Hobbies
When I’m not at work you can usually find me commuting on my bike (it is an 18 mile ride each way), traveling or planning a trip, carting my six (yes thats right 6) children here and there, reading, competing in triathlons, shooting with my camera, fencing, helping at my church, or working on some fun project. Here are a few pictures from some of my adventures.
My Family
Far and away my biggest hobby is taking care of my large family. While engineering, travel, and other fun are great things I try to keep my life in balance and remember the most important things come first by spending as much time as possible with my wife and children.
My wife and I looking at the Golden Gate Bridge, Golden Gate NRA
My crew of 6 in 2010 at the beach . 2 boys 4 girls. Sonoma Coast
My family on top of Mt Lassen 2014
Backpacking and Hiking
Since my kids became old enough to do some “real” backpacking adventures we try to set off every year to new places. We love the High Sierra and exploring the beautiful and rugged areas there. We also were able to hike along the coast. I have also done a few grand trips with family and friends including a trip up Mt. Shasta, hikes in Yosemite and the Tahoe area and went to Nepal to sit underneath Mt. Everest and the Himalayas.
The View at Precipice Lake along the High Sierra Trail Sequoia Natl Park
Sawtooth Peak in Sequoia NP
Little Five Lakes Sequoia NP
The view from Black Rock Pass Sequoia NP
Helen Lake High Camp on Mt Shasta
On top of Mt. Shasta, June 2013
Storm Clouds above Hamilton Lake at Sunset. Sequoia NP
Glacier Point and Half Dome from the 4 mile trail in Yosemite NP
The view of Nuptse (right) Lhotse (behind) and Everest (Center) from Kala Pattar Nepal Nov. 2019
Travel
I have been fortunate enough to travel to some amazing places through my career as a professor. While I currently try to limit my extended travel due to my family commitments, I have lived in Portugal for an extended period and have been able to travel to India, China, South Korea, South Africa, Albania, Turkey, the Netherlands, Italy, Argentina, Hong Kong, Nepal and my personal favorite Iceland. I will be leading a UC Davis Summer Study Abroad trip summer 2022 to Iceland.
Jokulsarlon Lagoon, Iceland
The view along the Ring Road, Southern Iceland
Skiing in Iceland
Top of Mt Sulur near Akureyri, Iceland
My wife and I at the Meenakshi Temple in Madurai, India
The Taj Mahal Acra, India
Sports
I do have a few sports that I really enjoy. My current favorite is fencing where I compete in all three weapons; saber, foil, and epee. I also enjoy competing in Triathlons and completed the Iron distance triathlon Vineman in 2007. Lately my family and I have taken up Rock climbing as a sport so you might see me on the crags or at the local rock climbing gym.
Always better to give than receive.
The Ironman Triathlon-no I am not going to Kona but I did finish. Doing this was part therapy to get my mind off of work as I was going up for tenure.
