February 3rd - I went shooting. First time

Micah and I finally connected on an idea we've had for a few years.  That was for him to take me shooting.  I've never shot a gun before and really wanted to experience that.  He picked me up and took me to an indoor range he frequents.  Gave me instructions on safety and off we were.  A sig Sauer 9mm equipped with hollow points.  I expected a greater kick and thought my initial shots would go high due to the kick.  The target was set at 15 feet and I surprised myself as my shots actually dropped.  It wasn't a long experience, but I had a great time as well as a very experienced and good teacher.  Thanks, Micah.

After this adventure was done, I went to Susan's and spent a couple of hours playing chess with Micah's boy, Seth.  More fun, great kid.

The hit at the bottom of he bulls eye was my first shot ever.

Siggy nine

First sht hit the 9 mark. next few all hit center mass.  Then he suggested I try for a head shot.

January 30th - The boys get new bikes

We were invited to come out and watch our nephews Seth and Gabriel on their new dirt bikes.  They had enough safety gear on to ally our concerns for safety.  Of course, their dad, Micah is very careful.  The open field behind their church gave them a great place to run around and have a great time.

Dad gives instructions while Mom takes pictures

Got a little air...

Geetting tangled...

Pit crew steps in.

January 25th - Pacific Beach, California

A brief afternoon at Pacific Beach.  Quiet, serene, beautiful. Not the hangout place Ocean Beach is, A great place to sit and think.

I feel free, I feel free, I feel free
I feel free, I feel free, I feel free
I feel free, I feel free, I feel free

Feel when I dance with you
We move like the sea
You, you're all I want to know
I feel free, I feel free, I feel free

Dance floor is like the sea

Ceiling is the sky
You're the sun and as you shine on me
I feel free, I feel free, I feel free

Para surfers

January 17th - Returning for the caches.

Laurie wasn't with me when I walked down the Walker Preserve Trail that day, so I took her there to walk, geocache, and just see the scenery.  We walked further than I did that last time and we picked up a half dozen or so finds.  Beautiful weather, too.

Beautiful model

Seeking...

Fellow cachers

January 15th - A surprise sunrise

I took Laurie to work one morning, and on my way home this sunrise pops up out of the clouds.  I had to pull over, bring out my camera, and take some pictures.  I'll share them here.  A brief five-minute period.

By the way:

Sun arise come every mornin'
Sun arise come every mornin'
Sun arise come every mornin'
Bringin' back the warmth to the ground

Sun arise fillin' up the hollow
Sun arise fillin' up the hollow
Sun arise fillin' up the hollow
Bringin' back the warmth to the ground

Sun arise she come every mornin'
Sun arise each and every day
Sun arise she come every mornin'
Sun arise every every every every day

She drive away the darkness everyday
She drive away the darkness everyday
She drive away your darkness everyday
Bringin' back the warmth to the ground

Written by Rolf Harris. Covered by Alice Cooper on the album, "Love it to Death"

January 13th - A trip to Ramona.

Since Laurie's Mom used to live in Ramona, we have ties to that mountain community. There is a cemetery there where our son and Laurie's dad are.  I'll write more about this later as it demands reverent attention.

We stopped at a Mexican restaurant that we love to visit when we're up there.  We had our first disappointing meal this trip.  Too bad, usually it's great there.  After visiting Nuevo Gardens, we thought to do a couple of local geocaches in the area.  One was called "Laura Engall's SUV".  When we went to the general location, it was suddenly obvious what they were talking about. The bones of an old dilapidated wagon. The cache was a large gallon sized plastic bottle.  We deposited one of the travelbugs we've been carrying there.  There were a few other in the area, but the one that caught our interest was at the local fire station where the firefighters are apparently in on the whole thing.  After a conserable search of there front grounds, we found the bugger.  Satisfied, we started the long trek south down highway 67 towards Lakeside and Santee.

Ramona

Laura Engall's SUV

Fire station in Ramona