John & Kristie http://www.johnandkristie.com/ Copyright 2008 Sat, 14 Jun 2008 12:07:03 -0800 http://www.movabletype.org/?v=3.34 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Wenatchee River Whitewater WENATCHEE RIVER, CASHMERE, WA :: Kristie rounded up thirteen friends and family (including her mom!) for an incredibly fun whitewater rafting ride on the Wenatchee River. The river was flowing high and fast, and we got plenty soaked bumping through the Class III waves.

When we weren't getting splashed by the river, we'd engage other rafts in fierce water battles, drenching friends and strangers with pails of water. We attempted a sneak attack by slowly rowing up behind our next target, but we were foiled when Kristie, apparently not aware of Sun-Tzu's virtue of stealth, released her uncontainable excitement just as we were short of firing range by shouting out, "WE'RE GONNA TO GET YOU!", giving our opponent plenty of time to turn around and arm themselves.

Oh well. It was just as fun to be on the receiving end of a water assault, and certainly refreshing on this perfectly sunny and warm day! Both weekends before and after our trip were cloudy and rainy, so we considered ourselves very lucky.

I used the Elph on this trip, enclosed in its waterproof case. I think it worked pretty well - the photos are much better than the water-proof disposables we used on our Sauk River ride. Some photos were provided by Snow Dragon Adventure Shots.
]]> http://www.johnandkristie.com/archives/2008/06/wenatchee_river_whitewater.html http://www.johnandkristie.com/archives/2008/06/wenatchee_river_whitewater.html misc Sat, 14 Jun 2008 12:07:03 -0800 200th Post EDMONDS, WA :: To celebrate the 200th entry on johnandkristie.com, I treated the website to a minor facelift. There is a little less clutter than before, allowing the photos to stand out stronger against the darker background. I also got rid of all the serifs on the fonts and logo to give the site a more modern appearance. We hope you like it!

As with the 100th Post milestone, I'd like to share a few statistics: The website is now composed of over 2200 photos and more than 58,000 words. We continue to log about 120 visits per day, but will spike at times to over 500 per day, particularly around the holidays when people are searching for "vegan sugar cookie" recipes.

The "Perfect Vegan Sugar Cookies" entry has received over 50,000 visits, eclipsing every other post on the website. Who knew the world had such a strong need for a good vegan cookie? The "Projects" are definitely the most popular category on the website. I was even interviewed by a Wall Street Journal Weekend Edition reporter for my entry on the "Mini-Pendant Chandelier", but I don't think her story about "IKEA Hackers" has yet to be published. The attention and number of comments are inspiring, and I wish I had more time to work on additional projects.

Here's a summary of the top 15 posts and referrers to the website:

Most Popular Posts
Visits
   Top Referrals (since Jan '07)
Visits
 
   
Perfect Vegan Sugar Cookies
50291
   stumbleupon.com
3908
The Centipede
5665
   elise.com
2380
Mini Pendant Chandelier
4854
   google.com
2153
Panda Cake
3379
   instructables.com
790
XBOX Mod
2831
   nwhikers.net
727
Commonwealth Basin
2647
   ikeainstructables.blogspot.com
623
Halloween Sugar Cookies
2607
   unplggd.com
326
Free iPod
2375
   postpunkkitchen.com
275
Kristie's 30th Birthday
2221
   seattlecasbah.com
259
Cirque du Soleil: Mystere
2049
   community.livejournal.com
228
Rattlesnake Ledge
1889
   blog.vegcooking.com
223
Green Mountain
1707
   zotsandboo.com
199
Dragonfly Mosaic
1677
   wideangle.ca
175
Bamboo Fountain
1667
   brookethevegan.blogspot.com
167
Fireplace Renovation
1578
   photoblogs.org
159

We recently discovered a funny group on MySpace dedicated to our website: "The Disciples of John and Kristie". We have no idea who these people are, but we think we might like to. They seem pretty cool!

Kristie and I continue to receive a lot of joy from this website. We love to review the highlights of our life together and share those moments with our family and friends. Thanks again for all the visits and wonderful comments!
]]> http://www.johnandkristie.com/archives/2008/06/200th_post.html http://www.johnandkristie.com/archives/2008/06/200th_post.html projects Sat, 14 Jun 2008 11:42:41 -0800 Campbell's Resort CHELAN, WA :: Chelan has always been one of Kristie's favorite spots in Eastern Washington. Through high school and college, she would frequently join her friends here to enjoy the small shops, the large lake, and the reliably warm weather - it is sunny 300 days per year in Chelan.

Kristie was in town this week to attend a conference for young, independent insurance agents - basically a 72 hour party. The conference was at Campbell's Resort. We stayed in a newly remodeled room facing the lake, directly across from the main pool. It was nice!

I used the resort as a base for my hike to Stehekin and for our whitewater rafting trip on the Wenatchee River. We were with David and Heather, joining them during the evening for dinner and drinks. We also met up with some of the other agents at a club. At this point, I must have been feeling pretty good, because Kristie was able to drag me on to the dance floor without any protest.

The lake was still too cold for waterskiing or jetskiing. We saw a few people on the water, but they were in wetsuits. We had just gone rafting, so we decided to save skiing on Lake Chelan as an excuse to return again on a warmer weekend.
]]> http://www.johnandkristie.com/archives/2008/06/campbells_resort.html http://www.johnandkristie.com/archives/2008/06/campbells_resort.html misc Fri, 13 Jun 2008 11:50:25 -0800 Chelan Lakeshore Trail WENATCHEE NATIONAL FOREST, WA :: The Lakeshore Trail is an incredible hike that is well worth the extra effort to reach it. After a three hour car ride to Chelan from the Seattle area, backpackers must board a passenger ferry that takes another three hours to arrive at the trailhead near Prince Creek. Fortunately, Kristie and I were staying at nearby Campbell's Resort for a conference, so my journey to the trail was divided into a more leisurely two days.

Aboard the ferry, I met a trio of seasoned backpackers who were taking three days to hike the 18 miles to Stehekin. I had planned to do it in two, camping at Flick Creek, 14 miles in. That would leave just the last four miles for the following day, ensuring an early arrival at the Stehekin Lodge and plenty of time to catch the express ferry back to Chelan.

At Prince Creek, the four of us deboarded as a group of about 20 other backpackers, who had just finished the reverse route, climbed on. They warned us of rattlesnakes and ticks, which I fortunately did not find. Nor did I see another person on the entire trail.

I did spot dozens of lizards, chipmunks, birds, deer and a lone mountain goat. Of course, I also enjoyed the amazing views of Lake Chelan, the third deepest lake in the United States. The weather was perfect. Sunny and warm, but refreshingly breezy. The air was filled with the sweet fragrance of ponderosas and purple lupine. At times, the sunlight filtered through the lake, producing an amazing turquoise color. I think I wore a smile during the entire hike.

At Flick Creek, my jaw dropped in awe, and then I laughed giddily in disbelief. Here lies the most beautiful campsite on the trail, and perhaps one of the best I've ever seen. The site is located alongside a bouldered shore, with views of snow-capped peaks over the gem-like lake. A floating dock, log shelter, picnic table, fire pit, bear locker, and fancy toilet are some of the other amenities. I was surprised it wasn't already claimed by another backpacker or boating party. There's really only room here for one group. Lucky me!

It was great! At Flick Creek, I soaked it all in, enjoying a most excellent evening, relaxing amidst nature in my own private paradise, thinking, "THIS is what backpacking is all about!"

The next day I walked into Stehekin, the most isolated community in the contiguous United States, where everyone waves and says, "Hello!" I washed up and changed into a fresh shirt, making it to the cozy little restaurant just in time for breakfast (9:30 AM is when they stop serving). Here I enjoyed the most tasty omelet, sausage, fried potatoes and sliced apples that I think I've ever had... It was certainly a fine way to top off a wonderful hike.

Trip report posted with additional discussion at nwhikers.net.
]]> http://www.johnandkristie.com/archives/2008/06/chelan_lakeshore_trail.html http://www.johnandkristie.com/archives/2008/06/chelan_lakeshore_trail.html hikes Thu, 12 Jun 2008 11:11:58 -0800 Cirque du Soleil: Corteo MARYMOOR PARK, REDMOND, WA :: To celebrate Mother's Day, we invited our moms to see Corteo, a Cirque du Soleil show traveling the world and making a brief stop in Redmond's Marymoor Park. Altogether, ten members from the Brown and English clans gathered together to enjoy dinner and an evening of world-class, acrobatic theater. This was the fifth Cirque performance that Kristie and I have seen, but a first time experience for half of the group.

Corteo is different than the other Cirque shows. The performers actually speak English throughout and there is a clear storyline concerning the death of a clown. Amazing acrobatic performances and a few theatrical interludes reenacted the clown's life, until he finally ascends among angels to the bright white light at the top of the tent.

Of the shows we've seen, Mystere is still the best, followed by Alegria, Varekai, Delirium and Corteo. Mystere was so incredible, we'll likely see it again, along with La Nouba during our trip through the Caribbean later this year.
]]> http://www.johnandkristie.com/archives/2008/05/corteo_redmond.html http://www.johnandkristie.com/archives/2008/05/corteo_redmond.html events Sat, 10 May 2008 11:30:30 -0800 Palouse Falls PALOUSE FALLS STATE PARK, JOSO, WA :: Despite having once lived in the Palouse region for five years, I had never been to Palouse Falls. On my way to Hell's Canyon, I noticed signs for the park along SR261, a curvy and scenic road between the towns of Washtucna and Starbuck. I tagged the location on my TomTom, intending to finally check it out on my way back home.

Without the signs, most people would drive right on by, never suspecting such a unique and massive waterfall hiding just on the other side of the hills. From 261, a short dirt road leads to a parking lot, picnic area and a circuit of trails to various lookouts. I noticed additional trails along the canyon floor that might be fun to explore and spotted some hikers near the hoodoos above the waterfall's edge. I suspect there might be some interesting dayhike opportunities here if I ever return, but today I only pulled over for a quick pit stop.

The falls drop nearly 200 feet into a stepped wall canyon. It's a very impressive landscape to behold, definitely worth a detour and visit on your way through Eastern Washington.
]]> http://www.johnandkristie.com/archives/2008/04/palouse_falls.html http://www.johnandkristie.com/archives/2008/04/palouse_falls.html misc Sat, 12 Apr 2008 11:40:10 -0800 The Snake River Trail HELLS CANYON NATIONAL RECREATION AREA, ID :: I drove across the state to backpack along Idaho's bank of the Snake River. The roadtrip was long, but enjoyable. I appreciate any opportunity to cruise through the beautiful, rolling landscape of the Palouse and the small, farm towns of Eastern Washington. After a night in Grangeville, I woke up to falling snow and carefully proceeded along icy roads to White Bird, the town nearest to the trailhead.

I intended to hike from Pittsburg Landing to Bernard Creek, which is 42 miles out and back. To cut down on some mileage, I arranged for a jet boat ride with Beamers to take me 15 miles upriver to Sheep Creek. The outfitter also serves as a US mail boat, delivering parcels once a week to ranches alongside the river. I met up with five other backpackers at Pittsburg Landing, who were friendly enough to invite me into their group, but their trip would be shorter in distance and longer in duration.

The jet boat roared through the canyon, hopping over white water rapids that will be enjoyed by rafters in late-Spring and Summer. We made a couple stops to deliver mail and I noted landmarks I would pass on the way back. It was raining and cold, so we were given paper towels to wipe the fog off the boat's windows. The ride was about an hour to Sheep Creek, where we said goodbyes and wished each other a safe and drier trip. I was heading further upriver, they were heading back down.

Hells Canyon is the deepest in North America. Deeper than the Grand Canyon. Although the walls of the canyon are more V-shaped, if the highest points are measured across the Snake, it is narrower and higher than at any point on the Colorado. I quickly gained a sense of this as the trail climbed and dropped considerably to negotiate the rugged hillsides, at times hugging along dynamite-blasted rock walls and at other times opening up to vast grasslands, high above the river. The variety was thrilling, and the sun battled with the rain all day, creating a moody atmosphere that contributed to the sense of the Wild. Fresh carcasses of deer and elk were seen, victims to cougars or wolves. We spotted a couple canine forms high along the hills on the boat ride, although they may have been coyotes.

I made my way to Bernard Creek, about six miles from Sheep Creek, where I originally intended to camp in a century-old cabin. But the shack was littered with the obvious occupation of rats and bats, so I decided to head back after taking shelter from the rain for a while and reading through the interesting articles and old Saturday Evening Post ads plastered on the walls. By the time I was done exploring the cabin, the sun had proven it's victory over the rain and I headed back towards Sheep Creek.

Just 600 yards upriver from Sheep Creek is Johnson Bar, perhaps the best campsite along the entire trail: a nice beach, easy access to the river, sandy tent sites, plenty of flat-topped rocks for benches and tables, a fire pit, and great canyon views. As the sun set behind snow-capped peaks on the Oregon side, I setup camp and got a good fire going using some dead branches that had washed up on shore. I had a chance to try out a couple new toys, including a light-weight solo tent, the MSR Hubba, and my Spot Messenger, a GPS and Globalstar communicator (endorsed by Survivor Man!) that can be used to broadcast my location in an emergency, but also lets me send an "I'm okay!" signal to Kristie to ease her mind. I sent her an OK message every morning, afternoon and night. It worked great, and her email notifications included a link to Google Maps to show my precise location. As expected, there is absolutely no cell phone reception in the canyon.

From Johnson Bar, it's 15 miles to the trailhead. I decided I could do it and reduce my three-day trip to just two. I woke up to a chilly morning, but the sky was clear and deep blue. It would be very sunny and about 75 degrees today. A welcome change.

I hadn't seen anyone most of the first day, except for the people on the mail boat and a couple other jet boats on the river. On the second day, I passed the mail boat group again and met about a dozen other people on my way back, mostly at Kirkwood Ranch, a popular day-hike and camping spot just six miles from the trailhead.

Unfortunately, this stretch of trail has many more ups and downs. My legs were pretty tired after climbing several hills leading to Suicide Point, a prominent outcropping of rock 400 feet above a horseshoe bend in the river. The steepest climb is right after Kirkwood Ranch, a relentless switchback that I cursed with every obscenity I know - I think I even created a few new ones. It probably didn't climb more than 500 feet, but after 27 miles with 35 pounds on my back, I was ready to just be done.

Several more climbs through much greener hills finally restored my good spirits and brought me back to my car. It was a unique and gorgeous hike, offering plenty of peaceful solitude this time of year. Spring or Fall are the best times to enjoy this area, when the temperatures are still mild. During the summer, Hells Canyon rightfully earns its name with 100+ degree days.

Trip report posted with additional discussion at nwhikers.net.
]]> http://www.johnandkristie.com/archives/2008/04/the_snake_river.html http://www.johnandkristie.com/archives/2008/04/the_snake_river.html hikes Thu, 10 Apr 2008 11:32:08 -0800 Duelin' Ivoryz Saloon LONGHORN BARBECUE, AUBURN, WA :: We joined a bunch of friends at the Longhorn Barbecue last night to celebrate Shannon's birthday. This Longhorn features a large, well-stocked bar and a pair of baby grand pianos facing each other on a central stage. This was a first for Kristie and me. I've seen several dueling piano bars in Seattle and other cities, but I was never tempted to check them out. I guess I always imagined it being a somewhat uppish experience, reserved for musical intellectuals who arrive in tuxedos and top hats. I thought dueling pianos only appealed to people who have "Gone Chopin. Bach in a minuet." on their coffee mug or bumper sticker.

I have no idea why I had that impression. At Longhorn's Dueling Ivoryz Saloon, it couldn't be further from the truth!

We had a lot of fun singing along with a trio of very talented improv comedian/pianists. They basically take requests throughout the night. The more money you attach to your request, the greater your chances of hearing your song - often a much naughtier version of the song. At any time, you can pay more money to stop the song. Unfortunately, this happened to Shannon twice. Despite the prevalent honky tonk ambience of the place, the crowd did not receive her two country song requests too well, much preferring to sing along to the likes of Journey, Def Leppard, James Brown, or "She'll Be Coming Around the Mountain When She Comes." Shannon's first request initiated an escalating bidding war, that finally reached a counterbid of $131 to successfully shut down the song. Fortunately, she was able to outbid the protest of her second request, although I think the audience was being merciful - it was her birthday after all!

Happy Birthday, Shannon!
]]> http://www.johnandkristie.com/archives/2008/03/duelin_ivoryz_s.html http://www.johnandkristie.com/archives/2008/03/duelin_ivoryz_s.html events Sat, 15 Mar 2008 11:17:17 -0800 PLAY! BENAROYA HALL, SEATTLE, WA :: Master Chief rocked Benaroya Hall tonight! For my birthday, Kristie surprised me with tickets to PLAY!, a symphony performance of popular video game music that is touring orchestras around the world. The concert celebrated a wide range of gaming genres, from the classic 8-bit days of Super Mario Brothers and The Legend of Zelda, to more recent favorites such as World of Warcraft and Final Fantasy. Reminiscent scenes from the games were projected on large screens above the performers, producing cheers, laughs and a few tears from the audience.

No doubt, the Seattle area is a gaming mecca, with companies like Microsoft, Nintendo, Valve, Bungie, Square Enix, Sierra, ArenaNet, Humongous, Gas Powered Games, Wizards of the Coast, Cranium and Penny Arcade having a major presence here. The composers for Halo and Morrowind were in the audience, as well as many local game designers and developers. About half of the audience was wearing jeans and many were seen playing with a DS or PSP during the intermission.

We were not your typical symphony crowd, but we were just as passionate about the music and appreciative of the performance. Kudos to PLAY! for recognizing the often-overlooked creative talent of video game producers and allowing us to enjoy an aspect of their art in the venue it deserves. And many thanks again to my Kristie for a perfect birthday gift!
]]> http://www.johnandkristie.com/archives/2008/01/play_video_game_symphony.html http://www.johnandkristie.com/archives/2008/01/play_video_game_symphony.html events Thu, 24 Jan 2008 11:10:10 -0800 Skyline Lake ALPINE LAKES WILDERNESS AREA, WA :: Today we planned to meet Tatiana, Greg and Dana for a winter wonderland adventure near Stevens Pass. Unfortunately, we started a bit late in the day and had a few issues finding a parking space and the trailhead. The main parking areas were closed, so I proceeded to the Nordic Center where my truck got stuck in deep snow. I learned the hard way that four-wheel drive isn't worth a darn if your tires are nearly bald. A lot of help from some kind strangers and a tow from a bulldozer eventually freed us... I'll be getting a new set of wheels this weekend.

When we finally met and were ready to put on our snowshoes, it was only then that I found out that Tatiana and Greg had never snowshoed before! I had assumed they were seasoned veterans. Not that snowshoeing is technically difficult, but had I known they were newbies, I definitely would have chosen a much less severe trail.

The route up to Skyline Lake climbs steeply along a wide snowcat trail, gaining 1300' in 1.5 miles. The winds were whipping along the exposed switchbacks about halfway up, stinging our faces with powdery snow. But everyone was a good sport about the trudge, especially Dana, who kept step with me for much of the way. We took frequent breaks and found it hard to complain amidst the beautiful scenery. We saw many other snowshoers, skiers, snowboarders and dogs sharing the trail.

It was a great day to be out and we had a lot of fun, but we'll probably pick a flatter hike if we go snowshoeing again.
]]> http://www.johnandkristie.com/archives/2008/01/skyline_lake_snowshoe.html http://www.johnandkristie.com/archives/2008/01/skyline_lake_snowshoe.html hikes Sun, 20 Jan 2008 11:38:40 -0800 Fireplace Renovation EDMONDS, WA :: I used part of my holiday vacation to finally update our fireplace, a year and a half after moving in. During that time, the edges of our new carpet and laminate flooring remained unfinished where they met with the original brown tile surrounding our bronze fireplace insert, circa 1979. In addition, an alcove adjacent to the fireplace was being underutilized.

I was a little nervous about this project, as I had never worked with fireplaces or tile before, and I didn't want to botch up such an important, central feature in our house. However, I knew most cosmetic home renovations do not require any technical expertise, just patience, planning and attention to detail. Anyone can do them. It turns out I learned everything I ever needed to know from watching years of "This Old House" and "Hometime" on PBS.

The insert doors and firebox were repainted with several coats of high-heat enamel. The existing wall tiles were chiseled out and I scored lines into the floor tiles with a RotoZip to give the mortar more texture to adhere to. We chose a natural stone, travertine, to replace the old porcelain tiles. Since architecture school, I've had a fondness for travertine. It has been used extensively in both ancient and modern architecture, including the Coliseum in Rome, and the Getty Center and the Salk Institute in Southern California.

I wanted the new shelves to be thick to match the mass of the surrounding structural elements and the large volume of the alcove. They are 2.5" x 4' x 2' (HWD) boxes constructed with sheets of birch plywood, faced with a strip of oak, painted with several coats of white and hung with concealed angle brackets to appear floating in the space.

I just barely met the goal of having the project completed by New Year's Eve, allowing us to return from dinner and snuggle up to a blazing fire in our nice, new fireplace for the first couple of hours of 2008.

Happy New Year!
]]> http://www.johnandkristie.com/archives/2007/12/fireplace_renovation.html http://www.johnandkristie.com/archives/2007/12/fireplace_renovation.html projects Mon, 31 Dec 2007 11:14:48 -0800 Christmas EDMONDS, WA :: For this holiday season, we decorated the house with a row of lights along the roof and hung a wreath above the garage. We think it looks nice and cheery, particularly within a landscape of freshly fallen snow. I took this photo during a storm that left four inches of fluffy powder on the ground. Unfortunately, it all melted away the next day.

You may have noticed that we removed the large pine tree from our front yard. I hate to cut down a tree, but this guy was a nuisance, clogging up the gutters every week and killing everything underneath. We'll be busy relandscaping the clean slate next Spring. I already received a few gardening books as helpful gifts.

We had a really great time with our families this Christmas. Amongst the festive decorations and abundant meals, we cozied up with the people and animals we love, reminiscing on joyful memories and looking forward to a bright future. We wish you and yours a warm and merry holiday, and hope for greater peace and happiness next year.
]]> http://www.johnandkristie.com/archives/2007/12/christmas_3.html http://www.johnandkristie.com/archives/2007/12/christmas_3.html events Tue, 25 Dec 2007 11:35:40 -0800 2007 Photo Album EDMONDS, WA :: Another eventful year deserves another photo album! As with 2005 and 2006, 2007 will be remembered and shared with a photo book produced by MyPublisher. We had four copies printed this year. One to keep and the others to give to family. They make great gifts.

Our parents greatly appreciate and anticipate receiving these albums. I think it's funny that they have the most interest in our lives, but ironically, they have the least ability to use our website. Throughout the year, I often have to recreate the photos from the site into slideshows or prints to share with our tech-unsavvy parents.

We love our website as a chronicle of our lives, but we think our parents have a valid point as well. It's nice to have a tangible book we can flip through with our hands. I imagine it would be awkward and uncomfortable to reminisce with a laptop computer while curling up together on the sofa.

Once again, we're pleased with the quality and quick turn-around time of MyPublisher. This year, they upgraded the leather cover option with padding and stitching. The books I created are 100 pages and contain 670 photos each. These would normally cost $140 a book, but a 20% Costco discount (download the software from the Costco website) and a two-for-one coupon code (that can be found on various websites) makes them much more affordable.
]]> http://www.johnandkristie.com/archives/2007/12/2007_mypublisher_photo_album.html http://www.johnandkristie.com/archives/2007/12/2007_mypublisher_photo_album.html projects Wed, 19 Dec 2007 11:10:10 -0800 Narae 2007 Korean Festival MEANY HALL, SEATTLE, WA :: We'd like to thank Hye Ran and Rob for inviting us to this concert. When they first told us about it, Kristie and I were not sure what to expect. I really thought we were just going to see a couple of Hye Ran's nieces and other kids dancing and singing a few songs in cute Korean outfits. We were anticipating an audience of perhaps a hundred people and didn't think the show would be longer than 45 minutes. Upon arriving at Meany Hall, we were surprised to receive a 20 page program and to see most of the seats taken.

The Morning Star Korean Cultural Center puts on the show, which is run by Hye Ran's very accomplished and talented aunt, Jiyeon Cheh. In addition to the annual performance at Meany Hall, they have performed throughout the United States, Europe and Korea, and locally in schools and fairs, including the Winter Olympics in Utah and in Qwest Field during a Seahawk's halftime show.

While we did see a few of Hye Ran's nieces dancing in cute Korean outfits, we were entertained by much, much more. There were 13 performances, including a variety of drums, zithers, flutes and cymbals. I even recognized a catchy Korean folk anthem that my mom used to play and I haven't been able to get the tune out of my head since the concert. It was an impressive and beautiful show - very colorful and cheery. I hope Hye Ran will remind us again next year!
]]> http://www.johnandkristie.com/archives/2007/12/narae_2007_korean_art_festival.html http://www.johnandkristie.com/archives/2007/12/narae_2007_korean_art_festival.html events Sun, 09 Dec 2007 11:29:47 -0800 Goat Lake & Elliot Creek HENRY M. JACKSON WILDERNESS, WA :: I have been waiting to return to Goat Lake for a long time. Although it had been more than six years since I first hiked this trail, the picturesque image of snow-laden Cadet Peak reflecting off Goat Lake has never faded from my mind. The Mountain Loop Scenic Highway was closed in 2003 just North of Barlow Pass. A major rock slide shifted a section of the road into the Stillaguamish River, blocking access to the trailhead. Four years and $10 million later, the road has been rebuilt and reopened.

Ice and snow covered much of the road beyond Barlow Pass, and it was 26 degrees at the trailhead at 8:30 AM. I started my hike shivering and bundled under several layers, hats and gloves, but after about twenty minutes, I was comfortable in just a t-shirt. The trail had a light dusting of fresh snow, and it was easy going for most of the way. I started on the Upper Trail and took the connection to the Lower Trail at the 0.8 mile mark. There were just a couple blowdowns which were easy to get around. The trail was in surprisingly remarkable shape, despite being mostly unbothered for four years and the recent storms.

The trail became hard to follow just before the lake. As I did on my first hike six years ago, I got lost and needed to scramble alongside the falls to find the lake. On my way back, I found where I took a wrong turn. But if I had stayed on the trail, I would have missed an impressive set of waterfalls. There are several US Forest Service signs marking some type of boundary in this area, but they were turned in every direction and really unclear about indicating the area I was not supposed to be in.

Goat Lake was completely glazed over when I finally reached it. I had just caught the last beams of sunlight disappearing behind Cadet Peak. My memory of a rippling lake bathed in warm, golden light would need to persist for at least another few seasons. I'll add to my memory the contrasting, yet still beautiful, scene I saw today: a glittering, snowy plain, weakly lit by impending winter's cold, blue light.

It's about 10 miles to Goat Lake and back. The trail gains about 1300 feet, mostly at the switchbacks (or scramble) right before the lake.
]]> http://www.johnandkristie.com/archives/2007/12/goat_lake_elliot_creek.html http://www.johnandkristie.com/archives/2007/12/goat_lake_elliot_creek.html hikes Sat, 08 Dec 2007 11:11:50 -0800 Chapel of Thanksgiving DALLAS, TX :: Our last stop in Dallas was a visit to Thanks-Giving Square, a multifaith center for giving thanks. Philip Johnson designed the small park and chapel, which features a unique and beautiful stained glass ceiling. It's a nice reminder and celebration of gratitude, but the Foundation's emphasis is clearly on giving thanks to a divine power. Kristie and I are grateful for many things, but we choose to acknowledge and thank people for their kindness, respecting their help and our own efforts that make life purposeful and enjoyable, not anything supernatural.

At that moment, we were most thankful to be returning home! Dallas wasn't as bad as we thought it would be, but I doubt we'll ever have the desire to return.
]]> http://www.johnandkristie.com/archives/2007/11/chapel_of_thanksgiving.html http://www.johnandkristie.com/archives/2007/11/chapel_of_thanksgiving.html travel Sun, 04 Nov 2007 12:39:28 -0800 Dallas Arboretum DALLAS, TX :: Yes, there is greenery in Dallas! Just a few miles from downtown is White Rock Lake, Dallas's own version of Seattle's beloved Green Lake park, complete with athletic fields, playgrounds, fishing docks, a performing arts theater and a paved trail packed with runners and rollerbladers. However, as with most things in Texas, White Rock Lake is much larger than Green Lake. The trail around the lake is 9.5 miles.

White Rock Lake also hosts the very lovely Dallas Arboretum. We spent a couple hours there, enjoying the well-maintained grounds and colorful plants. It really was a nice park and probably the highlight of our trip.

In one section, much to Kristie's delight, Dove® was presenting "The Amazing Chocolate Tree," featuring interactive stations that described the cultivation, harvest and manufacturing process of chocolate. Free Dove bars and ice cream were provided, and the entire area smelled like chocolate, due to the generous amount of roasted cocoa bean hulls that were used as mulch in many of the areas. I wonder if anyone sells that stuff around here?
]]> http://www.johnandkristie.com/archives/2007/11/dallas_arboretum.html http://www.johnandkristie.com/archives/2007/11/dallas_arboretum.html travel Sun, 04 Nov 2007 11:26:25 -0800 Fort Worth Stockyards FORT WORTH, TX :: Fort Worth was once a major railroad town and shipping point for millions of livestock. The Stockyards district preserves this history and celebrates the spirit of the American West. Cobblestone streets, wooden sidewalks, rickity old saloons, and costumed cowboy characters are elements contributing to the theme. There's even a cattle drive that runs up the main street twice a day. Heck, you'll also find a rodeo and the world's largest honky tonk, Billy Bob's Texas.

In case you didn't know, a "honky tonk" was a cheap, noisy bar, dance hall and/or theater - a place where a cowboy could afford a drink, enjoy some entertainment, and participate in some general rowdiness. Today, I think it generally refers to any club that plays country music.

I stayed a while in the Stockyards to watch the herd, browse through the gift shops, and take some photos. Afterwards, I stopped by a few other attractions in Fort Worth, including the Water Gardens, the Marty Leonard Chapel and the Modern Art Museum.
]]> http://www.johnandkristie.com/archives/2007/11/fort_worth_stockyards.html http://www.johnandkristie.com/archives/2007/11/fort_worth_stockyards.html travel Sat, 03 Nov 2007 11:43:50 -0800 Fogo de Chão DALLAS, TX :: If you like to dine out, Dallas has got you covered. The city boasts the highest number of restaurants per capita in the nation. As we searched for places to eat dinner, it seemed nearly half of the options were steakhouses, which certainly drew no complaints from me.

I had read a lot of good reviews for Fogo de Chão, a Brazilian steakhouse (or churrascaria), where fire-roasted meat is skewered onto swords and served at your table. In addition, a 40-item premium salad bar awaited Kristie. It looked like fun, so we decided to treat ourselves - as you can imagine, all-you-can eat steak is not cheap.

We arrived early and were the first couple seated for dinner. Both of our chairs were pulled out for us, and we were immediately impressed with the amazing service. The maitre d' stopped by our table and provided a history of the restaurant and the gaúcho style of eating. He pointed out that nearly everyone in the kitchen and on the waitstaff were from Brazil. They dressed in billowy pants, tall boots, and wide belts, with a red bandana around their neck, tucked into their light blue shirts. Every time we left our table, our napkins were refolded, our table cleaned, and our plates replaced.

The salad bar was impressive, but much of it was fancy, fatty or meaty stuff that Kristie doesn't care for: prosciuttos, salamis, olives and fine cheeses. I took a look at the salad bar, but I did not touch. I was saving my appetite for the meat and wine. When the maitre d' noticed Kristie had just veggies on her plates, without asking, he suprised her with a serving of vegetable fried rice and grilled peppers from the kitchen.

Also on our table was an endless supply of yummy fried bananas, cheese bread, crispy fried polenta, mashed potatoes and a compote or chutney as a topping for the meat, which I'll speak of now.

Every diner has a disc, green on one side to signal, "Hey, bring me some meat!" and red on the other side to say, "Whoa, give me a chance to loosen my belt!" The team of gaúchos immediately responded to the green, coming one after another, cycling through 15 different cuts of meat. I wasn't able to taste each option, but I found a few mouth-watering, delectable favorites, including the top sirloin, rib eye, picanha, bacon-wrapped filet and leg of lamb. They also had sausages, chicken, beef ribs, pork ribs, and on and on, my-oh-my. Each bite was so delicious. Chewing softly and slowly, I savored each and every perfectly prepared and seasoned morsel.

Throughout my business travels, I've had the opportunity to eat at many fine restaurants. Our dinner at Fogo de Chão was a cut above the best of these. The service was unbelievable - they truly made us feel like visiting royalty - and the food was the best tasting I've ever had. It's a good thing "Fogo" is not yet in Seattle, otherwise the temptation to eat there every night might be too great to resist!
]]> http://www.johnandkristie.com/archives/2007/11/fogo_de_chao_review.html http://www.johnandkristie.com/archives/2007/11/fogo_de_chao_review.html travel Fri, 02 Nov 2007 11:26:06 -0800 Dallas DALLAS, TX :: Dallas is a vastly sprawled, desolate and dirty city. It's not the kind of place you would want to spend a vacation, although that's exactly what I did. Kristie was attending a week-long conference, and I tagged along to support her. The Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex hosts the highest concentration of corporate headquarters in the United States, but not much else. Because of this, I was able to visit a couple clients and do some work to fill my time.

Dallas isn't completely void of attractions. We did find a few places and activities to keep us entertained. There are no geological features or interesting landscapes nearby to hike, but the city has a few museums worth exploring. I visited the Sixth Floor Museum and saw artifacts from the JFK assassination. I later stood atop the grassy knoll and then walked over to the exact spot where Kennedy was shot, designated with a simple white X in the middle of the road. The Dallas Museum of Art and the Nasher Sculpture Center are also worth visiting.

We had not been through a haunted house in decades, so on Halloween, Kristie and I went to the Scaregrounds, an old warehouse converted into an assembly of four haunted houses, each with a different theme. It was expensive and mostly lame, so it will probably be a couple more decades before we visit one again.

The next evening we went to Speedzone, a go-kart center for adults. They had four different racetracks with various styles of karts, including dragsters that did 0-70 mph in 3.5 seconds! The Slick Track was the most fun, even though I wasn't very good at it. It's a polished raceway with karts that have smooth tires - a drifter's dream! I watched Kristie lap me several times as I spun out again and again. A couple NASCAR drivers and their crew were racing amongst us, in town for the Dickies 500 that weekend. That entire night was a lot of fun. They really need one of these in the Seattle area.

We visited several other sites, including the Fort Worth Stockyards, the Thanksgiving Chapel, the Dallas Arboretum, and the *best* dining experience ever, Fogo de Chão. I'll be posting photos and entries for these soon.
]]> http://www.johnandkristie.com/archives/2007/11/dallas_texas.html http://www.johnandkristie.com/archives/2007/11/dallas_texas.html travel Thu, 01 Nov 2007 11:00:02 -0800 Kristie's Birthday STIX BILLIARDS & BREWERY, SEATTLE, WA :: Kristie celebrated her birthday with family and friends at Stix, a new pool hall on the south shore of Lake Union. We booked the private room and had access to our own patio overlooking the lake, along with a premium pool table, comfy leather seats, and an XBOX 360 - a little something for everyone. It was nice, and we had a lot of fun. Thanks to everyone who joined us!
]]> http://www.johnandkristie.com/archives/2007/10/kristies_birthday.html http://www.johnandkristie.com/archives/2007/10/kristies_birthday.html events Sat, 13 Oct 2007 11:57:55 -0800 San Jose Taiko EDMONDS CENTER FOR THE ARTS, EDMONDS, WA :: Kristie and I invited my parents to see San Jose Taiko perform in downtown Edmonds to celebrate my dad's birthday. The show began with a single, large drum that was carefully rolled onto the center of the dark stage. A spotlight beamed onto the drummer and the audience was completely silent. The drummer then suddenly struck the drum once. The surprisingly loud boom frightened my poor, little mother to death, causing her to loudly exclaim, "Gamjigiya!" which I believe is Korean for, "OMG!" After she settled down, we all enjoyed the concert.

If the photos seem familiar, it's because you may have seen the entry earlier this year for TAIKOPROJECT. I brought my SLR with me this time and was able to get some better shots.
]]> http://www.johnandkristie.com/archives/2007/09/san_jose_taiko.html http://www.johnandkristie.com/archives/2007/09/san_jose_taiko.html events Sat, 29 Sep 2007 11:56:30 -0800 Sunset on Haleakala MAUI VACATION DAY 5 :: HALEAKALA NATIONAL PARK, HI :: Our vacation in Maui has finally reached its end. The last item on our itinerary was a dazzling sunset from the top of Haleakala, which means "House of the Sun" in Hawaiian. Most visitors to the volcano will wake up early to see the sunrise. The sunset is just as spectacular and far less crowded.

It's perhaps a little warmer as well, although we were still shivering, despite extra clothes and a blanket we borrowed from the hotel. At 10,023 feet, the atmosphere is only half of what we normally experience at sea level and the temperature about 30 degrees cooler. It was probably about 55 degrees at the summit, but a combination of wind chill and wator vapor from the passing clouds made it feel like it was freezing.

Occasionally, the clouds parted and we could see most of the areas of the island we explored and enjoyed over the past five days. Mostly, the clouds were a thick blanket below and around us. This made the skies more dramatic at times, and completely obscured and cold at others. The winds were blowing fast, so we only needed to wait a few minutes for a new view.

We had a great time on Maui! It would have been perfect if we were more careful with our time in the sun. As it was, however, we were aching from sunburns and eager to get back to our Northwest home and climate.
]]> http://www.johnandkristie.com/archives/2007/09/sunset_on_haleakala.html http://www.johnandkristie.com/archives/2007/09/sunset_on_haleakala.html travel Mon, 10 Sep 2007 13:17:00 -0800 Haleakala MAUI VACATION DAY 5 :: HALEAKALA NATIONAL PARK, HI :: Haleakala is the world's largest dormant volcano, with a summit 10,023 feet above sea level, and an additional 30,000 feet extending beneath to the ocean floor. Although it dominates East Maui Island, the visible part of the mountain represents only 3% of it's total volume. Maui is the youngest of the Hawaiian islands, and Haleakala could erupt at anytime again to add to it's size. Lava last flowed to the sea from Haleakala in 1790.

It only took us about 90 minutes to drive from Kihului Airport at sea level to the summit. We passed through seven micro climates as we ascended along the many curves. The road felt much safer than the Road to Hana - it was recently paved and there were only a few one-lane bridges to cross. At around 7000 feet, we entered the clouds. I was hoping we would be on top of them by the time we reached the top...

We just barely made it through the clouds at the summit, where the sky was mostly clear. From the lookout, there was an amazing view into Haleakala's massive crater, formed by a combination of erosion and volcanic activity. The steep walls drop nearly 3000 feet to the crater floor, covering an area equal to the entire island of Manhattan - approximately 25 square miles. Within the bowl, clouds were churning in swirls and circles. Beyond, we could see glimpses of the surrounding island and ocean between the breaks in the cloud deck.

We had driven up here to see the sunset, but we arrived early and I realized I might have enough time for a quick hike. The crater floor contains massive cinder cones, and I really wanted to walk along the rim of one. The closest cone, named Ka Lu'u o ka O'o, was only 2.5 miles away via the Sliding Sands Trail. I had just under three hours until sunset, so with a bottle of water and some extra clothes, off I went. It felt chilly, probably about 50 degrees, and the wind was whipping around pretty fierce. Kristie, with her aching, sunburned legs, unfortunately couldn't walk very far. She stayed warm in the visitor center and in the car, where she enjoyed a quick nap.

I hiked through alternating periods of sunshine and thick cloud cover. I saw several rare Silverswords along the way, and some strange birds, but there was little else to see in the desolate landscape - it was an otherworldly and awesome experience. However, at one point it began to rain and my hopes of seeing the crater floor were dashed, but just as I arrived at the rim of the cinder cone, the clouds started to part and glorious sunshine lit up the entire crater. I think I might have wept a few tears... It was really quite a sight.

I snapped a couple hundred photos and then hurried back up 1400 feet (slipping through the pumice and sand), just in time for the sunset show to begin (photos coming soon!).
]]> http://www.johnandkristie.com/archives/2007/09/haleakala_hike.html http://www.johnandkristie.com/archives/2007/09/haleakala_hike.html hikes Mon, 10 Sep 2007 12:19:52 -0800 Big Beach & Little Beach MAUI VACATION DAY 5 :: WAILEA-MAKENA, HI :: On our last full day in Maui, we headed south and visited several beaches before heading up to Haleakala. Each of the beaches were very nice, but pretty much the same. However, one beach, or rather, a pair of beaches stood out: Big Beach (officially known as Makena Beach) and Little Beach. If we had one more day, I would have enjoyed spending some more time here with a boogie board, a lounger and a cooler full of beer.

It's easy to see how Big Beach got its nickname. It's both wide and long, and very scenic. The sand was soft and the waves were some of the largest we had seen on the island. Adjacent to Big Beach is Little Beach. We had to climb over a small hill to reach it. We had read Little Beach is "clothing optional." Sure enough, several dozen people were in the buff enjoying the nice weather. I'm sure Kristie and I would have joined them... if only we weren't sunburned...

I tried to keep the photos family-friendly. Most of the dangly and pointy parts from Little Beach have been digitally obscured.
]]> http://www.johnandkristie.com/archives/2007/09/big_beach_makena_little_beach.html http://www.johnandkristie.com/archives/2007/09/big_beach_makena_little_beach.html travel Mon, 10 Sep 2007 11:08:52 -0800 Waimoku Falls MAUI VACATION DAY 4 :: HALEAKALA NATIONAL PARK, HI :: Our final destination of the day was Waimoku Falls via the Pipiwai Trail in Haleakala National Park. The trailhead is at the ranger station near The Seven Sacred Pools, just a few miles beyond the town of Hana.

The trail began in alternating grassy and forested areas filled with large banyan and fruit trees. Guavas covered the ground in some parts, their bright pink centers smashed and smeared across the trail. Their strong scent made the air sickeningly sweet. Fortunately, the guava trees made way for a bamboo forest about a mile into the hike.

For us, the bamboo was the highlight of this trail. The path narrowed and meandered through the bamboo's tall, narrow stalks that often blocked most of the light. In the wind, the bamboo clacked together. Most of the time, their hollow, haunting sound resonated at a peaceful, Zen-like rhythm. Occasionally, a strong wind would blow and the forest became a loud cacophony of creaking and clacking. It was a very cool and unique experience, but kinda creepy at the same time.

The trail through the enchanting bamboo goes on for about a mile to Waimoku Falls. The water drops 400 feet, straight down a concave wall. The fall was pretty, but I think it would have been more impressive if there was more water flowing. We only spent a few minutes here before heading back to the car and then driving all the way back to Kaanapali.
]]> http://www.johnandkristie.com/archives/2007/09/waimoku_falls.html http://www.johnandkristie.com/archives/2007/09/waimoku_falls.html hikes Sun, 09 Sep 2007 13:30:14 -0800 Honokalani Black Sand Beach MAUI VACATION DAY 4 :: WAIANAPANAPA STATE PARK, HANA, HI :: When we were planning our trip, we didn't think we would drive to Hana, as Kristie has a low tolerance for roadtrips, especially roadtrips that contain curvy roads. The famous Road to Hana is perhaps the curviest in the world, with approximately 600 twists and turns along 52 miles of narrow, mostly one-lane road that crosses 52 bridges and is often right on the edge of shear cliffs dropping several stories into the ocean.

We really wanted to see the black sand beaches and the bamboo forest near Hana, so we thought we'd give it a try. The three hour drive was actually fun and very scenic. The entire way is green and wet. We saw a wide variety of plants and many waterfalls, and also passed by several small towns and charming vendor shacks along the way.

The photos do not do it any justice, but Honokalani Beach is probably one of the most strikingly beautiful I've ever seen - vibrant green vegetation, deep blue sky and turquoise water crashing in white foam against black sand - it was pretty cool. The pumicey sand is coarse and the water is filled with poisonous jellyfish, so I wouldn't want to swim here, but I could look at this beach all day. We also found some neat caves adjacent to the beach and a blowhole. This stop might have been worth the drive alone, but we had one more destination: Waimoku Falls.
]]> http://www.johnandkristie.com/archives/2007/09/honokalani_black_sand_beach.html http://www.johnandkristie.com/archives/2007/09/honokalani_black_sand_beach.html travel Sun, 09 Sep 2007 12:42:08 -0800 Iao Needle MAUI VACATION DAY 4 :: IAO VALLEY STATE PARK, WAILUKU, HI :: By day four, our burnt skin needed a break from the sun. Fortunately, the remainder of our planned activities on Maui would take place in cloudier areas. It's amazing that Kāʻanapali and the west coast of the island annually receive less than 20 inches of rain, yet just five miles inland, more than 400 inches fall on the mountains.

On our way to Hana, we took a detour into the Iao Valley, the second wettest location on the island. There we gazed upon the ‘Īao Needle, a natural landmark with spiritual and historical significance. A major battle between Hawaiian kings to unite the islands occurred here in the 15th century. It's said the river in the valley ran red with blood.

We took a short walk across a bridge to the lookout, alongside the river and through a garden. Perhaps it was the wrong time of the year, but most of the plants in the garden seemed pretty dead... Only a couple decent photos at this quick stop.
]]> http://www.johnandkristie.com/archives/2007/09/iao_needle.html http://www.johnandkristie.com/archives/2007/09/iao_needle.html travel Sun, 09 Sep 2007 11:38:53 -0800 Drums of the Pacific Luau MAUI VACATION DAY 3 :: KAANAPALI, HI :: You gotta do a luau when you're in Hawaii, right? There are several to choose from on Maui, but I had read Drums of the Pacific at the Hyatt was the most exciting. To get there, we walked a half mile along Kāʻanapali Beach, getting a glance at the various resorts, cabanas and poolside bars along the way. It would have been a very nice walk, but Kristie's poor calves were starting to hurt from being burned pretty badly during the day's snorkeling. We stopped at the beach-side showers to cool them off.

Fortunately, we had made reservations a couple months ago and paid a little extra for VIP seating. I highly recommend it. We were quickly seated in front of the stage and sipped on several Mai Tais and Piña Coladas from the open bar as others waited for a long time in a line in the hot sun to get in. Kristie ordered a steady stream of ice water to cool off her calves.

The service and food was great - VIP was first to get their share (and then seconds). The show was very entertaining and romantic as well, expectedly several notches above what we've seen put on by Polynesian clubs at local high schools and universities. We enjoyed our walk back, and Kristie's calves felt better in the cooler, night air (77 degrees, as opposed to 87). The stars were bright over the ocean, framed by silhouettes of palm trees. The air smelled like coconuts. All was good in paradise.
]]> http://www.johnandkristie.com/archives/2007/09/drums_of_the_pacific_luau.html http://www.johnandkristie.com/archives/2007/09/drums_of_the_pacific_luau.html travel Sat, 08 Sep 2007 13:11:24 -0800 Sea Turtles at Black Rock MAUI VACATION DAY 3 :: KAANAPALI, HI :: Our day of snorkeling ended at Black Rock (Pu'u Keka'a), one of only three ancient sites where Hawaiian's believed their spirits departed the world. Mighty kings dove into the ocean and returned to prove their favor with the gods. Every night, a torchlit cliff diving ceremony honors the history of Black Rock.

It's also the best place to snorkel on Maui and is only a couple hundred yards from The Whaler. Black Rock divides the beach and creates a coral wall where lots of fish and a few turtles hang out. The water is clear, no rocks to stub a toe, and there was plenty of sunshine - the weather always seemed to be the best in Kaanapali.

Sea turtles (honu) are much revered by Hawaiians, and they were the highlight of our snorkeling trips. We saw two females and one monstrous male which must have weighed at least 300 pounds. The locals nicknamed him "Volkswagen." The turtles were busy munching away at seaweed and didn't seem to mind our presence. We tried to maintain a certain distance, although they swam right towards us a few times. I had to leapfrog over one to avoid it.

Unfortunately, the poor sea turtles throughout the Hawaiian islands are suffering from a disfiguring disease which is threatening the already endangered population. We could see signs of it on the big guy. We hope the turtle scientists find a cure soon!
]]> http://www.johnandkristie.com/archives/2007/09/black_rock_sea_turtles.html http://www.johnandkristie.com/archives/2007/09/black_rock_sea_turtles.html travel Sat, 08 Sep 2007 12:37:50 -0800 Honolua & Napili Bay MAUI VACATION DAY 3 :: KAPALUA, HI :: The first half of today was dedicated to snorkeling. We went up north to Honolua Bay, moved south to Napili Bay, and then headed back towards our hotel in Kaanapali, saving the best for last: Black Rock.

The main parking lot to Honolua Bay was filled, so we parked about a quarter of a mile up the road. A cool trail took us on a shortcut to the beach, through a tropical forest where wild roosters were calling from the treetops and juicy guavas littered the ground. The trees in Hawaii are the most amazing I've seen, with impressive networks of branches that extend laterally at seemingly impossible lengths.

Emerging at the beach, we swam around the lava rock formations of Honolua Bay for about an hour, and then enjoyed another hour exploring the reefs at Napili Bay. We saw all kinds of fish, coral, urchins and other fascinating things. The skies were overcast at the time, and the surf was a bit choppy, making the water dark and cloudy. The camera struggled to focus and rarely had enough light to capture the ever-moving fish... Perhaps it's best that you don't click on the photos below to expand them - they look better when they're smaller!
]]> http://www.johnandkristie.com/archives/2007/09/honolua_napili_bay_snorkel.html http://www.johnandkristie.com/archives/2007/09/honolua_napili_bay_snorkel.html travel Sat, 08 Sep 2007 11:51:42 -0800 Lanai Dolphin Watch MAUI VACATION DAY 2 :: LANAI ISLAND, HI :: During our Trilogy trip, we hopped onboard a high speed raft to look for dolphins along Lānaʻi's kona (southern) coast. The Blue Water Adventure Rafting tour took us on an hour-long, waterborne thrill ride. The high speed raft weaved between rocks, banked steeply on turns and jumped over the waves. It was a lot of fun! I was at the front of the raft, one hand holding onto a brace and the other hopelessly trying to steady the camera as I got tossed around.

We saw a pair of stingrays "wrestling" with each other - that was the term the captain used to keep the trip rated PG. We also saw a lot of spinner dolphins. Perhaps nearly fifty of them, jumping in and out of the water, racing the raft and surfing the wake. Several times they came within arms reach and Kristie would reach out to try to hug them (she loves dolphins). The water was so clear you could see them dive and cross under the raft among schools of brightly colored fish.

Scattered about the dolphin pod were a few baby dolphins. Amongst the graceful, long arches of the adult dolphins that were taking a breath, we'd occassionally spot a tiny little arch and fin jumping out of the water. I believe you can see a few of the babies in the top photo. The dolphins made Kristie's day... The baby dolphins made her week!
]]> http://www.johnandkristie.com/archives/2007/09/lanai_dolphin_watch.html http://www.johnandkristie.com/archives/2007/09/lanai_dolphin_watch.html travel Fri, 07 Sep 2007 12:20:32 -0800 Trilogy Sail to Lanai MAUI VACATION DAY 2 :: LANAI ISLAND, HI :: Taking advantage of the three hour jet lag, we scheduled an early, sunrise sail with Trilogy Excursions from Lahaina Harbor to Lānaʻi Island (where Bill Gates was married). We generally avoid tours like this, but nearly every guide book and online review said Trilogy was the best. For the most part, we have to agree. Captain Mike and his crew were very friendly, helpful and entertaining through the entire trip, which included snorkeling in Hulopoe Bay and a side trip along the coast on a high-speed raft to view dozens of dolphins.

There was hardly any wind today, so for most of the trip we used the motor to make our way across the channel. We were quickly greeted by a bottlenose dolphin - only a hundred exist around Maui, so it was a nice treat, especially for Kristie. Most of the dolphins around Maui are spinner dolphins, which are slightly smaller, but just as playful. For breakfast, we were served Kaanapali coffee, gooey cinnamon roles and fruit.

Near Lanai Harbor, we were told the legend of Pu'u Pehe, or Sweetheart Rock. At the harbor, we were bussed a short distance to Hulopoe Bay, where I went snorkeling for the very first time. Trilogy provides all of the gear you would need, but we brought our own, including my prescription mask made in an Edmonds dive shop and our Elph camera in a waterproof case. I'm not a very good swimmer, so it took me a few minutes to get used to the sensation of breathing with the snorkel underwater. With Kristie's help and a flotation belt, I soon felt very comfortable. It was actually a lot of fun - perhaps a little too fun, as we would soon discover with our painful sunburns.

Hulopoe Bay is very pretty, but it is probably not the best area for snorkeling. The water is fairly clear, but we saw many more fish along Maui's beaches. After snorkeling for an hour, we headed back to the harbor for our high-speed rafting trip (photos), which was probably the highlight of the day. On our return, we swam around the bay and relaxed on the beach before a decent BBQ lunch. I thought it was interesting that they spiked the stir-fry noodles with a heavy dose of ginger to help with seasickness.

The ginger wasn't needed for the "sail" back, because the winds and waters were still very calm. As we motored through the ʻAuʻau Channel between Maui and Lanai, we were told the water is among the purest in the world, rivaling the water around Iceland. The blueness was unbelievable and the visibility is more than 250' feet! During the winter, humpback whales concentrate in this area, and the wide underwater shots for the Pacific Life commercials are filmed here. The boat stopped to allow people to dive in. I stayed onboard while Kristie, a champion high school swimmer, was the first to jump in. When she surfaced, she squinted her eyes and remarked, "It's salty!" which generated a smart remark from the captain and laughs from the deck.
]]> http://www.johnandkristie.com/archives/2007/09/trilogy_lanai_sail.html http://www.johnandkristie.com/archives/2007/09/trilogy_lanai_sail.html travel Fri, 07 Sep 2007 11:57:34 -0800 The Whaler on Kaanapali MAUI VACATION DAY 1 :: KAANAPALI, HI :: Kristie and I have been looking forward to this much deserved vacation - six incredible days on Maui to forget about work, relax, and play! The highlights of the trip included: sailing on a catamaran to Lānaʻi, chasing manta rays and baby dolphins, snorkeling with sea turtles, swimming in the purest seawater in the world, enjoying a sunset luau, braving the twisting and lush road to Hana, stepping barefoot on black sand beaches, hiking through a bamboo forest, spying on a nude beach, walking amongst the cinder cones of a volcano, and watching the most amazing sunset from the summit of Haleakala, ten thousand feet above the surrounding ocean.

Many thanks to Kristie's mom, who offered us a room at The Whaler on Kaanapali Beach. The location couldn't have been better. Kaanapali is the best beach in all of Maui, lined with a walkway that weaves between the sand and the resorts. From our room we could walk to the adjacent Whalers Village, where we could shop, eat and rent our snorkeling gear. Just a short walk up the beach is Black Rock, which is the best snorkeling spot on the island. Our room in The Whaler was great, with floor to ceiling windows, a full kitchen, a large lanai to watch the ocean sunset, complimentary internet access and powerful air conditioning - it was sunny and 87 every single day. Thank you, Mom!

I will be posting many more photos from our vacation soon.
]]> http://www.johnandkristie.com/archives/2007/09/kaanapali_whaler_maui.html http://www.johnandkristie.com/archives/2007/09/kaanapali_whaler_maui.html travel Thu, 06 Sep 2007 11:46:42 -0800 Point of Arches OLYMPIC NATIONAL PARK, WA :: Kristie and I enjoyed a weekend backpacking with our friends to Shi Shi Beach and Point of Arches. Getting there requires a long, winding drive to Neah Bay, some effort to haul camping gear over 4.5 miles, and a slog through a messy maze of mud. Most would agree it's all well worth it.

Shi Shi Beach is a scenic stretch of cool, grey sand, bordered by lush, green forest to the east and the seemingly infinite ocean to the west, where the constant rhythm of frothy waves crashing against picturesque sea stacks is accompanied by crying seagulls and chattering eagles. We journey to Point of Arches to be reminded of the majestic beauty of nature; to allow our eyes to relax on distant vistas; to breathe the fresh, salty air; to enjoy the good company of life-long friends; ... and to build towering bonfires on the beach!

Also check out Jayson's website and Jacob's website for more great photos.
]]> http://www.johnandkristie.com/archives/2007/08/point_of_arches_shi_shi_backpack.html http://www.johnandkristie.com/archives/2007/08/point_of_arches_shi_shi_backpack.html hikes Sun, 26 Aug 2007 11:40:35 -0800 Washington Business Week WESTERN WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY, BELLINGHAM, WA :: Kristie says, "I spent a week up in Bellingham on the Western Washington University campus as a Washington Business Week Camp Company Advisor with 300 high school students and 28 other Advisors. Each Advisor is assigned a group of 10 students, which make up a company. Throughout the week, these 29 companies compete with each other through a computer business simulation, stockholder presentations, and a trade show that highlights both their product and the performance of the company and its management. Not only do the students learn valuable business and leadership skills, but they have the opportunity to meet new friends and business connections."

"Business leaders in the community spoke on topics such as entrepreneurship, individual fiscal responsibility & identity theft, ethics and corporate crime, leadership, and marketing & advertising. Students loved hearing the innovative and non-traditional ideas expressed by Peter Van Stolk, Owner of Jones Soda. Mike Egan of the Microsoft Corporation was a favorite of many students. Any time students get to act on stage and be involved in the speaker’s presentation, particularly when the topic is busting criminals, students are bound to get excited. So it was no surprise that the presentation by Ryan Thompson, Special Agent IRS-CID, had captured their attention."

"After completing my fifth year of Business Week, I'm looking forward to working with students again next summer in the Advanced Business Week program."
]]> http://www.johnandkristie.com/archives/2007/08/washington_busi.html http://www.johnandkristie.com/archives/2007/08/washington_busi.html events Sun, 05 Aug 2007 11:30:48 -0800 Blue Angels GENESEE PARK, SEATTLE, WA :: You gotta love the Blue Angels! I know some people don't for various reasons, but even those who protest these magnificent machines of death must respect the amazing skill of the pilots and the incredible engineering of the jets. The best part of the show was the sonic boom and the resulting vapor cone flashes from the tail of the F/A-18, just feet above the lake. Shock and awe, baby!

Go Navy!
]]> http://www.johnandkristie.com/archives/2007/08/blue_angels.html http://www.johnandkristie.com/archives/2007/08/blue_angels.html events Sat, 04 Aug 2007 11:45:13 -0800 Daft Punk WAMU THEATER, SEATTLE, WA :: Last night, Daft Punk completely blew my mind.

We arrived just in time to find a pair of seats centered about six rows back on the mezzanine. It was a great vantage point to take in the entire show, and we avoided wrestling with the crowd on the floor. Almost as soon as we sat down, the lights went out and everyone stood up. We then heard the famous five note melody from "Close Encounters of the Third Kind." So appropriate, and so awesome!

For the next 90 minutes, I was transported into a techno nirvana. From their pyramid spaceship, the robotic duo that is Daft Punk progressively intensified their beats, layering remixes of their songs seamlessly into the next. The sound was incredible and the futuristic light show was absolutely unreal, hypnotizing me and the crowd into a bouncing frenzy. I felt a rare, substance-free euphoria as the bass pulsed through my body and the flashing lights danced through my eyes. It's hard to describe the sensation, but I imagine it being like a firsthand experience of that trippy scene at the end of "2001: A Space Odyssey."

"My god... It's full of stars!"

Truly an amazing, unforgettable, transcendent show. My only complaint: it was too damn short!
]]> http://www.johnandkristie.com/archives/2007/07/daft_punk.html http://www.johnandkristie.com/archives/2007/07/daft_punk.html events Sun, 29 Jul 2007 11:04:33 -0800 Vancouver, B.C. VANCOUVER, B.C.:: This weekend we visited Vancouver for a relaxing, fun and romantic getaway. My company was sending me to Sydney for a week, so we wanted to make the most of our time together before I left. Despite the rain, beautiful Vancouver did not disappoint.

We knew it was going to be a great weekend when we checked into the Hyatt Regency and received an upgrade to a luxurious penthouse suite on the 34th floor. We were overwhelmed by the amenities: two living areas, two flat panel TVs, a kitchen with a fully stocked bar, self-grind coffee beans, two washrooms, an enourmous tub, a ceiling mounted shower, bathrobes, slippers, floor to ceiling windows with views of Coal Harbor, marble floors, granite countertops, see-through fireplace, dimmable lighting, complimentary turndown service, and a desk with computer and Aeron chair. It was nice!

It was hard to leave the suite, but we managed to tear ourselves away to enjoy Yaletown's street party, shopping and dining on Robson street, a funny TheatreSports show on Granville Island, and a 3D safari at the IMAX in Canada Place. We love Vancouver and had a great time!

Then it was off to Sydney for me! No, not Australia... Nova Scotia.
]]> http://www.johnandkristie.com/archives/2007/07/vancouver_bc.html http://www.johnandkristie.com/archives/2007/07/vancouver_bc.html travel Sat, 21 Jul 2007 11:29:54 -0800 Plains of Abraham MT. ST. HELENS NATIONAL VOLCANIC MONUMENT, WA :: If you don't mind winding, bumpy roads that border along steep cliffs, the drive to this trailhead on FR 99 is as enjoyable as the hike. I had to pass many drivers who seemed torn between gawking at the surreal, blasted surroundings and keeping their eyes on the dangerous road. There are many viewpoints along the way. Continue to the last one, Windy Ridge, where the trail begins at an unmarked gate on the south side of the parking lot.

I last visited Mt. St. Helens to summit the crater rim with my friends. Today, I wanted to experience the blast zone up close via a quick loop hike. My route started on the Truman Trail and continued two miles to the Abraham Trail. On the Abraham Trail, I hiked two more miles along a narrow ridge to reach the plain and the junction with the Loowit Trail. The Loowit Trail marches straight toward the volcano and then meets up with the Windy Trail, which descends into the lahar before connecting again with the Truman Trail.

Although it's been 27 years since the eruption, this entire area northeast of the volcano is still barren and moonlike. Small shrubs, grasses and wildflowers have taken root, but I did not see a single sapling to replace the thousands of broken trees. I suppose that will take much more time, when the soil has a chance to develop from the pumice and sand it is today.

This hike is nine miles total, climbing up and down about 1000' in elevation, steeply at times. The trail is completely exposed, so be sure to wear sunscreen. The winds were fierce while I was on the trail, making it impossible to wear my hat, resulting in a nasty sunburn on my scalp.
]]> http://www.johnandkristie.com/archives/2007/07/plains_of_abrah.html http://www.johnandkristie.com/archives/2007/07/plains_of_abrah.html hikes Thu, 05 Jul 2007 11:29:02 -0800 Walking the Cats EDMONDS, WA :: We love our cats. Unfortunately, this means they are fated to a life indoors. It's just too dangerous in our area to let them roam outside. There are coyotes, raccoons, opossums, cars and feral cats to worry about. However, I also don't think it's right to deprive the cats of the outdoors. But how to let them enjoy it safely? Our best options are: 1) build them a huge, unattractive cage in the backyard, or 2) leash train them so that we can take them on supervised walks outside the house.

We decided to try the leashes first. Kristie was doubtful it would work, but I was more optimistic. The first day, I simply placed their harnesses on them (of course, it was a green harness for Sage, and "the black" for Mance). At first they ran through the house and tried their best to pull them off, but that only lasted about ten minutes. I played with them for about an hour until they completely forgot they were wearing them. A couple days later, we put the harnesses on them again with the leashes this time, just walking them through the house. Then we opened the screen door...

At first they were terrified of the new environment, even though they had been studying it through the windows for the past year. They desperately wanted to run back into the house. We gave them a few days and tried again. This time, they cautiously explored the entire perimeter of the backyard, running back to the screen door every now and then to their safe spot and to get their bearings. After about twenty minutes, they were chasing bugs and each other. They love it! And in case you don't believe it, these photos are proof!
]]> http://www.johnandkristie.com/archives/2007/06/walking_the_cats.html http://www.johnandkristie.com/archives/2007/06/walking_the_cats.html misc Sun, 24 Jun 2007 11:13:23 -0800 ARTOPIA GEORGETOWN, SEATTLE, WA :: Today, Kristie and I walked the streets of Georgetown for the very first time. The old industrial neighborhood hosted a festival of art, music, theater and events. We peeked inside a few of the galleries and were as perplexed as we usually are when viewing contemporary art, but we could appreciate most of the pieces for their whimsy.

The highlight was the Seattle Power Tool Race and Derby, a drag race between vehicles built out of various powertools, including beltsanders, chainsaws and rocket-powered handvacs. It was a lot of fun, although seriously dangerous as well. I'm surprised the city allows it! If it's still around, I think I'll have to submit an entry for next year's race!
]]> http://www.johnandkristie.com/archives/2007/06/artopia.html http://www.johnandkristie.com/archives/2007/06/artopia.html events Sat, 23 Jun 2007 11:41:44 -0800 Fourth of July Creek WENATCHEE NATIONAL FOREST, WA :: I enjoyed the first full day of summer in the mountains, hiking the Fourth of July Creek trail to Icicle Ridge and the site of an old fire lookout. The lookout is no longer there, and I had to wonder why as I weaved through the skeletal remains of a forest that succumbed to a fairly recent wildfire. Maybe there are better ways of monitoring fires in the wilderness these days, or perhaps there just isn't the necessary staffing and/or funding to do so.

It was sunny, but a cold breeze blew through the valley most of the day. This caused the burnt trees to sway and moan. At times, the creaking branches sounded a little too much like screaming children. My eyes scanned the trees for the real danger of falling limbs, and I looked over my shoulder a few times to check for those imaginary kids. It was neat walking through the naked trees, but a little creepy too.

I reached the ridge where there were still a few patches of snow. The wind was too hard and too cold on top of the lookout site, where only rusted bolts remain. I took shelter behind the large rocks to enjoy my lunch and views of the Enchantment peaks.

There was another car at the trailhead, but I didn't see anyone else on the trail the entire day. Depending on which guide you believe, this hike is about 11-13 miles roundtrip, climbing 4800'.

Trip report posted with additional discussion at nwhikers.net.
]]> http://www.johnandkristie.com/archives/2007/06/fourth_of_july.html http://www.johnandkristie.com/archives/2007/06/fourth_of_july.html hikes Fri, 22 Jun 2007 11:09:34 -0800 The Police KEY ARENA, SEATTLE, WA :: Kristie and I initially didn't have high expectations for The Police concert. We thought it would be a relatively quiet night, with us having a good time singing along to familiar tunes from the early 80s. Our expectations sank lower after Copeland's well-publicized criticism of the rehearsals in Vancouver... But wow! What a difference a week apparently makes! The Police put on a great show in Seattle tonight!

The band kicked it off with a recording of Bob Marley's "Get Up, Stand Up," a salute to the reggae sound that influences so many of their songs. Copeland walked out first and rang an enormous gong. The crowd was roaring and on their feet for most the show as the band played renewed versions of the following songs:

Message in a Bottle, Synchronicity II, Don't Stand So Close to Me, Voices Inside My Head, When the World Is Running Down You Make the Best of What's Still Around, Spirits in the Material World, Driven to Tears, Walking on the Moon, Truth Hits Everybody, Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic, Wrapped Around Your Finger, The Bed's Too Big Without You, Regatta De Blanc, De Do Do Do De Da Da Da, Invisible Sun, Walking in Your Footsteps, Can't Stand Losing You, Roxanne, King of Pain, So Lonely, Every Breath You Take, and Next to You.

There was a lot of energy in the crowd and the band was smiling, joking, and having fun as if the break-up never occured. Really though, how can you not be having the time of your life as a legendary rockstar playing some of the greatest hits of an era to sold-out arenas, especially after a 20 year lapse? Sting looks and sounds incredible at 55 (fifty-five!). He sang through many high notes and "ee-yo-yo-yos" without falter. Likewise, Stewart and Andy are still amazing. The band rocked! And I'm guessing Kristie and I will be humming Police songs for at least a month now.

Here's a great YouTube video of "So Lonely" from the concert:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AaOwOahoh7Q
]]> http://www.johnandkristie.com/archives/2007/06/the_police_concert_seattle_key_arena.html http://www.johnandkristie.com/archives/2007/06/the_police_concert_seattle_key_arena.html events Thu, 07 Jun 2007 11:01:10 -0800 Moscow Cats Theater SEATTLE REPERTORY THEATRE, SEATTLE, WA :: Kristie and I were looking forward to a show featuring a troupe of specially trained cats. The Moscow Cats Theater website says the following:

"35 cats! 1 dog! 5 clowns! Death defying Balancing Acts! Dancing! Acrobatics! The only entertainment of its kind in the World-features non-stop action by a group of talented felines performing original and astounding acrobatic feats, integrated into a non-verbal, colorful and fun-filled family show."

The reality, we discovered, is you can only train a cat to do so much (thus the large number of them). While the cats were cute and entertaining as they took turns performing their simple tricks, the one dog upstaged the cats everytime. I'm not even sure why he was a part of the Moscow Cats Theater. It would have been neat to see the cats and the dog interact, but they were never onstage together. A couple cats would run across the floor, hopping over a couple obstacles, if they were in the mood. Then out comes the Chow Chow, dancing, prancing, flipping, and doing a series of tricks perfectly everytime, right on cue.

I dislike clowns, so I thought the five in the show were more annoying than funny. Between the "death-defying ... and astounding acrobatic feats," the clowns would perform mediocre juggling, tap dance, or mime acts! Yes, mime! Again, why is this in the Moscow Cats (emphasis on cats!) Theater? If you added up the stage time of the cats, it would account for barely 15 minutes out of the 60 minute show. Not a big deal if expectations were properly set and tickets were $15 each, but they cost more than three times that.

Oh well, at least we were able to go home without thinking our own cats are inadequate. Most of the "tricks" were things our cats and others would naturally do on a daily basis. The night was redeemed when we encountered fellow cat fanciers, David, Lorra, Mark and Mary. We enjoyed a nice dinner and drinks together at McMenamins Pub, where the tater tots are to die for!
]]> http://www.johnandkristie.com/archives/2007/06/moscow_cats_theater.html http://www.johnandkristie.com/archives/2007/06/moscow_cats_theater.html events Sat, 02 Jun 2007 11:07:48 -0800 San Francisco SAN FRANCISCO, CA :: After wandering around Chinatown, I decided to visit a few other landmarks in San Francisco, including Coit Tower, The Palace of Fine Arts and The Golden Gate Bridge. I think I would have enjoyed spending more time in the city to walk through Fisherman's Wharf and/or Golden Gate Park, but it was very windy and a chilly 60 degrees, about 35 degrees cooler than my previous two days in the San Joaquin Valley. A thick fog was beginning to roll in, and I was just in shorts and a short-sleeve shirt. After a quick stop at Alamo Point to see the famous Six Sisters (I only managed to include five in the above photo), I was glad to be heading back towards San Jose.

Kristie and I will be back in San Francisco for a week in October. Let us know what else we should see and do while we're there!
]]> http://www.johnandkristie.com/archives/2007/05/san_francisco.html http://www.johnandkristie.com/archives/2007/05/san_francisco.html travel Mon, 28 May 2007 12:11:18 -0800 San Francisco Chinatown SAN FRANCISCO, CA :: After my hike up Yosemite's Half Dome, I had an extra day to explore downtown San Francisco. I started with a dim sum lunch at Yank Sing. As I enjoyed a blossom tea, busy servers steered carts past me. I was free to select among the many little plates containing bite-sized mysteries, all of which ended up being quite good. With a full belly, I walked the short distance to the Chinatown gate.

San Francisco Chinatown is the largest Chinatown district outside of Asia, so I definitely didn't see it all. I peeked into a few of the fascinating shops and ventured a ways up and down some of the side-streets. It's a great place to enjoy a couple hours, sampling the sights and sounds of different cultures.
]]> http://www.johnandkristie.com/archives/2007/05/chinatown.html http://www.johnandkristie.com/archives/2007/05/chinatown.html travel Mon, 28 May 2007 11:16:38 -0800 Half Dome YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK, CA :: I've wanted to visit Yosemite for a long time. I finally had an opportunity over Memorial Day weekend when a business trip placed me in the Silicon Valley. Kristie would be busy writing a final paper and the weather was going to be perfect. It seemed like all of the stars were aligned, telling me to go. So I packed my bags and decided to take on the legendary hike up Half Dome.

The trail to the top of Half Dome is challenging, to say the least. It climbs 4800’ over approximately 20 miles. My route started at 5:30 AM near Curry Village, the closest available parking I could find on the busy, holiday weekend. From there, it was a mile-long walk just to reach the trailhead. I chose the John Muir Trail on the way up (9.7 miles) and the Mist Trail on the way down (8.2 miles). I highly recommend this route, especially on a very hot day. The JMT is a much gentler ascent, and the cooling mist from Vernal Falls is a refreshing reward waiting near the end of the hike. However, if your knees don't like walking down stairs, then do the reverse.

Near the summit are a pair of cables which are absolutely necessary for the final 400’ of elevation. At the base of the cables are a pile of gloves. I brought my own and can't imagine the blisters my hands would have suffered without them. As I pulled my way up, I was literally holding onto those steel ropes for my life. At its steepest, the smooth, granite slope tilts 50 degrees. Occasionally, I looked down and around me, realizing a slip would be a pretty bad thing, and held on tighter. As I heaved myself up another few feet, I hoped it would all be worth it.

It was tough! But it was also one of the most rewarding and absolutely incredible experiences in my life. It took me four and a half hours to reach the top, where I spent an hour and a half enjoying the view, and another six hours to get back down, stopping to take many photos along the way (they appear below in the order I took them). Amazingly, my body handled the trail surprisingly well. I was barely sore and had enough energy in my legs to walk around San Francisco and Chinatown the following day. The only blister I got was on the inside of my right-middle finger, caused by my trekking poles or by gripping the cables too tightly.

When I finally returned to my car, twelve hours later, I drove up to Glacier Point to survey my accomplishment. The sun was setting, casting a warm glow over the beautiful Yosemite Valley and majestic Half Dome. The incredible sight was the perfect way to conclude an absolutely amazing day!

Trip report posted with additional discussion at nwhikers.net.
]]> http://www.johnandkristie.com/archives/2007/05/half_dome.html http://www.johnandkristie.com/archives/2007/05/half_dome.html hikes Sun, 27 May 2007 11:36:51 -0800 Chicago CHICAGO, IL :: A recent business trip had me travelling through the Midwestern towns of Indianapolis, Louisville, Cincinnati and Columbus. Of those, I found Louisville to be the nicest, with a suprisingly vibrant nightlife on the neighborhood streets and beautiful scenery all around. I'd like to go back someday.

Unfortunately, my return flight from Columbus through O'Hare was delayed several hours by thunderstorms. When the plane was finally cleared for takeoff, I watched dozens of streaks of lightning touch the horizon. Above the cloud deck, the flashes chained through the clouds, filling them with surreal sheets of light. It was a short and thrilling flight, but I missed my connection to Seattle. I decided to make the most of it by giving myself the following day to explore the Windy City.

It was my first time in Chicago, and I really didn't know what to expect. I wandered up and down Michigan Avenue, crossed the Chicago River, saw the L-trains, enjoyed the view from the Sears Tower, marvelled at the silver bean in Millenium Park, continued over to the museums along Lake Michigan, and trespassed into Soldier Field. It was indeed windy in Chicago, and a set of chain link fences surrounding the stadium had been blown down, which I felt at liberty to cross to snap a quick panorama.

Chicago is a great city and I really enjoyed my day. I wish I had more time to visit the Robie House and to wander Rush Street. I also wish I had my Rebel with me (all of these were shot with the Elph). Kristie has always wanted to visit, so I'm sure we'll be back there someday soon. If you've been to Chicago, let us know what else we shouldn't miss.
]]> http://www.johnandkristie.com/archives/2007/05/chicago.html http://www.johnandkristie.com/archives/2007/05/chicago.html travel Wed, 02 May 2007 12:08:28 -0800 Flamingo CHICAGO, IL :: While viewing the beautiful city of Chicago from the Sears Tower Skydeck, I noticed a distinct, red object within a plaza 103 floors below me. I'm a big fan of Alexander Calder's mobiles and stabiles, and I immediately recognized the form as one of his best works. Back on the ground, I found three Mies van der Rohe buildings surrounding the 53' foot tall "Flamingo", its red, soaring arches a stark contrast to the disciplined and unadorned structures behind it. One form is heart, spirit and emotion. The other is skeletal, reasonable, and pragmatic. Perhaps the composition is a reminder that we need both qualities in our lives...

Or maybe it is just a giant flamingo.
]]> http://www.johnandkristie.com/archives/2007/05/flamingo.html http://www.johnandkristie.com/archives/2007/05/flamingo.html travel Wed, 02 May 2007 11:15:38 -0800 Boulder River BOULDER RIVER WILDERNESS, WA :: The Boulder River trail is a nearby favorite. As usual, it was wet and muddy, with many blowdowns to weave around, crawl under, or climb over. I was plenty dirty by the time I got back to my car!

This trail is definitely more about the journey than the destination, as there really isn't anything at the turn-around point. At the four mile mark, you'll find a bank of the river and a few overpopulated campsites amidst damp ground and stinking skunk cabbage. There are better river sites and views along the trail, including a couple waterfalls. I saw many groups of backpackers heading in, and I wasn't sure why or where they were going to setup camp, but then again, back in the day, I've camped here a couple times as well. Neither were particularly good experiences (constant rain and an unidentifiable stench during one trip, and a merciless attack of biting flies during the other), but we made the best of it.

I hiked all the way to the end just to see if conditions had improved over the past few years... They haven't, but along the way I was able to enjoy the lush scenery, large trees, the river, the waterfalls, and a couple small details. This hike is a little over eight miles roundtrip, with some minor ups and downs totalling 1000 feet.
]]> http://www.johnandkristie.com/archives/2007/04/boulder_river.html http://www.johnandkristie.com/archives/2007/04/boulder_river.html hikes Sat, 28 Apr 2007 11:06:21 -0800 Skagit Valley Tulip Festival LA CONNER, WA :: Kristie and I headed North after work on Friday to enjoy a nice walk through fields of blooming tulips on a rare, sunny and warm Spring evening. Actually, little of my time was spent walking... Mostly I was just standing, waiting for the sun to peek through the clouds, or I was rolling around in the dirt trying to get a good angle on the flowers. I had warned Kristie it might be boring for her, but she still insisted on joining me, offering to carry my bag and/or tripod when my hands were full. It turns out she's a great photographer's assistant!
]]> http://www.johnandkristie.com/archives/2007/04/skagit_valley_t_1.html http://www.johnandkristie.com/archives/2007/04/skagit_valley_t_1.html events Fri, 06 Apr 2007 11:14:26 -0800 The French Quarter NEW ORLEANS, LA :: A long business trip to New Orleans was both very productive and very fun! When I wasn't conducting demonstrations, engaged in round tables, or spending facetime with existing clients, I was free to soak up The Big Easy. I arrived on St. Patrick's Day and Bourbon Street was absolutely cram-packed with festive revelers (and revealers!). I hopped from bar to bar, carrying my drinks through the streets (which is legal and encouraged in The French Quarter), catching parts of the second round NCAA tournament game between WSU and Vanderbilt. I finally settled on a place with a surpisingly large contingent of Cougs and watched our heart-breaking elimination in a double-overtime game.

Back on Bourbon Street, it was raining beads. Despite a devasting hurricane, The French Quarter hasn't changed much since the last time I was there, nearly eight years ago. The only differences I noted were a much larger police presence, and bead collecting seems to have evolved into an equal opportunity franchise for both women and men. An even population from each gender was proudly displaying private parts in exchange for necklaces of shiny plastic. I neither gave nor attempted to receive any beads, but it was fun to watch and cheer them. But that kind of excitement wears thin, and I returned to my hotel, The Monteleone, vowing to only enjoy the sinless attractions of New Orleans for the rest of my stay.

It was actually pretty easy, as Bourbon Street never came close to the level of frenzy it had reached on St. Patrick's Day. The days were warm and sunny, the nights were slightly humid and sultry, the dining was consistently fantastic, and the overall pace was relaxed and slow. In between and after meetings, I was really enjoying the unique charms of New Orleans. The history, the culture, the attitude, the food, the sights and the sounds. I was beginning to appreciate how a transplanted Southerner might miss his or her home.

But a transplanted Northwesterner misses his home too, especially a home that houses his loving fiancée (and two wonderful cats). I highly recommend a visit to New Orleans if you haven't been, but after six memorable days, I was very eager to return.
]]> http://www.johnandkristie.com/archives/2007/03/the_french_quar.html http://www.johnandkristie.com/archives/2007/03/the_french_quar.html travel Sat, 17 Mar 2007 11:55:20 -0800 TAIKOPROJECT EDMONDS CENTER FOR THE ARTS, EDMONDS, WA :: Kristie is a drum freak. She enjoys listening to all kinds of drums: steel drums, congas, bongos, tom-toms, hi-hats, snares, bass drums, marching band drums, drum machines, and especially taiko drums; the bigger the better.

One of the most talented and innovative taiko groups, TAIKOPROJECT, held a performance at the brand new Edmonds Center for the Arts. Their two-hour set included a variety of different taiko styles, traditional and contemporary. Each song was introduced with a short narrative or lesson via one of the performers or a movie screen that descended from above the stage.

At times the show was funny, other times serious, and throughout the night energetic, entertaining and exhilarating. The carefully choreographed songs that emphasized the Japanese concept of "ma" (space or emptiness) were poetic and enchanting. Deep sounds punctuated with the "teek teek" sound of the "bachi" (drum sticks) striking each other took my thoughts to visions of Japanese gardens and contemplation. The faster music had the entire audience cheering along, and my mind was filled with images of large battlefields swarming with fearsome samurai armies. Hearing and feeling the thunderous beat of the immense "odaiko" drum is a truly awesome experience!
]]> http://www.johnandkristie.com/archives/2007/03/taikoproject.html http://www.johnandkristie.com/archives/2007/03/taikoproject.html events Thu, 15 Mar 2007 11:18:10 -0800 Commonwealth Basin MT. BAKER-SNOQUALMIE NATIONAL FOREST, WA :: On this first day of 2007, Kristie and I enjoyed a snowshoe hike through Commonwealth Basin near Snoqualmie Pass. We had originally planned to explore Pipe Creek near Blewett Pass, but the roads were getting kind of dicey over the mountains, so we cut our drive time in half and still had a great time.

The sign above the Family Pancake House at Snoqualmie Summit displayed a temperature of 15 degrees. It was pretty cold, but once we started moving, we warmed up rather quickly and started shedding our outer layers. Fresh snow blanketed everything in the woods and it was very pretty. Unfortunately, the falling snow turned into tiny ice pellets that stung whenever they hit our exposed skin, so after an hour of romping through the network of trails, we called it a day and headed back.

2006 was an incredible year for us, and we're looking forward to an exciting 2007! We hope everyone had a wonderful holiday. Happy New Year!
]]> http://www.johnandkristie.com/archives/2007/01/commonwealth_ba.html http://www.johnandkristie.com/archives/2007/01/commonwealth_ba.html hikes Mon, 01 Jan 2007 11:35:24 -0800 Christmas EDMONDS, WA :: Our first Christmas in our new home with our new kittens was wonderful! The photo above shows Sage stalking Mance from under the tree. We tried our best to keep them away from it, but I imagine even an artificial tree must be irresistible to a pair of indoor cats. They have yet to climb it or knock it down, so perhaps it's okay to let them lie under the warm glow of the bulbs. We moved the ornaments to the higher branches, after finding a few around the house.

Christmas would have been perfect, if not for the severe cases of stomach flu we both battled around Christmas Eve. Time with our families was unfortunately cut short and we spent most of Christmas Day in bed. We're glad to be feeling much better now.

And I'm very glad I'm able to enjoy my awesome gifts! Kristie spoiled me rotten again this year! First, she got me a cool advent calendar which she stocked with all sorts of different chocolates and cookies. It was fun to open a new door everyday. Then, she surprised me with a 42" plasma TV!!! I got an adjustable mount and hung the TV above the fireplace where it looks great!
]]> http://www.johnandkristie.com/archives/2006/12/christmas_2.html http://www.johnandkristie.com/archives/2006/12/christmas_2.html events Mon, 25 Dec 2006 11:46:49 -0800 2006 Photo Album EDMONDS, WA :: Just in time for the holidays, I created another photo album to capture and share some of the milestones and events Kristie and I experienced in 2006. Like last year, I used MyPublisher to compose and print the album. The updated software offered several improved layouts, background colors and other new options. Again, we were very impressed by the quality of the books and the quick turnaround. They arrived just a few days after ordering in neat, durable packaging. We used the Costco discount (20% off) and had a couple extra copies made to give as gifts.
]]> http://www.johnandkristie.com/archives/2006/12/2006_photo_albu.html http://www.johnandkristie.com/archives/2006/12/2006_photo_albu.html projects Wed, 20 Dec 2006 11:49:35 -0800 Mini-Pendant Chandelier EDMONDS, WA :: With most of the house renovations complete, we finally invited our friends over for a dinner party. We looked forward to using our new table, chairs and place settings, but the dining room still had a very ugly ceiling light which we had not yet replaced. We simply hadn't found anything that we liked and would match the long, modern-looking table. I began thinking, "Well, how hard would it be to make a chandelier?" I had five evenings before the dinner to find out.

I really like the look of mini-pendant lights. The more, the better! My vision was to arrange about 20 of them in a long line, scattered about in an organic pattern. I needed to construct a mount and figure out a way to convert the line voltage to 12 volts to power the 10 watt lamps. I'm not much of an electrician, and I was trying to keep the project around $300, so I figured it was best to cannabilize several existing low-voltage, mini-pendant lamps. IKEA hooked me up with three KRYSSBO lamps that came with some nice looking, glass pendants, bulbs, and the necessary transformers. I grabbed a spool of speaker wire, some wood, and I was set.

Constructing the mount and wiring the lights was pretty easy. I cut matching lengths of aluminum tubing to conceal the wiring between the IKEA pendants and my speaker wire. The hardest part of the entire project was crawling up into the attic to hang bridging between the joists to provide a sturdy support for the chandelier. It probably weighed about 60 pounds. Four carriage bolts dropped through my 2x4s and the chandelier mount seemed to do the trick.

The dinner party was a lot of fun and we're very happy with the way the chandelier turned out. I only wish I had found some wiring that was all silver colored, instead of the copper-aluminum pair that I ended up using. The copper color is a little distracting, but it's not too bad. Since the chandelier is removable, I may replace the wiring, but there are many other projects still awaiting!

UPDATE: Check out the Instructable for this project.
]]> http://www.johnandkristie.com/archives/2006/11/minipendant_cha.html http://www.johnandkristie.com/archives/2006/11/minipendant_cha.html projects Thu, 16 Nov 2006 11:45:14 -0800 Halloween EDMONDS, WA :: We decided to have a little fun with the trick-or-treaters this Halloween, our first in our new home. We placed five jack-o-lanterns around our entryway, replaced the outside lights with red bulbs, and placed several black lights around the inside of the door. The black lights kept the hall dark and lit up our simple ghost outfits, creating an eerie effect for those looking through the door's frosted windows.

Each time we heard the doorbell, we'd "float" towards the door and make moaning noises, causing the kids on the other side to scream or squeal as the mysterious pair of ghostly figures emerged from the darkness. Some of our neighbors had their yard filled with those generic inflatables, but I think we scored more points with the kids and parents with our presentation!
]]> http://www.johnandkristie.com/archives/2006/10/halloween.html http://www.johnandkristie.com/archives/2006/10/halloween.html events Tue, 31 Oct 2006 11:22:20 -0800 Halloween Sugar Cookies EDMONDS, WA :: This Halloween we made a bunch of cookies in the shape of ghosts, pumpkins, bats and cats. It was fun and the cookies were delicious! Batches went out to family, friends and co-workers. We used the wildly popular Perfect Vegan Sugar Cookies recipe from last year - the most visited page on our website, with over 20,000 hits as of this posting!

Tip: Making black frosting is possible, but it takes a LOT of food coloring. Keep adding drops of red, green and blue until your greyish-purple frosting darkens into a convincing black.
]]> http://www.johnandkristie.com/archives/2006/10/halloween_sugar.html http://www.johnandkristie.com/archives/2006/10/halloween_sugar.html projects Sat, 28 Oct 2006 11:13:14 -0800 Rockport ROCKPORT, MA :: On our last day in New England, Kristie and I headed north from Boston to check out Rockport and Salem. Rockport is a small fishing village and artist community on the coast of Cape Ann. A pedestrian-only zone contains many quaint shops, cafes and galleries.

In nearby Gloucester, we stopped at a beach and touched the Atlantic Ocean for the first time. It's just as wet as the Pacific, but I think I much prefer the beaches along our coasts in Washington, Oregon and California. Why?

Sunsets.
]]> http://www.johnandkristie.com/archives/2006/10/rockport.html http://www.johnandkristie.com/archives/2006/10/rockport.html travel Mon, 23 Oct 2006 11:14:25 -0800 Trails Near Boston MILTON AND CONCORD, MA :: Today we drove a short distance away from the city to experience a few of the natural attractions in Massachussetts. The first stop was a four mile loop to the top of Great Blue Hill, the highest point of elevation within ten miles of the entire Atlantic coast. A stone lookout tower offers a sweeping view of the Boston skyline and the 6,500 acres of woods within the Blue Hills Reservation.

Next, we stopped at several battleground sites between Lexington and Concord on our way to Walden Pond, where Henry David Thoreau lived for two years writing Walden, or Life in the Woods. I must admit that I don't know too much about Thoreau or Transcendentalism , but it was a pretty pond. We followed a 1.5 mile trail that loops around it.
]]> http://www.johnandkristie.com/archives/2006/10/trails_near_bos.html http://www.johnandkristie.com/archives/2006/10/trails_near_bos.html hikes Sun, 22 Oct 2006 11:50:54 -0800 Life is Good Pumpkin Festival BOSTON COMMON, BOSTON, MA :: We were in Boston Common this evening to enjoy the second annual Life is Good Pumpkin Festival. The event is a fundraiser for Camp Sunshine, a program to allow kids with life-threatening illnesses to attend a weeklong camp with their families. In order to bring attention to the event, thousands of jack-o'-lanterns were carved and lit in an attempt to break a world record held by Keene, NH since 2003. The much smaller population of Keene was able to simultaneously light 28,952 pumpkins. Quite a feat!

As the official count was updated and announced throughout the night, the suspense grew greater and the park became more beautiful with each new row of freshly carved and twinkling pumpkins. We saw people arriving from the subway with their jack-o'-lanterns in hand, eager to contribute. Were they able to do it?

Kristie and I were happy to celebrate with Boston as they announced a new world record of 30,952 pumpkins! It was an amazing sight!
]]> http://www.johnandkristie.com/archives/2006/10/pumpkin_festiva.html http://www.johnandkristie.com/archives/2006/10/pumpkin_festiva.html travel Sat, 21 Oct 2006 11:29:34 -0800 Mount Auburn Cemetery CAMBRIDGE, MA :: Boston is home to many of America's "firsts", including the first college, first post office, first public park, first public school, first public library, first lighthouse, first subway, and first marathon. In ne