After a month of taking Afinitor®, it was time for another CT scan. Below are the findings:
To celebrate the good news, Andrew and I wanted to make our way up the Pacific Northwest since we both hadn’t explored that area yet. Even though I was born and raised in California, the furthest north that I’ve ever been was to Sacramento for a white water rafting trip along the American River.
- Further interval increase of a superior right lower lobe nodule in the azygos esophageal recess which now measures 4 mm compared to previously 3mm, likely reflecting mild progression of a metastatic lung nodule.
- No new lung nodules.
- Status post radiofrequency ablation of a right lower lobe nodule with increased extent of the opacity which is likely related to postablation changes.
To celebrate the good news, Andrew and I wanted to make our way up the Pacific Northwest since we both hadn’t explored that area yet. Even though I was born and raised in California, the furthest north that I’ve ever been was to Sacramento for a white water rafting trip along the American River.
Enjoy a relaxing day down the American River. 2002.
It may come as a surprise, but growing up, our family didn't do that many outdoor activities together. The majority of the time we were homebodies; we enjoyed staying home, and watching TV. The very first time when our family experienced the outdoors together was on a trip to Alberta, Canada to visit relatives. During our week there, everyone reconnected and bonded through winter activities. Even though the visit was brief, the beauty of Mother Nature left an everlasting impression on me. Unfortunately, it would take me a long time before I finally did something about it.
Just because I was raised a certain way when I was younger, it doesn’t mean that’s the way it has to be for the rest of my adult life; my past should not define my present. It’s much easier to accept things as they are and to settle, but if we are unhappy because our lives are not how we envision it, we need to have the strength and courage to change it. It’s never too late to be happy.
Enjoy a flashback to my family's first outdoor experience in Alberta, Canada, and then my adventures through San Francisco, and up the Pacific Northwest towards Redwoods National Park.
Reuniting with the Canadian Clan.
Our attempts at being ice fishermen for the day. Unfortunately, the fish just weren't biting.
Time to hit the bunny slopes.
Phong is an excellent toboggan driver.
Freezing in Banff, Alberta.
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13 YEARS LATER
Exploratorium
San Francisco, CA
Andrew broke his bicycle rope squirter. Womp womp womp.
Duck Into Kaleidoscope consists of three 4′ by 6′ mirrors joined at 60 degree angles. This must be what infinity looks like.
This giant mirror was originally part of a flight simulator. Its concave spherical shape focuses incoming light to a point about 1.5 ft. from its surface creating the optical illusion seen above.
Having some perception fun.
It was shocking to see Vanna White's upside down face!
A sound coming from the side reaches one of our ears before the other making it easy to pinpoint the source of a sound. In contrast, sound coming from directly in front of or behind us reaches both ears at the same time and with the same loudness making it harder to determine its height.
The glasses contain a filter that blocks out yellow light, making everything look dim except for fluorescent objects.
The red, green, and blue lights shining on the white wall combine to make white. Blocking one, two, or all three of the lights results in shadows of various colors. Also, Andrew makes a great turkey shadow puppet.
Scott Weaver. Rolling Through the Bay.
This abstract sculpture is 9 ft. tall and 8 ft. long, and is constructed from 105,387 toothpicks. It took over 3,000 hours over a period of 40 years to be built.
The water levels in these 24 columns show the hourly tide heights for that day.
Coit Tower
San Francisco, CA
Coit Tower was constructed in 1933 at the bequest of Lillie Hitchcock Coit, a wealthy eccentric socialite and patron of the San Francisco Fire Department. The art deco tower measures 210 ft. tall, and its resemblance to a fire hose nozzle is coincidental.
Victor Arnautoff. City Life.
Vibrant street life in the 1930s San Francisco was part of the urban fabric. Along the Embarcadero the produce market and factories thrived. All the adults wear hats and are dressed in more formal attire that was standard during that era.
I'm hangry.
Taking the elevator to the top.
Only one more story to go.
The observation deck is 32 ft. below the top, with an arcade and skylights above it.
No rain today.
Atop Telegraph Hill.
The observation deck provided 360-degree views of the city and bay, including the Bay Bridge and Ferry Building.
Peak of the Transamerica Building and the Financial District.
Nob Hill and Sutro Tower.
Curves of Lombard Street.
Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz.
Redwood National Park Road Trip
Stretching our legs off Highway 1.
Point Cabrillo Light Station
Mendocino, CA
Point Cabrillo was surveyed by the U.S. Lighthouse Service in 1873, and construction of the Light Station only began in 1908 in response to the many shipwrecks that occurred along the Mendocino coast.
On February 1960, Point Cabrillo was struck by a series of monster waves
that crested above the lighthouse and flooded the building. The lighthouse was eventually restored, and reopened on August 2001.
Mendocino Art Center
Mendocino, CA
The Art Center has been a haven for artists since 1959. Each year there are over 200 retreat-style workshops in ceramics, fiber arts, fine art, jewelry, and sculpture.
John Fisher. Three Ages of Woman.
Who wants a big bear hug?
Yard of twisting iron sculpture.
Chandelier Drive Thru Tree
Leggett, CA
Drive Thru Tree?
The Chandelier Tree is estimated to be 2000 years old with a height of 315 ft. Around 1936, the opening was cut to enable cars to drive through it.
This Coastal Redwood is able to to stay alive even with so much of its heart cut out because growth of the tree takes place underneath the bark in the cambian layer, and its widespread root system adds stability to the tree by entwining with the roots of neighboring trees.
Another adventure completed with Andrew's Prius C.
Humboldt Redwoods State Park
Humboldt County, CA
The forest preserve is over 53,000 acres, including 17,000 acres of old-growth coast redwoods.
Driving through the scenic 32 mile Avenue of the Giants.
Rockefeller Loop Trail
(0.7 miles; 30 mins; 20 ft. elevation)
Rockefeller Forest is one of the largest remaining ancient redwood forests on earth. Of the remaining coast redwoods, almost one in five are here.
View from the ground up.
Founder's Grove Nature Loop Trail
(0.6 miles; 30 mins)
Gold brought the first European settlers to the North Coast, but they soon discovered that the real money was in redwood trees.
Save the Redwoods League was founded in 1918 out of the growing movement to protect these trees against rapid logging.
The Founder's Tree is named in honor of these founders (John C. Merriam, Henry Fairfield Osborn, and Madison Grant).
Founders Tree.
Height: 346.1 ft.
Diameter: 12.7 ft.
Circumference: 40 ft.
Height to lower limb: 190.4 ft.
Dyerville Giant
This "Champion Coast Redwood" was once the tallest living thing in the world, measuring at 362 ft.
In 1991, a storm caused the 1 million pound giant to fall, generating seismograph readings up to 10 miles away.
Redwood National & State Parks
Lady Bird Johnson Grove Trail
(1.5 miles)
On August 27, 1969, President Richard Nixon honored Lady Bird Johnson with this grove by for her service to preserving and enhancing America's natural beauty for the enjoyment of all people.
Lady Bird Vy has a nice ring to it.
Redwood Creek, Downstream
The forest on the right is one of the largest remaining stands of ancient redwoods.
I win the poofy hair contest.
Tall Trees Grove Trail
(4 miles; 3-4 hours; 600 ft. elevation )
Note: A permit is required to enter since the road is narrow, windy, and unpaved.
Note: A permit is required to enter since the road is narrow, windy, and unpaved.
Coast Redwoods (Sequoia sempervirens) normally live for 500 to 1,100 years, but some individuals may exceed 2,000 years of age. There were many fallen "nursery logs" with coats of ferns, mosses, lichens, and new tree sprouts.
Coast Redwoods have two types of needles; treetop needles form thin spikes with less evaporative surfaces and lower needles are broad and flat to catch available sunlight.
Redwoods average at 300 ft. in height, making it the tallest living things in the world. The tallest tree to date is Hyperion, measuring at 379.3 ft. Extreme giants like these grow in a remote area, and the exact locations are kept secret by park rangers to avoid damage by tourists.
Coast Redwoods grow best at elevations below 3,000 ft. in altitude, areas of heavy winter rains, and moderate year round temperatures. These growing conditions were perfect for moss as well.
The Tall Trees Grove hosts the former title-holder of the world's tallest tree, the Libby Tree. This tree was discovered by the National Geographic Survey Team in 1963, and it held the title until 1994 when the top died and broke off, dropping it to the 34th tallest tree.
Redwood Creek.
Break time.
Gold Bluffs Beach
We had a beachside view all weekend. The cost was only $15 per night. What a steal!
The cliffs along Gold Bluffs Beach were once part of an ancestral river. The river eroded gold deposits that were carried downstream to the ocean. Along the way, the gold mixed with floodplain and channel sediments.
In the 1850s, prospectors devised a way to mine the gold using water flumes and copper amalgamators. Crews at Union Gold Bluffs Mining Company successfully mined here for almost thirty years.
The water was too chilly for Andrew.
Mysterious shrine of seashells.
♥
What a nice and relaxing way to end the day.
Fern Canyon Loop Trail
(0.7 miles)
(0.7 miles)
Ready to go.
We were in for a surprise that morning. These Roosevelt elk were once almost extinct in California, and are now making a comeback.
Elk prefer to forage for food in the "ectone," where the forest meets the grassland. However, they also browse through plants and shrubs in the forest interior and along the forest edge.
Several perennial waterfalls cascade from the canyon rim adding to the cool, moist canyon microclimate.
Should we forge, caulk, or float Andrew across the arroyo?
Scouring winter floods periodically rush through the canyon, sweeping debris from its floor.
Good thing there were no floods that day!
The canyon is shrouded with lush five-fingered ferns, dark green sword ferns, and delicate lady ferns. Some of the exquisite ferns that cling to the steep, shadowy cliffs are ancient species whose ancestry can be traced back to 325 million years.
Where does the Red Fern Grow?
Many rotting trees had mushroom clusters growing at the trunk and base.
Happy Days.
Ah Pah Interpretive Trail
(0.3 miles)
In the 1940s, Ah Pah Road was built as a logging road. The road covered a stream, forcing the water through culverts. Buildup of mud and debris in these culverts caused washouts and landslides, which destroyed the forest.
In 1995, the road was removed, and the original stream was uncovered. Over time, the natural contours of the hillside was restored, and the seeds from the surrounding forest colonized the soil.
Beautiful recovering ecosystem.
Russian River Brewing Company
Santa Rosa, CA
Santa Rosa, CA
The annual release of Pliny the Younger draw crowds from all over the world. After Andrew's many failed attempts to taste the Younger in San Francisco, I suggested we stop by the brewery on our way back home. The wait in line can be a few hours, but luckily we only waited 30 minutes!
Deliciousness.
Pliny the Younger is a Triple IPA and finishes at 10.25% ABV. It is consistently ranked as one of the best beers in the world.
L'chaim!
