Big Sur, Mount Diablo, Hiking, Camping, Busy Month

It certainly has been a busy month!

Renee had a dance recital and got a chance to perform a solo.

Renee continues enjoying dancing. As I am writing this post, she has signed up to be on the "Song Team" in the high school. It is actually a team that teaches them to dance.

As mentioned in the last post, we have been preparing for this backpacking trip in Big Sur. This is on the second day and we got to this awesome spot for a group picture.

I chose this one more beacuse of the ocean view in the background. On the first day, we were going along the shorline, to the right of this picture, and climbing up. It was really cool to climb with an ocean view.

As part of my volunteer work at Troop 998G, I am in charge of the monthly hiking program. For April, we went up to the Mount Diablo. This is the Eagle Peak that we climbed first before reaching the summit

This is the top of Mount Diablo.

Max had his fair share of scouting program too. He went to the District Camporee where different troops from the district meet and compete. Renee is in Girl Troop from another District, so theirs is coming up. I really they can allow brothers and sisters to join the same troop and go out to the same set of events.

Renee also had a piano recital. She was also the Master of Ceremony during this event.

During the Spring Break, Max also went with his best buddy to the Monterey Bay Acquarium

Preparing for Big Sur

 Not much this month, probably mostly preparing for the backpacking in Big Sur during the Spring Break.

Max needed more volunteer hours for his scouting advancement. I took him to my favorite option: Foodbank.

Renee had a full day this weekend attending dance competition and ErHu practice. She took a break in the middle of the day and visited Emeryville Marina Park.

Renee and her friends in the dance class got the award from the dance competition.

I got a chance to take Max again on a Backpacking training trip. Max does not mind staying home all day, acutally. But everytime we get a chance to go out, he also enjoys himself walking around and does not feel tired.

Out and About Again

With Omicron cases going down, we are coming out and about again. We still stick to the outdoor as much as possible.

Renee is going on a series of dance performance and competition. Her hardwork on the basic skills are paying off.

I am planning on a backpacking trip with, Renee, Max, and another father and their two kids. Since Max is the least experienced in this group, I got him equipped and started training. Max has been doing Kungfu practice regularly so I expect the training to be more about preparing mentally than physically.

Max more or less enjoyed the trip, definitely when not climbing.

Highlight of this trip is when we got some downtime on top of the ridge. We sat down with a great view and enjoyed a quick snack.

Renee also joined the Chinese New Year festival parade in San Francisco with her team. The sound was really weak, though.

This is Renee taking a picture with her troop 998G.

For rank advancement, Max has been going to the Food Bank for volunteering.

He went three times, twice with me and once with his mom.