I'm Through, Officially!

Everything smells like campfire.  A terrific smell...for about twenty minutes, but it wears thin after a short time.  We spent the last three nights in a tent in the Santa Cruz mountains, hiking, resting, relaxing...and building lots of campfires.  Yes, we did the works, huddling in the tent during the rain and roasting weenies and marshmallows...we had some of the best smores ever.  

Casa de Camp Fire Smoke.  

In our first ten minutes we saw a banana slug.  Very exciting until we realized these bright yellow pests were everywhere, as evidenced by the slug trails on the tent, on the table, on my walking stick...uuuggggg!

The redwoods, of course, seemed exceptionally primeval in the fog and mist.

Very majestic...the Redwoods too.

What?  No service?  Arrrrgggggg!

This trip was Yosiell's first time camping and the jury is still out whether he considers camping an experience to be repeated.    It was also great to hang with great friends, CJ, Bill, Chris and Bud next to the campfire and to solve the world's problems.

Me reflecting on life's mysteries at Tiptoe falls, or pondering chili dogs at the campsite.  

Portola Redwood State Park is only just over an hour away, but amazingly sitting in the park one wouldn't know how close to the city we really were.  The park is somewhat rustic, there are bathrooms and showers, one quarter for two minutes of freezing cold water...I opted for a few days of non showering after the first freezing cold attempt.

Keiko, our fearless K-9, enjoyed the first day but then she was through, officially, and spent a good twelve hours on the leather seats in the car.  Rusty was not feeling quite up to par and spent lots of time in the sleeping bag...I must admit, the rain and mud put a little bit of a damper on the trip for me as well, but it sure made me appreciate the hot shower upon our return to civilization.

Spring Shamrocks all along the Redwood trails.

A few weekends ago, we went to the St. Patrick's Day parade to join in the festivities.  A veritable swarm of redheads descended upon San Francisco for the day.  It was a day of unions marching in parades, Irish music, and drunken revelry.

Ancient Order of Hibernians...judging from the average age of those on the float, they dragged out the founders of the order for the day.   

St. Patrick's Day festival, Civic Center, San Francisco...otherwise known as "Sponsored by Bushmills and Guiness".

In the short time we were there, more than a few drunken redheaded devils were ushered out of the festival by the police.  We also spent a fair amount of time avoiding puking "Kiss Me I'm Irish" button wearers. 

I'm not sure this is what St. Patrick had in mind but a good time regardless.  

So, for those of you that aren't aware, Brittany finally completed my tattoo.  After three sessions and just over six hours in the chair, the tattoo was finally completed last week.  Why a dragon?  Joseph Campbell viewed the dragon as a symbol of divinity or transcendence and can be found in most cultures.  To me it is a symbol of things greater than ourselves, the serpent is of the Earth and the wings aspiring to the heavens.  Also, it looks cool.  

Well folks, I hope you too aspire to greatness.  Enjoy!  Miss you all.