The 27th Annual American River Festival

We went to the 27th Annual American River Festival on Saturday afternoon. This year it was expanded with shore activities, more fun for families, as well as more activities and competitions for seasoned and beginning paddlers. It is was a fun day on the water and land! Centered in Henningsen-Lotus Park (HLP), in Lotus, California, land activities included games, food, music, nonprofit and exhibitor booths.

James enjoyed kayaking and a stand up paddling surf board contraption. I tried it a few times and got on fine the first time and fell in many times on later attempts. We had a lot of fun though. Jaimie and I did a Topo Duo race in which we were in a two person kayak and raced another team down the river. We were terrible and the other couple was so far ahead of us that they could not see us at the end of the race. We messed up by having me in the front and it was all we could do to keep straight and get down the river.

First Soccer Game

James had his first soccer game today. He had a lot of fun and enjoyed himself even though they did not win. The game was at 8:३० am so we had to hustle out of the house early. We brought some snacks and drinks for the team. The sprinklers were on during the game so we had to put traffic cones over the heads. Then they would cycle to the next row and we would run the cones over to that row.

The Tells Peak B-17C Airplane Wreck

We hiked to the Tells Peak B-17C Airplane Wreck today. It was a great hike out to the site. We went from the Bassi Falls trail side and it was about 6.6 miles round trip. The plane is remarkably well preserved but has been vandalized excessively. We hiked with an Forest Service Archeologist and I think she was surprised at the amount of damage on the plane.

http://www.co.el-dorado.ca.us/stories/B17Crash.html

Right Wing (the largest section): N 38 degrees 54.950'
W 120 degrees 19.802'

Left Wing: N 38 degrees 55.007'
W 120 degrees 19.675'

Tail Section: N 38 degrees 54.798'
W 120 degrees 19.768'

First Grader James McNeice

James started school on August 18th this year. He missed the first two days of school as we were away on vacation in Yellowstone NP. He started the year with Ms. Cook in a combo K1 class. Then was moved the next week to a straight First Grade class as the school decided they had enough first graders to have another full class. Now he is in Mrs. Smith's class. We are excited about the new year and his great new teacher.