Birthday Backpack Trip

Last weekend my friends Arturo, Ryan and Jonathan joined me for my birthday backpacking trip. We walked the Skyline-to-the-Sea trail that begins at Castle Rock State Park in the Santa Cruz mountains and winds 38 miles down to Waddell Beach.

Day one was pretty gentle, though by the time we made it to the trail camp, we were ready to be done. Here we are getting started.



One of the best things about the trail was the variety of landscapes. We were in brushy madronas one minute, and then in lush redwood canopies the next.


Ryan bushwhacking.

Our closest call of the weekend happened at the end of day one when I looked to my right and saw a little skunk sitting about six feet from my head. We gave him a little space and he walked away without incident. That could have been very, very bad.


Camp on the evening of day one.


Day two was long. It was long. It was long. Because the ideal campsite was booked, we had to walk a little longer than we would have liked: 17 miles. But it started out with a wonderful walk through the redwood rainforest. It was foggy and wet and beautiful.





Here we are on the night of day two, experimenting with Arturo's military ration. There was some chemically induced heat happening. It was strange.


Day three held the most beautiful scenery. We started out at Golden Cascade waterfall filtering some water for the day ahead.


Next came the sheer drop of Silver Falls. All of the sudden the trail dropped away and we followed a single cable down the side of the rocks. It was amazing.


And finally we arrived at Berry Creek falls.



After about 8 miles of walking on our final day, we saw the sea! It was a gorgeous day to arrive at the beach.


Victory at the end of the trail.

Sure, we were in pain. Sure, there were times when everyone was bitching about their feet or knees, or hips, or blisters, etc. But I loved it. And the next morning—after I hobbled and heaved myself out of bed—I began looking for another trip.

Thanks, Anne, for the great birthday present. Thanks, guys, for coming along and being amazing walking buddies.

To my Accomplice, on Father's Day

To My Life’s Accomplice,

Five years ago or so we walked through Hyde Park as friends. You talked about your desire to be a parent and to have a family. We walked too closely, as was our way, and I thought that I wanted to spend my life with you. It was more of a fancy than something to actualize because a life together felt improbable. You, deeply in love with the land of moss and fog, and me, rooted in my steely city. You were so moral and prim and I was always on verge of scandal – like in that moment – when I hooked my arm in yours and you left it at that. And it’s best that you did.

But months later when I was brave enough to say what I needed to say and you were permissive enough to hear it, we walked across my steely city with my arm hooked in your arm and by the time we reached the southern limits of downtown the sun was rising and I knew you would be my forever. A year later I committed myself to be your accomplice and we crossed the country to the land of wine and eternal spring (which was much closer to the land of moss and fog) so that you could take up your books.

We talked about starting a family and had many changes of heart between books and jobs before we arrived at the decisions that brought us Jonah - our little Tunesy. After months of trying and nine more months of waiting you became the father you always wanted to be at 12:37am on November 7^th, 2009. But before you could hold your daughter, your actualized dream, she was taken by women masked and draped in various shades of blue and green so that Jonah could find her breath and so that you could stand on the periphery of chaos speaking tender words of encouragement.

And you became a father first by learning how tenuous dreams can be when entrusted to the human body. And in spite of the threat of lost hope you held on with great confidence and stride - becoming expert in dosages and vital signs and inserting your heart into the rounds of well-meaning physicians who measured the state of our dreams based on the sounding alarms (or absence thereof) of machines. With pride you made sure they were aware of her tiny hand that moved to the sound of your voice and the way she tugged at her tubes that indicated to you she would be just fine.

Unlike those first days of fatherhood, our time as a family is light. As anyone can see, the ease of Jonah’s disposition and her quick ascent into laughter is evidence enough of your gift as a parent. You have in all ways exceeded my expectations of a partner and I am so fortunate to have you.

You once wrote when I was pregnant with Jonah and you were in Argentina: “I imagined our lives on this ever climbing path of richness and wonder. Not because all news will now and forever be good news, but because we have decided every day for the last three years (four years, really) to take on this life together. And because we decided to make that baby that is kicking and punching in there, and we will love it like nothing we've ever loved in our lives before. That, to me, feels like climbing toward greatness, on whatever scale.”

This is why I am so thankful that you’re my person, Eric, and why Jonah will always be quick to laugh and smile with such ease. You are what makes this path so meaningful and why our climb towards greatness, however challenging, will always feel like coming home.

Happy Father’s Day.

Wife

PS - since you are already a master of words, I thought it appropriate to give you a gift today that will help you rediscover your voice.

Boston Trip

This afternoon we arrived back in Oakland after our long weekend trip to Boston. We went out there because Anne's company, which is based in a suburb of Boston, was having its annual full-company gathering. So, while Anne worked all day, Jonie and I got to tour the town. Neither of us had been there before.

On the first day we set out to take in some historical sites. There are no shortage of these. Here is Jonie posing with George Washington.



Just a few feet away were the famous Swan Boats of the Boston Garden. It was a bit drizzly when were were there, so the swans were docked. Still beautiful, though.


We made our way through Boston Common to this lovely fountain with the Park Street Church in the background.


And then over to the State House. Note the huge Celtics banner hanging out front.


After getting lost and getting found, we made our way through the North End to the Old North Church where Paul Revere hung the lanterns to announce the British advance.

Here, Jonie is contemplating that act of heroism with Paul and the church's steeple behind her.

By the end of that long day we were excited to see Anne. And we all three headed to Boston's most hallowed ground.


Yes, I am the kind of person who (a) poses in front of bars with my infant; and (b) poses in front of famous sit-com sites with my infant. So what?


Our next day was as ambitious as our first. We spent a good part of the early afternoon at the New England Aquarium. I really didn't think that Jonie would notice/care much about the displays, but I love an aquarium and thought it would be a nice way to pass some time. The kid LOVED it! She was shouting at full voice basically the entire time. I stood her up in front of the enormous tank that constitutes the center of the aquarium and she was transfixed by the fish going by. She waved her arms and shouted at everything and everyone. It was great. Here she is contemplating all that she just learned.


Later we walked through Beacon Hill (stunning) and then down to Copley Square. We spent a little time relaxing in the lawn there before heading back to the hotel for a nap.


The next day we took in a few more historical sights. I had to include this picture of a monument to George Washington. And I thought the Washington Memorial in DC was phallic. My god, George. They do say he was a leader among men....


Jonie was overtaken at Paul Revere's tomb.


Next we made our way north to City Hall for the Pride Fair. We just happened to be in town for Pride weekend and it was great. Anne and I have, between us, celebrated Pride in: New York (in which I marched in the parade), Boston, Chicago, Portland (in which I marched in the parade), San Francisco, Yellow Springs, and Kalamazoo. Not bad. Boston was Jonie's first.

At the end of our long day we met up with Anne and her co-workers who had spent the day "team building" while on a scavenger hunt across Boston. It was great to meet some of the people whose names I've heard for quite some time. The bartender put the England/US World Cup match on at the bar (a cheap US victory, we can all agree) and we did plenty of socializing. Later, we sat down to a New England dinner of chowder, oysters, and lobster. Anne and I were a bit lost as to what to do with a lobster, but Jonie jumped right in.




After the company dinner we had yet another dinner with our dear friend Abby's dad and step-mother. It is always great to meet the parents of friends, and we had a wonderful meal and conversation with them. And then we were beat. Anne and Jonie did some pillow fighting. Anne won.


All told, it was a great trip. Anne got some good work done, and Jonie and I toured a new city. Not too shabby.