Well, we have a decent storm pulling into the area right now….We’ve had .89″ of rain so far today and we are seeing rain rates of 1/4″ to 1/3″ per hour. Winds are also slowly picking up with gusts close to 30MPH. Unfortunately it’s a very warm storm with the current temperature at 61 degrees F. Not good for the snow in our local mountains.
It was amazingly nice up there…the high was in the upper 40s to low 50s each day. I got a nasty sunburn on Thursday (forgot the sunscreen). We also went sledding on Friday - Zach took his first ride on a sled. I don’t think he liked getting splattered with snow.
As for Zach, he’s saying ‘Da Da Da Da’ a lot and he claps his hands and says ‘Yeaaaah’ regularly. It’s amazing to watch his development right now…things are happening quickly for him. Can’t wait until he can cut the lawn.
Zach took his first plane trip on Saturday. We flew from San Francisco to Chicago, had a lengthy layover in Chicago and then caught a quick flight from Chicago to Traverse City. Upon arrival we were greeted with a brisk 1 degree Fahrenheit. Refreshing! So why the trip to Traverse City in the middle of Winter? So Zach could meet his great grandparents on Steph’s side. We didn’t arrive until late Saturday night, therefore, we didn’t get over to grandma’s until Sunday morning.
Zach sleeping in Grandma’s arms.
Zach, Steph, and great grandma and great grandpa.
Lin’s childhood home.
You can see all of the photos at paulandsteph.com.
There was plenty of snow on the ground - upwards of two feet. Most of which fell in the last week. We didn’t have any real snow fall while we were here but we definitely got a feel for the cold air. It was cold by Traverse City standards. Here is the view on Sunday morning from our hotel patio.
I walked out there the first night we arrived and sank up to my thigh in a fairly deep snow drift! I thought I was hiking up a little mound built up by the ground…not true.
We had a wonderful time and now it’s back to California. Next I need to figure out what is causing the spot on the up right of my photos - it happens with multiple lens so I assume I have something on the sensor.
During the last week we have had very nice weather…temps in the 60s, 70s, and yes, even in the 80s. Thursday I went hiking at Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park where it was 81 in Felton.
A spider web in the trees.
A big tree.
Zach spent some outdoor time this weekend in the nice weather. He’s wearing a Patagonia hat given to him by the Marbles (friends in Ventura).
On Saturday we fly to Michigan so Steph’s grandparents can meet Zach.
So the Steelers beat the Seahawks and little Zach was thrilled.
During the games Zach was enjoying a brewski.
