Last Flight of Endeavor

I was slightly surprised how emotional this experience was for me, trekking to the Jet Propulsion Laboratory to catch a glimpse of the space shuttle Endeavor en route to LAX. Eric stayed home. My oldest son was at school right next to JPL. He and his classmates sat outside under a tree waiting for the fly over that went right over their heads. So that left my youngest son and I to make the journey together. The day was crazy hot. We hiked down a well known to us path to sit in the shade of a scrub oak while the crowds amassed above us in and around a tiny parking lot.

As we sat waiting, my mind slipped back to January 28, 1986. I was still in high school. I was in a class where there was very little classroom control. The P.A. system went on and the principal muttered something unintelligible under the the din of out of control students. It wasn't until I was home later that day that I heard the space shuttle Challenger had exploded, killing everyone aboard. I remember feeling so angry that I didn't know.

Then my son and I heard the roar, first of the crowds above us and then the engine of the 747. Endeavor appeared from the east and soared above us flanked by three jet fighter planes. Endeavor atop the 747 made a long graceful swoop over JPL before leaving our line of sight. When we came home to share our stories, Eric told us Endeavor had flown twice directly over humble Camp Ramshackle. Eric may have had the best seat in the house. Next to the pilots, of course.

Ramshackle Sea Unit: Santa Cruz Island

With summer on the wane, the entire family set sail for Santa Cruz Island. Sailing on the way out was great with sightings of common dolphins, Risso's dolphins, sunfish with a seal in hot pursuit of one.

We anchored at Prisoner's Harbor which was incredibly rough. The boat pitched all evening throwing our youngest out of his berth. Eric was worried he might have been knocked out because his eyes were still closed. My son said as Eric scooped him up, "It was only a slight fall" and promptly fell back asleep.

I was queasy the entire time, so Captain Eric really did some heroic work taking care of the feeding and nurturing. The following morning, Eric pumped up the dingy and rowed us to the shore.

I am always amazed how an area so close to the density of coastal southern California can feel so untouched and remote. The scenery is classic California with coastal chaparral, Oak trees, buckwheat, and the smell: spicy sages heated by the sun, the smell of earth. I can never get enough of it.

After an onshore breakfast, we set course for Channel Islands Harbor. I will do this again. The good news is the boys weren't affected by sea sickness. They seem to have stomachs of steel, able to move above and below deck with ease. I hope to reverse inherit their heartiness.

Previously:
Ramshackle Sea Unit
Sailing Update: ASA 104 at Santa Cruz Island

Summer Road Trip One of Two: Part III Adventure Playground

On our late June/early July trip to northern California, the boys and I made a plan to visit Berkeley's Adventure Playground. Built in 1979, the Adventure Playground is one of the greatest things the hippies ever did. Inspired by the way kids play on vacant lots using available materials and imagination, the Adventure Playground offers a space for kids to alter the playground they play on using paint, nails and saws.

The playground in Berkeley's Marina is idea for kids seven and older, although younger children are welcome as long as they are within arms reach of their grown ups.

My seven year old entered the playground and was gone, climbing the structures, riding the zip line (for 6 year olds and older, much to my almost five year old's disappointment. We decided we would come back when he was six.).

If playground goers want to use tools or paint, they must earn them:

My youngest found a "Mr. Dangerous", a protruding nail in a play structure, that was promptly nailed flat by one of the blue-hoodied staff.

My oldest earned the use of a hammer by offering up the rope swing to one of the staff who was demonstrating the safe use the equipment to a summer camp tour group. We followed up our visit with a trip to Moe's Books followed by hot chocolate at Caffe Mediterraneum. Moe's is the same as in my memory, but Cafe Med seemed different, although I think all the furniture remains the same. Perhaps all that has really changed is the experience held in my memory.

Summer Road Trip One of Two: Part II Alcatraz

Davenport Jail

The boys and I left Davenport, CA, bright and early to visit a current family obsession: Alcatraz Island.

Alcatraz main cellhouse

Alcatraz operated as a federal penitentiary for only 29 years (1934-1963) but remains notorious for housing the most dangerous criminals of the time on the island in the middle of the frigid Bay. The natural conditions of the isolated penitentiary made escape highly unlikely. Fourteen prisoners attempted escape, three remain unfound. The story of Frank Morris and the Anglin brothers is part of the reason why my family is so curious about Alcatraz.

Alcatraz library

The most popular books in the library were philosophy books: Schopenhauer, Kant and the classics.

interior cellblock

The cellblock made quite an impression on the boys. They wouldn't enter inside any of the open cells.

The short cruise back to the City is a delight with the skyline so vivid, the Bay speckled with sailboats racing in the strong wind.

After we docked, we discovered in the few hours we were on the island, steps away Pier 29 had burned terribly. I wondered if the spark was slowly burning when we drove past it early in the morning or if the fire source, a frayed wire, acetone soaked rags near a heater or whatever, was in place as we passed it when this old building was still solid. Strange how quickly dramatic change occurs, how something small can erupt into something so large.

Summer Road Trip One of Two: Part I

Cuyucos pier

Back in March or so, I was hit with the notion of a summer road trip with the boys. My idea was to leave immediately after school got out and head to northern California to see friends, take in some sights and enjoy the adventure of a road trip. I planned to head out alone with the boys for the bulk of the trip, Eric would join us for a few days in Berkeley.

I love California. It is such a beautiful state and I'm grateful to call it home. The send off from LA caught us in traffic, so we snailed out way through the southeastern part of the Valley, broke out on the other side and didn't look back until we were facing the other way to come home.

We spent a night in Davenport on our way to San Francisco. I've always loved this small town on a quiet part of the Pacific Coast Highway.

The boys and I enjoyed a walk around the town, taking in the community garden, the sound of the Pacific crashing against the bluffs and the two cell jail, now shuttered, and used only once when it was active.

Into Plein Air

On the way to preschool early in the morning, my son and I rode next to the San Gabriel mountains near Eaton Canyon. Sage speckled the hillsides with blooming purple spires. Orange poppies fluttered like tethered butterflies with wings splayed open surrounded by the pervasive yellow dots of mustard blossoms. My youngest son asked to pull over immediately, hike a path and paint. I explained we weren't prepared for a painting hike today but we could do it tomorrow. "With snacks?" he asked.

Absolutely. We dropped his big brother at school the following day and headed straight to the area around Eaton Canyon that spoke so clearly to his imagination the previous day. A four year old with a paint brush is a beautiful thing. He paints with such intention yet filled with freedom. A lesson to all.

Painting has it's pleasures and rewards, but really, it's all about the snacks, the open air and adventure.

May this notebook (and many more) be filled with the celebrations and commemorations of being out in the places that call to you mixed with the calm complexity of all that is within.