It seems I prefer to run in the winter. There's something about the cool air and shorter days that compels me to put on my running shoes and run. As a part of my cool-down process I always stop by my neighborhood park. My favorite thing to do is to take some time and breaths at this musical installation and play. Sometimes the local folks gather to watch and listen. Sometimes it draws in children to explore this instrument themselves. Yet, most times the park is mostly empty and I get to enjoy playing this instrument all by myself. Here is a little glimpse into my post-run musical cool down. #happysaturday

   It is summer time and it is hot here in Southern California (even though we have been experiencing an unusually mild summer). Summer days always make me miss the snow. I love snowboarding season. 
Here is the final edit for my 2015 snowboarding season (January to March). Thanks to everyone I rode with and shared the mountains with this past season. Thanks to all the resorts, staff, workers, resort towns, and people in between that make snowboarding possible. *Think SNOW*

After having scored a great deal on a used Hero 3+ GoPro from my local Craigslist I decided to try it out on my first snowboarding day of the season. 

There is definitely a captivating desert beauty present in Joshua Tree National Park. My perspective resides in the memory of my very first morning; shortly after waking up at 6:30 a.m. I had climbed atop large boulders just outside of my tent at White Tank campground, and enjoyed a 360 degree view of all that surrounded me. I sat there alone, silent, seemingly the only creature stirring about. There were no sounds other than my own shifts and the gentle rustling breezes. I admired the colors, the air, the natural landscape, my solitude and the changing light from the rising sun. 
  
Throughout the day and throughout my participation in various group activities which included rock climbing/rappelling and playing in a drum circle there was an inherent comfort-ability, pleasantness, and 
noticeable awe of my surroundings. Beautiful rock formations enveloped our camp and the light of fire which danced against the rock was a visual treasure my eyes had never really seen. I was especially appreciative of the night sky. Anytime I see the haze of our Milky Way Galaxy I am humbly reminded of my true essence. I had been told by others that the lands thereabouts of Joshua Tree is an energy vortex. Upon my return I learned there is much much history tied to those lands. Indeed, I felt the place was magically powerful to say the least.  If you have not visited Joshua Tree National Park I highly recommend it, just not in the summer! Visit: http://www.nps.gov/jotr/index.htm for more information.