Mount Waterman

Justin was coming down with a flu so Jen and I decided to get out of our germ filled house. The Sunday started with an early stop at Noah's Bagels for large coffees and warm bagels and once fueled, our human engines started to spark and we were excited about our selected hike. Mount Baden-Powell 9,400 ft an 8 mile moderate hike on a section of the great PCT (Pacific Crest Trail) would be our destination. The Angeles National Forest requires an "Adventure Pass" so we stopped at a ranger station to acquire one where we were informed our selected trail was not accessible due to a rock slide in 2006 that closed the road. He suggested another day hike, Mount Waterman not as strenuous but popular and enjoyable.

The trail included Jeffrey and Sugar pines, white fir and boulders to scamper on. Once again, Nature provided all the elements for a beautiful day that renewed our spirits.

Dancing with the Stars

Justin has probably participated in 4 Homecoming Dances and everyone with Rachel. Yes the two have been dating again, since late August. The two ejoyed the dance which was held in Hollywood.

Shear Heaven

So during one of Mako's rehabilitation sessions it was suggested we consider grooming him in his own environment. Weeks had passed since the suggestion and the only groomer who was willing to put up with his attitude retired; a family decision to give it a try was made.

First: purchase a professional clipper and MUZZLE

Second: round everyone to the dog arena

Third: leash the victim, Mako

Fourth: desensitize

Fifth: assign duties

Sixth: begin procedure

Seventh: shower

Eighth: reward

To our amazement he enjoyed the experience! But I guess if you had a choice to sit in a cage for hours with cage dryers, dehydrated, scared and not sure if your loved ones would return versus being smothered with affection and tenderness for hours; enjoyment would be doable.

Critter Party

I had to work over the past weekend and leave my children "Home Alone". Although my children are considered adults, age 21 & 23 by society standards their inner child remains.

According to Justin he was lead to believe he would spend his Saturday afternoon on a new Ferris Wheel in the City of Santa Monica on the pier. However, his oldest and only sibling had other plans for day. Jennifer decided they would surprise me with a "compost box" or as Jen prefers, "nature's recycling box". First they would need to purchase graph paper in order to design the new backyard addition, second a trip to Home Depot would be required and third, transport all garden, manual and power tools to the construction zone. As soon as the necessary tools were gathered job duties were assigned. Jen was responsible for design, location, grading and supervision. Justin responsible for manual labor and Ian would mediate labor disputes. Job duties were assigned and construction started................

I didn't arrive home until late afternoon when the "recycling box" was 3/4 complete and any request or direction from Mom was a mute topic. I did make one decision: make a quick run to the market for beer (it was a long and rough day)! Once back and doses of calming fluid inside, it didn't look so bad. They spent a great deal of time disagreeing on how it should be assembled, how many nails, where to drill holes, how many holes and if the top legs should be cut or left. But finally around 7:00 p.m. the new landscape decor was moved to its location and filled with its first layer of dirt and grass clippings.

Jen has educated us on what can and can't go inside "nature's recycling box" as well as the great benefits it will provide our local habitat (i.e. rabbits, raccoons, possum, rats, mice and etc.). As of today the "nature box" has encouraged several diptera better knows as FLIES

I was turned to the mute position during the construction however volume is back on and the "CRITTER PARTY BOX" will be moved down to the bottom of the hillside by the end of the week!

Family Adventure

During the month of June I made a decision to make reservations in the Mammoth Lakes area over Labor Day Weekend to spend quality time with my family. The original thought was to have dad (grandpa), my sister (aunt laurie) and kids (Jen & Justin) together in a peaceful environment. Peaceful, with Jen & Justin? I don't know what I was thinking.........................

I reserved a cabin in the June Lake area which is about 20 miles north of Mammoth. Dad, Laurie and I finally arrived at the well hidden cabin around noon and the rest showed up an hour later (Jen, Paul, Justin & Scott). Yes, my family grew by two.

We had many adventures during our 3 day stay, to say the least. The first day all of us decided to walk and explore our new surroundings however Justin and Scott volunteered to remain in the cabin and watch over the sauce simmering on the stove. When we returned and approached the door we noticed a "boy scout" of sorts trap. The boys told us a bear had entered the cabin and they marked its paw print to share. Yeah, right a bear! All of us agreed they were sharing another Justin and Scott tale but over the years they have wised up a bit and managed to capture the incident on camera cell phone. No joking a bear had entered the cabin and escaped with our chocolate chip cookies. We never saw the bear again but the story will live on. In addition to bears we saw deer, birds, mule and a beaver in the far, far distant.

Jen took us on some wonderful hikes and Grandpa took Justin & Scott fishing. They rented a small boat on Gull Lake and explored every cove in search of the "Big Fish" with no luck until............a trout decided to go for Justin's hook! With Grandpa coaching and the others cheering Justin gave it all he had. Finally they lowered the net to scoop it up and yes it got away. Justin will return one day to reclaim his trout fortune.

A Little Fun

Hey everybody!!

Although homework is calling me, I couldn't help but browse through some fun photos and came across these little ducks (thanks to Auntie Laurie). They gave me a little smile so I thought I'd pass it on.

Figuring this out

So the Burks family is now in on the Blog thing, Hope this turns out. Here's a pic of Jen and Justin near Lake Ediza is the heart of the wilderness about to climb the infamous Mt. Ritter (and Banner) Here's the story:

Once upon a time Jen lived in the Sierra's and had her usual 5 days off in which her and a friend planned to climbed this fantastic Mountain. Luckily for him, Justin pop's in to surprise Jen and therefore is forced to come. After filling backpacks full of ice axes, bear cans, space blankets, first aid kits, hydrogenated food, a falling apart guide book and contemplating crampons, Justin begins to look a little sorry for this visit. Our hike to the lake goes well until the sun goes down and we are chased into the worlds smallest tents by every mosquito in the Sierra Nevadas. First thing in the morning Justin is pushed out of the tent to the waiting swarm of bugs by his overly ambitious sister. After many moments of everyone thinking, "This is the worst idea ever," we manage to make it up both mountains covered in scree, snow and class 4 climbing. At about 4:30 a.m. (about 22 hrs. later) we were back to the car. Justin's days of hiking with Jen are temporarily cancelled until further notice.