Creek Watch 2

Creek Watch: Santa Barbara
Creeks Through the Seasons

Volume 2: Winter Solstice 2008

O, Happy Winter! The days are getting longer!

Welcome back as we continue our examination of our local creeks through the seasons! As you recall from Volume 1, we are following four urban creeks through the year. Since the Autumnal Equinox, we've had about three moderate rains, totaling about 4 1/2 inches or so down here by the coast. Mountain totals are around 6-7 inches.

I was not able to get to Rattlesnake Canyon around the Solstice, but I took some pictures of the creek on my November 19 hike, and I post those here. I hope to get up there next weekend. If I do, I will post an amendment. I want to see how the meadow looks!

Here are how the Creeks look now.

San Jose Creek:

San Jose Creek, Upstream


San Jose Creek, Downstream

San Antonio Creek:

San Antonio Creek, Upstream


San Antonio Creek, Downstream

San Roque Creek:

San Roque Creek, Upstream


San Roque Creek, Downstream

Rattlesnake Creek, Upstream
(11-19-08)


Rattlesnake Creek, Downstream
(11-19-08)

Five Golden Pleas! #5: 1974

Dec., 1974

Dear Santa Claus,

I don't want to ask you for much, but, I want a lot.

First, I want at least 1 suffted (with arrow from "t" over to between "s" and "u") animal. I also want my watch fixed and a new watch-band. I want a camera case, & film for my camera.

And especially a walkie-talkie set.

Please write me a little note about what what your favorite anamal is, color, when your birthday is and so on down the line.

Your friend,
Karen Isabel E______
Los Alamos, New Mex.
U.S.A.

P.S. Put in my stocking a good thing for Fritz--she's been a good little girl. Write "to: Fritz" on it. Thanks!

Five Golden Pleas! #4: 1973

1973

Dear Santa,

Merry Christmas! I don't have a very long list of what I want for Christmas. a Deluxe 65 peice Mix and Utensil Set, Adorable Hugging Hippos, a Lucy Peanuts Pennants Suffed Animals

(over) --->

I have some questions to ask you.

What's your favorite color? _____________. Mine's purple. What's your favorite main dish?_____________________ Mine's pizza and hash.

The sandwich cheese and crackers and egg-nog is my Christmas presant to you. Don't work too hard! Smile through your trip! Drive saftly!

There is an additional note attached, written in green marker. I am not scanning it, but it reads:

Santa- If La Befana, Kris Kringle, or Saint Nicholas is with you, please tell them to put something in my shoe. If it's Saint Nicholas that is with you, tell him I'm sorry that I don't have any Hay for his horse.

Love,
Karen E______

Five Golden Pleas! #3: 1972

Dear Mr. Claus,

This is what I want for christmas, a Sweet Cookie, a doll house, a wig, and esppeshelly a snow cone maichen.

Love,
Karen E.
(the good little girl)

Elfitos

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Five Golden Pleas! #2: 1971

Dear Santa,
This is what I want for cristmas a play kitchin, a baby tell-a-time, a play House, a Bike and a any stuft anamil And some boots!!

Love,
Karen E.
age 8

Marry Cristmas Santa Clas

P.S. Leave me a note of what you'r faviriet coler is I will have some paper out

The little purple square thing is a pop-out. It reads: Glad you could come
The house has a speech bubble that reads: Is warm in here
and a tag that says: To: K From: S.C.

Five Golden Pleas! #1: 1970

Dear Santa,

this is the list of list of toy's I want a beautiful crissy a living barie a bike a play house and a play store and epecially a jewelry box

Love
Karen E.

On the back:
To: Santa
From: Karen E______
*heart picture with "I love you" written inside*

also, the year written in pen by Mom

Happy Anniversary!

Happy 22nd Anniversary to my Sweetie!

Some of my favorite wedding day memories:

Writing our own ceremony.

Trish calling her mom and telling her excitedly, "Mom! There's a phone in the bathroom! Listen!" *flush*

Alan calling at 8:00 the next morning. "Hey, what are you guys doing?"

Jerry helping Mikey tie his tie. Thanks, Jerry. We may never have gotten married.

The wind!

Sonya coming all the way from Las Vegas.

Chuckie presenting the ring Vanna-style.

Having our wonderful family and friends celebrate the day with us, even in the midst of busy Christmastime.

Alan performing on the piano for our ceremony.

Going to Swenson's ice cream parlor after the wedding and feeling like there was a neon sign pointing to my ring finger.

Mikey changing immediately into tennis shoes after the ceremony.

Our first dance.

Robin Williams in London

The Snow Hill

....By popular request, a Fourth Grade story. OK, so it wasn't a popular request, it was only Mombert. And it wasn't really a request, just a question. But it was in my box o' memories, so I submit: "The Snow Hill"

Apparently, Mom typed it up after I wrote it. I'm not including that version here, but at the top, this explanation:

"The teacher gave her a picture of a snowy hill and said to write what it brought to her mind."

The Snow hill

One time, Karen and Laura where going to go snow-mobling--but there wasn't any snow.

They knew an indian freind That might be able to do a frozen rain dance. They asked him and here's the conversation.

"Hello, freinds," Mr. Hom said.

"Hello Mr. Hom," Laura and Karen said politly.

"We would like to ask you a favor," Karen said.

"Why, come in, come in! I would be delited to do you a favor for you!," Mr. Hom said.

"Well, we were planning to go snow-mobiling, but there isn't any snow!," explaned Larua.

"And so we would like you to--do a frozen rain dance.," Karen told Mr. Hom.

"Oh, Ho-ho" Mr. Hom laughed. "Well, that's very cute. And did you know you --by asking me--would be cheering other pepole up!"

"I didn't think of that," Laura exclamed.

"Nether Did I," Karen said. "But you still will do it won't you?"

"Yes, of corse I will!" Mr. Hom exclamed.

"Oh thank you thank you thank you thank you!" They both yelled.

Then the next day Mr. Hom, The indian, did his frozen rain dance. And lots and lots of snow came down.

And the whole town was happy because they hadn't had very many snows.

The End

Karen E
A-3

February 22, 1944; March 3, 1944; March 23, 1944

We find Jack still at Buckley Air Force Base in Colorado in February, 1944.





Feb 22

Dear Ma

I'll try to write you a little note to let you know just what is happening.

We haven't been doing a whole lot of interest just listen to some old dry lecture & maybe see a movie & march. We did see a couple of pretty good movies this after noon in fact we stayed a about 10 inutes of our own time to finishe it they tried to run us out but itwas intersting so we demanded to see it.

We had a snow last night but it didn't amount to much. It was all gone by this afternoon. It did turn up cold & windy today, we are out on the flat so when the wind starts blowing it sure comes in. It also got rather dusty while we were out practice firing.

I don't remember if I told you but I want into Denver Sun & spent the whole sum of 20 cents. Thayt was spend on getting party way into town. I thumbed the rest of the way.

about my income tax you said I never included the doctor bill & etc. I tried but it didn't work this kid isn't so dumb he will try any thing to beat it but it didn't do so good this year. I tried to get more deductions but thats all I could get.

So you had quite a time in Alb. Well happy day you never did say if the runts went with you or not from what I took I guessed they did.

So Wayne wrote & told the folks that he was single--well I didn't think he would do it & was right.

Well I'll close for tonight.

Jack



March 2 1944

Dear Ma

I guess I'll try to write you now while I have the time & energy.

We went out on Bivouac Mon morning & didn't get back until last night. We had to sleep in tents 6 to the tent, the also never had lights nor running water. We had one little stove in the middle which would bake you for a few minutes & then get cold as a chunk of ice. The chow house wasn't any more than a shack with tables about as high as my chin. All we did while we were out there was to fire the 45 auto & the Thomson sub mach gun. It was a lot of fun but it wasn't enough to suit me. I wanted to fire more but they wouldn't let me. All in all I didn't like it very well.

We are now through with our basic now & don't know what we will do. I guess we will just get detail from now on until we ship to a teck school. I hope it is soon but it may not be for a while we never know from one day to the next what we are doing to do.

We have been having pretty nice weather the last few days it has been like spring around here but probable be storming by morning _____ things are too good to last. I do hope the weather stays nice from now on though. I sure is mean when we get out on the drill field & it's storming.

Well I'll close now so write

Jack

We skip a few days. The first letter from his move to Las Vegas, Nevada is missing from its envelope. We catch up a few days later.




Pvt Bernard C E______ 39215612
Student Squadron 3#
Class 44-19
L.V.A.A.F.
Las Vegas Nevada

Mrs. B.C. E______
504 Grand Ave
Las Vegas New Mexico



March 22 '44

Dear Ma

As usual I'll just try to write you a letter but I don't know how it will end up.

I am glad you got the earrings & like them. I thought they were cute. I didn't know the runts would have liked them so well or I would have bought them a pair. Tell them I'll see what I can do about a pair of gunners wings for them later on -- that is if they want them & I get mine.

We got our oxygen masks the other day & had to go in the chamber. We went to the same thing as 30000 feet, we had quite a time with our ears but everyone came out ok. We have to go back & try it for 38000 feet I guess thats pretty tough on a guy but I think I can take it ok. From what they tell us about this course it will be a lot of fun but is going to be rather stiff too. Some of the cadets say its different harder than a lot of course in cadets. They also say if you can get through the first week that you can get through with the rest of it.

I have been feeling better the last 2 days but I still don't feel too good. My head has cleared up quite a bit & I don't have quite as back a headack either. I guess its because K.P. got me down.

The weather has been a little bit better in fact it is getting hot around here. We were running around with just our fatigues on this morning then worked up a sweat. We have to wear fatigues I mean O.D's all the time now. I don't exactly like the deal so much but it does make us look a lot nicer.

The sun still sets in the east & comes up in the west. Oh well thats just about how crazy the whole state is so I guess it can't be helped.

Well I'll close & try to write Tuck & Bo.

Jack.

Geology Lesson

Ok, now be sure to take notes because there may be a quiz later! You may want to review my previous lessons on the Sespe Formation and the Coldwater Sandstone with embedded fossils.

Yesterday I hiked the Tunnel Trail to Inspiration Point.

You know that the Santa Barbara area was formed by layers and layers of (mostly) marine sediments (all but the Sespe Formation are marine layers). Look at these sediment layers in the foothills of Santa Barbara (click pic for better view).







How did they get to be vertical instead of horizontal?

I'm glad you asked!

After the sediments were set down, along came the San Andres Fault, about 5 million years ago. The fault developed a curve. As the North American Plate and the Pacific Plate continued their travels, the bend in the San Andreas Fault caused stress! The plates bumped against each other more directly, causing the east-west uplift, forming the Transverse Mountain Ranges, of which our beloved Santa Ynez Mountains belong.

Along the trail here, the lift is just about 90˚! That is a lot of lift! Isn't Nature powerful!

The Channel Islands are actually part of the Transverse Mountain ranges, too! At the top of my hike, I was able to see all the nearby Channel Islands (from left to right; East to West) Anacapa, Santa Cruz, Santa Rosa and San Miguel.

Anacapa Island (left) and Eastern end of Santa Cruz Island.
You can also see several oil rigs in the Channel.

Santa Cruz Island and eastern end of Santa Rosa Island

Western end of Santa Rosa Island, with San Miguel Island to the right.

And here is a nice shot of La Cumbre Peak (3995 ft).

La Cumbre Peak

Side note: they are using goats as fire abatement in this area. That's right, goats! Fencing and signs about Brush Goats 4 Hire were posted. As I walked the beginning of the trailhead, I could hear big and little bleats. I got a quick picture of two bearded fellas, but couldn't take more. Their human mama was coming up the road in a truck to check on 'em, and I didn't want to be in the way.

Here they are, slightly camoflauged:



And now, the promised quiz.

Quick Wrestling Update

....Very quick! As in, 46 seconds quick. That was how long it took Kevin to pin his opponent last night. Remember the video I posted last time? Add about 15 seconds, and that is how long Kevin's match lasted last night.

We teased him that we wanted our money's worth. For every two minutes of driving time up and back to watch him in Santa Ynez, he was on the mat for one second. Geez!

He won again!

Dos Pueblos High School wrestled Channel Islands High School yesterday. Kevin did well! He beat his opponent 15-13 points. It was a hard-fought battle. The DP team won overall, but both teams did pretty well. CI had two women on their team! They both lost, but the 103-pounder did really well, nearly pinning her opponent. I think it's cool that women want to compete.

I'm finally beginning to understand the reasons why Kevin jumps between Varsity and Jr. Varsity. It has to do with which weight class any one wrestler lands in. Some lose weight, some gain, changing weight classes. And because the best in any one weight class wrestles Varsity, sometimes Kevin will be on Varsity and sometimes not.

Here are the promised pictures of Mr. Kev doing his stuff. Keep in mind, being action shots and all, some are blurry. Kevin is in all blue. His opponent has yellow on his singlet and light-colored headgear.

Ready to rumble.

'

And the winner is.....

I am happy to report that I was able to successfully join the YouTube Community. Here is my first offering.




DPHS wrestles tomorrow night in Santa Ynez. Kevin will be going in with a 6-2 record. We are planning on attending. Stay tuned!

Thanks for following us along the Wrestling journey!

Man! What a man!

Kevin's wrestling career is really taking off! Last week during practice, he challenged the Varsity guy in his weight class. He lost an "epic battle" by one point. Coach decided that Kevin is talented enough to join the Varsity team! In his first season wrestling!

He came home Thursday evening after practice announcing that he had made the Varsity team, and they were going to LA the next morning for a two-day tourney!

I threw some money and food at him and wished him well. He had injured his side, but he didn't let it stop him. Though he was in considerable pain ("It hurts a lot, but when I'm wrestling the adrenaline is flowing and I don't feel it"), he wrestled four matches during the weekend , achieving a 3-1 record. One big win was against a muscled Team Captain. Kevin said it was another "epic battle," Kevin winning 15 points to 11, coming back from a 10-2 deficit. He came home with a fourth-place medal in his weight class and a "Most Distinguished Wrestler" t-shirt. His team came in third out of 18 teams.

He is 5-2 overall.

His side is hurting less, though he sat out today's practice. My worst thoughts Friday night--keeping me awake--were that it was a broken rib or a pneumothorax. Today, though, it is a little better, so I think it is a pulled muscle. I wasn't surprised that he wrestled through the pain. After all, whose son is he?

Here is his medal.






Tomorrow he has a "Dual" which means two teams battle. They are competing against Channel Islands High School. He may wrestle Jr. Varsity, as only one in each weight class competes. In any case, I'll take my camera, so watch this space!!

Fall

I meant to share this last week for Thanksgiving. It's still Fall, so here it is today!




It's not dated, but I figure maybe second grade for this gem.

HAPPY FALL!

Wrasslin' Man

Kevin had his very first wrestling matches yesterday!

He went 2-1 yesterday, 2-0 against Righetti High School wrestlers, and he lost his match against a wrestler from the "very tough" (according to his coach) Ventura High School team. I didn't get pictures, but I'll bring my camera next time.

It was my first ever wrestling match, and it was an interesting experience. I'm starting to get an eye for things, but I think before the next match I'll read up on wrestling so I can better understand what is happening.

I've told you before that at concerts, parades, plays, and such, I get emotional at the beginning of the performance. It is a strange phenomenon within me, but I think I'm moved by a sublime moment revolving around humanity, fellowship, and art. As I watched the very first match of the afternoon (not Kevin), I got all teary. It was the same deep reaction, I think, as I get during other events, as well as seeing those bodies bend in very unusual ways. It looked painful; I wasn't sure I'd be able to handle watching Kevin.

But that feeling passed, and I was able to enjoy all the matches. It was exciting! Of course, as the afternoon wore on into evening, the wrestlers got tired and the matches got longer, and many of them became hugging matches! Still, I enjoyed it.

Kevin won his first match handily, by pinning the guy in probably less than a minute. The second one, he pinned his opponent in the second round, and was winning handily by points, and the third, he was pinned in the first round.

Congratulations, Kevin!

UPDATE: It's official. Kevin was the top scorer in the Navy SEAL challenge. Congrats, tough guy!

Another "Ya gotta love technology" moment

You especially gotta love the internet, for letting us share all this wacko stuff.



Veryshortlist.com describes this video as such:

A Japanese man electrocutes himself, slowly, in front of his computer — and the results are more amusing than what you’d imagine.

First, artist-programmer Daito Manabe wrote a (rather catchy) song. Then he taped electrical wires to different muscles in his face and used them to administer shocks in accordance with the notes of that song. Each shock made him twitch, cringe, and flinch — and at first, watching “Electric Stimulus to Face — Test 3” will make you do the same. Is it painful? “Yes,” Manabe says. “But not as much as you might think.” The whole affair looks and sounds like something Thom Yorke might have dreamed up for a Radiohead video — and like any given Radiohead song, it really gets going at around the minute mark.

I have a special appreciation for it, knowing those muscles intimately as I do......