I used the 5d Mk ll for the vide shot. It was all shot in full 1080p.

All the smooth transitions were [...]]]> I just finished up a video for the DART Center for Journalism and Trauma a couple weeks ago about how the Sacramento State Hornet newspaper staff covered an incidence of extreme violence on their campus.

I used the 5d Mk ll for the vide shot. It was all shot in full 1080p.

All the smooth transitions were with a Davis and Sanford tripod with the FM18 ball head. (A relatively cheap tripod that gives great results.)

The audio was gathered with a Zoom H4N audio recorder with a dead kitten to cut the wind noise.

Natalie, who is also in the film, helped with the interviews.

Our friend Heidi Benjestorf performed the background music. I used the H4N plugged directly into her keyboard with an xlr cable.

All of this happened in about a week, with the exception of the first two.

Natalie got an internship at the Oregonian.

I left the News-Sentinel.

Dan Evans got promoted, GOO DANN woo hoo you’re a rock star.

We moved our stuff out of Lodi.

Went to Tahoe skiing for two days. Natalie got a sick, googley [...]]]> All caught up…

All of this happened in about a week, with the exception of the first two.

Natalie got an internship at the Oregonian.

I left the News-Sentinel.

Dan Evans got promoted, GOO DANN woo hoo you’re a rock star.

We moved our stuff out of Lodi.

Went to Tahoe skiing for two days. Natalie got a sick, googley – eyed painted snowboard.

I got to ride down North Star underneath a big bright rainbow.

Went to Auntie Kim’s house

Slept.

Woke up and hopped a flight to Portland.

Went to REI three times.

Checked out the scene and the Oregonian. Great paper, great people.

Had a couple pints and a meat smorgasbord at Spints.

Found an apartment close to downtown near Hawthorne and a bunch of hippie food stores.

Left Portland.

Slept.

Heard about the 7.2 mag earthquake in Baja.

Drove 7 hours to L.A. (Listened to jam band music such as Phish and Moe the whole way to keep me awake.)

Wrote this blog post from the Wilshire Grand while overlooking downtown from my suite.

So I decided to take a walk through Lowe’s and figure out what they had to work with to make my own.

I went straight to the galvenized pipe area in the plumbing section. The rack started to form in my head. The first thing I started to look for was some way [...]]]> Roof racks are expensive.

So I decided to take a walk through Lowe’s and figure out what they had to work with to make my own.

I went straight to the galvenized pipe area in the plumbing section. The rack started to form in my head. The first thing I started to look for was some way to mount it to the camper. I found bolt down pipe mounts that fit the bill. They have a threaded female end and a base with four holes for 1/4 ” bolts.

Perfect

The main frame then came in the form of several pieces of pipe in different lengths to make a square box.

I went to the kitchen section and bought some $5 shelving covers. There was a roll of black that was about 1/8″ thick. That would work perfect for underneath my mounts as a sealant so the bolt holes wouldn’t leak and also as protection for my trucks camper shell.

The bolts were next. I found 1/4 ” bolts that came with nuts and got some really wide washers to go inside the cab. I found bolts with an inclined head that would fit perfectly into the mounts.

I quickly picked up some cans of black spray paint and some copper pipe insulation for 3/4″ pipe to use as a pad.

Assembling the box was trick. I had to twist and turn the pipes together with a pipe wrench. The last pipe I put in to make the box was difficult because the threads all go the same way. It worked out in the end and I over-tightened one side. Then loosened it as it turned into the other pipe’s elbow.

I spray painted the assembly and drilled some holes into my cab where the mounts would go.

The mounts are tilted slightly on the camper because its roof is convex. The long poles that didn’t have elbows that would bend went the long way, where there was no bend.

The elbows that could turn when horizontally across the top so the center bars were straight.

Natalie helped place the rack on top of the camper and I bolted it down.

And Viola! A super sturdy box rack with surf pads for under $100.

More than 150 showed up the the all-day event according to the California Parks Foundation Web site.

Though not as many took up [...]]]> Today, the California State Parks Foundation hosted its 8th Annual Park Advocacy Day at the Capitol with hopes of persuading lawmakers to end the cuts to state parks and find alternative funding ideas.

More than 150 showed up the the all-day event according to the California Parks Foundation Web site.

Though not as many took up arms about the state parks as education on the fourth, the issue doesn’t seem to be getting any better.

California state parks are still underfunded and the money can’t just appear.

The Parks Foundation has been working to pass through two bills that would add an additional $18 charge to vehicle registration to fund the parks.

But, in return, all California drivers would have unlimited access to the parks during the season – without having to pay for parking.

The current budget issue will not go away quickly and the foundations supporting California state parks are asking for support through this rough time.

The parks have beauty beyond belief and without funding, it will probably be lost.

You may not agree with the $18 charge, but at least it is a step in the right direction.

To find out more information about Parks Advocacy day or the California Parks Foundation visit calparks.org.

With the exception of the light whoosh of an off-shore wind when you’re paddling out or the patter of snow flakes on the roof of a tent before a big back country day in fresh powder… there is nothing better than a little  Kachingle.

What is Kachingle? Well the sound of money dropping into a piggy [...]]]>

With the exception of the light whoosh of an off-shore wind when you’re paddling out or the patter of snow flakes on the roof of a tent before a big back country day in fresh powder… there is nothing better than a little  Kachingle.

What is Kachingle? Well the sound of money dropping into a piggy bank of course. It’s also a quick and easy way to contribute a little cash to the sites that you enjoy every day.

Why Kachingle? Good question. I mean why pay me when you can type in www.theintrepidsoul.com and get cool outdoor anecdotes, trip ideas, photos and videos for free? Well, there won’t be much of that to go around If I can’t put money in my tank, or even wax my surf board. I mean think of it this way. You pay several hundred dollars for a newspaper every year, with pay walls going up all over the place you’re GOING to have to pay for web content soon.
At least with Kachingle you have a choice. You can choose whoever you want to get those kachingles. Why not choose me? The more kachingle in the Intrepid Soul’s pocket, the cooler the places I can take you.

How do I sign up? Piece of cake! go to www.kachingle.com and set up a kachingler account. I timed it, it’s quicker than twitter! With a pay pal account you add a little bit of money each month. Then go to the sites that you love that have the kachingle medallion. (Sounds all Indiana Jones like.)

Click on their medallion and make yourself a kachinlger.

The more you visit the site the more of a percentage of your $5 Kachingle money goes to that site at the end of the month AND the cooler content we’ll be able to produce! Because of your kachingles of course.

For me… Just go to my main page on theintrepidsoul.com and click on my Kachingle Medallion. Make yourself a Kachingler and you’re off and running.

I have a voice? Darn right, if your reading, especially kachingling please please comment so I can improve my site and give you the stories that you’re looking for.

With the hubbub from Super Bowl XLIV floating in the Lodi air, Natalie and I decided we wanted to leave the world of over priced t.v. ads, greasy-fried foods and popularized sports behind us.

I looked briefly at trails.com for inspiration on a [...]]]> Sometimes places close to home can surprise you.

With the hubbub from Super Bowl XLIV floating in the Lodi air, Natalie and I decided we wanted to leave the world of over priced t.v. ads, greasy-fried foods and popularized sports behind us.

I looked briefly at trails.com for inspiration on a close by hike.

A little hidden trail-head near the gold country village of Jamestown popped up. Nat packed her new Mountain Smith Lily backpack with water and Trader Joe’s GORP. I through my Crocs on and in no time we were heading down Victor Road in Lodi looking at the grand Sierra Nevada laid out before us.

Natalie quickly noticed a sign for Mark Twain’s Cabin. Excited, I made a U-turn on a crazy narrow winding section of Highway 49. The cabin was interesting, although not the original.

After a moment of silence for the famed author and adventurer, Mark Twain, and his tiny log hut, we found ourselves back to the road.

We reached a cattle gate at the Table Mountain Trail Head and forded the muddy trail. Horses and cattle could be seen grazing off in the distance. The trail was deep red and the vegetation around us was a gorgeous green.

Table Mountain has a vast and interesting history. From its volcanic formation from lava flows to the mining in the area the weird shaped formation is a sight. A great post on the mountain and its background can be found at Sierra Mountain Times written by Thomas Atkins.

I took off Captain’s leash and he bounded off down the trail. I gave a quick whistle and he stopped turned with a huge dog smile and barreled straight into me. It’s amazing how a dog can appreciate such simple freedom.

After about a mile we reached a second trail head and bathroom.

Up the trail we went, and ascended toward what we could tell was Table Mountain.

The mountain looked like it was sliced in half and had its top removed. It was giant flat plateau-like mound and buzzards flew high above its steep cliffs.

We crawled through oaks and brush up several steep switchbacks until we reached the top.

It was a flat surreal landscape. The rock made for easily twisting ankles but that didn’t keep Natalie and Captain from running across it.

The mountain must’ve stretched for half a mile, with steep cliffs along all the sides.

Winded from our little hike we headed back down the trail.

Captain muddied and soaked.

Natalie and I were refreshed and satisfied with our little trip close to home on Super Bowl Sunday.

DIRECTIONS: To get to Table Mountain from Highway 99 take the Central Lodi exit down Victor Road (Highway 12 East).

Highway 12 eventually turns into Highway 49 near San Andreas.

Follow Highway 49 south through San Andreas and toward Angels Camp.

A few miles passed Angles  Camp you will take a right onto Raw Hide Road.

Rawhide Road will make a sharp left, continue straight onto Shell Road until you arrive at gate and cattle grate crossing. Pull off the side of the road to the right and the trail head will be on your right with a sign that says Table MT.

Sometimes the gate is open, when it is you can drive your truck/car down a private road to the second trail head and bathrooms.

Last week, Brian and I decided to head to to REI in Stockton for a footprint for our Mountain Hardware Light Wedge tent.

While he was searching, I wandered over to the clearance box – probably my favorite part of the store.

Oodles of goods spilled over the edges: [...]]]>

Last week, Brian and I decided to head to to REI in Stockton for a footprint for our Mountain Hardware Light Wedge tent.

While he was searching, I wandered over to the clearance box – probably my favorite part of the store.

Oodles of goods spilled over the edges: shoe, socks, a yoga mat.

I reached down to the bottom and pulled out a pale turquoise backpack.

It was a Mountain Smith Lily – a day pack made out of recycled water bottles – just for women.

Slipping the pack on, I already felt the a connection, Brian may say it’s the color, but the pack fits great and it soon made it’s way to the register where I paid a mere $50.

A great price for a great little pack, what more could a girl with a knack for saving money ask for?

I was scraping her surfboard for an overdue cleaning and had some time to think it over.

So here is a list of ten… in no particular order.

1. Design and build my own surfboard… and surf it. 2. Film a movie [...]]]> So while watching girly television, Natalie asked, “What’s one thing you want to do before you die?”

I was scraping her surfboard for an overdue cleaning and had some time to think it over.

So here is a list of ten… in no particular order.

1. Design and build my own surfboard… and surf it.
2. Film a movie and and get it out on DVD with at least one theater opening. Even if it sucks its OK I just want it to move at least one person.
3. Vint a batch of wine.
4. Climb a big wall, no one in particular… El Cap would be cool.
5. Really change someone’s life with my photos and/or writing.
6. SCUBA Dive a ship wreck.
7. Put out a CD, at least 10 tracks and of course one hidden track that starts 6 minutes after the last song.
8. Do the waltz with Natalie on the moon, or as close to low gravity as I can get.
9. Teach my dog how to bring back the FRISBEE!
10. Be remembered forever.

This list is expected to change overtime… If I complete one I have to replace it with a completely new thing  I want to do before I die. The list will be complete when it is complete, hopefully sooner than forever.

He bought me a sparks and some beer for after we got to the cabin and helped to calm me down.

The car ride to my parents house was long and dark. It was [...]]]> Joe picked up Natalie and I at the airport and got to enjoy my ranting about the airline on the car ride home.

He bought me a sparks and some beer for after we got to the cabin and helped to calm me down.

The car ride to my parents house was long and dark. It was almost 11 p.m. and Natalie and I were exhausted. I hadn’t been home in nearly 10 months and had almost forgotten the way.

Finally, the swooping Greenfield roads turned to dirt and we arrived at the warm and glowing log cabin on Ormsbee Road.

We parked Joe’s blue Honda Civic just a little far from the drive way entrance. I called my mom from the car and talked to her for a bit. I lied and said we were surfing all day and were just driving home to our Lodi apartment.

“Mom I’m pulling up to the house let me give you a call when I get unpacked and get inside.” I said.

She agreed and hung up thinking the next phone call would be coming from almost 3,000 miles away.

We hoofed it from there.

I could see my mom in the windows of my house in her pajama’s waiting in the kitchen for me to call her back.

I called her from behind the garage.

“Hey mom, I’m home can you open the door for me?” I quietly asked while we snuck up to the door.

“What you’re in California!” she said.

“Mom it’s cold out side can you open the door?” I asked again. This time I knocked

My mother’s eyes became giant with surprise and I think some fright. She ran to the door and opened it hugging me. Natalie followed with the dog.

My father soon followed suit coming downstairs in his p.j.’s and we all talked until about 1 a.m. Joe and I went down to the bar and drank a few beers afterward and caught up a little.

I had missed the giant pine tree’s, maples and oaks. The country roads and the forests filled with fallen red, yellow and orange leaves.

I was home.