Quotes

I love to read quotes ... quotes about anything and everything.
I've shared a few different ones in my blog.
So, what is your favorite quote?

The Search for Hodgee

Now that Lake Hodges has finally filled up with water, my dad and I have been talking about going kayaking through it. After discussing this for much of the summer, my dad decided to do a little research on the lake.

He read a lot about the history of the lake, such as . . .
- The dam was constructed back in 1916 to provide a source of water for the Rancho Santa Fe area
- The first bridge over the lake was built in 1919 at a cost of $80,000
- The City of San Diego purchased the Lake Hodges dam for $490,000 and the area became a favorite for weekend outings

The most interesting part of the history began in 1929 when the mayor of Escondido requested that San Diego look into reports of a creature in Lake Hodges. Scripps Institute of Oceanography began the investigation. After much research, the only discovery was a "lizard-like head" which protruded from the surface of the water one day. This encouraged more research. In 1931, a boat that had been docked on the lake was destroyed and one report said it could have been caused by a large creature.

Scripps Institute eventually created a cage that was placed underwater with a sea lion inside, used as bait. Although no lake monster was caught, the sea lion disappeared and the underwater cameras (strapped to the cage) took this photo.

By 1941, another photo was taken during an investigation.

To this day, Hodgee has not yet been located. However, a non-profit organization, Lake Hodges Scientific Research Center (LHSRC), continues to search for the creature. So ... we will be sure to take a camera with us when kayaking the lake just in case we spot anything.

Fat Man Walking

So, have you heard the story of "Fat Man Walking"? . . .

Steve Vaught, a 39-year-old husband and father of two, has decided to walk from Oceanside to New York City in order to "lose weight and regain [his] life". Steve is taking six months out of his life to walk across the United States. He hopes to lose weight and also change the behaviors that have caused him to gain the weight. He feels that there is no other option but physical exertion to truly get back into shape. He is calling it "rehab for the fat guy".

He had to prepare for the trip before leaving because he could not even walk across a store without severe leg and back pain. He practiced walking one or two miles daily for the few weeks before his departure. However, the most he walked in one day was only four miles ... this is nothing in comparison to the thousands of miles he would soon be traveling!

Steve began his journey on April 10th and is now over 740 miles from Oceanside (around Casa Blanca, New Mexico). If you have time, you have to check out his daily journal - I can't even begin to explain all that he has experienced. The following are pictures from his journeys ...

The Voyage of Life

"Life is a voyage. The winds of life come strong from every point;
yet each will speed thy course along,
if thou with steady hand when tempest blow canst keep thy course aright and never once let go."

- Theodore Chickering Williams

My Dear Jesus

"My dear Jesus, my Savior,

is so deeply written in my heart, that I feel confident,

that if my heart were to be cut open and chopped to pieces,

the name of Jesus would be found written on every piece."

– Ignatius