On June 19th Caleb ran his third Rock Tahoe Half Marathon.
We were very proud of him as he ran this race at a very busy time in his life, just graduating from college and finishing one job while getting ready to start another. He would have preferred to have more prep time but has really enjoyed this race and didn't want to miss the chance to run it again for the fourth time.
Caleb coming in for a strong finish.
He ran the race in 1 hour, 49 minutes and 24 seconds coming in 103rd out of 1,439 racers. Out of 571 men he came 82nd and 13th out of 56 for his age group.
Our first big camping trip for the summer was once again to one of our favorite campgrounds, Fallen Leaf Lake. This year we ended up with a great site next to Taylor Creek for seven days.
Joining us this year was our good friend Chris England who has become somewhat of a YouTube star with his Base Camp Chris channel. Check it out, it's a lot of fun and you'll likely get to see his signature coffee cup seen in this picture.
Base Camp Chris England next to his tent alongside Taylor Creek.
As an aside, Taylor Creek is the primary spawning stream for Kokanee salmon from Lake Tahoe in late September through mid-October. It has become a quite popular destination in the fall when the spawn is in full swing
Chis England along the Mount Tallac trail above Fallen Leaf Lake. We truly do live in a beautiful place.
9,739 foot Mount Tallac.
Chris and Bob along the Mount Tallac trail as the enter the Desolation Wilderness Area. What a great time to be on the trail with good friends. The last time we were together in this beautiful place was on our 2019 Desolation Backpacking Trip.
Of course you can't go to Fallen Leaf Lake without spending time in and on the water. As we've done in past years we took our kayaks along and had a great time paddling on the lake. Here Lisa is with her passenger, Chester, enjoying the beautiful clear water of Fallen Leaf Lake.
Also joining us this year was our good friend Christopher Robison. Here he is taking out his new inflatable paddle board for its debut outing. He did great and the board seemed to perform well. Just another way to have a great time at this wonderful place.
So, Bob came up a day early with the camper and set everything up for Lisa when she would arrive the following day with our friend, Christopher Robison. What a great way to end the school year.
Bob and Lisa with Chester making sure he gets in the picture near Eagle Falls above Emerald Bay on the southeast side of Lake Tahoe.
Lower Eagle Falls.
Also joining us for this years Fallen Leaf Lake camping trip were Dave and Julie Schmidt. Here's Dave with his daughter Louisa enjoy time around the campfire roasting s'mores.
While paddling our kayaks around Fallen Leaf Lake we got to see this bald eagle high in the branches of a dead tree looking for its morning meal.
Bob's kayak with Mount Tallac in the background.
This is a picture of one of the kayak carts we use to transport our kayaks from the campsite to the lake.
We had gone for a paddle and Bob decided to paddle the full eight mile shoreline of Fallen Leaf Lake while Lisa headed back to camp. The special "twig" heart is what Lisa left for Bob next to his cart to welcome him back and let him know she'd made it back fine.
The last week of June Bob made a trip to Montana to see his mom and brothers, but also to attend his nieces, Sarah Potts', wedding. This is a picture of Bob's brother Dave and his sister-in-law Carolyn walking their daughter Sarah "down the aisle".
Bob and his brother Andy with their mom at the wedding reception.
Bob and his three brothers (from left to right) Andy, Dave and Jim with their mom and Dave's daughter Sarah.
Sarah and her new husband, Noah Thrope, having a fun victory ride down the driveway.
One of the really fun things we got to do at the reception was for the four of us boys to have a simultaneous shot of Makers Mark from the "ShotSki" which is a ski with four shot glasses glued to it. What a blast!
A celebration dinner together at the famous Mint Cafe and Bar in Belgrade, Montana. A wonderful meal with a wonderful family!
One of the gifts Bob bought himself after a nice side-gig consulting job was this Seekins HIT PRO M3 Precision Chassis Rifle. Bob has really enjoyed the art of precision long-distance shooting and this is a rifle he's been eyeing for some time.
Bob's Dad also loved the shooting sport and Bob often wishes his Dad were still around so he could share all the things he's done since they last went out shooting together.
First six rounds from Bob's new rifle. Not too bad for a new barrel...
One of the things we enjoy most about our home are the California Quail that live in our neighborhood. This year we were blessed with this pair in our backyard that had a large (10-12) covey of baby quail. They were great to have around.
The shed in our backyard after fixing it all up and repainting it.
In late May Lisa made a trip to Minneapolis to visit our good friend Marcia Foss and Lisa's 87 year old Aunt, Goldie Pahl. She had a wonderful time with them while Bob had a great time taking care of Chester. Here they are on a beautiful Sunday afternoon hiking around Spooner Lake.
A stop along the way for a drink and rest.
Spooner Lake is a beautiful alpine reservoir only 20 minutes from where we live. The trail around it is only 2.5 miles long and one of our favorite quick getaways.
The big event of Spring, 2026 was Caleb's graduation with a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Nevada, Reno.
A very proud Dad and Mom!
Caleb on stage being congratulated by President Brian Sandoval.
Our family has a long history with President Sandoval as he used to be Governor Sandoval and was the Governor who hired Bob in 2011 to be part of the Governor's Office of Economic Development.
Caleb being congratulated by his former instructors. You could just tell Caleb was really liked and appreciated by all the faculty.
What a good day!!!
Ever since Caleb was just a baby, we have been so proud of him!
A great day for the whole family.
For a Dad, it doesn't get better than this.
On May 7th we moved Caleb into his new apartment so he would have a place to land after his graduation a week later and would be ready to start his new job with James Hardie on the 8th of June.
James Hardie is a great international company that manufactures construction material specifically house siding and backer board. Caleb did an internship with them last year and they were so impressed that they gave him a standing offer for a full-time job when he graduated.
They like him and he likes them so it was a good deal all around.
Caleb in front of his new apartment in the Indigo Apartment complex in Reno.
Getting moved in. How exciting!
Caleb's kitchen.
Cooking for himself is going to be a whole new thing in this adventure as well.
Getting started on one's own is such a great time in life and it's especially great when, like Caleb, one gets to start it so well. We're very proud of our son!