The Ketch Versus the Vikings

So Hunter was treated to his first trip to Emerald Bay, and he got to experience the family favorite, Fresh Ketch. It is difficult to say which he preferred more.

The day was passed on a long hike, spent mostly watching Mija run around like a little puppy in the open space near the house. She was in and out of snow drifts, sniffing creek sides, generally running unhitched; a dog in her natural element is beautiful to watch. After a couple hour hike, in beautiful t-shirt weather, despite the snow on the ground, we made our way to dinner at the family favorite restaurant, The Fresh Ketch.

Much like his cousin Blake, Hunter really seemed to enjoy the party atmosphere. Though it was crowded, we seemed to just beat the after skiing dinner rush and got a fine table over-looking the lake. There was a live musician ably playing soft-rock cover-songs along with generally good food. The highlight, though, had to be how much Hunter lit up the place. Nothing lights up a room like a beautiful baby. He was smiling at everyone, drawing rave, unsolicited, comments from all around, including one ill-suited gentleman who issued numerous thumbs-ups, and was in a great mood despite his obvious lack of fashion sense. I won't get specific. Let's just say, if you are over, say 55, the tight UnderArmor shirt, mixed with tight jeans, snuggly belted, just under your rib cage, is not the best look.

Emerald Bay was at its glorious, picturesque best; the classic glimmering jewel of so many post-cards. There is the Vikingsholm Castle at the bottom, which houses neither vikings nor castles, but it is gorgeous nonetheless. It was a sunny, if windy, day and there was snow on the ground. However, there were a number of tourists around, as the pathway down from the parking lot was relatively easily navigated. Hunter was "iglooed", as one ogling tourist noticed, as if Hunter were the attraction, bundled in fleece, jackets, hats, hoods and dad's sweatshirt as he rested in the bjorn. Heather enjoyed the castle grounds before we made our way back up to the car for chow.

These are a couple of the little pleasures that make visiting lake Tahoe precious.

Hunter's First Haircut

Yes, before he was even six months old, we trotted our beautiful, shaggy-haired boy to the Panda Room for his first official haircut.


Okay, it wasn't like he had a full mane or anything but his "faux-hawk" was getting out of control. Damon was very skeptical but we're both pleased to say that we prefer his new "do!" Here are before and after photos as well as a photo slideshow so you can judge for yourself...

First Trip to Tahoe: I Shouldn't Be Alive

So our first trip to Tahoe was a nightmare for Heather and Hunter. We went up in between the worst two worst storms in years, I mean we are talking Minnesota conditions, and we were not at all prepared.

We watch this show on TV called "I Shouldn't be Alive" and it is always a tale of people who survived harrowing events, like you know, hiking. I mean they all start off the same about a guy and his buddy, say, who set off on a lazy little hike through the Grand Canyon, in flip-flops with only a half filled canteen between them. Shockingly they get lost. And they suffer from severe dehydration and hallucinations. Hours later, when they are crocodile-skinned from the 110 degree heat, and talking to cactus plants about the best place to get a drink around here, they are found sucking sand by a group of Girl Scouts who rescued them by happening six feet off the trail, wondering just how long these nomads have been wandering the Colorado River banks...

Anyway, I thought we were going to be the next subjects of that show. A scant 15 degrees outside, wind chill of like minus 400, the pass was closed, not enough heat for us or the baby, Heather was sick, the bed was lumpy, Hunter would not sleep on the porta-bed, we couldn't give him a blanket, (what do you want, he's like 3 months old at the time?), we only had snack foods, and worst, there were no sports on. And it was cold. The Donner party was better prepared.

To be truthful, it was cold and stormy and uncomfortable. And we left after like 20 hours, but it was the right choice. Grandma Cindy was wonderful in trying to set up the house to be accommodating for the next time. And the next time we went up, Hunter had a much better time. We walked him around South Lake Tahoe, in the Heavenly Village, where he caught snow flakes on his tongue. Most importantly, he got to wear his puffy suit and sit briefly in the snow, with Heather nervously standing beside, as a good mom should.

Heather and I were also able to go snowshoeing because my mom was able to watch little 2.0. We were grateful. On our way out, we stopped at the Adidas Outlet, and styled the whole family in new shoes! (I am glad I talked Heather into liking Adidas clothes! ;)

Thanks again, to the Pattersons for the birthday gifts!

After the New Year, at the Tour of California '08

Last year, Hunter was at the Tour of California, but only as a marsupial, so this year was the first year he got to go to the race. We were excited.

At what is becoming an annual Uriarte/Nelson Birthday Bash, we attended the Black Tie Tour of California Gala in Sausalito, where Heather got to inbibe and even cozied up to Olympic Gold Medalist Bobby Julich.

(Note the fuzzy photo taken by her star struck husband...)

Before laughing with Robin Williams we also got our customary signed jersey. Shawn and Katie were there as well having a great time, mostly laughing at me for being such a dork. Look Shawn, Floyd Landis!

For stage 1, set to go through Marin, Heather and I intended to go to our favorite spot along the route down Highway 1. I explained to Hunter how much cycling events and traveling the world have been an integral part of his parents' relationship. Being veterans, we had it all down pat.

However, having not spent a second looking at a map to figure out where to go, -- I am going to the same spot we always go to, what do I need to look up?--I got us there late and lost. (We figured out the correct route for the way home and it took under twenty minutes. There is a word for that, but this is a paltry little blog, where words come up short...).

Once there, you can see by his face, he had a great time as the riders passed by in the blink of an eye. El Patron to be sure!

PS

Below are the directions we should have taken, but did not. Hunter, was amazing and slept through the entire magic carpet ride. (Scroll from 101, south to San Rafael and around to Samuel P. Taylor Park before getting out to Point Reyes Station, to know where we went.)


View Larger Map

Next year he'll drive, and his mom will teach him how to read a map!

The Hunter Man Video Series

For Christmas '08 I made a video of Hunter's Life Story. When the video became 10 minutes long, that was my first clue that I might become That Guy. That dad trying to find the perfect light to film every diaper change, or whatever. Honey, it's Orange! Let's blog! (Email if you want those photos. Seriously).

I remember watching the click-clacking soundless videos of my mom's family projected on my grandparent's wall when I was a kid. They annoyed me. Papa in his long-shorts boxers and no shirt and my grandma in her formal dress and hair all made up, my mom and uncle flitting around some old brownstone with dusty old ladies in horn-rimmed glasses, indelible images flickering away against a soft brown, faded wall. But as with all things, I am sure, as I got older I began to appreciate those memories even more, and when they were finally archived onto a DVD, many years later, we watched them again as a family. That's cool.

Now, I have this for Hunter, and I am sure he will be salty about it like I was. Just as I am sure Heather's month would be made if she came home one day and found me sobbing joyously over our wedding video but I am not That Guy. (Although I do almost cry time every time I see my drivel, er, rambling wedding "speech" and try to comprehend what the heck was going on there.)

This year, we watched the Hunter Man movie as a family for Christmas after we got back from the Pattersons. I was not in just my boxers during the making of this film. Hopefully you will enjoy in spite of the typos...

Looks like I had to post this in parts.
Part 1:



part 2:



Part 3:




Part 4:



A special thank you to my beautiful and talented wife, Rayne Droplet, for consenting the use of these videos.

Welcome To Rayne Droppings!

I spent years promising I would never be "that guy", blogging about endless "Baby's First"... he drooled today!...

But, turns out I am that guy. Or rather Hunter Rayne Uriarte is The Guy, and his friends and family DO want to know. So, rather than pool his greatness via some cumbersome 600 photo email, it seems posting in small ripples is easier.

Now you can see every new hit the second it drops, puddled here, in little Rayne Drops, slicker and under one umbrella.

Enjoy the Rayne as much as we do!