I've got some more adventures for you...
Adventures in Trees.
Saturday, Damien's parents offered to take us to the Avenue of the Giants. Without hesitation agreed because one thing that I VOWED I would see while I was here are the Redwoods.
Words will never do this experience justice. So here's some pictures!
It is something that you truly have to see to believe, and even then the belief is still questionable. The trees are INCREDIBLE. I'm pretty sure that I had my head fully outside of the car window for a full 15 minutes before we stopped, and then again after we started to go through groves.
Let me explain a little bit....along the Avenue of the Giants, there are many groves of trees that line the road. Most of the groves contain paths that allow visitors to walk through (with relative ease) and experience the trees. We stopped at two different groves and walked through. I have never felt so small in my life. But at the same time, there is something very spiritual about that place. I felt very connected to God my time in the forest. (insert your deity of choice into that sentence....)
We got to see the immortal tree which has survived lightning, floods, fires, and all sorts of Mother Nature's wrath, and we got to see a tree that was alive for longer than the Catholic Church. Pretty impressive if I do say so myself.
All in all, truly a memorable trip with some great Kodak moments. (product placement?? come on, kid's gotta make money somehow!) Even though I won't be forgetting that trip anytime soon.
(Also, many of the scenes involving the Ewoks from Return of the Jedi were filmed in the Redwoods...along with the Made-for-TV movies Caravan of Courage: An Ewok Adventure and Ewoks: The Battle for Endor ...hence the references...and that second picture I "took".)
Adventures in Sand.
Sunday, Damien and I went to check out the Community Sand Sculpting Competition. At Manila Beach, over 25 teams of people (roughly 100 participants) had come together to create these beautiful works of art in the Sand. The pieces ranged from turtles to a Titanic to a totally awesome sandcastle and everything in between. The beach it was at was BEAUTIFUL. I distinctly remember my first trip to the Pacific Beach not being as enjoyable as this one. I'm sure I'll be returning before the end of my time here.
While I did not take part in any of the building, I was able to get pictures of almost everything, but again the pictures hardly do this stuff justice. I was thoroughly impressed with this event and recommend it to anyone coming into the area.
Adventures in Eats.
Today was the unofficial opening of the HSU Dining Center -- affectionately known as "The J". I eat for free, three meals a day. Needless to say, I will be taking full advantage. Right now, there is a band camp here -- those kids are INTENSE. Even when at the table eating, they are talking about what they need to practice, what they've played, etc. etc. I could never do it.
I will report back on food quality as it deems necessary.
Adventures in Cauly-Forn-E-Ah.
I spend most of today working on a refreshed look for the NRHH website at Humboldt. Bringing their OTM submission forms up to national standards and getting things prepared for moving to the new system...as soon as I get server space. Oh, institutional redtape...how I loathe thee.
Other than that, the budget crisis is still ongoing. (The link is for people who have been living under a ROCK lately...) And people are starting to get nervous that things are going to start shutting down. It's sad that they can't figure this thing out. It affects every single person in the state and it's a shame these problems still haven't been solved. I mean, come on, California, your GOVERNOR is TURBOMAN for crying out loud.
Put the cookie down, beat the nemesis Dementor and the Demon Team and let's put this to bed.
That's all I've got for now...more to follow.
Until next time,
Matt
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