Merry Christmas!

SNOW!!

Yeah snow! I was barley old enough to realize all that white stuff was snow the first time I saw it (back at the post So. Cal. Mountains in June) but now I'm big and I like snow. The week before Thanksgiving we got our first snow storm at our new home. I got all bundled up, snow pants, snow jacket, boots, a hat and even mittens, and out to the snow we went. Really it was just the parking lot in front of our place, but it was sure fun. I made snow balls. I showed mom the snow all over my mittens. I even tried to crawl in the snow. Too bad the Thanksgiving week brought temperatures in the 50s so most of the snow melted, but no worries there will be more to come. Which means more snow adventures. Yipee!

Reno Air Races 2009

Being near the area we just couldn’t miss a chance to see the Reno Air Races, so here is take two. (If you remember we saw the races in 2008, if you missed it check it out in Dec. 2008). Now being a bit bigger I enjoyed everything a bit more. Just outside the airport, this huge hot air balloon was giving short tethered rides. We didn’t take a ride, but it was sure fun to watch all that fire. We checked out the static exhibits (all the planes staying on the ground). Mom’s favorite was the 1950s aero car. Dad liked this old car. (I know cars at an air show, but they were pretty cool). On the subject of cars, the US Airforce showed off their rocket car.

Flames and a cool looking car, wow!

We even got to see the Blue Angeles do a practice run, which got cute short due to a technical problem. My first time seeing the Blue Angeles was still pretty cool.

We even ran into a friend from Texas, Hi Eddie!

The races were awesome as always. We really liked the Jet class races, because they are big and loud. It was definitely a day full of fun. If you missed the races this year you’ll have to wait until 2010, but it should be well worth it. For more info, check out:http://www.airrace.org/indexJS.php .

Hey I think I got bigger!

New Lake Hogan

I know I mentioned my Birthday a bit back, but what I forgot to mention was all the fun we had during the day. We went back out to New Lake Hogan.
View Larger Map A nice Lake in the foothills of Northern California. Our friend Cory brought out his ski boat, and we went for a ride. I really like riding in boats, the bouncing around and hum of the engine is so relaxing that I even got a good nap in. But this time, I did more than just nap. Dad got in a great ride on the wake board and on skis, Mom can still single ski (it took her a few tries to get up, and I just didn’t like it when she would fall down, so I needed a big kiss when she was all done), we had a nice picnic lunch and got to swim around in the water. Then we broke out the big fun, the TUBE! Dad got in some good rides, and some good tumbles. Cory had fun, and Mom even got out there. After my nap, Dad and I even gave it a try. After just waking up, I wasn’t so sure about it. However, I did like driving the boat. It was a fun adventure when Dad tried to grab a quite large dead fish, but it was a bit to slippery. We even got to see a beautiful sunset. Perfect summer Birthday on the Lake. Thanks for all the fun Cory! Do you have a favorite lake you like to play on?

Mount Diablo

On our last trip to San Francisco to watch a baseball game, we took a side road (surprise, surprise) and happened upon Mount Diablo. You can find it on purpose by taking North Gate Road east of the Highway 680.
View Larger MapIt’s a beautiful, winding, drive up the mountain to the visitors center. We went and stood on the tip top of the mountain. There are great views (especially if you bring binoculars) and a very informative visitor’s center. Even beautiful wildflowers. There is a lot to do you here, with hiking trails, bicycle routes, and camp sites. It was a great find. If you want more information about Mount Diablo, check out:http://www.mdia.org/.

Big Adventures in a Little Plane

As many of you know, my Dad is a skydiver, so we've spent most of the summer at a Drop Zone (skydiving center) in Northern California. I love it! I spend every weekend looking at airplanes, helicopters, ultra lites, and of course parachutes & skydivers. What could be better?

My own plane ride, that's what! (For full disclosure- I have been on a plane once beofre, but that was in one of theose big commercial jets, so uneventful I didn't even know I was on a plane.) But at the end of the summer Mom, Dad & I got to go on a plane ride in a little Cessna 182. It's a plane used by skydivers, so there is only one seat for the pilot. We got to sit on the nicely padded floo, which has seatbelts sticking through the carpet. I must admit after we took off and saw the ground getting further and further away, I showed a slight bit of concern, but happily spent the rest of the flight curiously taking it all in. The loud plane noise, the view (little & big houses, grape vines, and lakes) out the window, and the fun bumpy ride.
After a ten minute tour around the area, we landed safetly back at the airport. I think I realized a bit more what had just happened after we landed, and I got outside. Then I realized we had just been up in the plane, and smiled. Oh, and I can even say "airplane," and "helicopter"- which is more of a "hetopter." I'm still working on parachute, right now it just comes out as "para," silly tounge.

A special thanks to Pilot Randy for the awsome flight, and a huge thank you to Bill & Cathy for the use of the plane.

So if you want a big adventure in a little plane, or even better a plane ride + a free fall + a parachute ride (which Mom & Dad highly recommend), then check out your nearest parachute center. In Northern California, I recommend, http://www.parachutecenter.com/ and for other places you can always find a good Drop Zone through,http://www.uspa.org/FindaDZ.aspx. Have Fun!!