South Africa

Stacey and I are back from a memorable, wonderful, unbelievable trip to South Africa.  We spent the first day in Johannesburg, followed by three days at Madikwe wildlife reserve going on game drives, and late nights around the bonfire with great folks at one of the most beautiful places on earth.  We ended our stay at the game reserve with a hike through the big five among some of the true remaining predators of the earth.  From there we drove across the northern horn of South Africa to Durban to participate in the worlds largest ultra-marathon with the Madikwe Mambas, a team of runners who work at the Hillhouse lodge in Madikwe, and run a community sponsorship program for the benefit of the surrounding villages.  True to the races name, we formed a camaraderie with the team and experienced South Africa in an unforgettable yet torturous way.

Comrades Finish

Umhlanga Beach

Hillhouse Lodge

Hillhouse Lodge

Safari Sunset

Incredible Evenings Around the Bonfire

Madikwe Mambas

Taking Pictures

Since downgrading my photo equipment this past year, I have been very much enjoying taking pictures again.  Below are some select shots from the past month.  You can click on each image to open a larger view.

Look closely for the starling flock hovering over the trees.  As shot.

Greenville Sunrise.  As shot.

Steamboat Springs early morning crystal haze - As shot.

Strawberry Hot Springs - HDR, Tone Mapped Composite

Morning Bus - 30 second exposure.

NYC Skyline - As shot.

Kids Grow Up

Seems like these days were not that long ago.  Kids grow up way to fast.

Steamboat Springs

Just back from a great ski vacation in Steamboat Springs.  Despite the lack of fresh snow, the kids still managed to ski three full days.  Stephanny and Krem were great first time skiers, tackling the hills by the end of the week.  Stephanny even navigated a few blue's by Friday!  River and Forest improved their skills as the week went on, and River tackled some moguls for the first time.  Other activities for the week included a visit to Strawberry Hot Springs, time in the hot tub, Old Town hot springs (yes, a general hot water theme when we were not on the snow).  Also spent time with good friends Matt and Adah heller, and also Maggie, Nick, and Reid to round out the week.  Full Photo Gallery Here

Hot Air Ballon over Steamboat

Strawberry Hot Springs

Hirut & Nate at Breakfast

Strawberry Hot Springs

Nate & Stephanny

Stephanny & Krem

Forest

River & Stacey

Stephanny Skiing

Krem Skiing

Proud Parents

We are so proud of our hard working bookworms.

Forest - Student of the Month, Distinguished Honor Roll
River - Honor Roll, in 3 Advanced Placement classes
Stephanny - Nearly all A's

 Glowing commendation for all three from their teachers. Way to go guys - Keep It Up!

Slick Rock 50K

I was in Grand Junction CO for my annual run weekend with Matt Heller. As usual, had a blast, beer, and a few adventures. We started the weekend with a hike up Colorado National Monument, saw Ziggy Marley that night, and was off to Moab for the Slick Rock 50K, stopping in Thompson Springs to see the creepy pictographs along the way. Race day was unbelievably cold and rainy, and by virtue of last minute course changes (complete reroute), and wrong turns, ended up being a 37 mile run. I ran the best ultra of my life, finishing in 5th place, with a time of 6:19, just over 10 minute mile pace. Matt ran 19 before being sidelined by IT band troubles. We ended the weekend with Sushi at a local joint, and trivial pursuit.

Full album here: Slick Rock 50K Photos

Results: Results 5th of 47.

Not my route map, but another competitors GPS of the exact route we took: GPS Course Map

Washington - Oregon Vacation

Our summer vacation to Washington State and Oregon was adventurous and memorable. Below are some select pictures from the trip. For the complete set, see HERE

Highlights from the trip include:

Catching up with Charlie, Jackie, and Jennifer Brown in Selah

Fishing for (and catching a 100 lb) Sturgeon on the Colombia River

Yakima Valley Fruit Stands

Ferry Ride (and clam chowder) from Anacortas to Orcas Island

Beach Combing for critters on Orcas Island

The unique cabins of Northshore Cabins in Orcas

Touring Sucia Islands by Kayak

The wonderful pebble beach at Obstruction Pass State Park

Pike Street Market, Seattle

Oyster Shooters (Yech!) at Pike Street Market

Dinner with Friends at The Crab Pot in Seattle

Hiking Sunset, Mt. Rainier

Hiking the snowfields in Paradise

Hot tub nights and freezing swims in the Cowslits River

Morning run with River, Forest, Solana, Joel on Packwood Lake Trail

Magnificent Haystack Rock in Cannon Beach, OR

Our first sunset on Manzanita Beach

More Critter and beach combing on Manzanita Beach

Flying Kites on the beach

Scrabble and Trivial Pursuit (and Beer and Tequila) with Joel and Stacey

Surfing (or trying), boogie boarding, and the wonder of wet suites

Mudd Dog's (Chicago Dogs)

Portland Surrey Quad Bike's on the riverfront

Colombia River Gorge with Mt. Hood in the background
Orcas Island
Orcas Island
Sunrise, Mount Rainier
Manzanita Beach

Colombia River Gorge
Colombia River Gorge
Ferry Terminal Sunset in Anacortis
Orcas Island
Orcas Sunset

Sucia Island Seal
Seattle Skyline from the Space Needle
Sunrise, Mt. Rainier
Mt. Rainier
Mt. Rainier Wildflowers
Haystack Rock, Cannon Beach, OR
Manzanita Sunset
Manzanita Sunset Cartwheels

Manzanita Sunset
Mt. Hood from the airplane home.