Monthly Archive: March 2009

hike

Spring Time on Mission Peak

We made our way up Mission Peak yesterday for the first time in a long time.  Just Barb and I.  It had been 6 months since our Half Dome hike, and other than some Creek Trail walks, we had basically hung up our hiking shoes for a while. Well, it was time to get hiking again, and what better way to start than on a glorious California spring morning.  The sun was shining and birds were singing.  The hills have never been greener!  As green as green can be, but greener! 

 We geared up at the Ohlone trail head and started on our way around 10:30. We  chugged our way up Chalk Hill and to the seasonal pond.  On and up through the shady single track that skirts Mill Creek Road. This is my favorite part of the hike.  Quiet, peaceful and beautiful. And not too hard of a climb.   We emerged from the cover of the trees and begin to wind our way up the fire road that leads to the base of the peak.  Since this is our first hike in a while, we were taking our time, taking plenty of breaks and keeping hydrated.  When we weren’t sucking wind, we were talking,  mostly about how we are trying to keep things positive (good vibes!) in our lives during these tough times that our country, and all of us, are facing.   We talked about  good things. Our kids, our dogs, our friends and fam. And us.

When we made that final turn and the peak came into view in the distance, I was amazed at all the people I could see up there. As we got closer, it was clear that many MANY others had the same idea as us. A big bunch on the peak, and dozens snaking their way up or down the rocky, final, 250 feet to the top.  The only difference between them and us is, that most everyone else hikes up from the Stanford Avenue trail head.  A much tougher, less beautiful hike.

After hiking close to two hours, we were on the summit. Along with about 100 other people! Must’ve been a couple of scout troops and a few family reunions up there! Never have I seen so many people on the peak. Fortunately for us,  our favorite rock was not occupied, so we took a break, enjoyed the view, ate some fruit, and rested up before our trip  down.

It feels good to make it to the peak. An accomplishment with a reward that only those who have scaled it’s heights can appreciate.  It still amazes me that you can stand a top Mission Peak and look towards the west, and see from San Francisco to San Jose, Oakland to Milpitas, and all the civilization that inhabits those lands. Then turn around, look east, and see nothing but wilderness.  Not much civilization at all. It probably looks very much like what the Ohlone saw all those generations ago.  Its beautiful.  Amazing. Wonderful.

Spring has already sprung. In addition to the amazing bright shade of green that carpets the rolling hills, poppies are popping up everywhere, even out of solid rock!  Yellow and purple wildflowers were everywhere. We picked the perfect day for a hike. 

animals

Our Tax Dollars – gone to the dogs

All was well when we welcomed two new additions to our family. Kate’s dog, Bruno, and Barb’s dog, Mali, are now full fledged members of the Flaherty Clan. Little did we know that these little dogs would cause us so much grief with the city of Fremont.

Apparently, Fremont has an ordinance where people cannot have more than two dogs. If you have more than two dogs, you have to apply for (and be granted!) a “multiple pet permit.” On the outside, the law makes sense, and prevents people from having multiple pit bulls or breeding dogs without regards to safety and/or your neighbors. To us, its bullshit!

We learned this the hard way. Two weeks after we took the pups to the vet for all their shots and vaccinations, we received a letter in the mail from Fremont “animal services” saying that records indicate that we have 3 dogs in our house. We would have to pay $120 for a one year permit!  Now, I don’t mind paying for a dog license, but this is bordering on ridiculous. $120 per year? Every year? TIME OUT!! TIME OUT!!  We tried to explain to the city that although we did take all of our dogs to the same vet, one of the dogs was Kate’s. We were just watching the dog while she completed Marine Corp boot camp. Even this patriotic nudge would not sway city government!   They continued to send us mail  asking for payment. Finally, they threatened to attach our income tax return and take additional legal action. You really can’t fight city hall!! We felt that there was nothing we could do. We would pay the stupid $120 and be done with it.

NOT SO FAST MISTER!! You are done with the city of Fremont when the city of Fremont says you are done!

About two weeks after we sent in our payment, our neighbors started receiving notices from the city “Your neighbor is applying for a multiple pet permit” OH MY GOODNESS!! I couldn’t believe it! The city sent this notice to all of our immediate neighbors, giving them the opportunity to object. How embarrassing!! We explained the situation and apologized. They laughed it off but we weren’t laughing. I was pissed, but I thought we were done with it.

NOT SO FAST MISTER!! You are done with it when the city  says you are done!

Another couple of weeks pass and we get a phone call from the city. “We need to come and inspect your property prior to granting the permit” WHAT?!?!  Screw it!!  I didn’t return the call, or the next one. A week later, a letter in the mail, “VIOLATION WARNING”  that said if we didn’t call to set an appointment,  they would send a citation or file a criminal complaint with the District Attorney!

So I called. I scheduled the appointment, and cursed those little dogs that have begun to make my life hell. I mean, Mali and Bruno don’t even make up one  dog. Throw in Niya and you have one and a half dogs tops! NOT THREE!  And……. ONE IS NOT EVEN OURS!!!! ITS KATES!!! Here we are, trying to do the right thing, and getting screwed. We asked advice of some of our friends who had “multiple pets”.  One friend says they listed one of their dogs as “deceased” other friends use a different address with the vet for one of the dogs.

So I had to set aside a 4 hour window of my time to wait for “Animal Control” to come and inspect my property.

The “animal control officer”  arrives for the inspection. ” I just have to see the dogs and check the backyard fence line to make sure they can’t get out.” Great, do what you need to do. He saw the dogs and checked out the backyard fence.   My gate failed inspection!!  “According to Fremont city ordinance, any gate needs to have a spring installed to facilitate closure and be “self closing” and bla bla bla bla bla. Additionally, yadda yadda yadda, fix the gate and I’ll be back in two weeks to inspect!”

YOUR TAX DOLLARS AT WORK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

SERENITY NOW!!!!!SERENITY NOW!!!!!SERENITY NOW!!!!!

So we are still not done.  You are done when the city says you are done!

 I fixed the stupid gate, and wait.   I should say that everyone  I’ve dealt with have been freindly and professional. Its not the people that I’m bashing, its the POLICY! 

kate~n~kel

No news is Great News!

In the world of Marine Corp recruit training, no news really is great news. We have’nt heard from young Kate so its assumed that all went well with Crucible, she has earned the title of MARINE, and is in her final few GLORY days at Parris Island.  At any given time there are probably a few thousand recruits at Parris Island, in various phases of training. They ALL want to be where Kate is now. No longer a recruit. A Marine.  They get to strut their stuff around base for 6 days as the “seniors on deck.”  Family Day on Thursday, Graduation on Friday, then we bring her home for a much deserved 10 day leave.  Its all good.

kate~n~kel

Marine Corp Kate

What a great, fantastic, motivating and all around generally positive trip to Parris Island SC to see our youngest daughter, our baby, our little Kate, graduate from Marine Corp boot camp.  We arrived in South Carolina Wednesday night in preparation for Thursday Family Day and Friday Graduation. We were up at 5am (2 am west coast time!) and driving onto the base around 6:30 for the 7am “moto run.” The motivational run is pretty cool.   When we got there, all the graduating platoons (534 graduates this time) were lined up by platoon on the main parade deck. All doing stretches and warming up. We found Kate’s platoon and were trying to eyeball where she was amongst the group of look a like Marines. We gave her a HOOTIE-HOO!!!!  Then found her. SHE WAS SMILING! So we saw her and she saw us and all was good in the world. After 13 long weeks, we got to see young Kate. We could tell she was slim and trim, standing tall and looking good!   Then they started their  final 4 mile run around Parris Island.  All singing cadence loud and clear. They all made one pass on the parade deck (so all of us can get a closer look, and cheer our heads off!!)  then proceeded to run to each of the 5 training battalions on base.  There is a bell in front of each Battalion. When the group runs by, someone from each platoon rings the bell, signifying to the other recruits on base that this group has completed recruit training, and are now Marines.  All the parents line the street outside the parade deck with signs and stuff and cheer again when they run by. After that the platoons are marched back to their squad bays to prepare for the Liberty Ceremony. We had about 2 hours to kill, so we got a cup of coffee, and went to the visitor center, then made our way to the all weather training facility where we would finally be reunited with Kate. This place was huge, big enough to hold all 534 new marines and maybe 3 times as many family and friends, with room to spare! So we are all sitting there , they play some really good and informational videos about all they had been through. Then at one end of the building a huge door opens and in marches all  the new marines. We picked out Kate right away, she looked so great. It  was an emotional moment in all of our lives.  She looked like a Marine. She was a Marine. After a short introduction and ceremony, the Marines were granted a 5 hour on base liberty and then dismissed. Me and Kelly were sitting up in the bleachers, while Barb and Melinda were in the handicapped section (Melinda is in a wheelchair after some recent surgery).  So we got to see Kate go up to and hug Barb. I could see that Kate had tears in her eyes. What an emotional moment for all of us. Indescribably wonderful.  So we all hugged and hugged and hugged some more. To be able to tell Kate in person that we loved her and that we were sooooooo proud of her and that she looked so good, was something we had been looking forward to since December.  Kate was a  lean, mean fighting machine.  Transformed.  A Marine!  I couldn’t stop looking at her. She had military bearing!  She introduced us to a couple of her Drill Instructors.   I asked for a picture and it turned out to be my favorite. Kate in the middle of two of the DIs that molded  her into the Marine that she is today. Anyway, a great picture! So we had a five hour visit with Kate. We had brought a picnic lunch with all the trimmings. We brought a few of the things from Kate’s many food lists. She was in heaven!   We walked and drove all around the base, all the while Kate was telling great stories of her 13 week adventure.  We went to the MCX (store), the Marine Corp Museum, and even to the squad bay where her and the girls of  platoon 4006 lived.  All around us on base there were other Marines in various stages of training.  All very cool. At 3pm we had to say goodbye. She had to report back to her platoon because they were all going to do a graduation run through on the parade deck. We stuck around and watched that too! It was cool, because it was an express version of the grad ceremony (no music, no speeches, just practicing the march in, the pass and review etc).  We had to leave to get ready for the meet and greet later that night. It was a dinner at a restaurant in town where all new Marine families (that’s us!)  got to meet and eat. We met some nice people and had a nice meal too. Then it was back to the house to try to get some sleep before another long day. Grad day we were up early again and on base by 6:45 for the 9am graduation. Lucky we got there early. The troops were lined up for one more early morning practice! Too funny!  All the new Marines were in cammies, with the exception of  the honor grads. So they did a run through then marched back to change into their dress uniforms. We were golden because we had good seats, dressed warm, brought blankets and had coffee (thanks Kelly Fraley!). We just sat there and watched the place fill up. It turned into a standing room only event and many of the late comers were relegated to standing on the far ends of  the parade deck.  Our seats were great because Kate told us where to sit and we knew because we had stayed for practice. The Ceremony was awesome. Filled with all sorts of Marine tradition and history. The Marine band performed and then the new Marines marched in. All 534  of them. It was another emotional morning. This graduation ceremony would make any American proud.  But to have a daughter in there was something else.  Kate looked so good out there.  The ceremony lasted about an hour, then the PA annoucer said, “the Senior Drill instructors will now dismiss their troops, this is the last and possibly most welcome order they will ever receive.” FUNNY!  And then they were dismissed. Everyone rushes onto the parade deck to congratulate their new marine. Another very emotional moment. More kleenex please!! Hugs all around, then, surprise! A lady came up to Kate and hands her a bouquet of flowers, from a Marine friend stationed in Armenia! She was totally surprised by this nice gesture. We had known about it because he had emailed me (via facebook) to let us know to expect the surprise. Another nice gesture. After a few more pics Kate was, “lets get off this island!” We drove over to her squadbay, she picked up all her gear, and we were off. But wait!  Kate and I had mailed back and forth and we both knew that we wanted a picture of her, standing on the yellow footprints. These are the same yellow footprints that every new recruit stands on when they first get off the bus at Parris Island. It was a fitting end. Thirteen weeks before, Kate stood on those footprints as a raw recruit. On this day she stood on the same footprints as a Marine. And we couldn’t be happier! So then we  were off.  For the first time since December 8th, Kate got to use a cell phone! Texting like a mad woman!!  HA HA!   We made our way off the base. First stop?  Taco Bell!  Loaded with an assortment of Taco Bell fare, we made our way back to the rental house for lunch. Kate changed out of her dress uniform into sweats LET FREEDOM RING!!!!  All was good in our world.  We were bringing Kate home for a much deserved 10-day leave.  All our time with Kate was precious. We asked a lot of questions about anything and everything. We caught her up on all the goings on at home and she continued to tell us great stuff about her boot camp experience.  What a special moment in all of our lives.  Memories that I will cherish forever. We are blessed.

Uncategorized

Marine Corp Hair

I never really gave Kate’s hair much thought . I figured that since she had long hair, that she would wear her hair “up” somehow. Well, the Marine Corp way is really something else. We were amazed at the tightness and the neatness of Kate’s hair when we first saw her, and even more so when she did her hair at home and we got to see   how its done.   It involves a rolled up sock and a pretty heavy gel/hairspray combo.  The end result is a cute and nifty hair-do that you can wear to a USO dance, OR, while crawling on your belly in the mud at the obstacle course.  An all around, all weather, Marine Corp – “do.”  Not only does it look good, its also hard as a rock.   You can click on any of these pictures for a better view.

animals

loving spring break

Kelly is on spring break! WOOHOO!  She is chill’n this week and the dogs couldn’t be happier. They love to share the couch or loveseat with a warm body. Kelly took this phone cam pic of some lazy dogs hanging out with her yesterday. Bruno on the loveseat (his fav spot) and Mali kick’n it on the couch.  Could it get any better? I think not.

sports

I\’m a Lucky Man

Went to lunch with Kelly and Kate last week.  Just the three of us. Sat down for lunch like we have dozens of times over the years. This time,  I looked across the table and what did I see?   Our first born,  a straight “A”  college senior and  national champion water polo player.  Our baby, a brand new  United States Marine.  Needless to say, the parental pride meter is off the chart.

family

Happy Birthday Kelly

  Kelly turns 22 today.  Double dueces. 

  Good looking. Smart. Funny.

  She is a confident young lady and a joy to be around. Delightful! 

  Enjoy your day honey!