We managed to get all the lights on our Christmas tree in less than 30 seconds. Part way into it, we changed tactics... spinning the tree... which worked quite well.

After a long week of work, we managed to get out for a Sunday morning mountain bike ride at nearby Wildwood Park.

Donna's reaction to the surprise Thanksgiving dinner awaiting her return home from New Hampshire

Donna Appreciation Day - in her absence, I'm realizing what a pain it is to do dishes, laundry, house cleaning and grocery shopping. This is NOT fun.

Donna Appreciation Day - in her absence, I'm realizing what a pain it is to do dishes, laundry, house cleaning and grocery shopping. This is NOT fun.

Donna Appreciation Day - in her absence, I'm realizing what a pain it is to do dishes, laundry, house cleaning and grocery shopping. This is NOT fun.

Donna Appreciation Day - in her absence, I'm realizing what a pain it is to do dishes, laundry, house cleaning and grocery shopping. This is NOT fun.

Hangin' at the coast while talking to Donna who has experienced two flight delays in one day.

Donna apparently made the most of her layover at Chicago O'Hare.

Camarillo to Wildwood to Sycamore to PCH to Camarillo

DONNA, IN HER WEIRDNESS, PREFERS GOING UP MOUNTAINS OVER COMING DOWN THEM

ONE SMALL STEP FOR MAN. ONE, GIANT LEAP, FOR MANKIND.

DONNA TOOK THE QUICK WAY DOWN THE MOUNTAIN TODAY DURING OUR HIKE AT MUGU

FINALLY! NOW I CAN GET THE CAR I'VE ALWAYS WANTED!

Every time Donna breaks out the coffee, I get jealous, wishing I could do caffeine

Our last day of vacation... abbreviated.

Don't let the white hat and white shirt fool you... underneath she's super cruddy thanks to two hours on the trails of Sycamore Canyon.

I've been playing around with AutoStitch for the iPhone - it automatically stitched together nine different images to create this 'collage'. Pretty sweet.

One last shot of Donna at The Getty. Tomorrow it's back to the trails and a beach-side picnic. What I wouldn't give to be able to retire early and enjoy my days like this.

See, I told you I was a sucker for flowers.

Donna, soaking up some sun and enjoying the next-to-the-last day of vacation.

Fall color... or at least as close as we get to it around here.

Donna, overlooking the beautiful LA smog during an afternoon at The Getty.

I'm such a sucker for flowers. Seriously, you have to appreciate how intricate they are... much like all living things I suppose.

One last shot of Donna during a break at the top of our first 70-minute climb.

The sun was just dropping behind the furthest ridge to the west as we concluded Friday's ride.

Another panoramic from Friday's ride around Jameson Lake between Ojai and Santa Barbara.

We pushed too hard for too long... something was bound to give.

Rides that last late into the day are great if for no other reason than the nice light.

Friday's ride was terribly painful but incredibly beautiful. The legs are simply fried... won't even be looking at a bike until Monday at the earliest.

Hittin' the trail in about 20 minutes

Friday's ride

Thursday was awesome starting with a short road ride around Camarillo then a great lunch near Santa Barbara and a trip to the Santa Barbara Zoo.

Wednesday morning... the day after

The return ride from Solvang to Santa Barbara was more bearable than Monday's ride. Less mileage, less vertical gain and cooler temps... still, my favorite ride was Monday's. All in all it was two great days of scenery, company and riding.

46 miles • 6,450 feet of climbing

We had an awesome day on the bikes Monday. Now we have to gather the energy to get back! We spent 6.5 hours in the saddle Monday... hopefully less today.

I love my Karate Monkey... today was the first real day on dirt since the re-build and she handled beautifully.

Donna is a rock star on any bike, but put her on a 'cross bike and... watch out!

Got in a short 20-mile ride at Sycamore Canyon today... warming up for tomorrow's 50-mile ride from Santa Barbara to Solvang.