History and Adventure Books

American Massacre: The Tragedy at Mountain Meadows, September 1857 by Sally Denton - fascinating story of an unreported American tragedy
The Diamond Caper by Peter Mayle - not Mayle's best effort
Economics of Uncertainty by Professor Connel Fullenkamp  Ph. D. - decent lecture
Thomas Jefferson and the Tripoli Pirates: The Forgotten Ware That Changed American History by Brian Kilmeade and Don Yaeger - OK history of the first Barbary Wars
The Emerald Mile: The Epic Story of the Fastest Ride in History Through the Heart of the Grand Canyon by Kevin Fedarko - must read account of the fastest rafting of the Grand Canyon
The Rope by Nevada Barr - one of my favorite of the series
Bone Deep Broth by Lya Mojica and Taylor Chen - making some broth
Into Africa: the Epic Adventures of Stanley and Livingstone by Martin Dugard - wondrous adventures of two men

COPE at Mataguay

The troop had a date at Mataguay for COPE.  It started Friday night and didn't stop until Sunday noon.  The scouts did team building, low ropes, high ropes and zip line both in day and in pitch darkness.  Unfortunately I suffered from a cold and allergies but that didn't affect my dutch oven chili and peach cobbler!  Overall it was a great weekend and the scouts can't wait to get back especially when they get the new higher and longer courses built.

Bobcat in Gonzales Canyon

Jyoti and I headed to Gonzales Canyon for the first time.  Right after leaving the parking lot we saw a bobcat carrying its prey down into the canyon.  It was my first bobcat sighting and was pretty cool.  Overall, this hike is pretty good considering all the nearby housing.  Be aware of the poison oak jungle along the creek.