Hi All,

I finally made it back up to my study area. The first time since I hurt my back in January. But this time I took one who knows geology far better than I and this person lent considerably more knowledge on this visit than I've had so far. It's odd how you can go somewhere so often and yet miss so much. Today my companion pointed out two deer almost straight ahead of me and I wouldn't have seen them on my own.

Of course vegitation often changes ones points of reference and today while in search of blackberries that grow next to the natural spring there, I came across some new rocks I hadn't spotted before. Slate, granite and one huge pumice rock. I have long been in need of a rather large rock or two, so the friend made sure it got into the car for me and safely to my front yard.

I did get a sampling of this years blackberries and was not the least disappointed. I'll be back up there tomorrow as there are thousands of them. In Seattle they used to call it Blackberry Fever, people seemed to be overcome by a need to pick them until they were off the vines. I used to water mine the night before I picked them and it adds volume to them for sure. You can make blackberry ice with them by pureeing the berries, adding a little water and some sugar. Put them in ice cube trays and when ready to eat, give it a minute or two and I'll tell you, there's nothing like it. So if your fault line is giving you an added bonus, don't forget to enjoy it.

On the way back we spotted a field full of volcanic pumice rocks that had obviously landed there from Sonoma Counties volcanic past. I know I'll never have enough rocks to go around, so when I get the blackberries tomorrow, I'll bring a crate for the new rocks as well.

It would be difficult to express how jubuliant I was today to finally be able to go to one of my favorite places. They say one out of every 37 people will at some point in their lives suffer some kind of disability. Just like everyone else,I never thought it would happen to me. It did, but I still very fortunate. Though it will be permanent, the greater part of the time I can and will be able to do almost everything I enjoy.

Hanging Ten From the RCF...Petra Challus