I upgraded. That’s my old phone silly. The one taking the picture! Wasn’t planned. For the longest time I resisted. I don’t really talk on the phone. Just not me. I text occasionally. I guess i’m not a social type. Also, i am not “on the go”, I can check my email on my computer. And I really don’t need to do it that often. But, but…
The camera thing. Oh, the camera. That’s what this little gadget is to me, my camera. What I love the most is that you can take a pic and simply send it off. How many times did I wish for that feature on my regular camera. No cables, no downloading. Just like this…

So now I am going to have to take a lot of pics… Do you have a shoe in your cereal?

I did not go to the gym today, because I had to take photos around. This is where I was earlier today.
Oh my! This is bad. Did I need this distraction?

Trail head

Ready and willing. Snack in hand. All good to go.

Instant gratification – you can see the sign very close, very soon.

Should have been a good view of the city. Not so much.

Heat is setting in. Slower going. (I actually got a sunburn. I was totally unprepared. It was cold in Venice, and foggy. I new it would not be as foggy/cold up in Hollywood hills, but still, over 80, no cloud in the sky. After 10+ years you would think I would have this down!)

Arriving at the destination. More snacks and a bit more energy kicking in. This is the only pic of him and the sign – the only one he would agree to. I think he didn’t really get the whole thing – looking at some huge letters – why?

He was willing. He did say it hurt his arm.

Yes, we were close.

First he found the long stick. He decided he was an old man. Started limping a bit and walking even slower. Then he found the smaller stick and started putting it in his mouth. After I complained, and asked why, he said it was the smoke. ??!! Apparently old men use walking sticks and smoke pipes. When I said that smoking is bad for him, he said – “mom, it’s pretend smoke”. Of course.

Next I would like to see the Batman cave. A guy was telling me about it today on this trail. He seemed very surprised that I did not know of the original Batman show. He even sang the show tune for me. Nope. I had no idea.

And this is what we ate…

And next year he will be 8.

7 years ago today, I thought I would hold him as soon as he was born. But, I had to have a C-section, and the catheter they used for medication was the same they used for the epidural which was placed wrong. So they had to put me out completely. And I did not get to see him when he was born, but a little bit later, when I woke up. And then I was a bit woozy from the drugs, so I don’t remember those first moments. I am always sad when I think about that. But I did get to hold him a lot after that and those moments are some of the best moments of my life. He is my Number 1. The First Born. And today he had his first trumpet lesson. Yes, trumpet. Oh, well…

Yesterday was Lego Sunday. A few hours of building in the morning and then a trip to Anaheim Lego store because the toothless here is celebrating his 7th on Sunday!

This post is about none of those places. Our first stop was unplanned. We just needed a break from driving (RV ride – not the most comfortable). If you have ever driven from LA to Las Vegas, you know that once you are out of the sprawl of LA, there is not much before you reach Las Vegas. So, looking at the map, I was surprised to find Calico Ghost Town, just past Barstow (going toward LV). We have driven this route at least 5 times, and I have never noticed it.

We decided to stop. It is not really a ghost town. It is very much populated, at least from 9 to 5. A lot of people. Very commercial. But fun for the kids. And we did see some of the original buildings (this was a mining town developed in the late 19th century during silver rush), and the original train tracks (of course we also took the short train ride). Did I take pictures…

Unfortunately the mines were closed for the day, but the train ride offered some views of the old mine:

some original buildings by the tracks…

and parts of the original mine tracks and cart used in the mine at one of the visible entrances.

The town itself is a mixture of stone buildings built closer the the mine, and mostly restored wooden buildings (town burned down twice during it’s brief history) in the center of town.

School tower. Also restored.

All in all, it wasn’t a waste of time.

Next… Zion. Soon.

And… I have finished the Toss It quilt but just realized that the pics I took earlier today are no good. So it will have to wait. I will wash it and then take a few more pics. I like how it turned out. Decided to donate it for L’s school auction.