paddling

Sunday night we took the pups out for a sunset paddle. We hadn't gotten much time to run them throughout the weekend and swimming most certainly tires them out! the current was really strong so we tried to keep them to the side so they wouldn't be swept out into the bay! There were a family of sea lions (or seals... we're never sure) lounging on the far shore and when we got too close they all started making their way into the water! It was kind of freaky at first because they were between us and the sun so it was really hard to see them- it looked and sounded like a heard was running into the water.... but because they were so low and with the sun I couldn't actually see them right! Weird! Ned didn't get to chase any because of the current..... but he still had a good time!

It must have been a good feeding time because the pelicans were dive-bombing the water for fish! It was the coolest thing! of course I'd sit and watch them fly around with my camera ready and just when I'd put it down to keep myself from drifting too far they'd dive in.... so I missed all the shots of them! I swear both them and the seals are camera shy! The seals will look at you the whole time till you go to click a picture... then they dive under and your left with a big splash of water!

Rafting the Trinity River

This past Friday was the morale rafting trip! It was a blast! We were expecting the weather to be warmer (was only high 70's) and the water was COLD! The Trinity never really warms up! But the rafting and goofing off was awesome! Since I was the one with the camera the only shot we have of our whole raft is the one that they take for you on the hardest rapid (this is Hell's Hole). But I got a lot of great shots of everyone else! Thanks Joyce for the waterproof camera bag! It worked great!
There was definitely a lot of horsing around! The water actually felt colder when you were just splashed by the rapids then it did when you jumped (or were pulled) in!

Escape From Alcatraz

This past weekend we drove down to San Fran to meet up with Brian, Petra and Molly! Petra was doing the Escape from Alcatraz triathlon!! We had a fabulous time hanging out with them and Petra's family. Molly loved wrestling with Alex, flying the kite and playing with the pups! They were good sports too! They let her do whatever she wanted! Petra did an awesome job in the triathlon!! Most of my pictures from the weekend were of Molly.... shes just too darn cute!

We went climbing!

Headed up to Moonstone beach to do some climbing the other day! Now that we've got a few more guys up here that like climbing Alex is hoping to get up there a lot this summer!

Mountain biking catastrophe

There is a difficult mountain biking trail that Alex and a few other guys have found. The top of the trail is about a half hour outside of town up at the top of the mountain (obviously) Last Tuesday I drove them up to the top- about 2 miles into the ride Matt took a tumble and got a pretty nasty gash on his leg. It was about 6 inches long right next to his knee and it went down to the bone. Thankfully there was 4 of them- Nick stayed with Matt while Alex and Andrew headed down the rest of the trail to get cell service to call 911. Andrew met me at the bottom and we headed back up to the top to meet the ambulance. We all hiked down to him and they bandaged it up. Not knowing if he tore any ligaments they wouldn't let him walk out- thankfully there was a clearing not far up the hill big enough for the helo to hoist him out. It would have been a VERY long tough hike out if they had to carry the litter with him in it! It was dark and hard enough doing it not carrying anything! These were all taken with my phone... so they're a little blurry...
He is doing fine now.... they did a little bit of microscopic surgery to clean it out and check for any internal damage and then stitched it up! Now he just has to deal with getting slack for having to be rescued by his fellow CG guys!

Ned sleeping

While Alex gone Ned gets to sleep in the bed with me! He LOVES it! I woke up one morning rolled over and was face to face one Mr. Ned! He managed to maneuver himself up onto the pillow and was snoozing away!
His eyes were rolling back in his head when he was sleeping..... Freaky!

Alex's deployment

If you can call it that..... Alex spent a week on the USCGC Bertholf getting his own as well as the crew's helicopter-boat landing qualifications!

Sunset and Kite flying

We went out to the beach one evening when Joyce was here to catch the sunset and give Ned some kite time! He is very happy that the doc gave him the all clear for any and all exercise!