tional travels. The break was a necessity as I was growing weary of the constant motion and its attendant problems and hassl
es (not to mention going broke as well). Durin
g this rest, I managed to spend lots of time with Catalina and Shannon. In December I took Catalina to see my parents in New York. My sister and her family, including Catalina's "boy cousins," came down to visit. It was a challenge being a full-time father, but such trips are always rewarding for me. I get all of Catalina's attention. We spent Christmas day with Shannon's family in Redlands, before t
hey headed off to Puerto Escondido.In December and January I took Catalina sledding a couple of times in the San Gabriels. Whereas last year the snow frightened her, this year she loved it, though she was still bothered by the sheer coldness of the snow and had fits when the icy stuff went into her mittens.
Most recently we traveled to Orlando, Florida, where we stayed with my aunt and uncle and then on to Bainbridge, Georgia so that Catalina could connect with her three remaining great-great grandparents! Great Grandmother and Grandfather Hartlieb are now 92 and Gr
eat Grandmother Reed turned 95 a few months ago. Uncle John and Aunt Kathi are great and gracious hosts, fine conversationalists, and good cooks to boot. It's always excellent to spend time with them.
eat Grandmother Reed turned 95 a few months ago. Uncle John and Aunt Kathi are great and gracious hosts, fine conversationalists, and good cooks to boot. It's always excellent to spend time with them.
While surf has been disappointing this winter, the real excitement came from my first two snowshoeing adventures with Shane and Ryan, former student s who are now friends. It's great fun to wander off trail into the 
forest. This hadn't occured to me before heading out into the snow but trails are nearly useless when buried. Moreover, the crampons on the bottom of the snowshoes allow travel up and down even steeper slopes than would be passable on snow free ground with boots.
forest. This hadn't occured to me before heading out into the snow but trails are nearly useless when buried. Moreover, the crampons on the bottom of the snowshoes allow travel up and down even steeper slopes than would be passable on snow free ground with boots. I'm definitely hooked on the sport and will be heading for the real powder high up in the Sierras and Rockies to do some more. It's both great exercise and a way to be intimate with hauntingly beautiful landscapes. Check out the video below to see what happens when you wander off trail on too steep a slope!
