Update to Number Six

This is one to finish off Number Six which is to pee in both oceans.  The Atlantic was chilly, but the Northern Pacific was freezing.  It took all I had to get waist deep and do my business.  As you can see from the picture the weather wasn't great and even out of the water, you needed jackets.  Most people at the beach were wrapped up in blankets.  There were a few little boys that were playing in the water and later a couple of paddle boarders came but for me to damn cold to do anything but accomplish my goal.  I will say I love the ocean and even though we weren't really prepared for the beach and especially the cold we stayed there probably two hours and then went to another one for about an hour.  Beautiful coasts in Northern California, makes me really appreciate the world.  

Number 28....hug a Redwood Tree

Same trip to California.  We wanted to go to the Redwood National Park, but it was just a little to far out of our way.  We however drove through redwood forests.  We stopped along a windy road from Ukiah to the coast and hugged a tree.  The tree to me was really soft, the bark I guess.  I always thought redwood was a harder tree because it is great to build decks and stuff and retains it's color and form, the bark however wasn't hard but like fur.  They smelled so good though.  We didn't see the biggest one in the world but it was neat to see them and enjoy the trees.  Although I loved the redwood when we got into a cyprus forest....wow those trees are awesome.  They smelled so good.  I loved them.  Check....number 28....hug a redwood tree.  

Number 27 Bike Across Golden Gate

 Biking across Golden Gate Bridge is an addition to the list, because frankly it is one of the funnest things I have done in my life.  On the same trip to California, Danielle's mom dropped us off in San Francisco.  We got the GO PASS which included most of the touristy site seeing things to do.  One of those was to rent bikes for the day with the intention of biking across the bridge.  We and hundreds of others did that.  We started from Fisherman Wharf and biked to the bridge, stopping at a local farmers market where the samples of fresh fruit where basically my breakfast and delicious.  Then the bridge's west side is for bikers and east side for walkers.  It was really fun to see that bridge from that perspective.  When we went across it was fogging and chilly and when we came back (above) it had cleared up.  We stopped along the way and took pictures.  Then we rode the bikes the rest of that day.  Really really fun.   Check....number 27.....bike across Golden Gate Bridge. 

Number 29, Eat at Donner Pass

This one was on my original list but I had to abbreviate it a little.  This one was to eat a sandwich at Donner Pass.  Cold cuts was what I was thinking.  On our trip to CA we stayed the night in Reno and unfortunately ate a buffet breakfast.  Donner Pass is like an hour out of Reno so there what no way I could eat a sandwich.  We stopped and I bit Danielle and had to be happy with that.   I feel a little bad about the irreverence of this 40 for 40 but it is funny.  The reason I feel bad is I have never been there and didn't really understand how horrible that would have been.  The Sierra Nevadas are a huge mountain range that as soon as you think you are out of them another range appears.  It is literally up and down.  I have a new respect for the Donner Party as well as any of the early pioneers and 49ers that went across the Sierra Nevadas.   Then when I taught 8th grade history we also covered the subject of the Chinese building the Railroad through the mountains and again a huge respect for that feat of building the railroad from Sacramento to Promontory Point.  The Irish really had it easy coming from Omaha.   Check off Number 29......Donner Pass. 

Number 26, Lick the Salt Flats

 This is one I added along the way because again it is my thing so I can.  I was traveling with Danielle and Janet to California and we stopped at the Salt Flats.  It is really the craziest place, just white and flat and salty as I confirmed.  I decided that I needed to know 100% that it was salt so I licked it, as shown below.  It is salty, take it from me.

 Danielle, Janet, Me.  It is always fun to roadtrip with two people just over 5 foot because then I look like a giant in all the pictures.  They actually were really fun to road trip with.  We had the cooler of drinks and the treat bag but no CD's and Nevada doesn't offer the greatest radio stations.  That was our only downfall.  

Number 26...check....lick the Salt Flats. 

Number 22, Go to a Rodeo

Go to a Rodeo

We live in the west and Rodeos are very prevalent, however I don't usually go to any so since I live right across from the West Jordan Arena I thought that it might be fun to go.  We went on July 4th.  Danielle, Jenna, and I went.  It was a beautiful evening and we enjoyed a lot of "Fair Food".  The rodeo I can't say was one of the best.  I guess while I was waiting in a ridiculous long line for funnel cake the best part was when a 4 year old wouldn't let go of the sheep in mutton busting and I could hear the crowd cheering.  My friends told me all about it when I returned with more fried food.  It was fun, but then I was sick from the food and missed the best part so not a classic.  Check Number 22:  Attend a Rodeo.