Almost didn't make it out to this year's surf competition, luckily, a couple of friends were planning on heading out and "coerced" me to make the trip!  This year I focused more on the crowd (seeing as how I've shot some surf sessions a few weeks ago *see earlier posts), the city, and just the feel of being around this dynamic event.  Thanks so much to VANS for keeping it free for us enthusiasts!

A weekend of fresh air, plenty of breathing, and connecting with God.  Naive as I am, I always thought that the mountains never got hot.  Now before you judge me, I can't remember the last time I went up to the mountains in the summer time!  Several weeks ago, the fam and I hitched a ride up to Twin Peaks, CA for a retreat with our beloved friends and their church.  Once we got out of the car, I was amazed at how hot it was!  

One great thing about the mountain was that there was little cell reception and the wi-fi provided by the retreat site was weak... Why is that great?  Well, if we had been pampered with high speed wi-fi, strong "4g" cell reception, and a cool-blasting a/c (I didn't mention that the air conditioner was weak too?), then I would have probably spent remarkably less time with my friends and family and probably more time trying to find out what was going on in the world.  

Ever realize how many car commercials try to sell us with vehicles that are constantly adventuring in these remote and wilderness like areas?  It's like they know inwardly we crave for adventure, the wild, or something different than what's around us.  Being outdoors felt eerily satisfying... even though whenever I go out on retreats like this, I always feel a sense of technology withdrawal... being able to walk around and sniff the fresh air, hear ambient silence, and see stars at night... it certainly was relaxing.  

So here it is... my weekend summed up in pictures and 3 words - forest, sleep, and kids

My family and I have fallen into the ever-so-popular culture of "foodtruck-chasing".  There's something about these mobile eateries that just astonish me!  I'll be first to admit that my wife was the one who had always pushed me to go out and chase these trucks, but I was always hesitant.  It wasn't until I was at a leadership conference last year where I was "forced" to eat from food trucks because that was all they had.  I think the leader of the conference said it best when he described this food truck revolution when he said that, "Food trucks are successful because they bring the business TO the client [and not the other way around]."  Welp... Here is my newfound addiction - I am a glorified grub-chaser, and I am thoroughly hooked on BurgerMonster and from the looks of it -  SeoulSausage, check them out, eat their yummies and let me know what you think!

iphone 5!!! pictures below!

I love this time of the year... weather gets warmer (for us weak Californians), sun's up earlier, and family gatherings just seem to happen more.  Along with that, I had the opportunity to grab a sweet new camera and snap away at these very intimate family moments!  Enjoy!

Have an awesome SUMMER! - jasonric