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| "Persistence" |
Sunday, July 1, 2012
Morning at the Park
Will and his new friend Jesse were determined to reach a tree branch at the park, no matter how much laughing ensued! Thanks to Jesse's dad for the wonderful photos!
Monday, June 25, 2012
Raising Mt. Tam
Will and Daddy headed to Creekside Park. Inspired by the view of Mt. Tam, will built his own! They followed up their construction work with a breezy bikeride.
Sunday, June 24, 2012
Little Wonders Graduation
Will experienced his first of many graduations to come on Sunday, this one celebrating his last year at Little Wonders Montessori. He'll leave behind friends, including Noah, Aidan, Mela and Liv, to move to his new school in San Anselmo in a few weeks. We know he'll miss his teachers: Mr. Michael, Miss Maria, Miss Jackie, Miss Tanya and the Head of School, Ms. Galyna.
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| The Graduate! |
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| A quick "Hi Daddy" from the stage |
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| A sweet goodbye moment with Will's favorite teacher, Miss Maria |
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
Monday, June 18, 2012
Monday, June 4, 2012
Memorial Day Weekend at Fort Bragg
We decided to head north for Memorial Day Weekend and explore the Mendocino Coast and Fort Bragg, CA, home of the Skunk Train.
We stopped at lovely Navarro Vineyards on the way up, where Will got to do some "wine"-tasting (that's Pinot Noir grape juice to the rest of us!). We enjoyed it so much that, at Will's request, we stopped in again on the way back for a picnic. We thought that the word of the trip would be "Train." It turned out to be "Winery!"
Our first stop was the tide pools at MacKerricher State Park, where we saw hermit crabs and anemones.
Will liked touching the anemones and having them "kiss" him! We had fun checking out the boardwalk and climbing and jumping off rocks.
Next up was the Skunk Train. Built as a logging railroad, the Skunk line was launched in 1885 to move massive redwood logs to Mendocino Coast sawmills from the rugged back country. Steam passenger service was started in 1904, extended to the town of Willits in 1911, and discontinued in 1925 when the self-powered, yellow "Skunk" rail cars were inaugurated. The little trains were quickly nicknamed for their original gas engines, which prompted folks to say, "You can smell 'em before you can see 'em."
California Western welcomed more "modern" equipment in later years. The vintage 1925 M-100 motorcar -- the only remaining train of its kind in use anywhere today -- runs the line year-round, as does the 1935 M-300 motorcar. Our train was pulled by the famous Old No. 45, a majestic 1924 Baldwin steam engine, with assistance from a 1950's diesel-powered engine.
Later that afternoon, we played at Glass Beach, named for the sea glass that washes up on the shore (below, left).
The next morning, Will biked along the MacKerricher Beach Haul Road Trail before heading home.
He's getting really good at balancing on his balance bike!
So long, Fort Bragg!
We stopped at lovely Navarro Vineyards on the way up, where Will got to do some "wine"-tasting (that's Pinot Noir grape juice to the rest of us!). We enjoyed it so much that, at Will's request, we stopped in again on the way back for a picnic. We thought that the word of the trip would be "Train." It turned out to be "Winery!"
Our first stop was the tide pools at MacKerricher State Park, where we saw hermit crabs and anemones.
Will liked touching the anemones and having them "kiss" him! We had fun checking out the boardwalk and climbing and jumping off rocks.
Next up was the Skunk Train. Built as a logging railroad, the Skunk line was launched in 1885 to move massive redwood logs to Mendocino Coast sawmills from the rugged back country. Steam passenger service was started in 1904, extended to the town of Willits in 1911, and discontinued in 1925 when the self-powered, yellow "Skunk" rail cars were inaugurated. The little trains were quickly nicknamed for their original gas engines, which prompted folks to say, "You can smell 'em before you can see 'em."
California Western welcomed more "modern" equipment in later years. The vintage 1925 M-100 motorcar -- the only remaining train of its kind in use anywhere today -- runs the line year-round, as does the 1935 M-300 motorcar. Our train was pulled by the famous Old No. 45, a majestic 1924 Baldwin steam engine, with assistance from a 1950's diesel-powered engine.
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| Riding the rails |
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| Checking out the tall redwoods outside our window |
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| The midway point at Northspur, where we turned around |
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| Our engine and engineer, with a 1920s self-powered motorcar heading to Willits in the background |
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| Engine No. 45! |
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| Refilling the steam engine's tender from the water tank (see black hose going into tender) |
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| Enjoying some time in the open air car |
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| After returning to Fort Bragg, we took some time to watch them unhook our freight engine up close |
Later that afternoon, we played at Glass Beach, named for the sea glass that washes up on the shore (below, left).
The next morning, Will biked along the MacKerricher Beach Haul Road Trail before heading home.
He's getting really good at balancing on his balance bike!
So long, Fort Bragg!
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Happy Mother's Day
P.S. Something tells me this project was completed the day after barbecuing with our good friends, the Chois!
Monday, May 14, 2012
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