Books

I haven't posted my reading list lately, but not for lack of reading...
* The Settlers of Catan by Rebecca Gable - an intriguing fiction based on the game; it took me a while to figure out the robbers
* Wisdom of History by J. Rufus Fears - interesting to see how history repeats itself, even todays
* The Golden Shore: California's Love Affair with the Sea  by David Helvarg - although one-sided at times, still a good read about California's best asset, its coast
* Emeril at the G'rill: A Cookbook for All Seasons by Emeril Lagasse - some good recipes but most call Emeril's spices
* Sunday Soup: A Year's Worth of Mouth-Watering, Easy-to-Make Recipes by Betty Rosbottom - some very nice soups
* Ready, Fire, Aim: Zero to 00 Million in No Time Flat (Agora Series) (audio) - by Michael Masterson - similar to the lean startup movement but a bit broader in scope
* Two Years Before The Mast by Richard Henry Dana - timeless classic of California two hundred years ago
* U.S. Military History For Dummies by John C. McManus - quick summary of our long military history
* Inferno by Dan Brown - Dan's Brown latest is not as good as Da Vinci Code but much better than Lost Symbol
* State of Change, A: Forgotten Landscapes of California by Laura Cunningham - compelling book comparing the natural history of ancient California with today; fabulous artwork
* History Decoded: The 10 Greatest Conspiracies of All Time by Brad Meltzer - more of a transcript of a TV show rather a standalone volume; some interesting stuff especially on the JFK assassination
* A Storm in Flanders: The Ypres Salient, 1914-1918: Tragedy and Triumph on the Western Front by Winston Groom - interesting book on the Flanders Front from the author of Forrest Gump; hopefully I can get out to Ypres during my travels to Belgium
* The Italians Before Italy by Kenneth R. Bartlett - great history of Italy prior to unification
* The Emperor's Tomb (with bonus short story The Balkan Escape): A Novel by Steve Berry - somewhat incredulious adventure tail
* Native American History For Dummies by Dorothy Lippert and Stephen J. Spignesi - a bit too much commentary and not enough history
* The I Love Trader Joe's Party Cookbook: Delicious Recipes and Entertaining Ideas Using Only Foods and Drinks from the World’s Greatest Grocery Store by Cherie Mercer Twohy - some great recipes for our holiday parties
* Zealot: The Life and Times of Jesus of Nazareth by Reza Aslan - interesting history of Jesus and his time; Ehrlman is somewhat easier to follow though

Computer Memory Lane

PC Mag has a great trip down computer memory lane.

Weekend Activities

Got back in town from the reunion cruise and had a nice San Diego weekend.

• Moonlight beach time
• Dog walk to Swami's and J Street - saw some whales
• Wandered Old Town for Jaya's school project
• Hiked Torrey Pines to Razor Point and Yucca Point

Family Reunion Cruise

Over New Year's we joined the Chaudari clan for a Caribbean cruise.  We left from Miami on the Carnival Victory on a 5 day voyage to Jamaica and the Caymans.
The first two days were sea days.  I spent a lot of time laying out on the main deck reading and people watching.
The second day we stopped in Ocho Rios Jamaica.   Most of us went to a beach just off the dock.  The water was warm and calm.  All the small children had a great time swimming and playing together.  Guru got coconuts and sugar cane for everyone.  A few us then walked around a bit.  We noticed many of shops were closed and one mall was nearly empty except of a Margaritaville Bar.  I guess the economy is not doing so great in Jamaica.  After some great jerk chicken and a Red Stripe from a street vendor, we boarded the ship.
The next day was a stop in Grand Cayman.  Cayman was the opposite of Jamaica in terms of wealth and prosperity.  We took a bus to an excursion and the driver kept telling us where all the rich and famous lived (mainly business people like Bill Gates).  Our first excursion was snorkeling at Stingray City.  It was very cool to swim with the rays on a sandbar in the middle of the bay.  The next stop was a turtle farm.  This was a real farm in that they were raising the turtles for food.  Yummy!  Turtles are always cool even when they are on the menu.
Back to the ship and a sea day getting back to Miami.  One evening happened to be New Year's Eve.  The main deck was pretty crazy going into midnight.  Jaya was with her friends while Bengt was styling in his reed hat and tie.
We decided to spend an extra day when we got back to Miami.  I used some points to stay at a hotel on Miami Beach.  The kids were pretty tired so we didn't do whole lot.  We walked on the boardwalk to dinner and back then go some much needed sleep.
The next morning we headed to airport and home!

Villager Peak Hike

I did my first hike with the local Sierra Club chapter up to Villager Peak.  After reading about the Villager and Rabbit Peaks in Schad, I have wanted to hit these peaks. However, the trip seems pretty daunting due to the lack of an established trail.  Having a guided trip was the perfect solution.
The nine members of the group met at Kendall's Cafe in Borrego Springs at 6:00a.  After breakfast (just coffee and chocolate milk for me), we headed out to the trailhead along S22.
The first part of the trail is quite flat as you cross a plain to get the "trail".  The trail is started up the ramp via a series of switchbacks.  It then leveled a bit for the next 5000' of elevation.  There was a faint use trail and ducks for most of the way, but portions, especially along the knife edges were mostly cross-country.
After several false peaks, we finally got to the summit in 4.5 hours.  All but one of us made it (the other stopped due to injury).  After a lunch break, we headed down.  Going down the step and rocky trail was at times more difficult than going up.  My carpool partner and I made it down in 3 hours.  The others came in over the next hour.
Overall, this is one of the most difficult day hikes I have been on.  It is essentially 7 miles and 5000' feet straight up.  One of the highlights was seeing a pair of bighorn sheep.  Although it was a from a good distance, they were unmistakable as they cross a canyon wall.  I enjoyed the hike to Villager, but don't intend on going back anytime soon.
See my track and pix here.

Weekend Activities

• Plenty of beach time - water is still warm
• Safari Park - loved the new Lemur Walk exhibit
• Hike with the kids and Sophie in the La Costa Preserve - dusty but nice views
• Dart practice after a long layoff

Ray Dolby RIP

The biggest name in audio recently passed away. His LA Times obitiuary has a very interesting section on how even young people, motivated and with imagination, can make great impacts in science and business.

While still in high school, he started working for the ground-breaking Ampex Corp. in Redwood City that made audio tape recorders and was developing new uses for magnetic tape. "I made a deal with my high school," Dolby said. "I was so far ahead in my credits that I didn't have to worry about getting into college, so I went to school three hours a day and worked five at Ampex."
He worked at the company with Charlie Ginsburg, who headed a small team that developed the first broadcast-quality videotape recorder, according to an MIT profile. Ginsburg, who died in 1992, said in a 1988 Times interview that Dolby played a vital role.
"I'd say that Ray essentially was the inventor of that whole system," Ginsburg said. "He had virtually no formal education then, no college, but he was already an outstanding inventory."

Cibbets Flat Recon Hike

I have started to compile a list of good places to take the Scout troop backpacking in the local backcountry.  San Diego is challenging to find good weekend or multi-day hikes because of the water situation and lack of long trails.  The PCT is one obvious option, but for young scouts it is too much; it is also logistically challenging.  We have had good trips in the Cuyamacas going to Granite Springs and Arroyo Seco.  But I want to find some other options.
My first recon hike was the PCT between Boulder Oaks campground and Cibbets Flats campground.  It turns out be 7.5 miles each way with a 1300' elevation gain.  Pretty good for experienced scouts.  One option for beginners would be to start the junction with Kitchen Creek Road about halfway.  The trail is in good shape.  There is little shade so in hot weather is quite miserable.  Water is only found reliably at the endpoints.  Although Kitchen Creek had some tepid pools, they are difficult to reach and for survival purposes only.
Full intel on my hike can be found at Trimble Outdoors here.

Lagoon Walk with Sophie and the Kids

Pre-trip Backpacking Conversation

Courtesy of Andrew Skurka…this is funny!

http://andrewskurka.com/2013/pre-alaska-water-cooler-conversation-with-a-co-worker/

Weekend Activities

Weekend Activities

• Lots of beach time
• Jogs and bike rides - knees finally feeling better
• Work around the house
• Great potluck on Saturday night

Zoo at Night

The family went to Zoo at Night.  I was good to spend time with the kids and the animals were very active (with a few exceptions).

• Wombats sleeping
• Koalas climbing and eating
• Artic wolf howling
• Kangaroos hopping
• Rhino bathing
• Snakes squirming
• Deers with fangs!

Weekend Update

I finally got back into my weekly rhythm after being away for so long.

• Beach time at Cardiff
• Hikes at pipe and jogger
• Bike ride along 101 to Via De La Valle to El Camino Real
• Threw darts after a long layoff

JMT Report

I finished my John Muir Trail adventure.  It was a mixed bag.  On the downside, blisters and weather made the hiking somewhat miserable.  But the scenery and people helped make it tolerable.
I copied my journal pages I made each night.  These tell the story.

Baltimore Osten Family Visit

The Baltimore Ostens were in town for a summer vacation.

• Saw the Cardinals pound the Angels
• Racing at K1 Speed Irvine
• Fireworks!
• Plenty of Moonlight Beach and Rico's
• Walked around Old Town San Diego
• Kids got wristbands at Boomers
• Kevin and Robyn got some rounds in at Encinitas Ranch and Carlsbad Crossings
• Kevin's birthday dinner at Lonestar
• Tour of March Field Museum with commentary from someone who flew many of the planes.  Lunch afterwards at Perris Valley Airport watching the skydivers. 
• Lots of food and games
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

Kindle and More Books

I recently got a Kindle primarily as a way to take some reading material on my upcoming JMT trek.  However, I have found I really enjoy reading on it.  The e-ink display is much easier to read than a smartphone or computer screen.  I have bought a couple books and borrowed some from SDCL.

• Cheese & Wine: A Guide to Selecting, Pairing, and Enjoying by Janet Fletcher - a great book on the world of fine cheeses
• Deep Dark Chocolate by Sara Perry - good tips on cooking with chocolate but I didn't care for many of the recipes
• The Cheesemonger's Kitchen: Celebrating Cheese in 75 Recipes by Chester Hastings - decent collection of recipes
• The Marseille Caper (Vintage) by Peter Mayle - Mayle's latest novel; not as good as his previous efforts

Two Week Warning

It is now two weeks to the JMT.  I received confirmation from Muir Trail Ranch that they have my resupply bucket.  It only took 4 days for it to get there from Encinitas.

Backpack mods

With a month left until my JMT trek, I made some modifications to my backpack based on my recent shakedown cruise.

• I added padding to the shoulder straps.  The original design calls for stuffing extra socks into the straps.  I never liked that but the straps dug into my shoulders pretty good.  So I cut some strips from an old foam pad and inserted them into the hollow straps.
• Along with the padding, I added a small sternum strap to relive some the pressure.  This is useful since I will be using poles and therefore couldn't make full use of the thumb straps.
• Inspired by Stick's water bottle holders, I first added some daisy chains to the front of the shoulder straps.  I then made two of the bottle holders to attach to the loops.  This will allow better access to water, especially since I do not carry bladder tubes.

These mods add some weight but increase comfort immensely, which is a good tradeoff in my book.

Weekend Activities Bonus Edition

•  Bengt competed in his first USSD karate tournament

• Jaya finished her first year of high school
• Bengt earned Star rank at the final Troop 774 Court of Honor

• Bengt was elected patrol leader
• Bengt tested for green belt (a big week for the guy)
• Early Father's Day trip to the zoo went awry due to us not know the hours, but we ended up at Liberty Station and Smash Burgers
• Jaya started her running training
• Walks with the dog at the lagoon and Cardiff
• Moonlight Beach!

Books

• A Year in the Cuyamacas by Leland Fetzer – a Mayle-esque diary of living in the Cuyamaca Mountains
• Science and Religion by Prof. Lawrence M. Principe – a very compelling discussion on the very misunderstood interaction of science and religion
• San Diego County Place Names, A To Z (Adventures in the Natural History and Cultural Heritage of t) by Leland Fetzer – explanations of the many of the place names in San Diego county, very nice