Pure Synchronicity

On March 25th I took Ben and my Syma X5-SC up to the Yuba River off the Bowman Lake Road just below Spaulding Reservoir.  My intention was to make a full video of the whole event, (more…)

I just got the quarterly Cycle report from Fidelity.  Quite extensive and very nicely done.  The economy is actually in good shape contrary to all the false hype coming out of the GOP debates.  Of course we all know those clowns just make it up as they go.

They make a strong case that we are just entering the “late-cycle” and that the U.S. recession risk is low.  Here is a chart of where we stand in the cycle relative to the other three largest economies.   What usually drives the transition from mid-cycle to late-cycle is inflation, which regarding commodities, has been absent.  Wages have been increasing and therefore wage inflation has been gaining traction.

Historical performance patterns of stock sectors is as follows and could be used as a guide, going forward, in your investing allocations.

Every year Nevada City celebrates Joe Cain Day, or more commonly called, Mardi Gras, with a wonderful parade.  This year was especially colorful and full of wonderful music and dancing, combined with a gorgeous day with weather in the 70s.  Here are some pics.

Source: Three Charts to Email to Your Right-Wing Brother-In-Law — Updated

And more charts to debunk the lies we’ve been hearing from the repuglican candidates.

Source: Ted Cruz’s blueprint for destroying America

Ted Cruz just keeps pumping out nonsense, making it up as he goes.  Here is what the results of some of his outrageous comments would be.

This is what NOT  to do:

We finally were able to snow shoe on the day after Christmas.  Because of the drought its been several years now, and the snow was amazing.  About a six or seven-foot base.  Plus the added benefit of being able to bring Jamie and Angela along.  Weather was in the low 20’s but we quickly warmed up with the exercise.  We go to our normal spot just near Royal Gorge at Serene Lakes.  The hike was just under three miles.   Check out the photos.

I went back to Illinois in December for my annual holiday season visit with  my Mom.   Back to my hometown of Lombard.  No snow this time, in fact, the weather was unseasonably warm.  We were busy the whole time getting lots of things done, tech wise.  Computers, wi-fi, and HD-DVR TV.  Working with Comcast was rather taxing to say the least, encompassing two days … but all is well now and way better than before.  Now my Mom is learning to program her DVR.

Also I got the opportunity to take my Mom shopping for clothes for her Xmas present and we had a ball.  As a side note, I loved the fact we saved over $200 by “smart shopping”.  Foodwise, I cooked her spaghetti dinner, based on Kate’s famous recipe, and I had my fill of Portillos Italian beefs and Pizza.  What I missed was a great Chicago Hot Dog.  Oh well, next time.

Lilac Park had fired up their Xmas lighting that weekend so we took a stroll thru the park after the crowds had left and it was absolutely incredible.  What an amazing job they do lighting that park.  It’s impossible to capture in film but at least you can get an idea.  Only about ten months after her hip replacement my Mom gets around perfectly.  She zipped around the park and the stores with her cane rarely even touching the ground.  And she’s  in such great spirits.  Healthy in mind and body.  Amazing at age 91.  A real inspiration.  I am so blessed to have her and I love her dearly.  I can’t wait to see her again in the spring.

Lunch with Mom at Red Lobster

The new tunnel to the train station

Who is that strange woman in the tunnel?

Lilac park Xmas

This is about 60 yards deep of lites.

Mom and I making breakfast

Rasmus the deer we used to climb on as kids.

Shopping at Kohls with Mom

Lilac park Xmas

Lilac park Xmas

We needed a shopping cart

For Kate’s 65th birthday this year we spent the weekend in Inverness on Tomales Bay, which is right next to Point Reyes National Seashore.

We stayed at the Motel Inverness.  Good thing we were out and about most of the time cause the room was quite small, but appointed really well and the common areas were very cool.  The main lobby we had access to any time, with a huge fireplace, pool table,  books, game tables, awesome big leather chairs, telescope and binoculars, and then a nice big deck with tables and all the outdoor furnishings you would need.   Then out in back there was a long walk way out into the bay with a bird watching shelter at the end.  When we arrived the tide was in and actually just starting to cover the walkway.  The other times we used it the tide was out but we saw some amazing herons, photos of which are below.  Out on the lawn in the morning we saw a bunch of California Quail which were nothing like the ones we see at  home.  These were big fat colorful guys that were fun to watch.  The hosts, Michael and Janice, were terrific and have done a wonderful job with the landscaping including a meditation type garden in  front.  Very friendly people.

On Saturday, after a late start, we hiked the Bear Valley Trail out to the coast but were not able to see the famous Arch Rock a the end since it recently collapsed, killing one person.  So when we got to the coast we hiked a mile or so north to Kelham Beach which had over 100 stairs built into the cliff, which of course, we had to climb back up.  Gorgeous hike as always, with such lush vegetation but really difficult to capture on camera.  Total round trip was about 11 miles, so we were pretty bushed when we got back.  We ended up sitting on the deck, drinking chardonnay and eating some awesome Marin French Cheese Factory Brie and Olive Brushchetta on Rosemary Sourdough bread for dinner while the sun went down.  Truly an amazing explosion of wonderful flavors all combined.  Mouthwatering just thinking about it.  Of course we had our favorite BBQ oysters at Tonys near Marshall, and went into Pt. Reyes Station for dinner and breakfast.  Culinary delights all around.

Weather was perfect Friday and Saturday, and then on Sunday, when we left, a big fog bank came in, which made for some interesting views.  We drove out to Limantour Spit and walked around the beach a bit before leaving for home.  The drive is about 2.75 hours.

Good fishing for this guy

California Quail

The birding hide place at the end of the walkway

View from the birding shelter

On Bear valley trail

G&K on the trail

Kelham Beach

Tonys Seafood Restaurant in Marshall

Kelham Beach

Mama and baby

The Marin Headlands in the background

Limantour Spit

Kate and I, along with our friends Stephen and Janelle, did an amazing hike/climb to Ralston Peak, elevation 9,235 feet. It was up hill the entire way. The most strenuous hike I have ever done. Stephen and Kate led the way, with me in the back, but not far behind. Pretty amazing considering Stephen is 70, I’m 69 and Kate is just turning 65 in couple days. Janelle is the baby at 60. I think we all did terrific. There were a bunch of teenagers, a high school ski team, who also went to the top, but their 40 something mom’s didn’t even make it half way. It was a 2800 ft. elevation gain in a little less than four miles, which relative to other hikes, is considered difficult and thats why this was properly rated as such.  Total miles round trip was 7.75.

We left the house at 7:30am and got home at 7:30pm. It took us two hours driving to get to the trail head. Weather started out cloudy but cleared up almost immediately when we started the hike. Temperature was in the 60s until we got to the top, whereas we all had to bundle up. Maybe it was high 40s up there but the wind was outrageous. Blowing like crazy. Had to be 40 mph winds as a guess. You can hear the wind in the video. Kate can’t stand the wind so she didn’t hang around the top too long. Then entire hike was a little less than eight miles RT. We took the shortcut to the top, which is steeper but more direct.

Around the 8500 ft level the tall trees disappeared and were replaced by much shorter ones. Eventually, around 9,000 ft, there were just rocks. We were rewarded with the most amazing view. We could see Pyramid Peak (9,985) just off to our left. Then lake Aloha which didnt even look like a lake but instead like a whole bunch of islands or a bunch of rivers. Lake of Woods was full, as was Echo and lower Echo lakes. Fallen Leaf Lake looked fine, and of course the beautiful Lake Tahoe in the background. There were several other smaller lakes also in view.

Going down was not as easy as you might thing. Using those downhill muscles for four miles gets really strenuous, plus that is always harder on the knees. We didn’t bring the dogs this time since it was a new hike and I didn’t know how Ben would do. Actually, he may have been just fine. It would have been way too much uphill for Biggs. Stephen wants to make this a once a year thing to keep us young. We’ll have to see about that.

I only used my little Cannon this time, and took some little movie clips. I think it turned out better than my previous movie endeavors but at the top the wind was so strong you can hardly make out the voices. oh well. At the bottom is the topo map showing the hike and the surrounding landmarks.

Pyramid Peak

Pyramid Peak 9985′

Topo map showing our trail relative to surrounding landmarks

Closer veiw of topo Map of Ralston Peak trail we took