Every April we spend a long weekend in Yuma Arizona raising donations to help children in need.

The Norwalk Centaurs Motorcycle Club has been hosting this camping event for 51 years. 

 

 

As you can see, the weather was pretty nice for Yuma again this year. We never know what it will be like. We have had rain, high winds and blistering heat. We have even had snow coming over the pass from So. Cal.

 

The run participants make donations to come to our event which we then give to various charities. Some of these include Make-A-Wish Foundation, Yuma Firefighter Children Burn Survivors, Ambelry's Place, ARC of Yuma County, Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation and many others.

 

Young Man from A.R.C. of Yuma County

 

 

With approximately 3000 riders coming in for the weekend the line can get pretty long...

 

 

 

We cover all aspects of the biker community; from hard core 1% to the white collar professionals with kids. 

 

 

 

Camping is free, just ride in and set up camp wherever you choose. We have vendors galore, food everywhere a few bands and the motorcycle stunt team...

 

 

It is long hours and lots of hard work to put on this event, but it is all worth it to see everyone having a great time and knowing that all that effort is rewarded by helping all those kids.

 

 

 

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Jess got to pitch her first high school softball game this weekend. It ended up being a winning game of course.

Sometimes it's nice to sit and watch a fire.



3/26/1994

Wow! 18 years. It doesn't seem like it has been that long. For some reason this anniversary made me feel really old. I don't actually feel old, but when I think about someone being married for 18 years, I think of someone much older than we are. But of course the evidence lies in our wonderful (almost 15 year old) daughter Jess.

We didn't have a party or any big celebration. 

The weekend before, we spent time with family celebrating Bev's B-day at The Melting Pot...

And after taking Roxy back to the vet, we decided on a casual dinner for two at the Lazy Dog in Cerritos.

With a follow up at Sees candy.

Remember 1994? Here are a few memories...

Tonya Harding wins the national Figure Skating championship title but is stripped of her title following an attack on her rival Nancy Kerrigan.  

Northridge earthquake had a magnitude of 6.7.

O.J. Simpson flees police in his white Ford Bronco.

Lisa Marie Presley marries Michael Jackson.

Kurt Cobain commits suicide.

Popular movies were Forest Gump and Pulp Fiction.

Our favorite T.V. shows were Friends, Mad about You and N.Y.P.D. Blue.

You see, it doesn't really seem that long ago does it? I'm looking forward to many more happy years together.

Backpacking in La Jolla Valley...

I was itching to get out of the house and sleep outside and came across this hike near Point Mugu just north of Malibu...

 La Jolla Valley

So my buddy Mike and I went for a hike.

I wanted to follow the same path the link shows, but once we got there and found out how long and steep the trail was, we opted for the easy and more direct route. And  I'm glad we did! 

The first half of the trail was very typical of Southern California desert. Very dry and Rocky...

Of course there is beauty even in the desert. Not sure what these are called, but in my imagination they remind me of "Lorax Trees" from Dr. Seuss.

I was feeling pretty disappointed by the scenery and the fact that I was struggling so much because of how out of shape I am. Mike was doing great even though he was carrying at least ten pounds more than me.

Most of the trail is a single wide rocky path...

There was little shade along the route...

Once we reached the top, it was nice to be able to walk along a fire road to the campsites. At first I didn't care for the sites, but they were very secluded and afforded us some privacy from the Boy Scouts who were also camping in the area.

Once we were set up in the campsite, we took a walk and found that it was really nice up there in the valley. There were a few square miles of beautiful grassland...

There was a fire road running right through the middle of it. Next time we may do this as a bike camping trip.

In the evening, the coyotes started to yip and howl. And during the night a wild pig came nosing around through camp. Overall, it was a great trip with new and wonderful experiences.

Another great time with a great friend!

We took the coast home for a nice road trip.

Today we took a field trip to the local community college. The students were really good and I think we all had a great time. The transportation dept from our school district is too expensive, so we all got on the city bus to the dismay of most of the other passengers and the driver. The driver was especially rude. I guess she didn't like the fact we needed special attention with a wheelchair and 24 transfer passes.

I wanted to take a picture inside the bus, but from all the glares of the other passengers, I decided not to. I guess they didn't like the fact that they had to sit next to special ed kids, or maybe they were upset because we took a while to board and get settled.

Our tour guide walked us around the entire campus backwards. She never tripped or bumped into anything. Quite impressive. She showed us all the buildings and gave us a history lesson at the same time.

The campus is very nice with lots of open space in the quad for socializing.

The staff keeps the grounds clean and beautiful. There were pockets of these beautiful flowers in the smallest spaces.

The girls seemed impressed with the culinary arts classes. These meals are served to order for a very reasonable price. And they came out looking just like these examples.

The boys were more interested in the science departments displays of taxidermy and skeletal remains.

Can you see me there with a skull for a head?

The boys were also very interested in the Automotive Technology Dept. This is where they asked most of thier questions.

And here I am with my goofy grin! Our dept takes this trip every year, and every year I avoid going. I just don't like change. I would rather stay on campus doing what I do. But I am really glad I went. I had a great time.

And we ended our long day of walking and learning with a ride back home on two more buses. This time the driver was friendly and helpful.

Say GOODBYE!!

I sure hope these pineapple upside-down cakes taste better than they look...

Ended up tasting way better than any I have had before. I even got a few comments that I should do it for a living. Definetely not on my agenda.

Our poor kitty

 came home with a broken tail. The end was just flopping around. We took him to the vet who gave him the cone of shame and put him in jail. He cleaned and stitched the wound and wrapped it up. After a few days Roxy got parolled and is back home.

The x-ray was the most expensive thing, but of course he gets to take liquid medicine twice a day also. The vet speculates that perhaps he was curled up in an engine compartment for the warmth when someone started the car. we are hoping that it will heal ok so that we don't have to amputate. Only time will tell, but Roxy is one unhappy kitty.

I've been sick lately. Not quite sick enough to stay in bed, but enough so I stayed home from work. Mostly I stayed home because I work in a middle school and don't want to spread it around. I didn't over exert myself too much, but I did use the time to get a few things done, or at least started. But I'm glad to be back at work and able to catch up on the work I am falling behind on.

My desk is usually not this messy!

It feels as though spring is upon us. Warm weather abounds, and our peach tree has just sprouted into beautiful pink blossoms.

My buddy Mike came over and had a great idea to make a raised planter in the back yard. What ever shall we plant?

For a little relaxation, we went out for pizza and a little Bluegrass. The Andy Rau Band at Me and Ed's Pizza.

Another good day spent with a great friend. Thanks Mike!

Now that I have some room to work, I'm going to give Sandy a little attention... She has been sitting for a while, but I've almost got her engine where it needs to be.

Today I am adjusting the valves and setting the timing. Replace a few seals and she should be ready to hit the road.