Some things change and some remain the same...
In the 3 years we lived here between 1995 and 1998, I rode the trails in Whiting Ranch with Rich on an almost weekly basis. I knew all the trails and climbs, which bits were soft and which were rocky. In 2007 a fire went through Whiting and lots of parkland for miles around burning off all the small plants and blackened the trees. Since then there has been quite a lot of water damage in places around the park too. The entrance has changed because so much mud washed down the usually dry creek it was impassable and another early section is now about 50 yards of deep, soft sand. That said, before I got 100 yards into the park things were familiar. The smells of the different plants is different from any other place I've been. The trails seem to follow the same paths and although millions of wheels had smoothed them out they still seemed familiar.
What seemed to have changed most was the length of the trails. At first, they seemed just a bit longer than I remembered but as the ride went on, they became a LOT longer! OK, so I admit that is just me. My level of fitness is no where near what it was when we lived here.
I was riding a borrowed bike. It was a hardtail so I was getting a little more beaten up than I would normally but it was really light and given my lack of fitness I was happy about this for the climbs. I really hope they remember to swap the brake levers back... (In NZ, we ride with the right hand lever controlling the front brake).
I knew I was in some trouble with this ride but I had not expected it to be so hot. Rich's truck said it was 103F outside as we were arriving at the park. I was trying to convert this to Celsius but my brain was not functioning correctly due to fear.. I kept coming up with numbers in the 50s which just made me panic more! (44 is the answer but that isn't a lot of comfort).
The first part of the ride was OK. I got up Mustard Road without too much problem and enjoyed the descent into the Cactus trail which followed. Then we exited the park and had a bit of a road climb to get to the top of a trail called the luge. I rode this many times 12 years back too but my memory had let me down a bit here. The road climb was bigger than I remembered and the start of the Luge was a over a mile further up the hill when I had thought it much nearer. The trail after the road climb was not that steep but I had to do quite a bit of walking as I was just running out of energy...
I sorta had it together again at the top of the Luge and although I had to take it a slower than I would have liked it was a lot of fun.
Riding (and yes, walking) the trail leading up to the Luge I had noted that my shadow was about head height... We didn't have lights so I was not feeling good about getting back into Whiting and riding through the single track in the dark. I asked Rich if there was an out at this point and we chose a shortcut back in to the park which cut some of the trails from the route but was a better option than sticking to the road.
Back in the park I recognized the trails again and we found there was still enough light to get through without lights but by the time we had done the short road ride back to the carpark it was completely dark. I collapsed on the grass for a while before setting off to the supermarket for a roast beef sandwich, a drink and chocolate. (They only had Milk Chocolate Toblerone which I would normally just would turn up my nose at in favor of Dark Chocolate but in this case it was gone in a few minutes...).
A day later, a *think* I've gotten off fairly lightly. When I got up and stretched, mostly, I just felt hungry.
BB.
- Posted using BlogPress from Cathy's iPad
Friday, October 14, 2011
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Legoland by Zak
Legoland is awesome - too awesome to explain, but I'll try.
At Legoland, there are lots of cool rides to do and also the Lego Minilands to see.
There was a cool Egyptian themed ride where you ride in a car through a temple shooting targets. You get points for hitting the targets and it causes things to pop up.
There was also a dragon roller coaster that made a quiet run through a castle looking a cool Lego knights, wizards and a huge dragon before leaving the castle, climbing up high and zooming around a fast track.
After the Dragon ride, we headed to a restaurant and I ordered Barbecue Pork Ribs that I called Dragon Ribs.
We also went to the Star Wars Miniland where they have scenes from all the movies such as Endor, Tatooine, Hoth, Naboo and Geonosis where all the buildings, people and vehicles are made of Lego.
This is the Millennium Falcon on Tatooine in 'A New Hope' which is more than a metro wide.
There were also life sized Lego models of Darth Vader, Chewbacca and R2D2.
We also saw other Minilands based on cities in USA like Las Vegas, Washington DC, New York and San Francisco. It was so detailed that we could recognize the casino we saw Cirque du Soleil at!
One of the cool things about the shops in Legoland is that they have tons of sets and many things that you can not get in New Zealand. I spent ages looking at them all and I brought 4 things.
By Zak.
- Posted using BlogPress from Mum's iPad
At Legoland, there are lots of cool rides to do and also the Lego Minilands to see.
There was a cool Egyptian themed ride where you ride in a car through a temple shooting targets. You get points for hitting the targets and it causes things to pop up.
There was also a dragon roller coaster that made a quiet run through a castle looking a cool Lego knights, wizards and a huge dragon before leaving the castle, climbing up high and zooming around a fast track.
After the Dragon ride, we headed to a restaurant and I ordered Barbecue Pork Ribs that I called Dragon Ribs.
We also went to the Star Wars Miniland where they have scenes from all the movies such as Endor, Tatooine, Hoth, Naboo and Geonosis where all the buildings, people and vehicles are made of Lego.
This is the Millennium Falcon on Tatooine in 'A New Hope' which is more than a metro wide.
There were also life sized Lego models of Darth Vader, Chewbacca and R2D2.
We also saw other Minilands based on cities in USA like Las Vegas, Washington DC, New York and San Francisco. It was so detailed that we could recognize the casino we saw Cirque du Soleil at!
One of the cool things about the shops in Legoland is that they have tons of sets and many things that you can not get in New Zealand. I spent ages looking at them all and I brought 4 things.
By Zak.
- Posted using BlogPress from Mum's iPad
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Antelope Hill by Emma
We parked by Antelope Hill for the night. This was not a campsite. We just pulled off to the side of the dirt road we were driving on and stayed for the night. There was no one else around.
In the morning, me and Dad got up at about 7 and prepared for our hike. We got up and looked for Dave. He wasn't in his car so we started off without him. We had walked along the path and were almost at the base of the hill when we saw Dave and Gilligan on the path below. Dave was waving at us. When he had caught up with us, we started walking up the slope of the hill. It had all sorts of green plants and strange flowers. Gilligan was running along beside me. She seemed to be very energetic in the morning. When we got to the top I had biddy bids all over my shoelaces.we could see the RV, which was the size of a beetle.
We saw a tree that were growing upwards and then it got damaged; and then it started growing out the sides like a fork. There was also one that was growing in a complete loop before growing upwards again. When we walked back to the clearing on top of the mountain Dad gave me a chocolate bar which I definitely needed as I hadn't even had breakfast yet. One the way down I tricked Dad into giving me another chocolate bar because I was so hungry.
Me and Dad were a bit further down than Dave and Gilligan. Gilligan had found something. It was an elk's leg with hoof attached to the bottom. Dave was holding it and Gilligan was jumping up and gnawing on it. Gilligan thought that there were still some good bits on it that needed to be eaten.
On the way down, I asked if I could asked it I could have a third chocolate bar, but Dad said that he was going t keep it and eat it to keep himself awake when he was driving but in the end, he just ate it.
When we got down, we found Mum, Zak and Athena were still in bed. We grabbed breakfast and I had twice as much as I would usually eat. I was so hungry that day.
by Emma
- Posted using BlogPress from Mum's iPad
In the morning, me and Dad got up at about 7 and prepared for our hike. We got up and looked for Dave. He wasn't in his car so we started off without him. We had walked along the path and were almost at the base of the hill when we saw Dave and Gilligan on the path below. Dave was waving at us. When he had caught up with us, we started walking up the slope of the hill. It had all sorts of green plants and strange flowers. Gilligan was running along beside me. She seemed to be very energetic in the morning. When we got to the top I had biddy bids all over my shoelaces.we could see the RV, which was the size of a beetle.
We saw a tree that were growing upwards and then it got damaged; and then it started growing out the sides like a fork. There was also one that was growing in a complete loop before growing upwards again. When we walked back to the clearing on top of the mountain Dad gave me a chocolate bar which I definitely needed as I hadn't even had breakfast yet. One the way down I tricked Dad into giving me another chocolate bar because I was so hungry.
Me and Dad were a bit further down than Dave and Gilligan. Gilligan had found something. It was an elk's leg with hoof attached to the bottom. Dave was holding it and Gilligan was jumping up and gnawing on it. Gilligan thought that there were still some good bits on it that needed to be eaten.
On the way down, I asked if I could asked it I could have a third chocolate bar, but Dad said that he was going t keep it and eat it to keep himself awake when he was driving but in the end, he just ate it.
When we got down, we found Mum, Zak and Athena were still in bed. We grabbed breakfast and I had twice as much as I would usually eat. I was so hungry that day.
by Emma
- Posted using BlogPress from Mum's iPad
Lava River Cave by Emma
We scrambled into the Lava Cave away from the daylight. It was pitch black!
It was pretty chilly but we warmed up as we were hiking. We hiked along until we came across some slippery rocks. It made it quite hard for Gilligan (Dave and Athena's dog). She had to jump from rock to rock.
The ceiling was getting higher and lower again. Some times it was 10 meters tall and other times is was my height. We hiked until we came across a two way loop. We chose the high path. The other path, the ceiling was very low.
We hiked for a little longer and soon we reached the end where all the rocks closed in. There we decided to wave our lights around and take a photo of it. It ended up looking like all these squiggly yellow and white lines on a black background which looked pretty cool. Next we wrote our names with our torches. Dad had to help me with mine because I wasn't exactly sure which way the E would come out. Next we lit up faces for a photo but that didn't exactly work. In one of our squiggly line photos more people were walking up the tunnel so their torches showed up in our photo.
We started walking back. When we reached the two-way loop. Me, Zak, Dad, Dave and Gilligan walked through the low path, which was shorter and had a very low ceiling. We walked along a bit further. It felt like nighttime because it was really dark. I scrambled along and fell over. I had twisted my ankle. I slowly got up again. Every step I took felt painful. Soon we reached the daylight again. We scrambled out the entrance. I hoped my ankle would be better by the morning. And it was.
by Emma
- Posted using BlogPress from Mum's iPad
It was pretty chilly but we warmed up as we were hiking. We hiked along until we came across some slippery rocks. It made it quite hard for Gilligan (Dave and Athena's dog). She had to jump from rock to rock.
The ceiling was getting higher and lower again. Some times it was 10 meters tall and other times is was my height. We hiked until we came across a two way loop. We chose the high path. The other path, the ceiling was very low.
We hiked for a little longer and soon we reached the end where all the rocks closed in. There we decided to wave our lights around and take a photo of it. It ended up looking like all these squiggly yellow and white lines on a black background which looked pretty cool. Next we wrote our names with our torches. Dad had to help me with mine because I wasn't exactly sure which way the E would come out. Next we lit up faces for a photo but that didn't exactly work. In one of our squiggly line photos more people were walking up the tunnel so their torches showed up in our photo.
We started walking back. When we reached the two-way loop. Me, Zak, Dad, Dave and Gilligan walked through the low path, which was shorter and had a very low ceiling. We walked along a bit further. It felt like nighttime because it was really dark. I scrambled along and fell over. I had twisted my ankle. I slowly got up again. Every step I took felt painful. Soon we reached the daylight again. We scrambled out the entrance. I hoped my ankle would be better by the morning. And it was.
by Emma
- Posted using BlogPress from Mum's iPad
iPod Tragedy by Zak
Usually I do not always need my iPod. Except in America where I use it a lot when we are driving along, as we can do up to seven hours drives in one day with hardly any stops. There is nothing to see out the window most of the time because its pretty much a desert in the States we are driving in; and I finished my book in the first 2 days of the trip.
The most annoying thing about my iPod that has happened to me so far was, I brought some cool new games and then I found that they need internet access and we hardly ever have it. When I found this out I decided to download some new games. Some of my friends had suggested a cool looking game that costed $1.29. But when I tried to buy it, I found I had no money on my appstore card left. Luckily I had two of them, so I asked Dad where the second one was. He replied "At home". So now I am trapped in the middle of America with no money on my iPod. How will I survive ?
by Zak
Zak enjoying the scenery...
- Posted using BlogPress from Mum's iPad
The most annoying thing about my iPod that has happened to me so far was, I brought some cool new games and then I found that they need internet access and we hardly ever have it. When I found this out I decided to download some new games. Some of my friends had suggested a cool looking game that costed $1.29. But when I tried to buy it, I found I had no money on my appstore card left. Luckily I had two of them, so I asked Dad where the second one was. He replied "At home". So now I am trapped in the middle of America with no money on my iPod. How will I survive ?
by Zak
Zak enjoying the scenery...
- Posted using BlogPress from Mum's iPad
Monday, October 3, 2011
Slide Rock by Emma
On our way to Phoenix we stopped at Slide Rock National Park. The weather was turning yukky, but since we had never done it, we decided to do it anyway.
I put a finger in to see what the water was like. It was pretty chilly. Mum videod Dad and Zak sliding down the smooth rocks. When Dad had got out, he let me sit on his lap to slide down. I sat on his lap and we slid down the rocks with the water rushing down it. The water was freezing and I slipped off half way through. I eventually managed to climb up onto the dry rock and walk over to the pool at the end. Dad pulled me into the water and then we paddled across a smooth but slippery rock. We had to take really small steps because you could easily slip.
I stiffened my chattering teeth and told Mum that she should go in. She did eventually. She slid in and went whooshing down the smooth rock squealing until she got to the pool at the bottom.
I slid in again with Dad, not falling off this time. When we were out again, we rather regretted it, as it did not warm up.
I thought I would have enjoyed the experience if the weather was nice and sunny.
Petrified Mum!
by Emma.
- Posted using BlogPress from Mum's iPad
I put a finger in to see what the water was like. It was pretty chilly. Mum videod Dad and Zak sliding down the smooth rocks. When Dad had got out, he let me sit on his lap to slide down. I sat on his lap and we slid down the rocks with the water rushing down it. The water was freezing and I slipped off half way through. I eventually managed to climb up onto the dry rock and walk over to the pool at the end. Dad pulled me into the water and then we paddled across a smooth but slippery rock. We had to take really small steps because you could easily slip.
I stiffened my chattering teeth and told Mum that she should go in. She did eventually. She slid in and went whooshing down the smooth rock squealing until she got to the pool at the bottom.
I slid in again with Dad, not falling off this time. When we were out again, we rather regretted it, as it did not warm up.
I thought I would have enjoyed the experience if the weather was nice and sunny.
Petrified Mum!
by Emma.
- Posted using BlogPress from Mum's iPad
Montezuma Castle by Emma
The highlight of the day was visiting Montezuma Castle. In the visitor's center, I looked at history and artifacts. One of the park rangers asked me if I would like to do a Beaver Creek Bingo which sounded like a treasure hunt so I decided to participate. On one side we had a bingo board where you crossed out the things you saw. On the other side you could answer questions. Me and Dad walked along the trial observing the history and facts about the wildlife. We thought that cliff swallow nests looked rather like beehives. Dad discovered in a book from the visitors center that the sting of a Tarantula Hawk was the most powerful in North America.
I received a Certificate of Achievement as a Junior Ranger for Montezuma Castle National Monument. We also got a badge and had a ceremony for it. He made us swear that we would protect the land and wildlife, hike safely, and clean our rooms every night. Which made Zak say 'No!' immediately. I would probably not say yes because if I had had the chance because I don't usually clean my room that regularly as it is not my favorite things to do.
The most interesting fact was that the whole civilization suddenly fled from their cliff side homes.
Cliff Swallow Nests.
By Emma
- Posted using BlogPress from Mum's iPad
I received a Certificate of Achievement as a Junior Ranger for Montezuma Castle National Monument. We also got a badge and had a ceremony for it. He made us swear that we would protect the land and wildlife, hike safely, and clean our rooms every night. Which made Zak say 'No!' immediately. I would probably not say yes because if I had had the chance because I don't usually clean my room that regularly as it is not my favorite things to do.
The most interesting fact was that the whole civilization suddenly fled from their cliff side homes.
Cliff Swallow Nests.
By Emma
- Posted using BlogPress from Mum's iPad
Montezuma Castle by Zak
The main event for today was earning my Junior Ranger Badge at Montezuma Castle. Montezuma Castle is the ruins of the homes of the Sinagua people. What makes it so special is that it is built on a cliff face.
To get our Junior Ranger Badges, me and Emma had to find and learn about the wildlife, and history in the area. We had a sheet of paper with questions on one side asking us about the lifestyle of the Sinagua people, the animals and how they survived, and how the Sinagua people used the trees in their daily lives. On the other side, there was a bingo sheet and we crossed off things as we saw them. I found everything on my bingo sheet except for rock squirrels and chipmunks (surprisingly). And I answered all the questions correctly. We got a certificate and a badge and we had a small swearing in ceremony.
I was intrigued by the people and their lifestyles and how they survived in the hot desert. They disappeared from their homes in 1400 AD and nobody knows why.
The most interesting fact I learnt was about the wildlife was about the Tarantula Hawk. The female Tarantula Hawk paralyses a tarantula and lays her eggs inside it. Then when the eggs hatch, the lavae feed on the tarantula. It was good to find out the proper name for the Tarantula Hawk as I had been calling it a Dragon bug.
by Zak
- Posted using BlogPress from Mum's iPad
To get our Junior Ranger Badges, me and Emma had to find and learn about the wildlife, and history in the area. We had a sheet of paper with questions on one side asking us about the lifestyle of the Sinagua people, the animals and how they survived, and how the Sinagua people used the trees in their daily lives. On the other side, there was a bingo sheet and we crossed off things as we saw them. I found everything on my bingo sheet except for rock squirrels and chipmunks (surprisingly). And I answered all the questions correctly. We got a certificate and a badge and we had a small swearing in ceremony.
I was intrigued by the people and their lifestyles and how they survived in the hot desert. They disappeared from their homes in 1400 AD and nobody knows why.
The most interesting fact I learnt was about the wildlife was about the Tarantula Hawk. The female Tarantula Hawk paralyses a tarantula and lays her eggs inside it. Then when the eggs hatch, the lavae feed on the tarantula. It was good to find out the proper name for the Tarantula Hawk as I had been calling it a Dragon bug.
by Zak
- Posted using BlogPress from Mum's iPad
Cirque du Soleil, Las Vegas by Zak
This is a really hard blog to write because there is so many things to describe. While we were in Vegas we went to Mystere, by Cirque du Soleil.
While we were waiting for the show to start, there was an actor pretending to be an usher. He did funny things with other people's tickets such as:
- he led a couple over to some seats and there was a hanging hook from the roof. He put the tickets on the hook and the tickets were pulled up to the roof. They were ripped into shreds and they came fluttering down. The man walked off and then pulled the couple's real tickets out of his pockets and waived them to the audience.
I was rolling on the floor laughing even before the show started.
When the show started, it was hard to keep track of everything that was going on.
My favourite part of the show was when a man, dressed up as a baby came onto the stage with a big ball and bounced the ball around and giggled and made funny baby noises. At one point he bounced the ball to the audience and the audience bounced it around, and then bounced it back to him. He tried bouncing it back to the audience again, but it got stuck between the audience and the stage. He made a very sad baby face. A man from the front seats got up and bounced the ball back onto the stage. Baby caught the ball and giggled. Then looked at the man who bounced the ball back to him and said "Papa" and then opened his arms wide and said "hug!". The audience laughed and Papa stood up and walked cautiously onto the stage. When he was about a meter away from the baby, the baby grabbed the milk bottle that was hanging round his neck on a cord, and sprayed Papa with milk. The audience howled with laughter.
The show started with human flags, people who could spin themselves around a pole and hang off at the top, perfectly horizontal with only one hand holding on.
Next there were the strong men, who could lift each other up with one hand.
There were more acts with the baby, the usher man and loads of other acrobats before the show finally ended.
I was extremely sad when the show ended, but needed a long sleep since it was very late when we got back to the RV.
By Zak
- Posted using BlogPress from Mum's iPad
While we were waiting for the show to start, there was an actor pretending to be an usher. He did funny things with other people's tickets such as:
- he led a couple over to some seats and there was a hanging hook from the roof. He put the tickets on the hook and the tickets were pulled up to the roof. They were ripped into shreds and they came fluttering down. The man walked off and then pulled the couple's real tickets out of his pockets and waived them to the audience.
I was rolling on the floor laughing even before the show started.
When the show started, it was hard to keep track of everything that was going on.
My favourite part of the show was when a man, dressed up as a baby came onto the stage with a big ball and bounced the ball around and giggled and made funny baby noises. At one point he bounced the ball to the audience and the audience bounced it around, and then bounced it back to him. He tried bouncing it back to the audience again, but it got stuck between the audience and the stage. He made a very sad baby face. A man from the front seats got up and bounced the ball back onto the stage. Baby caught the ball and giggled. Then looked at the man who bounced the ball back to him and said "Papa" and then opened his arms wide and said "hug!". The audience laughed and Papa stood up and walked cautiously onto the stage. When he was about a meter away from the baby, the baby grabbed the milk bottle that was hanging round his neck on a cord, and sprayed Papa with milk. The audience howled with laughter.
The show started with human flags, people who could spin themselves around a pole and hang off at the top, perfectly horizontal with only one hand holding on.
Next there were the strong men, who could lift each other up with one hand.
There were more acts with the baby, the usher man and loads of other acrobats before the show finally ended.
I was extremely sad when the show ended, but needed a long sleep since it was very late when we got back to the RV.
By Zak
- Posted using BlogPress from Mum's iPad
Sequoia by Zak
Today we started exploring Sequoia. First we took a shuttle bus to the Giant Forest where we saw a huge Sequoia tree called the Sentinel Tree. There was a huge ruler made of tiles with markers on it that showed the height of the Sentinel Tree. After that, we took a few photos and went into the Sequoia Museum which was right by the Sentinel Tree.
In the museum there were so many things to see and do. I learnt that there are hundreds of seeds in a Sequoia cone and they need fire to help them grow.
After the museum we took another shuttle to see Sequoia National Parks grand attraction, the General Sherman Tree, the biggest tree in volume in the world!. We took tons of photos. It would be good to go again.
Cathy, Emma and Zak at the foot of the General Sherman tree.
Looking up in to the top of the General Sherman Tree.
We saw a full grown bear from the shuttle the first day and the day we were leaving this young bear ran across the road in front of us. Zak managed to capture a picture through the car window.
- Posted using BlogPress from Cathy's iPad
In the museum there were so many things to see and do. I learnt that there are hundreds of seeds in a Sequoia cone and they need fire to help them grow.
After the museum we took another shuttle to see Sequoia National Parks grand attraction, the General Sherman Tree, the biggest tree in volume in the world!. We took tons of photos. It would be good to go again.
Cathy, Emma and Zak at the foot of the General Sherman tree.
Looking up in to the top of the General Sherman Tree.
We saw a full grown bear from the shuttle the first day and the day we were leaving this young bear ran across the road in front of us. Zak managed to capture a picture through the car window.
- Posted using BlogPress from Cathy's iPad
Saturday, October 1, 2011
The Truck.
The truck has been responsible for the most scary bits of my trip so far. Far scarier than zip-lining! Firstly, driving from San Francisco to Yosemite. It was fine most of the way but the last bit was... harrowing. We accepted the suggestion of our GPS and took Highway 120 into the park. It was steep and twisty and a long way down the side. The breaks and accelerator both behaved fairly reluctantly and some of the turns took almost full lock on the steering. I was worried that it might skid if I hit the brakes too hard but it never did.
Leaving Yosemite on Highway 140 wasn't a lot better (Zak puked big time). We also drove right through to Sequoia that day so there was more twisty stuff at the end.
The next drive was the biggest (so far, and hopefully of the trip). We drove from Sequoia to Las Vegas, 380 miles. This got scary in another way. Driving at 75 miles an hour on I-15 the steering was turned about 1/8 of a turn to the right to counter act the affect of the wind. The the wind would drop suddenly and we'd be heading for the edge of the road...
I'm getting to respect it a little though. It got across I-15 at 70+ MPH going up the long climbs with the A/C on and the temperature gauge didn't move above 1/2 way.
So far, we've put about $US450 of gas in, 3 fills of $150 from a little under half way... We're at Grand Canyon today and it is a little lower than usual so the next fill will be pretty expensive.
It has sleeping space for 6 (3 doubles), though the cushions on the bed which converts in to the table tend to fall off. It also has a shower, a toilet, microwave, tv, fridge/freezer and generator. (The generator being used mostly when we need to make toast :-) ). It has many cupboards and draws inside and has a lot of external storage space which we just aren't using.
So far, Cathy has driven it for 1 hour, which allowed me to have a bit of a nap. She found it hard work too.
- Posted using BlogPress from Cathy's iPad
Leaving Yosemite on Highway 140 wasn't a lot better (Zak puked big time). We also drove right through to Sequoia that day so there was more twisty stuff at the end.
The next drive was the biggest (so far, and hopefully of the trip). We drove from Sequoia to Las Vegas, 380 miles. This got scary in another way. Driving at 75 miles an hour on I-15 the steering was turned about 1/8 of a turn to the right to counter act the affect of the wind. The the wind would drop suddenly and we'd be heading for the edge of the road...
I'm getting to respect it a little though. It got across I-15 at 70+ MPH going up the long climbs with the A/C on and the temperature gauge didn't move above 1/2 way.
So far, we've put about $US450 of gas in, 3 fills of $150 from a little under half way... We're at Grand Canyon today and it is a little lower than usual so the next fill will be pretty expensive.
It has sleeping space for 6 (3 doubles), though the cushions on the bed which converts in to the table tend to fall off. It also has a shower, a toilet, microwave, tv, fridge/freezer and generator. (The generator being used mostly when we need to make toast :-) ). It has many cupboards and draws inside and has a lot of external storage space which we just aren't using.
So far, Cathy has driven it for 1 hour, which allowed me to have a bit of a nap. She found it hard work too.
- Posted using BlogPress from Cathy's iPad
Monday, September 26, 2011
Upper Yosemite Falls Trail
Today we climbed up a trail called the Upper Yosemite Falls Trail. It was an almost vertical climb up the rockfalls in hot sun for and was even harder than the Grouse Grind. We mostly walked on broken rocks which had sometimes been formed into stairs. It was 11.5 km there and back and climbed 820m. It took us 4 hours to walk up and 2 hours to walk down.
We spotted some squirrels, a woodpecker and a small lizard I named Wizard.
We had to have lots of stuff to eat like Jelly Beans, cookies and sandwiches. At the top we had an apple and some other snacks then raced down to the valley floor because there was a storm coming.
The view at the top was amazing! we saw all over the valley and the waterfall that went over the steep face.
I was exhausted after that huge walk.
Looking back into the valley past the shear rock faces we walked past. (Emma's photo).
Looking across the valley from the top. You can see the storm clouds. You could hear the thunder rumbling as it echoed off the walls of the valley.
Us at the top. Mum was scared that children, specifically me, might fall off. (Cathy's picture)
The Lower Yosemite falls from the bottom of the valley. I took this the next morning on our way out of the valley. Dad says that a lot more water comes over the waterfall in spring.
By Zak
- Posted using BlogPress from Mum's iPad
We spotted some squirrels, a woodpecker and a small lizard I named Wizard.
We had to have lots of stuff to eat like Jelly Beans, cookies and sandwiches. At the top we had an apple and some other snacks then raced down to the valley floor because there was a storm coming.
The view at the top was amazing! we saw all over the valley and the waterfall that went over the steep face.
I was exhausted after that huge walk.
Looking back into the valley past the shear rock faces we walked past. (Emma's photo).
Looking across the valley from the top. You can see the storm clouds. You could hear the thunder rumbling as it echoed off the walls of the valley.
Us at the top. Mum was scared that children, specifically me, might fall off. (Cathy's picture)
The Lower Yosemite falls from the bottom of the valley. I took this the next morning on our way out of the valley. Dad says that a lot more water comes over the waterfall in spring.
By Zak
- Posted using BlogPress from Mum's iPad
Cycling the Golden Gate Bridge
In the morning, Dad, Mum, me and Zak went to the Apple Store to look at iMacs, iPad 2's, iPods and iPod nanos. The downstairs had iPads and iPods and iPod nanos. The upstairs you went up some glass stairs where all the iMacs were. Upstairs we looked at iPod cases which had all these different designs.
Next we went to a cooking shop where Mum got picnic knives of the colours red and yellow. We got a cable car to Blazing Saddles and met Simon, an old friend of Mum and Dads. I noticed he had a short ponytail but I didn't say anything because I thought my parents already knew that. Simon went on a single bike but the rest of us used tandems.
We walked our bikes for two blocks down and then hopped on near the seaside. We pedalled until we had a good view of the golden gate bridge. We took some photos of us in front of the golden gate bridge. A bit further on, Zak spotted four dolphins jumping happily in the waves. I was pretty sure they were Pacific Whitesided dolphins. We biked up a steep path that wiggled all the way back to the Golden Gate Bridge. As we biked along the breeze hit me like I was being knocked out cold although I already had my jacket on. We biked over the Golden Gate bridge passing some other bikes who had stopped to admire the view.
It was a suspension bridge, much bigger than the Capilano. Not long after that we hit the other side. Zak spotted a seal poking it's head out of the sea. It bobbed up and down as though to say "hello", "goodbye", "hello", "goodbye", "hello", "goodbye". We biked and biked and biked until we reached the seaside. We locked up our bikes, had ice creams, and headed back to the docks.
We queued up for the ferry. In a few minutes we had hit the decks. Up at the decks it was very windy and if it had not been for the string that tightened my hat onto my head, it would have blown off and never been seen again. Zak mucked around by the rails, while I tried taking photos of Alcatraz prison. It is not used anymore but visitors are allowed to go there and pretend to be prisoners for tours. Not long after that we found ourselves biking up to Blazing Saddles and hitting the finish line.
Emma.
- Posted using BlogPress on my Mum's iPad
Next we went to a cooking shop where Mum got picnic knives of the colours red and yellow. We got a cable car to Blazing Saddles and met Simon, an old friend of Mum and Dads. I noticed he had a short ponytail but I didn't say anything because I thought my parents already knew that. Simon went on a single bike but the rest of us used tandems.
We walked our bikes for two blocks down and then hopped on near the seaside. We pedalled until we had a good view of the golden gate bridge. We took some photos of us in front of the golden gate bridge. A bit further on, Zak spotted four dolphins jumping happily in the waves. I was pretty sure they were Pacific Whitesided dolphins. We biked up a steep path that wiggled all the way back to the Golden Gate Bridge. As we biked along the breeze hit me like I was being knocked out cold although I already had my jacket on. We biked over the Golden Gate bridge passing some other bikes who had stopped to admire the view.
It was a suspension bridge, much bigger than the Capilano. Not long after that we hit the other side. Zak spotted a seal poking it's head out of the sea. It bobbed up and down as though to say "hello", "goodbye", "hello", "goodbye", "hello", "goodbye". We biked and biked and biked until we reached the seaside. We locked up our bikes, had ice creams, and headed back to the docks.
We queued up for the ferry. In a few minutes we had hit the decks. Up at the decks it was very windy and if it had not been for the string that tightened my hat onto my head, it would have blown off and never been seen again. Zak mucked around by the rails, while I tried taking photos of Alcatraz prison. It is not used anymore but visitors are allowed to go there and pretend to be prisoners for tours. Not long after that we found ourselves biking up to Blazing Saddles and hitting the finish line.
Emma.
- Posted using BlogPress on my Mum's iPad
Emma's Zipline experience
On Friday Aunty Leanne, Mum, Dad, me and Zak went zip lining at zip trek near the Whistler gondolas we went to the day before. I was very excited and not at all worried. When we got there the instructors went over the rules and helped us into their harnesses. Our zip lining instructors, Courtney and Jonny were very friendly.
We started off by walking up a steep path near a gondola. There was a warm up zip line that was 4 meters high. I went first. I got very excited and felt jumpy. I started to get excited butterflies in my stomach. Jonny tightened my harness and attached me to the zip line. Before I knew it I was whizzing along at full speed. I didn't put my arms and legs out to slow me down because it was too good. Before I knew it, it was over. Courtney detached me from the zip line. She told me to sit down on the log nearby. So I did, but I couldn't. I kept jumping up and down and trying to video my family.
No one was too frightened by it, so we carried on. We hopped in the zip trek bus. It took us all the way to the rainforest zip lines. Courtney told us some facts about the rainforest. Some of it confused me. But that didn't worry me! As soon as we got there, I hopped out of the back of the van and followed the instructors closely. I did this because I wanted to be first again. I had liked the first time very much and I thought I would like this one even better.
I did! Jonny said one of the trees tasted like bacon. For some strange reason Zak went up to it and licked it. He actually said that it tasted like bacon. Courtney said the next tree tasted like meatloaf. Zak licked that again. "Now he is addicted to trees", said Courtney.
Then we walked to our next zip line. Courtney harnessed herself onto the zip line and sped to the other side. I went first. Jonny harnessed me in. I had my camera dangling from the harness. I didn't take any photos. I sped to the other side almost as fast as light.
This one I tandemed last with Jonny. I gripped tightly onto a red rope. We sped across slightly faster than the last time.
On the the next ride we waited for everyone else to get across. Finally, last but not least, I wrapped my arms around Courtney's legs. We sped faster than light across to the other side. I think I went faster than with Jonny because rain was bulleting down on us.
Next was the free style zip line. You were allowed to go upside down if you wanted. I went somewhere in the middle. Jonny spun me upside down. I enjoyed the ride having never been flipped upside down zip lining before.
When we got to the other side, we started to walk back. This disappointed me as thought we were going to zip line all the way back.
We went to a small cabin like house. There were tree trunks stuck to the wall. Zak tried counting the tree rings.
For some reason Mum was quite frightened by it all, but I wasn't one little bit! I definitely wanted to do it again.
By Emma.
- Posted using BlogPress from Mum's iPad
We started off by walking up a steep path near a gondola. There was a warm up zip line that was 4 meters high. I went first. I got very excited and felt jumpy. I started to get excited butterflies in my stomach. Jonny tightened my harness and attached me to the zip line. Before I knew it I was whizzing along at full speed. I didn't put my arms and legs out to slow me down because it was too good. Before I knew it, it was over. Courtney detached me from the zip line. She told me to sit down on the log nearby. So I did, but I couldn't. I kept jumping up and down and trying to video my family.
No one was too frightened by it, so we carried on. We hopped in the zip trek bus. It took us all the way to the rainforest zip lines. Courtney told us some facts about the rainforest. Some of it confused me. But that didn't worry me! As soon as we got there, I hopped out of the back of the van and followed the instructors closely. I did this because I wanted to be first again. I had liked the first time very much and I thought I would like this one even better.
I did! Jonny said one of the trees tasted like bacon. For some strange reason Zak went up to it and licked it. He actually said that it tasted like bacon. Courtney said the next tree tasted like meatloaf. Zak licked that again. "Now he is addicted to trees", said Courtney.
Then we walked to our next zip line. Courtney harnessed herself onto the zip line and sped to the other side. I went first. Jonny harnessed me in. I had my camera dangling from the harness. I didn't take any photos. I sped to the other side almost as fast as light.
This one I tandemed last with Jonny. I gripped tightly onto a red rope. We sped across slightly faster than the last time.
On the the next ride we waited for everyone else to get across. Finally, last but not least, I wrapped my arms around Courtney's legs. We sped faster than light across to the other side. I think I went faster than with Jonny because rain was bulleting down on us.
Next was the free style zip line. You were allowed to go upside down if you wanted. I went somewhere in the middle. Jonny spun me upside down. I enjoyed the ride having never been flipped upside down zip lining before.
When we got to the other side, we started to walk back. This disappointed me as thought we were going to zip line all the way back.
We went to a small cabin like house. There were tree trunks stuck to the wall. Zak tried counting the tree rings.
For some reason Mum was quite frightened by it all, but I wasn't one little bit! I definitely wanted to do it again.
By Emma.
- Posted using BlogPress from Mum's iPad
Friday, September 16, 2011
Whistler - Ziplining
In lieu of a real posting about our second day at Whister, here are a couple of videos...
Emma videoing the view as she takes a tandem ride across the river.
Zak coming across the river.
- Posted using BlogPress from Cathys iPad
Emma videoing the view as she takes a tandem ride across the river.
Zak coming across the river.
- Posted using BlogPress from Cathys iPad
Whistler and Blackcomb - by Zak
Today we went to Blackcomb Mountain where we took a gondola up. Unfortunately the lifts up Blackcomb were closed so instead we went up it's neighbour Whistler. Then we took a second gondola called Peak 2 Peak to Blackcomb.
On the hike, there were lots of signs that showed types of plants and animals such as bears. After a two and a half km hike we reached Blackcomb Lake where we took lots of photos and tested the freezing water. We also found the valley echoed really well. We were almost out of time to get back before the last gondola went so we rushed down.
When we got to the bottom we went to a cool sweet shop.
Zak with an Eagle
Emma, frightened by a cougar!
By Zak
- Posted using BlogPress from Mum's iPad
On the hike, there were lots of signs that showed types of plants and animals such as bears. After a two and a half km hike we reached Blackcomb Lake where we took lots of photos and tested the freezing water. We also found the valley echoed really well. We were almost out of time to get back before the last gondola went so we rushed down.
When we got to the bottom we went to a cool sweet shop.
Zak with an Eagle
Emma, frightened by a cougar!
By Zak
- Posted using BlogPress from Mum's iPad
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Bicycle! Bicycle!
13 September
Today we met Leanne in Stanley Park for a ride. We had rented two tandems. One for Cathy and Zak and one for Emma and I. Before Leanne arrived, we went for a bit of a walk in the trees to see if we could spot a another raccoon or squirrel. We found a squirrel but he was not sitting still long enough to be photographed!
After lunch we set off around the park, it's about 9km and flat, following the sea wall path. We stopped along the way to look at things including a horse drawn wagon and 3 otters. Emma and I had fun racing Cathy and Zak and all the other people cruising around the path. I was a little worried that we might be breaching park etiquette going so fast but Emma kept yelling that we needed to go faster because the others might catch us! After we finished the loop around the outside of the park we headed back into the woods and cruised around some of the gravel paths. A few squirrels were spotted along the way but again avoided being clearly photographed.
Emma and Zak didn't want to return the bikes after such a fun day! Emma was asking if she could ride on our tandem at home but as Zak has only just gotten big enough for his first ride two weeks ago she will have to wait a couple more years...
- Posted using BlogPress from my wife's iPad
Today we met Leanne in Stanley Park for a ride. We had rented two tandems. One for Cathy and Zak and one for Emma and I. Before Leanne arrived, we went for a bit of a walk in the trees to see if we could spot a another raccoon or squirrel. We found a squirrel but he was not sitting still long enough to be photographed!
After lunch we set off around the park, it's about 9km and flat, following the sea wall path. We stopped along the way to look at things including a horse drawn wagon and 3 otters. Emma and I had fun racing Cathy and Zak and all the other people cruising around the path. I was a little worried that we might be breaching park etiquette going so fast but Emma kept yelling that we needed to go faster because the others might catch us! After we finished the loop around the outside of the park we headed back into the woods and cruised around some of the gravel paths. A few squirrels were spotted along the way but again avoided being clearly photographed.
Emma and Zak didn't want to return the bikes after such a fun day! Emma was asking if she could ride on our tandem at home but as Zak has only just gotten big enough for his first ride two weeks ago she will have to wait a couple more years...
- Posted using BlogPress from my wife's iPad
Monday, September 12, 2011
Capilano Suspension Bridge - by Emma
11 September
The Capilano Bridge is a suspension footbridge. It is 140 metres across and 70 metres high. It was like walking on a sailing boat because it swayed as you walked which made it hard to walk straight. Walking up the stairs at the other end was especially hard and much steeper.
On the other side there were posters of rocks and animals. The animals were more interesting.
Next we went to the tree hut. There were bird skulls and eggs. Up the stairs on the railing there were these marks that looked like some kind of secret message. A bit further on there was a pond with trout. But me and Dad also noticed something else, there were little insects in the water. Their arms and legs were stretched out and they were slowly drifting across the water.
Then we went on a cliff walk. We walked across this bridge and you could see cliff all around you! It was a very long bridge. There were trees on the rock walls. The trees were growing windy. They had a display about why the trees did that. There were other displays that were something to do with the ice cracking the rocks. There were glass floors on some parts. We took photos.
At the end there were knobs you turned to find answers to questions. One of the answers was that 1% of water is usable and 0.26% is drinkable. We looked at some really cool totem poles on the way out. The totem poles were stories. There was a totem pole with a hole in it. I used Zak as a foot stool when I had my photo taken through the hole.
By Emma.
The Capilano Bridge is a suspension footbridge. It is 140 metres across and 70 metres high. It was like walking on a sailing boat because it swayed as you walked which made it hard to walk straight. Walking up the stairs at the other end was especially hard and much steeper.
On the other side there were posters of rocks and animals. The animals were more interesting.
Next we went to the tree hut. There were bird skulls and eggs. Up the stairs on the railing there were these marks that looked like some kind of secret message. A bit further on there was a pond with trout. But me and Dad also noticed something else, there were little insects in the water. Their arms and legs were stretched out and they were slowly drifting across the water.
Then we went on a cliff walk. We walked across this bridge and you could see cliff all around you! It was a very long bridge. There were trees on the rock walls. The trees were growing windy. They had a display about why the trees did that. There were other displays that were something to do with the ice cracking the rocks. There were glass floors on some parts. We took photos.
At the end there were knobs you turned to find answers to questions. One of the answers was that 1% of water is usable and 0.26% is drinkable. We looked at some really cool totem poles on the way out. The totem poles were stories. There was a totem pole with a hole in it. I used Zak as a foot stool when I had my photo taken through the hole.
By Emma.
Grouse Mountain
Emma at half way...
Cathy got a perfectly timed shot of a falcon catching a lure.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Cathy got a perfectly timed shot of a falcon catching a lure.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Vancouver - Grouse Mountain
10 September
This morning we jumped in the car to go to Grouse Mountain. There is a gondola to take you to the top, or you can walk. The guide book said it was an hour and a half walk so we set off to walk up planing to take the gondola down. It was steep and slow going. At the 1/4 mark, we'd been going for about 35 minutes. We adjusted our ETA to 2 hours 10... We had lots of water and jelly snakes to munch on so just kept moving along. We passed quite a few people who were taking extra long rests and were passed by many people who were making an extra effort. The 1/2 way mark came and went and we were still going, then the 3/4 mark came and went. Zak and Emma were obviously tired but kept on going without any complaints and then we heard Zak going 'Woo hoo' from a little ahead - he had arrived at the top.
We had made it in 1 and half hours.
At the top there is an enclosure with a couple of Grizzly Bears which we got to see up close and they do a show with birds of prey and another with lumberjack stuff. We arrived at the bird show in time to see the very last bird, a Bald Eagle, swoop down the hill and then just fly off. The guys doing the show weren't happy about this. Apparently the eagle has a habit of making a single pass for the audience and then flying off down the hill so that they have to go and find it... We went back to catch the entire presentation a couple of hours later. It started late because they were still trying to recover the eagle!
The lumberjack show was largely a comedy with some demos of a couple of different techniques and lots of laughs.
We had planned to do a couple of things today but by the time we had taken the gondola down to the car park we switched the plan to pizza and ice creams for dinner. As we left the carpark in search of pizza, we saw the guys from the bird show with their radio tracker trying to find their Bald Eagle.
- Posted using BlogPress from my wife's iPad
This morning we jumped in the car to go to Grouse Mountain. There is a gondola to take you to the top, or you can walk. The guide book said it was an hour and a half walk so we set off to walk up planing to take the gondola down. It was steep and slow going. At the 1/4 mark, we'd been going for about 35 minutes. We adjusted our ETA to 2 hours 10... We had lots of water and jelly snakes to munch on so just kept moving along. We passed quite a few people who were taking extra long rests and were passed by many people who were making an extra effort. The 1/2 way mark came and went and we were still going, then the 3/4 mark came and went. Zak and Emma were obviously tired but kept on going without any complaints and then we heard Zak going 'Woo hoo' from a little ahead - he had arrived at the top.
We had made it in 1 and half hours.
At the top there is an enclosure with a couple of Grizzly Bears which we got to see up close and they do a show with birds of prey and another with lumberjack stuff. We arrived at the bird show in time to see the very last bird, a Bald Eagle, swoop down the hill and then just fly off. The guys doing the show weren't happy about this. Apparently the eagle has a habit of making a single pass for the audience and then flying off down the hill so that they have to go and find it... We went back to catch the entire presentation a couple of hours later. It started late because they were still trying to recover the eagle!
The lumberjack show was largely a comedy with some demos of a couple of different techniques and lots of laughs.
We had planned to do a couple of things today but by the time we had taken the gondola down to the car park we switched the plan to pizza and ice creams for dinner. As we left the carpark in search of pizza, we saw the guys from the bird show with their radio tracker trying to find their Bald Eagle.
- Posted using BlogPress from my wife's iPad
The Pacman
On Saturday 20th August we decided to make a Pacman. As Zak needed a costume for his school social. We decided to make it a Pacman because the costumes were supposed to be based on the 80's. Also Dad had showed me the game. We all had a good fair go at it but I can't say I was the best. I thought Dad was the best, until Mum topped his scores.
Dad and Zak designed Pacman, thinking of the best ways possible. Two of their designs were square boxes which I didn't like because they didn't look at all like Pacman. Both of Zak's sat on your head and Dad's didn't. Dad didn't fully get Zak's design, but Zak managed to explain. So we ended up using Zak's circular design, (although Dad had a circular design too). We went on a shopping trip to buy yellow and black card.
As soon as we were home we set to work, cutting circles and other shapes from the card. We used most of it. Partly because we needed it and partly because it was quite expensive. When we had finished cutting the pieces out we stopped for a food break. Then we used the hot glue gun to glue every thing together.
When it had dried me and Zak tested it out. Zak found out the hard way, that the arm holes were too small for him. But perfect for me! Zak panicked shrieked as Mum and Dad tugged the pack - man off. Eventually it came free. I quite enjoyed watching him, I found it funny and amusing as he always teased me. We made the arm holes bigger and Zak tried it on again, it fitted him.
He retested it at his school social, His friend Mat was wearing his Dad's Hawaiian shirt an Afro and some extremely large sunglasses! Mum said they really fitted in! They looked hilarious! When Zak came back it looked as though it had been tampered with. But in fact some large year eights had tried it on. I wondered if I could ever use it again. It looked a lot like it needed some tender, love and care.
By Emma
- Posted using BlogPress from Mum's iPad
Dad and Zak designed Pacman, thinking of the best ways possible. Two of their designs were square boxes which I didn't like because they didn't look at all like Pacman. Both of Zak's sat on your head and Dad's didn't. Dad didn't fully get Zak's design, but Zak managed to explain. So we ended up using Zak's circular design, (although Dad had a circular design too). We went on a shopping trip to buy yellow and black card.
As soon as we were home we set to work, cutting circles and other shapes from the card. We used most of it. Partly because we needed it and partly because it was quite expensive. When we had finished cutting the pieces out we stopped for a food break. Then we used the hot glue gun to glue every thing together.
When it had dried me and Zak tested it out. Zak found out the hard way, that the arm holes were too small for him. But perfect for me! Zak panicked shrieked as Mum and Dad tugged the pack - man off. Eventually it came free. I quite enjoyed watching him, I found it funny and amusing as he always teased me. We made the arm holes bigger and Zak tried it on again, it fitted him.
He retested it at his school social, His friend Mat was wearing his Dad's Hawaiian shirt an Afro and some extremely large sunglasses! Mum said they really fitted in! They looked hilarious! When Zak came back it looked as though it had been tampered with. But in fact some large year eights had tried it on. I wondered if I could ever use it again. It looked a lot like it needed some tender, love and care.
By Emma
- Posted using BlogPress from Mum's iPad
Sunday, August 14, 2011
Zak's Speech
Hello everybody here is my speech about listening to adults...
It was my last day skiing at Turoa ski field. Me and my friends were going to ski down the track called "The Boneyard".
It was not only the name that made me not want to do this track but also that we were in the middle of a blizzard.
As we sat in the lift trying to keep warm and not drop our ski poles I tried to look down the steep and long, winding track that went all the way back to the speck in the distance that was the car park, but found it was impossible because of the falling snow. Soon we got out of the lift and skied around the side of the building. Then I was looking down the steep track. I just wanted to get into the cafe and fill my stomach with delicious hot chocolate. So, I decided to make this run quick.
Earlier that morning, before we set out, Dad showed me the Snow Responsibility Code and rule number one was "Stay in control at all times, know your ability, start easy, be able to stop and avoid other people."
Before we started, Mum and Dad insisted I have a ski lesson but I thought that they were a waste of time and didn't teach you anything but they still made me do it. We spent one hour and 50 minutes turning left and right, left and right, following the instructor down a miniature hill, then back up on the poma. Every time we got to the top he would tell us that if we turned it would slow us down. I was relieved when the lesson was finally over.
So, back at the top of the boneyard, we were looking down the mountain trying to see where the walls and cliffs were when Dad reminded us that we had to turn. I was getting sick of every adult I knew telling me to turn, so I went straight down.
Soon I went past a huge fluoro orange 'slow' sign. That was when I realised I should start turning. When I turned in one direction I found I couldn't turn back in the other direction because I was going too fast. I went past Dad quicker than you can say:
"Good bye cruel world",
so instead I settled for screaming my head off.
I slammed straight into a wall of hard snow. Skis and poles went in all directions and what little breath I had squished out of my lungs like a deflated balloon. I thrashed around in the snow forcing air back into my lungs. Dad helped me up and we fetched my skis and poles which were half way down the hill.
We skied down the rest of the way and stumbled through the doors of the cafe. We were met by gusts of warm air and the delicious smell of hot chocolates. As I sat talking to my friends about my epic crash, through chattering teeth, I thought about how stupid I'd been not listening to the adults.
Luckily it was Dad with me, not Mum. Otherwise, if the crash hadn't killed me, then she most certainly would have!
Zak
P.S: This speech is not all true.=)
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
More snow but not everything goes to plan.
We got to the bottom of the mountain road at an unprecedented 9:15. Then we waited. There were multiple accidents up the mountain so the road was blocked. We waited, and waited, and waited... There was not much information on the radio and we thought that it was going to open any minute. The weather, was brilliant so we thought it was going to be worth the wait. Finally, we got up the top at 2:00 and had a couple of great hours of beautiful weather before the end of the day.
The queue on the mountain road on Wednesday.
Not so today... We arrived at the bottom of the mountain road at an even more amazing 8:45 this morning. Again there were issues with the road so it took us over an hour to get to the top. But the weather today was the complete opposite to yesterday. It started off with just cloud but the the wind came up and later the snow making it very uncomfortable. We hung in there because we'd booked Zak and Emma in lessons but it wasn't a great day.
BB.
- Posted using BlogPress from Cath's iPad
The queue on the mountain road on Wednesday.
Not so today... We arrived at the bottom of the mountain road at an even more amazing 8:45 this morning. Again there were issues with the road so it took us over an hour to get to the top. But the weather today was the complete opposite to yesterday. It started off with just cloud but the the wind came up and later the snow making it very uncomfortable. We hung in there because we'd booked Zak and Emma in lessons but it wasn't a great day.
BB.
- Posted using BlogPress from Cath's iPad
Monday, July 25, 2011
Snow
We woke up to about 10cm of snow this morning. The kids gobbled breakfast and headed outside to throw snow and make snow men. I joined Emma to work on a medium sized snow man then later, we all joined in to build one that was taller than me.
Clearly we are not at home... We are in Raetihi, near Mt Ruapehu, staying with 2 other families, friends of Zaks. We arrived here a couple of days back and yesterday we headed up to Turoa for a days skiing. The weather wasn't brilliant, it snowed all day but there wasn't much wind so apart from not being able to see what we were skiing over we still had a good day. The trip down the mountain at the end of the day was... interesting. We saw two cars slide into the side of the road in front of us but we managed to get down without incident.
We aren't sure what is going to happen for the next couple of days. Hopefully the weather will give us another break and we can get in another days skiing.
I forgot the doofer to connect the camera memory card to the iPad so pictures will come later.
BB.
- Posted using BlogPress from Cath's iPad
Clearly we are not at home... We are in Raetihi, near Mt Ruapehu, staying with 2 other families, friends of Zaks. We arrived here a couple of days back and yesterday we headed up to Turoa for a days skiing. The weather wasn't brilliant, it snowed all day but there wasn't much wind so apart from not being able to see what we were skiing over we still had a good day. The trip down the mountain at the end of the day was... interesting. We saw two cars slide into the side of the road in front of us but we managed to get down without incident.
We aren't sure what is going to happen for the next couple of days. Hopefully the weather will give us another break and we can get in another days skiing.
I forgot the doofer to connect the camera memory card to the iPad so pictures will come later.
BB.
- Posted using BlogPress from Cath's iPad
Monday, May 9, 2011
Devcamp
I spent this weekend at Datacom's developer 'unconference' as an invited, non-developer. This meant I had to do a session about DBA stuff but also got to attend quite a few other interesting sessions.
It was held in a very nice fishing lodge in Turangi. The food was particularly good with a selection of 4 different meat dishes each night including salmon.
We are heading back to town now, hopefully to make it in time for Mothers day diner at Kristine and Hamish's place.
It was good to have a weekend away but I missed Zak and Emma's soccer games and Emma was awarded Player of the Day for her role as Goalie.
BB.
(Unconference - hecklers are expected, nay, required and are expected to contribute equally with the presenter. This helps a lot, you only need to prepare about 15 minutes of stuff for an hour long session).
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
It was held in a very nice fishing lodge in Turangi. The food was particularly good with a selection of 4 different meat dishes each night including salmon.
We are heading back to town now, hopefully to make it in time for Mothers day diner at Kristine and Hamish's place.
It was good to have a weekend away but I missed Zak and Emma's soccer games and Emma was awarded Player of the Day for her role as Goalie.
BB.
(Unconference - hecklers are expected, nay, required and are expected to contribute equally with the presenter. This helps a lot, you only need to prepare about 15 minutes of stuff for an hour long session).
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Saturday, April 23, 2011
LED Doofer
Dad an I made a doofer that has ten red LEDS. They flash one by one, they start from right to left. They speed along as fast as lighting.
It took heaps of soldering, I did most of it but Dad made some mistakes so he did the rest. He also burnt his own fingers. I am going to bring it to my cousin's house when I go this holiday.
by Emma.
[The design for this came from here. The mistakes in the implementation were entirely mine. That Emma was soldering with her left hand was also my fault. Things got better after she switched back to her right. The burn was inconsequential - I only said Ow! Dad.]
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Calla
Calla is our cat,
She is like a mat.
She sit's in a sunny spot,
Right next to the flower pot.
She gives me a glare,
If I sit on her chair.
By Emma
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Blinky Bug and Traffic lights
I made a Blinky Bug with Dad. It is a silver spider with red LED eyes. When you tap the antennae the Blinky Bug blinks.
We made it with a battery, two LEDs, some guitar strings, pipe cleaners and fuzzy balls for the body. We taped the battery, the LEDs and the guitar strings together and glued on the body and legs.
We also made traffic lights. It took a lot of planning and rebuilding. In the end we brought a rotary switch because it turns on one light at a time. We used specific colors for the wires that match the LEDs. A lot of soldering was involved and I burnt Dads finger with soldering iron. Dad drilled holds in a box for my traffic lights and rotary switch.
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Try, try and try the Tryathlon
Hello there everybody!
Today I did the Weet-Bix Tryathlon and I am extremely tired.
At the Tryathlon I put my bike and gear in the transition area and waited for my age group to be called out. When it was I lined up in the boys line and then ran into the swim it was quite shallow you could walk the whole way. When we all got out we jogged to the transition area and got our shoes, shirt and helmet on and hopped on our bikes and rode off. I overtook lots of people because of my fast road bike. We stopped at the transition, dropped our bikes and helmets and went for two laps around the running area it was tough. At the end I was right behind my friend Josh.
Zak
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Memories of a holiday
I was off work from 24 December until 10 January. It seemed like a long time at the time but it seems like an even longer time ago now. It was a really good break and I didn't get any work calls at all! Going back to work was more than a bit of a shock to the system...
Christmas day was very busy. The general tone of the day was set by a breakfast of waffles with ice-cream and chocolate sauce... It was great to see everyone.
We didn't do a lot during the break. A couple of days at the beach and a couple of rides.
Work was completely nuts from the first day. We are very busy at the moment and I have some interesting projects going.
Last week Cathy took the kids camping while I was working. I was supposed to catch up with them after work on Friday. The weather man had been saying that Friday night was going to be ugly. We'd just had a really bad storm the weekend before with lots of flooding and slips and they were predicting this one to be similar. So, Cathy and the kids came home on Friday and we went back out for Saturday and Sunday nights. The campground was pretty soggy but we still had a couple of great beach days.
Em and Zak are back at school now so everything is back to normal. Normal is different though as Zak is now at intermediate school (years 7 and 8 are at a separate school for some reason). His new school is miles away from here and none of his mates are in his class. He isn't happy about that but he has no trouble making friends so I don't see it being a problem for long. Emma is with most of the same kids as last year.
So, that's the exciting bits for this part of the year. There is more planned for later...
BB.
Christmas day was very busy. The general tone of the day was set by a breakfast of waffles with ice-cream and chocolate sauce... It was great to see everyone.
We didn't do a lot during the break. A couple of days at the beach and a couple of rides.
Work was completely nuts from the first day. We are very busy at the moment and I have some interesting projects going.
Last week Cathy took the kids camping while I was working. I was supposed to catch up with them after work on Friday. The weather man had been saying that Friday night was going to be ugly. We'd just had a really bad storm the weekend before with lots of flooding and slips and they were predicting this one to be similar. So, Cathy and the kids came home on Friday and we went back out for Saturday and Sunday nights. The campground was pretty soggy but we still had a couple of great beach days.
Em and Zak are back at school now so everything is back to normal. Normal is different though as Zak is now at intermediate school (years 7 and 8 are at a separate school for some reason). His new school is miles away from here and none of his mates are in his class. He isn't happy about that but he has no trouble making friends so I don't see it being a problem for long. Emma is with most of the same kids as last year.
So, that's the exciting bits for this part of the year. There is more planned for later...
BB.
School
Hello, I have started my next two years at intermediate school.
About half of my friends are going to Ponsonby with me and the other half are going to Kowhai.
The canteen food is disgusting though most of my friends like it (lucky for them the hot chocolates are only $1) and there is nothing much to do at lunch so we usually play tag.
Classes started on Monday and I take the bus to school most days. I have the art teacher as my form teacher so that means lots of paper supplies to draw on. She is quite nice but I probably won't get to use the paper.
My favorite subject is social sciences we are learning about Rome.
From Zak
Friday, January 7, 2011
Mountain Biking - Bruce
I've done two rides this week. The first with Cathy, Zak and Emma at Woodhill and the second with my brothers David, Peter and Mark at Rotorua.
Both were notable for different reasons. The Woodhill ride I rode with Emma while Cathy and Zak took off ahead to do some extra bits. Em crashed... See her blog entry... I saw it coming about a split second before it happened but too late to do anything about it. She was good about it though and continued on with a good attitude after dusting off.
The Rotorua ride's most prominent memory is of how exhausted I was. I was kinda expecting that because I've ridden so little lately. Before I completely ran out of go, it was a great ride though. I haven't ridden there for ages and forgot what sort of trails they have. Unlike the sandy surface at Woodhill, Rotorua's trails are hard and fast and very twisty. There is also a lot more climb than at Woodhill which means a lot more good downhill too. No one crashed and everyone was very happy to get back into town for a big feed.
Both were notable for different reasons. The Woodhill ride I rode with Emma while Cathy and Zak took off ahead to do some extra bits. Em crashed... See her blog entry... I saw it coming about a split second before it happened but too late to do anything about it. She was good about it though and continued on with a good attitude after dusting off.
The Rotorua ride's most prominent memory is of how exhausted I was. I was kinda expecting that because I've ridden so little lately. Before I completely ran out of go, it was a great ride though. I haven't ridden there for ages and forgot what sort of trails they have. Unlike the sandy surface at Woodhill, Rotorua's trails are hard and fast and very twisty. There is also a lot more climb than at Woodhill which means a lot more good downhill too. No one crashed and everyone was very happy to get back into town for a big feed.
Mountain Biking - Emma
At Woodhill Forest, we were mountain biking down Spaghetti (a trail). I saw a three X sign. Dad had told me that it meant the structure was difficult and it was best to avoid them. It was a ramp so I said "Is that a ramp?". And before I knew it I crashed into it. I was covered in dirt. I felt like I was eating dirt. Then I thought "Is that dirt on my tongue?" and I was right. Dad squirted me with the water bottle and I had a couple of drinks to rinse out the dirt.
Around the end of the trail we saw Mum and Zak. There was a see-saw and three small ramps. At first I wasn't sure about the see-saw but then I thought it would be fun to try. So I rode it and it went a bit wonky at the end but it was fun.
When we left Woodhill we went to a bakery. I had a little mince pie and an apple turnover. I squirted lots of tomato sauce on the little mince pie and it was very nice. The apple turnover was delicious but I wondered why the pastry was yellow inside. Zak couldn't eat all of his cream bun so I tried some but the bun wasn't very nice or fresh.
- Posted using BlogPress from Mum's iPad
Around the end of the trail we saw Mum and Zak. There was a see-saw and three small ramps. At first I wasn't sure about the see-saw but then I thought it would be fun to try. So I rode it and it went a bit wonky at the end but it was fun.
When we left Woodhill we went to a bakery. I had a little mince pie and an apple turnover. I squirted lots of tomato sauce on the little mince pie and it was very nice. The apple turnover was delicious but I wondered why the pastry was yellow inside. Zak couldn't eat all of his cream bun so I tried some but the bun wasn't very nice or fresh.
- Posted using BlogPress from Mum's iPad
Location:Woodhill Forest
Christmas
Hi everybody, we had a great christmas and have been having lots of fun playing with the presents we got. We have done the usual routine with breakfast at our house, lunch at grandmas then dinner at nana 2's but because she is in hospital she only stayed for a while. Some of favourite my things I got were lego harry potter the game 1-4 years, a nerf gun long strike and a new bike the 2011 model of my old bike, the GT stomper. Soon after we went to woodhill forest and went mountain biking. The bike worked well and it's much easier to ride.
Best wishes for 2011!
from Zak
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