tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-87742385395574334812024-03-05T17:36:28.430-08:00The Throb Of LifeChris's musing, thoughts, epiphanies, infused with elements of anosognosia with a hint of Medoc wine.C2http://www.blogger.com/profile/11559480752718190106noreply@blogger.comBlogger45125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8774238539557433481.post-8547202955794162442022-12-11T12:48:00.000-08:002022-12-11T12:49:04.346-08:00Welcome To The Throb Of Life<a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2207/2356336477_ae768f04f4_m.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://farm3.static.flickr.com/2207/2356336477_ae768f04f4_m.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; float: right; height: 240px; margin: 0 0 10px 10px; width: 159px;"></a>Welcome to The Throb of Life where you will find my latest thoughts on everything non-technology. Wine, philosophy, personal epiphanies, social discoveries all infused with elements of anosognosia combined with a hint of Medoc and a spritzing of Zen. Feel free to comment and share your thoughts.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
For my more technology focused BLOG, visit <a href="http://dreamvent.blogspot.com/">CYBERTHOUGHTS</a>, or my Ham blog, <a href="http://hamninja.com/">HamNinja.com</a>.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Photos by <a href="http://cameraninja.com/">The Camera Ninja</a><br />
<a href="http://throboflife.blogspot.com/2013/03/captains-blog-20130324-rac-day-1.html">My RAC BLOG here.</a> <a rel="me" href="https://mastodon.hams.social/@N1CLC">Mastodon</a></div>
C2http://www.blogger.com/profile/11559480752718190106noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8774238539557433481.post-39420455344321717172022-12-11T12:43:00.004-08:002022-12-11T12:49:50.833-08:00Prime Directive<p><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZd_BNXrV6jUIqpDv2f3iKZEUpGFMk1ZF9Lfh1lKZiy5mfEtPH42_uD55MfMBi4XjfDk6K4t7ErAk4wNAmnASDnfrXfGdpzY3jSomy9y1QCvH-FeECuviz14sETXsdEpZu2plNVuqad-4tcViUWlO4ihv4AV7QZupg8rr3M8wX0Rmz5Lyb1VWYIyoerQ/s4032/IMG_9935.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZd_BNXrV6jUIqpDv2f3iKZEUpGFMk1ZF9Lfh1lKZiy5mfEtPH42_uD55MfMBi4XjfDk6K4t7ErAk4wNAmnASDnfrXfGdpzY3jSomy9y1QCvH-FeECuviz14sETXsdEpZu2plNVuqad-4tcViUWlO4ihv4AV7QZupg8rr3M8wX0Rmz5Lyb1VWYIyoerQ/s320/IMG_9935.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />When you feel overwhelmed, bummed, or just fine, repeat the “Prime Directives” below (yes I’m a Trekkie). Say the first three out loud. I’ll start with these three and add a couple more as I contemplate us.<p></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-7aaf3029-7fff-aefb-9cd1-7846e5b7d44f"><ol style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; list-style-type: decimal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Everything is going to be OK</span><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. </span><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A lot of times, life can seem overwhelming, or your problems insurmountable. But think back in your life how many times life felt like that and a week later you don’t even remember the situation. </span><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /><br /></span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; list-style-type: decimal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Never stop flying the plane</span><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. </span><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This saying comes from my time as a pilot, when my flight instructor told me to never, ever, stop flying the plane. This gets a lot of pilots killed during an emergency, they stop flying, stall the wing, or run into something. My instructor told me “If you are heading for the runway and the aircraft is damaged and on fire, they better find your nose wheel on the centerline." It applies to your life though. </span><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Your life is the plane, and you are the captain</span><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. You may want to crawl into bed and not get up, but YOU HAVE TO KEEP FLYING THE PLANE. You may want to crawl into a whiskey bottle, do drugs, etc, but YOU HAVE TO KEEP FLYING THE PLANE.</span><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /><br /></span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; list-style-type: decimal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">People love you</span><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. </span><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">You need to know this. We all need to know this. There are people out there who love you, no matter what your situation is. No strings attached.</span></p></li></ol><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">If things don’t feel the greatest, just trying to get rid of that feeling isn’t the way. Imagine if I, the author, could wave a wand and make sure you don’t have any difficult time, or experience bad feelings. I would be cheating you out of a fully lived life. Sure things suck, you might be in pain, but don’t try to escape. Escaping is just going to cheat yourself out of the full experience of life. Like the good stuff, you need to experience the bad stuff. And, the bad stuff makes the good stuff even better. Besides, if you escape, you aren’t flying the plane.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Chris Claborne</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Aka christian claborne</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">ThrobOfLife.com</span></p><div><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div></span>Chris Clabornehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05667976111738074928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8774238539557433481.post-17033011152497653902020-03-31T18:37:00.002-07:002020-03-31T18:37:24.385-07:00Mini Sabbatical Of Sorts<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimClfIwIkLv8xQc085NQQq3hJuEup-WVkOmbmDZA7JvHAVSVbHfjYPeBgJ9oQXEPtXYJj3ncZ6SO9IFDibrteNhCynVKDF38BroE9nUegjzzSa0vmW_jVdrKIquF3NEYk__GYSN5bbAnbp/s1600/IMG_4823.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1203" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimClfIwIkLv8xQc085NQQq3hJuEup-WVkOmbmDZA7JvHAVSVbHfjYPeBgJ9oQXEPtXYJj3ncZ6SO9IFDibrteNhCynVKDF38BroE9nUegjzzSa0vmW_jVdrKIquF3NEYk__GYSN5bbAnbp/s200/IMG_4823.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
Given that we are all partaking in a mini sabbatical of sorts, and are sequestered away, how many poets and philosophers will be born this week?<br />
<br />
-- Christian Claborne,<br />
Poet, Philosopher, and really bad speller.Chris Clabornehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05667976111738074928noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8774238539557433481.post-11775282855609754942019-12-21T12:15:00.001-08:002019-12-21T12:15:06.339-08:00Why We Remember Moments When Things Don't Go As Planned<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMPsufmSpTlZuZC4EGd9bwjO_SMxB6LkGPVBC1aaLYajvh3WlbJ_qV9ON9AWyklE0Sis-u4uaxudi-2BWZhWVGyPxmkIwxT0bzobOWoialuJar5Oi5Ej5SrX3HSjbc3mfcMRwPujJgYC6Z/s1600/IMG_0781.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMPsufmSpTlZuZC4EGd9bwjO_SMxB6LkGPVBC1aaLYajvh3WlbJ_qV9ON9AWyklE0Sis-u4uaxudi-2BWZhWVGyPxmkIwxT0bzobOWoialuJar5Oi5Ej5SrX3HSjbc3mfcMRwPujJgYC6Z/s200/IMG_0781.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN">I’m going to take a shot at my theory as to
why we remember things from our day or a trip that don’t go to our plan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The things we remember from a hike or trip
are the things that were unexpected or didn’t go to plan. When my daughter was
leaving for Spain on a school trip, I sat her down and dolled out some of
my<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>crack philosophy (some would call it
crack pot philosophy).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I told her that
things never go as planned and that’s OK,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>those are the moments that you remember.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>When your luggage doesn’t arrive or the rain cancels an outing and you
do something else, those are the moments you remember.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t get mad, overly upset and bummed out,
experience those times and possibly have fun with it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Be present, you can’t change the
situation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everything will work
out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Little did I know I would be
getting a call from her two hours later that was one of those moments.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<a name='more'></a><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN">My daughter called me and was on the verge of
tears while at the ticket counter at LAX.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The airline couldn’t find her tickets.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I told her to not worry, we had plenty of time to work the problem and
reminded her about the conversation we had just had.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I sent a message to my wife, who was in Spain
on the Camino and started digging through stuff trying to find the reservation
number.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Eventually the airline found it,
the name was a little dorked when it was punched into the system.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Problem solved and smiles abound.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s definitely a moment she won’t forget.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh227FIdKX11Rftdg4fBIVUki_541pmp1EKfSZtjd7mNKVtOuQxh8ezz068eHR9g7vEFcAD32S_0apdZmWukbcFsJVo2ozlEAfu59EgUwvkpmmYzr-b0npfWqDsZdCq6czMbDNDL6e60u9i/s1600/C3S10170.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh227FIdKX11Rftdg4fBIVUki_541pmp1EKfSZtjd7mNKVtOuQxh8ezz068eHR9g7vEFcAD32S_0apdZmWukbcFsJVo2ozlEAfu59EgUwvkpmmYzr-b0npfWqDsZdCq6czMbDNDL6e60u9i/s200/C3S10170.jpg" width="133" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN">I got multiple doses of my own medicine when I
followed her to Spain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In Barcelona
there were unexpected discoveries, a tour and guide that was unbelievable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I reached Bilbao, our hosts were over
the top hospitable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On the way home, I
got another dose of my own medicine when my daughter and I were delayed in
Paris for a day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I used the opportunity
to show my daughter that we can approach the situation differently, turn it
into an opportunity, a new adventure, and have fun.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Traveling internationally involves one long
line after another given the size of the aircraft.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The line to rebook and get hotel rooms etc
was a VERY long one containing a lot of upset folks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rather than get upset, why not have a party,
sort of.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I got some cookies and handed
them out to kids and parents, many of whom were very upset.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When we got our turn with the airline staff
(we were at the very end of a 200+ person line) they were surprised at how we
approached things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was no stress
and we had 3+ happy people doing everything they could to get us home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The next day someone stopped by by my seat on
the airplane and thanked me for my attitude.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She said my attitude (and the cookies of course) completely changed her
perspective and brightened her day. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN">Why is it we remember the things that don’t go
as planned?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, here’s my theory.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s because we wake up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We come out of our dream like state while our
brains fantasize, or worry about the past that is dead and the future that
hasn’t arrived. When things are going according to our plan, our monkey brain
is busy dancing around, dreaming, fantasizing, obsessing, and busy with
everything but reality.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When something
unexpected happens, all of that stops, we come back to the present moment,
reality. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigN2WFWiDdq6D_Lwkw5THfXnRM4Fs3cQvfSnRqiFOe8INwf-RaOIhEFki9YknZ_eh3oGFRQzNq6UFKqYGrB9tvkJqONHWcsb5_fy646HMqDVK2l2AuCyc1kpVP2DKzXHsxOkI9WOZ8Q8hM/s1600/C3S10658.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigN2WFWiDdq6D_Lwkw5THfXnRM4Fs3cQvfSnRqiFOe8INwf-RaOIhEFki9YknZ_eh3oGFRQzNq6UFKqYGrB9tvkJqONHWcsb5_fy646HMqDVK2l2AuCyc1kpVP2DKzXHsxOkI9WOZ8Q8hM/s200/C3S10658.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN">Let me give you a few other examples.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I was going through passport control after
after we were told to exit the aircraft and prepare to spend some time in
France due to a malfunction, I was just lazily following people back to where
we rebook our trip home. I got separated from my daughter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were in the massive Charles Degaulle
airport and I was just a tad panicky.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>OK, more than a tad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
eventually linked back up after a bit of my frantic searching but I was
definitely awake (my daughter was happily chatting away with someone in line).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>During that same episode I remember handing
out cookies and talking to people because I really wanted to be present and
show my daughter that there was another way to handle this instead of being
pissed at someone that had no control over what was going on.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN">This past summer, I was taking a hike in the
high country of Arizona.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was fully
awake as I explored a new path that was filled with unexpected beauty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After a while, I settled back into a more
monotonous part of the descent on the trail, my mind started to wonder until I
came upon a herd of elk in the forest only 20 yards from me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This discovery woke me back up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The elk hadn’t noticed me and I can remember
the sound of the slight breeze in the trees, the sounds of twigs and branches
breaking under hooves, the sound of my own breath, my dog panting next to me,
and the feel of the rocks beneath my feet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I was definitely in the present moment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I was experiencing every moment of reality as it ticked by, like the
beat of a bee’s wing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>WOW!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is it just me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t think so, I think this experience is
universal.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN">The other night at a party, I struck up a
conversation with a stranger.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He relayed
a story<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>of a recent hike when he
encountered a bear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was very
present.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We agreed that these
“unexpected moments” are the ones that we remember most.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I listen to other’s stories of travel
and adventure it seems that the “unexpected moments” are the ones that stick
out for them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A simple walk to the
store, while you are fully present, can create it’s own special memory,
possibly revealing an unexpected beauty that’s been there the whole time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzBttW9fZ8V8yDb6_y9JyO-MQG-ok6rvN_M1k9Qj1rUJt0rOYnbl94R6qBxlltLJIRrBWTHXWeqK_ELtLUOdgUhDy_hEDXH_Q3OSPcEWn8Q4I51yzG9kNmjkZ1BNkGpl0Lnawjvk2B3QLC/s1600/C3S10625.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzBttW9fZ8V8yDb6_y9JyO-MQG-ok6rvN_M1k9Qj1rUJt0rOYnbl94R6qBxlltLJIRrBWTHXWeqK_ELtLUOdgUhDy_hEDXH_Q3OSPcEWn8Q4I51yzG9kNmjkZ1BNkGpl0Lnawjvk2B3QLC/s200/C3S10625.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN">I was at lunch the other day talking with a
friend about a book I read, “The 3-Day Effect” by Florence Williams.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It asks if being in nature can make us feel
better.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our discussion led to lamenting
that we couldn’t be in the Forrest right now, and wanting to be in the forest
more often.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My suggestion is that we CAN
do that while on the walk between the restaurant and our offices.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are trees, shrubs, and grasses along
the way, we just need to notice all of this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>So I gave it a test on my way back to my office building.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I tried to tame my monkey brain from doing
it’s inevitable wondering bouncing around, but be present on the way back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wanted to notice all of nature on the way
back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It turns out that my effort paid
off, my walk was a lot more pleasurable and memorable.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN">Think about this the next time you hope that
everything goes according to plan for your big trip.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe you don’t want things to go exactly
according to plan. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN">If my theory is correct, why not create special
memories of your life by being present more often.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As you take a walk, fold laundry, or eat your
lunch, be more present.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN">-- Christian Claborne<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN" style="color: white;">(aka chris claborne)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />Chris Clabornehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05667976111738074928noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8774238539557433481.post-48616967378659708412019-03-28T13:19:00.004-07:002019-03-28T13:19:54.140-07:00Help The Universe OutYou dancing is how the universe experiences "joy". Dance a little people!<br />
<br />
-- Chris Claborne<br />
<span style="color: white;">(akad christian claborne)</span>Chris Clabornehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05667976111738074928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8774238539557433481.post-55859495779951065672018-09-23T09:41:00.003-07:002018-09-23T09:41:50.686-07:00On Setting Goals“Set for yourself goals, high and noble goals,” a young Nietzsche instructs, “and perish in pursuit of them.” If you arrive at a final destination, it’s a sign that you’ve set your sights too low, that your goal isn’t high or noble enough.<br />
<br />
- Nietzsche<br />
Clipped from the article "Nietzsche Made Me Do It", by John KaagChris Clabornehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05667976111738074928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8774238539557433481.post-83124980834475761542018-09-23T09:38:00.003-07:002018-09-23T09:38:27.913-07:00CHANGEChange is the spice of life. Without it, life would be tasteless.<br />
<br />
-- Christian Claborne<br />
<span style="background-color: white;">(aka chris claborne)</span>Chris Clabornehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05667976111738074928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8774238539557433481.post-23468671190572382812018-07-29T13:45:00.001-07:002018-07-29T20:58:01.219-07:00Spain, July 2018<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgYmtdZfcINZgnwZknD7B5lHsCumncElk4eiAVFbW3aV8O-iUXwJQ_TQGgWdCcVKgOGuxbXPeEkfd8iqj1HpHNi4auGvtU6_mwWwMmppRYlekd5radJXsmMJHUOetDT6EzgLLJfFiXD6Mh/s1600/C2F14753.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgYmtdZfcINZgnwZknD7B5lHsCumncElk4eiAVFbW3aV8O-iUXwJQ_TQGgWdCcVKgOGuxbXPeEkfd8iqj1HpHNi4auGvtU6_mwWwMmppRYlekd5radJXsmMJHUOetDT6EzgLLJfFiXD6Mh/s200/C2F14753.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN">What follows is a Captain’s BLOG on my trip to
Spain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although not many people will
read it, It’ll give me something to look back on.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN">Note:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll highlight some of the
key places and phrases, like <a href="https://www.flickr.com/search/?user_id=21191718%40N07&sort=date-taken-desc&safe_search=1&view_all=1&tags=food%20spain%202018">food</a> that will take you to pictures that are just
on that topic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It will save you from
going through all the photos in the album.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>If you want to see them all at once, go </span></i><span lang="EN"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/claborne/albums/72157697809967931"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #1155cc;">HERE</span></i></a><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">.<br /><b>You can also click on a picture for a larger version.</b><o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN">Mari Lú went to Spain as part of the
semi-exchange program through the high school.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We’ve hosted several Spanish students from Bilbao Spain over the years
and Mari Lú has formed close relationships with them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She speaks regularly with Paula via video
skype.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mari Lú wanted to extend her trip
so that she could stay with Paula and Jeanette was traveling over there to walk
the camino.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That would give the two of
them a month in Spain, not a bad vacation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Because of the way schedules worked out, Mari Lú would have to come back
by herself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s not something that I
thought Mari Lú was ready for.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although
she has done some air travel, she doesn’t have the experience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve traveled to Madrid and to other
locations south, like Toledo and Segovia and then via overnight rail to Granada
for an overnight there and into Portugal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The one place I’ve always wanted to visit was Barcelona before I checked
Spain off the priority list mainly because of the pull of the Catalonian
culture and fantastic architecture that the city is known for.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m into architecture and Gothic treatments
are one of my favorite.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jeanette
arranged my travel so that I would fly into Barcelona, have a few days to
explore the sites there, then join Mari Lú in Bilbao.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This would give me the opportunity to meet
some of the families of the kids that stayed with us and a week in country to
do some sight seeing and then fly back with Mari Lú.</span><br />
<span lang="EN"></span><br />
<a name='more'></a><span lang="EN"><br /></span></div>
<h2>
<span lang="EN">Nothing Goes As Planned<o:p></o:p></span></h2>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgjrBtjr3yEGylNF-NnEdoB6LcYia-8ssNX9vxbhLsXZZMOie9is1EoTAXLormLBsqh1gWzTKJR84sFBgp9zB566Hnw9wxcoPtpZTeSZSxb3KecDi-Q-uVwHyvP0k3Vnifa3a79wJ1KwYF/s1600/1b19994f-31d0-4681-bea4-8f50a0338661.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgjrBtjr3yEGylNF-NnEdoB6LcYia-8ssNX9vxbhLsXZZMOie9is1EoTAXLormLBsqh1gWzTKJR84sFBgp9zB566Hnw9wxcoPtpZTeSZSxb3KecDi-Q-uVwHyvP0k3Vnifa3a79wJ1KwYF/s200/1b19994f-31d0-4681-bea4-8f50a0338661.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<span lang="EN">Before I took Mari Lú to the high school to
catch the bus with the other kids, I explained to her things rarely go as
planned, and they never go how you envisioned it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I told her to soak up and enjoy those
moments, as those can be some of the biggest events of the trip and you will
remember them for a lifetime.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You baggage
could get lost, plane delayed or a missed flight, or an unexpected gift arrives
at your door, the food is better than you envisioned, or you see something you
didn’t plan on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If it’s a problem, don’t
get upset, enjoy, solve it, and move onto the next adventure on your itinerary
of life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN">Little did I know I’d be getting a call about
“things don’t go as planned” two hours later.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>When Mari Lú arrived at LAX, the airline couldn’t find her ticket.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She needed the confirmation number for her
flight<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> and </span>I told her and her teacher we
would work the problem and figure this out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We had two hours to do it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
quickly searched all my email, then searched Jeanette’s email and couldn’t find
a thing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I called and messaged Jeanette,
who was already in Spain, hoping she could come up with something.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mari Lú was on the verge of tears and I
continued to work the problem.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I called
Mari Lú back to give her what I had.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
could hear the KLM agent in the background talking to someone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Evidently they were able to contact the
someone at the agency that set this thing up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I hear “OK, yup, I see it now, I’ve got it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thank you.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Problem solved, Mari Lú is on her way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I then received a picture of her boarding pass for all of her
flights.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because her full name is so
long, I figured the airline didn’t have an exact match to the passport, causing
the problem.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I made a mental note to get
the confirmation number for the trip back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOMlEtcaa2RHZ4kQHS-FczxzwdF701SEiduAr8jfYUtRzDZWtvy8j0GloF3RISGqcU_TLeR2QwPg6PskdNH9OQ6amBHZ0ZL3wiyo1rSTXV02TcGFo_9wGa73r9cA3jjqooMuWJJHuZjyGw/s1600/IMG_0383.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1203" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOMlEtcaa2RHZ4kQHS-FczxzwdF701SEiduAr8jfYUtRzDZWtvy8j0GloF3RISGqcU_TLeR2QwPg6PskdNH9OQ6amBHZ0ZL3wiyo1rSTXV02TcGFo_9wGa73r9cA3jjqooMuWJJHuZjyGw/s200/IMG_0383.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
<h2>
<b>Wednesday, July 4th, 2018</b></h2>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN">My adventure commenced on July 4th, 2018 at
0530.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My pal Joe gave me a ride to the
airport and I do the usual security checks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I had a boarding pass and was ready to roll.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is where I met Conrad, a young man of
probably 18.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had finished boot in the
Marines and was on his way to Tennessee for additional training.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was Conrad’s first trip out of San Diego
ever, and therefore, his first flight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
told him to get a window seat and enjoy the ride.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was behind me a few rows and I let the
flight crew know that this was his first flight and told them to put lunch on
me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Conrad and I are both embarking on a
grand adventure, filled with unknowns.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN">I sat next to some guys on the way to Cancun
for a bachelor party and they gave me some choice Spanish phrases that would be
used to describe Trump.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3te-6_TThMwvHNp1NuF2YPyMWfDbder8KrfTovMD7xha33Nc-3-yEHrPpRjbDhm8B-4ePju3-CCTEeloXEQiE_utIiu_12vE-Nbgm2POe_qiZ55YUYZ2cDorEPMJ8izIEfCoRnk1Onig_/s1600/IMG_0386.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3te-6_TThMwvHNp1NuF2YPyMWfDbder8KrfTovMD7xha33Nc-3-yEHrPpRjbDhm8B-4ePju3-CCTEeloXEQiE_utIiu_12vE-Nbgm2POe_qiZ55YUYZ2cDorEPMJ8izIEfCoRnk1Onig_/s200/IMG_0386.PNG" width="112" /></a></div>
<span lang="EN">The layover in Atlanta wasn’t bad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s a huge airport and since you never know
what might be served on the transatlantic flight,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I decided to get a decent meal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I also picked up a blanket for the journey as
sometimes it can get pretty cold at 50k feet with an outside temp of -60f or colder.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN">Both flights for today had free WiFi for
messaging and tons of movies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s been
a while since I’ve done a transatlantic flight so this was a welcome
surprise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once settled in, I popped a
melatonin, a natural sleep aid, and fell asleep for about an hour or two.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They did serve a dinner on the flight that
wasn’t too bad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The flight was operated
by Air France and they tend to have their act together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I read and slept on and off on the way over
but didn’t sleep that well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had an
aisle seat that allowed me to get up and stand as often as I wanted but it also
came with the usual bumping and jostling from people and service carts going up
and down the aisle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One of the books I
downloaded was “Barcelona in Three Days”, a tourist guide.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I learned where I wanted to go and a few tips
on getting around, booking passes to the hot spots, etc.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN" style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhniFKx37vS0zozbTfVjBt9S6HQu7JcLsmY1cPykT94Rnfq02armvgHQbZeL2U6ajZLRNvx5P0WM6-lNTSRPUJY0Q__Ik4Pkeo2xRkiKumzHQx6e_j5sWGHfOg6b83etGYNB9DpmpHvM_B/s1600/IMG_0401.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhniFKx37vS0zozbTfVjBt9S6HQu7JcLsmY1cPykT94Rnfq02armvgHQbZeL2U6ajZLRNvx5P0WM6-lNTSRPUJY0Q__Ik4Pkeo2xRkiKumzHQx6e_j5sWGHfOg6b83etGYNB9DpmpHvM_B/s200/IMG_0401.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<h2>
<span lang="EN">Thursday, July 5th, 2018</span></h2>
I arrived Barcelona on schedule at 0830 local
time, quickly ran through customs, picked up baggage and hunted down the bus
that was recommended by the AirBnB dude.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Once at the Plaze d’Espania, I took a short walk to the end of the
street and grabbed a few pictures and then grabbed a cab for the apartment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I performed a recon of the city block around
my to-be apartment scoping out restaurants, grocery stores and other services
and assessing security (which wouldn’t be an issue given I was right next to a
large police station).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At 11 I met the
caretaker to drop my stuff off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was
very nice and showed me how things worked and answered a few of my tourist
questions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While I chatted with the
caretaker, I built a general itinerary and schedule for the places I wanted to
hit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The book I read on the way over
advised that I get tickets online since a lot of the places sell out during the
tourist season.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They limit the number of
people into the popular monuments and what time you can enter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This ensures that it’s not a total mob
scene.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jeanette wanted to join me at
Sagrada Família on Friday and I purchased tickets for the three of us and
loaded it into my itinerary.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I changed
my shirt and with tickets for my primary objectives loaded onto my mobile,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>a general ground plan in my head, I began my
assault on the city.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>First stop La
Pedrera (AKA Casa Milá) via La Ramblas.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkpSRceUaC9IvfZjsSEwkcuMLlKWn3HO344XB1KZaDo4R5X5vVBT0eUGNZ5CROuHHfUp1kKmKOfWCBbqf2JR9XzSTdE0wxuYz3QYqo3j-JlHgJ7-fUVWJ0s4WjKClFsMXXxnvf8KoSHzt2/s1600/C2F13646.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkpSRceUaC9IvfZjsSEwkcuMLlKWn3HO344XB1KZaDo4R5X5vVBT0eUGNZ5CROuHHfUp1kKmKOfWCBbqf2JR9XzSTdE0wxuYz3QYqo3j-JlHgJ7-fUVWJ0s4WjKClFsMXXxnvf8KoSHzt2/s200/C2F13646.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<span lang="EN">On the walk over to <a href="https://www.flickr.com/search/?user_id=21191718%40N07&sort=date-taken-desc&text=lapedrera&view_all=1"><span style="color: #1155cc;">La Pedrera</span></a>, I intersected la Rambla which took
me to my destination.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s the “main
drag” of Barcelona, with lots of street vendors, upscale shops, sidewalk cafes,
and various acts in the evening.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s
closed to major traffic and it’s super popular with tourists, like me. One time
up La Ramblas was kind of enough for me me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It was crowded with tourists from all over the world.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN">La Pedrera or "The stone quarry", a
reference to its unconventional and rough-hewn appearance, is a <a href="https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Modernisme"><span style="color: #1155cc;">modernist</span></a>
building in <a href="https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barcelona"><span style="color: #1155cc;">Barcelona</span></a>, <a href="https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catalonia"><span style="color: #1155cc;">Catalonia</span></a>,
Spain. It was the last private residence designed by architect <a href="https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antoni_Gaud%C3%AD"><span style="color: #1155cc;">Antoni Gaudí</span></a> and was built between 1906 and
1912.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is one of Gaudi’s earlier
works before he became rock star famous and it was a designed for a local large
residence for Pere Milá. One of Gardi’s trademarks was his drive to integrate
nature into his designs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is an
incredible amount of thought that he put into his designs which results in
interesting artistic choices and detail.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">My best description of Gaudi is
that he was a sculptor of buildings.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEO7vvdWrw_QrwbKbgDXiBWtftt0U0ploBoDV8ucTR_ePppDL65FIcPgyKXhF6i0qWSWc_HjSqDh9pj9sHATNW7juoMOnF2HyrtPksBkBmh8NOZWvVDetNo0OrdbvZR2wAT71lM_sHH-Jx/s1600/C2F13662.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEO7vvdWrw_QrwbKbgDXiBWtftt0U0ploBoDV8ucTR_ePppDL65FIcPgyKXhF6i0qWSWc_HjSqDh9pj9sHATNW7juoMOnF2HyrtPksBkBmh8NOZWvVDetNo0OrdbvZR2wAT71lM_sHH-Jx/s200/C2F13662.jpg" width="133" /></a></div>
<span lang="EN">I had an audio guide which was very helpful to
fully appreciate what I was seeing and guide me through the structure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The outside is certainly unconventional but
the inside is where all the fun is.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
started out in the atrium which has multiple design elements and then went up
to the roof and worked my way down. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While in the atrium, the guide suggests that you just stand there taking it all in, not to be in a hurry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This, as it turns out, allows you to notice
all of the various design elements that were implemented.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The longer I was there, the more I noticed. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN">Next was a short elevator ride to the
roof.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The rooftop chimneys as sentinels
with helmets were cool but the most shocking view to me was the attic and how
he made all of the curves come together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The structural architecture and the way he implemented curves and open
ceilings was astounding.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I felt like I
was inside some sort of beast.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I didn’t
realize until later that he drew up the designs while in his workshop at
Familia Sagrada.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll need to do some
research on Gaudi because I’d like to know where or how he learned structural
engineering.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One last and interesting
fact from the guild is that initially people hated the building, calling it a
pile of rocks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Eventually public
sentiment changed and today the Cantelonian’s are extremely proud of the building.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m thinking that this structure may have
been one of the many works that helped elevate Gaudi to celebrity rock star
status.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can read more about the
structure on Wikipedia <a href="https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Casa_Mil%C3%A0"><span style="color: #1155cc;">here</span></a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><a href="https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Casa_Mil%C3%A0"><span style="color: #1155cc;"><o:p></o:p></span></a></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTS3Cc5S6H_g36c7s5UGpL-Abp8Vk7BkDYe3R8E42DIqRr5R_aM1dpXyJFmretkTCfB3PWQYczfUGa6vB7nDuaXICdIgA-qAZgQit4KO3k-lWQj7sDbt4jdoZoNamM_4Ibqn4XADbQobjT/s1600/C2F13670.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTS3Cc5S6H_g36c7s5UGpL-Abp8Vk7BkDYe3R8E42DIqRr5R_aM1dpXyJFmretkTCfB3PWQYczfUGa6vB7nDuaXICdIgA-qAZgQit4KO3k-lWQj7sDbt4jdoZoNamM_4Ibqn4XADbQobjT/s200/C2F13670.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTURfHddSCW-vGlMQiKEf-EzSAm0WxPZQ8d24_Jl-HwWcsxMlMTlgTPsLJ0he0hQqEk1qQpAncLMYDLid10K8s9-mKq8IcHmcJ9I47JwKIo_tgGUqabudpEnwwECcpf0vQS9gZpzDx86N7/s1600/C2F13701.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTURfHddSCW-vGlMQiKEf-EzSAm0WxPZQ8d24_Jl-HwWcsxMlMTlgTPsLJ0he0hQqEk1qQpAncLMYDLid10K8s9-mKq8IcHmcJ9I47JwKIo_tgGUqabudpEnwwECcpf0vQS9gZpzDx86N7/s200/C2F13701.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrs3IfAQhyphenhyphenLi6rluM2JOdWEpQz0Nfa2dFByIMUgea-yLa0z9nHk8A4EMBaR-6tp1SX-dQPEHBpPX3xqACSOHPVUFK_xZacPHE1W7ceXs3cJhyphenhyphenwK8q9mIacE1JaLcEG-dqAJ229GHWnfY-e/s1600/C2F13718.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrs3IfAQhyphenhyphenLi6rluM2JOdWEpQz0Nfa2dFByIMUgea-yLa0z9nHk8A4EMBaR-6tp1SX-dQPEHBpPX3xqACSOHPVUFK_xZacPHE1W7ceXs3cJhyphenhyphenwK8q9mIacE1JaLcEG-dqAJ229GHWnfY-e/s200/C2F13718.jpg" width="133" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
(All my pictures of <span style="color: #1155cc;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/search/?user_id=21191718%40N07&sort=date-taken-desc&text=lapedrera&view_all=1">La Pedrera</a> <a href="https://www.flickr.com/search/?user_id=21191718%40N07&sort=date-taken-desc&text=lapedrera&view_all=1">HERE</a>)</span></div>
<span lang="EN"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH2w8tVC4m0xE9I4a5r_ZKMS7Wd8mbEWQJ9A_0-tsJ9Wv3ydwiracsz2ILyU54eFd2GHkySFk2lJkOr2eBB3LuPdeDKZiurG1L5afzaHNPzFfvghYku6Jms47Tdka_UGkoZJcKn1PaWJ7l/s1600/IMG_0415.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH2w8tVC4m0xE9I4a5r_ZKMS7Wd8mbEWQJ9A_0-tsJ9Wv3ydwiracsz2ILyU54eFd2GHkySFk2lJkOr2eBB3LuPdeDKZiurG1L5afzaHNPzFfvghYku6Jms47Tdka_UGkoZJcKn1PaWJ7l/s200/IMG_0415.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
<span lang="EN">On my walk back to my apartment I decided to
go into the large mercado that was just off of La Rambla.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wasn’t planning on having dinner so early
but I went by a tapas place that was right next to the butcher shop.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was salivating heavily.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I ordered a small steak and a tapa thing
along with some wine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I made friends
with a couple from France and Algeria sitting next to me. We had an excellent
time talking about travels, Spain, Barcelona, etc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were super nice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Somehow our meals were very late.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The waiter came by and apologized and said
that the printer at the grill quit working and ate our orders.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He deals with a lot of tourists who would not
have been happy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I explained to him that
I was totally fine with it and was in no hurry whatsoever, I’m on
vacation...<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was kind of taken back by
my easy going attitude. Given the number of tourists that he deals with, who at
times are probably jerks when there is a screw up like this seemed unexpected. He comped us some fantastic fish
tapas and other food and we chatted with him for a while.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The meal was excellent and my friends and I
both wanted pictures of the outing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So
far, my first day in Barcelona couldn’t have gone any better.... WOW, what an
introduction!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN">I walked around some of the side streets off
La Rambla for a while and then down to my apartment which was actually off of
Carrer nou de la Rambla.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN">It was a very hot and sticky day in Barcelona
so I was happy to get back to my pad with air conditioner and was ready for a
shower.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Before my shower I thought I
would lay down and read my personal email... Two seconds later I passed out and
came two about two hours later.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>WOW, I
was tired. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcYVWXYx7u9Un29j2IgtZiBoAWDJVu_I8si4bX8nlY8J_n9FlYCJ9GdfyuB2WuQF6Zc06rdp5_1jbDsNkN6eSAv0RES-G34rpmX9Xw6C0H_cC6h71QHNkk_60p_4vx9EXL6NpvorygSbnB/s1600/C2F13776.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcYVWXYx7u9Un29j2IgtZiBoAWDJVu_I8si4bX8nlY8J_n9FlYCJ9GdfyuB2WuQF6Zc06rdp5_1jbDsNkN6eSAv0RES-G34rpmX9Xw6C0H_cC6h71QHNkk_60p_4vx9EXL6NpvorygSbnB/s200/C2F13776.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<h2>
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_ya0yj9121cf"></a><span lang="EN">Friday, July 6th, 2018<o:p></o:p></span></h2>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN">Today’s primary objective to to join a tour of
the Gothic Quarter and then head over to Park Guell, another Gaudi work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I managed to give myself a blister on my left
foot the previous day in my sandals, a port choice of foot gear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll take it easy today on my feet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix655Jj55PQE4AgxLA3rtZ2CdS1R55fvOM6ZiRtMG6eWMLeSc7mxL5eTCbxxMjN6kWQuolYULoQOV2nKgh3xzSmID3b59E5adDY8MnsowHqvIHtaI-n9wKu5KMI8YWtfxT1Gg5LH4QmrwG/s1600/IMG_0419.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix655Jj55PQE4AgxLA3rtZ2CdS1R55fvOM6ZiRtMG6eWMLeSc7mxL5eTCbxxMjN6kWQuolYULoQOV2nKgh3xzSmID3b59E5adDY8MnsowHqvIHtaI-n9wKu5KMI8YWtfxT1Gg5LH4QmrwG/s200/IMG_0419.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<span lang="EN">I woke early and decided I would pop out of
bed and get over to the <a href="https://www.flickr.com/search/?user_id=21191718%40N07&sort=date-taken-desc&text=gothicquarter&view_all=1"><span style="color: #1155cc;">Gothic quarter</span></a> before the rest of Barcelona
choked the streets.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had thought about
this earlier and given the low angle light, and minimal people it should be
fun, and it was.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I stopped at a cafe and
had a quiche and some coffee.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This
place will be my favorite breakfast stop while I’m in town.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s off the beaten path, the people are OK
with my shitty Spanish, and the food and coffee are great.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN">It was enjoyable watching Barcelona wake
up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>People stay out late in Spain so
early morning photo shoot is the best option, and I got a few good ones.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I really want to do this more often but it
takes a certain amount of willpower after you’ve been out partying the night
before.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I strolled by Basilica de Santa
Maria del Pi and then found an outdoor cafe to have a coffee and relax....
Mmmm, the coffee is great here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitMaN34W73Fi_YcFxyE8hEyHbr04mFCVkr79e_DE1oOcMPBR9So19At6VGKGDOTtpzBZ6F-4IOu30yvDJXcDxQrwHY1y8pnR96dg0DSafFt4pOjp_T_7VJ9-MCQv7f80U8ASGW_KawRRzi/s1600/C2F13815.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitMaN34W73Fi_YcFxyE8hEyHbr04mFCVkr79e_DE1oOcMPBR9So19At6VGKGDOTtpzBZ6F-4IOu30yvDJXcDxQrwHY1y8pnR96dg0DSafFt4pOjp_T_7VJ9-MCQv7f80U8ASGW_KawRRzi/s200/C2F13815.jpg" width="133" /></a></div>
<span lang="EN">I met my guide for the tour of the <a href="https://www.flickr.com/search/?user_id=21191718%40N07&sort=date-taken-desc&text=gothicquarter&view_all=1"><span style="color: #1155cc;">Gothic Quarter</span></a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It turns out that I’m the only one in the
“group” for the day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One of the reasons
I chose this tour guide is that she has an architecture background and is a
city planner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bianca customized my tour
knowing that I was into Gothic architecture and into architecture in
general.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t think I could have
found any better tour guide in the city.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We got along well and the pace was exactly how I liked it, lazy and not
hurried.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN">We ventured past the Basilica de Santa Maria
del Pi, but we didn’t go in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We did
enter Basilica Santa Maria Del Mar, where, if you look close, you will notice
that one of the stain glass panes has the FC Barcelona football (soccer) club
coat of arms within it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Barcelona, as it
turns, out, also worships their football team.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We then meandered into the Born neighborhood to see a little more modern
Barcelona and how the locals shop and live.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It’s old and an interesting area with lots of small streets, cafes and
other shopping.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We stopped at a cafe
where I got something cool, as by now it was starting to get toasty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN">We ended at a place where they had originally
planned to build a large shopping or industrial area but found ruins
below.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We parted where I caught a cab to
Park Guell.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
(All pictures of the Gotic Quarter <a href="https://www.flickr.com/search/?sort=date-taken-desc&safe_search=1&tags=gothicquarter&user_id=21191718%40N07&view_all=1">HERE</a>)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYGvuFQR0wNs32qXGDwmZ3glN4RihmsnFABaLw1FMsvCigfBJQcU-bU6X1sD533WFUD-Dky1PSCAEtxvSGGqrY2eLE6Q74mqATRBt4ovR5-RRAeCpgHSSexlZnNW1becvYCLwLFj-gZJdU/s1600/C2F13865.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYGvuFQR0wNs32qXGDwmZ3glN4RihmsnFABaLw1FMsvCigfBJQcU-bU6X1sD533WFUD-Dky1PSCAEtxvSGGqrY2eLE6Q74mqATRBt4ovR5-RRAeCpgHSSexlZnNW1becvYCLwLFj-gZJdU/s200/C2F13865.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<span lang="EN">Next up is <a href="https://www.flickr.com/search/?user_id=21191718%40N07&sort=date-taken-desc&view_all=1&text=parkguell"><span style="color: #1155cc;">Park Guell</span></a>, Gaudi’s park.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is a bit off the beaten path and
recommended by the guide books.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Being a
Gaudi fan after seeing La Padrera, I was looking forward to it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I grabbed a sandwich near the park as I
awaited my time slot to enter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
purchased tickets in advance via the internet which is a must since most of the
landmarks are sold out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Also, for the
ones that I purchased, you have to enter at the time slot that you
purchased.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think they do this in order
to control the flow of tourists.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is
a good thing given the number of tourists that flood the entire country,
doubling it’s size.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m guessing
Barcelona gets the most of the tourists and then Madrid.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Barcelona feels more like a city of
tourists and a few locals.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>OK, back to <a href="https://www.flickr.com/search/?user_id=21191718%40N07&sort=date-taken-desc&view_all=1&text=parkguell"><span style="color: #1155cc;">Park Guell</span></a>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-bDFpZcbE49lcpKF7icMlu95Z-q0KSJMd0PAwUQOV66Qr6Mx2EUXjZRC75KQqCGacjzpAohphIKWOaWQe_k_bP3_m1I9PByfO7WMd2HhWkvRmzhISj7mVFT5YqiqBIA8GKiETY8lkWSB3/s1600/C2F13867.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-bDFpZcbE49lcpKF7icMlu95Z-q0KSJMd0PAwUQOV66Qr6Mx2EUXjZRC75KQqCGacjzpAohphIKWOaWQe_k_bP3_m1I9PByfO7WMd2HhWkvRmzhISj7mVFT5YqiqBIA8GKiETY8lkWSB3/s200/C2F13867.jpg" width="133" /></a></div>
<span lang="EN"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/search/?user_id=21191718%40N07&sort=date-taken-desc&view_all=1&text=parkguell"><span style="color: #1155cc;">Park Guell</span></a> was conceived by a British
businessman / developer (hence the name “Park” and not “Parque”).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The idea was to create a park like
environment for homes for the upper class.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He collaborated with Gaudi to design the park and a few structures.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unfortunately, at the time it was too far
outside of town to get services like water, sewer and roads, so the project was
eventually scrapped and donated to the city.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN">I bummed around the park for a while but was
not wholly impressed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you are pressed
for time, I wouldn’t recommend this excursion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I’ll ask my friend Renata what she thought of it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN">I went into the neighborhood of Gracia and
bummed around a bit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wanted to find a
small pub to watch the World Cup match of Uruguay vs. France.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had lost track of time so I was only able
watch the last 15 minutes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The bar was
in non-tourists area, filled with city workers and a few other locals watching
the game.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a boring final 15
minutes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>France won as I predicted but
it was a sleeper.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU8OLsaS6NTuwtnbhrmcA2mlaV_A49Y4ywbylqAcm2TAeCi-eoTGAlg-CfRvCsZ1YYCzOsFSANJ0xXLXe_JZ6JuEQAjN8C8tGABzbSShNNq9v3IhGdlLBgZe551s0rO_IoZpYeyNX5J0pI/s1600/C2F13878.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU8OLsaS6NTuwtnbhrmcA2mlaV_A49Y4ywbylqAcm2TAeCi-eoTGAlg-CfRvCsZ1YYCzOsFSANJ0xXLXe_JZ6JuEQAjN8C8tGABzbSShNNq9v3IhGdlLBgZe551s0rO_IoZpYeyNX5J0pI/s200/C2F13878.jpg" width="133" /></a></div>
<span lang="EN">I definitely wanted to watch the Brazil vs. Belgium game that would be on at 8PM local time so I decided it best to get
back to my own neighborhood while I could still navigate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’d take a shower and head out in search of
an appropriate venue for dinner and a game.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This game was most likely going to be a hell of a battle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most restaurants, pubs and tapa bars had the
game on so finding a place that had the game running wasn’t going to be a
problem.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I really wanted a decent glass
or two of wine so that will fit heavily into the search.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The vino tinto that I had at the bar in
Gracia was pretty bad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN">After a quick shower I headed out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I figured I find a place as I walked up Nou
de la Rombla but nothing caught my eye until I turned left on La Rambla.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The wine list there was extensive and they
had lamb!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The prices weren’t too
exorbitant given it was right on the main drag with max tourists, and hadn’t
filled up yet given it was early for dinner (Spain doesn’t start dinner until
after 9PM).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was able to secure a table
right in front of the big LCD screen and ordered some wine and some mushrooms
with lamb to follow.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM_GTww0JZUH8Rlzte8U-yPacv9gPVQlMsad25-GGGQlHc4iWZ1WcqPxXnRTULAZS_8428GXX9ddJc0Bu5jyE0AeoaduM0mWHqj2iKdooGdM4-WQp6qQokmbGCsI7NQph1dRSKIYV_K7S2/s1600/IMG_0428.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM_GTww0JZUH8Rlzte8U-yPacv9gPVQlMsad25-GGGQlHc4iWZ1WcqPxXnRTULAZS_8428GXX9ddJc0Bu5jyE0AeoaduM0mWHqj2iKdooGdM4-WQp6qQokmbGCsI7NQph1dRSKIYV_K7S2/s200/IMG_0428.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
<span lang="EN">The wine was outstanding and the mushrooms were out of this world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were heated up in olive oil and garlic
and were a perfect pairing for the wine (notice I pair the food to the
wine).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was right about the game, the
fireworks started 5 seconds after kickoff with drives and shots on goal
immediately thereafter and throughout the game.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN">As the game went on, it got pretty loud in the
the restaurant and it was a lot of fun.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I was rooting for Brazil knowing that Belgium would probably be
victorious, which they were, 2 to 1.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
will add however, that one of the Belgium goals was scored by Brazil.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The lamb was very tasty and I ordered “Crema
Catalana” for desert.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>WOW, WOW, WOW, the
Crema Catalana was fantastic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN">After dinner I took a walk to burn off some of
the calories I just ingested and then headed back to my apartment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jeanette and Mari Lú would be coming into
Barcelona in the morning and we would probably have a full day on Saturday.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZdY08JpIustFMs78UKJuZriTOjRFGGLcogJYOLOteGheAVBZLn9MNEicSTjjs2V_jTZKtfBattZzBtMSFQ9T5WHEx7IojVqCMoiSZaygrtmt7UgnoFWY14TUY2ig-kXhi4oJ8YqD0cIEu/s1600/C2F13920.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZdY08JpIustFMs78UKJuZriTOjRFGGLcogJYOLOteGheAVBZLn9MNEicSTjjs2V_jTZKtfBattZzBtMSFQ9T5WHEx7IojVqCMoiSZaygrtmt7UgnoFWY14TUY2ig-kXhi4oJ8YqD0cIEu/s200/C2F13920.jpg" width="133" /></a></div>
<h2>
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_slvjqbdswzq1"></a><span lang="EN">Saturday, July 7th, 2018<o:p></o:p></span></h2>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN">I wanted to get an early start and hit another
part of town as the sun came up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My head
hurt a tad from the night before and I had stayed out pretty late.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I nixed the early “watch Barcelona wake up”
and headed to my designated breakfast place for some more quiche and
scrumptious coffee con leche. My left foot wasn’t much better either, temporing
my enthusiasm for a venture back into the gothic quarter. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN">The girls arrived at the apartment via the
same route I had taken from the airport.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They got settled and we headed out so they could get a bite to eat and
some coffee.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The core objective of the
day was <a href="https://www.flickr.com/search/?user_id=21191718%40N07&sort=date-taken-desc&text=sagradafam%C3%ADlia&view_all=1"><span style="color: #1155cc;">Familia Segrada</span></a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We stopped at my favorite breakfast haunt so
that they could fuel up and I stopped by a pharmacy and did some repair work on
my foot, which turned out well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq3gbpN9SeuSvco0TFF_wM6k2mrwFEudmV9l9MVHKV8igpecSRNgQ8yEW4eM9HC3OJztGCWWbYwCEbzRCn_qB7UJL-VNDhjx2iZEH_y0fpCKLsguepXfDTe1ZpHLx8bPBZeDicJK4kBbez/s1600/IMG_0447.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq3gbpN9SeuSvco0TFF_wM6k2mrwFEudmV9l9MVHKV8igpecSRNgQ8yEW4eM9HC3OJztGCWWbYwCEbzRCn_qB7UJL-VNDhjx2iZEH_y0fpCKLsguepXfDTe1ZpHLx8bPBZeDicJK4kBbez/s320/IMG_0447.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<span lang="EN">The Basílica i Temple Expiatori de la <a href="https://www.flickr.com/search/?user_id=21191718%40N07&sort=date-taken-desc&text=sagradafam%C3%ADlia&view_all=1"><span style="color: #1155cc;">Sagrada Família</span></a> is a large unfinished Roman
Catholic church in Barcelona, designed by Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí. The
church has been under construction since 1882,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>started under architect <a href="https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francisco_de_Paula_del_Villar_y_Lozano"><span style="color: #1155cc;">Francisco de Paula del Villar</span></a>. In 1883, when
Villar resigned,<a href="https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/%23cite_note-UNESCO-4"><sup><span style="color: #1155cc;">[4]</span></sup></a> Gaudí took over as chief architect,
transforming the project with his architectural and engineering style,
combining <a href="https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gothic_architecture"><span style="color: #1155cc;">Gothic</span></a> and curvilinear <a href="https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Art_Nouveau"><span style="color: #1155cc;">Art
Nouveau</span></a> forms (I wonder if Gaudi drove him crazy with his design
ideas which were way ahead of his time).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It’s expected to be completed in 2026, the centenary of Gaudi’s
death.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was the crowning achievement
of Gaudi and he spent the rest of his life living on-site and working on the
project.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He knew it would never be
finished in his lifetime (or several lifetimes).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although a lot of drawings were lost during
the callus destruction of a civil war, enough drawings and models survived to
support the architects that continue his work to this day which started again in the
50s, supported only by donations. They continue to use Gaudi’s style of
creating models that help shape the final decisions for various sections but
today they use 3D printers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Given the
status of the building and importance of this work, I guessing it’s tough being
allowed to work on such a masterpiece.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5PoovnPXiFrfqTZ-zsMXDTACK3owEtv2zPJBsYuKXm92VBWVPlyaohopQYaJ_amPDDOJDrRk8xuhHfaQbF82z_WaiYZzfQHxfKS_WWCNwTZsPD1dOIuetDOiFTUAfxreNquBtIYkgMgmz/s1600/C2F13974.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5PoovnPXiFrfqTZ-zsMXDTACK3owEtv2zPJBsYuKXm92VBWVPlyaohopQYaJ_amPDDOJDrRk8xuhHfaQbF82z_WaiYZzfQHxfKS_WWCNwTZsPD1dOIuetDOiFTUAfxreNquBtIYkgMgmz/s200/C2F13974.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<span lang="EN">The initial view of the outside of the basilica is shockingly
massive and filled with unimaginable detail, something that I’m starting to get
use to with Gaudi.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was fairly hot and
I was hoping for a quick entry into the church.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We did an orbit of the outside and then headed to the entry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hadn’t seen any pictures of the inside yet
but I know from my time in La Predera that it was going to be quite a treat,
but I wasn’t fully prepared for what was to come.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN">Upon entering I was gobsmacked, and started to
tear up (I spoke to another man who had the same reaction by the way).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was overcome by the massive structural
beauty that was presented inside.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From
the stain glass to the unique tree-like structures jutting up to hold the ceiling
combined with the incredible detail everywhere.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The use of space was equally astoundingly and it is a masterpiece of
architectural majesty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve visited
massive churches all over France, Spain, Italy, Mexico, and Germany, and
nothing compares.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe it’s that this
Cathedral doesn’t follow the typical cross / tried and true design, while it
still leveraged gothic structural engineering to achieve it‘s height, it’s a
complete departure from the norm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
wondered how it holds all that weight up (actually one time it didn’t, and a
tower came down).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In Goudi’s time there
were no structural engineering colleges, computers, cranes, or steal reinforced
concrete.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_wYyHrEpZwYrQfxuwBtl0HMEhazuN-kOwkILQ2WwqPtTI5I1C_Xe4GYFIrY9KI_8EvxHkydpMwv4CH7N3gnUrgu_JyIzj0HpPyr4UTJJ7ZLBe0rn92xwLu4CyStcg3Wl_f6JClDYYYLfg/s1600/C2F13952.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1093" data-original-width="1600" height="136" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_wYyHrEpZwYrQfxuwBtl0HMEhazuN-kOwkILQ2WwqPtTI5I1C_Xe4GYFIrY9KI_8EvxHkydpMwv4CH7N3gnUrgu_JyIzj0HpPyr4UTJJ7ZLBe0rn92xwLu4CyStcg3Wl_f6JClDYYYLfg/s200/C2F13952.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<span lang="EN">I find it interesting how catholicism has
inspired so many artists.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gaudi was a
bit of a detail freak and and devout christian.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>There was symbolism all over the place, inside and out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although he used gothic architecture, he hid
the flying buttress within the structure and then departed from any typical
gothic style church.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I could probably go
on and on about this and never do it justice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>There are lots blogs, video, books, etc that are written on this
masterpiece.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you have the opportunity
to get anywhere near Barcelona, you’d be crazy to miss this landmark.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you do go, don’t miss the museum in the
basement.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There you will learn more
about the history and the evolution of design it went through.<br />
(All pictures of Sagrada Familia <a href="https://www.flickr.com/search/?user_id=21191718%40N07&sort=date-taken-desc&text=sagradafam%C3%ADlia&view_all=1"><span style="color: #1155cc;">HERE</span></a>)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0sDBCB85AMUcq7IHLqThKu5oS0OUdlVHdLQBbfyNHckVjoQqpilXlmxRqOmpe7w8WNYAV_0d-eIDZrPpqtd4YzaFZpzZqlTnCr2P4tUfdIzh68jViOi7AwzeW5MycZ1QCzYZdmbzJVqlS/s1600/IMG_0461.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0sDBCB85AMUcq7IHLqThKu5oS0OUdlVHdLQBbfyNHckVjoQqpilXlmxRqOmpe7w8WNYAV_0d-eIDZrPpqtd4YzaFZpzZqlTnCr2P4tUfdIzh68jViOi7AwzeW5MycZ1QCzYZdmbzJVqlS/s200/IMG_0461.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>
<span lang="EN">I wanted to catch the England Sweden game so
Jeanette and I went over to the London Bar to watch it with some Londoners.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was fun to see the game there with the
brits.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At one point, after a screwup by
England, I asked if this is where I yell “bloody hell” at the TV.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was told “yes” and I let 'er rip.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN">England eventually won the game much to the
pleasure of the patrons.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Before they
left, they sang “God Save The Queen”. I wish I had caught that on video.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After
the game we went back to the apartment and then out to have dinner, watch the
second<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>game and stroll the main drag in
Barcelona, Las Ramblas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We ended up at a
pizza / paella restaurant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The food was
pedestrian but it’s the first paella I’ve had since arriving.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was extremely happy to see Croatia send
Russia home, as I really didn’t like the Russian style of play and I was still
pissed Russia was able to stall Spain for 120 minutes to win in a shootout.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN">(All pictures from Barcelona <a href="https://www.flickr.com/search/?sort=date-taken-desc&safe_search=1&tags=barcelonaspain&user_id=21191718%40N07&view_all=1"><span style="color: #1155cc;">HERE</span></a>)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXwhzsP0EsmxXNGFVu1-UjEtQFCnzPBDIvIwg3JYbzbwSF_8no0IQiZwqs5WYiHeMTOPKoYNWHC7WPbFExlaxWzTyLhW6sFGra0CN7OINqJUuOlqVk5Vjp1ctLixqrN3MVjq3sB_eZc96e/s1600/C2F14047.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXwhzsP0EsmxXNGFVu1-UjEtQFCnzPBDIvIwg3JYbzbwSF_8no0IQiZwqs5WYiHeMTOPKoYNWHC7WPbFExlaxWzTyLhW6sFGra0CN7OINqJUuOlqVk5Vjp1ctLixqrN3MVjq3sB_eZc96e/s200/C2F14047.jpg" width="133" /></a></div>
<h2>
<span lang="EN" style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Sunday,
July 8th, 2018</span></h2>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN">On Sunday, we had the day to laze around,
finish the laundry and bug out by 1100.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The first stop was a luggage locker place that would free us up to tour
the city until our flight left.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Given
the condition of our feet (Jeanette was still in pain from the 100+ miles she
hiked), we opted for a bus tour, which, as it turns out, a good way to get to
know the city.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We opted for two
different routes and then it was back to pickup the luggage and head to the
airport.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN">There was a massive statue by the sea of
Christopher Columbus pointing out (with a large orange life vest on his arm).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span lang="EN">#OverheardInBarceloa.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As we passed the statue of Columbus pointing
out out toward the sea, the guide said “Some say he is pointing to America but
if that were the case, he would have never gotten there.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My statement was that he may have thought
that was the direction when he set off until his wife shouted from below decks
“Dammit Christopher!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I told you to turn
right back there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What are you trying to
do, get us lost?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMR-go_mRVwFS5Y_Mz-Rdy7FKGfAIXhJDryxV5JXnXhegs_lnaiGIzHsBZVtPA4LqDzdwBWQhAkMcA1RJMeXDWNAJJXiv61-FN1m44vzVqxOgktAJQKyEFjWgmXIXQ5mgtqeM6fXm9KiV8/s1600/IMG_0492.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1203" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMR-go_mRVwFS5Y_Mz-Rdy7FKGfAIXhJDryxV5JXnXhegs_lnaiGIzHsBZVtPA4LqDzdwBWQhAkMcA1RJMeXDWNAJJXiv61-FN1m44vzVqxOgktAJQKyEFjWgmXIXQ5mgtqeM6fXm9KiV8/s200/IMG_0492.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
<span lang="EN">The Barcelona airport was hot as hell.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They don’t cool their airports so I was uber
uncomfortable as it was hotter in the airport than outside in the shade.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had plenty of time to get a cold drink
since when you fly with Jeanette, you always arrive in plenty of time. I think
the flight was delayed about an hour but it was an easy smooth ride to Bilbao.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN">When we arrived in Bilbao I thought I saw
someone remove my backpack from the overhead so I focused on trying to catch
him or her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I never did and turned back
and found my bag on the plane.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>OK, I was
awake.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN">Josu, his wife Nives, Paula, Jose, and Anna
all greeted us at the airport.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were
scheduled to stay with Josu and Nives for a few days and then with Jose and
Mari Cruz.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Josu (a Basque name I think)
was very fluent in English and was quite the conversationalist.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mari Lú was scheduled to go to Paula’s house
for the whole week so we parted ways.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN">Of course Nives had a meal ready when we
arrived and we ate in the back patio where it was cool.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Josu opened some wine and we ate and talked
until 2AM.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our quarters were top notch
and I slept like a baby.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiAXwaMSymcqgSaqrTzvxEvMTSxSxvw7He65B7NR04xKCLpSMMv2tjdRMmKLwhVLXZ_Th-U1uBHjgBMoJr8R1YKpRiaWJ-buSZj1r5eO2zYFhsSSp-LkZTToDdJWRlQkwCbV-X0NUID0Y7/s1600/C2F14076.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiAXwaMSymcqgSaqrTzvxEvMTSxSxvw7He65B7NR04xKCLpSMMv2tjdRMmKLwhVLXZ_Th-U1uBHjgBMoJr8R1YKpRiaWJ-buSZj1r5eO2zYFhsSSp-LkZTToDdJWRlQkwCbV-X0NUID0Y7/s200/C2F14076.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<h2>
Monday, July 9th, 2018</h2>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN">Josu and Nives took us out to <a href="https://www.flickr.com/search/?user_id=21191718%40N07&sort=date-taken-desc&text=sanjuanspain&view_all=1"><span style="color: #1155cc;">San Juan de<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Gaztelugatxe</span></a> a really cool little church that is on an almost
island.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I say “almost” because it’s
connected by a small sliver of land.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
has quite the history and has seen it’s share of battles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s quite picturesque and of course I took
plenty of photos, like the one to the right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The hike out and back is probably a total of 3 miles and not too
difficult.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was warm and very
humid.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(All pictures of San Juan <a href="https://www.flickr.com/search/?sort=date-taken-desc&safe_search=1&tags=sanjuanspain&user_id=21191718%40N07&view_all=1"><span style="color: #1155cc;">HERE</span></a>)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Joc6zu0gzSKA3n_YNCLwuGdElSlfl_28U4uQTjk45r7djq93DDxl87fiVEJ3bXNDpYKUXBVhD8XPLJQBmjiEZ8I6-B52yC_CfCAeDIkvP_dRY1jadLYpAuu0Vx2v_fRpPpbs2i0aAe8k/s1600/IMG_0531.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Joc6zu0gzSKA3n_YNCLwuGdElSlfl_28U4uQTjk45r7djq93DDxl87fiVEJ3bXNDpYKUXBVhD8XPLJQBmjiEZ8I6-B52yC_CfCAeDIkvP_dRY1jadLYpAuu0Vx2v_fRpPpbs2i0aAe8k/s200/IMG_0531.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<span lang="EN">We had Lunch in Bermeo, a short drive away
where we ate outside overlooking the marina.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The food was great along with some local white wine. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Josu refused to let me pay.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After
lunch we head to the cave at Santimamine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This was a bit of a bust as you could no longer go into the cave and can
only watch a video about it in a very hot house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was only in Spanish, and I was
trying to stay awake from the food coma and heat.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtf51VXMNk9ZMysB3hTP-QAJI3z3EN_d65e75l0dkIquJ3vkdQg46yE5pKqHytFdPnrr-fPmqPmkjo3Rqh12ZHJCxvgHfAALbeV-mPLVdy8JstZUkB46ayIxfsp6D2Zwvzue0SM-ZvSROx/s1600/IMG_0537.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtf51VXMNk9ZMysB3hTP-QAJI3z3EN_d65e75l0dkIquJ3vkdQg46yE5pKqHytFdPnrr-fPmqPmkjo3Rqh12ZHJCxvgHfAALbeV-mPLVdy8JstZUkB46ayIxfsp6D2Zwvzue0SM-ZvSROx/s200/IMG_0537.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<span lang="EN">After we got home,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Joe Su saw me sitting on the upper patio
relaxing and working on my BLOG.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
showed up a few minutes later with a bottle of Basque wine and then a plate of
cheese.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His hospitality was off the
charts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What followed was a nice light
dinner cooked by Jeanette and Josu, and then conversation that ranged from
life, to science, politics, food and wine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We were up till 2AM the night before so I was starting to crash when
midnight rolled in on us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<h2>
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_5p4bplng4f0p"></a><span lang="EN">Tuesday, July 10th, 2018<o:p></o:p></span></h2>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiSaSV8ULBc2B0aTo5vPp1IIGP_rucw9B7VeH5NcdwARGXZgZW-VMFB3iZ_mnlkSBVGTh8vFgOqX89Hg7YLgc1jKsTooNTVE_obS3zkgtvV5hZM7TDeh8E9Zj8QfQpIr2M0OAYwEaFLMVJ/s1600/C2F14192.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiSaSV8ULBc2B0aTo5vPp1IIGP_rucw9B7VeH5NcdwARGXZgZW-VMFB3iZ_mnlkSBVGTh8vFgOqX89Hg7YLgc1jKsTooNTVE_obS3zkgtvV5hZM7TDeh8E9Zj8QfQpIr2M0OAYwEaFLMVJ/s200/C2F14192.jpg" width="133" /></a></div>
The cool thing about staying with people that
live in the area is they know the cool places to check out and, in our case, take
you to places you wouldn’t normally go to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>In addition, you get to see how the local residents live, eat and
shop.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Today it’s back to Santimanine to
see the painted trees, Bosque de Oma.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Oma forest is a work of art created by Agustin Ibarrola, a Basque
sculptor and painter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The story goes
that the artist decided to use the forest as his canvas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, when the owner of the property
returned he didn’t think it was cool that some dude just painted on his
trees.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The owner’s attempt to sue the
artist failed and then the threatened to cut all the trees down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At some point the local government stepped in
and bought the property as it was slowly growing in popularity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN">(All pictures of Oma <a href="https://www.flickr.com/search/?sort=date-taken-desc&safe_search=1&tags=omakobasoa&user_id=21191718%40N07&view_all=1"><span style="color: #1155cc;">HERE</span></a>)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLmjkBELznBPjhcvvzGtzLRkLp8uOmvBbPdxCZrTu1xJzPpAGqbw-yTpGHKjwL38kxOizNK3shhaqMENqgOjSSLCnRpMrtRq1yYcTncnEOnWKc9jarEhBy9ISqO5FhLUP3YK938EIn9UKy/s1600/IMG_0565.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLmjkBELznBPjhcvvzGtzLRkLp8uOmvBbPdxCZrTu1xJzPpAGqbw-yTpGHKjwL38kxOizNK3shhaqMENqgOjSSLCnRpMrtRq1yYcTncnEOnWKc9jarEhBy9ISqO5FhLUP3YK938EIn9UKy/s200/IMG_0565.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
<span lang="EN">After the hike we had a beer with lemon and
some octopus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN">Lunch in Garnika which was fantastically
awesome.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The wine list was a book and
the setting was perfect.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was Ana’s a
recommendation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I failed in my attempt
to intercept the bill and lost the argument with Josu.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN">We returned to our home base for some R&R
and then the semi final World Cup game.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>France and Beljum are about to play and I’ll have to pick Belgium as
they have been very strong. Although, France has had the most consistently fast
counter attack during the cup. I sat in the massage chair with a glass of wine
and watched the game....<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN">Hmmm. I’m glad I didn’t put money on the game,
I was dead wrong.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>France won 1-0.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVyLLl6cXQA0B-eBN5-CNkVrY70aMNHoEn18JHjQleysi76g6VlIWdJDJ7t5RxVZ82fIL4wf96xTRkLmQRjjHOADRC2Tv6hRkRdVtoWFpXvNstmBYmiMW_r-BBwgw3DDs5Co9ZOrk-IoaJ/s1600/C2F14283.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVyLLl6cXQA0B-eBN5-CNkVrY70aMNHoEn18JHjQleysi76g6VlIWdJDJ7t5RxVZ82fIL4wf96xTRkLmQRjjHOADRC2Tv6hRkRdVtoWFpXvNstmBYmiMW_r-BBwgw3DDs5Co9ZOrk-IoaJ/s200/C2F14283.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<h2>
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_8bzym42avaqw"></a><span lang="EN">Wednesday, July 11th, 2018<o:p></o:p></span></h2>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN">Nives had to work and we were going to
tour Bilbao, leaving Josu to have the day to himself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Josu took us to the metro station and we
headed into Bilbao. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wanted to see the
Guggenheim and Jeanette wanted to do some shopping (she’d already been through
the Guggenheim).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The building itself is
a piece of art.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I enjoyed a few of the
exhibits and there were a few that I just didn’t get (never did understand the
paint splatter on canvas).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were
some very creative pieces, like the giant shoes made from silver cooking pots
and the “phone bank”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jeanette met me
shortly after I exited the Guganheim where I purchased the most expensive ice
cream cone of my life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We sat in the
shade while I finished the ice cream and before I got up to leave, I realized
I’d created a bit of my own unique art.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I’ll call it “chocola ou concrete”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM2G8EUKoOTUjEP33LZDmqERwqppMGssNlIqqaXWFIwm9hAu9-BV1hIMNmMvVQ2eg-0MreTUYIEE0w8C3B89daswV_rX3mjOBcDOc-CwpEYkmiZXVVfuVvqwH3GSt_gtvSwtxhi61FpHiq/s1600/C2F14355.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM2G8EUKoOTUjEP33LZDmqERwqppMGssNlIqqaXWFIwm9hAu9-BV1hIMNmMvVQ2eg-0MreTUYIEE0w8C3B89daswV_rX3mjOBcDOc-CwpEYkmiZXVVfuVvqwH3GSt_gtvSwtxhi61FpHiq/s320/C2F14355.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span lang="EN">We bummed around <a href="https://www.flickr.com/search/?sort=date-taken-desc&safe_search=1&tags=bilbaospain&user_id=21191718%40N07&view_all=1"><span style="color: #1155cc;">Bilbao </span></a>and intended on doing a bit of a tapa
crawl, which is about having a short beer, a tapa, and then onto the next
place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The first place was busy but
relaxing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They had a little Ray Charles
playing in the background and people were in a good mood.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN">We took a train to another section of town and
crossed the river on a gondola large enough to hold cars.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We met Coldo’s parents who hosted Juan when
he was in <a href="https://www.flickr.com/search/?sort=date-taken-desc&safe_search=1&tags=bilbaospain&user_id=21191718%40N07&view_all=1"><span style="color: #1155cc;">Bilbao </span></a>two years ago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had a drink and exchanged stories.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rather than put us on the Metro back to
Josu’s place, they insisted they drive us over.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Our visit was short but it was great to meet them in person.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN">Josu drove us over to Jose and Mari Cruz,
Paula’s parents, for the next part of our trip.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Supper was quite a spread.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jose
spoke a little bit of English and Mari Cruz none at all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Paula is completely fluent of course but we
got along just fine with Jeanette’s Spanish and my using Paula and Mari Lú as
interpreters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My skills at google
translate were also handy :) <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc2DbjFbwok_cZ_Tn4B1Dec7MfE97uqG8ziPTYvqYXf4RfCmbdo3HAPMnYwGdwQPcLoxxswsKgPUyblhbs-M4IWHpH-YGphvjejJ7HyclWnIoItVkWtYxQBvnJ_SerA9prJOdkUZPbRdvY/s1600/C2F14378.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc2DbjFbwok_cZ_Tn4B1Dec7MfE97uqG8ziPTYvqYXf4RfCmbdo3HAPMnYwGdwQPcLoxxswsKgPUyblhbs-M4IWHpH-YGphvjejJ7HyclWnIoItVkWtYxQBvnJ_SerA9prJOdkUZPbRdvY/s200/C2F14378.jpg" width="133" /></a></div>
<h2>
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_va40jj6e8ri0"></a><span lang="EN">Thursday, July 12th, 2018<o:p></o:p></span></h2>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN">I woke to a thunderstorm. This was a very nice treat and it means that
the weather will be just a tad cooler. </span><br />
<span lang="EN"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN">Today Jose and Mari Cruz took Jeanette, </span>Mari Lú and I to San Sebastián.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The town isn’t
far from the French border and is very nice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It was a rainy and very pretty trip over.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Back in the day, San Sebastián hosted the
vacation homes of the elite, which drew in others, making it a very upper end
destination.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The old part of town is
typical old style Spain with narrow streets and of course, they are lined with
shops.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jose suggested we take a guided
city tour in English so we book one and set out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The one unplanned event in this case... rain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mari Cruz handed out umbrellas which was a
good thing, because it poured.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Several of the
stops were inside churches and monasteries so it wasn’t too bad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The tour was very informative and the history
of the city was very interesting. I didn't mind the rain at all.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1TnjPpkDiM02B0hJOTxd2oWmapjBCf6F78F0e2ScXTXcbvRuuF-E2pCMQbBOz-5McUA9Jh1qLmHfznVz1mcTSzwS2OidHWq9c-osK7ttKFkmHamL585OV-Da_qz0WDOOGMySVKM1AXkxz/s1600/C2F14438.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1TnjPpkDiM02B0hJOTxd2oWmapjBCf6F78F0e2ScXTXcbvRuuF-E2pCMQbBOz-5McUA9Jh1qLmHfznVz1mcTSzwS2OidHWq9c-osK7ttKFkmHamL585OV-Da_qz0WDOOGMySVKM1AXkxz/s200/C2F14438.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<span lang="EN">Just as the tour ended the rain stopped.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We linked back up with Jose and Mari Cruz and
walked to the more modern side of town where Jose had a restaurant picked
out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What followed was a 6 course meal
and wine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It started with bacalo, a cod,
in a couple different sauces...mmmmmm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Jose knew I was a meat lover and this restaurant didn’t disappoint on
that front either.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was cooked medium
rare and a bit salty, (which I like). It reminded me of Brazilian pecenia style
meet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was out of this world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In addition, they had a cider room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You get a glass and then turn on the spigot
and let it start running and then put the glass under it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The idea is that you should put the glass far
away to get it to bubble a little.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They
had several kinds of cider and it was fun.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It was low alcohol content and refreshing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjklpBEOeBDNnhzcxPSF3YhYLR-3Z2TMwSAxSrVpSFjit2PtAevOht_o46YMjJyX8VOTo81n7C9Ew72AkL1Muxxt5GIl91gDAKSxweSxaUcxfv0Nc2JqHrA9ciZBN4X2qGHoWisO0Vfjiwy/s1600/C2F14475.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjklpBEOeBDNnhzcxPSF3YhYLR-3Z2TMwSAxSrVpSFjit2PtAevOht_o46YMjJyX8VOTo81n7C9Ew72AkL1Muxxt5GIl91gDAKSxweSxaUcxfv0Nc2JqHrA9ciZBN4X2qGHoWisO0Vfjiwy/s200/C2F14475.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<span lang="EN">When we came out, it was clear skys and everyone was out and about. We walked back to the older section of town, strolled
around and hung out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hiked up to the
top of the hill to get a better view of the area.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I got some nice shots of the larger city and
then headed back down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I went up one
side and down the other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were
multiple paths down and I ended up a ways from the crew.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I eventually linked up with them and we
headed back to Bilbao.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN">We had a light supper, relaxed and
talked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I got to meet Borja, Paula’s
brother.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was in his early 20s, and
goes to school in the area studying graphic art.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since he gave up his room for me, he’s
staying with his aunt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All in all it was
a nice day.<br />
(All pictures from San Sebastian<a href="https://www.flickr.com/search/?sort=date-taken-desc&safe_search=1&tags=sansebastian&user_id=21191718%40N07&view_all=1"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"> </span></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/search/?sort=date-taken-desc&safe_search=1&tags=sansebastian&user_id=21191718%40N07&view_all=1"><span style="color: #1155cc;">HERE</span></a>)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9G7IhwPmX_z3uVwZwGMUbXWkk_4YEQcEAc6_6bC7nHhe94Id_Zc2R9Xub2ewEcEAipybVKjuIw8IiOUjnNrIqA7tRrnN4UtDyX4_U_GdXv-Ln0J-UgW0xW44k12ykXymk3cz4jjo5BaEc/s1600/C2F14502.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9G7IhwPmX_z3uVwZwGMUbXWkk_4YEQcEAc6_6bC7nHhe94Id_Zc2R9Xub2ewEcEAipybVKjuIw8IiOUjnNrIqA7tRrnN4UtDyX4_U_GdXv-Ln0J-UgW0xW44k12ykXymk3cz4jjo5BaEc/s200/C2F14502.jpg" width="133" /></a></div>
<h2>
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_atbekpcrgwqw"></a><span lang="EN">Friday, July 13th, 2018<o:p></o:p></span></h2>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN">Today we head to <a href="https://www.flickr.com/search/?user_id=21191718%40N07&sort=date-taken-desc&text=burgosspain&view_all=1"><span style="color: #1155cc;">Burgos</span></a>, a small town located a little more
than 1.5 hours away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since Paula
promised to study hard on Sunday, she and Borja joined us. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The primary destination is the Cathedral of
Saint Mary of Burgos, aka “Santa lglesia Catedral Basilica Metropolitana de
Santa Maria de Burgos”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s
construction began in 1221 following French Gothic patterns.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>During the 15 and 16th centuries, it went through
some very large changes, with the addition of spires, the main facade, the
Chapel of Constable, etc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As best I can
tell, Burgos was the center of power for a while so each new royal family
wanted to leave their mark and ensure they had a place to be entombed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because of all the additions, this cathedral
is known as the church within a church, multiple in fact.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yup, it’s big, really big.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was fascinating<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>walking through the massive compound with one
interesting and unique chapel after another. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It provided an opportunity for endless number
of pictures.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I asked Jose how this
cathedral ranked in size to others in Spain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He said that they don’t rank them in size but in architecture.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Evidently it’s ranking is #2 in Spain.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFxkEKG9QD5IeHyMmi_rHWD97L39qYn46qbciiH7rM9nYlxA_suHcY6zNefwiHko8QMGm-sIzGFDHfKyjKPnl07klqx72UDcV8HwfUMsknI3sJlE97-2V_RMm0VrY2qgcBAYVsc8ULfuiQ/s1600/C2F14514.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFxkEKG9QD5IeHyMmi_rHWD97L39qYn46qbciiH7rM9nYlxA_suHcY6zNefwiHko8QMGm-sIzGFDHfKyjKPnl07klqx72UDcV8HwfUMsknI3sJlE97-2V_RMm0VrY2qgcBAYVsc8ULfuiQ/s200/C2F14514.jpg" width="133" /></a></div>
<span lang="EN">Mari Cruz and the girls decided to take a
break and have lunch while Jose took Borja, Jeanette and I to an old seminary
that is still in use.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It started out as
a nunnery centuries ago and was run by a very strong willed nun who only answered
to the pope.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a very interesting
set of building, complete with a gothic church that held the some of the oldest
stained glass in existence. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN">We eventually linked back up with the others
and had a sandwich and some adult beverages.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I was finally able to pick up the tab here but only because I was able
to grab the ticket before Jose.<br />
(All pictures of Burgos <a href="https://www.flickr.com/search/?user_id=21191718%40N07&sort=date-taken-desc&text=burgosspain&view_all=1"><span style="color: #1155cc;">HERE.</span></a>)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<h2>
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_q382oqwv7c4c"></a><span lang="EN">Saturday, July 14th, 2018<o:p></o:p></span></h2>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicVBvcEbwQ1L2cULXD3jbs5XeZe0CkQcXBaGWmKjjw7qJ3KmThlSrTPNt_15NjK7N4wUZyxhz_bqS1ytlhvzTCf5J2XlO3sIRmyO_paIC0cByZw2cWd3y65ZH_yZcKv3NcNM42glr40wwV/s1600/C2F14688.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicVBvcEbwQ1L2cULXD3jbs5XeZe0CkQcXBaGWmKjjw7qJ3KmThlSrTPNt_15NjK7N4wUZyxhz_bqS1ytlhvzTCf5J2XlO3sIRmyO_paIC0cByZw2cWd3y65ZH_yZcKv3NcNM42glr40wwV/s200/C2F14688.jpg" width="133" /></a></div>
<span lang="EN">Today is a free day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’ll hang around for a while and then take a
trip into Bilbao on the metro.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I decided
to take a walk and ended up going to the top of a nearby hill.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was never able to get to a point where I
was out of the forest and was recalled by Mari Lú and Paula who wanted to get
going so they could do some shopping.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
was told departure time was 1300 but at some point that was changed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was a couple of cute farm houses on the
hike that looked quite inviting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For
today’s excursion, Mari Cruz decided to stay behind and work on the paella that
would be dinner. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN">We took the car down to the local metro stop
and then the metro.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s difficult to
find parking in the city and probably easier to drop into the center of
town.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mari Lú and Paula hit the clothing
stores before they closed at 2pm and Jose took Jeanette and I to some stores to
pick up some wine for tonight and to take back to San Diego as well as some
select ingredients for Jeanette’s spice rack.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I love the grocery store where we got the wine, you can buy wine and
power tools on the same floor!!!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwKKklQutqZS2LTS18d2B_osFq0pKKZ1guYk8xwuWG4NXxqyTDaK8Nd9rJUZstbAAgy_jGFFZC6G6ZbZpe0ppWbwEYwzL41VH5cwKkvxZJQPB3F-6mlZKJa-PwfGtvFAnP4LWF6aKn_7tp/s1600/IMG_0706.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwKKklQutqZS2LTS18d2B_osFq0pKKZ1guYk8xwuWG4NXxqyTDaK8Nd9rJUZstbAAgy_jGFFZC6G6ZbZpe0ppWbwEYwzL41VH5cwKkvxZJQPB3F-6mlZKJa-PwfGtvFAnP4LWF6aKn_7tp/s200/IMG_0706.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
<span lang="EN">We stopped and had a glass of wine at a tapas
place and strolled around.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We eventually
linked back up with Paula and Mari Lú.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Although the clothing stores closed at 1400, the makeup stores didn’t...
bummer they were loaded down with booty from the day’s shopping and quite
pleased.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN">When we left, Mari Cruz was chopping mushrooms
and stuff for paella.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On our return the
cooking had started.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jeanette was quite
interested in the learning the recipe and I got in a quick nap.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had dinner, probably at 6 or so.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The paella was fantastic of course and the
table had pork blood sausage, veggies, etc.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN">After dinner we headed out into the local town
for a quick bit of shopping and a glass wine since the mission to get some
saffron and other spices wasn’t complete.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It was nice and relaxing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNKxGO3dlIzXXhlxy3XjTbBc3PPujuF9BTIoyQszO2Eeo2CWRgVqUAi6CRb2ECjRRA1oZctwiYx8urHnfPzQ_b7MENks8vyxtMJMvge2SjeFZ66GH0FdM0AO0_WEyAfa3MGyxI_1Yk6sGX/s1600/IMG_0737.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1203" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNKxGO3dlIzXXhlxy3XjTbBc3PPujuF9BTIoyQszO2Eeo2CWRgVqUAi6CRb2ECjRRA1oZctwiYx8urHnfPzQ_b7MENks8vyxtMJMvge2SjeFZ66GH0FdM0AO0_WEyAfa3MGyxI_1Yk6sGX/s200/IMG_0737.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
<span lang="EN">After we got back, I was a bit surprised that
the kitchen was fired back up for the last meal of the day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The sun doesn’t go down here till 2100 so it
doesn’t seem that late but I asked if they were trying to kill us with
food.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Paula informed me that yes, they
are, it’s the national sport of Spain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>:). I have never consumed so much fantastic food on a trip. Well, maybe
while bicycling in southern France in the late 90s.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<h2>
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_bb9i1wz5fol5"></a><span lang="EN">Sunday, July 15th, 2018.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></h2>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN">Jeanette’s flight leaves at 7, and our’s
doesn’t leave until 10.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jose insists
that he take Jeanette at the crack of dawn and come back and take Mari Lú and I
after he drops Jeanette off at 5. Jeanette felt we should be at the airport 2
hours early but the gate agent wasn’t checking anyone in until 90 minutes
prior.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our departure was delayed by
about an hour.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was a tad concerned
that we would be pressed to get to the next gate in Paris Charles de Gaulle if
we had to hike a long distance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Also, I
was hoping to pick up some St. Emilion wine from duty free if possible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As it turns out they delayed the boarding of
the aircraft by an hour so we were fine and the wine was easily had at a decent
price from the duty free.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mari Lú and I
skipped purchasing food, knowing there would be some on the plane and we didn’t
have any time to waste... or so we thought.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4C8Jl5UDCZ4C-9zn0eEf8PPMOf3oC_44cHSnpkb2QPTQJWEME2g2MILsVR42M5V8VW09Dc_l8DzpgTiqydaXgSqkTvVU7gU26mNoYrrQvVCBdoI4LNwNcLUIAfssGterwlJC2zmanp2R-/s1600/IMG_0756.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1203" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4C8Jl5UDCZ4C-9zn0eEf8PPMOf3oC_44cHSnpkb2QPTQJWEME2g2MILsVR42M5V8VW09Dc_l8DzpgTiqydaXgSqkTvVU7gU26mNoYrrQvVCBdoI4LNwNcLUIAfssGterwlJC2zmanp2R-/s200/IMG_0756.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<span lang="EN">I was surprised to find that we needed to go
through passport control to leave and enter France but it was a quick look for
wants-and-warrants, a stamp, and then they loaded us onto a bus for a different
terminal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN">Now we are on the plane.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I sit here writing, Mari Lú and I have
been on the plane for 2 hours and the latest info is that it will be another 30
minute delay while they “fix a pipe” (is that a code word for fix an oil
leak?). We will most likely miss our connection in Minneapolis now unless it is
delayed, but who knows, we may get stranded here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>An interesting tidbit... There are three
toddlers in the seats behind me and a couple next to Mari Lú in the row in
front of me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They haven’t started
screaming but I expect that will eventually come, especially when the iPads
they are using run out of batteries.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>There is of course the sibling poking and shouting on occasion but it’s
been at a minimum.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He he, this flight
hasn’t even pushed back from the gate and it’s already getting
interesting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN">More delay... Now a guy has the game on his
phone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wooo Hooo.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are watching<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the World Cup Final on cell phones until we
takeoff but I’m afraid the the pilots will be watching the game and the delay
will be even further.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In addition, I’m
wondering if the maintenance guys will be working at all given the game has
started.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The plane is a bit old and the
passengers are restless about it’s condition.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQzEEtqWcE4CL3AVGAmDAvB87qUfBW22ufiZTGI5nHCObM5y0ITdBtzHcpVOc1kexGZ06yFYLkRTzdlZReN0MgZNoprNlLw1FNU_NOHkuivwAcJk9pMesNmZCPGmnVSYCMvccNe5FAnFZs/s1600/IMG_0759.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQzEEtqWcE4CL3AVGAmDAvB87qUfBW22ufiZTGI5nHCObM5y0ITdBtzHcpVOc1kexGZ06yFYLkRTzdlZReN0MgZNoprNlLw1FNU_NOHkuivwAcJk9pMesNmZCPGmnVSYCMvccNe5FAnFZs/s200/IMG_0759.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
<span lang="EN">My dream was to watch the World Cup final in
France but this is not how I envisioned it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The two French guys next to me with the phone were very serious fans,
very little reaction when France scored.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But comedy ensued when the kids surrounding a phone to the left of me
broke out in ruckus excitement and applause.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>On the phone to the right, France was putting together a set play from a
foul near the box, on the phone to the to the left, France had just scored.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The guys to my right were very unhappy campers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For one, they didn’t want to know the score
and hadn’t planned on watching it on the plane but at their destination, and
secondly, now they were watching behind the game.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The atmosphere was celebratory, the flight
crew was also checking in on the game and the time passed a bit faster.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN">About 3 to 3.5 hours now on the ground and we
get the word from the flight deck.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
are deplaning and will have to catch a flight tomorrow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I figured this was all part of the experience
(reference my admonition to Mari Lú at the top) and I lived my advice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Where as other people were very unhappy, I
high-fived the flight crew as I walked out saying “WOW!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That was fun!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Let’s go this again tomorrow!”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They got a kick out of it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilrzc7VmT-HNBZnfdVdY-1UAl0eIhTSMGbidG1aI6L61nFy0y7CkojIWDq4UnCjqhbfX5Gj4xalKQf_nh5rzQx6XB5cbSstOmhEvTa75Ii4TyISJzrXUHI8sAGY0u0jUjRkE0VB_WLpg5e/s1600/IMG_0762.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilrzc7VmT-HNBZnfdVdY-1UAl0eIhTSMGbidG1aI6L61nFy0y7CkojIWDq4UnCjqhbfX5Gj4xalKQf_nh5rzQx6XB5cbSstOmhEvTa75Ii4TyISJzrXUHI8sAGY0u0jUjRkE0VB_WLpg5e/s320/IMG_0762.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span lang="EN">Next it was back in a line for customs to
enter France... wait, we never left France!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Oh well, we aren’t going anywhere today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I said out loud enough for for others to hear me “What!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This isn’t Minneapolis?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is this a French joke?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t like French humor!”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I got a few laughs and it lightened the
mood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I use humor as a antigen for
stress.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As we were waiting in line for
passport checks, France scored another goal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>One of the passport officers in a booth jumped up and started beating on
the glass and celebrating the goal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Police and other workers were doing the same.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The French workers are jazzed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN">For some reason I let Mari Lú go to a
different agent than me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After being
checked she came over to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I told her
to continue to go to the other side of the check and wait for me. I didn’t want
the agents freaking out that they hadn’t checked her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She misunderstood because when I went
through, she wasn’t there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I freaked a
bit but figured she would go to baggage claim with the others in the group.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were told “go to 8”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I assumed it was for baggage claim 8.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After winding down the hallway, lightly
directed by Air France workers, we arrived at the baggage carousel... it said 32.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> There was n</span>o Mari Lú, and I figured 8 would be a long
fucking ways away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was becoming more
uncomfortable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU9gRl2iSLsquZVZiKbj5u23Zb354zxtJ9bjtSb6W4940yoHGL4z_N5h2wQYtS6kiIu-OXHEBg2OmaTdJ-9KwvcKCRALC3Ql56o7bUuJFQEw10gnqCjuQ9-befUw-tMEetP1IBWzAUj1QO/s1600/IMG_0471.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1203" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU9gRl2iSLsquZVZiKbj5u23Zb354zxtJ9bjtSb6W4940yoHGL4z_N5h2wQYtS6kiIu-OXHEBg2OmaTdJ-9KwvcKCRALC3Ql56o7bUuJFQEw10gnqCjuQ9-befUw-tMEetP1IBWzAUj1QO/s200/IMG_0471.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
<span lang="EN">Next I find myself leaving the secure zone and
into the general population without my daughter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is all cool and funny until I lost my
daughter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I started asking around, asked
through a window at the baggage area where I was told the baggage people were
on strike.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I didn’t have Mari Lú’s
European phone number so I texted Paula, told her the problem and asked her to
call Mari Lú. Then it was back to information, then back to the baggage area
window where they found an Air France person that spoke a little English (my
French is possible if I’m asking for wine and the bathroom, after that, not too
good).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She explained that it was “area
8, huit”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>OK... where is that?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now I’m trying to figure out how to get one
floor up and it’s not obvious, all while trying to stay calm and “work the
problem”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once I reach area 8, there is
Mari Lú happily chatting away to another group of Americans, laughing,
etc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN">Job #1, get Mari Lú’s phone number.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>OK, back to having fun and a positive
attitude.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Given my delay, we were almost
the last in line.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The people in front
were a husband and wife from Montana, returning home from Norway I think, and the
lady behind that Mari Lú was talking to was a lady traveling alone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After about 45 minutes, the line was<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>moving very very slow as just a few Air France
agents tried to book new flights, hotel and some food vouchers for 200+
people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mari Lú and I hadn’t eaten much
all day so I went out in search of sandwiches for us while she held our
place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My French got us some sandwiches
and more water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I picked up a bunch of
different bags of cookies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were a
lot of kids in families in line and I thought this would ease the burden...
plus I didn’t want to eat in front of others without offering something.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The cookies were well received by everyone.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKB6CC7l3M2eArXuRWuUcYL8D3SNf2gSVP_jCBFyKAjDWKvs7grJiPiXMY7iaMpuwQoTic_G5ixlQ4lymXe9NyRuCTl3vbgEBYJvjIUhxbqB3C_k0JZVnP7b5zAENY1IJI-81au1tlSvBn/s1600/C2F14714.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKB6CC7l3M2eArXuRWuUcYL8D3SNf2gSVP_jCBFyKAjDWKvs7grJiPiXMY7iaMpuwQoTic_G5ixlQ4lymXe9NyRuCTl3vbgEBYJvjIUhxbqB3C_k0JZVnP7b5zAENY1IJI-81au1tlSvBn/s200/C2F14714.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<span lang="EN">During our wait in line at the terminal, France won the World Cup. The entire terminal exploded in celebration.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Air France agents and other workers were punching the air, whooping and
applauding.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You could hear the rest of
the terminal celebrating as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>OK,
this is what it’s like to be in France when they win the World Cup.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was an unexpected experience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN">After 2.5 hours we reached the ticket
counter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rather than bringing a frown, I
offered them cookies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I guess my
positive attitude paid off because eventually there were three people trying to
figure out a way to get us home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
offered to rent a car in LAX if they could get me a direct flight there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I didn’t say anything else and just let them
do their magic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They tried the direct to
LAX,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and a connection through Amsterdam
but no luck, there were 4 long-haul flights cancelled that day and everything
was booked solid.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They booked us on a
flight from Paris to Minneapolis the next morning and redid our flight to San
Diego from there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was no seat
selection, we get what we get.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wanted
an isle but didn’t bother to ask, figuring I was good just getting on a
plane.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We left with boarding passes, an overnight
kit, vouchers for a hotel and a free bus ride to the Santa Fe hotel at the Disney
resort... oh, and some food coupons for tonight and the next morning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> M</span></span>ost passengers didn’t get a boarding pass and had to return to ticketing the next morning. I had zero complaints.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They seemed to work hard for us and we had a
plan and lodging.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibRo7kQvYaSfGaQ3engfkjLkzSc-wnpXuIE5ztTGqyqc4Yw_OWFWZMJlj1KQVBdZfcNuAdaL8xJBYuEreNnSFCDFCnppg7BNSnQDwGxHojWHgDRPs4ipEuaXRVeYknk3b4okSzWpcmuVtv/s1600/IMG_0773.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibRo7kQvYaSfGaQ3engfkjLkzSc-wnpXuIE5ztTGqyqc4Yw_OWFWZMJlj1KQVBdZfcNuAdaL8xJBYuEreNnSFCDFCnppg7BNSnQDwGxHojWHgDRPs4ipEuaXRVeYknk3b4okSzWpcmuVtv/s320/IMG_0773.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span lang="EN">The next challenge was trying to find the
bus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Charles de Gaulle is big, we are tired, and it's confusing to us so it took a while. It was fun stressing about hoping to not miss the bus. It turns out that we had to wait for the driver to show up at the bus and we were kinda tired of standing in line.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My quick option plan to check-in to a hotel
and then give Mari Lú a tour of Paris via taxi was quickly crushed when I found
out the hotel was in an industrial area a long way from the action.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was past 11pm when we got to our room and
we were just too tired from being up and traveling since 6AM.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I scrapped that plan and prepared for bed. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN">The hotel was funny, to me at least.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a good replica of a Santa Fe, New Mexico hotel and landscape, complete with paint scheme, crosses, and southwest Indian
kachinas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was combined with the theme
from “Cars”, a Disney movie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I went over
to the store that was still open and picked up a couple of clean shirts for us
to wear the next day since we didn’t get our luggage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Turns out, the little kit we were given had a
white t-shirt in it. Oh well, we had cool Incredibles shirts with style baby.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR5YHj8qgwQ3xq-r17bz-2GSsmqPorJASXffOxvCVu1b4SPlIZ2-mCDL4lDuF6lKMP6WqmXGOfuDxUTfS0KfK3IEkiAqF7TcG5cS-3kzNTAA1WuAztOnRO_LI-ac6hwq4KCoWInfx4-83f/s1600/IMG_0776.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR5YHj8qgwQ3xq-r17bz-2GSsmqPorJASXffOxvCVu1b4SPlIZ2-mCDL4lDuF6lKMP6WqmXGOfuDxUTfS0KfK3IEkiAqF7TcG5cS-3kzNTAA1WuAztOnRO_LI-ac6hwq4KCoWInfx4-83f/s200/IMG_0776.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<span lang="EN">I sent an email to the crew at work letting
them know my return was delayed, showered and tried to get some sleep.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>There was no air conditioning but a fan in the ceiling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Interesting thing was, no matter how fast it
turned, it did nothing since the blades had zero angle to them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I opened the window and it took a while to nod off given
the continuous honking of car horns in the distance celebrating the recent
win.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<h2>
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_h50cd4y4ssbt"></a><span lang="EN">Monday, July 16th, 2018<o:p></o:p></span></h2>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih-yJliVUh0lKn00x8EotNBwYlH_eHrClicvCfOLkBbAm2Z6sKAJ1XE51VihyphenhyphensttGCl0zEfY8kGik9UZjKuGMKBPlskRWqbOgJqQ3nkcKK6QLGQhoqj7V093Ob4mP48El2QQ8nL0B-MQpc/s1600/IMG_0781.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih-yJliVUh0lKn00x8EotNBwYlH_eHrClicvCfOLkBbAm2Z6sKAJ1XE51VihyphenhyphensttGCl0zEfY8kGik9UZjKuGMKBPlskRWqbOgJqQ3nkcKK6QLGQhoqj7V093Ob4mP48El2QQ8nL0B-MQpc/s320/IMG_0781.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<span lang="EN">We had to catch the bus back to the airport at
6 AM so it was up at 0530.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We quickly
got lost coming out of our room for about 5 minutes and then vectored in on the
pickup area.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was a fucking massive
crowd of people with no organization and no bus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The bus did arrive but no way was it going to
get all these people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mari Lú and I did
catch the second one and we were on our way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN">Once at the airport we used our vouchers to
get some more food and fluid.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We sat on
the floor and people watched for a while.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Some of the fluid went right in the trash because we couldn’t get it through
security (oops, didn’t think about that when I bought it).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Departure was delayed an hour I think but it
was a newer aircraft.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had high hopes
this would be the one out of Dodge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mari
Lú hooked back up with the lady from yesterday and was busy chatting away as we
waited.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN">We are boarding!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I approach my seat, I realize karma was
throwing me flowers and doing me a solid.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The seat has a exit door in front of it, then a bulkhead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unlimited legroom, and I have a window seat
which means no getting bummed every time someone walks by.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As others boarded, one lady stopped by and
thanked me for being so positive and up-beat yesterday about what was going
on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She mentioned that it really helped
her get through the stress she was having over the situation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Another couple of people stopped by and
thanked me for the cookies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve always
told Mari Lú and Juan that when you send positive energy you get positive
energy back (unless the person is a jerk).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It made me feel good and it’s a reminder about how much we affect others
when we don’t even realize it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN">When the plane pushed back from the gate,
there was a sigh of relief from all the passengers, most of whom were on
yesterday’s cancelled flight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We taxied
for what seemed like ten miles and then we were on our way home, 9+ hours.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I slept a bit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I couldn’t find my melatonin so that was a
bit of a bummer, I was on the European time zone and it was still morning there
so no sleep for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My seat was awesome
but those seats next to large doors are always cold and I was uber glad I had
my fleece blanket.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The guy next to me
was a highly introverted Russian who teaches theoretical physics.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A strange but nice gentleman but very little
conversation and he didn’t know what to do with my sarcasm so I turned off the
sarcasm generator which is pure torture for me .... ha!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The one negative was of my own doing, I let
myself get dehydrated over the last two days and I had a massive headache when we landed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2VYZ2Tz0u9XfHZGAToHmHtQ6Q3q8MEHhPyPr6INsJCVMLm5QtnmS_7EZEE8HqLSLu2HeqfzjzjNl1ni5sZGz1mQZNLXklb9a9V2JkLkW3cCSL2pKYoYn7Nxz5gRLfyeSz0EB-Ges6Cx9I/s1600/IMG_0784.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2VYZ2Tz0u9XfHZGAToHmHtQ6Q3q8MEHhPyPr6INsJCVMLm5QtnmS_7EZEE8HqLSLu2HeqfzjzjNl1ni5sZGz1mQZNLXklb9a9V2JkLkW3cCSL2pKYoYn7Nxz5gRLfyeSz0EB-Ges6Cx9I/s200/IMG_0784.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<span lang="EN">The line at customs in Minneapolis was long
and crazy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s a sizable airport with
several<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>international flights coming
in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our time at customs was easy and we
got a bonus, our bags showed up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Second
phase of customs with bags was easy and then we were dumped into an area where
we had to re-check the bags and go through security again, which was sort of
crazy since we never really left a secure area.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN">I was crazy thirsty and picked up some water
for us, which we quickly slammed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had
five hours to kill in Minneapolis so Mari Lú got some fast food that she likes
and I went into a restaurant where she joined me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I watched the local baseball team get their
asses kicked and slammed multiple glasses of nothing but water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wanted some wine but knew this would only
make my condition worse.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN">The flight to San Diego was about 4
hours.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I watched a movie, read, and
caught a bit of shuteye.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Baggage was
quick and Jeanette was waiting for us on arrival.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ahhh, home, my own bead, now if I could just
sleep.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mari Lú said she didn’t want to
be in any lines for a while.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdnoAMkA9LdWQIV9G6-6XyuMMh72UxtpWFsIf9heJHMKpVJNQe-mqSWOuVPzBoOTikzGZTiswbEv4p9ErE98O1ixaIOjHZy1S4qzVF_Y6N64XFXaWumdMnBYdD4KJIw2r6739tcVQxTg34/s1600/IMG_0793.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdnoAMkA9LdWQIV9G6-6XyuMMh72UxtpWFsIf9heJHMKpVJNQe-mqSWOuVPzBoOTikzGZTiswbEv4p9ErE98O1ixaIOjHZy1S4qzVF_Y6N64XFXaWumdMnBYdD4KJIw2r6739tcVQxTg34/s200/IMG_0793.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<span lang="EN">I took a full accounting of the events of the
last week and a half and our two day trip back from Spain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a long two days but it all worked out
and we had something to talk about.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our
Spanish hosts were as about as hospitable as anyone could be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact, I’m embarrassed, as I’m not sure I
could be as hospitable as these people were to us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s a lesson for sure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Given the flight issues, I’m not sure what
the hell would have happened if Mari Lú had been by herself on the return.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I saw an Air France crew with what looked
like other kids coming back so she probably would have had some support.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now that she’s done it, seen how to handle a
couple of difficult situations and international travel, she’s more
prepared.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If she can bring the positive
energy when things get tough, she’ll kill it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN">#OverheardInSpain<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN">I’m going to through some flowers to you. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN">The context was that Joso was about to give me
a compliment. I love this saying.<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
-- Christian (Chris) Claborne</div>
<br />Chris Clabornehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05667976111738074928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8774238539557433481.post-35882180463566662592017-01-28T20:11:00.002-08:002017-01-28T20:30:10.795-08:00Of Artists and PoetsDon't discount artists, philosophers and poets. One day you might need them to teach you how to live.<br />
<br />
2<br />
-- C --Chris Clabornehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05667976111738074928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8774238539557433481.post-61488292562406598772017-01-17T16:54:00.001-08:002017-01-17T16:54:03.530-08:00You don't need to die to go to heaven<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPx2ySgGXMhHfCWJkHUdaSAQQPtEeLt9UicLRbD3EtJofcMO4cF5WwFioJBcO8SbGzMOpJMxnOz-xhGkc4o4Rdo2n-XvDJPHtIZ-K_MfC0dHl8SceXZKWh7zy-BXh1x5xRb81osvo9N0z0/s1600/bottling.jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPx2ySgGXMhHfCWJkHUdaSAQQPtEeLt9UicLRbD3EtJofcMO4cF5WwFioJBcO8SbGzMOpJMxnOz-xhGkc4o4Rdo2n-XvDJPHtIZ-K_MfC0dHl8SceXZKWh7zy-BXh1x5xRb81osvo9N0z0/s200/bottling.jpg.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
I learned something important last weekend. You don’t need to die to go to heaven. I took a wine bottling class. I was surrounded by wine, helping to move it from barrel to a vat, and finally to the bottle, as well as putting on foil, and boxing them for shipment (and doing quality control of the juice). It’s the Zen realization that you are already in heaven, every day. It’s everything, meetings, writing, planning, having dinner, photography, and yes, bottling wine (and juice quality control).Chris Clabornehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05667976111738074928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8774238539557433481.post-83497586017317758902016-09-09T17:10:00.001-07:002016-09-09T17:10:19.142-07:00Bowing to others is bowing to yourself<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf6AHYSCjerC_NU4Npuwo8t0P1v6gHA2OAWliw9MKsYytV80NFtEl8hcdibAAfFecmPOqJaFDMb6RUjI7Q2Gz3vy0PPTXKBHesO1ZFnJ3b84tgFnQbqLbWVX5MXyUHj_7Arpth9kplyqh0/s1600/hulsey-c2f07648_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf6AHYSCjerC_NU4Npuwo8t0P1v6gHA2OAWliw9MKsYytV80NFtEl8hcdibAAfFecmPOqJaFDMb6RUjI7Q2Gz3vy0PPTXKBHesO1ZFnJ3b84tgFnQbqLbWVX5MXyUHj_7Arpth9kplyqh0/s200/hulsey-c2f07648_o.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
Spend a day looking for the good in everyone you encounter as if watching a sunrise over the ocean for the first time.<br />
You can bow to others with a smile from your eyes, holding the door for them, or giving them your undivided attention.<br />
<br />
When you bow to others you bow to yourself... because are are all part of the same one thing, what we call "universe".Chris Clabornehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05667976111738074928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8774238539557433481.post-39055359129318187482016-09-02T17:06:00.000-07:002016-09-09T17:06:49.053-07:00Multiple Communities<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeklr9bdQtQjafGSMTTSvhutTTbpyIGOcR_vef1POw5_PXZzEBw9lzNoWEj7C-Q_zxqk6V9UbHzToq7zTuktdZplw1xIRG7fDuzKPcgm1463FuqDHfj9omFM6AiIg1VR8Xa0az-DQUHMRL/s1600/cal_and_i.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeklr9bdQtQjafGSMTTSvhutTTbpyIGOcR_vef1POw5_PXZzEBw9lzNoWEj7C-Q_zxqk6V9UbHzToq7zTuktdZplw1xIRG7fDuzKPcgm1463FuqDHfj9omFM6AiIg1VR8Xa0az-DQUHMRL/s200/cal_and_i.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
I have two pictures and two thoughts for this Friday 9/2<br />
<br />
I’m just a few hours into my vacation at my summer home. My neighbor, Colonel Cal Phillips Retired, stopped in to see me. I didn’t get to see him the last time I was up so we both enjoyed catching up and making plans for a sundowner. Before he left, he mentioned that his internet wasn’t working and would I mind if he used my WiFi connection. Of course I wouldn’t mind, I would do anything for that guy… Then he wondered if I could come over and get it working on his laptop for him. ?<br />
<b>** We belong to multiple communities, work, home, vacation, planet…. I really enjoy that.</b><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht7bfA6iNu37tvlXp8kmv59qovlzjZzJCmawgddIAVhCjHLOVXjuVu0bprLotOqG68jl9t4jiAbmgt7NDhyphenhyphen4zwzIIwBmBJGnn0WTBSd9fgwWdFHGz-ReSvKl_xtk26_3oct_HU52ju4Y8Q/s1600/shopping.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht7bfA6iNu37tvlXp8kmv59qovlzjZzJCmawgddIAVhCjHLOVXjuVu0bprLotOqG68jl9t4jiAbmgt7NDhyphenhyphen4zwzIIwBmBJGnn0WTBSd9fgwWdFHGz-ReSvKl_xtk26_3oct_HU52ju4Y8Q/s200/shopping.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
My second story (and picture) was from my quick shopping trip to the store at the town next to me. I was sorta stuck in line while the cashier and the customer exchanged their favorite recipes. The conversation then turned to how good the New Mexico green chili is this year (it really is the best). About that time, another cashier came over to get me. <br />
** Before I got too perturbed (I wanted to get home),<b> I realized that this is really the way things are supposed to be. </b> We rush from meeting to meeting, then soccer, then dinner, then to the store… <br />
<br />
Enjoy your weekend, immerse yourself in your community, and slow down.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
Chris Clabornehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05667976111738074928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8774238539557433481.post-78138028137329694992016-07-31T08:37:00.004-07:002016-07-31T08:51:35.767-07:00“Enjoy the Process” -- What I Learned From an Urban Sketcher<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVAy_e_awFNyw9DruGBwF3Rzhc-rg_w2Wb1xOAbzVLyje7dlFlEvo4JH7QuvvpmUQoqIWX0Hk3H1P2SVKFUWnaIk50YVhpVj6w4X1pUsN_UegGgNsqgD8__sm8-iarz_l_vp4hKhqEGH9k/s1600/C2F07043brushed-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVAy_e_awFNyw9DruGBwF3Rzhc-rg_w2Wb1xOAbzVLyje7dlFlEvo4JH7QuvvpmUQoqIWX0Hk3H1P2SVKFUWnaIk50YVhpVj6w4X1pUsN_UegGgNsqgD8__sm8-iarz_l_vp4hKhqEGH9k/s200/C2F07043brushed-2.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
Some of my creative outlets are photography, writing, researching, and ideation. Sometimes, in photography, or when writing, I can be in too much of a hurry to reach the end result. The same goes for technical work, projects etc. <br />
<br />
All the while, forgetting to “enjoy the process”.<br />
<br />
I was out photographing a barn a few weeks ago in the high country of Arizona with an “Urban Sketcher”. I’ve photographed it several times over the years but had a different vision of the outcome for this trip. She relayed that she often needs to coach herself to “enjoy the process” when she’s doing something that isn’t as much fun while sketching. I think we also need to combine this with patience.
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1ekQUNsOSwPEa0dBBDzUtNIwEjwFwvrlqieYl92utPVibJ0dLTLPVLo39mpXJNGm1bmSslKZM0JL_XKtVLjyhgdq-GKqZkfRdHGiyGff_IE1neHKkPOUW-FztBjIG4L6279AWYZDPt3ft/s1600/C2F07139.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1ekQUNsOSwPEa0dBBDzUtNIwEjwFwvrlqieYl92utPVibJ0dLTLPVLo39mpXJNGm1bmSslKZM0JL_XKtVLjyhgdq-GKqZkfRdHGiyGff_IE1neHKkPOUW-FztBjIG4L6279AWYZDPt3ft/s200/C2F07139.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
How often do we forget to “enjoy the process” at work? Whether it’s project management, working through a difficult meeting or creating a presentation. If you pause and remind yourself to “enjoy the process” (and I hope you do), you’ll achieve better results and go home with a smile.<br />
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
The first photo (click on them for a larger version) at the beginning is the subject of the article as well as a work in progress, the b&w shows how is how patience is rewarded by just letting the sun set and enjoying the moment.
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSEhQOHBwob2tPUTfKW5jaES5oJxaJnfl7023drRZLEp5wPjMCbywCyzUaE7zAj2EkMfYyZpABb7J6V_qIO3mmcgHHMmtpTWoxWNuWb0pZUJYqzRlQyh7gMqGHkUwEfZfvTEQG9b0AqoQF/s1600/C2F07149.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSEhQOHBwob2tPUTfKW5jaES5oJxaJnfl7023drRZLEp5wPjMCbywCyzUaE7zAj2EkMfYyZpABb7J6V_qIO3mmcgHHMmtpTWoxWNuWb0pZUJYqzRlQyh7gMqGHkUwEfZfvTEQG9b0AqoQF/s200/C2F07149.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;">Chris Claborne</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
Chris Clabornehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05667976111738074928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8774238539557433481.post-69282671357590488342016-05-14T08:33:00.001-07:002016-05-14T09:32:43.767-07:00On impermanence<div>Teilhard de Chardin had this to say about Dave Rahm's aerobatic performances in his biplane.</div><div><br></div><div>"Rahm’s plane shed a ribbon in space, a ribbon whose end unraveled in memory while its beginning unfurled as surprise. "</div><div><br></div><div>I don't think there's any better example of him per minutes then an air show.</div>Chris Clabornehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05667976111738074928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8774238539557433481.post-29023371894561408222015-03-01T19:29:00.001-08:002015-03-01T19:29:24.667-08:00ThrobYou hooked me at wine. You had me at lamb.Chris Clabornehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05667976111738074928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8774238539557433481.post-76000062543863168342014-08-13T12:56:00.000-07:002014-08-13T12:59:36.575-07:00Feeling Small<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimYTikmLMKurFWay6pxZ472QJQBQkq27qF6FQm19BuLm5_RR_iG1efy79JvxVReMqXx-UEXMPeLZ6cNvzLQxiot3zYV4_vRL-apFSTvyyhhNdpt2vLHtDQK2mSYpbVwRGzOCkN2CT2KwR-/s1600/Earth+and+Moon+from+Cassini.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimYTikmLMKurFWay6pxZ472QJQBQkq27qF6FQm19BuLm5_RR_iG1efy79JvxVReMqXx-UEXMPeLZ6cNvzLQxiot3zYV4_vRL-apFSTvyyhhNdpt2vLHtDQK2mSYpbVwRGzOCkN2CT2KwR-/s1600/Earth+and+Moon+from+Cassini.png" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
I attended a presentation by Bill Nye (the science guy) last night and it was a lot of fun. I rank Bill up there with Neil Degrasse Tyson who is my rock star. Bill covered a lot of topics ranging from funny to serious. I’ve never seen Bill Nye speak before, but if you ever get a chance, TV or otherwise, do it!</div>
<div style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<br />
Bill talked about his experience in a semi-debate with a creationist who think’s Bill’s science is all wrong and the earth is only 6000 years old (among other things). When someone asked Bill what would change his mind, he listed several scientific facts, that if proved wrong, might convince him to change his mind. The creationist’s answer “nothing would change my mind”. I’ll go back to my “people are like a large pack of dogs” example. It reminded me that there are chihuahuas, labradors, and more.... and a chihuahua only knows how to be a chihuahua. You can’t teach a chihuahua to be a lab, it just wouldn’t work and why would you even try. We have both on the planet and that’s what makes it interesting. Chihuahuas are nice dogs for some, just not my cup of tea by the way.</div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
Bill went on to discuss global warming as a connecting topic and as part of that discussion, showed the picture that I’ve posted in the upper right. (Click on the photo to enlarge). Its a photo taken from the cassini spacecraft from what we might call the south side of the planet. There is an arrow below the rings of Saturn that points at a little blue spec. That’s us, or more accurately, the planet that we live on. And us? We are the spec on that spec. The earth is among a number of other specs in the universe as you know. The number of said specs is in the range of something like 100 times the number of sand grains on earth.... (Mind = BLOWN!)</div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH9RW2XnvxYbb7wpJ4jpIe5OCQcIijJlRyT1SeDCsbc4c_wUmwFmk5EzfqWuUGn_uNcxxW2GgNg33ajRAYEx4O5Nx-syqKyJFo0TA_4nXxWvq3uIrEyao6JPxSi98C2LPQW85OIEIlBAGQ/s1600/Sir-ben2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH9RW2XnvxYbb7wpJ4jpIe5OCQcIijJlRyT1SeDCsbc4c_wUmwFmk5EzfqWuUGn_uNcxxW2GgNg33ajRAYEx4O5Nx-syqKyJFo0TA_4nXxWvq3uIrEyao6JPxSi98C2LPQW85OIEIlBAGQ/s1600/Sir-ben2.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
Think about it. That tiny spec holds everything that we know. It holds all of the worries, all of the stress, all of the wine that I’ve consumed, wars that we have, disagreements, soccer games, and all the cups of coffee that we will ever enjoy. We seem hellbent on destroying our little spec with war, pollution, planet warming and more. That little spec, as insignificant as it is, is the only thing keeping us alive, all of us chihuahuas and labradors. Feeling small and insignificant yet? (It’s even home to Sir. Benjamin, the deaf white boxer also pictured, and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10152600949487140&fref=nf">cats riding roombas</a>). </div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
Wouldn’t it be cool if we had a space probe fly through the water geysers on Saturn’s moon (Enceladus) and find life? If life were discovered there, what would it change? I’m sure the labrador’s would rejoice, re-examine our place in the Universe (OK, multiverse now), and contemplate the magnifisense of it all. My guess is that the chihuahua would keep barking that science is a big lie and the test results were just a spoof used to scare the chihuahuas. </div>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
I hope the mission gets off the ground If life were found on Enceladus, how much smaller will we feel? Smaller than a spec? <br />
<br />
- Chris Claborne</div>
Chris Clabornehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05667976111738074928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8774238539557433481.post-59270286752242489122014-06-30T08:36:00.001-07:002014-06-30T08:36:26.926-07:00That Peaceful Moment Is Always There<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGObezJr2kRAy0-pBnV0xQtB2U_Vr7mUNI231TQ9XjHADhvTLYRvMBMEFAsWtmDQCq2IIwQDi8o1j_V-ZUT25qqcQLvT91n-o2w0tvlKvNwBeudwRbACycnYyAWSr3zi8nFCkcEieKLy40/s1600/wide-field-1-sq.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGObezJr2kRAy0-pBnV0xQtB2U_Vr7mUNI231TQ9XjHADhvTLYRvMBMEFAsWtmDQCq2IIwQDi8o1j_V-ZUT25qqcQLvT91n-o2w0tvlKvNwBeudwRbACycnYyAWSr3zi8nFCkcEieKLy40/s1600/wide-field-1-sq.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Tahoma; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;">When meditating today, I found that very peaceful calm quiet moment when the calm is brought into strong relief against the sound of birds, my wood floor, and the wind chimes below the window. Just as I was finding that moment, my timer signaled that it was time to get up and move on to getting ready for work. </span><div style="font-family: Tahoma; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Tahoma; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;">
As many people do, I wanted to stay just a bit longer, not wanting to detach. Then a vibrant thought occurred. I realized that this moment is always there for me. It's not a onetime thing, or require that I experience it during my daily meditation. It's always there, waiting for me to just realize its presence.</div>
</div>
<div style="font-family: Tahoma; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Tahoma; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;">
-- Chris Claborne</div>
Chris Clabornehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05667976111738074928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8774238539557433481.post-57686961864748111672014-06-10T12:30:00.001-07:002014-06-10T12:30:02.725-07:00Charting a CourseYou can't change the past, but you can change what you are about to do. <div><br></div><div>-- Chris Claborne</div>Chris Clabornehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05667976111738074928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8774238539557433481.post-80638442458022102432014-05-31T13:19:00.001-07:002014-05-31T13:19:43.711-07:00When you screw upWhen you screw up, laugh, call it art, then have a glass of wine. <div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7r33SjGjRs5qg80nVzeQoJUhfWqTJX1Zog_YopPTFvv6p7YQyQoCzANajYJGIB2qmZL4l0z2hGjSrJCZkGMBitfhJkrp35hLKcbcFo7qreHxFlNg2Cb1S4i26qPmFWXd54iBSE4glHg2e/s640/blogger-image--1086695859.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7r33SjGjRs5qg80nVzeQoJUhfWqTJX1Zog_YopPTFvv6p7YQyQoCzANajYJGIB2qmZL4l0z2hGjSrJCZkGMBitfhJkrp35hLKcbcFo7qreHxFlNg2Cb1S4i26qPmFWXd54iBSE4glHg2e/s640/blogger-image--1086695859.jpg"></a></div><br></div>Chris Clabornehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05667976111738074928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8774238539557433481.post-66224716074188065592014-03-09T21:52:00.001-07:002014-03-09T21:54:55.121-07:00Propelled by the vestiges of the Big Bang<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuEeCU0G11ISCzG0OqeD_n_8BDxzyIThrGdm1ZBIB-AIyiL9M9hZTWJHL95WirWZ9DDvix0cSRrr_BjaD3SGjkeFSpyK3m-NVa3XZe9H_k2XzWPErbGMpsLBexkbTS-HUA982cRREIlpv0/s1600/seraph.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuEeCU0G11ISCzG0OqeD_n_8BDxzyIThrGdm1ZBIB-AIyiL9M9hZTWJHL95WirWZ9DDvix0cSRrr_BjaD3SGjkeFSpyK3m-NVa3XZe9H_k2XzWPErbGMpsLBexkbTS-HUA982cRREIlpv0/s1600/seraph.jpg" height="148" width="200" /></a></div>
Did you ever contemplate where the energy that propels you over the soccer pitch, or allows you to reproduce and live life comes from? What about the explosive energy used by the jaguar to chase down it prey? <br />
<br />
I submit it's the energy of the "big bang". Like a giant rocket on the fourth of July, sparks flying, smaller explosions, and light streaming from all over. We use some of that energy and exist as the residual energy of the “big bang”. <br />
<br />
The "big bang" released massive amounts of energy, which formed into base elements, which formed stars that forged the rest of the elements in our universe. Those stars photons hit an assembly of elements that kick off photosynthesis and grow stuff that we eat (or in the case of bacon that I eat, pigs eat the stuff that grows). All of this filters down to the baby to have energy to cry, or the dad to propel himself to the pantry to get milk (and wine). All of the energy that propels us is the residual of something that happened billions of years ago. We are the universe that is still bubbling, changing, and cooling. <br />
<br />
<br />
-- Chris Claborne<br />
March 2014Chris Clabornehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05667976111738074928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8774238539557433481.post-10856626899513983382014-01-18T11:54:00.001-08:002014-01-18T11:54:46.003-08:00MeditationMeditation is the act of listening to the universe.<div>- Chris Claborne</div>Chris Clabornehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05667976111738074928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8774238539557433481.post-41059475355657915212013-04-01T16:49:00.004-07:002013-04-10T11:41:35.731-07:00Captain's BLOG 2013.03.30. RAC Wrap<b id="internal-source-marker_0.3355014235712588" style="font-weight: normal;"></b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b id="internal-source-marker_0.3355014235712588" style="font-weight: normal;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3EQmiFP9w-WeBU_avrmV2fyYT2wz6nuM27fkUDVsOxAxIhdnZBUmF4VNzpImcOFmaQ3E8bxgyNOOhR_rykwQjqxg8aFq0QXVKDvKR0lo1WWpvFFIlNB_vwhyplPvWUOsIelkUu-cbn7iq/s1600/rac2013-summary.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3EQmiFP9w-WeBU_avrmV2fyYT2wz6nuM27fkUDVsOxAxIhdnZBUmF4VNzpImcOFmaQ3E8bxgyNOOhR_rykwQjqxg8aFq0QXVKDvKR0lo1WWpvFFIlNB_vwhyplPvWUOsIelkUu-cbn7iq/s320/rac2013-summary.jpg" width="320" /></a></b></div>
<h1 dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<b id="internal-source-marker_0.3355014235712588" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 21px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">RAC Summary</span></b></h1>
<div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<b id="internal-source-marker_0.3355014235712588" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Overall the Ride Across California 2013 was a lot of fun. It was a test for the parents as well as the kids on how to keep their kids hydrated, motivated, and allow them to have fun. It also was put together in a way that would challenge but not destroy kids and it was an adventure, not a destination objective. The trip included things that the kids would enjoy doing and wasn’t focused on just getting to the ocean.</span></b></div>
<b id="internal-source-marker_0.3355014235712588" style="font-weight: normal;"></b><br />
<a name='more'></a><b id="internal-source-marker_0.3355014235712588" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<b id="internal-source-marker_0.3355014235712588" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I loved day 1, as it started off with an unexpected twist, getting a chase vehicle out of the sand. This to me was cool! It signaled right away that this trip would not be anything like I had expected, but would be an adventure. </span></b></div>
<b id="internal-source-marker_0.3355014235712588">
<br /><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<b id="internal-source-marker_0.3355014235712588"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Day 2 was the biggest millage day and continued to drive confidence into the kids. They were zapped at the end but recovered in about an hour.</span></b></div>
<b id="internal-source-marker_0.3355014235712588">
<br /><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span><div dir="ltr" style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Day 3 was the crucible for these kids (reference to the final test a marine goes through). I loved the fact that Mari Lu participated in one of the hardest days on the road. There was no quitting, only doing. Day 3 was the hardest day of cycling I’ve ever had so it had to be very very tough for the kids, all of whom made it to the end. The kids were tired when they got to the last 14 miles when the winds kicked up to a 20 - 25 mph headwind after riding 35 miles, playing in the heat, and swimming. Gary, our leader, was afraid that they wouldn’t make because he needed to pull riders off the road when it get’s dark. The fact that they all made it through given their various issues (most tired, other needed a food hit, some may have approached dehydration) was fantastic.</span></div>
<br /><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span><div dir="ltr" style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Day 4 was a demonstration that something really significant happened on day 3 because it started out with an uphill into the wind and there was not one kid complaining. They’d seen the worst and proved they could achieve so much more in more difficult conditions.</span></div>
<br /><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span><div dir="ltr" style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Day 5 taught us to always plan for the worst (food poisoning) and pack appropriately. It also taught many of the kids that you don’t just quit when you are sideswiped by health issues. If you can go, you go. Although several kids got a pass if they were too sick to ride, many gutted it out (along with the parents that were sick). I’m bummed that Mari Lu didn’t complete two of the three big climbs but she proved after the first one that she could do it. She beat her mom and I to the top and it was a tough one.</span></div>
<br /><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span><div dir="ltr" style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Day 6 was the positive punctuation point to the trip as we had beautiful landscapes combined with lots of descents through the mountains on dirt and pavement. The timing was perfect as to drive home to the kids that this really is fun and the fact that they had really achieved something great was starting hit home. One rider had a close call with a truck pulling a trailer but wasn’t hurt.</span></div>
<br /><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span><div dir="ltr" style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Day 7 was the victory lap so to speak. We could have made it to the beach if that was the only objective but the tour worked in one more destination that the kids would enjoy, the strawberry patch. The arrival at the beach to cheers of a crowed was really great for the kids. Having the kids be interviewed by news crews was icing on the cade. The kids reveled in their success. Mari Lu, myself and some of the other kids </span><a href="http://www.cbs8.com/story/21838947/local-5th-graders-finish-260-mile-bike-ride" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">were on the news</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> but it was nice to know we were going to sleep in our own beds and get a hot shower tonight. Many of the kids, including Mari Lu, said they wanted to do the trip again. Given the challenges that they endured you can’t hope for an outcome any better than this. Mari Lu mentioned something to the effect that she “experienced it” rather than watching from afar. </span></div>
<br /><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span><h1 dir="ltr" style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 21px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">What I hoped ML Learned</span></h1>
<br /><ul style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<li dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">You can do things that you didn’t think you can do. With training, support, and the will to do something, you can overcome the desire to quit and push to the end. There’s always a little gas in the tank. Day 3 hopefully drove this home. There is no try, only do (as Yoda says).</span></div>
</li>
<li dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">When someone is broken down on the side of the road in cycling or life, you offer assistance.</span></div>
</li>
<li dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We help each other through tough times, cheer others, and have fun.</span></div>
</li>
<li dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">There are some things that you can’t train for (the wind), and you have to just gut it out.</span></div>
</li>
<li dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Touring on bikes gives you a whole new perspective of the land and puts you more in touch with the country.</span></div>
</li>
<li dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Mom and Dad aren’t too old to ride hard :)</span></div>
</li>
</ul>
<h1 dir="ltr" style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 21px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">What I learned</span></h1>
<br /><ul style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<li dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">More patience and keeping it positive</span></div>
</li>
<li dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">What it really means to be a domestique for my leader. </span></div>
</li>
<li dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Made new friends and saw another slice of humanity from all over the world.</span></div>
</li>
<li dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">5th graders can do a lot more than you think.</span></div>
</li>
<li dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I enjoy helping kids reach a goal.</span></div>
</li>
<li dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It now takes 5 days on the bike before my butt stops hurting.</span></div>
</li>
<li dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I can semi-live blog from my iPhone.</span></div>
</li>
</ul>
<h1 dir="ltr" style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 21px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Some Stats from the Trip</span></h1>
</b><br />
<h5 dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<b id="internal-source-marker_0.3355014235712588">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">From: </span></b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/robert.jacques.374">Robert Jacques</a> <br /> I have pulled the data off of the GPS from the trip. Here are the totals by day and cumulative: <br /><br /><ul>
<li>Day 1: 17.7 miles, 545 feet of ascent. </li>
<li>Day 2: 53.9 miles, 1,236 feet of ascent. </li>
<li>Day 3: 48.4 miles, 1,160 feet of ascent. </li>
<li>Day 4: 28.5 miles, 2,020 feet of ascent. </li>
<li>Day 5: 34.8 miles, 3,810 feet of ascent. </li>
<li>Day 6: 43.5 miles, 2,570 feet of ascent. </li>
<li>Day 7: 34.2 miles, 1,544 feet of ascent. </li>
<li>Total: 261.0 miles, 12,885 feet of ascent. </li>
</ul>
<br />We rode more than 2 miles straight up!!!</h5>
<b id="internal-source-marker_0.3355014235712588"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span><br /></b>
<ul style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><b id="internal-source-marker_0.3355014235712588">
<li dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Some days we used over 70 gallons of water for the riders. That’s a lot of thirst. There were days when I really had to force myself to drink my plastic tasting water though.</span></div>
</li>
</b></ul>
<span id="internal-source-marker_0.3355014235712588">
<h1 dir="ltr" style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 21px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Links</span></h1>
<br /><ul style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<li dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<a href="http://www.cbs8.com/story/21838947/local-5th-graders-finish-260-mile-bike-ride" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">See Mari Lu and I on Channel 8 News </span></a><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></div>
</li>
<li dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dtC08buD56Q" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">See Mari Lu and I on Channel 8 News</span></a><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (YouTube bootleg Version)</span></div>
</li>
<li dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<a href="http://www.nbcsandiego.com/on-air/as-seen-on/Students-Ride-Across-California_San-Diego.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">See Mari Lu dip her tire into the Pacific on Channel 7.</span></a><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></div>
</li>
<li dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="color: #1155cc; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2013/mar/30/encinitas-ride-bicycle-california/" style="text-decoration: none;">Union Tribune Article</a></span></div>
</li>
<li><b><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/claborne/sets/72157633215075754/">See all of my pictures.</a></b></li>
</ul>
</span><br />
<br />
<b><a href="http://throboflife.blogspot.com/2013/03/captains-blog-20130324-rac-day-1.html">Go To Day 1 of RAC</a></b>Chris Clabornehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05667976111738074928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8774238539557433481.post-71093236869210029202013-03-30T18:25:00.002-07:002013-05-27T22:12:06.154-07:00Captain's BLOG 2013.03.30. RAC Day 7<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhla9x9IiYc68xOYis7L8wMVJ9lxRL9-5Tld41j4YVEs9hNhF39BvjapWxG9sRqUFdqJX038DoC9sBh2qcQyFTWgNrwItyln5euMc6rGzh6NqnoeteuFZ0B_EkQ_-ZhowJ7P0IcgZT1OtAR/s640/blogger-image--844270301.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhla9x9IiYc68xOYis7L8wMVJ9lxRL9-5Tld41j4YVEs9hNhF39BvjapWxG9sRqUFdqJX038DoC9sBh2qcQyFTWgNrwItyln5euMc6rGzh6NqnoeteuFZ0B_EkQ_-ZhowJ7P0IcgZT1OtAR/s320/blogger-image--844270301.jpg" width="320" /></a><b id="internal-source-marker_0.7070122924633324" style="font-weight: normal;"></b><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<b id="internal-source-marker_0.7070122924633324" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Today is the final day of RAC. I will be making a one more post as a sort of RAC wrapup to bring it all together however. </span><a href="http://throboflife.blogspot.com/2013/03/captains-blog-20130324-rac-day-1.html"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Go to Day 1 post to see what RAC is</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. </span></b></div>
<br />
<b id="internal-source-marker_0.7070122924633324" style="font-weight: normal;"></b>
<b id="internal-source-marker_0.7070122924633324" style="font-weight: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<b id="internal-source-marker_0.7070122924633324" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Dinner was awesome. It was pizza and lasagna from a local restaurant. Later, they had a small fire with marshmallow roasting. I think Mari Lu fell asleep in about 3 seconds after a day of riding and then playing all afternoon.</span></b></div>
<b id="internal-source-marker_0.7070122924633324" style="font-weight: normal;"><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<b id="internal-source-marker_0.7070122924633324" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The ride today is somewhat like the last day of the Tour de France, a victory lap. It’s a ride, not a race so the reward will be to put the front tire into the pacific, completing our river-to-riptide ride across California. We slept well and are ready to ride.</span></b></div>
<b id="internal-source-marker_0.7070122924633324" style="font-weight: normal;">
</b>
<br />
<a name='more'></a><b id="internal-source-marker_0.7070122924633324" style="font-weight: normal;"><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<b id="internal-source-marker_0.7070122924633324" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Someone asked me if I thought there would be any hills today. My response: “It’s San Diego, which is nothing but hills”. And there are hills today but nothing that compared to box canyon, gorilla hill, or Banner Grade that we’ve climbed over the last 6 days. </span></b></div>
<b id="internal-source-marker_0.7070122924633324" style="font-weight: normal;">
</b>
<br />
<b id="internal-source-marker_0.7070122924633324" style="font-weight: normal;"><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj57B3MOIHJBnfvzRI-jJac2pbK4Pl5NuoLX_dWRYjSLGMpmKP-tzUjcIAorxtOP1LmQ4bl3Eb2SqEwiOkR_Ac-1y8DJdjEedrad5Yn4jCFCS1TKa1YllI_S576Pajj3o8S1ThN0LUok-sV/s640/blogger-image--2019327408.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj57B3MOIHJBnfvzRI-jJac2pbK4Pl5NuoLX_dWRYjSLGMpmKP-tzUjcIAorxtOP1LmQ4bl3Eb2SqEwiOkR_Ac-1y8DJdjEedrad5Yn4jCFCS1TKa1YllI_S576Pajj3o8S1ThN0LUok-sV/s640/blogger-image--2019327408.jpg" /></a><b id="internal-source-marker_0.7070122924633324" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Breakfast was more of a grab and go. No more catering, keep it simple sort of affair. I had a banana and a fruit bar. The owner of Maui Wowi coffee dropped by to bring some coffee. I hear that he is friends with the ride leader, Gary Rossi.</span></b></div>
<b id="internal-source-marker_0.7070122924633324" style="font-weight: normal;">
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<b id="internal-source-marker_0.7070122924633324" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The ride started with a nice gentle downhill in the San Pasqual valley as we worked our way south. It was cool, and spirits were high in the peloton. There were some little climbs as we made our way into Escondido. The route took us onto a cool little bike path next to the canals and then to next to the train tracks. It was enjoyable and it looked like the aim was to keep us off the busy streets as much as possible. We rode by the house of the man that started this many years ago, </span></b></div>
<b id="internal-source-marker_0.7070122924633324" style="font-weight: normal;">
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<b id="internal-source-marker_0.7070122924633324" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lunch was near the Palomar airport and was the usual dine and go with sandwiches, snacks, and fruit prepared by the “Sandwich Lady”, Alisa Navapanich and her crew of helpers. The chase drivers and other parents were fantastic on this ride. They took directions from Gary and normally setup water & gatorade stations along the way (normally ever 2 miles in the desert. They also were and were stationed at various road intersections where we needed to change course or if there was a dangerous intersection. Hats off to the crew, whom without, this trip would not have been possible. Hats off to the family that let me use their motorhome potty Thursday night.</span></b></div>
<b id="internal-source-marker_0.7070122924633324" style="font-weight: normal;">
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5iLmq59aoFqisoKrP7JEjINs1adOPpvgcUBzq81Fb9PibwQ58UV_WOANdrDz3J4kA3t0n7WfGF-XfubPHTHMlhONLgC2DH5GraEs1E2xPh3jNOJ3OgymC_mFPRPi2gjW4ktzLokdvaZwm/s640/blogger-image-1280675594.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5iLmq59aoFqisoKrP7JEjINs1adOPpvgcUBzq81Fb9PibwQ58UV_WOANdrDz3J4kA3t0n7WfGF-XfubPHTHMlhONLgC2DH5GraEs1E2xPh3jNOJ3OgymC_mFPRPi2gjW4ktzLokdvaZwm/s640/blogger-image-1280675594.jpg" /></a><b id="internal-source-marker_0.7070122924633324" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Next, we meandered our way down around Escondido, passing by Legoland and stopping at the strawberry patch. A bunch of the kids did some picking and we milled around for a while.. One thing you have to remember, this is a ride for the kids, not a so much a destination objective since we could have burned straight to the beach yesterday. </span></b></div>
<b id="internal-source-marker_0.7070122924633324" style="font-weight: normal;">
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<b id="internal-source-marker_0.7070122924633324" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We crossed over to the coast for one more stop to a more quiet place than our destination to get some group shots. After all the digital film was almost all used up, we head down the road into north Encinitas, at times taking up the entire right lane. It was cool riding as a single group of a 100+ riders. We stretched over a quarter mile at times. The arrival at the beach was met with cheers of parents and others that were waiting for us. The newspaper and Channel 8, and other news crews were doing interviews of the kids. A reporter interviewed me but I hope the kids make the final cut. There were multiple crews there so we may be on more than one channel, so watch the local news tonight.</span></b></div>
<b id="internal-source-marker_0.7070122924633324" style="font-weight: normal;">
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<b id="internal-source-marker_0.7070122924633324" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A couple of the older kids took their bikes into the surf, that’s going to be a cleaning job :). Traci West came to pick us up (thanks mucho Traci!!!) and brought Juan. It was good to see him nice and healthy. We talked to him on the phone the day before yesterday and it sounds like he had a lot of fun on his river rafting trip.</span></b></div>
<b id="internal-source-marker_0.7070122924633324" style="font-weight: normal;">
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<b id="internal-source-marker_0.7070122924633324" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">All in all, this was a hell of a way to spend spring break with Mari Lu. The best news yet.... Mari Lu wants to go again next year. I’m so glad to hear that we didn’t ruin her forever on biking. She had a good time and suffered through the climbs, winds, and parents during the week just like all the other kids there. Jeanette and I survived but I think I’ll make an appointment to see the doc about my shoulder. The last crash inflamed what I think is berscietus. Mari Lu had a good time and accomplished something that few 5th graders do, riding 260 miles across California, from the Colorado river outside of Yuma, to the beach here in North County. Ahhh, its nice to be home!</span></b></div>
<b id="internal-source-marker_0.7070122924633324" style="font-weight: normal;">
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<b id="internal-source-marker_0.7070122924633324" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I hoped you enjoyed reading my sort of live-blog of the trip. I thought it ranked high on the epic nature of it and hoped that not only my mom and family could follow the trip but that I could give Mari Lu this gift of memory. </span></b></div>
<b id="internal-source-marker_0.7070122924633324" style="font-weight: normal;">
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<b id="internal-source-marker_0.7070122924633324" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I’ll be going back to fix some things in the earlier posts, and possibly add some pictures and content. Check back later in the week.</span></b></div>
<b id="internal-source-marker_0.7070122924633324" style="font-weight: normal;">
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">P.S. I’ll be adding some more pictures to Flickr.</span></b><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://www.cbs8.com/story/21838947/local-5th-graders-finish-260-mile-bike-ride">Mari Lu, myself, and others interviewed for Channel 8 News</a></span></span><br />
<b id="internal-source-marker_0.08945894544012845" style="font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://www.nbcsandiego.com/on-air/as-seen-on/Students-Ride-Across-California_San-Diego.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">See Mari Lu dip her tire into the Pacific on Channel 7</span></a></b><br />
<a href="http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2013/mar/30/encinitas-ride-bicycle-california/">Union Tribune Article</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3lC3fx0C15oX03ydE_LSZ4iFKO2vSdBK12LWhzc-9Uemf-NbivxrZukCjoyoUCyuT2_L0fMjoQicfymuHpxhFzpfWujpShfM_fe5-TfIiOBdL8kg_VAi9wbA0-xSzCqt8iwjQ7iZHegSM/s640/blogger-image-1532451499.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3lC3fx0C15oX03ydE_LSZ4iFKO2vSdBK12LWhzc-9Uemf-NbivxrZukCjoyoUCyuT2_L0fMjoQicfymuHpxhFzpfWujpShfM_fe5-TfIiOBdL8kg_VAi9wbA0-xSzCqt8iwjQ7iZHegSM/s640/blogger-image-1532451499.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6EDgIKvmlFtAFssm9iCh4jiPgpx3vRq97dwLXFen2VaEIo1PKxfyJDdQPm18wsGZ6XUvlrTaYVZEpsNRgx6Pk8jATlcEqVj-T0CephMUNCe1vfuafc-ALvx6TJRXBctP9E-T_nZdDROnT/s640/blogger-image-581900853.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6EDgIKvmlFtAFssm9iCh4jiPgpx3vRq97dwLXFen2VaEIo1PKxfyJDdQPm18wsGZ6XUvlrTaYVZEpsNRgx6Pk8jATlcEqVj-T0CephMUNCe1vfuafc-ALvx6TJRXBctP9E-T_nZdDROnT/s640/blogger-image-581900853.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPwmEo0gX7X7y9IEWsgU0Fzm9CHUa-Ta_a6kaBqQ1ihS_DrbV7qsg6gOdxUJFGsCUGBBZQnDVNIvJz33ot1z7pCzYP52kyr60Fh6ng7j5jvPRAd4k2kc6Yb9_w7MFw7cNEJ9vCHW64lDAH/s640/blogger-image--1759535617.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPwmEo0gX7X7y9IEWsgU0Fzm9CHUa-Ta_a6kaBqQ1ihS_DrbV7qsg6gOdxUJFGsCUGBBZQnDVNIvJz33ot1z7pCzYP52kyr60Fh6ng7j5jvPRAd4k2kc6Yb9_w7MFw7cNEJ9vCHW64lDAH/s640/blogger-image--1759535617.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh50L83fOHqJtOx-wkLSYiNhWuNkNYerzeEdW80sE2BKN5nzGFc-8wm-UCNy_4CfdifLqgqhIseLsdngj0uTAfUfOdWIBOOZXN62bc3Gl0xEmTn_uGoCJXxyOYHsEWRB5KpHuNymYpC0dNZ/s640/blogger-image-225825002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh50L83fOHqJtOx-wkLSYiNhWuNkNYerzeEdW80sE2BKN5nzGFc-8wm-UCNy_4CfdifLqgqhIseLsdngj0uTAfUfOdWIBOOZXN62bc3Gl0xEmTn_uGoCJXxyOYHsEWRB5KpHuNymYpC0dNZ/s640/blogger-image-225825002.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv0Y8685qf6RHU0lJXyh-BuMRiqcTWgnnt5HestzvFeKBZ3avZJtRnQwo8D3acMXiT13Kl0o5YWMePCa259Ja-ptKJVVG0ALw8gUhhAHC716t5wVV4iALwGo02vvXyOVgBYmZ-7lKRJI9-/s640/blogger-image--59136408.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv0Y8685qf6RHU0lJXyh-BuMRiqcTWgnnt5HestzvFeKBZ3avZJtRnQwo8D3acMXiT13Kl0o5YWMePCa259Ja-ptKJVVG0ALw8gUhhAHC716t5wVV4iALwGo02vvXyOVgBYmZ-7lKRJI9-/s640/blogger-image--59136408.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEjsjv7CxzgepDVtIni2mVihl71fwsIiEZrOl3mrqFyzouS3NWzHDGs9NsEmLtOoqxeIacXWzZ6BDvvgfWQKBHNeEsmgIGbmmi3ABVRzBmC73R48VgU_S8C0DfU7j6NpMtQ4AfTPdZk8jS/s640/blogger-image-1585631459.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEjsjv7CxzgepDVtIni2mVihl71fwsIiEZrOl3mrqFyzouS3NWzHDGs9NsEmLtOoqxeIacXWzZ6BDvvgfWQKBHNeEsmgIGbmmi3ABVRzBmC73R48VgU_S8C0DfU7j6NpMtQ4AfTPdZk8jS/s640/blogger-image-1585631459.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD4jwzfS8SpS3JYVE6MmpcpDCmk12pv7fVq21_e2fn3vHcorK1PNGeojcmqbe4bcrgofRSgTGhgJr-D31V9UpHJVghT3yVJGqiwot1JEpsvBTMmFYGkhSNH2cZuxU1X7Z_F87PmzwzLBOh/s1600/CC5_2032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD4jwzfS8SpS3JYVE6MmpcpDCmk12pv7fVq21_e2fn3vHcorK1PNGeojcmqbe4bcrgofRSgTGhgJr-D31V9UpHJVghT3yVJGqiwot1JEpsvBTMmFYGkhSNH2cZuxU1X7Z_F87PmzwzLBOh/s320/CC5_2032.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLwiyG0gfluzpL9bJ36vsZ75dQAq1lpSLDU5FoCgtI4SarQCUTzQppliCKF2CTO6zyH16ZHdorLlJ2zgZVyzN-Y1jQbzimP0efnD4CQZgTkgRzdHlSl65gWrfWI15su-0mmNQLm6eVRyOc/s1600/CC5_2031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLwiyG0gfluzpL9bJ36vsZ75dQAq1lpSLDU5FoCgtI4SarQCUTzQppliCKF2CTO6zyH16ZHdorLlJ2zgZVyzN-Y1jQbzimP0efnD4CQZgTkgRzdHlSl65gWrfWI15su-0mmNQLm6eVRyOc/s320/CC5_2031.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLT0uWI5uChus-qHe28Sr9bE759vM2-Mfn_6TtqhiIckEENlLLgHjZphP6IvCAQCwSQaQmGH_2pHpzXsisjHznWkDGKKOq8sj5bDT_22OEsUth1iKYjjk8En4pYDuewXHw0MMRWjxuxkaY/s1600/CC5_2033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLT0uWI5uChus-qHe28Sr9bE759vM2-Mfn_6TtqhiIckEENlLLgHjZphP6IvCAQCwSQaQmGH_2pHpzXsisjHznWkDGKKOq8sj5bDT_22OEsUth1iKYjjk8En4pYDuewXHw0MMRWjxuxkaY/s320/CC5_2033.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQm2LM5ozWbR4u4m5gs44pTZnJe5rhWRNrTA3oYBBGsL5TuAirm-4Sn9iT-eLay__y99OcIM8MfeML5BVUuSw0nIPdUV2FUN7p3KEpKudH5MCovi8pY6I1Wnuv1O2MA689kNuBHyO7y_Lk/s1600/CC5_2034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQm2LM5ozWbR4u4m5gs44pTZnJe5rhWRNrTA3oYBBGsL5TuAirm-4Sn9iT-eLay__y99OcIM8MfeML5BVUuSw0nIPdUV2FUN7p3KEpKudH5MCovi8pY6I1Wnuv1O2MA689kNuBHyO7y_Lk/s320/CC5_2034.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVeVKgWVPifCA0X8JCRFQm-vzYhDUmjmhPi24wJhUPRMAWR_CKE8GmqhhSArZo2Z2F19aroHax3ZcSYGsRib9sVLv8CeP2I8MOxtwCLVLlG0Fc67iJpdK4qSDwXor_t-ybeR-8ve9zXabH/s1600/CC5_2035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVeVKgWVPifCA0X8JCRFQm-vzYhDUmjmhPi24wJhUPRMAWR_CKE8GmqhhSArZo2Z2F19aroHax3ZcSYGsRib9sVLv8CeP2I8MOxtwCLVLlG0Fc67iJpdK4qSDwXor_t-ybeR-8ve9zXabH/s320/CC5_2035.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirzT13Z00hRkWKVYnuahAE3I58tY_LZbQP1gp9jaZzqQT2MG24Omd6x64FZlO8jF9WG8J-yhsxrKVbff2QlAP_9Zbg9_lS66PZDKChFhjkDWV0JT_ao-sfbolmcFyLoA0IrKMijmJz3BDf/s1600/CC5_2036.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirzT13Z00hRkWKVYnuahAE3I58tY_LZbQP1gp9jaZzqQT2MG24Omd6x64FZlO8jF9WG8J-yhsxrKVbff2QlAP_9Zbg9_lS66PZDKChFhjkDWV0JT_ao-sfbolmcFyLoA0IrKMijmJz3BDf/s320/CC5_2036.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAqROlo__6rhcsdQayKJmaVT0WVJ4_1o5krfCXu58SEO81sicc_rKkbTn9Vhu3N3QODCX9AnMzHvqfZExQwottJ9xkYgF4R53S5fDcA8HhAs1ToPnWKwqd1u0ujvjyv4Ap3HtZ7cChu107/s1600/CC5_2038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAqROlo__6rhcsdQayKJmaVT0WVJ4_1o5krfCXu58SEO81sicc_rKkbTn9Vhu3N3QODCX9AnMzHvqfZExQwottJ9xkYgF4R53S5fDcA8HhAs1ToPnWKwqd1u0ujvjyv4Ap3HtZ7cChu107/s320/CC5_2038.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXs0m8HWZkDAeV4DpRd4twYLpZxpoz0H_oPEE9kxbjH689ZzXnjkM8O1jTDQIpvoD75uqJhm9JIIULgGishPtP-MBtzQJZlvK9uIzXvVqre4gBJE48pNZWfJpLZBpkV8R0Ixi3VT-4x1KD/s1600/CC5_2039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXs0m8HWZkDAeV4DpRd4twYLpZxpoz0H_oPEE9kxbjH689ZzXnjkM8O1jTDQIpvoD75uqJhm9JIIULgGishPtP-MBtzQJZlvK9uIzXvVqre4gBJE48pNZWfJpLZBpkV8R0Ixi3VT-4x1KD/s320/CC5_2039.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9q1ywNNwS-wJjBlqRU5TdhzfExbkky-oh_vTbuoaQ4Yc3-HBLP9M2F43dqMAAVxZ1v_Clkx5lnECY9-RSTDiJM7ODS-c2bhu7jl1QcROOiuodOLx7PapwuZMstQiuqcZruFs3kvn56h9j/s1600/CC5_2043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9q1ywNNwS-wJjBlqRU5TdhzfExbkky-oh_vTbuoaQ4Yc3-HBLP9M2F43dqMAAVxZ1v_Clkx5lnECY9-RSTDiJM7ODS-c2bhu7jl1QcROOiuodOLx7PapwuZMstQiuqcZruFs3kvn56h9j/s320/CC5_2043.JPG" width="212" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBmXzIoxikNvkgisld52emEAppeaeeb9cr6IVWmltSfwFPJcdnxW5Eayy2D-X7q_Wzl4rwC1ju2gqSaQ7ooWimRa_hW3Qtv4ChDCyyBL6_4SNyhYG2N2uCbEcXFG3thShjnAcwU8ujbbVV/s1600/CC5_2040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBmXzIoxikNvkgisld52emEAppeaeeb9cr6IVWmltSfwFPJcdnxW5Eayy2D-X7q_Wzl4rwC1ju2gqSaQ7ooWimRa_hW3Qtv4ChDCyyBL6_4SNyhYG2N2uCbEcXFG3thShjnAcwU8ujbbVV/s320/CC5_2040.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYaSBE3s_2RjNzMZBlbboMcEpmDGYPJQ9k0mkL4b4jTVWNxqGl4jfOg108gRWk9LqF-UiMOjn4NxPd7LFiUnWLCIR3p4hDJSaiRy6i94Yju3dhcLvDXjf8Nl17kL7CU_EpXSjFF8takY_b/s1600/CC5_2044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYaSBE3s_2RjNzMZBlbboMcEpmDGYPJQ9k0mkL4b4jTVWNxqGl4jfOg108gRWk9LqF-UiMOjn4NxPd7LFiUnWLCIR3p4hDJSaiRy6i94Yju3dhcLvDXjf8Nl17kL7CU_EpXSjFF8takY_b/s320/CC5_2044.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBdvzll2SAkARcSoXUbhbp4x1MU82aDEeSMrqXMkOz1Bz8U2IIN1942LugD___Qb7MLIOx289Qh70_AC4P4QZ3WPMRNLmhNComrnyArIHSSmVDodPmhnBC-_LvjSxCIFyAw3J5kXbtIIHA/s1600/CC5_2045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBdvzll2SAkARcSoXUbhbp4x1MU82aDEeSMrqXMkOz1Bz8U2IIN1942LugD___Qb7MLIOx289Qh70_AC4P4QZ3WPMRNLmhNComrnyArIHSSmVDodPmhnBC-_LvjSxCIFyAw3J5kXbtIIHA/s320/CC5_2045.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWVLqr7Go-GmPgt69qYYuiLrBTkXird3HdadBM4F8u_0KtO2xHJRdkLZtN5tNm9acsUc-pNXpqLehfFC_5y6FJS0D3J_Y3AHJVzOv6h_tJNQEahSlShfk9f4T_53N5BZecy98_PFacW3xj/s1600/CC5_2047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWVLqr7Go-GmPgt69qYYuiLrBTkXird3HdadBM4F8u_0KtO2xHJRdkLZtN5tNm9acsUc-pNXpqLehfFC_5y6FJS0D3J_Y3AHJVzOv6h_tJNQEahSlShfk9f4T_53N5BZecy98_PFacW3xj/s320/CC5_2047.JPG" width="212" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLzS5gCuzpPTcxDoLYUapjY7auwUA6xH__2x0Jtj8qzE4tdsMTgfw0qfINqhvJChCUeftaVaOKKmCpg6RHj6zjona2TUVBnvL1IGtAcHgciuqOR9Jd_M-nAPerxsJUr9YmIgWs02iz4dTJ/s1600/CC5_2049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLzS5gCuzpPTcxDoLYUapjY7auwUA6xH__2x0Jtj8qzE4tdsMTgfw0qfINqhvJChCUeftaVaOKKmCpg6RHj6zjona2TUVBnvL1IGtAcHgciuqOR9Jd_M-nAPerxsJUr9YmIgWs02iz4dTJ/s320/CC5_2049.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlhM-lb88K1lBKV7Kku6vcfVflbLKI27wvzhhKX8E2hr4BDnJ1lw9iczwPsjUX4Y0ewJ0GzsqIE8_1xfrDHYkipyLEN0AQjc1uzv8AfTYGR0uWDnZOhtP3BGBWT2Z-Xwc9cTjRejcdiB8X/s1600/CC5_2048.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlhM-lb88K1lBKV7Kku6vcfVflbLKI27wvzhhKX8E2hr4BDnJ1lw9iczwPsjUX4Y0ewJ0GzsqIE8_1xfrDHYkipyLEN0AQjc1uzv8AfTYGR0uWDnZOhtP3BGBWT2Z-Xwc9cTjRejcdiB8X/s320/CC5_2048.JPG" width="212" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg99yXCmkWVF4ShrbML-kuW_v6vXVe7wpTuS1oaxI1skEiiVVZL6sp5nPRFVNXzfzuzJGOeFlpqkORoHRH5Y0JNYGukLDbmxLjJtVQg8lv50d-e9UX3v5MS_IVNQx0KGf-zws6m5BxYP9gr/s1600/CC5_2053.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg99yXCmkWVF4ShrbML-kuW_v6vXVe7wpTuS1oaxI1skEiiVVZL6sp5nPRFVNXzfzuzJGOeFlpqkORoHRH5Y0JNYGukLDbmxLjJtVQg8lv50d-e9UX3v5MS_IVNQx0KGf-zws6m5BxYP9gr/s320/CC5_2053.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR82C7-xoXcKWm3oQD_P-XVhDsH1ZK9Y3kaU3zfPQRf9sE7ofOlGNmn7nXJ-W1dVhXilUukw1DlyA0QS9YhpDSgcDDRimfj-qY36XT7w-LATNsHAK1xovOVmy68Ao3jeDo2hXnytS9lkp_/s1600/CC5_2055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR82C7-xoXcKWm3oQD_P-XVhDsH1ZK9Y3kaU3zfPQRf9sE7ofOlGNmn7nXJ-W1dVhXilUukw1DlyA0QS9YhpDSgcDDRimfj-qY36XT7w-LATNsHAK1xovOVmy68Ao3jeDo2hXnytS9lkp_/s320/CC5_2055.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrXY699ygY-rF9tBYjX5zP5pAQzDYmHO4zxJTuH0xTxvBdawspzyRQe_oPwZXN70G2rGs1ofvKy4__tCTRSh2Izhf6nnItXDPjH9pcYnZYCJkK5ESCS5XBIAp6EaqwgoF0dwExuDg74XeS/s1600/CC5_2056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrXY699ygY-rF9tBYjX5zP5pAQzDYmHO4zxJTuH0xTxvBdawspzyRQe_oPwZXN70G2rGs1ofvKy4__tCTRSh2Izhf6nnItXDPjH9pcYnZYCJkK5ESCS5XBIAp6EaqwgoF0dwExuDg74XeS/s320/CC5_2056.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik_AdMrF_SaCA1H-9PfoMW6Awkn1CEEwjdosl1908iaRU6W3iWistgALU3tw-TJc6v4_heHjzoe3FdYpFg7uqDltpDZNv5XzkP8b8UtH3Ny36hqkeqBuzY2NJswiAb3b6qzqEwkYiRUdOg/s1600/CC5_2059.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik_AdMrF_SaCA1H-9PfoMW6Awkn1CEEwjdosl1908iaRU6W3iWistgALU3tw-TJc6v4_heHjzoe3FdYpFg7uqDltpDZNv5XzkP8b8UtH3Ny36hqkeqBuzY2NJswiAb3b6qzqEwkYiRUdOg/s320/CC5_2059.JPG" width="212" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0kN3Fb-ZHnATmH1kKCMwxY2_eaKPu0ghVQ8Mzlv2Wfvmarb4eIJSaZTXBPHy2aC-W3uGqOfWAXRNgxtBUopl99zGkAjVqq4toKu3tzKhyphenhyphenV-_LVkxq-kRpfERXunFLWoReTvpYnX5xoj8Z/s1600/CC5_2060.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0kN3Fb-ZHnATmH1kKCMwxY2_eaKPu0ghVQ8Mzlv2Wfvmarb4eIJSaZTXBPHy2aC-W3uGqOfWAXRNgxtBUopl99zGkAjVqq4toKu3tzKhyphenhyphenV-_LVkxq-kRpfERXunFLWoReTvpYnX5xoj8Z/s320/CC5_2060.JPG" width="212" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjZJ_HKvu9W-9mng3qKWiIf371QNBeqvrsByMWD1EWicvhOWHA8XJIzd-SAJJ2lpMVF0P9-OOKSr6AElHW_DGYram7GrrncWyYcD68Ls2Fwdljhtui6rVxcvY8trGoDlyEzg0Gmr18zN-i/s1600/CC5_2062.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjZJ_HKvu9W-9mng3qKWiIf371QNBeqvrsByMWD1EWicvhOWHA8XJIzd-SAJJ2lpMVF0P9-OOKSr6AElHW_DGYram7GrrncWyYcD68Ls2Fwdljhtui6rVxcvY8trGoDlyEzg0Gmr18zN-i/s320/CC5_2062.JPG" width="212" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEUPSU_WQG82Byu0lcRi6y7ZVOhelQe51MUeupz23ZLAVwg_bYfaI3F_sRvC_W7m_EQ6VZLhtT6nUgtSKC48I2Ba0S2GX9T-IJuhTEdoAAudJIgCDqkfk-MJYUcg3H_6aBOPlbRjtW8tHa/s1600/CC5_2066.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEUPSU_WQG82Byu0lcRi6y7ZVOhelQe51MUeupz23ZLAVwg_bYfaI3F_sRvC_W7m_EQ6VZLhtT6nUgtSKC48I2Ba0S2GX9T-IJuhTEdoAAudJIgCDqkfk-MJYUcg3H_6aBOPlbRjtW8tHa/s320/CC5_2066.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheHnwtJ-6okr8V6dHhC9_0NHDaY_ur5CM3AS1r1mE0I8PRb4_Uyh1-hbA8O4hy1w1YyqD1BLiLQZxJwpzK3csfa19vBpXmI4mNC0q1UkN9epl-5amyuYhXADKCZAIOzkmytxolGNjnN_H8/s1600/CC5_2064.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheHnwtJ-6okr8V6dHhC9_0NHDaY_ur5CM3AS1r1mE0I8PRb4_Uyh1-hbA8O4hy1w1YyqD1BLiLQZxJwpzK3csfa19vBpXmI4mNC0q1UkN9epl-5amyuYhXADKCZAIOzkmytxolGNjnN_H8/s320/CC5_2064.JPG" width="212" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeK8E30rfgS9JGlYIAHkBll-ajnJ9ILUvkNammnPmNgrL7vuCwvfxDwzal6Znguq72Rctzh1G3FccxooOJhxFvTcaEzUYx0actiaTEdnK6P8RYHQDN1lrbS4om-roxKMMcySiEXgczsdMi/s640/blogger-image-2072318258.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeK8E30rfgS9JGlYIAHkBll-ajnJ9ILUvkNammnPmNgrL7vuCwvfxDwzal6Znguq72Rctzh1G3FccxooOJhxFvTcaEzUYx0actiaTEdnK6P8RYHQDN1lrbS4om-roxKMMcySiEXgczsdMi/s640/blogger-image-2072318258.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEc38_Wgz26eioy0MTdsjETSyXrz6jJsY8MoRlKZ7MNmYqIn9dxOBpt_ylYXjsD4pV_d7DiWj7VslAdCABfK9z_uD3CKqXB9LFB6zP-QLTVpkYBleIEc1B1cVhZKRQe1VALmg59dEy7EwH/s640/blogger-image-807399236.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEc38_Wgz26eioy0MTdsjETSyXrz6jJsY8MoRlKZ7MNmYqIn9dxOBpt_ylYXjsD4pV_d7DiWj7VslAdCABfK9z_uD3CKqXB9LFB6zP-QLTVpkYBleIEc1B1cVhZKRQe1VALmg59dEy7EwH/s640/blogger-image-807399236.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijYcmk6nQyHuTFqzGCWM6B7IoIyXN-qm8x0Z-bJAja5N2oOpUhlN7tWWeAUD6tnDS50kCRAXgAsxSPZgphBr48zme5u1XrwTglCboVdGnE29qEiY3XYmiYbNpgAwYFb9veC64auZ1TWJk3/s640/blogger-image-1327112110.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijYcmk6nQyHuTFqzGCWM6B7IoIyXN-qm8x0Z-bJAja5N2oOpUhlN7tWWeAUD6tnDS50kCRAXgAsxSPZgphBr48zme5u1XrwTglCboVdGnE29qEiY3XYmiYbNpgAwYFb9veC64auZ1TWJk3/s640/blogger-image-1327112110.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp38FUbYJtUY9maF8mKDxPhC2rHIEItNl19oOoNPvOBjtdO6NUh_a53AvcRN9Z7fo9Qe3CuM6JXfTenSziApUBGDRwW32Fm6OLYtS8bSJndHh-YLLMekCqwhBlScOEI214YnIOyOxEnjKU/s640/blogger-image-1247747921.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp38FUbYJtUY9maF8mKDxPhC2rHIEItNl19oOoNPvOBjtdO6NUh_a53AvcRN9Z7fo9Qe3CuM6JXfTenSziApUBGDRwW32Fm6OLYtS8bSJndHh-YLLMekCqwhBlScOEI214YnIOyOxEnjKU/s640/blogger-image-1247747921.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8RzQumTmrG6eIupFbfbIc-s48F0zt28VTKBYhjKKolgVsPWujcx_rgw9lJKmh6lFZWoVMDMC5Zl2sHXUd6S3LwcAnCrRYr-8m7sy4RDZCYkdqNSsEA4LIPDp0XJI1rfXaxLzl-iYqXTxo/s640/blogger-image-1889485414.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8RzQumTmrG6eIupFbfbIc-s48F0zt28VTKBYhjKKolgVsPWujcx_rgw9lJKmh6lFZWoVMDMC5Zl2sHXUd6S3LwcAnCrRYr-8m7sy4RDZCYkdqNSsEA4LIPDp0XJI1rfXaxLzl-iYqXTxo/s640/blogger-image-1889485414.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqSfOSOme-XpvR_wAnUMbHUbaRyBXPZT8Afh1Ag2j47vaXCgIqWrBHBlBqQDwdVJ_Yqai7dLUiFTjB1AbchANSTrMxEGi1dXeG8W8WinIaCHqmJwxbqm4ygKT0utCtltvWNinFzaSkm4C6/s640/blogger-image-875122653.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqSfOSOme-XpvR_wAnUMbHUbaRyBXPZT8Afh1Ag2j47vaXCgIqWrBHBlBqQDwdVJ_Yqai7dLUiFTjB1AbchANSTrMxEGi1dXeG8W8WinIaCHqmJwxbqm4ygKT0utCtltvWNinFzaSkm4C6/s640/blogger-image-875122653.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://throboflife.blogspot.com/2013/03/captain-blog-20130329-rac-day-6.html"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDV8hldK59mjKp_jdw-qrIeUMhC06Wk_PqBoj0LrqzSLhKMM1_41b2HmPJlglOKD6XKZPngA9auJO0EFZaIoIqPyhysQOc8loUTl8xzIiG5lm9ExpULk5cE6SYABAIDtuoL20MYss-Oz2L/s1600/bikeleft.jpg" /></a> ......... <span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://throboflife.blogspot.com/2013/04/captains-blog-20130330-rac-wrap.html">Go to RAC Wrapup</a></span></div>
</div>
Chris Clabornehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05667976111738074928noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8774238539557433481.post-30333860424960368812013-03-29T17:53:00.001-07:002013-03-31T21:34:49.764-07:00Captain's BLOG 2013.03.29. RAC Day 6<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5XADoQJ0BjoazL4qFk4fV5Bhfn1aSRoMVNZQy4bVMPPwpHkAHZ-DRaJjyG7Jqg9SEs_vkyiM4cNHs-8OkSd2oXVSGBHi9CadWdC2oh-XZed1eJ-oDCHB2LThEOfWgyG2ZKj3iLMvefxGQ/s640/blogger-image--535005429.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5XADoQJ0BjoazL4qFk4fV5Bhfn1aSRoMVNZQy4bVMPPwpHkAHZ-DRaJjyG7Jqg9SEs_vkyiM4cNHs-8OkSd2oXVSGBHi9CadWdC2oh-XZed1eJ-oDCHB2LThEOfWgyG2ZKj3iLMvefxGQ/s320/blogger-image--535005429.jpg" width="240" /></a>This is the sixth of many daily logs that I'll make via my iPhone for Ride Across California (RAC), so excuse the spelling and formatting. <a href="http://throboflife.blogspot.com/2013/03/captains-blog-20130324-rac-day-1.html">Go to the day one post to find out what RAC is. </a><br />
<br />
My leader, Mari Lu, and I slept like babies last night. In addition, it looks like Mari Lu's health will allow her to ride today, that's the best news. My butt is no longer killing me (it only took 5 days to get to this point) and the trip is nearly over. <br />
<br />
I haven't eaten since lunch the day before so I'm hungry. This AM's breakfast was the best. There's a lot of buzz about how nice the ride was going to be and people are really looking forward to it. There's bound to be some downhill given we are at 4100 ft. and we need to get to sea level. <br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<br />
We started with cool weather and were layered for much colder conditions. The countryside was very pretty and there was no hurry. We have a short ride today and all day to do it. The ride to Dudlies market was over too quick, a nice smooth decent over green country with very little traffic. <br />
<br />
After having a bear-claw and coffee, and taking off a layer or two, it was another nice decent with some good hills to climb. <br />
<br />
Mari Lu flew up the hills today like a deer jumping through tall grass, beating me after I took a break to adjust my pants. I know she's feeling better. <br />
<br />
Next up (or should I say down) was a 3 mi decent through black canyon. It was a dirt road and I'm really glad I used a mountain bike for this trip. The segment included a couple of climbs, but they weren't too tough. I took a nice rollover to soft sand again today right as I was trying to get out of the way of an approaching car. I was moving about 2 mph and there was no danger so it was quite funny. Mari Lu really enjoyed herself through this segment. It ended into payment which we took to Ramona. Mari Lu's cycling skills are looking really good.<br />
<br />
Lunch was tasty Mexican food at the Ramona Library and community center served by a local PTA.<br />
<br />
After lunch, we took some back roads into San Pasquel and it had some really nice dissents but I wasn't able to enjoy them at the speed that I would prefer since I was breaking behind Mari Lu the entire time. I would love to come back here and do the ride again from Julian so that I could better enjoy the descents. I did all the climbing with no payback. But, this is the job of a domestique.<br />
<br />
I really needed to be with Mari Lu as there was a lot of traffic and some very dangerous corners but she was a cautious rider and it went well. One rider took a nasty fall on a corner and may have fractured her wrist. Another rider started to fall into the road and jumped off. Shortly after, a trailer ran over her front tire. She was completely unharmed, thank goodness. Jeanette was ahead of us and took the opportunity to descend like it was meant to be ridden. <br />
<br />
We arrived early at the San Diego Archaeological Society's facilities where we will spend our last night camping. The kids are having a good time playing and a bunch of the girls are all in a tent singing. It's a relaxing afternoon but is missing the red wine and cheese.<br />
<br />
Everyone is looking forward to the ride to the beach tomorrow to dip their tire into the pacific. <br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnnWekdEKQWljJ6EojirWqyinysjfCzyL5jRlNPFI8EHrrHGv8uym-uvpBgy351sEXaasmKogN2H6rDiNEnUEyPKebDL9aWnh12pY_fCYSoUh_kjoPJ75LvfjBwhBgkTTJLdnLw59hmMxY/s640/blogger-image--770998801.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnnWekdEKQWljJ6EojirWqyinysjfCzyL5jRlNPFI8EHrrHGv8uym-uvpBgy351sEXaasmKogN2H6rDiNEnUEyPKebDL9aWnh12pY_fCYSoUh_kjoPJ75LvfjBwhBgkTTJLdnLw59hmMxY/s640/blogger-image--770998801.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOeyOGfL-OYcvX2Tm4s51HRFnWackbyKtYnpmWaJp_jIllzcXk0y15AxEjqTzGL1efZ0_6dPqCLOPN4kvZy4VDS-EI8M3wQRhTSFRXy2R5giI7jg1eQ16ljAkVjzvNKMYZl-osNXA1rEjm/s640/blogger-image-262489213.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOeyOGfL-OYcvX2Tm4s51HRFnWackbyKtYnpmWaJp_jIllzcXk0y15AxEjqTzGL1efZ0_6dPqCLOPN4kvZy4VDS-EI8M3wQRhTSFRXy2R5giI7jg1eQ16ljAkVjzvNKMYZl-osNXA1rEjm/s640/blogger-image-262489213.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaG64d8vDtyEfMJVce1IYZ04Ka1QV2Ukpoqt-wrLooJAv7tbB99jLHSUZCYlRxYIM1bAB_tI2kBbwi_uge6bF6Ci3983kqARCG-oGVkivL-zR1AImDNuX0fHE0YKnc29iLhVrJk9uFNoIc/s640/blogger-image--1808051742.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaG64d8vDtyEfMJVce1IYZ04Ka1QV2Ukpoqt-wrLooJAv7tbB99jLHSUZCYlRxYIM1bAB_tI2kBbwi_uge6bF6Ci3983kqARCG-oGVkivL-zR1AImDNuX0fHE0YKnc29iLhVrJk9uFNoIc/s640/blogger-image--1808051742.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrt8dKzGHPTKUqW-8ThESyuRLGMzd95b8idaT2B8NdbxI2GVwe4mY04Gfci_6vuCWW89Kj1jVhdt8ab62JkLJ4HywMFC3dJ_NhavoUSUUmOt0NuBTeVs6Ik6l-fKIbOHyKEWGkbPKmG97Q/s640/blogger-image-1178979203.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrt8dKzGHPTKUqW-8ThESyuRLGMzd95b8idaT2B8NdbxI2GVwe4mY04Gfci_6vuCWW89Kj1jVhdt8ab62JkLJ4HywMFC3dJ_NhavoUSUUmOt0NuBTeVs6Ik6l-fKIbOHyKEWGkbPKmG97Q/s640/blogger-image-1178979203.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi18JAq4hJTttDpjtW1yJPN2hRBmevxDgz9nDRuccaKDtblTWY-UPRIjk0ba7OxFsl46ca5MT1jkMzqNc83DIgxbiTJ6rhAHtYa-ljM8WD9bpR-KZpq77WTmqClP2zMJ9xeRrV-eJMDom0f/s640/blogger-image--920419656.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi18JAq4hJTttDpjtW1yJPN2hRBmevxDgz9nDRuccaKDtblTWY-UPRIjk0ba7OxFsl46ca5MT1jkMzqNc83DIgxbiTJ6rhAHtYa-ljM8WD9bpR-KZpq77WTmqClP2zMJ9xeRrV-eJMDom0f/s640/blogger-image--920419656.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Ny8rJrLk_vf82nclbSUpm20fOujBs02lASmdMwJVa1xOVS_u3QNv8sTGQO8AeL537d0UIDHfJRsRb3EE34BvRR_Zg9vRnCkmeitelu-R-Dh-Il4bGwvPgfwN121ynJzxnUQ5vRAQReFj/s640/blogger-image--374624420.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Ny8rJrLk_vf82nclbSUpm20fOujBs02lASmdMwJVa1xOVS_u3QNv8sTGQO8AeL537d0UIDHfJRsRb3EE34BvRR_Zg9vRnCkmeitelu-R-Dh-Il4bGwvPgfwN121ynJzxnUQ5vRAQReFj/s640/blogger-image--374624420.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcDeO44ZPoSdRbhWiBU3fdXQ_5ssC82MQgQCDl_L08kq8apirJjvMIhICs9y51rbKWpXABYWqVllDqFP1qe2CCzQLYuiMkQg9vNVvATJMnpbkFkhBDyafzwpsOlV9xnq8WRCOQYRBL8QC5/s640/blogger-image-610465553.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcDeO44ZPoSdRbhWiBU3fdXQ_5ssC82MQgQCDl_L08kq8apirJjvMIhICs9y51rbKWpXABYWqVllDqFP1qe2CCzQLYuiMkQg9vNVvATJMnpbkFkhBDyafzwpsOlV9xnq8WRCOQYRBL8QC5/s640/blogger-image-610465553.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifqvmo6Y7OGogEAixMwFC8c1euFmtt42f_AUka3qqQ40Lu5sGodRAeBehgissorLVOFFC7xSbuK34bSd51PtfBRwE-kiD-nHQ7b1AInLUvG6XWwo01A8BJG5Y4cen6_cMxSXKXUP2kZpea/s640/blogger-image-616131478.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifqvmo6Y7OGogEAixMwFC8c1euFmtt42f_AUka3qqQ40Lu5sGodRAeBehgissorLVOFFC7xSbuK34bSd51PtfBRwE-kiD-nHQ7b1AInLUvG6XWwo01A8BJG5Y4cen6_cMxSXKXUP2kZpea/s640/blogger-image-616131478.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihHm8caFKsCWFn59e7OT5sj593t_7W8a1hfr5jNegGCfW6qi_EHv1z5egu9mdFQTaiyin9Lfn7w0vclqsw2A807JhPbnGICQ_tVI3SIVc7AWevy-9UHgalOK96Puejombi6dcX-OWR4QzW/s640/blogger-image-1611104801.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihHm8caFKsCWFn59e7OT5sj593t_7W8a1hfr5jNegGCfW6qi_EHv1z5egu9mdFQTaiyin9Lfn7w0vclqsw2A807JhPbnGICQ_tVI3SIVc7AWevy-9UHgalOK96Puejombi6dcX-OWR4QzW/s640/blogger-image-1611104801.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgiZlh6zMQyVgzQq0PBYsFaxZhy4Vu0JzaGU6Oex6Ke7JugpG86uO3uzECEBmxihH_Qap0qwTp_viE8HJ9ZBYCzWKpv-fV57Vz3pb9rOLGM0BGzXB5OVMerjrrHem5qYvT-zSFRE8K4aSr/s640/blogger-image--335768618.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgiZlh6zMQyVgzQq0PBYsFaxZhy4Vu0JzaGU6Oex6Ke7JugpG86uO3uzECEBmxihH_Qap0qwTp_viE8HJ9ZBYCzWKpv-fV57Vz3pb9rOLGM0BGzXB5OVMerjrrHem5qYvT-zSFRE8K4aSr/s640/blogger-image--335768618.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghffWgaFKIGkEAv3CB4n-SRSGz7SwqPtmhHtK2eS4r_TSsI2rBH8GAnfKECIKkKCJvJVt_CaK3C762_K1V0ZQIVK1rsApDbzijoni6jvU03Hvmx3IvetKmYV8kM3CgkzY8xhh5IX27F9-W/s640/blogger-image-659086041.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghffWgaFKIGkEAv3CB4n-SRSGz7SwqPtmhHtK2eS4r_TSsI2rBH8GAnfKECIKkKCJvJVt_CaK3C762_K1V0ZQIVK1rsApDbzijoni6jvU03Hvmx3IvetKmYV8kM3CgkzY8xhh5IX27F9-W/s640/blogger-image-659086041.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijgSuiLNDip2WvO4lIegiw5vO9_AE2t1NVFSItKs76xSdZbtje22nULGijcDwTmesa9hVTy-WNPN_QxaHd18BvxjHYAa5u3a2LecuobyO-Zxwyz-uoSy2W024fYzxjs0iBXNPL9LCBUKgj/s640/blogger-image-1975231228.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijgSuiLNDip2WvO4lIegiw5vO9_AE2t1NVFSItKs76xSdZbtje22nULGijcDwTmesa9hVTy-WNPN_QxaHd18BvxjHYAa5u3a2LecuobyO-Zxwyz-uoSy2W024fYzxjs0iBXNPL9LCBUKgj/s640/blogger-image-1975231228.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU3O5VLVtTWUDcx-AyXGYCqiu0TqLi66b7ZODdyrM8S-uFbsCt5WfRJaGHjRYP-YNluvPWbofMcfyRkHrNXcPZiJMb1ERgqIEDFS-QikbY7V6f2eNQL_Kfori8d_-HAsEwy0y3-U0ZduRn/s640/blogger-image--1070983099.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU3O5VLVtTWUDcx-AyXGYCqiu0TqLi66b7ZODdyrM8S-uFbsCt5WfRJaGHjRYP-YNluvPWbofMcfyRkHrNXcPZiJMb1ERgqIEDFS-QikbY7V6f2eNQL_Kfori8d_-HAsEwy0y3-U0ZduRn/s640/blogger-image--1070983099.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3IRIX_t6UL8cxZ9Byj_Ff5VdsABBDeeSU7XbsCYVuG-OK4yzyfyPjeg9zhyphenhyphenPaJpjzZRYOakfq65nPzXHpFVtMsdXQCYkIFWFnvdBsuycBWD7tHc5Ph-iDMDvW9E1hlEQEu-E0g2KCaAG0/s640/blogger-image--364816893.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3IRIX_t6UL8cxZ9Byj_Ff5VdsABBDeeSU7XbsCYVuG-OK4yzyfyPjeg9zhyphenhyphenPaJpjzZRYOakfq65nPzXHpFVtMsdXQCYkIFWFnvdBsuycBWD7tHc5Ph-iDMDvW9E1hlEQEu-E0g2KCaAG0/s640/blogger-image--364816893.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://throboflife.blogspot.com/2013/03/captain-blog-20130328-rac-day-5.html"><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkuXFEg9A_hPzm5eFTHyNiRMVT291xNawSZpImeYJ34QeaqFmcBTsHnAVDcflaujAJ60xCoJfrXolkJcrna8_w33B2z58qikX9RKfhcfXcDqC736166p_0DX4htUMyCDFITd7hhfQi8mj4/s1600/bikeleft.jpg" /></span> </a> <a href="http://throboflife.blogspot.com/2013/03/captain-blog-20130330-rac-day-7.html" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUtQba5Mv2e-GOMY42Q1FYr4hvPz0Ag7aNJpxfH86fKAdQ4AqtN3oHVSA4wvvhdCga2znXOB3Hi-cViNBZrzG1mV3UTq7wB8HbddhuN9nwahuFmkEn3UeeaQ2luZCF57htnjDq-VoMIBgl/s1600/bikeright.jpg" /></a></div>
Chris Clabornehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05667976111738074928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8774238539557433481.post-16143111306214650212013-03-28T22:15:00.001-07:002013-03-31T20:35:27.876-07:00Captain's BLOG 2013.03.28. RAC Day 5<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge29MfWyBGNsdAvhcRJ122GZIqrepOlwLSxq6G2H33Vg2ZS5voRBaPqaAqMfELkjXGHRQECtuXwgaLmtu48IJ-cO_2eQqjsZnXnDqI7Pi49ROfKszXVTwgB0GWPC5Dgq8GYYKS4eDNjnaw/s640/blogger-image--1777448660.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge29MfWyBGNsdAvhcRJ122GZIqrepOlwLSxq6G2H33Vg2ZS5voRBaPqaAqMfELkjXGHRQECtuXwgaLmtu48IJ-cO_2eQqjsZnXnDqI7Pi49ROfKszXVTwgB0GWPC5Dgq8GYYKS4eDNjnaw/s320/blogger-image--1777448660.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
This is the fifth of many daily logs that I'll make via my iPhone for Ride Across California (RAC), so excuse the spelling and formatting. <a href="http://throboflife.blogspot.com/2013/03/captains-blog-20130324-rac-day-1.html">Go to the day one post to find out what RAC is. </a><br />
<br />
Today is the last day of the mountain stages, and it's big. But as always, let's start with the evenings sleeping arrangements. I expected to sleep well tonight, and Mari Lu would also sleep well given the amount of playing and cycling that we had for the day. That turned out to be extremely true, neither one of us budged an inch until I awoke at 0330. My tummy wasn't feeling so well and as I walked over to the bathroom at a fast clip I had a strange feeling that I may not be the only one. As I was exiting the restroom I found that a line had formed outside. This is not good, in fact this is very bad. Mari Lu woke up at four and then again a little bit later to use the restroom. Epidemic!<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<br />
We have 120 to 140 people in our group and only two restrooms with a total of six stalls, 8 if you count the two in the showers. Although there are about five or six motorhomes in the group those only go so far. Do the math and you could see the problem. Wait.... a bathroom in the men's room is clogged and overflows.<br />
<br />
Needless to say it was a slow start this morning and not much of the breakfast was consumed which is normally not the case before a big ride. I think it took a while for the race leader to feel things out and build a tactic to get us all to Julian. I thought, as others did, the worst had gone, and I was ready to ride. Mary Lu was also ready to ride... sort of. As I packed up our tent, I worked on various puns and anecdotes to make fun of the situation and had fun with it. <br />
<br />
Most of the riders were able to hit the road with a couple of them sidelined as well as a few parents. One of the problems today will be logistics as well as making sure the riders stay hydrated because we have three big climbs coming up. They also have to figure out how to pick up riders who would drop out later that day because of health issues.<br />
<br />
We got started kind of late and the start was very slow. A lot of the riders were trying to figure out if they were going to be okay for the day.<br />
<br />
The very first climb was a big one and it was tough. Mari Lu beat both Jeanette and I to the top which was great accomplishment given where she was health wise. She was really riding strong. We figured that given that performance, she would be fine for the rest of the day. That turned out to be incorrect unfortunately for Mari Lu. <br />
<br />
Mari Lu's stomach became worse over time and she eventually had to stop when we got to the first snack stop. That was about 13 miles into the ride. She was going to try to get on the bike when we got to the final climb of the day, Banner Grade. <br />
<br />
Jeanette and I continued to ride through undulating climbs until we got to Gorilla Hill. The second climb of the day was a grueling 30° climb straight up for about a mile dubbed Gorilla Hill. When you got to the top of the hill, there were two gorillas dancing, music, etc. The fifth graders did a fantastic job up this climb. I'm sure it was due to the confidence gained on day 3.<br />
<br />
Lunch was the normal fair but unfortunately I found out that I was not over the food poisoning. I found out later that my symptoms were identical to another rider, we were fine as long as we were riding but as soon as we stopped, our stomach started turning. I will stop here and spare you the details.<br />
<br />
After lunch, Mari Lu mounted her bike and we started an immediate uphill climb for 6 miles. Mari Lu hung in there for the first 2 miles but then could not handle the climb because of her tummy. <br />
<br />
It's obvious that I am not in the same shape that I was 20 years ago but it was still amazing to see fifth-graders passing me going up a very steep 6 mile climb. WOW!<br />
<br />
The climb ended in Julian California, where we would stay for pie and ice cream. We then went down to have dinner with the rest of the crew. Unfortunately Mari Lu and I did not feel like eating. Mari Lu finally did get her appetite back after a couple of visits to the restroom, but I did not. <br />
<br />
Jeanette had rented a couple of rooms at a very nice hotel if Julian, so we had showers and most importantly for me, my own potty. Mari Lu and I are still suffering, but I think we will be good for the ride tomorrow. We will see...<br />
<br />
I hear that tomorrow is the most beautiful and epic of ride. Obviously there will be a lot of descents and I hear that there are some very pretty canyons that we will ride through.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihpbH_rb2eieKlAvPRuuMTz6qUmeLJ36UpBcNtnxpmTFaco-697aIYXC2FRWsS6zIJRufXh0xOkFi_vnp4G9Gw_uf3kmkOsXql8vEx0W7cSpr0YgG1ivPcHAvrCT_CRAuFtcRFPi6zUxPn/s640/blogger-image-962265839.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihpbH_rb2eieKlAvPRuuMTz6qUmeLJ36UpBcNtnxpmTFaco-697aIYXC2FRWsS6zIJRufXh0xOkFi_vnp4G9Gw_uf3kmkOsXql8vEx0W7cSpr0YgG1ivPcHAvrCT_CRAuFtcRFPi6zUxPn/s640/blogger-image-962265839.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0ImC6b9B2XwyTM4OwgDlpg3YYBJ4ODKFs-Rl2w0hUs8YE-9-etsAErxXQMde92gMnQzSwAIS4owtJA2SZJAd8fRITQ84XXm3dddqtoUuuwZIoFzqzb5k2VALBh3tUd8jn8rA1xay41SyT/s640/blogger-image-951473486.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0ImC6b9B2XwyTM4OwgDlpg3YYBJ4ODKFs-Rl2w0hUs8YE-9-etsAErxXQMde92gMnQzSwAIS4owtJA2SZJAd8fRITQ84XXm3dddqtoUuuwZIoFzqzb5k2VALBh3tUd8jn8rA1xay41SyT/s640/blogger-image-951473486.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6jGkuGJCDW6aEI9EhSDHNaqcICJ6zawFs4yewJYJ5GNzn4WVqhNEtXsTNDvrp3ZTFJzpajqS6rYxjD15_4tLBBA1K8DnLSeXSW5yiGcbwhEUAqlG1nlf9ChZFJDdo4tF03sn1cxIlapeb/s640/blogger-image--977588252.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6jGkuGJCDW6aEI9EhSDHNaqcICJ6zawFs4yewJYJ5GNzn4WVqhNEtXsTNDvrp3ZTFJzpajqS6rYxjD15_4tLBBA1K8DnLSeXSW5yiGcbwhEUAqlG1nlf9ChZFJDdo4tF03sn1cxIlapeb/s640/blogger-image--977588252.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnH0e-Pk4BKI5eKppEicrSuvUmNU_7oDrqlwA4GOUdJlEPvPcBhM6OBrLWOrhqCB73LZGdU_WxQW7vw9bSu4vnX7PmWlNLaedcHpdOs2Sq0JanGAWSwdz_h-cMh8k4sMdgNhFB7jIWuPKQ/s640/blogger-image-1372217889.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnH0e-Pk4BKI5eKppEicrSuvUmNU_7oDrqlwA4GOUdJlEPvPcBhM6OBrLWOrhqCB73LZGdU_WxQW7vw9bSu4vnX7PmWlNLaedcHpdOs2Sq0JanGAWSwdz_h-cMh8k4sMdgNhFB7jIWuPKQ/s640/blogger-image-1372217889.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZXsT09GHozgGa_wfjtYzYIL3fTfnlVmx60W6SAWckWMBGzegMeLy3H2DHDSr5pQOoauTUp_2wjzW784PIyVoEBQxjNBs9zrdhs1Xvec1S01xz6qTBFV9vw7507vsOtvCJIl3K0f_LkyeY/s640/blogger-image--102078786.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZXsT09GHozgGa_wfjtYzYIL3fTfnlVmx60W6SAWckWMBGzegMeLy3H2DHDSr5pQOoauTUp_2wjzW784PIyVoEBQxjNBs9zrdhs1Xvec1S01xz6qTBFV9vw7507vsOtvCJIl3K0f_LkyeY/s640/blogger-image--102078786.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://throboflife.blogspot.com/2013/03/captain-blog-20130327-rac-day-4.html"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqK5ky-SULT8hu43e3crEhuefAcg05B6KhW91muqwZ_lmoOCfnfExxrHOMHa3yu28TiNz109AHGkUhCnb7GJFIf50Q7WcYimXuFl7-X1lOIMloCWY-YHPJhKYBrZrUHu-Zg93703XC7eTr/s1600/bikeleft.jpg" /></a> <a href="http://throboflife.blogspot.com/2013/03/captain-blog-20130329-rac-day-6.html"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrV2ADpXJDQeOrGsaHtjn67TduqCo8A6j0Q94K7W5mMkfUwBxEUXihsQ9Odg04UqM3ujDAKc9SqrKANzU4YaWQWupTk8k3kdEU6XkMlgQAFnzfDpcY7lRt5a5veVwo6Fg98oa63iCqqPT-/s1600/bikeright.jpg" /></a></div>
Chris Clabornehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05667976111738074928noreply@blogger.com0