Goodbye winter, hello spring

After almost three months, we're getting more and more settled into our new home. We still don't have the Internet and we don't have any plans to get it installed (as usual, we don't have a television either). Surprisingly, we've been getting by just fine without having the Internet at home (after all, it's available just about everywhere else). Instead of being a distraction at home, we've found more time to read books, practice yoga, and just hang out.

Speaking of going online, please check out my new L.A. Times travel article, "Where to stay when visiting Yosemite."

Above is a family pic of us in Yosemite that was taken by my parents when they were visiting last month. In addition to ice skating in Yosemite Valley, we went wine tasting in Murphys (we highly recommend Presidents Wine Weekend) and worked on some projects around the house. Below is a picture of Amber in the backyard with our rooster (named "Mike" by Ediza).


Amber had her first roller derby bout of the 2011 season this past weekend, where she made her debut as a jammer. Her team, the High Country Hellcats, beat the Monterey Bay Derby Dames before singing karaoke with them later at the after party. Next month they travel up to Redding to take on the Angry Beavers!

Well, spring has finally arrived although it feels more like the dead of winter with cold temps, strong winds, rain and even snow. Hopefully March showers will bring April flowers.

New year, new home

I know I haven't posted much here lately, but I have a good excuse: we moved. Yup, after several years at the llama farm we've moved to a nearby house on a beautiful 110-acre ranch. This photo was taken at the base of a huge oak tree in our new backyard. We have plenty to keep us busy -- house projects, building a chicken pen, putting in a garden, preparing a llama pasture, etc. I will try to update our progress here. We hope 2011 is off to a great start for everyone!

Better late than never!

Here's some pics from our Halloween party we hosted a few weeks ago. The photos were taken by my friend Sarah (who is pictured below). We first met in Australia, worked together at a summer camp in Missouri and now live near each other in California. She's a professional photographer based in the Bay Area. Check out her Web site at sarahcrossphoto.com.




At the party, Amber went as a sorceress and I was a sorcerer. I wore a fancy kurta that was given to me earlier this year in India along with some fake star tattoos on my face. Amber — who made my staff from last year's manzanita Christmas tree — wore a $3 thrift store dress combined with lots of costume jewelry, a labor-intensive tulle and a hair piece.


As midnight approached, I led groups on a haunted llama farm tour...


It had rained earlier in the day so everything was damp and cool. Detailed decorations — including a spooky graveyard, dozens of lit pumpkins and even dried flowers spray painted black — provided the perfect atmosphere. There was a bonfire next to the keg and live music played in the background. And, of course, plenty of interesting characters were roaming about...

Happy Birthday Ediza!

Our little pumpkin turns 4 years old today. These are just some of the pumpkins Amber grew in her garden:

Weekend getaways

We spent last weekend up at Lake Tahoe because Amber played against the roller derby team there. It was a good bout, but the slippery outdoor track and altitude gave the home team the advantage to win. We stayed at a nice time share, got to explore the lake's shore a bit and had some amazing food (including toasted coconut french toast for breakfast)!


This weekend we plan to head back to the Eastern Sierra and camp at some hot springs. Speaking of the East Side, please check out "Hiking the Sierra with three llamas and a baby" online at travel.latimes.com and in this Sunday's L.A. Times Travel section. Thanks:)

Horses & Strawberry

Since meeting King (the horse in Yosemite), Ediza and Amber have had a joint horseback riding lesson at a therapeutic riding center just down the road from us. Ediza rode a horse named India.


A few days after that we took two llamas up to the mountains for a horse trail riding event. We were one of the obstacles and the horses were judged at how well they handled themselves around the llamas (which can sometimes spook them, especially if they've never met before).


Earlier this week we returned from the fall Strawberry Music Festival. This festival I arrived early to help set up the stage, which saw the likes of Arlo Guthrie and Keb' Mo. After Keb' was finished Sunday night I helped take down the stage and wrapped up the job Monday morning (nothing like some labor on Labor Day).

Here are some shots of Ediza at Strawberry:




An aspiring photographer, Ediza turned the camera on us:

Sierra hike

At the beginning of the month, we took a weeklong hike from the Mammoth Lakes area (where we went on our fourth annual trip to Lake Ediza) all the way north to Tuolumne Meadows in Yosemite National Park. Naturally, I've written about this, but for now we'll just let the pictures tell the story...


Fresh at the start...


Ediza falling asleep while riding Golden hours later....


Back awake and in the carrier as we arrive at Lake Ediza...


Checking out her namesake the following day with mom...


Protecting herself from swarms of mosquitos...


Arriving at Thousand Island Lake the next day...


Taking a break for yoga by the lake...


Helping me set up the tent...


Back on the trail the next day, we stop under this tree for lunch...


And I filter water with this view...


Later, I soak up some sun at our new campsite...


The next morning, Ediza hops on Golden to go over Donohue Pass...


We cross snow going up...


And water on the way down...


After camping a night in Yosemite, we hike out the following day to this bridge in Tuolumne Meadows...


Just as we finish, we come across this nice ranger who introduces Ediza to her horse, King.

More than 30 miles with three llamas and a spirited 3-year-old and we survived!