountains they just make me cry. Now to be fair to the mountains, I am way out of shape. The hike also made me and wife realize that I need to refocus and take better care of myself.

Later that day we drove to Lake Placid to eat a late lunch. Oh how I'd forgotten how good NY buffalo wings are...to drool for! Then we went swimming to end a very long but enjoyable day.

Our last day we tore down the tent and headed back home, sunned and rested, a little achey but good; I'd say my prayer was answered.

Maine and Discernment

The drive to Maine was beautiful, but for some reason the drive there was a full hour longer then the drive back to Vermont going the exact same route.

We saw 3 moose, 1 beaver, 1 snake, 1 crab-like thing, 1 suicidal vulture, heard howling coyotes, and there's way too many mosquitoes. The lakes where spectacular and the mountains shrouded in clouds. I didn't take a lot of pictures though, but when the roll gets developed I'll post one or two.

We had a very good time and for a couple of days I was able to let my worries mostly go. But there's a sadness that's crept into my heart, and I don't know whether to honor it or kick it out. I really should just get over it already.

My last discernment visit left me confused and worried. We started out the conversation par usual. And we talked about how there's times when I'm writing something and it just comes out, just flows, and when it's done you know, and you know it is good, very good. And how I have these moments in conversations with people too. It's like the Holy Spirit is working through you. And I'm not convinced he totally got what I was talking about, which caught me off guard because he writes sermons.

We also, I think, had a good discussion overall, and then within the last 10 minutes of our time he (and I had wondered when we where going to review my last set of material and was getting ready to bring it up but...) mentioned that he had looked at my last set of work, and that he really should have written some notes down, and then his words hit me like a ton of bricks and his comments came in a stream. And I'm sitting there in shock and I know that he sees my reaction. And I can't believe he'd saved these comments for the last 10 minutes, and he doesn't want to discuss it with me, but instead gives me my next assignment to sort of address what he had said.

With that said the comments were not horrid, they were more along the lines of what-how-is-that-all-you-heard, I don't think I'll get booted out of the process (though that is my deepest fear, so some of my sadness is self-pity). I told him I had to sit and reflect on what he said. He did end the conversation with, you're doing good work, this is good work.

I asked him if he had time (he'll be away for many weeks soon) to skim my now last set of work 'cause as I told a friend if he doesn't like this he's going to hate [my now last set of work]. So, I did the what's the worst that could happen exercise: (a) the process stops here, (b) the process gets extended for this part of it, (c) it all turns out fine and the process proceeds as normal.

I think what hurts the most is that I feel like I have somehow let my own self down.

The End of Christmas Vacation is Upon Mi Familia

This Christmas break has been great...the wife had this time off as well, so we didn't have to find a xmas camp for the kiddos. What I like best about the wife being able to stay home is all the extra time the kids get with us. Plus, added sweetness - I have fewer chores and can just come home and unwind with my family.

But, sadly the regimented schedule begins tomorrow...however, today's not over and it is an exceptionally sunny day.

Today I EMed at the 11am service and it went really well - I even managed to stay relaxed through the whole service (though I nearly closed the book too soon but caught myself - ching). Then I went on two EVs - it's been so nice returning to this ministry. And with this being my second round of visits the 4 month "break" (had to go through training and so paperwork had to be in place) rustiness has worn off.

I'm even using my heart rate monitor when I row - gotta get to and stay in the zone, especially if I want the beeping to stop :-) Now I need to incorporate some pilate sessions into my week to help stretch out my back and help my core out which will help out my back.

Today is one of contentment.

Vacation In California

Here are some photos from la famlias trip to California:

We took quite the trek to get to Grace Cathedral. The church is just beautiful, and the picture doesn't do it justice. I couldn't get good pictures of the stained glass windows nor the intricate cravings on the front doors. We did walk the outside labrynth as the inside one is under repairs.

This is the Palace of Fine Arts which we got to see on our way to the Exploratorium which is right next door. After our hours spent exploring we re-emrged into daylight and walked around Golden Gate Park then took our long bus ride back to the hotel.

San Fran was our training ground for Yosemite [Note: we stopped in Monterey but I didn't include any pics of the Bay]. Which after 2 days of walking those hills made our day hikes here a piece of cake. This is a picture of Yosemite's Upper and Lower Falls.



This was our view from Olmstead Point. This part of the park is only open in the summer, and after driving Tioga road for the hour it took us to get to the meadows it is very easy to see why...by the end of the day the steering wheel was getting that fried electric smell from all the twists and narrow turns. But, I am glad we took the drive.



This is the view from Inspiration Point - way in the back is Half Dome (which I now have tons of pics of) and to the left is El Capitan and if you look really hard there's a waterfall mid-right. We took a 2 hour tram tour of the valley, which was well worth the money.

We managed to have a really good mix of activities our whole trip, so the only day we were bored was the last day before flying out, because we underestimated the length of the drive back and because I didn't want to take scenic stops (though driving scenic 120 without getting out of the car wasn't too shabby either) because I worried about the rental's on-again-off-again fried sterring wheel smell.

If you ask the kids what their favorite thing to do was, they'll tell you it was swimming in the hotel's pool; good thing for scrapbooks (which my wife puts together for the big things we do).

Vacation Time

I can't wait for Friday, not just because it's Friday but because la familia y yo are going to California. We're spending time in SF and then Monterey and then Yosemite. It's our first "big" vacation. We've been waiting for our youngest to (a) get big enough to walk at least an hour without much complaining and (b) be able to remember what she saw. Our daughter is so excited she's already packed.

I plan on taking a mix of faux black & white, and color photos. I'm worried about the color photos turning out. For some reason I don't focus the lense so well with color film. I'm also worried about driving in SF, luckily it's very limited driving.

My wife's parents are going to watch the house, the dog, and the hermit crabs for us; I hope PaPa doesn't spoil the dog too much. I wonder if Nannie will make PaPa take care of the hermit crabs...hmmm.

I can't wait; I'm so excited about this trip, I lived in Monterey for a short time many moons ago and getting to share a place that was special for me is a real treat.