April is for Lovers
This post has been sitting in draft form for over a month now, I don't know
what my major malfunction was getting it posted, but without further ado...
Here is the action from my one free weekend in April.

On Friday night, I went to see the Brew Crew beat up on the Giants with Dodd
and Kim. Kim scored the tickets through the California Chapter of the Wisconsin
Bar Association, so we all got to watch the game amidst a island of Brewer's fans.
It seems unpossible that this is the first time that I have seen Dodd and Kim
since we moved out here for residency.

I finally got to see SBC Park after hearing everybody rave about it (for better
pics see the "Big Brother Comes West" post.) It is a pretty sweet park, and the
concession stands even sell "Sheboygan" bratwurst. Despite all the whistles and
bells of the new "retro" ballparks, I still have a soft spot in my heart for old...

Milwaukee Count(r)y Stadium.

Dodd and Kim are not immune to an occasional Cold Lampin'

C-Buck and Robin were also at the game, and they dared infiltrate our group of
Brewer's fans in hopes of spotting the ever-elusive...

Two-Fisted Slobber!

Saturday night was Gina D's birthday. Jaime and Liana hosted a get-together
to celebrate.

Here Henry regales the crowd with a witty anecdote while Fil apparently catches
up on his meditating.

We played board games (Cranium) and drank wine until the people on call the
next day had to call it quits and head home to bed.

Zoe was disappointed that she had to hang out with such a bunch of losers.

Several of us rallied, however, and headed out to the lower haight for beers.
Here's a pic of me and the birthday girl.

The ladies made a good showing for the evening.

In an attempt to take full advantage of a Golden Weekend, especially one that
coincided with beautiful weather, on Sunday I went up to Mount Tamalpais
State Park and did a hike that started at the Steep Ravine Trail.

It followed, appropriately enough, a steep ravine that had a pretty stream that
ran through the base of it.

The trail passed through some nice Redwood groves...

...past numerous waterfalls and cataracts...

...and even had a portion with a ladder that you had to climb down.

The trail crossed over the stream something like 8 or 9 times.

Along the way the wildflowers, including these Columbines, were in bloom.

Purty.

At this waterfall I decided to find a nice flat rock...

...and eat a snack of strawberries (99 cents a pint!) and pretzels.

It was a great spot for a mid-afternoon rest.

After a couple of miles the Steep Ravine trail heads out of the woods and runs
over the coastal hills down towards Stinson Beach. I decided to turn off on the
Dipsea Trail (famous for it's grueling, yearly Dipsea Race) and head back up the
mountain.

The first portion of the trail climbed tons of steps through some pretty Redwood
groves until...

...it broke out of the woods and offered a great view of the Pacific.

The day was so clear, and the marine layer was so far out to sea, you could easily
see the Faroe Islands (although you might have to click on the picture above for
the larger version to actually be able to see them on your computer.)

The Dipsea Trail then ran south over the coastal hills...

...offering a great view of the city...

...and more opportunities for wildflower pictures.

Purty.

I almost stepped on this guy as he sunned out on the trail, and later a doe
freaked me out when she stepped out on the trail in front of me as I hiked.

I didn't see any of these guys despite the posted warnings.

With the benefit of daylight savings, I was able to drive up Mount Tam after
my hike and make the short jaunt to the top.

The view was incredible, especially given how clear the day was.

On the trail to the summit, looking north.

I was the only one on the trail the whole time, which was unbelievable given
that it was a beautiful weekend day.

Here is the view south over the Marin Headlands, Sausalito, and towards the
city.

Crazy 360 degree views.

At the top of the summit there is a old fire spotting lookout. This was my first time on top of Mt. Tam, and I was duly impressed.
what my major malfunction was getting it posted, but without further ado...
Here is the action from my one free weekend in April.

On Friday night, I went to see the Brew Crew beat up on the Giants with Dodd
and Kim. Kim scored the tickets through the California Chapter of the Wisconsin
Bar Association, so we all got to watch the game amidst a island of Brewer's fans.
It seems unpossible that this is the first time that I have seen Dodd and Kim
since we moved out here for residency.

I finally got to see SBC Park after hearing everybody rave about it (for better
pics see the "Big Brother Comes West" post.) It is a pretty sweet park, and the
concession stands even sell "Sheboygan" bratwurst. Despite all the whistles and
bells of the new "retro" ballparks, I still have a soft spot in my heart for old...

Milwaukee Count(r)y Stadium.

Dodd and Kim are not immune to an occasional Cold Lampin'

C-Buck and Robin were also at the game, and they dared infiltrate our group of
Brewer's fans in hopes of spotting the ever-elusive...

Two-Fisted Slobber!

Saturday night was Gina D's birthday. Jaime and Liana hosted a get-together
to celebrate.

Here Henry regales the crowd with a witty anecdote while Fil apparently catches
up on his meditating.

We played board games (Cranium) and drank wine until the people on call the
next day had to call it quits and head home to bed.

Zoe was disappointed that she had to hang out with such a bunch of losers.

Several of us rallied, however, and headed out to the lower haight for beers.
Here's a pic of me and the birthday girl.

The ladies made a good showing for the evening.

In an attempt to take full advantage of a Golden Weekend, especially one that
coincided with beautiful weather, on Sunday I went up to Mount Tamalpais
State Park and did a hike that started at the Steep Ravine Trail.

It followed, appropriately enough, a steep ravine that had a pretty stream that
ran through the base of it.

The trail passed through some nice Redwood groves...

...past numerous waterfalls and cataracts...

...and even had a portion with a ladder that you had to climb down.

The trail crossed over the stream something like 8 or 9 times.

Along the way the wildflowers, including these Columbines, were in bloom.

Purty.

At this waterfall I decided to find a nice flat rock...

...and eat a snack of strawberries (99 cents a pint!) and pretzels.

It was a great spot for a mid-afternoon rest.

After a couple of miles the Steep Ravine trail heads out of the woods and runs
over the coastal hills down towards Stinson Beach. I decided to turn off on the
Dipsea Trail (famous for it's grueling, yearly Dipsea Race) and head back up the
mountain.

The first portion of the trail climbed tons of steps through some pretty Redwood
groves until...

...it broke out of the woods and offered a great view of the Pacific.

The day was so clear, and the marine layer was so far out to sea, you could easily
see the Faroe Islands (although you might have to click on the picture above for
the larger version to actually be able to see them on your computer.)

The Dipsea Trail then ran south over the coastal hills...

...offering a great view of the city...

...and more opportunities for wildflower pictures.

Purty.

I almost stepped on this guy as he sunned out on the trail, and later a doe
freaked me out when she stepped out on the trail in front of me as I hiked.

I didn't see any of these guys despite the posted warnings.

With the benefit of daylight savings, I was able to drive up Mount Tam after
my hike and make the short jaunt to the top.

The view was incredible, especially given how clear the day was.

On the trail to the summit, looking north.

I was the only one on the trail the whole time, which was unbelievable given
that it was a beautiful weekend day.

Here is the view south over the Marin Headlands, Sausalito, and towards the
city.

Crazy 360 degree views.

At the top of the summit there is a old fire spotting lookout. This was my first time on top of Mt. Tam, and I was duly impressed.
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