Father's Day 2025

A nice Father's Day including:

• Jack and Sharon got bagels for breakfast from Noah's Bagels;
• Sharon and I took Tiber for a neighborhood walk;
• Jack and I went to the Ancil Hoffman driving range and both hit a big bucket of balls;
• I had looked for a morning tee time for the three of us to play nine, but couldn't find anything;
• A Peloton core workout;
• A Peloton 45 minute Just Ride workout on the bike watching the US Open;
• Father's Day presents: a new coffee pot from Sharon and a couple of Peloton shirts and a jacket from Drew and Carmen;
• Facetimed with Drew and Carmen;
• Watched the rainy fourth round of the US Open at Oakmont with JJ Spaun winning;
• Barbecued filet mignons, corn and vegetable kabobs for a nice dinner on the deck;
• Drove Jack back to San Francisco, leaving a litte after 7 pm it took me three hours and forty minutes roundtrip; and,
• It took me three and a half hours just to get home from the city on Thursday afternoon.

Back from Glendale [Father's Day 2024]

Up at 6 am, Sharon and I had the car loaded and were on the road by 6:45 am. We stopped and got breakfast at McDonalds in Wheeler Ridge and switched drivers. We switched drivers again at a rest stop along I-5. I made a short stop for gas and then drove all the way to Elk Grove. Sharon finished the last stretch. We were home just after 1 pm. Six hours and fifteen minutes door to door.

We spent the afternoon watching the last round of the US Open at Pinehurst #2. Bryson DeChambeau beat Rory McIlroy by one stroke. McIlroy missed two short putts on the 16th and 18th holes to blow the lead...

Sitting on the deck, I facetimed with Drew before dinner. Sharon and I finished Father's Day talking to Jack after he got home from work.

2023 England and Scotland - Day #26 - To Edinburgh

A travel day.

We had breakfast at the hotel. Both Sharon and I had pancakes.

After breakfast, we packed up the room and loaded the car. We headed to the Rosslyn Chapel. Tom had bought tickets for noon. The chapel features predominately in the conclusion of Dan Brown's Da Vince Code book.

I really enjoyed the chapel. Although fairly small, it is very unique. Unfortunately, no photography is allowed inside. A docent gave a fifteen minute talk about the history and features of the chapel. Frankly, I had more success listening to the Turkish guides on our trip last year than I did deciphering her Scottish accent.

We had a leisurely lunch at the cafe in the visitors center. I had a chorizo panini, while Sharon had a ham sandwich. When we were finished, we headed towards Edinburgh.

We rolled up to the hotel before 3 pm. We are spending three nights at the Bonham Hotel. I think that this is the nineteen hotel that we have stayed in on the trip!?! On the flights home, I am going to try and get Tom and Sharon to rate the hotels and dinners like Sharon and I did after the Oregon trip.

The Bonhdam Hotel is located on a quiet street so it was easy to park the car and unload all of the luggage. Our room was actually ready. It is a nice room with a bigger bed than the Victora Square!

After getting everyone checked in, Tom and I dropped the rental car at a Europcar site at the St. James Quarter. We caught an Uber back to the hotel.

Anna-Marie, Tom, Sharon and I had a cocktail in the bar to celebrate dropping the car. I am very glad to be done with the driving! I will write a longer post about driving in Scotland after the trip is over.

Sharon and I took an Uber to Dishoom for an early dinner. We ate at Dishoom when we were in London in 2018 and tried to go there in London early in this trip. I think that Holly actually originally recommeded the restaurant to Sharon. When we ate there in 2018, I have no idea what we had. I was determined to keep better track this time. We had: 

• DISHOOM HOUSE CHAAT - Warm-cold, sweet-tangy, moreish Golden-fried sweet potato covered with cool yoghurt, pomegranate, beetroot, radish and carrot, Tamarind drizzle and green chutney lift it nicely
• LAMB SAMOSAS - Gujarati filo (not Punjabi shortcrust) stuff minced lamb, onions and spices
• CHEF'S EDINBURGH SPECIAL--SALLI BOTI--this is a first-rate Parsi classic, a notable example of which is served in the inimitable Britannia & Co. Tender lamb is braised in a rich and flavoursome gravy then finished with crunchy salli crisp-chips. Served with buttered Roomali Roti.
• HOUSE BLACK DAAL - A Dishoom signature dish - dark, rich, deeply flavoured. It is cooked over 24 hours for extra harmony.
• MURGH MALAI - Chicken thigh meat is steeped overnight in garlic, ginger, coriander stems and a little cream. Slightly pink when fully cooked.
• with some rice and plain naan.

Catching an Uber back to the hotel, Sharon and I crashed early in the room. We facetimed with Jack, Drew and Carmen for Father's Day. Sharon watched a documentary on Martina Navratilova.

Father's Day 2022

A nice Father's Day.

After watching Top Gun on Saturday night, Jack, Sharon and I went to an early 10 am showing of Top Gun: Maverick at the Country Club Cinema. Buying tickets on Friday night, I was surprised to find only seats available in the first two rows. We sat in B7, B8 and B9 in theater 10.

Over the course of the weekend, Sharon and I watched the US Open from The Country Club in Boston. Sharon was rooting for Will Zalatoris; she had followed him at the PGA Championship. Matt Fitzpatrick won. He beat Zalatoris by a stroke.

After running on the treadmill, I connected with Drew, Lee, Morgan and Daniel on Facetime. It was nice to talk to them. It warms my heart that Lee greeted me chatting Fazha.

Jack, Drew and I played Catan. I thought that I was doing well in the first game, but Jack came out of nowhere to win. Drew won the second game going away.

I barbecued hamburgers for dinner.

Jack, Sharon and I finished the day watching episodes four and five of Obi-Wan Kenobi.

2021 Father’s Day Weekend - Sea Ranch - Day 9

A fantastic Father's Day.

After a couple of late nights, we slept late. Sharon eventually made pancakes and bacon for breakfast.

While Sharon went into town to get steaks for dinner, I went for a long run north along the bluffs. I went 6.25 miles in an hour and seventeen minutes. I ran all the way to Graham View.

When I got back to the house, Drew was there. Eventually, Drew, Jack and I took off for a hike. We hiked across Highway 101 to the Hugal Ravine trail, south on SAG Pond Trail and then back north on the Ridge Trail. We hiked just over three and a half miles in an hour and twenty-three minutes. I will post a map on the near future.

Back at the house we watched the end of the Eastern Conference semi-finals game seven. The Hawks defeated the 76ers by the score of 103 to 96.

At some point earlier in the day, Drew found a copy of the board game Catan. We ended up playing three games in the afternoon and evening with Sharon joining for one game. Drew, Jack and I each ended up winning one game. It is a rarity for me to win.

In the late afternoon, we watched the end of the US Open Golf Tournament. Essentially taking him out of contention, Oosthuizen drove just out of bounds into the canyon left of the 17th fairway for a bogey. Rahm birded the last two holes to give him a 1 shot victory.

Morgan, Daniel and Lee joined us after Lee got up from his nap. Before dinner, a group of us walked out on the bluffs to look for some kayaks that we had seen being carried down to the ocean. I barbecued steaks for an early dinner.

Drew, Jack, Sharon and I watched the end of game one of the Western Conferences finals. The Suns beat the Clippers by the score of 120 to 114.

Jack, Sharon and I finished the night watching another episode to Ted Lasso.

Happy Father's Day from Drew

Father's Day 2020

We have two kayaks: a single and a double.  The problem is that they are a lot of work to transport and take up a huge amount of space.  We have been talking for some time about getting inflatable kayaks like the Larkins have. 

Sharon decided to get me a inflatable double kayak for Father's Day.  I set it up in the garage.  With the community pool open for the first day on Sunday, we carried the kayak across the cul-de-sac and dropped it in the pool. 

  

My initial impression is very favorable.  We are going to look for a day in the next two weeks to take it out.

After running on the treadmill while watching the finale of season one of Saturday Night Live, I connected with Drew and Shannon and Jack to play Catan online.  We ended up playing two games over the course of almost two and a half hours.  It was a nice way to connect with them on Father's Day.  I have to admit that I was getting a little frustrated with the sensitivity of the trackpad on the device is was using...

Sharon and I finished the day with a nice dinner of swordfish fettuccine and an interesting episode of Succession [Season 2, Episode 5]

 

Father's Day 2019

With Sharon, Drew and Shannon up until 2:30 am, they all slept late. I took Tiber for a long walk around the field while everyone was still sleeping.

Eventually getting everyone up and moving, the four of us headed to Hawks Provisions and Public House for brunch. Sharon had been there for lunch couple of times, but I had never eaten there. I had a DENVER OMELET [BELL PEPPERS, ONIONS, SMOKED HAM AND CHEDDAR CHEESE, CRISPY POTATOES], Sharon and Drew had SOFT POLENTA [PORK AND ROSEMARY RAGU, POACHED EGGS, SHAVED PARMESAN], and Shannon had EGGS BENEDICT [SALMON GRAVLAX, ENGLISH MUFFIN, DILL HOLLANDAISE AND FARM GREENS].

It was a very lazy afternoon. Everyone took a nap. I finished the day running on the treadmill watching the end of the US Open Golf Tournament. It was played at Pebble Beach this year. Sharon, Jack and I had a chance to walk the Pebble Beach course during the AT&T Pro-am in early 2000's, including 2005 and 2006.

Gary Woodland held off Brooks Kopek to win this year's U.S. Open. Kopek was trying to win his third straight U.S. Open.

Jack called and the four of us had a chance to talk to him. Shannon took off for her parent's house in Half Moon Bay in the late afternoon. Drew, Sharon and I finished the day having a nice dinner on the deck. Sharon made her spatchcock chicken recipe.

I really enjoyed having a chance to spend some time with Drew and Shannon for Father's Day!

Father's Day 2018

Sharon, Tiber and I started the day with a three mile lap around Ancil Hoffman Park. The plans for the day included going to see a movie and then heading to Tom's for a barbecue.

Getting cleaned up, Sharon and I headed to the Palladio Luxe in Folsom. We saw an early showing of Tag. More on the movie later in the week.

Walking out of the movie, we got a number of text messages from Tom canceling the barbecue. I ended up spending part of the afternoon watching the US Open. Playing a torturous Shinnecock Hills course, Brooks Koepka won for the second straight year.

Over the course of the afternoon, I talked to Jack on the phone in Georgetown and Facetimed with Drew in Los Angeles. It was nice to talk to Drew and Jack. I got a text message from Morgan in the morning.

We finished the day searing some Ahi Tuna on the barbecue. We had a nice dinner of Ahi, rice and mixed vegetables. Sharon gave me some Powerbeats3 Wireless Earphones as a Father's Day present. I am looking forward to running with them.

Father's Day 2017

It has only been recently in the last fifteen years that I have started posting a consistent Father's Day note. After walking Tiber, Sharon and I headed to Arden Hills for a spin class. Afterwards, we shopped for groceries for the week.

The plan for the day was to head to the Arden Fair Mall to get me some sunglasses for Father's Day. I have had horrible luck keeping track of sunglasses in recent years. Jack went with us. With Sharon off shopping, I had a nice time wandering around the mall with Jack looking for a Sharks hat. I think that Jack has grown taller in the last year; I need to measure him again...

Following a lazy late afternoon watching the end of the US Open, Sharon made a great dinner of steak, potatoes and watermelon salad. I was rooting for Ricky Fowler to win, but Brooks Koepka ran away from the field. After dinner, Jack gave me a cast iron pan for cooking oysters.

Sharon and I finished the night watching the last two episodes of season four of House of Cards.

Father's Day 2016

Sharon and I spent the morning running some errants and then stopping to see Tom. He is taking off for Ireland and England on Monday. We spent the afternoon starting to pack for our trip

I barbecued steaks and corn for dinner. Sharon and Jack had given me an early Father's Day present.

Sharon, Jack and I finished the day watching the Warriors versus the Cavs in game seven of the NBA finals. Coming back from a 3 to 1 deficit in the series, the Cavs won the game by the score of 93 to 89.

Jack and I finished the night watching episode nine of season six of Game of Thrones, Battle of the Bastards. Battle of the Bastards was based on the Battle of Cannae during the Second Punic War, in which a small army led by Hannibal defeated a tremendous Roman army in 216 B.C.

2015 NorCal NIT Tournament Day 4

The Walbeck Elite played the Hardtke Braves at Delta College in Stockton in the fourth day of the NorCal NIT Tournament. The Elite played against the Hardtke Braves in a tournament in San Jose last summer.

Jack did not bat. He entered the game in the top of the second as a courtesy runner for Jury (Catcher). He went to second on a wild pitch and then scored on Gregory's double. Immediately after scoring, he replaced Cregory (Pitcher) as a courtesy runner. He went to third on Starosciak's ground out and scored on Richardson's single.

The coaches have been using Jack a lot as a courtesy runner. In an odd statistic, Jack is tied for the team lead with five runs scored in only four at-bats...

In the field, Jack played three innings in right field. He had one put-out.

Behind a strong pitching performance by Gregory, the Elite won the game by the score of 3 to 2. It got interesting in the bottom of the seventh. After striking out the first batter, Kane walked and then hit a batter. With runners on first and second and one out, Rossitto came in and got the last two outs. The scorecard is here.

For the summer season, the Elite have a record of 2 win and 4 losses. The game log is here.

The Elite are scheduled to play in the Zoots tournament in the bay area next weekend.

Sharon, Jack and I finished Father's day with an early dinner at Rey Azteca, a long walk with Tiber to the river and presents (a tie and cologne) at home.

2014 Walbeck Elite Game #13

Seeded third and spending the night locally at the Santa Clara Marriot, we got a chance to sleep late. We eventually had breakfast at Bennigan's across the street from the hotel. After breakfast, Sharon and I took a walk through the local neighborhood.

The Walbeck Elite played the Hardtke Baseball Academy (HBA) Red Sox in the semi-final game of the tournament. This is one of the two HBA 18U teams. The Elite played their other team on Saturday.

Batting lead-off, Jack was 0 for 3 with a hit by pitch. In his first at-bat, he grounded a 2 and 2 pitch to the second baseman and was thrown out at first. Jack ran the count to 1 and 2, fouled off a pitch, took a ball and hit the sixth pitch for a hard fly ball to right field in his second plate appearance. The right fielder drifted back and made the catch for the out. In his third at-bat, he ran the count to 1 and 2, fouled off two pitches, took a ball, fouled off the seventh pitch and then was called out on a checked swing. Watching him from the side, it was not a swing… Jack was hit by the first pitch in his fourth plate appearance. This is the first time that he has been hit by a pitch in probably 150 at-bats. Jack said that the pitch never hit him. He was miffed because he really wanted to hit. Jack said afterwards that he was seeing the ball really well in all four of the at-bats.

Playing centerfield, Jack had five put-outs! I can't remember a game where he had that many catches. Jack made a nice running catch in right center. He said afterwards that he almost dropped it.

In a well played game, the Elite lost by the score of 3 to 2. Tied after 7 innings, the tournament used the tie breaker rules where you start the inning with a runner at second. Jack has been involved in a couple of these types of games over the years and I can't remember ever winning one. The scorecard is here.

Rossitto (0-2, 4 appearances, 9.1 innings, ERA 3.000) was the losing pitcher.

For the summer season, the Elite have a record of 4 wins, 8 losses and 1 tie. The game log is here. In spite of the record, I am pleased with how the team is playing. Playing against older teams, the Elite has been competitive in almost every game.

We finished Father's Day with a barbecue at Sharon's brother Tom's house.

Father's Day 2013

In the ten plus years that I have been writing in this space, I have only written posts titled "Father's Day" twice. In contrast, there are ten years of Mother's Day posts. Trying to sort out the history, it seems that I have often been away from home or watching Jack play baseball on Father's Day.

After an eight mile run around Ancil Hoffman Park on Sunday, Sharon, Jack and I went to see Star Trek: Into Darkness. At some point, I may start a project to go back and watch all of the Star Trek movies.

After the movie, we had an early dinner at a Mexican restaurant that we had never been to before: El Rosa Blanca.

2012 Omaha Slumpbuster Day 5

After beating the Denver Pirates on Saturday, the Outlaws advanced to the quarter finals against the White Sox Ace from Chicago, Illinois. The 11th seeded White Sox Ace beat the 3rd seeded Gulf Coast Gurus in an early morning game on Sunday. The game was played at the La Vista Sports Complex in La Vista, Nebraska.

At all levels, baseball is about pitching. Giving up 11 runs to the White Sox in the first two innings, the Outlaws dug a huge hole for themselves. Josh pitched the first two innings. I worry about Josh. While he was the work horse of the Outlaws/Gunner pitching staff for most of the last four years, Josh has struggled in the last year. His nine inning ERA for 13u was 7.81.

The fences at the field were 275 feet. This plays right into one of Jack's blind spots; he wants so bad to hit one over the fence. He has hit a number of balls further than 275, but always on a larger field.

In his first at-bat, Jack got just under the first pitch and hit a high fly ball to right center for an out. Jack hit a 1 and 2 pitch deep into left field for an out in his second plate appearance. He didn't miss either of those pitches by much.

The umpire's strike zone included a very low outside strike. In his third at-bat, Jack took ball one and then two very low and outside called strikes. Trying to protect, he struck out swinging on a low outside pitch that probably would have been called a strike. oy vey... He ended up 0 for 3 on the day.

In the field, Jack played three innings at third, one inning at first and two innings in center field. Jack actually went to the coaches and said that he wanted to play center field. He has talked about playing center field at Jesuit. Jack had three nice put-outs in center. He went to the wall and made a catch on a long fly ball. Jack literally had one hand on the wall. He made a catch on a high pop-up in shallow center field and threw home to hold the runner at third. Jack also made a nice diving catch on a dying line drive.

After getting down early, the Outlaws lost the game by the score of 13 to 4 and were eliminated from the tournament. The box score is here. The White Sox Ace lost in the semi-final game to a very good Frozen Rope Tigers White team by the score of 11 to 0.

After lunch, we headed to the Embassy Suites where one of the families was staying. The boys spend a couple of hours in the pool. We headed to the airport in the late afternoon. Catching a flight from Omaha to Phoenix, we had a light dinner at the Fox Sports restaurant where we almost always eat breakfast on our way home from Spring Training. Following an uneventful flight from Phoenix to Sacramento, Sharon picked us up at the airport. It was after 1 a.m. by the time that we got home and to bed.

It was a very successful tournament for the Outlaws. I am having a hard time figuring out the path forward for Jack and baseball over the next five months. After four years with essentially the same team, there is a chance that this is the last tournament that he will play with Outlaws...

Kayaking from Rattlesnake Bar

Sharon, Jack and I took the kayaks to Folsom Lake and launched from Rattlesnake Bar. Although I shouldn't have been, I was surprised by how high the water was. We headed up the lake towards the North Fork of the American River. The 5 MPH buoys were about 3/4's of a mile from the boat ramp. After about 2 miles, we stopped and had lunch on the eastern shore.

After lunch, I cajoled Jack and Sharon to do about another 1/2 mile up the lake. I was thinking we would be able to get close to where the lake turns into the river; we didn't. Based on aerial photos, it looks like we would have had to go another mile to get to that point.

In total, we covered a little more than 5 miles.

2010 Cal Ripken Pre-State Tournament Day 2

Seeded second after Saturday's pool games, the Outlaws played the Rohnert Park Red team in the first game. Sunday's games were single elimination.

At the plate, Jack was 3 for 4 with two doubles, three RBIs and three runs scored. In his first at-bat, Jack grounded a 0 and 2 pitch to the shortstop and was thrown out at first. Jack lined the first pitch to the fence in right center for a double in his second plate appearance. He drove in Cooper and Niko. He went to third on a passed ball and scored on Jeremy's sacrifice fly to center. In his third at-bat, Jack lined a 0 and 1 pitch into left center for a single to lead off the fourth inning. He went to second on a passed ball and then stole third. Jack scored on Jeremy's single to left.

With the Outlaws trailing 9 to 8 in the bottom of the fifth, Jack came to bat with two outs and Niko on first. Niko stole second and moved to third on a balk. Jack crushed a 0 and 1 pitch into left center for a double. Niko scored to tie the game. Jeremy then hit a grounder to the right side that the second baseman misplayed. Never slowing down, Jack scored from second to make the score 10 to 9. The umpire called the game due to time limits.

In the field, Jack played two innings in center field, two innings at third and an inning in left field. He had two put-outs on fly balls to center field in the second innning.

In more than a little bit of an adventure, the Outlaws won the game by the score of 10 to 9 in five innings. Jack had a RBI to tie the game and scored the winning game!

The Outlaws played Elk Grove South in the second game of the day.

At the plate, Jack was 2 for 3 with two doubles, a RBI and a run scored. In his first at-bat, Jack drove a 1 and 2 pitch to right center for a double. Niko scored from second. Jack went to third on an error by the third baseman on Josh's grounder and than scored from third as Josh went to second. Jack crushed a 1 and 0 pitch into right center for a ground rule double in his second plate appearance. The inning ended with him still at second. In his third at-bat, Jack hit the first pitch for a high fly ball into center field for an out.

Jack has been working out with a coach who has told him to pick the ball up out of the pitcher's hand. Jack told me after the game that the pitch that he crushed for a ground rule double was a knuckle curve that he saw as the pitcher released it.

In the field, Jack played third base for 4 2/3 innings and center field for 1 /3 innings. He had one put-out and two assists. He had two grounders at third that he handled and made the throw to first for the out. One of the grounders was a soft, slow roller up the line. Keeping his composure, Jack charged it and threw a one hopper to Breyton for the out. He also had put-out on a throw from the shortstop to tag out a runner going from second to third.

Leading 2 to 1 in the top of the fifth with two outs, the Outlaws let the lead off batter for Elk Grove South on base with a dropped third strike. The next batter lined one into left field and then the third batter hit his second home run of the game. The Outlaws ended up losing by the score of 4 to 2.

For Sunday, Jack was 5 for 7 with four doubles, four RBIs and four runs scored!

For the weekend, Jack was 8 for 13 with one walk, no strike-outs, 5 runs scored and 6 RBIs.

2009 East Coast Trip - Day 3 - Cooperstown

After a quick breakfast at the house, Sharon and I headed to the park for the Opening Ceremonies. The number of teams this week is 88. The extended festivities included introducing all of the teams and marching them into the field.

Walking to the field for the first game, we got your first real look at the complex. It is gorgeous. There are 22 fields laid over an area of probably 40 acres of rolling terrain. All of the buildings and fields are done in a very simple style.

The Gunners played their first game at 11:00 against the Glenview Illinois Blaze. At the plate, Jack was 1 for 2 with a walk. In his first at-bat, he hit one up the middle and was throw out at first by half a step. He walked in his second plate appearance, stole second, went to third on a grounder and was strayed there at the end of the inning. In his third at-bat with the sign for a hit and run, Jack drove the first pitch hard through the left side for single. He eventually came around to score.

Jack played three innings of the four inning game at third. He handled the ball three times including a throw from the shortstop to force a runner at third, a throw from the catcher to try and get a stealing runner and running down a runner between second and third.

The Gunners won the game by a score of 16 to 1 in four innings. There is a 12 run mercy ruling after four innings. At the opening ceremonies, the announcer reminded everyone that the tournament includes a mixture of rec and competitive teams. This was definitely a rec team.

Sharon and I left the park for a nice lunch at the Yum Yum Shack. This is a place that we would definitely recommend.

The Gunners played their second game at 3:00 p.m. against the Wellington Florida Warriors. We were warned that the Florida teams were very good.

At the plate, Jack was 0 for 2. In his first at-bat, he hit a hard grounder deep to the third baseman and was just out at first. He was not pleased. With the count 3 and 2, Jack hit one back to the pitcher in his second plate appearance and was out at first.

Jack played six innings at third. His play in the field was very solid all day. He caught a pop-up down the third base line in the first inning and made a great catch on a shoe top line drive to end the top of the sixth.

The Gunners got beat badly. They lost the game by a score of 12 to 0, including giving up a grand slam in the third inning and home run in the fifth inning. Falling behind 7 to 0 in the third on the grand slam, you could see the air go out of the boys. It will be interesting to see how they bounce back tomorrow.

The Elk Grove Gunners ended the first day with a record of 1 win and 1 loss. Jack was 1 for 4 with walk.

After the game, Sharon and I drove into Cooperstown and explored. Sharon found a couple of possible places for dinner in the next couple of nights. We stopped at the grocery store and bought some food and then stopped at the Bear Pond Winery for a couple of bottles of wine; they do not sell wine or hard alcohol in the grocery stores in New York.

Back at the house, Sharon fixed a nice dinner. We sat on the porch, drank some wine, had a late dinner and watched it continue to rain. Given it was the longest day of the year, we had enough light after dinner to start to explore some of the trails that lead away from the house. Hopefully, it will dry out enough this week for us to do some hiking.

Alaskan Cruise Day 9

Another early morning. The luggage had to be in the hall outside our room before 6:00 a.m. We were up about 5:30 a.m. We caught the bus to the train depot at 7:15 a.m.

We are traveling as part of a Princess Cruise land tour. Princess had four railroad cars on the end of the train. Each of the cars was double decked with skylight windows on the upper deck; the railcars looked brand new. There were only 15 guests onboard. I think that there may have been almost that many Princess employees. They said that they were picking up more than 80 people at Denali and would be filling up the four cars.

We had nice breakfast in the lower level of the car. I enjoyed the rail trip from Fairbanks to Denali. The first half of the trip was fairly flat. We saw several moose cow and calf pairs.

As we got closer to Denali the terrain got steeper and we started up the Nenana River Canyon. The scenery got better and better. Stopping at the Denali Train Station, a Princess Outfitter got on board and gave us a package that included our room key. We are staying at the Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge.

We had lunch at the lodge. Service at both the Princess Lodges in Fairbanks and Denali was not good. At Denali, it was particularly bad. They appear to use a lot of Russia staff whose command of English is limited.

We ended up spending the late afternoon going on a ATV excursion north of the park near Lake Otto. It included a climbs to a couple of great vista points and a long run down a river bed. Jack had a great time, while Sharon ended up getting very wet.

In hindsight, we made some tactical errors in our planning for Denali. We did not do enough research. We should have focused more on the park and hit the park hard when we got there on Sunday afternoon.

We had a Father’s day dinner at King Salmon Restaurant at the Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge. Sharon had a salmon salad, while I had a halibut and risotto. This may have been the best dinner I had on the trip.

Back from Huntington Beach

Up fairly early, I ran a little over 5 miles along Huntington Beach and out on to the pier. After getting cleaned up, Sharon, Jack and I had a nice Father's Day Brunch in the hotel.

We spent the rest of the day at Drew's Graduation from the UCI. My sister Lee Ann and her husband Dean were there as well as Morgan and her mother and Kaylen's parents.

Heading to the Orange County airport, we had an uneventful trip back and were home by about 8:00 p.m.