STS-119 Discovery Launch Sunday 3/15 at 7:45 PM. We were driving North of Krome Ave, almost to the Casino when we saw a fireball in the sky. A quick google on my cell phone confirmed it was the shuttle launch 200 miles away. The night was clear and the sun was amazing! The sun was setting to the top of the trail is lighter than the bottom. There was a big white cloud where the shuttle punched thru the atmosphere. It looked like a whole was ripped in the sky and bruised from the penetration of humans leaving their home to venture to where they know not of.
Monday, March 16, 2009
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
At the Beach in August
I was looking thru Ana and Charlie Gamba's photos and found this one of us at the beach in Fort Lauderdale. Since swimming lessons, the boys have gotten much more comfortable in the water. The love splashing and playing now. I can't wait until next summer!
Tuesday, November 04, 2008
Bodhisattva Vow
The Four Great Vows:
I vow to liberate all beings, without number (Green)
I vow to uproot endless blind passions (Red)
I vow to penetrate dharma gates beyond measure (Blue)
I vow to attain the way of the Buddha (Yellow and Black)
Posted a moment ago.
I read this in the latest book from the Dali Lama and decided to paint it. This is how it made my feel.
I vow to liberate all beings, without number (Green)
I vow to uproot endless blind passions (Red)
I vow to penetrate dharma gates beyond measure (Blue)
I vow to attain the way of the Buddha (Yellow and Black)
Posted a moment ago.
I read this in the latest book from the Dali Lama and decided to paint it. This is how it made my feel.
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Friday Night Bike and Dine
So how else can we use the bikes? How about going for dinner? Humm, that's a crazy idea that just might work. After picking our range and what was available we decided to try the new Japanese buffet that replaced the IHOP next to Sedanos on 58th and 107th.
We loaded the boys up for the 15 minute ride over there. One spot the street is missing the curb so Andrea had to help lift the boys trailer back on the side walk. The sling they sit on doesn't have any padding. I took them off a curb one and Ev started crying. It was too much of a jolt for him. I thought he would like it?
We got there and I found a tree to tie up our rides. There were no bike racks. The boys love the noodles and rice. Nathan and Everett both managed to eat some food with chopsticks. Then our server gave us the kiddie version with rubber bands and spacer. They did well eating and stabbing the food.
We loaded back up and headed home. There was some brief crying before they passed out and went to sleep. We road past the house to the frontage road behind our house and to the Doral Meadows park for a quick lap to look at the little league games.
On the way there we were riding into a thunder head with a beautiful lightening going from cloud to cloud. I thought of the songs written in Black Elk Speaks. I just finished reading the book.
On the way home, the heat lightening turned to crackling ground to air lightening with thunder 10 seconds behind it. We picked up the pace and headed home. We got everything packed up before it rained. It felt like it was going to be a big rain, but it sputtered a little bit and then nothing. Just like the end of Black Elks book.
We loaded the boys up for the 15 minute ride over there. One spot the street is missing the curb so Andrea had to help lift the boys trailer back on the side walk. The sling they sit on doesn't have any padding. I took them off a curb one and Ev started crying. It was too much of a jolt for him. I thought he would like it?
We got there and I found a tree to tie up our rides. There were no bike racks. The boys love the noodles and rice. Nathan and Everett both managed to eat some food with chopsticks. Then our server gave us the kiddie version with rubber bands and spacer. They did well eating and stabbing the food.
We loaded back up and headed home. There was some brief crying before they passed out and went to sleep. We road past the house to the frontage road behind our house and to the Doral Meadows park for a quick lap to look at the little league games.
On the way there we were riding into a thunder head with a beautiful lightening going from cloud to cloud. I thought of the songs written in Black Elk Speaks. I just finished reading the book.
On the way home, the heat lightening turned to crackling ground to air lightening with thunder 10 seconds behind it. We picked up the pace and headed home. We got everything packed up before it rained. It felt like it was going to be a big rain, but it sputtered a little bit and then nothing. Just like the end of Black Elks book.
Riding Shark Valley 10/5
Sunday we loaded up our gear and food for a picnic at Shark Valley. Its a 17 mile one lane road that makes a loop in the Everglades. 8 miles in there is a 4 story observation tower with no civilization in site. Several months ago we paid the $15 per person for the 2 hour tram ride with 20 minutes stop at the tower. It wasn't long enough and I dreamed of riding the trail.
Driving there was cloudy with the threat of rain. We were ready to call the ride before we got started. The park road was flooded with 6 inches of water flowing across. The park ranger said the tram was closed due to flooding for 4 days and we could ride 6 miles in on either side of the loop to where they had to close the trail.
We arrived 10 minutes late and cell phones were useless so we couldn't contact Lee and Carmen who were supposed to join us. We loaded up and headed out.
The water was right up to the road. Creatures would jump back into the water as we road past. We saw several groups of baby alligators knowing mom was not far away even if we couldn't see her. One 6 foot gator was laying on the side of the road. He was completly unimpressed with my new bike! I left the camera in the car fearing a big downpour.
1 hour later at 3 miles in the boys started crying. Andrea didn't pack the diaper bag or picnic food as we were going to come back to eat. But that also left the milk bottles back in the car. We tried one some water and turned to head back.
After some crying they both passed out and went to sleep. I parked the bike and trailer and ate while they slept. 10 minutes later Lee and Carmen came off the trail!
They had rented bikes and went to the end and back. There were ahead and behind us. They ate with us and Andrea and I got to know Carmen a bit. She is a new member of SFL-DIR.
The boys woke up and ate. We shared some stories and loaded up again to ride the other side. There were more herons and egrets on this side. We went 2 miles in before turning aorund due to time. Lee and Carmen had to get the rental bikes back or pay a late fee.
We parted company and headed back to civilation. Were nutes, but I love going on these weekend adventures!
Driving there was cloudy with the threat of rain. We were ready to call the ride before we got started. The park road was flooded with 6 inches of water flowing across. The park ranger said the tram was closed due to flooding for 4 days and we could ride 6 miles in on either side of the loop to where they had to close the trail.
We arrived 10 minutes late and cell phones were useless so we couldn't contact Lee and Carmen who were supposed to join us. We loaded up and headed out.
The water was right up to the road. Creatures would jump back into the water as we road past. We saw several groups of baby alligators knowing mom was not far away even if we couldn't see her. One 6 foot gator was laying on the side of the road. He was completly unimpressed with my new bike! I left the camera in the car fearing a big downpour.
1 hour later at 3 miles in the boys started crying. Andrea didn't pack the diaper bag or picnic food as we were going to come back to eat. But that also left the milk bottles back in the car. We tried one some water and turned to head back.
After some crying they both passed out and went to sleep. I parked the bike and trailer and ate while they slept. 10 minutes later Lee and Carmen came off the trail!
They had rented bikes and went to the end and back. There were ahead and behind us. They ate with us and Andrea and I got to know Carmen a bit. She is a new member of SFL-DIR.
The boys woke up and ate. We shared some stories and loaded up again to ride the other side. There were more herons and egrets on this side. We went 2 miles in before turning aorund due to time. Lee and Carmen had to get the rental bikes back or pay a late fee.
We parted company and headed back to civilation. Were nutes, but I love going on these weekend adventures!
We Got Bikes!
Andrea wanted to get out and exercise more. She wanted to get bikes and thought that would be fun to spend some of her bonus on. We went to Bike Tech off Bird Road (SW40th) and had a great experience. We tried on many bikes and went thru all the options. It took over three hours to go from test ride to installing the bike rack, loading up and heading home.
I picked out a Specialize RockHopper. It has the 19" frame, 26" wheels, the Rox Shox 3, spring loaded with lock out for road riding and cantilever brakes. There just is no need for disc in FL and they are higher maintenance.
Andrea picked out the Specialized Carmel Hybrid bike. She had her heart set on an Electra with "flat feet technology" where the peddles are forward so when you stop you are not on your tippy toes, but can put your foot flat on the ground. Her legs were not long enough to take advantage of this. Riding the Carmel just felt right for her. She picked gray to match her dry suit.
One of Andrea's co-workers was nice enough to give us the two seat bike trailer for the boys. I hooked it up to my bike and have no problem towing them around. However, after a ride with them I love to take it off and go for a spin. I feel like I'm flying without the extra drag!
I picked out a Specialize RockHopper. It has the 19" frame, 26" wheels, the Rox Shox 3, spring loaded with lock out for road riding and cantilever brakes. There just is no need for disc in FL and they are higher maintenance.
Andrea picked out the Specialized Carmel Hybrid bike. She had her heart set on an Electra with "flat feet technology" where the peddles are forward so when you stop you are not on your tippy toes, but can put your foot flat on the ground. Her legs were not long enough to take advantage of this. Riding the Carmel just felt right for her. She picked gray to match her dry suit.
One of Andrea's co-workers was nice enough to give us the two seat bike trailer for the boys. I hooked it up to my bike and have no problem towing them around. However, after a ride with them I love to take it off and go for a spin. I feel like I'm flying without the extra drag!
Goliath Grouper at Hole in the Wall
After an hour boat ride back North we got to the site. We took a 90 minute SI before jumping back into the water. The visibility was not as good around 50ft. We got down and hit the ledge. We would blow by groups of 5 and 10 Goliath grouper in the 200-400lb range. David's scooter didn't hold out for the second drop so he put it into tow position and Ron help keep him on the reef. After 15 minutes of drifting we hit the hole in the wall with about 30 Goliath around. The hole was packed with them as well.
I seconded guess penetraing in, but decided it was worth to move in slowly and the VW bug sized fish would move out of my way. If you close at the picture you can see just how many fish were there in just on shot.
After the Hole we hit one more group and then it was just the local fish. There were large Horse Eye Jacks that were pitch black and ready to mate. Small Juvenile fish close to the reef.
Everyone made it back to the boat and we headed back to the dock. I figured my arms were sore from loading the boat. I was wasted by the time we got all the gear back off. The marina is under construction and loading and unloading is not easy at this point. Once finished it will be a great location.
I seconded guess penetraing in, but decided it was worth to move in slowly and the VW bug sized fish would move out of my way. If you close at the picture you can see just how many fish were there in just on shot.
After the Hole we hit one more group and then it was just the local fish. There were large Horse Eye Jacks that were pitch black and ready to mate. Small Juvenile fish close to the reef.
Everyone made it back to the boat and we headed back to the dock. I figured my arms were sore from loading the boat. I was wasted by the time we got all the gear back off. The marina is under construction and loading and unloading is not easy at this point. Once finished it will be a great location.
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