SETTING STANDARDS

EXCELLENCE
The Maritime College football team from the Bronx New York did something extraordinary this year.
Instead of player names on the back of the uniform the 
team displayed words like FAMILY, RESPECT,
ACCOUNTABILITY and CHARACTER.
It was the concept of Coach Clayton Kendrick-Holmes
who told his players to be mindful of those qualities as 
they competed.
Coach Kendrick-Holmes is an amazing story in his own right.
This video demonstrates not only excellence, but 
commitment and courage.

Excellence and
Classy Seats
Camp Ocean Pines in Cambria is
another place of excellence.
Link here to learn of the many opportunities for youth and adults. We've watched as they have build a new
amphitheatre.  Recently we visited for a progress
report and were amazed and charmed by the 
artistic detail in the seats.

That attention to detail and style underscores

the idea and practice of excellence and artistic appreciation.

Salutes to the Maritime football team, coach Kendrick-Holmes and to Camp Ocean Pines.

See you down the trail.

VISUAL PLEASURE

TREES, SHADOWS AND LIGHT

It's like Yogi Berra said

"you can observe a lot just by watching."

 An appealing virtue of San Luis Obispo

is the beauty of the trees lining

the streets.  Though, as I looked

at the one above, I wondered how the 

trimmer would proceed.

 In the quiet of this early morning, I was 

smitten by the shadow play along Monterey Street.

 The buildings provide a ready palate for the

shadow art.

San Luis Obispo lives up to its reputation of being a

town of Mediterranean temperament.

Rare is the day when the sun is not

a presence in San Luis Obispo. The

official stats indicate 315 days of sun each year.

It seems like more than that.

See you down the trail.

AN OLD METHOD COULD BE BETTER

WHERE RAIL TRAVEL IS A GREAT OPTION

I had never traveled by train until our first

trip to the Europe in the 60's.  Since then

I have gladly taken trains there and

elsewhere in the world whenever it

was a viable option.

I had never traveled by train in the US

until we moved to California.  Now it is

my preferred route to Southern California from

here on the Central Coast.  Those who travel

north from here, speak highly of that journey.

The ongoing debate about building high speed rail service

in California prompts fervent attitude.  I'm all for

it, here and across the US.  Rail travel is more relaxed,

easier and enjoyable that air.  If the US had 

trains like those in Europe and Asia I suspect

the more expensive and hassle laden air travel

industry would change.  I suspect more people would

opt for rail.

None the less, we look forward to the train

and have become fond of "our home station," San Luis Obispo.  Friendly and efficient, it is picturesque 

and enjoys a beautiful setting.

Trips to San Diego or LA are only slightly longer

than by car and of course you don't need to drive

the freeways. You can enjoy the scenery along the way,

read, snooze, enjoy a meal and arrive much more

rested than by driving or flying.  

This tried and true old method of travel should be

given new life in the US, as it has been abroad.

See you down the trail.

THE WEEKENDER :) WISE WORDS

A WORTHY TEN MINUTES

Rivals battle on the gridiron and the hardwood,

friends and family continue visits, shopping, putting

up Christmas decorations, parties, and a swirl of other

activities overtake this post Thanksgiving, pre-Advent

season.  Still, one more moment, actually

ten minutes, for some gratitude.

This is a good view.

Enjoy.

See you down the trail.

NATURE'S COLOR SCHEME

SEASONAL SHADES

"Won't you miss the change of seasons?"

We heard that frequently when we announced

our move to the Central California Coast.

We worried about it bit, until our

first fall in California.

Season's change here, we've learned, with an

obvious turn.

Each year provides another pallet of 

fall color.

 Autumn skies resemble those of the mid west

 but with a distinct difference.

 Being a mediterranean climate,

 snow, is no show at our elevation. 

 Even as trees are ablaze in color

 we still have blooms.

and occasionally the Goodyear blimp. Huh?

 In the midwest we saw the blimp only 

around the time of the Indy 500.

See you down the trail.

A THANKFUL TURKEY TROT

GO AHEAD AND COUNT THEM-

Your blessings.

Gratitude is good for you

On November 2, 1800 President John Adams

wrote to his Wife Abigail.

I send his words to you on a personal level

about your home.

And  they are issued here again as

Adams meant them, as he was a new occupant

of the White House.

I pray Heaven to bestow the best of blessings

on this house and all that shall hereafter inhabit it.

May none but honest and wise (men) ever rule

under this roof."

I count friendship as a great blessing.

Long and lasting friendship is a cause for 

great celebration.

"The holy passion of Friendship is of so sweet

and steady and loyal and enduring nature that

it will last through a whole lifetime,

if not asked to lend money."

Mark Twain

:)

And again today, our neighbors on the Top of the World

ridge top, made their parade, terrorizing our cats.

If anything feels lucky today, it should be

these messy cretins from a prehistoric age.

but we are glad to see them

and thankful to share one of

their commercially raised cousins.

(organic of course)

GOBBLE GOBBLE

See you down the trail.