Well, after weeks talking about coaster brakes and handbrakes, 16" and 20' wheel bases, number of gears, kickstands, mountain bikes and road bikes, and suspension, not to mention the color selection and even drawing our own designs, Rylee's thinking maybe he should get a skateboard for Christmas and save a new bike for a birthday. This comes after an afternoon with Brendan teaching him to ride one. Ry says, afterall, he has a bike, and getting a skateboard now is part of the natural order of things. Ry made a book of paper in which he is drawing skateboards, and he is watching youtube clips of skateboarders.
No word from Jackson, who got his knee and elbow skinned last week crashing on his bike.
As Ariel remarked, these boys are going to scare us more than she ever did. I said they'll likely do all the same things, only upside down, too.
Cyndi's in Phoenix for the day, and Ariel's settling into her new place in NYC.
Mom & Dad received our new family portrait this week, after Cyndi mailed it off. It arrived quickly. A scanned copy is below. (I didn't do a good job scanning it, and I should replace it with a better scan in the future.)
Think the boys and I are going swimming soon.
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Monday, August 24, 2009
Coyote Creek in New Mexico
We went camping at Coyote Creek State Park this weekend. After stocking our food supplies and packing, we managed to pick up Jackson from school on Friday only a few minutes late to drive up to the campground, almost a three-hour drive north through Las Vegas, then to Mora, and up the road toward Angel Fire. We were meeting Ariel there. She was on a 350-mile bicycle ride through Cuba, Chama, Tierra Amarilla and Tres Piedras. We heard from her Tuesday night (and later a message from a pay phone) but until she got back to the Gorge outside Taos she didn't have any reception. She went over some pretty tough passes. She called just before we left home and said she didn't expect to get to Coyote Creek until about the time we arrived, which would be just before sunset.
The campground was pretty full. Daniel, one of the rangers, greeted us on our arrival. I had talked to him on the phone the day before. The campsites with the shelters were all taken, so we drove up to an auxillary loop, called Encino, up the hill on the other side of the ponds. No shelters and no water on that loop, but we found a nice site at the tail end of the loop we decided would be nice. We dumped our stuff to claim the site and went back down to the entrance, next to the showers to pay the fee. ($10 per night.) Cyndi rode her bike down and waited for Ariel at the highway entrance. Ariel rode in, her lights on, exhausted I'm sure.
The boys and I went to a little store about a half-mile up the road. It was more like a little living room (one of the teenagers was studying), with shelves lined with ketchup bottles and other picnic goods and a freezer of ice. We bought a couple bundles of wood for the campfire and a soda. On the way back to the site, we filled the water container.
At this point, the sun had set so we set up camp in the dark. Ariel took Cyndi's bike down to shower and by the time she got back our tent was up. Ariel remarked it was a mansion. I didn't put the fly on the tent. There were millions of stars in the sky, and thankfully no sign of rain. You could see the Milky Way. Ariel set up her backpacking tent. In the middle of the night we heard the strangest sounds, like an animal distressed by a pack of coyotes, but later we figured it was some crazed bird. We heard it the next night, too. We were told a couple of times that there were bears visiting the campsites several times this summer. We even heard there was a bear sighted during that night at the ranger's station. (I had put the food in the truck overnight.)
We brought along Cyndi's and the boys' bikes. Cyndi did some loops around the park and once or twice the boys rode theirs down with her. There was a small playground along the way to the showers complex. Saturday, our only full day, we spent most of the day preparing three very full meals, beginning with coffee, hot chocolate, eggs, bacon, hasbrowns, oranges, and bagels and jam in the morning. Ariel relaxed by the fire at night and in the morning with her book, filling up with water, carbs and protein after her trip. I had some time to sit between the meals, talk, and watch the boys riding.
From our campfire, we could watch the boys take off down the road on their bikes. The mountain road was dirt, of course, dusty, with rocks and some ruts and a slight downhill from our site. They both flew down the hill, with their helmets. There was an outhouse at the bottom of that first long hill, which Cyndi made their limit, and the boys would turn around there and race back up the hill. Jackson learned to change gears on his new bike, and the whole weekend there turned them into accomplished mountain bikers as they would ride almost the whole day. Ry told me this morning that he dreamed all night about mountain biking.
When clouds came in during the afternoon, I put the fly on and put things away before an afternoon shower. We took advantage of that rain to take naps. Cyndi and Ariel took a few hikes. There was a single-track trail that lead from our site a little less than a half-mile down to the group shelter next to the creek and across from the half a dozen spots with hookups. Another trail took you higher up the canyon. The boys and I went to get more firewood and refill our water supply. That night we repeated cooking in the dark, sitting by the fire, and looking at the stars.
Ariel and the boys fashioned sticks for roasting marshmallows, and Ariel and Rylee played a few games matching dinosaur cards while Jackson was scavenging for kindling or riding or hiking with Cyndi. Both of the boys were very impressed with Ariel's headlamp and all of her gear.
In the morning there was time for more bike riding and hikes. We had breakfast and then packed the camp. That took a while but by noon we were packed. A car top carrier held a few things, a bicycle rack off the back held three of the bicycles. Ry's bike fit inside at the back of the Durango, with plenty of room for Cyndi and me, the boys and Ariel. We had showers again (the water was hot but very slow coming out) and took off for Mora. We thought of taking the road toward Sipapu and then driving the "High Road" down to Chimayo and Santa Fe. Instead, we took the same route back. We stopped in La Cueva at the Salmon Ranch raspberry farm. It was a week too early for fresh raspberries, but we had an excellent tamale and really good raspberry soft serve ice cream. The boys and Ariel, who was between them in the back seat, watched the Hannah Montana movie until it ended and the boys drifted off to sleep.
It rained when we dropped Ariel off and continued raining. There was a little rain this morning, too, as we got up. Jackson had school this morning. I imagine Ariel would sleep in this morning, and then get ready for leaving at the end of the week.
The campground was pretty full. Daniel, one of the rangers, greeted us on our arrival. I had talked to him on the phone the day before. The campsites with the shelters were all taken, so we drove up to an auxillary loop, called Encino, up the hill on the other side of the ponds. No shelters and no water on that loop, but we found a nice site at the tail end of the loop we decided would be nice. We dumped our stuff to claim the site and went back down to the entrance, next to the showers to pay the fee. ($10 per night.) Cyndi rode her bike down and waited for Ariel at the highway entrance. Ariel rode in, her lights on, exhausted I'm sure.
The boys and I went to a little store about a half-mile up the road. It was more like a little living room (one of the teenagers was studying), with shelves lined with ketchup bottles and other picnic goods and a freezer of ice. We bought a couple bundles of wood for the campfire and a soda. On the way back to the site, we filled the water container.
At this point, the sun had set so we set up camp in the dark. Ariel took Cyndi's bike down to shower and by the time she got back our tent was up. Ariel remarked it was a mansion. I didn't put the fly on the tent. There were millions of stars in the sky, and thankfully no sign of rain. You could see the Milky Way. Ariel set up her backpacking tent. In the middle of the night we heard the strangest sounds, like an animal distressed by a pack of coyotes, but later we figured it was some crazed bird. We heard it the next night, too. We were told a couple of times that there were bears visiting the campsites several times this summer. We even heard there was a bear sighted during that night at the ranger's station. (I had put the food in the truck overnight.)
We brought along Cyndi's and the boys' bikes. Cyndi did some loops around the park and once or twice the boys rode theirs down with her. There was a small playground along the way to the showers complex. Saturday, our only full day, we spent most of the day preparing three very full meals, beginning with coffee, hot chocolate, eggs, bacon, hasbrowns, oranges, and bagels and jam in the morning. Ariel relaxed by the fire at night and in the morning with her book, filling up with water, carbs and protein after her trip. I had some time to sit between the meals, talk, and watch the boys riding.
From our campfire, we could watch the boys take off down the road on their bikes. The mountain road was dirt, of course, dusty, with rocks and some ruts and a slight downhill from our site. They both flew down the hill, with their helmets. There was an outhouse at the bottom of that first long hill, which Cyndi made their limit, and the boys would turn around there and race back up the hill. Jackson learned to change gears on his new bike, and the whole weekend there turned them into accomplished mountain bikers as they would ride almost the whole day. Ry told me this morning that he dreamed all night about mountain biking.
When clouds came in during the afternoon, I put the fly on and put things away before an afternoon shower. We took advantage of that rain to take naps. Cyndi and Ariel took a few hikes. There was a single-track trail that lead from our site a little less than a half-mile down to the group shelter next to the creek and across from the half a dozen spots with hookups. Another trail took you higher up the canyon. The boys and I went to get more firewood and refill our water supply. That night we repeated cooking in the dark, sitting by the fire, and looking at the stars.
Ariel and the boys fashioned sticks for roasting marshmallows, and Ariel and Rylee played a few games matching dinosaur cards while Jackson was scavenging for kindling or riding or hiking with Cyndi. Both of the boys were very impressed with Ariel's headlamp and all of her gear.
In the morning there was time for more bike riding and hikes. We had breakfast and then packed the camp. That took a while but by noon we were packed. A car top carrier held a few things, a bicycle rack off the back held three of the bicycles. Ry's bike fit inside at the back of the Durango, with plenty of room for Cyndi and me, the boys and Ariel. We had showers again (the water was hot but very slow coming out) and took off for Mora. We thought of taking the road toward Sipapu and then driving the "High Road" down to Chimayo and Santa Fe. Instead, we took the same route back. We stopped in La Cueva at the Salmon Ranch raspberry farm. It was a week too early for fresh raspberries, but we had an excellent tamale and really good raspberry soft serve ice cream. The boys and Ariel, who was between them in the back seat, watched the Hannah Montana movie until it ended and the boys drifted off to sleep.
It rained when we dropped Ariel off and continued raining. There was a little rain this morning, too, as we got up. Jackson had school this morning. I imagine Ariel would sleep in this morning, and then get ready for leaving at the end of the week.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
bicycles
Yesterday, Jack got a bike for his birthday. Ry is riding the small one and is making his Christmas bike list. Ariel's touring northern New Mexico on her bike and will meet us tomorrow evening at a campground. Bicycles are going to the campground and we plan to take all of our bikes to California with us to ride along the bay. Ariel got the boys bike gloves, and they can't wait to ride with her this weekend.
Jack loved his birthday. He had a party at the Explora Museum (a hands on, fun, chilren's science museum), where he and his friends did polymer experiments and ran around the museum. He wanted to have a science experiment party. I think his original idea was to invite scientists to our house. Last night, his actual birth day, was a small family party, with hamburgers, brauts & hot dogs. And, of course, cake. Jack was glowing during "Happy Birthday to you."
Ry had a fall last week. Turns out it was nothing serious, but a fire engine and an ambulance were home when I got there after the call. He's pretty tough.
Last night when we all said goodnight, we all remarked it was a "school night." Today is Jack's first day of school. He's excited to go. He met his teacher the other day and tried to strike up a conversation with her. He'll be in second grade. His cousin Lauren will be in the same school this year, and maybe his cousin Nicholas, too. Ry doesn't start up until after the holiday. Ariel leaves next week.
There's lots of pics to transfer from the camera. I'm due to post some.
[Mom & Dad: my cell won't recharge & my emails to you are getting returned; will try to reach you.]
Jack loved his birthday. He had a party at the Explora Museum (a hands on, fun, chilren's science museum), where he and his friends did polymer experiments and ran around the museum. He wanted to have a science experiment party. I think his original idea was to invite scientists to our house. Last night, his actual birth day, was a small family party, with hamburgers, brauts & hot dogs. And, of course, cake. Jack was glowing during "Happy Birthday to you."
Ry had a fall last week. Turns out it was nothing serious, but a fire engine and an ambulance were home when I got there after the call. He's pretty tough.
Last night when we all said goodnight, we all remarked it was a "school night." Today is Jack's first day of school. He's excited to go. He met his teacher the other day and tried to strike up a conversation with her. He'll be in second grade. His cousin Lauren will be in the same school this year, and maybe his cousin Nicholas, too. Ry doesn't start up until after the holiday. Ariel leaves next week.
There's lots of pics to transfer from the camera. I'm due to post some.
[Mom & Dad: my cell won't recharge & my emails to you are getting returned; will try to reach you.]
Monday, August 10, 2009
no training wheels
Ry has been talking about bicycles. He carried around a catalogue for over a week, and he only wanted the ones that didn't have training wheels in the pictures. On Friday, he started taking the training wheels off the small bike we have and I stopped to get a wrench and help him. On Saturday, we finished painting and Jackson, Rylee and I went to a park, after first stopping for ice cream. Jack roller bladed. He's very good. Ry started gliding on the bike, getting the feel of it rolling while keeping it in balance, and then he just started pedaling. He fell over a few times, but nothing I'd call a crash. The narrow sidewalk intimidated him. It was hot and after a while the boys and I sat in the shade. Then the boys started playing catch, running around in their bare feet. On Sunday, Ry and I went up to the Academy, where there's broad sidewalks, a covered walkway, a brick plaza, and even a little road blocked off from vehicles. One little push got him going, and after that he rode and rode, going in circles, up and down the slight slope, pedaling and cruising and even learning to brake, looping around the road, and then riding back up on the sidewalk. When he started to speed downhill, I'd start to think I needed to race after him, but he slowed down, made a nice turn, and pedaled back up hill. He never panicked, even when I thought he was about to fall off the back the first few times he tried to slow himself down with his feet. He learned to start himself, kicking the ground until he could put his feet on the pedals. I started to stand in the middle of the plaza, and he did figure eights and cloverleafs around me, turning left and right, uphill and downhill. Finally, I just found a bench and let him ride.
Friday, August 7, 2009
first august clips
School begins in about 10 days: time to meet new teachers, get school supplies. We're planning our trip to Terra & Karl's wedding in California, looking into Ry's clothes as ring bearer, and wrapping a gift for mom & dad. Jackson's birthday is coming up. We're planning a weekend camping trip with Ariel before she goes to NYU. She may tour the state by bike and join us at the park. A painting project is also coming up in the boys' room, beginning this weekend. They may get a bunkbed soon, which will free up a lot of play space. Jack wants a rainbow added, probably on a wall opposite the lighthouse. "In the new home" they want what they call a "circle room", a common room to play and study. Rylee's now talking about a bicycle for Christmas and just asked me to take the training wheels off the little one we have. Jack will probably get one for his birthday. Jackson, who has a liking for arts and crafts projects, has decided to learn how to knit. We think there's Christmas possibilities.
We just made a little book about our trip. (This will be a surprise for Cyndi.) I wonder what it'll really look like when we get it next week. I wonder especially about the quality of the photographs when they're printed on the larger format. I'm skeptical about that, given our little camera. I probably need to learn more about digital picture resolution. A marvelous idea, however, with fairly decent software, and the company looks good so far and may have special, first-time deals to attract new customers. There's a link for a preview on the Kauai journal webpage.
We just made a little book about our trip. (This will be a surprise for Cyndi.) I wonder what it'll really look like when we get it next week. I wonder especially about the quality of the photographs when they're printed on the larger format. I'm skeptical about that, given our little camera. I probably need to learn more about digital picture resolution. A marvelous idea, however, with fairly decent software, and the company looks good so far and may have special, first-time deals to attract new customers. There's a link for a preview on the Kauai journal webpage.
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