Books

• End the Fed by Ron Paul - great treatise on the moral, economic and constitutional cases for ending the Federal Reserve



• Building Real Estate Wealth in a Changing Market: Reap Large Profits from Bargain Purchases in Any Economy by John Schaub - a good beginning book on investing in single family homes, a bit light on details though



• Pacific Crucible: War at Sea in the Pacific, 1941-1942 by Ian W. Toll - a dramatically written account of the people and events from Pearl Harbor through Midway; light on military and tactical details and heavy on personalities; enjoyed the Japanese perspective

Weekend Activities

* 7.5 mile urban hike from home to the library and back
* Scout service project at SDUMC

Books

Midas Touch: Why Some Entrepreneurs Get Rich-And Why Most Don't by Robert Kiyosaki and Donald Trump - A decent book on entreneurial skills; Kiyosaki's contributions are somewhat better than Trump's

Deeds for California Real Estate by Mary Randolph - good primer on the confusing subject of deeds

Desert Backpacking

Bengt and I went on our first backpacking trip with Troop 774.  We drove out to Anza-Borrego Desert State Park on Friday night and camped at Bow Willow.  We woke up Saturday morning, ate a moderately quick breakfast and hit the trail.  Earlier in the morning, the Scoutmaster and I had drove to the intended campsite to cache some water since the site was not an established campground.  The hike was 4.4 miles in and was a moderate uphill grade since we were heading into a canyon.  The kids all did great and were very relieved to get to the site.  Once there, we had lunch and some relaxation.  We then did an afternoon day hike to further explore the canyon.  The patrols then cooked their dinners which were nicely packed into zip bags for easy identification and preparation.  I hit the sack quite early while the kids burned off their desserts.
Sunday morning saw an early cold breakfast and then back to the trail for the hike back to Bow Willow.
Everyone had a great time and I can't wait to get some more backpacking treks in.

Weekend Activities

• Brewed up a nice batch of beef jerky on my new dehydrator. Turned out great!
• Checked out the big waves at Cardiff with the family and Sophie.

Death Valley

Much to Jaya's dismay, we took a family trip to Death Valley NP over the New Year's weekend. We left home early in the morning and drove up the 15 to Baker. We stopped there for gas and some delicious Alien jerky. We then took the 127 to Shoshone. From there we took the 178 into the park. This route enabled us to see the southern part of the park on our way in. We made stops at the Ashford Mills ruins, Badwater and the Natural Bridge hike. We ate lunch at the 49'ers Diner at the Furnace Creek Ranch before hitting the temporary visitor's center. The regular center was still under refurbishment and we were a very bummed since the temporary one facility not have any exhibits or much other information, although the rangers were very nice. After setting up camp at the nearby Furnace Creek campsite, we head up the road to see the Harmony Borax Works ruins. After that, it was back to camp for dinner and an early night (especially since we couldn't get a fire going).
The next day we started by visiting the Devil's Golf Course which was very strange. Next, was Artist's Drive. At our next stop, Golden Canyon, we ran into a friend from San Diego, Terry Sheehy. His son was very happy to see Bengt and we met up again at camp later at night. Then we headed out of the park to visit the ghost town of Rhyolite. On the way, we stopped at Beatty, NV for lunch. Beatty is a small, dusty town but the food and service at KC's Depot was excellent. We also completed our first Geocache Challenge at the town clock tower. Rhyolite was a fun ghost town with some pretty substantial buildings. Bengt also wanted to the check out an old mine and there were plenty to choose from. Rhyolite is also home to the outdoor art project called Goldwell. I liked the phantom statues. On the way back to camp, we stopped at the Salt Creek trail but failed to spot the elusive pupfish.
The next day, we finally got a fire going thanks to Terry's donation of a fireplace log. That seemed to get the moist wood we bought at the general store going fine. We were able to do a couple camper pies and get warmed up in the morning cold. After breakfast, we broke camp and headed for the dunes. We stopped briefly at the Stovepipe well marker. The Stovepipe dunes are truly amazing. Bengt and I hiked to the top of one of the higher ones. The sand felt good on our bare feet. We then had lunch at the Stovepipe Wells Saloon and then headed to the Eureka mine. The mine and small ghost town was really neat as much of the equipment and stuff was still there. The spot is pretty remote so it doesn't get a lot of visitors. The last stop for the day was Mosaic Canyon. This hike was up a wash that is lined by polished marble-like stone. We then checked into the Stovepipe Wells Inn for a nice, hot shower and relaxing evening.
On the way back home, we exited the park to the west along 190. We made a quick stop at Panamint Springs to see what was there then headed south along Panamint Valley Road. We were expecting to stop at Trona for food, but Trona turned out to be a miserable place and nothing seemed to be open. We kept on going along Trona Road to hook up with the 395. We stopped for lunch in Adelanto, got onto the 15 and headed home. The drive along 395 was not as nice as the drive in.
It was a great trip. Next time, we will do some backcountry excursions with a 4x4 vehicle. We really want to see the Racetrack which is only accessible via a long dirt road.

Elf Yoursefl

The kids made a elf yourself with anyone or anything that was near the webcam.

Books

Some more books are read:

• Rich Dad's Increase Your Financial IQ: Get Smarter with Your Money
  by Robert T. Kiyosaki - Kiyosaki's best book in my opinion


• The Works: Anatomy of a City
  by Kate Ascher - a fabulous book on the systems (water, trash, commerce, etc.) in New York City


• The Dollar Crisis: Causes, Consequences, Cures , Revised and Updated
  by Richard Duncan - a decent book on how international trade imbalances and the lack of a gold standard cause economic stability; could use additional explanations of assumptions and less repetition


• Rich Dad's Advisors®: The ABC's of Writing Winning Business Plans: How to Prepare a Business Plan That Others Will Want to Read -- and Invest In by Garrett Sutton - a good primer on business plans from the Rich Dad Advisor Series


• Rich Dad's Conspiracy of the Rich: The 8 New Rules of Money by Robert T. Kiyosaki (audio book) - more of a summary of Kiyosaki's other books


• Rich Dad's Advisors: Own Your Own Corporation: Why the Rich Own Their Own Companies and Everyone Else Works for Them by Garrett Sutton - a good collection of tips on entities, but a bit light on LLC's

Where in San Diego?

Where can you find these gifts from Japan?

Weekend Activites

* Troop 774 Trap shooting at Escondido Fish and Game - this picture shows Bengt hitting a clay (the white streaks are the pieces)

* Jaya's Christmas parties
* Good hike along San Dieguito lagoon with Sophie

Where in San Diego?

Where are these fisherman pulling this tuna out of the grass?

Turkey Day Activities

* Great hike at Double Peak in San Marcos with the Morilaks - my first time there
* Awesome dinner at the Fletcher's
* Christmas tree lighting at Forum shops
* Rid my computer of the "System Fix" malware/virus

Where in San Diego?

Where is this 16th century vessel being constructed?

More Follett

I read Ken Follett's two Medieval epics: The Pillars of the Earth
and World Without End. The former was better. It had better characters and the story was more interesting. The latter was a bit bland and somewhat predictable. I am going to take a break for Follett now.

First Boy Scout Camp

Bengt and I had our first Boy Scout camp with Troop 774 at Cuyamaca Rancho State Park. We drove up Friday night to Paso Picacho campground and setup tents in the dark. We were expecting rain during the night but it didn't come until after breakfast. Unfortunately, it didn't stop. The kids spent time in the tents or in the cars and we couldn't get the emergency preparedness drills done that we were planning. The troop made a side trip into Julian for pie to wait the rain out. We finally made the decision to leave late in the afternoon when one of the tents flooded. Overall, it was short, but we learned alot of being prepared in the rain.

America's Historic Triangle

We recently took a family trip to America's Historic Triangle in Virginia which includes Williamsburg, along with Jamestown and Yorktown.
We stayed at the Governor's Inn. It is older motel in need of some redo. But it suited us well since it was cheap and we hardly spent much time there.
We had a great time! I loved the history and the restoration of the Williamsburg area. One of our favorite activities was the "Revolution City" outdoor theater performance put on by the cast. It gave a real feel for the excitement and tension of the time leading up to the Revolutionary War.
For food, we ate two of the taverns: King's Arms and Shield's. They were a wonderful time and the food was good. They are expensive but they help support the foundation. In the Merchant's Square area, we ate at Retro's diner and Aroma's Coffeehouse. The former was great for diner food while the latter was great for good but inexpensive dinners. The kids loved the indoor smores.


We did a half day at Jamestown. It was amazing to see the fort that was only re-discovered in the 1990's. The archeology museum is a must-see.


We also spent two half days in Yorktown. One part was spent at the battlefield. We did the driving tour to see the battlements. The other part was spent in the small town. I liked the cannonballs stuck in some of the walls (see Jaya's photos). Below is Redoubt #10 which the Continentals stormed to complete the encirclement of the British.


Jaya has more photos on Facebook.

Where in San Diego?

Where is this unusual set of gravestones?

Financial Books

* How I Made $2,000,000 in the Stock Market by Nicolas Darvas - I love reading Darvas' tale of the 1950's bull market; the telegrams are quaint
* Unfair Advantage: The Power of Financial Education by Robert Kiyosaki - The latest by the Rich Dad guru and beginning of my latest journey
* Real Estate Riches: How to Become Rich Using Your Banker's Money by Rolf De Roos - A Rich Data real estate investment primer
* The Dollar Meltdown: Surviving the Impending Currency Crisis with Gold, Oil, and Other Unconventional Investments by Charles Goyette - great read on the government malfeasance in running the economy
* Rich Dad's Rich Kid, Smart Kid by Robert T. Kiyosaki - advice on educating your kids, both academically and financially
* Investing in Real Estate by Andrew J. McLean and Gary W. Eldred - good reference material on real estate investing
* Emerging Real Estate Markets: How to Find and Profit from Up-and-Coming Areas by David Lindahl - a good primer on how to research emerging markets, a bit vague but useful
* Rich Dad's Advisors®: The ABC's of Real Estate Investing: The Secrets of Finding Hidden Profits Most Investors Miss by Ken McElroy - the real estate guide in the Rich Dad series
* Rich Dad's Advisors: Guide to Investing In Gold and Silver: Protect Your Financial Future by Michael Maloney - not as good (or recent) as Goyette's book
* Rich Dad, Poor Dad for Teens: The Secrets About Money--that You Don't Learn in School! (Miniature Edition) by Robert T. Kiyosaki - starting the kids early
* Rich Dad's Advisors: The ABC's of Property Management: What You Need to Know to Maximize Your Money Now by Michael Maloney - essentially a guide to why you shouldn't manage your own properties
* The Art of Real Estate Appraisal: The Complete Guide for Homeowners and Real Estate Professionals by William L. Ventolo Jr. and Martha R. Williams - a surprisingly comprehensive book on the "art" (and it is an art) of appraising
* Real Estate Loopholes: Secrets of Successful Real Estate Investing by Diane Kennedy - a great primer on how to buy, own and sell real estate with the max tax and legal advantages
* RICH DADS RETIRE YOUNG RETIRE RICH by Robert T. Kiyosaki - motivational book, some interesting concepts but little practical advice
* Loopholes of the Rich: How the Rich Legally Make More Money and Pay Less Tax by Diane Kennedy - an extremely informative book on the basics of real estate tax and legal issues
* Sales Dogs : You Do Not Have to Be an Attack Dog to Be Successful in Sales (Rich Dad's Advisors series) by Blair Singer - the last 3 chapters are the meat of the book
* Why We Want You to be Rich: Two Men - One Message by Robert T. Kiyosaki and Donald Trump
* Rich Dad's Before You Quit Your Job: 10 Real-Life Lessons Every Entrepreneur Should Know About Building a Multimillion-Dollar Business (audiobook) by Robert T. Kiyosaki and Sharon Lechter - some interesting lessons and stories of entrepreneurship
* Landlording on Auto-Pilot: A Simple, No-Brainer System for Higher Profits and Fewer Headaches by Mike Butler - some decent tips on self-managing single family homes
* Tax Secrets of Millionaire Real Estate Investors by Richard T. Williamson - a great book on real estate tax issues
* How to Create Multiple Streams of Income: Buying Homes in Nice Areas With Nothing Down by Peter Conti and David Finkel - a good intro to lease option
* Rich Dad's Real Estate Advantages: Tax and Legal Secrets of Successful Real Estate Investors by Sharon Lechter and Garrett Sutton - another decent by somewhat shallow book from the Rich Dad on real estate investing

10 Years in Encinitas

This month marks our 10 year anniversary in Encinitas. Much as stayed the same, but some things have changed.
* Moonlight Beach Tot Lot was built and was a great success. Our kids loved it when they were younger.
* Cottonwood Creek Park was built and was a great success.
* The kids have attended no less than 6 schools.
* Less greenhouses and more houses.
* The San Dieguito Heritage Museum moved from a dilapidated old gas station to nice new digs near Encinitas Ranch.
* The Hall property park has still not been built.
* Pacific View school closed in 2003 and still sits idle.
* Quail Botanical Gardens built a children's garden and changed its name to San Diego Botanical Gardens.
* All the Albertson's have closed - one is being replaced Kohl's while the other was replaced by a Smart & Final which moved.
* Our street has cycled as the old guard has moved out and new families have moved in.

Weekend Activites

* Bengt made blue belt at USSD!
* More of Jaya's play
* St. A's Fall Festival

Weekend Activities

* Jaya's confirmation
* Jaya's performances of "Pocahantas"

Weekly Activities

* Jaya saw the "Shrek" musical with Grandma
* Visited the awesome Craftsmen Museum

Books

* The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett - I liked the Medieval theme but the story was a bit weak
* The Elements: A Visual Exploration of Every Known Atom in the Universe by Theodore Gray- a wonderful book about elements
* Hotel Pastis: A Novel of Provence by Peter Mayle - good, but with a weak ending

Weekend Activities

* Jaya had a confirmation retreat
* The rest of us spent a day in Rosarito, Mexico to visit with children to help brighten their day
* Hiked San Eljio lagoon and almost stepped on a baby rattlesnake!

Historical Weekend

* On Saturday, we dropped in on Encinitas' 25th Birthday Celebration at the San Dieguito Heritage Museum. We had some good food and vote for our favorite lima bean recipe.
* On Sunday, we went to the Cabrillo landing reenactment at the Point Loma Sub Base. We had some great Portuguese food.