Tuesday, July 31, 2007

2007 Lake Almanor Day 4

After yesterday's fiasco, today was a just about perfect day on the Lake Almanor. Jack, Drew, Kaylen, Chris, Tomasin and I spent a long morning on Tomasin's boat. Chris, Drew, Kaylen and Tomasin all wakeboarded, while I skiied. Chris also went on the wakeskate.

When we got back to the Dorado Inn, Tomasin and I sat in the boat and debated the state of world affairs. Eventually, we got everyone organized and headed to Plumas Pines for a late lunch. I miss the Hamburger Hut.

A large group took off for the Lake Almanor West golf course after lunch. Jack and I played with Snipes and Craig. As you might expect given that I have only played once since last year, I was very inconsistent.

Tomasin made sausages, baked beans, macaroni and salad for dinner. A large group ended the night listening to Drew play music around the picnic tables.

Chris on the Wakeboard

Drew on the wakeboard

 

 

Tomasin on the wakeboard

Jack playing golf at Almanor West


Plumes pines, originally uploaded by heringermr.

Sent from my iPhone

Monday, July 30, 2007

2007 Almanor Day 3

A minor fiasco... My plan for today was to head to Susanville, rent mountain bikes and ride on the Biz Johnson Trail. Wallen and I drove to Susanville only to find that the only place that rents bikes is closed on Mondays. The staff at the trailhead indicated that the only other place to rent bikes was back in Chester. Driving all the way into Chester, we found the only place that rents bikes was also closed on Mondays. I was not pleased.

After a quick stop back at the Dorado Inn, Wallen and I headed to the bike trail on the west side of the lake for a run. I have been dreading the day that I would have to run with Wallen for the last two years. I have lost too much speed to be able to keep up with him. We ended up running five miles. We covered the first half at a 8:31 per mile pace. He left me in the dust at the turn. Wallen ended up with an average of 8:30 per mile, while my pace for the run fell all the way to 9:06.

Drew, Morgan and Kaylen showed up in the early afternoon. After they got the car unpacked, Drew, Kaylen, Morgan, Jack, Janie, Sharon and I took the boat out. Drew wakeboarded a couple of times and we spent some time getting Janie up on the wakeboard. We hooked up with the Hunter and Tomasin boat and spent some time floating and swimming on the lake. We finished the afternoon on the lake watching Danny wakeboard behind Tomasin's boat.

It was one of those days on the lake where it was hot in the afternoon and lake was calm; the wind never came up.

Back at the Dorado Inn, the Chabrier's showed up with their patio boat. The group spent some time visiting and catching up. The Snipes made a great dinner of Fajitas! Although they fed 26 people, there was still a lot of food left over.

Janie and Sharon

 

Morgan, Drew and Kaylen

Sunday, July 29, 2007

2007 Lake Almanor Day 2

Up early, I ran four plus miles run north along the lake. Sharon and Janie were planning to hike in Lassen Park. After some discussion, they decided to head to Juniper Lake. They left a little before 9:00 a.m.

Jack and I spent the rest of the morning out on the boat with with Snipes, Joy, Hunter, Craig, Keith, Drew (Keith's friend) and Jack. Drew, Keith and Craig wakeboarded and I skiied.

It was lunchtime by the time we got back to the cabins. After a bit to eat, Snipes and I got a tube blown up. We took the boat back out. Snipes, Wallen, Robbie and I all ended up tubing. Hunter eventually showed up in his boat with Loren, Morgan, Becky and Cindy. We floated for a long time on the lake with the two boats side by side with everyone taking a dip in the lake.

Sharon and Janie got back in the late afternoon. They hiked 6 miles to the top of Mount Harkness and visited the ranger and the outlook station at the top.

The Wallens fixed dinner for the group. They made stew, pasta and salad. Wallen indicated that he got the stew recipe from Nooter.

The adults finished the evening visiting around the picnic tables and watching the sun set over the lake and Mount Lassen.

Tubing

Wallen
 

 

Robbie
 

 

Wakeboarding

Keith

Craig

Craig

Drew and Keith

Saturday, July 28, 2007

2007 Lake Almanor Day 1

This year marks the 20th straight year that we have gone to Lake Almanor and the Dorado Inn. Morgan was one year old and Drew was three the first year.

Jack and I rolled from Elk Grove a little before 11 a.m. Sharon had taken off earlier, picked up Janie and headed towards Chester with the intention of having lunch at Plumas Pines. Jack and I stopped in Oroville for lunch and a quick look at the Chinese Temple.

We got to the Dorado Inn about 2:30 p.m. Surprisely, Hunter beat us there! Additionally, the Snipes were already settled in. They are renting a boat for the week, had already picked it up and driven it to the Dorado Inn.

After unpacking, Hunter, Snipes and I took Hunter's boat out into the middle of the lake for a swim. We spent some time drifting in the boat and trying to solve the world hunger.

The group headed for Westwood for a late dinner at the Buffalo Chips pizza palor. This is the traditional first night dinner. We ended the night sitting on the front porch of the pizza palor enjoying the weather.

California Historical Landmark #770

Chinese Temple
California State Historical Landmark #770

See this location on Yahoo Maps in Flickr
See this location on Google Maps

This landmark is located at 1500 Broderick Street, Oroville, California in Butte County. There are 10 other California State Historical Landmarks in Butte County. The GPS coordinates for this location are N 39° 30.821 W 121° 33.702.

You can log your visit to this landmark at waymark.com.

 

 

 

 

Dedicated in the spring of 1863, this building served as a temple of worship for 10,000 Chinese then living here. Funds for its erection and furnishings were provided by the Emperor and Empress of China - local Chinese labor built the structure. The building was deeded to the City of Oroville in 1935 by the Chinese residents.

Friday, July 27, 2007

Beowulf

In the last month, I read Grendel, the story of Beowulf told from the monster's perspective. Sharon's brother Tom gave me a copy of Beowulf for my birthday about five years ago that I read.

Beowulf is coming out as a movie starring Angelina Jolie (voice?), John Malkovich and Anthony Hopkins.

Dimes Don't Rust

Dimes Don't Rust: New E.P.

Thursday, July 26, 2007

Song for 2002

One of the few tirades in this weblog talks about the struggles that I had with my ex-wife, particularly sharing kids. This conflict reached defcon 1 in the early 2000's with criminal contempt of court charges being filed against her. She endeared herself to the judge by failing to show up for the hearing and sending only her attorney.

During this period, Sharon brought home the album Come Clean by Puddle of Mud. One of the songs on that album struck a chord with me and become the anthem for that fourteen year struggle.

The song for 2002 is She Hates Me by Puddle of Mud.

Wednesday, July 25, 2007

2007 Caples Creek Hike

As Jack and I were driving back from Camp Lassen on Saturday, Sharon and Janie were hiking on Caples Creek. This is a hike that Sharon, Jack and I did more than four years ago.

I enjoy playing with the data from the garmins in a number of different formats, including gpsvisualizer.com, Google Earth and Google Maps. Looking at this data, I was surprised how close they were to Highway 88; you can zoom this Google Map in closer and switch to the satellite view.



Tuesday, July 24, 2007

California Historical Landmark #329

Jack and I stopped at the Bidwell Mansion on our way back from a couple of days at Camp Lassen with the cub scout pack. This is an odd place for me; my first wife and I got married in the Bidwell Mansion twenty five years ago.

Rancho del Arroyo Chico
California State Historical Landmark #329

See this location on Yahoo Maps in Flickr
See this location on Google Maps

This landmark is in Bidwell Mansion State Historic Park at 525 The Esplanade, Chico, California in Butte County. There are 10 other California State Historical Landmarks in Butte County. The GPS coordinates for this location are N N 39° 43.945 W 121° 50.602.

You can log your visit to this landmark at waymark.com.

 

 

 

The 26,000-acre Rancho Chico was purchased in 1845-50 by John Bidwell. In 1865 he began construction of the mansion, which in time became the social and cultural center of the upper Sacramento Valley. It was through his advancement of agriculture, however, that Bidwell made his greatest contribution. Plants from all over the world were introduced to Rancho Chico to open the door to California's present agricultural treasure house.

Butte County Historical Landmarks


California Historical Landmarks in Butte County
{GPS Coordinates of Site Location}


NO. 313 Hooker Oak - [map] - {39.75968,-121.7979194}
NO. 314 Old Suspension Bridge - [map] - {39.5376138,-121.4550083}
NO. 329 Rancho Chico and Bidwell Adobe - [map] - {39.73320,-121.84306}
NO. 330 Bidwell's Bar - [map] - {39.5375,-121.4549}
NO. 770 Chinese Temple - [map] - {39.51367,-121.56171}
NO. 771 Dogtown Nugget Discovery Site - [map] - {39.80406,-121.57867}
NO. 807 Oregon City - [map] - {39.592533,-121.528867}
NO. 809 Discovery Site of the Last Yahi Indian - [map] - {39.51198,-121.52148}
NO. 840-2 Chico Forestry Station and Nursery - [map] - {39.744954,-121.809486}
NO. 1043 Mother Orange Tree of Butte County - [map] - {39.511141,-121.504167}

List of California Counties

Sunday, July 22, 2007

Franklin Bike Ride

The combination of us watching the Tour de France every day for the last two weeks and his success on a bike at Camp Lassen has motivated Jack to ride his bike. The three of us went on a five mile bike ride on a trail in Franklin that Sharon had discover recently. Jack and Sharon went for another two mile bike ride after dinner.

On the bike trail


On the bike trail, originally uploaded by heringermr.

Saturday, July 21, 2007

2007 Camp Lassen Day 4

After two cold nights, it was finally a little warmer overnight. I got up about 6:30 a.m. and wandered down to the dining hall for some coffee. I sat in the sun, read my book and visited with a couple of the parents until Jack finally got up after 7:30 a.m.

There was no scheduled program for the last morning. We had a light breakfast outside the dining hall with the reminder of the group and then started packing up. We were the last to leave the campsite from our pack about 9:30 a.m.

We made a stop in Chico at Bidwell Mansion, had lunch in Live Oak and were home about 1:00 p.m.

Jack had a great time at Camp Lassen. He got to do a number of things that he had never done before!

 

Friday, July 20, 2007

2007 Camp Lassen Day 3

Thursday night and Friday morning were again a lot colder than I expected. The routine for Friday was similar to Thursday. Reveille sounded at 7:00 a.m., the cub scout packs assembled at 7:45 a.m. for the raising of the flag and breakfast was served at 8:00 a.m.

The first session was a nature hike for the boys identifying the local trees and plants. They also spent some time getting a fishing lesson and making some paper boats.

After an early lunch, the second session included making a candle, starting a lanyard, and for the Webelos, a short motorcross bike course. Although Jack's bike skills are not particularly strong, he went on the hilly motorcross course.

The last session was two hours at the range. The boys got to shoot wrist rockets, bows and BB guns. He particularly enjoyed shooting the BB guns.

After a cafeteria style dinner, we spent some more time at the lake fishing.

At 8:15 p.m., everyone assembled in the meadow and silently trekked to the campfire. There an almost two hour program of skits by the staff and each cub scout pack and finally an award ceremony. By the time we got back to the camp, it was after 10:30 p.m.

About the half the group had decided to drive back to Sacramento after the campfire. They had packed up off and on during the afternoon. This was never part of my original plan so Jack and I spent another night in the tent.



Thursday, July 19, 2007

2007 Camp Lassen Day 2

I was surprised by how cold it was overnight. I ended up covering Jack's sleeping bag with all of our jackets to keep him warm.

Reveille sounded at 7:00 a.m., the cub scout packs assembled at 7:45 a.m. for the raising of the flag and breakfast was served at 8:00 a.m. The next two days are very structured.

Our pack's first activity was a workshop for their skit. At the closing campfire on Friday night, the boys from each pack put on a skit. The boys worked on their skit, performed it for two other packs and then practiced a couple of other skits from scripts to work on their presentation skiils.

After an early lunch, our pack was scheduled to spend time at the lake. A few of the parents and kids took kayaks and canoes out on the lake, but the majority of the kids spent the time fishing. Three of the boys had caught fish on Wednesday night before the pirate production. Three more, including Jack, caught fish Thursday afternoon. Both landing the fish and afterwards was probably as excited as I have ever seen Jack. It was the first fish he had ever caught and he could not stop talking about it.

The pack's next activities included whittling and orienteering. Jack earned his whittling chip.

After the flag retirement ceremony and another cafeteria style meal, a number of us went to the range. Jack got an opportunity to learn how to shoot bows and BB guns for the first time.

After the range, we headed back to a campfire at our camp site. Jack crashed hard about 10 p.m.


Wednesday, July 18, 2007

2007 Camp Lassen Day 1

Jack and I met about 11 kids and and 10 adults from the Cub Scout Pack 233 early Wednesday morning for the trip to Camp Lassen. Lassen is located forty-five minutes east of Chico off Highway 32 near Butte Meadows, California. The group will be spending parts of the next four days there.

After a stop for an early lunch in Chico, we rolled into Camp Lassen about 12:00 p.m. It had started to rain lightly as we left Chico. When we got to the camp, it was raining steadily. Several of the parents ended up buying ponchos from the camp store.

We spent the next couple of hours unloading the cars and setting up camp in the rain, including building a sink for our camp improvement project.

Once we had every thing organized, we went for a medical check. The swim check was next. In order to use the canoes or the kayaks, we have to take a swim test. Several of the parents and boys went for the swim test. Try as I might, I could not get Jack motivated to take the swim test.

By late afternoon, it had stopped raining. In reality, the rain was probably a blessing. Several of the parents talked about how dusty the camp was in past years. The rain should keep the dust down for at least a couple of days.

The boys spent the free time in the afternoon whittling and collecting firewood.

Before the dinner, the entire camp assembled as they took the flag down. The group for the next few days looks to be more than 175 cub scouts and parents. Dinner was served cafeteria style in a large dining hall.

After dinner, everyone met on the dam overlooking the lake. The theme for the camp this year is Pirates. The staff put on a pirate production on the lake and the boat and swimming docks.

We finished the night with the pack sitting around the campfire.

Jack and my tent with the lake in the background

Tuesday, July 17, 2007

Swimming Lessons 2007

Jack finished up two weeks of swimming lessons. He has made some huge strides this year. Jack is now to the point that he can freestyle and backstroke the length of the pool.

As I have said repeatedly in the past, [2006, 2005, 2004 and 2003], I believe that being comfortable in the water and a strong swimmer are extremely important.

Monday, July 16, 2007

California Historical Landmark #87

Site of the First U.S. Branch Mint in California
California State Historical Landmark #87

See this location on Yahoo Maps in Flickr
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This landmark is located at 608 Commercial Street near Montgomery Street, San Francisco, California in San Francisco County. There are 48 other California State Historical Landmarks in San Francsico County. The GPS coordinates for this location are N 37° 47.654 W 122° 24.205.

You can log your visit to this landmark at waymark.com.



The first United States branch mint in San Francisco was authorized by Congress July 3, 1852 and opened for operation April 3, 1854. Dr. L. A. Birdsall was the first superintendent, J. Huston, first minter, and A. Haraszthy, first assayer.

Sunday, July 15, 2007

iPhone Activation

Since I left Farm Credit for Sutter over nine years ago, I have had 6 personal cell phones, roughly a new one every eighteen months. I use my personal cell phone for a number of things, including posting pictures straight to this weblog. With my Samsung A900 approaching the 18 month mark and getting pretty beat up, I decided to jump on the iPhone bandwagon. [As an aside, I carry a AT&T Blackberry Curve for business use.]

Watching the iPhone inventory levels on-line for the Apple stores, when the Arden Fair store showed they had some in stock, I went down at lunch and picked one up. Given some of the horror stories about getting the iPhone activated and moving an existing number from another vendor, I decided that I would wait until this weekend to sit down and get it activated and set-up.

I was dumbfounded at how easy the activation process went. I connected the iPhone to iTunes and filled in a couple of screens, including the information on my account with Sprint. At one point, I got a screen saying that it was going to take 6 minutes for the next step. I walked away and when I came back the iPhone was activated and my number was transferred from my old phone. I do not think that the whole process took even 10 minutes.

Over the years, I have used software from FutureDial to keep my contacts in Microsoft Outlook and move the contacts from phone to phone. I pointed iTunes at Outlook and it loaded all of the contacts into the iPhone. On my old phone, I had a number of pictures that I used as the wallpaper and that were displayed when people called. I put all of these pictures in a directory, pointed iTunes at the directory and all of the pictures were loaded into the iPhone. It only took me a couple of minutes to attach the pictures to the appropriate contacts. I configured Gmail. I attached the iPhone to our security enabled wireless access point.

In less than 30 minutes, I was off and running with the iPhone.

Saturday, July 14, 2007

Sharon's Bike Rides

Watching the first week of the Tour de France motivated Sharon to ride her bike more. She has done three long rides in the last week for a total of more than 65 miles. Today, She and Brun did a long ride from River Park along the American River Bike Trail.

Last Sunday, Sharon rode south from Elk Grove along Franklin Boulevard.


On Thursday, Sharon rode from Davis to Winters and back.


Artest suspended for seven games

Sports - NBA suspends Artest for seven games - sacbee.com
Kings small forward Ron Artest was suspended for the first seven games of the 2007-08 season for pleading no contest to spousal abuse earlier this year, the NBA announced Saturday.

Friday, July 13, 2007

Song for 2001

I have mentioned the song Brothers in Arms before. The last scene of the West Wing Season Two finale is set to the song; the episode titled Two Cathedrals originally aired May 16, 2001. Additionally, I have run to the album by the same name for more than twenty years.

The song for 2001 is Brothers in Arms by Dire Straits.

Thursday, July 12, 2007

Drew at Macro's Cafe

I met Larkin at the Marco's Cafe in Lotus. We spent a couple of hours catching up and listening to Drew play. Kellen played bass, Jason was on sax and there was a drummer named Matt that I do not believe I have seen Drew play with before.

 
 

Wednesday, July 11, 2007

More on Drew's Winter Tour




I am planning a Winter Tour and I need your help!

I am using the website - eventful.com - to figure out what cities to stop in and play.

If you could take a minute of your time - go to the link below and enter your city - it'd be greatly appreciated.

http://eventful.com/performers/P0-001-000043605-5

thanks for your support and help

-andrew heringer

On the Big Mama

While we were at Lake Tulloch, both Jack and Timmy wanted to spend all day riding on an inflatable ski toy called the Big Mama.

Tuesday, July 10, 2007

California Historical Landmark #174

First Building erected in California
by Masonic Lodge for use as a hall

California State Historical Landmark #174

See this location on Yahoo Maps in Flickr
See this location on Google Maps

This landmark is located at 110 West J Street, Benicia, California in Solano County. There are 14 other California State Historical Landmarks in Solano County. The GPS coordinates for this location are N 38° 03.143 W 122° 09.4431.

You can log your visit to this landmark at waymark.com.




The first Masonic hall built in California was begun in the summer of 1850, occupied by the lodge October 14, 1850, and formally dedicated December 27, 1850. This building served as the Masonic Temple for Benicia Lodge No. 5 until 1888, when the new temple was occupied. Used by a boys' club prior to World War I and by the American Legion shortly after the war, it was reacquired by Benicia Lodge No. 5 in 1950.

The Masonic Temple is the oldest building in good condition still standing and in use in Benicia. Until the State Capitol building was finished in 1853, the lower floors of the Masonic Temple were used for county offices as well as several religious groups. The outside of the building is only slightly different than its original appearance. However the interior has most likely been entirely remodeled.

Monday, July 09, 2007

The New Seven Wonders of the World

This site held a vote over the last ten months for The New Seven Wonders of the World. The winners included: the Great Wall, China; Petra, Jordan; Christ Redeemer, Brazil; Machu Picchu, Peru; Chichén Itzá, Mexico; the Roman Colosseum, Italy; and, the Taj Mahal, India.

Sharon and I have been to two of the seven. We visited Chichén Itzá with Drew and Jack in June of 2001 and the Roman Colosseum on our honeymoon in 1996.

Although it is probably not very realistic, I added Petra to the list of places that I would to see a few months ago.

Sunday, July 08, 2007

To Paris a year ago

Sharon, Jack and I left for France a year ago...

2007 Run 4 Independence Maps

On Wednesday, Sharon, Jack and I ran the 2007 Run 4 Independence. Using the data from the my garmin, I generated the following maps and a KMZ file that can be loaded into Google Maps.

This is the third year that they have held this event and the third different course that they have used. This year's course was a double out and back. While I enjoy having a run on Fourth of July morning, I am really was not crazy about the course. This year's course ran along the freeway frontage road part of the way. I liked last year's course marginally better.



Saturday, July 07, 2007

Boulevard Bistro

Sharon, Jack and I went to dinner at the Boulevard Bistro. This is a new restaurant in Elk Grove located at 8941 Elk Grove Boulevard. During dinner, Sharon kept repeating this is the kind of place that Elk Grove needs; she is tired of chain restaurants. Set in an old house, the restaurant is very quaint inside. Sharon and Jack split a rack of lamb, while I had Osso Buco. Sharon was more thrilled with her meal than I was, but this is definitely someplace that we would return.

Placer County Landmarks


California Historical Landmarks in Placer County
{GPS Coordinates of Site Location}

@NO. 397 TOWN OF DUTCH FLAT {39° 12' 24.19", -120° 50' 18.13"}
NO. 398 YANKEE JIM'S {39° 1' 45.31", -120° 51' 40.96"}
NO. 399 TOWN OF FOREST HILL {39° 1' 12.69", -120° 49' 2.61"}
@NO. 400 VIRGINIATOWN {38° 54' 1.68", -121° 12' 52.20"}
NO. 401 IOWA HILL {39° 6' 21.66", -120° 51' 41.46"}
NO. 402 TOWN OF MICHIGAN BLUFF {39° 2' 30.54", -120° 44' 12.54"}
*NO. 403 Emigrant Gap - [map] - {39.299283,-120.672833}
*NO. 404 City of Auburn - [map] - {38.8961,-121.078883}
*NO. 405 Town of Gold Run - [map] - {39.17451,-120.85768}
*NO. 463 Ophir - [map] - {38.8913,-121.124583}
*NO. 585 Pioneer Express Trail - [map] - {38.72517,-121.172}
*NO. 724 Pioneer Ski Area of America, Squaw Valley - [map] - {39.19669,-120.23584}
*NO. 780-1 First Transcontinential Railroad - Roseville - [map] - {38.750967,-121.285983}
*NO. 780-2 First Transcontinental Railroad - Rocklin - [map] - {38.791683,-121.237867}
*NO. 780-3 First Transcontinental Railroad-Newcastle - [map] - {38.875567,-121.134}
*NO. 780-4 First Transcontinental Railroad-Auburn - [map] - {38.9018,-121.065783}
*NO. 780-5 First Transcontinental Railroad - Colfax - [map] - {39.100217,-120.952733}
NO. 797 LAKE TAHOE OUTLET GATES
NO. 799-2 Overland Emigrant Trail
*NO. 885 Griffith Quarry - [map] - {38.851133,-121.164417}

List of California Counties

Friday, July 06, 2007

Song for 2000

In addition to Sting, one of Sharon's favorite artists is Pat Metheny. I can't hear a Pat Metheny song without thinking about the Pocket area apartment that Sharon lived in the first year we were dating. I seemed that everytime I walked into that apartment Pat Metheny was playing.

Sharon and I saw Pat Metheny in concert at the Crest Theater in 2000 and at UCD Mondavi Center for the Performing Arts in 2001.

The song for 2000 is Pat Metheny's Facing West.

Thursday, July 05, 2007

Andrew Heringer Update

Hey All,

For anyone in the Northern California area - i'll be playing with the band out at Marcos Cafe in Lotus, California. It's next thursday - July 12th at 7221 State Highway 49 there in Lotus. It's a great place - it's outdoors and great food.

I have been recording over the last couple weeks a 5 song EP that will include three new ones - Goodnight, Fort Bragg, Don't Forget - as well as a full band arrangement of Summer Roof and an old song called Love to see you smile. The album will be available in Late Summer - in cd form or digital download from itunes, rhapsody, napster, etc.

We are planning a Winter 07 - 08 tour that will span the west coast. If you would like us to/help us come to your town - any information on local venues and local artists would be much appreciated.

In a theater related note - I will be acting in a play called Woof, Daddy at the New York Fringe Festival. If you happen to be in the New York area in mid August and want to see a show - let me know.

-Andrew

iPhone: The Music Video

Wednesday, July 04, 2007

2007 Fourth of July Party

After the Run 4 Independence and working in the garage, Sharon, Jack, Morgan and I spent at the afternoon and evening at a 4th of July party at Tom's house (Sharon's brother). We swam in the pool, barbecued, had more Baked Alaska and finished the night with fireworks.