summer snapshots

Here are some summer snaphots as we head back to school - Beacon Hill opened Friday and Pepperdine's first day is Monday - and officially say good-bye to summer 2010.

Hume Lake with the Ericksons and a number of other GRC families:

Beautiful canyon in the Sequoias. My family never camped, so this was new. In general, those in GRC from immigrant or working pasts seem less enamored to spend a vacation sleeping in a bag on the ground. Farmers don't like to go camping, as the saying goes.
I was surprised at how HOT the mountains can be, but this is right above Fresno.

Amy and Jack

Checking out the "biggest" tree in the world.

WA parks always seemed to have their own "biggest tree in the world," but I trust that the Sherman Tree truly lives up to its name. Civil War names dotted the park system - there was a Grant tree, too - reminding how the national park system helped forge America's national identity, after a bloody conflict.
I swam across Hume Lake one day, won Aggravation the next day, and watched my victories decline thereafter. Our gps guided us down the old highway, which was the only road up the mountain up until the 1930s. Beautiful drive, which landed us at the Sisters Saloon:
A real scene from the ol' West, whose prior owner used to show-off his pet bear!

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Neighbor Jim took Michael & Jack fishing on Lake Sherwood - the best bass fishing in LA, apparently...

rewarding for the boys, complete with a trip to the tackle shop on TO blvd which, in the 60s, featured hitching posts where some people rode horses for groceries!

Jim is from a prominent Chicago family and remembers stories around the Thanksgiving table 1960, as uncles bragged about stealing the pivotal Illinois victory for JFK by entering ballots for the deceased.

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We finally got to my family's cemetary in Palos Verdes after San Diego, reading from Job 19:

I know that my Redeemer lives,
and that in the end he will stand upon the earth.
And after my skin has been destroyed,
yet in my flesh I will see God;

I myself will see him
with my own eyes—I, and not another.
How my heart yearns within me!

placed flowers.

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Visited an old friend in San Diego, who got "backstage passes" at the zoo!

This magnificent cheetah was feet away with a retriever as buddy - pets help in training wild animals, apparently.


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AYSO soccer camp with British coaches.

These Brits tour the country, running weekly camps, staying at homes.

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Lego camp.

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Shots of Whidbey:

Capt John's beautiful 19th century sailing vessel. The Capt led an educational 2 hour lesson on sailing techniques and history.

According to the Capt, the nautical speed "knot" was invented by Jesuits who counted how many knots it would take on a line let out to sea, reciting the Lord's Prayer in Latin! Family hike. Felt good to DO something as a family.

The kids loved exploring the abandoned military garrison of Ft Casey, looking for Japanese submarines in the Strait of Juan de Fuca.Michael gave Jack lots of rides. As they grow older, there is more fighting and staking out of territory, but basically they love each other. Jack's prayer a few nights ago, "Thank-you for Michael. He's great."
This consolation bow & arrow prize from a Paris fair was the best toy! Suction arrows.

M&J will be attending the same school; Elle will be living with us and helping. It's been a cool Southern CA summer for the most part, but they sat Sept is the hottest month. More soon!

Theresa

Theresa is an organic cook who gave us a wonderful tour of the largest organic farmers' market in Paris, then cooking lessons in her tiny apartment.

Great with kids, too, as she incorporated M & J in various tasks.

Michael pitting cherries.

Cheese was our favorite.

It was the only rainy day of trip - unusual downpour for a Paris summer.

Pesto, raviolis, almond flan topped with cherries and ground pepper - I've forgotten the rest.Pesto bruschetta was the starter course. A delicious blend of basil and parsley spread onto artisan baguette, smeared with fresh garlic which, kid you not, completely melted onto the toasted slices. The pesto was topped with lemon zest and toasted walnuts and, while initially cool towards pesto - we make it all the time - it was a revelation. Really really delicious. Like most things, the intensity of the flavors had to do with the freshness of the ingredients.
It was a relaxing day of cooking, eating, drinking, then all over again for several courses. Then we walked onto the streets to see the African neighbors parade in support of the Ghana team in the World Cup.The police were prepared for trouble -these are the areas which saw rioting not too long ago.
We went to the Bon Marche to get some presents and was completely floored by the kitchen section. Most of the stuff you could get back in the States, but the presentation scored.

The store cafe was in retro modern - a design motif I saw at the Louvre, as well.
Parting shot of the boys climbing over rocks at a sunset swim back in Switzerland.

A favorite series of shots back at our Paris apartment. The ironwork was a nice detail.