Red Rock Canyon & Burro Schmidt's Tunnel {Jeep Trip}

On Sunday, Brian and I, along with Patti and Marty Mlakar, took a jeep trip. Our first stop was Red Rock Canyon area. We drove along some dirt roads and drove through Ricardo Campground. Then we headed to the tunnel. After trying to drive up sandy and rocky Last Chance Canyon, we had to turn around and got to the tunnel using another dirt road. The tunnel was hand dug by Schmidt which it took him 30 years. I'm guessing he had nothing else better to do. :) After visiting the tunnel, we drove to Randsburg and had cold drinks. Here are a few snapshots.

Following Marty and Patti.

The water was coming from a spring.

This is my favorite shot of the day.

Here we are making our way out of Last Chance Canyon.

Here is the entrance to the tunnel... and Brian, Marty and Patti at the other end.

Here is Patti and Marty in the tunnel and Brian as he is leaving the tunnel.

The clouds all day were just amazing.

Not sure if this is Randsburg's current Post Office.

The Joshua DiVicenzo 4tet {Andrew CW}

Andrew, a drummer and Rachel's boyfriend, asked if I would be able to take a few snapshots of the band he is in. They have been together for several months and needed a picture to submit to the city for a function that they will be playing at. Told him I'd do the best I can. ( I dislike taking pictures in dark and small rooms!) Here's what I came up with:

Brian and I enjoyed the evening drinking wine and listening to them play.

Trona Pinnacles {Jeep Trip}

I had Friday the 12th off so, Brian took me on a Jeep trip. I love looking at Google Earth. I'm always looking for places to go and that is how I found the Trona Pinnacles. We left late morning, drove to Ridgecrest and had lunch. Then we drove out hwy 178 to the pinnacles. The road to the pinnacles was easy. We had a fun afternoon driving around and taking snapshots. Here are a few:

Walking around the pinnacles, the ground was spongy. Was weird. We can see why several Sci-Fi movies where made here.

Owen { Second Shoot }

On Monday, February 8th, I returned to Owen's house to finish his 'snapshot shoot'. He was in a great mood and I was able to take several snapshots. Here are a few favs. Isn't he a cutie?!

Saint Andrew's Abbey {Retreat}

Today, I went on a retreat to Saint Andrew's Abbey with the R.C.I.A. group from church. In the pouring rain, we all drove just over an hour to Valyermo and it was well worth it. Brother Cassian DiRocco was our host. He told us about the Abby, talk about the Eucharist and answered any questions we had. Before noon Mass, I had a wonderful time walking the grounds and taking snapshots. Mass was beautiful. (There's something about hearing singing monks.) After Mass, we all ate a delicious lunch served by the monks. Here are a few snapshots.

This full rainbow appeared an hour after we arrived.
Part of the stain glass window in the chapel.

The Abbey's lake in the winter.
This was taken on the way home.

Shannon + Baby Owen

Owen is just b-e-a-u-t-i-f-u-l. I was soooo excited to finally meet him on Thursday. I made dinner for Shannon and Travis and while the chicken enchiladas were baking and the Spanish rice was cooking, I was able to take a few snapshots. I'll start with my favorite. :)

Owen was fussy. Well, maybe we shouldn't have woke him up. I'll be going back next week to take a few more. Here are a couple of shots of Shannon I took in mid November.

Morning Sunrise { Week of Rain}

On my way to work on January 19th, I was able to take a snapshot of this beautiful sunrise. ( Yes, Brian, I pulled over to the side of the road!) We had a week of rain, rain, rain! Nothing like getting your years worth of rain in three days! Thank goodness we have the Jeep.

Las Vegas {Road Trip}

On January 8th, Brian and I drove to Las Vega$ to meet up with friends. Katie, Rachael and Kiel from Indiana, Jim from West Virgina, and Theresa and Max from Arizona. Three of them had never been! We also took a quick trip to Red Rock Canyon and took a few snapshots.

Here we all are in Downtown. l to r: Brian, me, Katie, Jim, Kiel, Rachael, Theresa and Max.

On the way home, we saw the sun flanked by two sundogs. I'm happy that I was able to take a snapshot of it. Taken just west of Stateline.

I took this snapshot as we were approaching Baker.

Christmas 2009 { Happy New Year! }

Happy New Year! It has been a busy holiday season. With getting all the things done that needed done before Christmas, I haven't had time to post. My family and I had a wonderful Christmas holiday. We were able to visit family and friends and I was able to get a few snapshots of our gatherings. Wishing everyone Love and Joy in 2010!

Brian and me- New Year's Eve '09 (cellphone pic)

A few days after Christmas, I was able to visit the Stutsmans in Fullerton. Nadine and I enjoyed a good lunch at the mall and back at the house, I had a good visit with Mike and Linda.

Me, Nadine, Mike and Linda

On Christmas Day, we all went to visit my folks in Fontana. We had a fun visit with my family. Here are a few snapshots of those who where there.

Top pic- Mom and Dad with: Brian and me; Pete and Becky; Donna and Robert; Roberta and Manuel.

Bottom pic- Angie and Sas; Stephen and Chris; Billy and Emily; Andrew and Rachel.

Top pic -Group picture of the grandkids; Billy and Emily; Becky,Sas, me; Sas and Angie.

Bottom pic- Our Christmas morning family picture.

On Christmas Eve, The Hixson Family gathering was at Melissa and Bob's this year in San Bernardino. The food was great and we all had a good time.

Top pic: Richard and Karen; Darla, Haley and Darrick; Ab and Kim; Adam and Andrew.

Bottom pic: My family photo; Melissa and Bob; Andrew and Rachel; Emily and Melissa.

A few days before Christmas, Brian and I went to have dinner at the Cooks in Apple Valley. We always have a fun time when we visit.

Don, Andrew and Mary Ann.