Sequoia time

My dad and I have been backpacking Sequoia National Park each summer the last three years. After he retired he took up ultralight backpacking in a big way...and now I'm hooked. 

Wow, he's 60-something and in incredible shape. I'm reasonably fit, but the elevation can take a toll on my legs by the time I'm back at work on Monday. For the record, I made it to work, but Tuesday I took a day off to let my legs unravel back to normal.

Funniest moment this trip...Dad chatting with a park ranger and asking her if she'd be interested in meeting my younger brother. "I'm flattered, but I'm really off the market now."

Stove, cooking pot, and windscreen...lite!

Back in Boston

It's been a few weeks...but we were in Boston for a weekend for Brotherman Dan's surprise 50th birthday party. He had no idea...hahaha.

Since this was a repeat trip to the Boston area and primarily a family visit, we set aside the important historic monuments for more contemporary sites.

Stata Center, MIT - Frank Gehry

ICA - Diller Scofidio + Renfro

Swoon in the ICA

25 years later - Aeromexico Flight 498

A few days ago was the 25th anniversary of the air disaster in Cerritos where an Aeromexico passenger jet and a small plane collided mid-air. The City of Cerritos hosted a memorial gathering at a sculpture dedicated to the victims of the accident.

Two of the passengers, Raul Leanos and Elva Leanos, from the Aeromexico flight were from San Jose, and I remember them both. I'm baffled (but not surprised) that the San Jose Mercury News ran an Associated Press article about the memorial that didn't mention Elva and Raul. This was huge news in 1986...what a lazy newspaper to go with a short AP article rather than provide local insight and reflection about the tragedy.