Depending on the direction you face, the colors are either intense …

 
The proximity of the ocean to the mountains here is very dramatic. I arrived at the park just in time to pitch my tent before darkness set in. Once situated I was treated to a beautiful sunset.

I decided on a change of pace for my monthly business trip to Santa Barbara. Instead of my normal hotel I have opted for slightly more primative lodging. For the next three nights I will be staying in the Carpenteria State Park on the Pacific Ocean. In light of current economic conditions it feels like a good way to save my company money while adding a little spice to my otherwise routine travel regime.

 
Nephew John William returns to New York today after an all too brief weekend visit.

Is it soup yet? Jeanine creates another wonderful winter soup featuring root vegetables.

Nico, his friend Greg, and I spent the day at the Gunstock Ski Area in New Hampshire. Naturally, the most exciting jump on the mountain was near the top and in order to get this shot I had to walk up the entire bloody mountain. I was rewarded for all the exercise with a nice image of Nicolai catching big air. Nico has abandoned his outriggers in favor of his normal crutches explaining that they are lighter and allow him to go faster. Hard to argue with results.

My sister’s son, John William, arrived this afternoon for a weekend visit and was immediately enlisted to join Kyle’s indoor soccer team for a match. Although slightly younger than the rest of the players, Johnie scored two goals, one on an assist from Kyle which made for a nice family effort.

I was greeted upon my return home this evening with an appeal from Maya to inspect her toes. As much as I love Maya’s toes (and all her other parts) I must admit I was not prepared for green toenails. Thus, it begins.

Maya and Jeanine have attended several weaving classes this week. Maya is shown here on the loom she received from Santa for Christmas this year. I can’t wait to see the final outcome.

As promised in an earlier post, here is a picture, courtesy of Jeanine, of the chickens that are producing the eggs we are eating now. Maya accompanied her mother on an egg run today.

Nicolai asked to come to my soccer game this evening and was kind enough to photograph the action. We squeaked out a 7-6 victory and I managed one goal off my own rebound. Nico does a nice job capturing me in full stride about to take a shot.

Sonos is the first company I have worked for that observes President’s Day as a paid holiday. This morning I made and installed a chin up bar in Nico’s bedroom. After each boy demonstrated their considerable strength and stamina I could only muster a small fraction of the 20 chin ups I could do as a teenager. In the afternoon I ventured out for a little photograhpy and captured both a male and female Downy Woodpecker.

Not to be outdone, Kyle proposes a new contest for the longest cantilevered arm. The design he worked out wins with an 8-inch extension.

When we returned home, I challenged the boys to see who could build a taller tower out of Jenga blocks. Kyle does a little victory dance on top of the kitchen island after he and Nicolai pass my initial mark of 48 inches with a 52 inch design. Tolerating these smirking children for the rest of the evening was not an option and I responded with a new record tower height of 55 inches, a mark which I predict will stand for eternity (or at least until Maya takes up the challenge).