Tuesday, July 08, 2008
Monday, July 07, 2008
Sunday, July 06, 2008
Saturday, July 05, 2008
Sold the Explorer!
Over the last week, we have had our 1998 Ford Explorer listed on Craigslist. It finally sold tonight. The process was a very odd experience. Ask me some time if you are interested in why the whole experience was unusual.
Lexus RX400H Day 7
At the end of the first week, I am very pleased with our Lexus RX400H hybrid. As I told Sharon, if it had not been for her, I would probably have gone for the Highlander Hybrid (just because it was bigger!).
The vehicle is rated at 24 mpg on the highway and 26 in the city. I got 25.5 miles per gallon on the first tank (349 miles and 13.67 gallons). For comparison, between December 16, 2007 and June 26, 2008, I drove the Explorer 10,251 miles and got 16.33 miles per gallon. At $4.469 a gallon, I saved $34.81 on gas in the first week.
The vehicle is rated at 24 mpg on the highway and 26 in the city. I got 25.5 miles per gallon on the first tank (349 miles and 13.67 gallons). For comparison, between December 16, 2007 and June 26, 2008, I drove the Explorer 10,251 miles and got 16.33 miles per gallon. At $4.469 a gallon, I saved $34.81 on gas in the first week.
Friday, July 04, 2008
2008 Fourth of July Party
Sharon, Jack and I spent at the afternoon and evening at a 4th of July party at Tom's house (Sharon's brother). We swam in the pool, played bocce, barbecued a giant roast and finished the night with fireworks.
Thursday, July 03, 2008
Lighted Boat Parade and The Magnificent Seven
Sharon and Janie have made it a quasi tradition (5 out of the last 7 years?) to go to the Virgin Sturgeon on July 3rd and watch the lighted boat parade on the Sacramento River.
I did an evening run on the treadmill watching a rental of The Magnificent Seven on the Apple TV. Released in 1960, the cast includes Yul Brunner, Steve McQueen, Charles Bronson, James Coburn and Robert Vaughan. I am not sure that I have actually ever seen the movie before...
Last weekend, I watched For a Few Dollars More on the Apple TV while running on the treadmill.
I did an evening run on the treadmill watching a rental of The Magnificent Seven on the Apple TV. Released in 1960, the cast includes Yul Brunner, Steve McQueen, Charles Bronson, James Coburn and Robert Vaughan. I am not sure that I have actually ever seen the movie before...
Last weekend, I watched For a Few Dollars More on the Apple TV while running on the treadmill.
J.M. Davis House
This is another historic building I wandered by while exploring Juneau. The J.M. Davis House on upper 6th Street, was constructed by Frances Brooks Davis, an English painter who came to Juneau in 1891, and J. Montgomery Davis, whom she met and married in 1892. The Davis family built part of 6th Street and upper Seward Street so that horse drawn wagons could reach their properties.
J.M. Davis House National Register of Historic Places #1982002073
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This historic place is located at 202 6th Street in the city of Juneau in the county of Juneau, Alaska. The GPS coordinates for this location are N 58° 18.193 W 134° 24.662.
You can log your vist to this site at waymarking.com.
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This historic place is located at 202 6th Street in the city of Juneau in the county of Juneau, Alaska. The GPS coordinates for this location are N 58° 18.193 W 134° 24.662.
You can log your vist to this site at waymarking.com.
Wednesday, July 02, 2008
The Sins of the Father
Over the years, I have read some good biographies about the early twentieth century, including Limbergh, Hearst and more recently Alice Roosevelt Longsworth. There is one person who keeps popping up in these books: Joseph P. Kennedy. I have been looking for a biography of him for some time and finally purchased The Sins of the Father. This was one of the books that I read while we were on vacation in Alaska.
While his sons are icons to my generation, Joseph Kennedy also had a remarkable life; he was the first chairman of the SEC, Ambassador to England at the outbreak of War World II and one of the 20 richest people in America in the 1950's.
It is probably the first biography that I have ever read where when I finished I wondered whether or not it was a hatchet job. The book paints a very unflattering picture of him. There is another book by Doris Kearns Goodwin called the Fitzgeralds and the Kennedys that I may read in the future to get another perspective.
While his sons are icons to my generation, Joseph Kennedy also had a remarkable life; he was the first chairman of the SEC, Ambassador to England at the outbreak of War World II and one of the 20 richest people in America in the 1950's.
It is probably the first biography that I have ever read where when I finished I wondered whether or not it was a hatchet job. The book paints a very unflattering picture of him. There is another book by Doris Kearns Goodwin called the Fitzgeralds and the Kennedys that I may read in the future to get another perspective.
Tuesday, July 01, 2008
Highlights from the Alaskan Cruise and Land Tour
My top five highlights from the Alaskan Cruise and Land Tour include:
- the excursion in Swagway which included: a helicopter ride up the canyon and over the Denver Glacier; a hike along the Swagway River to the terminal moraine of the Laughton Glacier; and, a train ride back into town on the White Horse and Yukon Railway;
- cruising back and forth in front of the Margerie Glacier in Glacier Bay National Park listening to it make noises like thunder and cannon shots and watching large chunks of the glacier fall into the bay;
- cruising College Fjord up to the Harvard Glacier with bears foraging on the shore and seals lying on chunks of ice in the water;
- the bus tour into Denali National Park above the tiaga into the tundra; and,
- the train ride from Denali to Talkeena along the edge of Denali National Park with views of Mount McKinley.
Monday, June 30, 2008
Wickersham House
After walking to St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox Church in Juneau with Sharon and Jack, I continued up the hill to the Wickersham House.
The Hammond-Wickersham House was built by Frank Hammond, Sheep Creek Mine Superintendent, in 1899. In 1928, Judge James Wickersham, noted Alaskan lawyer, politician, historian, and author bought the house.
At age 45, Wickersham was the first white man to attempt to climb up Mount McKinley. During his seven terms as Alaska's non-voting delegate to Congress, he was able to persuade an uninterested Congress to pass legislation of major importance to Alaska, including legislation creating Mt. McKinley National Park.
The House of Wickersham and its collections are managed by the Alaska Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation.
Wickersham House National Register of Historic Places #1976000360
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This historic place is located at 213 7th Street in the city of Juneau in the county of Juneau, Alaska. The GPS coordinates for this location are N 58° 18.222 W 134° 24.694.
You can log your vist to this site at waymarking.com.
The Hammond-Wickersham House was built by Frank Hammond, Sheep Creek Mine Superintendent, in 1899. In 1928, Judge James Wickersham, noted Alaskan lawyer, politician, historian, and author bought the house.
At age 45, Wickersham was the first white man to attempt to climb up Mount McKinley. During his seven terms as Alaska's non-voting delegate to Congress, he was able to persuade an uninterested Congress to pass legislation of major importance to Alaska, including legislation creating Mt. McKinley National Park.
The House of Wickersham and its collections are managed by the Alaska Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation.
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This historic place is located at 213 7th Street in the city of Juneau in the county of Juneau, Alaska. The GPS coordinates for this location are N 58° 18.222 W 134° 24.694.
You can log your vist to this site at waymarking.com.
Starbucks iTunes Pick of the Week - Pacifika
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Sharon and Marlene Bike Ride
With Marlene buying a new bike, Sharon and Marlene drove out to the Consumnes River Preserve and rode their bikes from there. Using data from the Garmin 201, I put together the Google Map, speed chart and topo maps of their ride shown below.
View Larger Map
Click on the speed graph for a larger copy!
View Larger Map
Click on the speed graph for a larger copy!
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Original Pete's
We finished the evening having dinner with Philip, Marlene and Tim at Original Pete's in Elk Grove. While we had spent the day car shopping, they had spent the day buying a road bike for Marlene.
Lexus RX400h
Over the last couple of months, we have started shopping for a new car to replace the Explorer. At this point, the Explorer has more than 223,000 miles. Sharon purchased it in January of 1999; we have owned it almost 9 1/2 years.
We have been focusing on two different vehicles as a replacement: the Toyota Highlander Hybrid and the Lexus RX400h Hybrid. The plan for the day was to go and test drive the two vehicles back to back.
We went to Lexus of Sacramento and drove the Lexus first. They had three RX400hs in stock: two blacks one and a nice Bamboo Pearl one. When we initially drove the Lexus in early April, I was impressed with how nimble it felt. After driving it again, both Sharon and I were very pleased with how well it drove. It feels very responsive and has a nice solid ride. Sharon has been pushing the idea of the Lexus since we started this process, while I was frankly leaning towards the larger Highlanders.
From there, we went to Maita Toyota. I had been scouting the Highlander Hybrids during the week. There were essentially three in stock in Sacramento: two silver and one green. I had walked around and sat in the green one at Maita on Friday.
From the first five minutes of testing driving the Highlander, I knew that I was not going to buy it. Although I liked the larger size and some of the options, it drove horribly. Both Sharon and I were grimacing as we drove it and looking at each other out of the corner of our eyes. It felt very heavy and literally wallowed through turns. This is consistent with my experience when we drove one at Elk Grove Toyota in late March. The Highlander is more than 800 pounds heavier than the Lexus with the same power train.
Heading back to the Lexus dealer, we purchased the RX400h. I am very pleased with the end result. I will post some pictures in the near future...
We have been focusing on two different vehicles as a replacement: the Toyota Highlander Hybrid and the Lexus RX400h Hybrid. The plan for the day was to go and test drive the two vehicles back to back.
We went to Lexus of Sacramento and drove the Lexus first. They had three RX400hs in stock: two blacks one and a nice Bamboo Pearl one. When we initially drove the Lexus in early April, I was impressed with how nimble it felt. After driving it again, both Sharon and I were very pleased with how well it drove. It feels very responsive and has a nice solid ride. Sharon has been pushing the idea of the Lexus since we started this process, while I was frankly leaning towards the larger Highlanders.
From there, we went to Maita Toyota. I had been scouting the Highlander Hybrids during the week. There were essentially three in stock in Sacramento: two silver and one green. I had walked around and sat in the green one at Maita on Friday.
From the first five minutes of testing driving the Highlander, I knew that I was not going to buy it. Although I liked the larger size and some of the options, it drove horribly. Both Sharon and I were grimacing as we drove it and looking at each other out of the corner of our eyes. It felt very heavy and literally wallowed through turns. This is consistent with my experience when we drove one at Elk Grove Toyota in late March. The Highlander is more than 800 pounds heavier than the Lexus with the same power train.
Heading back to the Lexus dealer, we purchased the RX400h. I am very pleased with the end result. I will post some pictures in the near future...
Friday, June 27, 2008
Bill Simmons: Draft Diary XII
ESPN Page 2 - Simmons: Draft Diary XII, a twin killing
5:41 PM: The Kings take Jason Thompson 12th, which would have been fine if this were the second round. Stern sums the pick up best: 'Jason is not here.' There's a 75 percent chance that the Maloofs made that pick after downing three bottles of Patron shots at the their VIP table at Rain.
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Chad Ford's 2008 NBA Draft grades
ESPN - Draft grades: Evaluating every team, from A+ to D - NBA
Round 1: Jason Thompson (12)
Round 2: Sean Singletary (42), Patrick Ewing Jr. (43)
Analysis: A team should not be criticized just for doing the unexpected. But the Kings made a huge reach for Thompson at No. 12. He's going to be a solid rotation player at best. But he looks like he might be the Shelden Williams of this draft.
With solid players like Brandon Rush, Darrell Arthur and Mario Chalmers and upside guys like Anthony Randolph and Marreese Speights on the board, I think the Kings blew it.
Singletary could be a nice second-round pick. But I have a hard time believing Ewing has a spot in the league.
| Sacramento Kings: Grade: C- |
Round 1: Jason Thompson (12)
Round 2: Sean Singletary (42), Patrick Ewing Jr. (43)
Analysis: A team should not be criticized just for doing the unexpected. But the Kings made a huge reach for Thompson at No. 12. He's going to be a solid rotation player at best. But he looks like he might be the Shelden Williams of this draft.
With solid players like Brandon Rush, Darrell Arthur and Mario Chalmers and upside guys like Anthony Randolph and Marreese Speights on the board, I think the Kings blew it.
Singletary could be a nice second-round pick. But I have a hard time believing Ewing has a spot in the league.
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Celebrating Larkin's Birthday
After work, I drove up to Greenwood and picked up Larkin. We headed into Georgetown to celebrate his birthday. We stopped at the Georgetown Hotel and then had dinner at Parra's Mexican Restaurant.
I met Larkin sometime in 1981 when we were both working for the Federal Intermediate Credit Bank of Sacramento. We have worked together off and on since then both at Farm Credit and Sutter. In the ensuing years, we have had a large number of adventures and misadventures.
I met Larkin sometime in 1981 when we were both working for the Federal Intermediate Credit Bank of Sacramento. We have worked together off and on since then both at Farm Credit and Sutter. In the ensuing years, we have had a large number of adventures and misadventures.
California Historical Landmark #521
California State Historical Landmark #521
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This landmark is located at the southwest corner of the intersection of State Highway 193 and Greenwood Street, Greenwood, California in El Dorado County. There are 29 other California State Historical Landmarks in El Dorado County. The GPS coordinates for this location are N 38° 53.921 W 120° 54.865.
You can log your visit to this landmark at waymark.com.
John Greenwood, a trapper and guide who came to California in 1844, established a trading post here in 1849. The gold rush town of Greenwood boasted a theater, four hotels, 14 stores, a brewery, and four saloons. Among its illustrious citizens was John A. Stone, California songwriter, who was buried here in 1863.
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Swimming Lessons 2008
Valentine Building
The Valentine Building is another building that Jack and I wandered by, while Sharon was shopping in Juneau. Built by Emery Valentine in 1913, it represents frontier Alaskan architecture. Valentine, a jeweler and businessman, also organized Juneau’s Volunteer Fire Department and served as Juneau’s mayor for six terms.
Valentine Building National Register of Historic Places #1985001275
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This historic place is located at 202 Front Street in the city of Juneau in the county of Juneau, Alaska. The GPS coordinates for this location are N 58° 18.046 W 134° 24.438.
You can log your vist to this site at waymarking.com.
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This historic place is located at 202 Front Street in the city of Juneau in the county of Juneau, Alaska. The GPS coordinates for this location are N 58° 18.046 W 134° 24.438.
You can log your vist to this site at waymarking.com.
Juneau County Alaska Historic Places
Juneau County, Alaska
{GPS Coordinates of Site Location}
1973000377 - St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox Church - [map] - {58.303172,-134.408917}
1976000360 - Wickersham House - [map] - {58.3037,-134.41157}
1978000526 - Alaska Hotel - [map] - {58.300261,-134.405028}
1978000527 - Alaskan Steam Laundry - [map] - {58.30015,-134.40495}
1982002073 - J.M. Davis House - [map] - {58.30322,-134.41103}
1985001275 - Valentine Building - [map] - {58.30077,-134.4073}
Starbucks iTunes Pick of the Week - Sergio Mendes
Monday, June 23, 2008
Margerie Glacier, Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska
I took this panaromic picture of the Margerie Glacier on our recent trip to Alaska.
The Margerie Glacier is an excellent example of a tide-water glacier, a glacier that extends into a body of water. It is hard to appreciate the scale of the picture. The Margerie Glacier's height is 250 feet. The glacier also extends another 100 feet below the water line. By comparison, the Statue of Liberty is 307 feet tall. The glacier is 1 miles wide!
codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=5,0,0,0"
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The Margerie Glacier is an excellent example of a tide-water glacier, a glacier that extends into a body of water. It is hard to appreciate the scale of the picture. The Margerie Glacier's height is 250 feet. The glacier also extends another 100 feet below the water line. By comparison, the Statue of Liberty is 307 feet tall. The glacier is 1 miles wide!
WIDTH=160 HEIGHT=120>
Alaska Steam Laundry
Across the street from the Alaskan Hotel in Juneau is the Alaska Steam Laundry. The Alaska Steam Laundry (now the Emporium Mall) stands in the center of early Juneau’s prominent business district. It was built in 1901 by E. R. Jaeger to house the Alaska Steam Laundry, a business he had purchased in 1895 as the Juneau Steam Laundry. Its outstanding architectural details include a turret with wood shingles and an ornate front parapet.
Alaska Steam Laundry National Register of Historic Places #1978000527
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This historic place is located at 174 South Franklin Street in the city of Juneau in the county of Juneau, Alaska. The GPS coordinates for this location are N 58° 18.009 W 134° 24.297.
You can log your vist to this site at waymarking.com.
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This historic place is located at 174 South Franklin Street in the city of Juneau in the county of Juneau, Alaska. The GPS coordinates for this location are N 58° 18.009 W 134° 24.297.
You can log your vist to this site at waymarking.com.
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Alaskan Dinner Party
We had Janie and her mom June over for dinner. Drew also joined us.
Sharon made a great dinner, including smoked salmon that we brought back from Juneau, home-made clam chowder, King Crab, thin sliced steaks, green beans and baked potatoes. Sharon made baked alaska for dessert. I like her baked Alaska a lot more than the one that they served on the ship for the last formal dinner.
Janie brought her Maltepoo with her; he is 3 1/2 months old. Jack had a great time running around and playing with the dog.
Sharon made a great dinner, including smoked salmon that we brought back from Juneau, home-made clam chowder, King Crab, thin sliced steaks, green beans and baked potatoes. Sharon made baked alaska for dessert. I like her baked Alaska a lot more than the one that they served on the ship for the last formal dinner.
Janie brought her Maltepoo with her; he is 3 1/2 months old. Jack had a great time running around and playing with the dog.
Saturday, June 21, 2008
Rosemary's 87th Birthday
Tom, Becky, Kevin, Tim, Kathy, Sharon Jack and I took Rosemary to Cafe Unseelie in Elk Grove to celebrate her 87th birthday.
Friday, June 20, 2008
Alvin and the Chipmunks
After a busy two weeks, we decided to crash and watch a movie after dinner. Jack choose Alvin and the Chipmunks on the AppleTv. We watched it as a HD rental.
Alaskan Hotel
While Sharon shopped, Jack and I wandered around Juneau. The Alaskan Hotel is the oldest operating hotel in Alaskan, opening on Tuesday, September 16, 1913.
Alaskan Hotel National Register of Historic Places #1978000526
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This historic place is located at 167 South Franklin Street in the city of Juneau in the county of Juneau, Alaska. The GPS coordinates for this location are N 58° 18.016 W 134° 24.302.
You can log your vist to this site at waymarking.com.
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This historic place is located at 167 South Franklin Street in the city of Juneau in the county of Juneau, Alaska. The GPS coordinates for this location are N 58° 18.016 W 134° 24.302.
You can log your vist to this site at waymarking.com.
Thursday, June 19, 2008
St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox Church
After going whale watching in Juneau, we had lunch and walked around the town. One of the sites that Sharon and I dragged Jack to was St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox Church. Built in 1893, it is the oldest continually functioning Orthodox Church in Southeast Alaska. The icons presently in the church are the original icons received from Russia in 1894.
St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox Church National Register of Historic Places #1973000377
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This historic place is located at 326 5th Street in the city of Juneau in the county of Juneau, Alaska. The GPS coordinates for this location are N 58° 18.190 W 134° 24.535.
You can log your vist to this site at waymarking.com.
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This historic place is located at 326 5th Street in the city of Juneau in the county of Juneau, Alaska. The GPS coordinates for this location are N 58° 18.190 W 134° 24.535.
You can log your vist to this site at waymarking.com.
Starbucks iTunes Pick of the Week - Priscilla Ahn
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Alaskan Cruise Day 12
A long travel day...
Trying to let Jack sleep, Sharon and I took turns going for short runs on bike trail along the bay in Anchorage. I ran 3.22 miles in 32:07.
We packed up the bags and had a quick breakfast in the Captain Cook Hotel. The shuttle took us to the airport about 10:00 a.m. After a struggle getting our bags checked, we caught an Alaskan flight from Anchorage to Seattle/Tacoma. This flight was about 20 minutes late, but we still had more than enough time to make our connection.
We boarded a flight to Sacramento. Missing a captain, we ended up sitting in the plane at the gateway for more than 30 minutes. By the time we finally landed in Sacramento, it was after 8:00 p.m. We collected our ton of luggage and picked up the car. It was after 9:00 p.m. by the time we got home.
Trying to let Jack sleep, Sharon and I took turns going for short runs on bike trail along the bay in Anchorage. I ran 3.22 miles in 32:07.
We packed up the bags and had a quick breakfast in the Captain Cook Hotel. The shuttle took us to the airport about 10:00 a.m. After a struggle getting our bags checked, we caught an Alaskan flight from Anchorage to Seattle/Tacoma. This flight was about 20 minutes late, but we still had more than enough time to make our connection.
We boarded a flight to Sacramento. Missing a captain, we ended up sitting in the plane at the gateway for more than 30 minutes. By the time we finally landed in Sacramento, it was after 8:00 p.m. We collected our ton of luggage and picked up the car. It was after 9:00 p.m. by the time we got home.
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Alaskan Cruise Day 11
We had to have the luggage packed and outside the room by 8:00 a.m. They take the luggage to the next stop by truck, rather than on the train. From there, we had a quick breakfast in the Rapids Restaurant in the Canyon Station Lodge.
We caught a shuttle back into the park and hiked on the Horseshoe Lake trail and then back to the Wilderness Access Center. Catching another shuttle, we headed back to the lodge to collect our carry on bags. One final shuttle took us back to the train depot to catch the 12:00 p.m. train to Anchorage.
Princess had five very nice cars at the end of the train. When the train from Fairbanks stopped at Denali, we watched more than 400 people pore out of the five cars; they had all five cars full.
Like Sunday, there only a few people catching the train with us. Although 400 people got off, only 40
We caught a shuttle back into the park and hiked on the Horseshoe Lake trail and then back to the Wilderness Access Center. Catching another shuttle, we headed back to the lodge to collect our carry on bags. One final shuttle took us back to the train depot to catch the 12:00 p.m. train to Anchorage.
Princess had five very nice cars at the end of the train. When the train from Fairbanks stopped at Denali, we watched more than 400 people pore out of the five cars; they had all five cars full.
Like Sunday, there only a few people catching the train with us. Although 400 people got off, only 40