Was able to catch the tail end of the procession for Dia de los Muertos, which happens every year in the mission. Though I missed much of the procession that snakes along mission St. and throughout the district, I was able to see the beautiful altars that people created in order to honor and remember the dead. It's a moving and touching display and I highly recommend everyone to check it out next year.

My favorite time of year

October is here, the sun is shining bright and warm days are finally here in San Francisco. I relished every moment of our mini heat wave and happy to report that I made my office outdoors in golden gate park this past week. Was a little easy as it was all in preparation for this years Hardly Strictly Bluegrass festival. I know I talk about it a lot, but it truly is one of the best events I get to work on every year. Tried to capture a bit of the fun, but always a challenge as I'm pulled in so many directions during the festivities. Hope you made it out this year!

Quick trip to Colorado

Despite the hectic schedule of 14-16 hour work days leading up to this years HSB festival, I took a quick break from it all to celebrate my grandmothers 90th birthday. Leaving well before sunlight, my sister and I boarded a flight for colorado in hopes to surprise Granny on her big day. We didn't want her knowing our plans, just in case we had to cancel last minute. Luckily for us, we made it and joined her and the rest of the family at the cabin tucked away in the Rockies.

Bull Fight?!

Did I really just get to shoot a bull fight? Yup! And it was amazing. The themed birthday party happened up in picturesque Sonoma county and included a flamenco dancer and guitar player, three heffers (bulls I guess would actually kill the party guests), and a number of brave matadors, both pro and those trying it out for the first time.

 

Western wedding in the woods

Spent an amazing Labor day holiday weekend celebrating the nuptials of two dear friends, Norm and Nori. Their wedding, no less engagement, was something none of us thought would ever happen. Though they had been together for over 12 years and have a wonderful daughter, marriage just didn't seem their thing. Well, fittingly, they got married on the blue moon at the end of August. I felt so honored to be there and lucky to capture it for the non believers not in attendance.

 

Race day!

Don't really know how I got into open water swimming, but am so glad I did. What a fun and exhilirating way to get in some good exercise, have some healthy competition, and make perfect excuses to travel to beautiful destinations. I started ow swimming in the chilly waters of the San Francisco bay and wasn't quite prepared for the warm and clear waters of Hawaii. The temperature was easily in the upper 70s, warmer then my home town community pool. Though an easy entry into the water, after swimming just a few yards, it became almost too warm. The biggest bonus by far is the clarity of the water. For the most part, the course had us swimming over various coral reefs of all different depths. Saw a multitude of fish, tons of different types of corals, and most thrilling, at about half way through, a large sea turtle glided below me. I contemplated actually stopping to hang out with it! Clearly I was distracted and not exactly trying to break any records, but knew I could come back later in the day. The swim went well and finished with a respectful 14th place (of 36) in my age group. Something I was happy about, having just spent over a week out of the water and still nursing my ears back to health. And gives me a reason to come back next year to break my record.

I think I might go to Hawaii... tomorrow

Well, I'm all for last minute travel, but this was by far my most unexpected trip. I toyed with the idea of going to Hawaii earlier in the summer to take part in the North Shore swim series, but finding time off from work and settling on just one of the races seemed to be my biggest hurdle. Not wanting to miss out, I submitted my race entrance fee with a tbd race date and put trip planning on the back burner. Then, a week before one of the races, I feel ill and ruptured both ear drums. An excruciating experience I wish no one to go through. I all but sided my plans to go until my bored, bed ridden, self was browsing tripadvisor and kayak.com. The last minute deals on flights were too good to pass up, and an airbnb place opened up for another screaming deal. I booked them despite feeling too weak to walk, no less swim a few miles in the open water with ripped open ear drums. Maybe it was the thought of warm sand and clear blue waters, but miraculously the horrible ear pain and illness left just in time for me to board my flight. Ears were fine on the flight and I spent the next two days regaining my strength swimming along the shores of the North Shore of Oahu. Not a bad recovery room!

Fourth of July in Woodacre

What a fun little town! Just north of the city and through a few winding hills is a quirky and beautiful little town called woodacre. A good friend of mine moved up there a while ago, but I never had a chance to see the town. She invited me up for the fourth, but warned me that she would have to leave to ride her horse down main street for the parade. How cute! Ended up spending time at the barn afterward and falling in love with this town and it's amazing people.

A bittersweet celebration

Warren Hellman, the founder and funder of the HSB festival, among many other accomplishments, passed away last December. His service was touching and awe inspiring, having various speakers ranging from political dignitaries to fellow ride and tie cowboys, and of course, singers and banjo players. Though moving, it was fitting that his life needed a celebratory concert that the entire public could be a part of. Just two months later, the impressive HSB production and ops team put together a seamless full day concert featuring favorite artists of Warrens just at the end of Golden Gate park by the beach. Tears were shed, as were laughs and memories of the amazing things Warren had done in his life. He will be sorely missed, but his spirit was alive and well that day on the beach.

Underwater south of the border

Determined to travel whenever given the opportunity, I saw an empty five day block of time in my schedule I couldn't pass up. I jumped on scubaboard to get some ideas for some easy to get to dive sites that would be both economical and not effected by seasonal rains. The island of Cozumel off Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula was suggested enough for me to run a few flight and hotel searches. Soon enough, I was planning which bus and ferry I'd catch to get in as much island time as possible. Cozumel was everything I was hoping for, relaxed atmosphere without all the tourist traps and plenty of diving opportunities. I stayed further into town, well off the beaten path of tourists, and had the best time. My humble bnb was perfect, and the super friendly owner and his awesome overgrown lab were the best hosts. The local café and panadería were filled with friendly locals and delicious eats, and key to my trip, I found an awesome dive shop that was able to take me out on a number of dives. What a great time, looking forward to returning some day.