EXPLORING OUR BACK YARD

Wildwood Park is a hop, skip and a jump from the house, but we just recently discovered there are trails we didn't know about. The video pretty much tells the rest of the story.

BARGAIN BASEMENT !!!

It's been ages since we've gone shopping so we hit the outlet mall in
Camarillo this afternoon. The first stop... Columbia, where I got 4
shirts, 3 pairs of shorts and Donna got 1 shirt, 1 pair if shorts and
1 pair of pants, ALL for $145!!! A stop at the Gap got me 1 pair of
$11 shorts and Donna a $12 blouse. Last but not least, I landed two
pairs if shoes for $35! Finally, clothes that actually fit 5" smaller
in the waist than what I was wearing before.

FUN SUNDAY

Sunday was extremely hot but extremely awesome. We rode for three hours at Sycamore Canyon just off the Pacific Coast Highway and concluded the ride with a picnic at the beach and a relieving dip in the ocean. While we were cooling off we spotted a few dolphins (in the video) which made the day all the better. We concluded the afternoon, of course, at Swirl frozen yogurt.

AN EARLY MORNING

I've been getting out of work later and later and my evening rides have frequently been cancelled as a result, so today was the first day I tried getting out for a ride BEFORE going to work at 8am. It wouldn't be bad if I could go to bed early but since Donna works til 10pm every day it's tough to get to sleep much earlier than 11-11:30. Yawn...

MY NEW PET

I wanted to keep this little guy as a pet. Donna had a different plan.
I liked my idea much better... so did the spider.

OUR MONDAY TOGETHER

The day started at Rolling Pin Donuts, accompanied by a latte from Starbuck's. The best part of it was that breakfast was served promptly at 10am, not long after rolling out of bed.

As if the morning latte wasn't enough, we made another trip to Starbuck's later in the afternoon after browsing around at The Oaks mall in Thousand Oaks.

Part of my dinner was cooked, the other part wasn't. Donna was thrilled to have the best salmon she's had in ages. My plate consisted of steak, salad, spring rolls, tuna, salmon, shrimp, whitefish and a spicy tuna roll.

After enduring the 80 degree heat in Thousand Oaks we cooled off at the coast. Anything over 76 is too hot... anything under 70 is too cold.

We went to see District 9 at Muvico. After the first 20 minutes I was ready to leave. After 30 minutes I was glad I stayed. It was bit nasty at parts but the story really developed and really turned into something interesting. I love to see new directors crack their way into the industry.

COOLING OFF

After surviving the scorching 80-degree weather in Thousand Oaks we went to the coast to cool off a bit. There was a nice gentle breeze blowing that was very pleasant.

DINNER AND A MOVIE

Muvico opened in Thousand Oaks a while ago but we went there for the first time today. There's a restaurant right in the theatre and the food and prices look pretty good. We weren't there during dinner time so we passed on that but wow, what a place.

FINALLY, SOME SHADE

After climbing up Gridley Trail then riding along the ridge high above Ojai, we finally hit Sisar Canyon Road which dropped us down into upper Ojai. During the last two or three miles we finally started to hit some shade, a welcome relief after riding in the open sun all day. After this it was just another 20-30 minutes of riding a paved road back to the car.

I KNOW WHAT YOU'RE THINKING...

You want to know, if Donna was going so fast, how did I keep getting ahead of her to get these video clips. Truth be told, I have to ask her to hold up for a minute while I get ahead and get the camera ready. Then, after she passes by, she stops and waits up for me.

STOP TO SMELL THE ROSES

I think Donna was going too fast to notice all the beautiful mountain scenery! When we came around the corner I couldn't help but notice the fantastic view ahead... I don't know if Donna noticed it or not.

THE NEVER-ENDING RIDGE

Donna set a great pace on today's ride along the ridge line. The road seemed to go on forever.

THE ENERGIZER BUNNY

Donna had to pull me through the last mile or so of climbing when I started to feel.. err.. um... not so good. The legs seemed to be ok but for the life of me, I couldn't match her pace.

SCENES FROM THE TRAIL

It's been a while since we ventured out on a 5.5-hour ride and today I remembered why. The legs held up ok but I emptied two water bottles and a 100 oz Camelback no problem. By time we were hitting the downhill into upper Ojai, I was thrilled to have nothing but downhill in front of me. As much as I appear to be complaining, it was an awesome ride. Bruce started the ride with us but bailed 3/4 of the way to the top. We had taken two different cars so Donna and I continued on. The weather was awesome. The scenery was perfect. The company was the best a man could ask for. It was just a perfect day, minus the sore legs and dehydrated body.

SUNDAY'S RIDE

We put in about 5.5 hours on the trails Sunday. Donna was the trooper of the ride, pulling me through the last few miles when my legs started to give out. We both ended up with mechanical problems but the ride was a huge success nevertheless.

DENTISTRY FUN

DENTISTRY FUN, originally uploaded by BroAndDonna.

The dentist's office isn't on the top of my 'favorite places to be' list but Donna and I have found an awesome dentist (& staff) in Camarillo, just down the street from our office. I didn't feel a thing - I still can't for that matter. Turns out I've been grinding my teeth real bad and cracked one of them down below the gum line. Today was the second of three visits to get the matter resolved.

LUNCH HOUR HUMOR

LUNCH HOUR HUMOR, originally uploaded by BroAndDonna.

A few minutes of Caddyshack on the iPod helped me de-stress during lunch today. It's amazing what a few laughs can do for your mental health! Plus, how many people get to enjoy roasted turkey with gravy made from scratch on their typical lunch break. Everything is made from scratch as some point in it's creation, right?

SUNDAY CONCERT

SUNDAY CONCERT, originally uploaded by BroAndDonna.

After a long mid-day ride, lunch at Panera, a quick trip to the bike shop and and ever quicker trip to the grocery store, we went to a free concert with Bruce & Julie at Gardens of the World in Thousand Oaks. The video isn't much to watch but more so to listen to. It was a great acoustical guitar concert with lots of Peruvian influence... the steel drums didn't make an appearance until the very end during this jam session.

SUNDAY'S RIDE

Sunday ride, originally uploaded by BroAndDonna.

When we left the house this morning it was cool and overcast but 20 minutes when we got to the trailhead, it was blazing hot and sunny. Fortunately a fellow biker gave me some sunblock. We got in a 3-hour ride and I polished off two water bottles and completely emptied my 100oz Camelback reservoir. Donna spent some time working on her technical skills and all-in-all we had a great ride!

FUNKY SKY

Nice view from Thursday's ride with Bruce. Sort of a mix of clouds, smoke from a distant wildfire and marine layer.

Uploaded by www.cellspin.net

MISSING MY FAMILY

One of the best things about shooting so many pictures is that you have those images to fall back on when you start missing friends and family that you don't get to see very often. We've got a 'family reunion' just a few weeks away and I can't wait to see my parents and sister! One of these days they'll be headed this way in a moving truck instead of a Boeing 747.

RIDING WITH BRUCE

Got out for a great ride with Bruce Thursday after work. The video tell the rest of the story.

GUILT FREE CHILI DOG

Before getting on the Tilt-a-Whirl, it seemed like a perfectly good idea. Sixty seconds later I held a different opinion on the matter. Part of the fair is the junkie food that you can only get at the fair. We shared a Pinks chili dog, a bratwurst, a lemonade and a funnel cake. Don't worry... we hammered on the trails for a good two hours between the joyous trip to the DMV and the fair. Anyway, half way through the ride, I began not feeling so good. I started sweating profusely and turning white. I heard angels singing when the ride came to an end. I stumbled off the ride and into a secluded area. For a second, it occured to me.. well, at least I won't have to feel guilty for eating the junk food cuz it's coming back up. Eventually the sweating subsided, I cooled off, and made it away from the area without incident. Close call!

MONDAY AT THE FAIR

It's been years since we went to a County Fair. Today, I was reminded of why I haven't been to a county fair in years. I've always lived ferris wheels. The pig races were awesome. But in general, it was a bunch of overpriced junk food and... ummm... people with necks that have really turned red. No worries, if you cracked that sophisticated code, you're not one of 'em.

BUTTING HEADS

These two kind of remind me of a typical day in the office. And here I was, trying to get away from work for the day.

MY NEW BEST FRIEND

I wanted to take this guy home. Sure, maybe it's a face only a other could love, but I thought he was pretty cool. Of course I don't think he'd appreciate Donna sittin' around eating BLTs for dinner.

A REALLY ANNOYING 'VOICE'!!

Wow, can you imagine having one if these guys around as a pet! Holy smokes I never realized how annoying the sound is... which, of course, is why I wanted to share it.

PIG RACES AT THE FAIR

I couldn't decide if I should cheer for Harry Porker or Sloppy Joe! The pig races are without a doubt the highlight of our afternoon at the Ventura County Fair.

DONNA'S DISCIPLINE

Donna is SOOOO much more disciplined than I am. I have to splurge once a week... not Donna.

SUNDAY ON SULPHUR MTN RD.

About a third of the way through our Sunday morning ride. The legs are screaming from Friday Mugu hike! Ouch!

HELL HILL

Donna makes this hill look easy but believe me, it's steeper than it appears. After stopping to shoot this video clip it occured to me I had to somehow get started again... No easy task on such a steep grade.

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SUCKER FOR SUNSETS

I know I already uploaded a video but I couldn't help but share this sunset photo.


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I HEART FULL SUSPENSION

Riding stairs makes me thankful for full-suspension bikes! This is now my favorite short section at Wildwood Park.

WHOA!

This section of Wildwood used to freak me out. Stairs aren't bad but the turn at the bottom, onto the bridge, can be challenging. Now it's a piece of cake... though Donna wasn't too thrilled to watch me do it.

SUNSETS AND SINGLETRACK

Donna was thrilled to have all the major climbs behind her. This is the smoother side of wildwood where the trail gently rolls up and down.

JUST A FEW SWITCHBACKS

This is the most challenging stretch of Wildwood Park. The rocks aren't as big as in other places but making one sharp turn after another on such steep terrain is a challenge.

DOWNHILL AT LAST

Wildwood has more than it's share of steep climbs, so although Donna isn't crazy about rock gardens she was happy to be favored by gravity.

OUT OF THE SHADOWS

Donna really enjoyed riding with the scenery if the setting sun. It's super hard to get motivated to do this after a full day of work, but it's always worth it.

RIDING INTO THE SUNSET

Donna worked a day shift on Wednesday which allowed us to get out for an evening ride. It was awesome... I so rarely have the opportunity to shoot photos or videos of her biking in the late-day sunlight.

HIKING MATILIJAH

Monday we got out for a heck of a hike on the Matilijah Falls trail. We read that the 9-mile hike would take 5-6 hours which I totally didn't believe, until I saw how rough the 'trail' became as we got closer to the falls. The effort was totally worth it and the falls were beautiful. My feet hate me today! So do my legs and my back.

SUNDAY: THE NUTSHELL

Had a great Sunday... Started the day with a mountain bike ride then a short recovery at home before going to Gardens of the World for an outdoor concert. We polished off the day at Swirl frozen yogurt in Camarillo.