End of Library Summer Reading Program Outdoor Movie Night

Charlotte drafted the boys to help her put up the blow up projector for an outdoor showing of The Wizard of Oz.

Band Camp Parent Exhibition Performance

Thursday night Ben and Nathan's band showed off to the parents what they had been performing for 2 weeks in Band Camp.

Aviation Merit Badge

Nathan finished his Aviation Merit Badge by getting to be a co-pilot in a small plane this week.

Nathan's Scout Camp Cherry Valley

Nathan went to Scout Camp in Cherry Valley and it was pretty fancy. Nathan got Life Saving, Kayaking and another similar merit badge.

Ben and my Engineering Adventure

While Nathan was at Scout Camp Ben and I had some adventures.  For both boys we went to places that related to their future careers.

I gave Ben a list of great architecture in Los Angeles. On Monady we went the Disney Concert Hall but were too late for a tour so we just wandered around it. We also tried to go to the Broad a modern art museum (the cheese grader) since it's on the list but that was closed. 

Thursday we went to the Peterson Automobile Museum with a history of cars with many examples along with vehicles from different TV shows and movies.

Friday we went to the Briad art museum and Ben read and on-line architecture tour

Then we went over to the Bradbury an old ornate building were a scene from The Blade Runner. 

Nathan and my animal adventures

Nathan and I had a week of our own adventures! For both boys we went to places that related to their future careers.

Monday we went to the Wildlife Education Center which is a mini zoo with fun animals.

Nathan hung out at the new Teen area at Charlotte's library.

Tuesday to the LA Zoo with my passes

Wednesday Nathan meet a friend at Dojo Boom

Thursday we went to the Pacific Marine Mammal Center to see rescued Sea Lions, Seals and Elephant Seals!

Then Friday back to the LA Zoo

Ben's High Adventure: Mt. Whitney

For the Older Young Mens weeklong campout the Young Men's leader Dave Whitworth wanted them to do something hard so they hike/camped up Mt. Whitney which is supposed to be the highest mountain in the 48 states I believe.

Ben is the 2nd on the right with a black shirt, strawlike hat, green backpack and blue pad for reference in future photos.

They camped out Saturday and Sunday at the base and then hiked Monday through Friday.

Heres an itinerary Dave (YM leader) posted, it was a total of 51 miles!

Monday (July 29)

Our hike began on the Cottonwood Lakes Trail.  We hiked 12 miles over New Army Pass to upper Soldier Lake.  This was the hardest day. 

Tuesday (July 30)

Hiked past beautiful lakes and streams along Rock Creek ultimately camping at Guyo Creek just before the Guyo Pass.

Wednesday (July 31)

Over two mountain passes along the John Muir Trail to Crabtree Meadows.  Three stream crossings.  Dalin caught two fish.  Final destination was Guitar Lake where nearly everyone took the plunge in the icy cold lake water. 

Thursday (August 1)

Ascended 3000 feet over 4 miles up the Western side to reach the summit of Mt Whitney.  Then down the Eastern side to Trail Camp.  The lake at Trail Camp froze over that night but I heard no complaints.  These YM are now true mountain men.

Friday (August 2)

Hiked out to Whitney Portal.  These guys finished the 6 miles in 3.5 hours (amazingly strong YM).  Capped off with delicious hamburgers from the Whitney Portal Store. 

This is his Young Mens leader and son

Happy to be back at the van! Theres a video I couldn't post of one of the boys hugging the van!