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Today was a great day. It started with the creation of empty brass with Eric, a BBQ lunch with Janet, Eric, Emily and several other family members, sailing with Eric and Emily and finished with another BBQ with Eric, Emily and Janet.  July 5th celebration I wish all a Happy 4th of July and a time for us to think about our freedom. The last verse of the National Anthem causes me to think. Are we really freemen or does our government seem to govern more of our lives? It is a war between our homes and the opposition, a government that seems to be burdening us with taxes, and more taxes around the corner. A government that is forcing us to participate health care or we will have to pay fines. We seem to live with a government that acts as if it wants to grab more control over our lives every day. About all we can to is trust in God that we will be delivered from the mess we find ourselves in. That someday we will have more freedom. Lyrics for the last verse of the National Anthem below: O, thus be it ever when freemen shall stand, In our home for several years we have had a Lego version of the Statue of Liberty. It has stood a a reminder every day of our freedom and liberty. May it always be a beacon of liberty.  Lego Statue of Liberty Eric, Jacob and I walked up Mt Rubidoux tonight. It was much cooler than the day had been. We got a late start and the cover of darkness fell on us on our way down. The park will not be open for the 4th as they will be preparing for the fireworks display. The exercise was great.  Jacob on Mt Rubidoux with Riverside behind him Today was graduation day for the Fire Explorers that completed the training. I dropped him off last Sunday afternoon. The first order of business was following the instructions from Marine Drill Instructors (DI). It is a kind of team building ritual. Does the squad move the way the DI wants? it should. Do the DI’s yell? Of course they do. The Explorers did 50 hours of training this past week. The certifications Eric completed are Fire Control 3B – Structural Fire Fighting and Fire Control 4A and 4B – Flammable Gases and Liquids Fire Fighting. The are more certificates that will arrive in the mail so I will update the list. As for graduation, Eric can be seen walking across the stage.  Eric moving across the stage from right to left Then there is the obligatory photo taken with a fire engine.  Eric on graduation day I went up to the Riverside County Fire Explorer Academy tonight to do a little volunteer work and then watch the activities. Eric was smiling and he looked like he was enjoying the day’s activities. He is pictured in front of the vehicle fire prop. Remember, that most of my pictures can be clicked on to make them bigger,  Eric with the burning car prop behind him A little earlier in the evening you could actually see the vehicle and the Fire Explorers working on putting the vehicle fire out.  Fire Explorers and the burning car I was told that they spent some of the day jumping out of buildings. They also searched for people in burning buildings. A good example of who they searched for is below. They would find the dummy and then carry it to safety.  This dummy has been saved several times Of course for the activities, they wear their turnouts and all the other gear. Eric is getting all geared up for the evening exercises.  Eric getting ready for more flames Another one of the trainings had them work their way towards a burning prop. They had to get close enough to turn a valve on the front of the prop to simulate turning off a propane tank or some other liquid or gas valve. The heat could be felt a ways away from the flames.
I would also add that this is the fourth full day of getting up at 5:30, learning all day which includes wearing turnouts in 90 degree weather and going to bed at 10:00. They are doing great, but I am sure they are getting tired. To stay healthy in the heat, you must drink, drink and drink more water and Gatorade. As it is father’s day, I had time to look back on father’s day just a year ago. My brothers Alan, Wayne. And Eric and I gathered around our father’s bedside. We talked about the years that had passed, the fun that we had. We talked about the river trip that we took together in 2004. The five of us had a great time. We also realized that some of us were not going to be spending much time with our own families for this father’s day. For Alan, his family was in Utah. We were also missing church where traditionally the children sing a few father’s day songs for the congregation. Not to miss out on the opportunity, we sang to our father. That is probably one of the things I will remember most. It put a big smile on Dad’s face.  Dad The year has quickly passed, I remember back to Dad passing away days after Fathers day. In some ways it feels like a year ago was a long time ago and in other ways it feels like last week. As for Father’s Day for me, we started it on Saturday evening with ice cream and the opening of cards. Jacob, Eric Emily and Janet were present for the festivities. As for today, each of my children contacted me. Scott gave me a call. Eric and I spent time together as I took him to Fire Explorer Academy. He will be there all week and will be working with live fire. Jacob, Janet and I had a great Fathers Day feast and chocolate cake. Emily came by in the late afternoon after work and had cake. Jacob, Emily and I took time to spend together doing something we enjoy. What better to do than have a Father’s Day Regatta.  Dad is out in front and running down wind It started out well with me in the front. Then I ran through some fisherman’s line and was passed wile trying to get the line off my rudder. Jacob had a sail issue and Emily helped him as I made it past them on our trip to the far side of the island. Emily and I made it out between the two islands, tacking back and forth to make it up wind. As our paths crossed each other we looked back and only saw Jacob knees sticking out of the top of the boat as he was stuck in irons between the two islands. We both turned out boats towards Jacob and found him unhappy as the boom had hit him in the head four of five times. Then it was twenty times, a stretch of the truth that we teased him about. We all sailed out of the tough spot together and spent the next hour floating around and talking. It was a nice Fathers Day. Today was the 2010 Riverside City Council Regatta and BBQ. This year the Riverside Community Sailing Program was responsible for more of the event. The event went well. More information on the regatta can be found here. It was also a great fundraiser for the City Councilmemeber’s favorite charity as well as the Riverside Community Sailing Program. We got started early on the set up for the event.  Boats on the water - Lifeguard in the rescue boat (upper left) and me on the dock with the microphone I was happy to not be in charge of the kitchen. However, I was going to be the MC for the event. O how I look forward to talking into a microphone. (I really do not like talking into microphones or being on stage) As the day progressed it was amazing how well things flowed and we kept close to the schedule. Eric was tasked with driving the rescue boat again this year. The councilmember’s set sail and waited for the countdown sequence. The stay behind the start line for 6 minutes sailing around, gauging their run and trying to not cross the start line before the final blow of the horn. The boats crossed the start line after the blast of the horn. And Melendrez sailed straight across the lake to the south like he did in practice the day before. He then tacked back sailing north west and passed in front of everyone else that was trying to sail straight up wind. He reached the north side of the lake, tuned around and headed to buoy number one with the others still trying to sail up wind.  Regatta in progress as seen from the rescue boat Soon the rest of the council members started to tack back and forth to make it to the first buoy and then head down wind. However, Andy was never going to be caught. The day finished well. We had great help from a good bunch of youth. The United States Naval Sea Cadets Corps and Jacob did great.  U.S. Naval Sea Cadets Corps and Jacob Of course, as soon as things were picked up, Jacob headed for the dock and grabbed a sail boat. He was out for play time after working so hard at the Regatta. Several to the Sea Cadets went out as will. For some, it was their first time on the water in a sail boat. It was fun watching the youth learn. We were up early today to help out with a sporting event. As Eric and I waited at the first water and aid station along the bicycle route we received word that a dear friend and fellow scouter, Herman Ah Sue had passed away during the event. The event was canceled so we picked up our station and returned to the event headquarters. The mood was somber. As I reflect on this dear friend I remember the good times. There were many scout outings that we spent with our boys together. There was the RocStock event where the boys went to launch the rockets that they had built. We sat around the campfire that evening eating fresh baked cookies as Herman played the guitar. There was the hike to the top of Mt. Baden Powell. There were many other outings, all of them great.  Herman hiking towards the top of Mt. Baden Powell  Herman with the scouts This past summer we were at Scout camp with the boys. One morning we were invited to use the forge and make a knife, heating the steel and pounding it into shape. It was a fun experience, one that Herman enjoyed. In a couple of months we were to spend a week together in Utah with the young men on a High Adventure activity. The young men need to go, to have fun and realize that life is a time to celebrate, a time to do your duty to God, to others and to yourself. Herman will be missed, but we will always remember his great smile, his wonderful kindness and how he truly cared about the young men. It is sad to see this scouter go home.  Herman at the forge When the baby of the family is on his way to High School next year, it gives one pause. It is a time to think of how the years have passed so quickly, a time to contemplate how a little cute child is growing up so soon.  Jacob at an airshow in 2002 - Cars, Bikes and Planes At the promotion ceremony, Jacob made his way to the stage two times. Each teacher had selected two youth from the classes that they taught that stood out. The principal had the teachers for math, English, history and physical education come up and talk about each of the two students that they chose. The science teacher came up and would you know it, they said Jacob Palmer. Could it have been those cool science projects or perhaps the desire to be in a picture eating Pringles with more than one mode of transportation being shown?  Jacob crassing the stage As for the promotion ceremony, the youth made their way across the stage. Being a ways off I made a quick catch of Jacob on the stage. However it does not do justice to his rock star appearance.  Jacob looking cool In a couple of weeks we will have the City Council Regatta where several of the City Councilpersons rack each other. As we prepare we need to make sure that we have a boat for the participants and the sail on their boat matches the ward they represent. Boat Seven was finished today and needed to be tested. Jacob, Eric and I arrived at the sailboat house and put sail boat one and seven into the water. Jacob quickly made his way from the dock catching a lucky gust of wind. Before I knew it, he was telling me that we were racing from point to point on Lake Evans.  Chasing Jacob across Lake Evans We tacked back and fourth across the lake as I chased him continuously. I usually sail boat one and Jacob usually sails boat three. I was wishing I was in boat one. However, I really do not think that boat seven is any slower or faster than boat one.  Jacob crossing in front of the sun We made our way close to each other and sailed in formation. I kicked back so I could stretch my legs. We debated if we should return or sail some more.  Relaxing behind the tiller We finally decided to make our way back to the dock. Eric watches out for us in case one of us has a problem so he can row out to us in a row boat to help us if needed. As usual, he was waiting patiently and glad to see us arrive back at the dock.  Eric tying up sail boat seven Jacob let me know that he wanted to go to the Cherry Festival in Beaumont, where he lives, before I picked him up last night. I agreed, thinking that it would not take that long. We arrived, paid to get in and soon found the Dominoes Pizza booth to get a slice of pizza for each of us. As I sat there I looked around at this slice of Americana, the slice of Cherry Festival at its best. Of course, then again, what was I to do, Jacob ran off and was visiting with friends.  Is life a bowl of cherries? As the band was tuning their instruments, beating on the drums and doing microphone checks I noted the many families that were attending the festival. There were a few standouts. The first being a white male in his thirties with slightly long hair and a scruffy goatee. The bottom four inches of his goatee was died bright red. Of course that was not the first thing that caught my eye. It was the rattlesnake rattle dangling from his left ear. He made a couple of food stops and was off to the beer garden. Jacob was still wandering about so I decided to determine what I should eat for dinner. There was an eclectic collection of food vendors as one can only imagine. I review what was around me, fish and chips, bratwurst, Chinese and other assorted carnival booth food. I finally settled on three beef tacos with cilantro onions and salsa. They were a little small, but they tasted great. I met up with Jacob and his friends. We walked around for a little bit and mane our way over to the carnival area. I noted the local police generally gathered in groups of four. They did a lot of talking and standing around. Then again, the real crowds had not showed up yet. There was also the “Dunk a City Employee” dunk tank. I know that some cities in California are having tough budget problems. I found this as a interesting approach to the problem. There were several times a short line formed to have the opportunity to dunk one of the employees. As we made our way closer to the carnival rides we soon came to the Beaumont Community Command Center, a large motor home with pop outs. Outside of the command center were two older gentlemen. I presumed they were retired and part of some community police program. I came up to the table noting their paperweights placed on the coloring books. They offered me a paperweight if I had a need. Gun locks and coloring books is an interesting twist.  Coloring books and gun locks Upon arrival to the carnival area, I sensed that I would purchase Jacob a wrist band and make another tour of the festival grounds. Jacob had met up with more friends in this area so I had a feeling it would be a while. I made my way back to the food area and purchased a bag of kettle corn. I sat as a table and munched kettle corn while typing away notes of my adventure at the Cherry Festival.  Jacob in line for a ride As a side, have you ever tried to take a picture of a moving object with the digital camera on your phone? Jacob is upside down in the gondola on the right, in the front left seat.  Jacob upside-down - could be a dangerous place to take a picture Soon it was time to wander again. I caught up with the cherry girls, cheerleaders from Beaumont High School and purchased a bag of cherries. I walked it to the car and made my way back to the carnival area. There were many more families and the occasional interesting person or group. Those that wanted to show that they were covered by tattoos on 80 percent or more of their bodies or those that just plain did not know how to dress. I arrived in the carnival area, Jacob went on a couple more rides and we left the Beaumont Cherry Festival behind. It will always remain an interesting event. However, it will be placed above the Tamale Festival in Indio as an event to attend in the future. This evening Emily let me know that she wanted to go sailing with a big smile. Eric went along in case there was a need for a rescue. He let us know that if we capsizes that he would get a row boat ans put it in the water and then leisurely row out to us to help get water out of the sail boat so that we could continue sailing. I thought that it would be nice if he got to us before dark. As we put the boats in the water, Emily was a little hesitant. I boarded the sabot sailboat and she became even more hesitant as the boat racked a little back and for as I waited for her. All she could think about was going in the lake. It must have been the leaving the cell phones, wallet and other things in the truck that gave her the idea that one could really end up in the water. Emily got in and we shoved off. I let her adjust the sail and I handled the rudder. We sailed out to the other side of the lake and back. She had a big smile as we moved across the water.  Emily learning to sail on Lake Evans at Fairmont Park Once back at the dock it was time for her to board her own vessel. We had to go through the “Oh my gosh” part of getting out of one boat and into another as they moved on the water. Probably the place where one is most apt to find their way into the water. Eric pushed Emily out and immediately the wind caught her sail. She was off and moving to the other side of the lake. As I pushed off, there was not a lot of wind. Emily yelled, “How do I stop this thing.” I told her to just go and I would catch up to her. We sailed across the lake and back a few times.  Emily sailing across Lake Evans at Fairmont Park We sailed all over the lake. I asked her if she was ready to go back to the dock. Her response was, “When the sun goes down.” We kept sailing. We went around the islands and then back up wind by tacking back and forth. Back on the lake I asked Emily again if she was ready to go. Her response again was, “When the sun goes down.”  Emily sailing on Lake Evans at Fairmont Park Before the sun went down I let her know that I was headed back in. I got out and she was still sailing around. She finally came back to the dock. She wanted to go sailing Saturday morning. I expanded that it had to be later in the day. I received the obligatory why. We talked about how the inland area needs to warm up so that the hot air rises which is replaced by cooler air coming from the coastal areas. It takes until the afternoon for the process to work. Of course, then again, when the sun goes down there is not heating of the inland areas to make the air rise and the cooler coastal air replace it. A good reason to get off the lake before the sun sets and one needs to scull back to the dock. I wanted to wish everyone a happy Memorial Day. My thoughts are with those that have served our country and have given their lives. Eric joined the Sea Cadets a couple of months ago. He has been out shooting machine guns, rifles and pistols with the reserves. Some day I will get some pictures to post. Today he is on his way to Riverside National Cemetery to put flags on grave sites of those that passed away this past year and did not have any type of memorial service because there was no family to be there. It is sad to think that those that have valiantly served our country could simply be buried without anyone to say goodbye or remember what was done for our freedom. Thanks to the Sea Cadets for remembering those that seem to have been forgotten.  Eric the Sea Cadet As I picked him up this afternoon, I took a picture at the National Cemetery.  Eric at Riverside National Cemetery Emily, Eric and I walk Mt Rubidoux together about once a week. Tonight was a nice evening. We made it up and back in just over 50 minutes for the 3.45 mile trip. We talk, text and answer phone calls. It is really a test to see if you can keep you breathing down at 4 miles an hour. Of course then again, we do stop to enjoy the view. That just means we need to walk fast to make up time.  Emily and Eric at sundown on Mt Rubidoux Just beyond the sun going down the moon was coming up in the East. Then again, it is up high enough in the sky to have enjoined the sun set as well.  Moon rising in the East from Mt Rubidoux We are looking forward to our next adventure up Mt Rubidoux. Today Jacob lead his team of hard workers in the construction phase. A few pieces of lumber needed to be cut for the corner braces. However, the majority of the work was screwing the Sabot racks together. After 5 hours and a lot of pushing to keep the bit in the screw head with an equal amount of pushing from the other side the job was finished.  Assembly in process  Eagle Project Workers  Sabot racks |
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