should it stay or should it go... clothes!

So, thinking about packing for a year is not easy. I'll probably be back here to the storage unit in the February time frame, but from now until then might as well be a year, going from summer to winter. Half of me wants to pack light and be a true dirt-bag climber. The other half of me enjoys going out to dinner with friends in Chicago or New York, and I have to have something to wear. Consequently, I have a mountain of clothes I'd like to take, but not all of it will be coming.

The clothes on the counter will stay in storage the clothes in this second duffel bag will come with me.

I'll be in the corner.

In the corner of the garage waiting for you that is.
Whoa, this is like the SECOND POST IN ONE DAY! hopefully this blogging thing doesn't get out of hand.

Teriyaki goodness

Apologies to Matt and Carmen, who were chewing when I took their picture, and a big thanks to them for the lovely dinner of delicious Teriyaki Beef with rice and little trees. (Normally I pass on the green stuff, but this time I had seconds, I hope my tastes aren't actually evolving.)

Ice is Nice

Sometimes there's nothing more refreshing on a hot summer day than an icy dessert.

Mmmmm Sushi!

Not many things taste better than really good sushi, but one thing that does is really good sushi that's FREE! I thought it would be nice to have sushi with few close friends here in the AV before I left town. When we showed up at Gold Fish they were having a big party to celebrate being open for a year, with free all-you-can-eat sushi, sashimi, rolls, everything for anyone that came through the door. We ended up spilling out onto the sidewalk in fact, but they brought us back inside (standing room only) so we could enjoy the sake. It was amazing.

Shiny

I had the car all gussied up today so I could get it sold before the big trip. Those of you who are used to seeing it on a regular basis will notice a BIG change. Like I said before, the dirt was protecting the paint from harmful UV rays, or something like that.

Storage

So I got a storage space today, 10'x9'. Here's how it looked after the first load.

Then with the help of some awesome friends we made a couple more trips with multiple vehicles and before the night was over it looked like this.

I was concerned that all my stuff wouldn't fit, but things are looking pretty good so far. I just hope those shelves don't collapse when we toss the bed on top!

The neighborhood strays..

Sorry for the grainy picture, but I couldn't get much closer without them scurrying away. I went out to run an errand today, about 10 miles away, and someone approached me in the parking lot to let me know a small kitten had scampered out from under my car. The stowaway must have been a sibling to these guys that were hangin out near my front step tonight.

New Lens Fever

So, perhaps I should have named my blog "flowersandlandscapes" in stead of "rocksandfood", but it is what it is. I got a new lens today. (Olympus Zuiko Digital 12-60mm ED SWD 2.8-4) I'm not sure if they could have made the name longer if they tried, but I love the results so far. The bokeh is beautiful.

The High Desert

Strawberry Heaven (baked by Beth).

Jade

A lovely moonrise at Devil's Punchbowl.

Fooling around with the new camera.

Traditional Rubios Dinner (after the last TNB session)

New Toy

Tasty Delights

Port side on the Star of India.

Take me out to the ball game...

RMS Queen Mary

8 pairs should be about right...

Tuesday Night Bouldering - TNB

will it stay or will it go...

Big Money

Mexican Train

Independence

Chillaxin' in the side yard

Cathedral Peak Summitter

Hi.

Welcome to my little spot on the web.