Finding our feet

It feels great to be back in California. Seeing good friends I've not seen for a long time. The views from mountains. The nice dry air that doesn't carry so many allergens. Coming from Texas I feel like I'm in the Andies here. 

Mark flying his new bright falcon at Ed Levin County Park

There's is much to be done in the near term, but snagging some time here and there to get out, is important, to me.

Especially when it comes to getting some fresh air ;) I took a quick hop on the new Alpha. (Thanks to Zac). It features an acute nose angle, and lots of billow.

It does definitely feel different to anything I've flown recently. Most noticeable was the turning radius, it can't be zero but sure feels like it, even at low altitude. It takes a little while to accelerate and retains very little energy, which makes me agree that it will be a very good teaching tool; which is exactly the idea. I've seen quite a few falcons zooming up to 15 feet on a flare recently (accidentally).

Also Heidi and I have explored a few local parks. Alviso sits at the south end of the San Francisco bay. We rode the levees quite a distance out into the bay. It affords a nice view of the play ground that is Mission ridge and Ed Levin Park. The levees allow nice flat trails for family ride (when dry).

It's an odd feeling being somewhat isolated knowing you are surrounded by 3 international airports in one of the busiest places on the planet. It's very reassuring these places exist. It's how I get my exercise. The bit sized pieces of history are interesting too.

Coyote Hills Park at Sunset.

I am in disbelief government considered closing open places down, and then actually did. I'm under no illusion that this is anything other than political leverage. On that note, I enjoyed the next episode in The Hunger games, trilogy, even if it is sobering analogy of what might be the current world culture.

Heading west

We set off, with as much as we could fit, which was probably way overloaded. It took 120Ibs of air in the read shocks to mostly level the truck. After a long day doing forgotten tasks and packing the trailer, we were really late leaving. An accident closed Hiway46 and we had to back track halfway home just to get on the interstate. We only made it 1.5 effective hours from the house.

That put us close to Sonora Caverns, so we decided to stop by and check it out. It has been on my list for a few years. It did not disappoint.

They had some interesting birds poking around the camp site too. Guard Peacocks :) I don't know if I'll pass through again, but if I do, the campsite will be on my list of places to crash if necessary. Along with Balmorhea Springs .

For the first time I was about to get in or out of Texas without some issue, then right before El Paso and the border. Pfffffft flap flap flap... I wonder if they can patch that ? Changing it was pretty easy, even with all the weight, but I was dubious of the tyre we had as a spare, I'd changed it out a couple days before because it didn't look so good. We planned to make it to Robin's place in Las Cruces, now fingers were crossed and I kept below 50mph. I was happy to make it :) I like Las Cruces and was eager to see Robin again.

Two new tyres the next morning and was were headed for Casa Grande to visit a family friend. Ahead of schedule for a change we saw the traffic 84 Miles ahead signal. I knew that would be close and also that there's the Pichaco gap there. Murphy's law it was right there, but it's tricky finding these things out from vague road signs, when you are on the move. Closer in it said I10 closed find alternate route. We looked at the map the frontage road goes through, and there was Hiway 79 too, but we'd have to back track 2 hours from the north to get to Casa Grande. Well that would have been quicker...

3 miles and 5 hours later, still in traffic. The frontage road was also closed. Would have been good info to post on the sign as well as the mile marker number. Since then I've learned the place to find good traffic info is az511.gov . Traffic was backed up 6 miles when we got there, but later it was 15 - 20miles, which must be just outside Tuscon.

There really wasn't that much dust, poor driving standards and human error are the real cause.

Looks like there was some good flying weather on Wednesday west of Phoenix.

We cruised through the rest Arizona, without drama and hit no traffic in LA at all. It was great to catch up with Kraig and family, even if we were a bit zombiefied. 

So just LA north to do. No issues climbing the grapevine with our excessive load. The roads were crazy rough just as I remember. I think one of the new tyres is already hurting because of it. We made it to Fremont just in time for Carmela's Haloween party. It was great to see some of my ole' flying buddys again. The next morning we walked around the local neighborhood which has an old mission in it. The next steps, find and job, find a house.

Lake Travis

Heidi, her Mom and I took a day off packing, and went up to Lake Travis west Austin, to visit some friends. Gail won a deal and invited us to stay at this house. She kindly invited Isaiah and Christi over too, who dropped by. Great to see you, albeit such a short visit.

The hot tub and view are very appealing :) Certainly a nice place to relax.

The house has nice access to the lake too, though it is down about 50 feet or perhaps even more. We kayaked across to the other side.

I swam back for some exercise :)

The house has some fun big kid toys, the swing was tough to hold on to as it rounded the bottom, I didn't always manage it. The sounds of Heidi's laughter might still be heard echoing off the sides  of the lake.

And they had a wicked fast water slide too!

We got married Tuesday.

October 8th 2013 - Heidi and I got Married. We wanted to do this soon, and since there are so many changes coming ahead, now in Texas made sense for us.

The lake is beautiful and a big part of our recent lives, why not have the ceremony out on the lake ? Lake side? no Lake ON.

So we paddled on out. Heidi's Mom in the tandem kayak, Rev. Danny Jones in the Canoe. Heidi and I on windsurf boards.

It was a beautiful, calm, quiet, warm evening on the lake, somehow we managed to find the entire lake to ourselves.

We formed our flotilla, read some passages, said a few things, exchanged a few vows. Gloria gave Heidi away. We exchanged rings, (mine made from the nose plate of my favourite glider).

Rev. Dan did the paperwork, and boom, the big plunge, a wet kiss indeed !

And off into the sunset we paddled, husband and wife.

Thanks Rev. Danny ! A very momentous occasion.

Cave with no name

I love the other worldlyness of limestone caves. I figure it is the last opportunity for a while, so I surprised Heidi and Gloria with a trip to the "cave without a name"

The formations did not disappoint. One thing that surprised me were how many caves remain unexplored in Texas. If I were staying I'd definitely get down under. Access can be a challenge round these parts, but I think it is interest that is lacking. 

It is easy to be a tourist, but so much more fun exploring for yourself. I have fond memories of crawling through tight spots, diving through sumps, and climbing down freezing cold waterfalls underground as a kid. Seeing the formations all lit up from different angles is neat too though.

Texas centers

This image looks like a CD or a 2D picture, but it is actually the domed interior ceiling of the Capitol building in Austin. I'd been wanting to check out a "Capitol building" for a few years, and didn't realize one could simply just walk in and around. Since we were passing through Austin, it was a perfect break.

There were a few things inside worth seeing, the architecture is what drew me in. The Rotunda is almost filled with portraits of each Governor of the Texas state, and President of the Texas Republic as it was before it was a state. When the most recent Governor is replaced, a new portrait is put in the #1 spot and every picture moves one spot right or goes up a floor - 6 week process apparently.

The State Senate room, and House of Representatives room were just impressive to me, because of the significance and implications of decisions made in those rooms. Which is reason enough to generate somewhat of an atmosphere.

A few days earlier we found ourselves in downtown San Antonio early and decided to visit the "Tower of Americas". It was quiet and not expensive to go up and a good day for a view at 750ft Above Ground Level.

I think this is the only visit we've made to downtown San Antonio in the passed year, so it was a hello and farewell tour, with a quick stop in the historical Menger Hotel Tavern.

Engagement - Up in the air.

Link to Vimeo - Up in the air proposal.
Here is my first crack at a video.

The next iteration is going to have to wait for some better computer hardware. - Any of my video editing friends recommend a particular upgrade such as : an SSD / more RAM / graphics card ?
Does any particular one upgrade alleviate video processing bottle necks more than another ?

In the meantime enjoy :)

The BIG Plunge

Yesterday, with the help of Fly Texas and Danny, I took the big plunge.

We took off behind the boat, fairly well planned and rehearsed into a sky full of puffy clouds. I'm not great with secrets, but somehow I did manage to surprise Heidi when I popped the question. I had grandiose plans of putting on a bow tie and getting down on one knee.

Right off tow, I went to sneakely put on the bow tie, and snapped the elastic that I'd rigged for my head without a helmet, so slightly flustered I put it in my mouth. Not so good for speech delivery :) I rambled through my speech through my ear to ear grin, sort of flying the glider (I think I remember flying?). Surprised and laughing ecstatically she said yes.

Made for a memorable day, thanks to Dan and Jeff for helping me set up the day, and with the preparations the previous few weeks :) I am going to put a short movie clip together in the next few days.

The deck.

Here's a project started around Christmas time. Definitely took a good deal longer than I expected, but I like the result, it ended up pretty much how I envisioned. It started off as a dilapidated pool that had been covered over with a wood frame and tarp, which had since decayed.

Of course I always like to start out with a sketch of what I think I'm aiming for. The hot tub and pizza over were a little out of the budget but could be added later. The fire ring  idea turned out to be too smokey since the pool siding doesn't vent.

But most other things panned out well. The steps were the largest amount or construction. They make a nice place to sit and watch storms roll through. Cutting a passage through the side was easy, we just bent the metal pool siding around the corner and riveted some more pieces on.

The BBQ stand was a couple of days project, but matched the rustic style.

Heidi worked like crazy with a wire brush on wood grinding the sun damaged wood of the surface. While I replaced rotten and overly damaged boards. This was by far the most effort and took a couple of solid weeks labor.

Then I put on some siding to hide the ugly parts and we painted it with deckover, it took 10 gallons and was the most expense part of the project. The wood was all reused from other parts (even and old redneck bed frame). Heidi repainted the light pole and down pipes sand. I think it all looks fantastic.