A Warm Welcome in Kansas

Welcome to Olathe, Kansas!
That is just what I received from the wonderful family that Aunt Bea has raised. We reminisced, looked at old photos, and ate Kansas style barbecue. Julie and I walked at lake Wyandotte with the dogs, and Bill and I did the same at Hillsdale lake, so Ripley had a fun time too. Also took in a Royals game with Bill and Nancy. Unfortunately, the Royals lost 8-1 and my catcher John Buck went 0 for 4.

Everybody gathered at Julie's house for barbecue. Mike served up a hearty selection that I sampled generously. There wasn't even room for cake. Let's see if I have everyone's name down - from L-R - Alexis, Aunt Bea, Julie, Shelby, yours truly, Ryan, Dylan, Becky, Brian, Brooklyn, and in the back row Mike and Bill. On the floor - Leah, Jesse and Ripley.We discussed, cousins, second cousins, removed cousins, and the possibility of cousin-in-laws. These are my real cousins, Julie and Bill.

And these fine youngsters were a ton of fun. Becky just added a boy named Dylan to the family and Ryan and Brooklyn are pretty happy about it. Here I am with my third cousins.

Becky is a very happy mommy; here with the boys.

I missed Alex and Matthew who were away studying and fishing, respectively.

More pictures to come because I haven't left yet! It is Thursday and we are going to have lunch with Aunt Ginny and Uncle Lloyd. Then tonight Sharon arrives, YIPPEE!!!

Eastern Slope of the Rockies

Ripley and I had a great time hiking at Curt Gowdy State Park. The mountain bike trails were well marked and offered all the best views. Rip felt very much at home on the trail.We took the trail called "Sammie's Slide"And we spotted some of the first wildflowers to bloom. Along with odd animal tracks that could only be the work of a wild turkey.

I'll spare you the pictures of deer parts that were scattered throughout the trail. There was something out the snacking on some pretty healthy looking deer.
This one had her eye on Ipi.

Then on Friday mom celebrated her 91st birthday.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!!!

And I arrived in Denver to take in a Dodger game at Coors field. Johnny V. joined me for a great game. After what looked like a slug-fest in the first, it settled into a very competitive contest. We scalped great seats right on the Dodger dugout where you could hear the smack of the ball in the catchers glove as if it were your own.

My man Man-Ram was so close, but no hope for an autograph on my ball.

He was somewhat disappointed with the K.

But after several changes in the lead, my closer JB was brought in to finish them off.

Yes, that was a blurry picture, but that is what happens when you throw 100MPH!
It was a great game. You can ask the triceratops if you don't believe me.

Next stop, KC.

Underway

Okay, let me start with the handsome ones...

Rip & Ru enjoyed a desert hike near Coyote Mountain.

Henry is looking for Easter Eggs.

While Sam & I look for bugs...It was real boy-fun.
One happy family... :)
Then opening day came to pass and friends gathered at Petco Park.
Those Padres are tough../. I want to own one or two.

...

The Dodgers beat the Giants similarly,

...

And the Giants beat the Snakes.

More goofy fans.

On the drive through Wyoming, there was a wind farm under construction.

This is pre-stimulus investment.

Wind is the proven cost effective sustainable energy resource that we should use more of now.

Curt Gowdy SP in Wyoming is camp for tonight. A great spot at 7,500 feet elevation.

Ipi loves it here!

Awesome hiking tomorrow!

Happy 50th Joy!!!

Woo Hoo!
I just passed the LEED AP exam for New Construction.
Thanks to all who helped me prepare!
Rob Oswalt, LEED AP

Please Pass the "Catch-up"

Ketchup, Catsup or is it Catch-up? Whatever the case, I fell seriously behind in my regular posting routine. So here is the catch-up post to remedy that illness.

I had a great Christmas season that began with lots of parties including the 'Santa Brunch' and investment club parties with Sharon. Then I shuffled on up to Santa Monica to party with the STC crowd - they are a festive bunch!
Next on the Agenda was the Schacht Family Christmas dinner at the Prado in Balboa Park. Tyler and Monica flew out from Chicago and brought the cold holiday weather.

Ty and I snuck in a hike up the Mt. Gower trail - not a bad view of the Country Estates in Ramona.Next it was off to Sacramento for Christmas. The Tango came along so we didn't overload Andrews' house. And since snow had been falling for most of the past 2 weeks, we headed to Tahoe for a little downhill skiing. Adam hot dogged on his board while Miranda, Andrew and I stuck to skiing. After 15 years, it all came back pretty quick!

We had a big crowd for the Eve dinner including the whole Vice Clan.

Miranda was the center of attention on Christmas morning...And the whole family joined for a game of Horseopoly!
After the big day, the weather improved and we did a lot of stuff including dinner with Vic & Kev, wine tasting with Scott & Lyn and a fine golf outing. Not just another foursome, this was the gathering of an elite club. The four and only green jacket victors from the John Pechal Memorial Golf Tournament (L to R: Ed, Dr. DruP, Buddy, Stat).

Back to Southern California, I spent New Years with Sharon an the boys at Lake Arrowhead in the beautiful snowy surroundings. Lots of fun outdoors...And in.It wore everyone out, including Ruby.Returning to San Diego to settle in for the winter, I have moved into Sue's nice condo in La Jolla.I could get used to this... great digs, walking to the UTC mall, UCSD campus, and Torrey Pines. Ripley and I are putting in 5-10 miles a day.

I also am taking 12 units at UCSD Extension in the Sustainable Business Practices certificate program. That is keeping me out of trouble.

The Anza Borrego Desert State Park is also getting a monthly visit. I have been roughing it at the Peg Leg dry camp for the last couple months. Bill joined in January for the full moon and a fire.

But last weekend I lived it up at the country club with the Payne's. Sharon's parents were great hosts. Bob treated me to 18 holes of golf and Patty shared all the stories of the house.

Sharon and I explored 'The Slot' in the Samurai.

It was very narrow... And I did some hiking with Ripley.

The views were spectacular after the wind and rain passed through.And Henry celebrated his 2nd birtday!To top it all off, we stopped to watch it snow in the San Diego mountains on the way home.

Whew! That was a lot of catching up. And a ton of fun!

Now a bunch of reading and homework awaits - I gotta crack the books!

Snowing in San Diego baby!

Kieth Schneringer, President, speaking at the USGBC San Diego Chapter meeting at the SD Automotive Museum.

My dino apetite!

Walking with the Dinosaurs!

At the beach baby!