MY WIFE, THE TREE HUGGER

Donna has been thrilled to be among the trees once again. I keep
reminding her that generally to have such plant life means either rain
or snow, and I don't like either! Besides, this heavily forested area
is just hours from home and easy enough to get to over a weekend to
help donna get her 'tree fix.'

VIEW FROM THE TOP

The climb to the ridgeline was definately worth it. The view was
spectacular. It took some coercing to get Donna up on the rock, which
was quite tall, but doesn't it make for a nice picture? She really
knows how to work the camera.

RIDE 1 DAY 1

We didn't expect to have the time to get out for a ride our first day
in Big Bear Lake, but the bike shop folks were very helpful and we
managed to get in a four hour ride Sunday afternoon. The air is
definately thinner at 7,000 feet - my legs are fine but my lungs still
hurt, hours later, after a few thousand feet of climbing.

TALL GREEN THINGS

They have these tall green things out here. If memory serves correctly
they're called trees - and donna's favorite kind at that...pine! No
palm trees in sight, making it feel like we're a lot further than 2.5
hours from home.

VACATION HAS BEGUN

We made it to Big Bear Lake Sunday before noon. Our cabin was all
ready and absolutely fantastic!

THE BOTH OF US

Well, it's kind of a photo of the both of us... Donna by the beach
with my shadow on her shirt. Monday was yet another beautiful day to
watch as the sun set over the ocean. This coastal living never gets old!

SUNSET AT THE BEACH

We enjoyed a beautiful sunset at the Ventura Pier Sunday night. She
thinks I'm the greatest thing in the world... which of course, I am.

FLY DONNA FLY!

Donna discovered, much to her disappointment, that she does not have
the wingspan of a California Condor. Fortunately she does have about
10,000 times more brain power given how dumb the giant birds are.

SAVING GA$

Donna, being the trooper that she is, is still riding her bike to
work. With gas prices hitting $4.58, her concern for the environment
has the added benefit of saving us gas money.

DONUT TIME

Well this has just been a weekend of food! First it was Famous Dave's
BBQ Sunday night, then subs for a Monday picnic, all topped off with a
blueberry donut and a latte from Starbuck's. Fortunately we got in a
road ride both days, though I doubt we rode far enough to justify all
the junk good :-p

MONDAY PICNIC

The original plan was to have a picnic at Garden of the Worlds but
when we arrived we discovered they were closed on mondays, so we found
the nearest park and made the best of a typical sunny socal afternoon.

DONNA GOES HI-TECH

I'm so proud to finally see Donna browsing the Internet via smart
phone! Yes, the Nokia E62 is a hand-me-down from her gadget crazy
husband. My plan is to get her hooked on it so she'll want an iPhone,
then she can have my iPhone and I can get the new iPhone, scheduled
for release this month! Woohoo!

BBQ TIME

Once in a while you have to indulge and forget about calories, points
and carbs, so we had a great dinner Sunday night at Famous Dave's BBQ.

MEMORIES

I ran across this photo a few days ago from a bike ride when we lived
in Texas. The pose trikes me as Donna trying to strike a bad-%!# pose,
but really she was just too exhausted and could barely stand up at all!

GOT GAS?

I had to fill up the Galant today... I can't imagine what it would
have taken to fill up the Montero! Supreme grade I'd well over the $5
mark and for the first time in years I'm going back to regular unleaded.

WOMAN'S BEST FRIEND

Donna met a new friend while getting ready for a hike Sunday morning.
Too bad we couldn't take her home with us... The dog that is.

THE SWEET SMELL OF SWEAT

Donna had a chance to cool off in a creek crossing prior to the 3 hour
climb up Sisar Canyon Road, a dirt road climb near Ojai. I made the
mistake of taking a 40 pound full suspension bike - way too much bike
for that sort of ride!

THE GETTY VILLA

Donna and I are at the Getty Villa today, admiring the gardens and
architecture that so strongly resemble that of ours in Camarillo.