Travel - yuck

So, presently I'm in San Diego at a Conference. Yesterday, was yet another example of why travel can sometimes be tough. Just the facts...

- woke up at 5:15 AM to catch my flight
- itinerary: supposed to leave at 7:54 AM to San Fran, catch a second flight at 10:50, arrive in San Diego by about 12:15.
- actual itinerary as follows
- 7:54 flight was on the runway, full speed ready for takeoff: pilot slams on his brakes. Apparently, an indicator light says the engine was overheating.
- We return to the terminal and after about 15 minutes, are instructed to "de-board." We are welcome to leave our bags on the plane though (yeah, right - I took mine which proved to be good).
- Went to the ticket counter to re-book - there are about 7 people in front of me, and about 60 people behind me (time is 8:45).
- Get to the front of the line (10:15 - do the math).
- Am re-booked on the 2nd flight: 8:15 PM arriving in San Diego at 9:30 - but I'm put on the stand by list for earlier flights.
- The next flight, 11:28 is delayed, but I make it (barely) - I'm actually one of the last 2 people they call on the list.
- Our connecting flight is supposed to leave at 2:08. Upon arriving in San Fran, fortunately, that flight is also delayed, meaning we can make it.
- the 2:08 flight leaves at 3:45, with me safely on it.

Am happy to have arrived when I did! Can't wait for the return trip (ugh).

Simple Beauty

I am always captivated by how much beauty there is all around us. Julie and I were just gardening in our yard and this image stood out to me as more examples of the beautiful world we live in.

Back up to the mountains

My wife and I made it back up into the mountains today. The views were spectacular! As you can see, there is still plenty of snow up there...although we were both surprised at how much has melted about 3000' and lower. Still, I'd be that there is no place more scenic and spectacular in WA state that you can literally drive to. It was warm and sunny: sunny enough to give me a little burn, and warm enough that we could have been in shorts and t-shirts if we had them. If you live anywhere within 150 miles of Mt. Baker, you owe it to yourself to get out! Hwy 542 west until it ends!

Longing to get back out...

Looking for some new snow pictures or Mt. Baker pictures? Alas, I have not been out photographing for quite awhile and yes, I’m dying to get back out there. Rest assured, this picture, taken on my last trip out, will not be the last this year. My wife and I are hoping to get back out the next couple of weeks. Stay tuned...

March Madness

My Bracket: (click on it to see it full size)

It was the best of times...it was the worst of times. March Madness, perhaps the best sporting event in the U.S. period. 64 teams, well, 65 technically, playing a 'loser out tournament.' Why 'the worst of times?' Because, I 'get' to go to work. Oh how I wish I was sick right now. Just sick enough to take a couple of days off and 'glue myself' to the TV. My favorite year was 2002, when I ruptured my Achilles tendon. Why good? Because I had surgery the week of the opening round and got to watch all the basketball I could handle!

So, who do you like? I like Florida to repeat, beating Ohio State. Kansas and Georgetown will be the other two Final Four teams.

Interesting: with my UW Huskies out of the tournament, and by the way, how in the WORLD do they not make it into the NIT...but as I was saying, as much as I hate WSU, I somehow find my emotions pulling for them to do well.

More to come...

Oh, so close

So, last Saturday our indoor soccer team was playing for the "championship" of our league. It was a great games, close-fought the whole time, tied 3-3 with 2 minutes left when I struck a perfectly placed shot that clipped the upper-left post and rattled in for the 'game-winner.' The keeper never had a chance. Prior to that goal I had perhaps my best assist of a goal all season with a nifty spin move and pass to go with a second assist I had. So, I was looking good with '4 points' in the game as our team took a 5-4 lead. Then, horror.

I subbed myself out of the game thinking with 1 minute and 30 seconds left, it would be better for us to have defensive players on the field. Alas, we gave up two goals in 90 seconds and lost 5-4. It was oh so close!

Maui Quote Board

These are the quotes that made it back...did we miss any? I think we should vote on the best one...

"We can do that between first and second breakfast" (Mike)
"You know it's a good day when you don't put on your underwear until 4:00 PM" (Julie)
"Oh bloody sun, oh bloody sun" (Biz)
"If you mix your breakfast in a blender, you can go swimming sooner" (Derrick)
"Nose grease is good for just about everything" (Julie)
"He's got 'Brazil' on his butt" (Julie)
"Having to put on socks again is going to be a serious problem" (Mike)
"Adri reprogrammed the TV clicker" (Julie)

Latest snow-shoe

So, my brother comes up to see the beauty of Bellingham...and? We get dumped on! Yes, great snow, lots of powder, but no views. Here's a few pictures...

The first picture of the car was taken on Monday and shows the conditions...very deep powder, snowing hard the whole time.

Today, Wednesday we went to the "Salmon Park Sno-Park" and did some snow-shoeing. The trails here are great except for one thing: no views. Yes, there are views of trees and the river, but our day started with an aborted trip to Artist Point. We got as far as those two red-signs warning of our imminent death should we continue. Yes, we could have gone on, but the conditions were bad, and avalanches were forecast. It was windy, snowy, and the trail up was un-groomed meaning we would have been sinking about 2 feet with each step. Surprising, since everywhere else around Whatcom County, the sun was shining. At any rate, that's the latest up here in the north!

My Budding Soccer Career...

So, for those of you who are following my blog, I managed another hat-trick in our indoor soccer game last week. Yeah, I know, it's small-potato's, but it's fun.

Me with the camp robber

Here's a couple more cool pics...