Fishing Expedition

This summer was Isma's first time fishing - ever. After learning how to use the rod and finding crickets for bait with Colin, we witnessed the first fish being caught (and subsequently released). Oh, the joy.

King's Canyon - Part 2

After we finished our hike, met the park ranger, and browsed the nature center for magnets and postcards, I managed to convince our group to head down to the Hume Lake for a few minutes. Convince, I say, because we had to time things perfectly to be down off the mountain before dark. None of us wanted to be going down unfamiliar mountain roads without guard rails or street lights at night. Scary! The lake was beautiful, though, and definitely worth it. Can't you see it in the happy faces?

King's Canyon

After a night in the outskirts of LA (we didn't get to see the city due to a fender bender the evening we had allocated for tourism), we drove through the fertile San Joaquin Valley and up into the mountains, to Sequoia and King's Canyon National Parks. Kings indeed. Once the narrow windy road (with no guard rails I may add) broke through the clouds, we could see the immense trees towering over us. We had grabbed burritos and hamburgers at a roadside stand and sat outside without jackets, snow surrounding us, to eat lunch. Sometimes in February, the roads are closed to those without chains on the tire, but this year's lack of rain and snow left the roads and trails fairly clear. After lunch, we took a short hike to mingle with the ancient residents.

  

Ghost Town

(Disclaimer - these posts are still from February.)

The day we went to the abandoned mine town, Calico, I must have sabotaged my camera because all of my photos came out burnt by the light. I managed to salvage three.  

Our visit here was a stop off the highway en route from Las Vegas to Los Angeles. It was pretty kitschy and small for a not so small fee, but it was interesting to see the remnants of an old mine and imagine what life might have been like there in another time. I'm sure it was not that much fun, full of work, heat, and booze.

Zion National Park

Last February, Isma's parents came to visit. With sub-sub-sub zero temperatures, we took them on a trip out west instead of showing them the charms of the coldest winter in 100 years in Indiana. Our first stop was Las Vegas, which I do not like, so there are no pictures. The hotel room, however, was phenomenal. We spent our first Vegas day on a road trip to Zion. Below are some shots I took while we were there. A few more images of our trip are here: http://arenzanaphotography.com/blog/2014/03/06/some-news/.

Isma was cold and not wanting to pose for my picture.

Midwest Safari

As the car slowly rolled down the gravel road, Isma, Mom, Dad, and I kept a watchful gaze for any deer heading out to steal the farmers' crops. The sun and the moon shared their place in the sky as the dust left a trail behind the vehicle. We tried to get close to the deer, but each time they lifted their white tails and bounded away. Mom laughed and told Isma that they really did bounce like kangaroo. Colin was convinced that kangaroo and deer were one in the same when he was younger. 

As our safari continued, we spotted a mother racoon halfway between the trees and road leading her babies through the soybeans. The perfect line of baby racoons and mothers silhouetted against the night sky caused Dad to stop the car as we watched. Of course Isma, with his love irrational of racoons, was entranced.

We passed many Amish homes and fields, full of cows, horses, and goats. One goat was tied up outside the family fence and straining to eat the tasty tops of the grass. I remember Grandpa Vance talking about his goat being used as a lawn mower too.

As we turned the corner to head back to the lake house, Dad stopped the car so we could look at the strangest cow we had ever seen. The bull/cow's horns were about 2 feet long, and the calf's horns weren't much shorter. I have never seen one like it. Isma commented that everything REALLY was bigger in the US.  I wonder what it would be like to bullfight with a bull like that...

News

Last week I left my teaching position. It was a difficult decision. I mean, we had a month left of school, the kids would have to have a substitute, and I might upset people at the school. However, stress and work hours had came to a point that I was feeling sick, having daily headaches and frequent migraines, and finding it difficult to get through the school day. So, I resigned. 

I thank those in my family that were there to support me and even send me a card from Michigan. After grading those last papers and handing them off to the substitute after entering the grades, I've been feeling a lot better. I'm feeling my old self again, something for which I'm grateful (and Isma is too). After working about 80 hours a week, it's been strange to have so much free time. Hopefully I'll find a new, less stressful, position soon.

Camera Fun

This is what Elijah does when you ask him to smile.

Smile with teeth gets better results. :)

Elijah?

Or Colin?

Happy Birthday BJ!

Saturdays supper with Linda and Sonny was to celebrate BJ's birthday. Unfortunately, it seems that BJ is the only person I didn't photograph! Linda made meatloaf, tons of green food for Saint Patty's weekend, and one of the best chocolate cakes I've ever tasted. 

Discussing business plans and options.

Playing with whoever would join.

So concentrated.

So cute!

BJ and Kelly were babysitting a neighbor's baby. 

Elijah loves the I-Pad.

And last, but not least, my handsome brother.

People, People Everywhere and Too Many Pints to Drink

This past weekend Isma and I visited Colin in Chicago. Saturday, after enjoying juice, croissants, and coffee, we headed downtown to see the green river and parade.

Singing...either they're Irish, drunk, or both. It's before 10 AM.

People in green streamed in from everywhere. 

Police on horses! 

The river dyed green.

Bagpipers motoring up and down the emerald river.

The fake car body is built around what I believe is a simple fishing boat.

Great day to advertise for the summer!

Even the dogs were festive (and pose).

Masses crossing empty streets to go to the parade.

It was so crowded, we couldn't really see the parade.

No Irish for lunch because of extreme lines.

The waffles were good, though!

Don't know why, but I like the blue tiles before the tracks.

Being weird in public.