California Trip

Last weekend, I had the privilege of celebrating my birthday in California with my Parents and some of my closest friends (who? ...keep reading). We visited a place called Big Sur...arguably the most beautiful place on our western coast! We also did some hiking near Ralph and Martha's house.
Who are Ralph and Martha? I knew some of you would be asking that question. Good thing for you, I already have an answer ready. Ralph and Martha are two very good friends who I met when I was living in California in 2002-2004 when I was at DLI. We met at Hollister Bible Church on one of my first visits there. It might have been the first actually...I'm not sure. Ralph and Martha (along with their grown kids Angela and Elias) adopted me into their family and made my time in California an experience that I will always cherish. They also made California a permanent part of my life...assuming that's where they will be:) They are two of the best examples of Christian lives that I have ever been privileged know. They have been a constant encouragement to me and I am grateful to call them my friends!

Included among the "we" of my trip out to California is another very close friend, Jaime.
Jaime is another Army friend. We met in Basic training and were stationed together in California and in Texas as well. She's one of the best Linguist that the Army has. I am proud to serve with her! We share SO MUCH in common as far as likes and dislikes too. She's one of my best friends and is a great encouragement to any endeavor I have ever taken. Thanks Jamie!

Thanks also to Janet and Gary who showed us their great hospitality! Thanks for the best birthday breakfast ever, and my first french toast birthday cake...haha

check out the pics in the "California" album:
http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/chicado77/my_photos

You'll see:

Jaime and I on the Monterey Peninsula at sunset...great picture, Mom!
Birthday Breakfast
Me with Dad and Mom at Big Sur
The hike up to Fairfield Falls...good job, Mom!!
Ralph and Martha at Fairfield Falls
Me inside Fairfield Cave
Some really big trees...that's their technical term
"Man conquers river"
"Man conquers giant tree stump"
And and strange encounter with a fish