Sunday fun with some awesome ladies

Last Sunday, Kathy and Erin, hosted a bridal shower for me. I was so touched by all the awesome women in my life. Thank you all!
With Ali and baby Isla

A wonderful lunch was served.

Enjoying a great summer afternoon and playing games.


Each guest had to draw a picture of me while their eyes were shut. I then had to judge the best artist. Too much fun.

Lots of laughs.

I had asked each guest to bring a song, poem, or to share words they live by. It was great to hear what inspires one to rise to the occasion. Words are powerful. When I started nursing school I was a bit intimidated. Each morning I would sing an old Pointer Sister's song and it would get me going for the day (especially when I had a test or competency). Grades are important to graduate but being a better "woman" is a reminder of the greater task at hand.

Oh the joy in Aiden's face.

Ladies, I love you dearly. For those who couldn't make it you were missed.


Here is the song that moves me to action, everyday...

T Goes Solo

Diana has let me drop in as a guest contributer to her blog. Here are some photos from my recent solo backpacking trip to Caribou Lakes (Thompson Peak attempt) and summit climb on Mt Shasta. Spending this time in nature was a much needed break from my everyday routine. I used to take solo trips like this more often when I was younger and it was good to reconnect with this activity.









After 4 hours of hiking through Sugar Pine forest, pygmy pine forest, and then skirting the granite flanks of Caribou Mountain (8,575 ft), Thompson Peak at 9,002 ft, the tallest mountain in the Trinity Alps, comes into full view.





Alpine Flaurel Arrangment

Caribou Lakes Basin

Snowslide Lake

Caribou Lake, the largest high alpine lake in the Trinity Alps

Unfortunately, no caribou here, probably hunted to extinction a while ago. However, this curious deer decided to strike a pose and represent.

Now off trail hiking along a ridge trying to get closer to the Thompson Peak ridge. With a 30 lbs + pack, this terrain was very challenging to walk on.

After this shot, I finally decided to throw in the towel. My determined efforts to reach Thompson Peak from the NE route turns out to be longer and exceedingly more difficult than I had presupposed. Time to figure how to get off this ridge and back down to the lake to camp for the night.

This was the least steep terrain I could find to down climb on from the ridge. It would have been mildly challenging to climb up but climbing down was was a real adrenaline pumper.





Finally, Caribou Lake is back in sight. It won't be long now. My legs are burning!



A cold swim always feels great after a long day on and off the trail.Today I learned that in order to be successful on a new climb attempt I need to acquire a bit more first hand information. After hiking almost 10 miles plus a few miles scrambling on the ridge I am totally exhausted, as this picture shows.







Hanging out with Dad at his place in Coffee Creek for a couple of days to rest before my Mt Shasta summit attempt.

The start of the the trail towards Mt Shasta from Bunny Flat parking lot.

The cabin here at Horse Camp (7,880 ft). The cabin and surrounding acreage is owned and managed by the Sierra Club.



Hiking up towards base camp at Helen Lake. With poor weather due tomorrow afternoon I decided to skip camping near the cabin and go straight up the Helen Lake to go for the summit tomorrow morning.

I wonder if walking on Mars is similiar to this? With the exception of blue sky and gravity, of course. It is much easier to do this hike in the snow

Looking back down at the cabin.

3 1/2 hrs later, I make it to Helen Lake (10,443 ft).

Going for it the next morning! By this time I have been climbing since 3:30am all by myself. The light is welcoming though the wind is starting to whip up.

Looking down
Looking up towards the Red Banks. At this point, I would take 10 or 15 steps and then have to rest as the altitude and the 35% + slope took its toll.

Slowly making my way up the "chimney" in the Red Banks. This is where I had to stop last time on account of altitude sickness. This time no AS and feeling strong!

The cold and the wind had frozen up the hose to my camel back and was starting to freeze the water in my nalgenes.



More uphill but nothing will stop me now!





Yes, this is a Volcano. Here are the famed hot springs just below the summit where John Muir supposedly laid down in to survive a snow storm.

Summited Mt Shasta (14,162 ft.) at 9am on Tuesday September 7th 2010.





Looking west down at a glacier. Thanks for viewing photos of my recent journey. ~Thomas

A love story

This is a love story that filled me with both joy and tears. As Thomas and I get ready to re-commit the Universe has been wonderful in providing me with moments that allow me to reflect on the love I have for and share with Thomas.

Danny & Annie from StoryCorps on Vimeo.

Room for improvement

Thomas and I are just not into taking pictures of ourselves. As a result when we need one we have to call friends and family to ask if they have captured us on film and then my next question is "Is it any good?"
See for yourself.
In an effort to remember the moment. This picture was taken by a friend after the Foundation Awards Ceremony at SRJC this last August. I am eternally grateful to have received some scholarships this year. This would a been a great picture if the sun wasn't in T's face, the light post wasn't behind me and we didn't look so tired.

At the Berkeley Kite Festival this year. OK we need to stop wearing our dark sun glasses. We look like we are standing in a field which we are but there is just so little going for this picture. Really it looks so lonely out there.

We made a marked improvement by not wearing our dark glasses but went for that long arm photography. Our camera has a timer, I think I will pull out my user manual and learn to use it.