So Friday night, the first day of summer, Kelsey's favorite day I asked her to marry me. Luckily she thought it was a good idea. Special thanks to Ted deReeder for the air support.
Big Bear Photos I added a photo gallery from my trip to Big Bear California last April. It was an amazing trip, Kelsey and I camped at a Yellow Post Site north of Fawnskin, and then on Saturday morning we met up with the SoCal Broncos crew for my FNG run up Heartbreak Ridge.
Push Pin Map This Google Maps based interface will provide a visual representation of my world travels. I am still playing with it, and adding information as I go.
Baja Write Up I finally finished the write up.
Baja Photo Galleries I am still working on the write up, the first page of the article is up, more to follow.
Mom was only 50 years old, I just had Thanksgiving dinner with her a few nights ago, and I on Friday night she threw a wedding shower for my sister. I do not know what else to say at this point. The whole family is in shock.
Cabo San Lucas or bust, 1296 race miles through some of the harshest terrain in North America, with a 53 hour time limit. Check back after Thanksgiving for photos and a write up.
No one has said it better than General Lejeune:
"On November 10, 1775, a Corps of Marines was created by a resolution of the Continental Congress. Since that date, many thousand men have borne the name Marine. In memory of them, it is fitting that we who are Marines should commemorate the Birthday of our Corps by calling to mind the glories of its long and illustrious history.
The record of our Corps is one which will bear comparison with that of the most famous military organizations in the world's history. During 90 of the 146 years of it's existence the Marine Corps has been in action against the nations foes. From the battle of Trenton to the Argonne. Marines have won foremost honors in war, and in the long eras of tranquility at home. Generation after generation of Marines have grown gray in war in both hemispheres and in every corner of the seven seas that our country and its citizens might enjoy peace and security.
In every battle and skirmish since the birth of our Corps Marines have acquitted themselves with the greatest distinction, winning new honors on each occasion until the term Marine has come to signify all that is highest in military efficiency and soldierly virtue.
This high name of distinction and soldierly repute we who are Marines today have received from those who preceded us in the Corps. With it we also received from them the eternal spirit which has animated our Corps from generation to generation and has been the distinguishing mark of the Marines in every age. So long as that spirit continues to flourish Marines will be found equal to every emergency in the future as they have been in the past, and the men of our nation will regard us as worthy successors to the long line of illustrious men who have served as "Soldiers of the Sea" since the founding of the Corps."
Happy Birthday Marines, Semper Fi.
San Diegans are in their fourth day of severe wildfires, that have displaced over 500,000 people. The city has pretty much shut down to minimize impact on utilities and highways. I am fortunate enough to live on a peninsula so I am not in any immediate risk, but it has been hazy and smoky for the past several days. I lived further in land in 2003 and the haze was worse during those fires but my proximity to the fire was significantly different. Well over 1200 San Diegans have lost their homes. Think about these families and if you are able, contribute in anyway you can not just this week but through the holiday season and beyond.
This photo shows how the devilish Santa Ana winds that have caused the fire to spread so rapidly pushed the smoke well out to sea. The sun "set" very high in the sky due the the thickness of the haze.
