Saturday in Tahoe

Airfest 2008 in Tahoe this weekend. There was this remarkable young
lady of 24 who was one of the stunt pilots at the show. She is also a
base jumper, rock climber and skydiver. Check out www:sportsgal.com

The Lost Coast

Spending the weekend in Shelter Cove, on California's lost coast. This is a remote resort with only one winding road coming from Highway 101 to the east. A friend from Tahoe also owns a home here on the cliff above the Pacific, and had a big abalone dinner last night. The abalone came out of the ocean that morning. Beautiful setting and a great place for a party. Many friends from Tahoe and other areas are here. There is an airstrip in Shelter Cove, so many flew in. We drove in. Staying here today (Sunday) as well. Leftover abalone for dinner tonight again tonight. Will do some hiking today to work off the party.

Saw an old friend from Tahoe who I hadn't seen for awhile at the party. He flew in yesterday, and out this morning going to Oregon. Former TWA pilot on 747's across the Pacific. We worked together when I was involved with the Civil Air Patrol a while back. Threw up in his plane once while on a training mission. Not feeling well that morning, steep bank to spot a "target", you get the picture. Retired from the airlines now, still flying his Mooney and racing Corvettes, Mustangs and Ferraris.

On Sunday, many of those that flew in were leaving, and one young pilot from Nevada treated us to a fly by. First, he flew direct over us above the tree, but we weren't ready with the cameras, so we radioed him to come back for another. This time he flew fast and low above the ocean for a nice fly by, though his wife was probably giving him hell.

The driftwood reminds me a lot of a Debra Butterfield driftwood/bronze horse. What do you think?

Ya Gotta Love Nature

This morning I awoke to a small black bear in the back yard. Before the dogs caught site of him or her, I grabbed a camera and took some pics. Took a couple of shots to realize the autofocus was turned off. Once the dogs saw it, they barking scared it back over the fence. The irony is that the dogs are both about 15 pounds each, while the bear was probably about 200 pounds with sharp claws and teeth. We are visited regularly by nature (national forest land on the other side of the fence), but sometimes they are not wanted at all, i.e. coyotes. The Jack Russell terrier has been attacked twice in the past year, requiring several stitches. Once in the woods, last time (in March) in the backyard. The coyotes was hiding in the yard, and two more were waiting on the other side of the fence. They come back fairly regularly, but so far stay on the forest side of the fence. When the snow drifts are piled high, we're more likely to find them in the yard.

The one picture of the bear standing is cute in that a plywood cow is on the left and a plywood bull is on the right. Maybe I'll make a plywood bear next.

The Glamorous World of Faux Finishing

We're going to be doing a lot of work inside this house when the walls are ready, but first the owner wanted the galvanized metal chimney guards to look like aged copper. It was 95 degrees on the roof Thursday afternoon when I primed them. Friday morning I got up there at 7 am, and finished at 10 am. It was 86 degrees when I finished. Lot of fun maneuvering around the piles of roof tiles. Turned out pretty good, though. Now, hopefully the stucco people will be kind when they do their work below the metal.

In case you're wondering, the home is owned by a plastic surgeon.

Chicago Style Hot Dog

Been wanting to try one of these for about a month. Trying one right
now in San Diego. Very good.

More Wine

Enjoying wine and dinner with my friend Cindy in Sacramento.