First blood!

'S' was able to get her first confirmed kill today. We went out deer hunting on the edge of the desert. We did not see any deer, so we put away the rifle, headed south about a mile, broke out the 20 gauge shotgun, and started walking, we didn't get far before we heard a rabbit, 'S' took aim, and made a perfect shot.
It was an especially proud moment, because she was able to use the shotgun that my Dad had used most of his life, handed it down to me, and now my daughter is using it.

Home Coming

The girls took a break from there lives in Softball, Volleyball, golfing, hunting, and dirtbiking to get all cleaned up, dressed up, and looking beautiful as always.
I am a proud Dad. The girls looked great, and carried themselves very well. 'A' was asked to the dance by a very nice young man named Miles, and I knew he would take great care of my first born. They went out to eat as a group, and danced, and had a good night.
'S' was also asked to the dance by her best friends, dates, friend.
They are all buddies, but it was 'S' first time on a a semi-date. She was nervous. and rightfully so, her wallet is missing. Just kidding.


















"Why you no pay me?"

New hunter in the Family

'S' took the hunter safety class today with Dad, and we both passed. She got her hunting license at Walmart, and the next step is to kill something.
Here she is shortly after getting her license:

scouting success

I went out scouting today, and took my traveling buddy..... Sasha!
We started in McCain Valley, I did a small hike with her, and she did great. I started another 4 mile hike, and she didn't make it 100 ft before getting cactus burrs. I had to take her back to the truck, and off I went.
I saw some sign, and found a lake I didn't know about, not a bad place, lots of fresh tracks.
We left McCain and went to Pine Valley. I went to a spot where I had seen some fresh tracks in the past, and today was no disappointment. found some big fresh tracks. Then My little buddy found an abandon mine. It had been closed off, but still, pretty cool.
Here is the hoof prints,( notice the rear pads are touching, and the spread between the pads.

Freshmen win!

Girls Won a tournament over the weekend, and basically went undefeated.

Volleyball

My Girl getting some court time in:

Herping

Went out riding, and scouting. We came across a rattlesnake on the trail while riding, and we saw one or two on the road. This one I only got a shot of with my phone camera. The picture does not do it justice, this snake was just beautiful, it had light red features on its brown skin. We left it alone after our paparazzi moment.

some yard work

I decided that the Saga Palms in the front of the house, and blocking the window, was just getting to big. The removal would be a lot of work with shovel, and pick. I needed to find another way. My neighbor, Dan, has a bobcat or skip loader(Dallas). I dug around the base of the tree, clipped the lower branches, and hooked a chain around the base. I pulled the tree out with the skip loader. I also gave "S" a chance to learn how to drive it, and she did very well.

Men: your not alone

Chula Vista Militia

Made a connection with the Chula Vista Militia.
It was time to site in the scope for my deer rifle. Some time in December, I bought a Savage .270 deer rifle. I bought a Leupold Scope, and sited it in. The mounts kept loosening up, and I did not like them. I bought new mounts, which means I had to resite the scope in. Robert, Nick( his son) and I went out to the local mountains, to meet up with the other half of the group Mike, his twin sons Matt, and Mike and they had an arsenal of guns, and targets.
We had small to large calibur rifles, shotguns, and handguns the 22lr handguns were the most fun for me.
We set up targets at 200yds, 100yds, 75, 50, and handgun plate targets at 20yds
I don't have pictures of the targets, or me shooting, but here is the whole gang sans me.

High School sports has started.

Sorry, It has been a while since I posted. 'A' is back into golf, and is starting to play rounds at Torrey Pines. 'A' Was also picked up by a Travel Ball team with a good reputation ( So Cal Breakers) 'S' Has also started her High School Career By making the Freshman Volley Ball squad. They are a strong bunch of girls. The girls also played in a tournament calle OTL (Over the line) They played last year, and the year before. The game is played in the sand on a court. 3 man teams and you toss the ball to your teammate who tries to hit the ball in the court for a bass hit, or a home rune ( over the last player in the air)The 3 girls defending try to catch the balls for outs. Here are some pictures:

Truck on the move

My good friend Bob and I drove up to Barstow and back, then to Chula Vista, then back to San Diego for 400miles+. but we got the truck down to the engine installers, and it could take 2 weeks. guess I need to get used to the motorcycle.

Truck trouble

We got back from Utah, barely:
Just after we got through Las Vegas. I had truck trouble. The Dodge started overheating, and as fast as I could pull it over, The temperature gauge pegged, and the engine started knocking, and the engine seized and shut off. 'A' and I were stranded in the desert in 113deg heat, waiting for AAA. after 50 mins. they showed up, and towed us 50 miles to Barstow where Kim picked me up she drove up from San Diego 2.5 hours. It is a sad day in the Ratza house. This is going to cost between $3k - $6k, to fix.
Anybody out there got an extra hemi motor?
E

got out for a hike

We decided to brave the heat ( 100+) and get out to see the physical geography. The local mountains were so picturesque. we had to go for a little hike and some rock climbing( in flip flops)
Amber was a little more daring then me, but I held my own, enjoy:

St. George Utah

Made a road trip to St. George Utah for , what else? A softball tournament. It is hot here, but beautiful. So far we have just been back and forth to the fields and hotel, here is a picture, to start with, I will get some more today.

Please pray for the passing of Briana Williams. and her Mom

Briana is a pitcher for the our Renegades team (18u) we practiced together, and she is very funny, and loved art.

Briana and her Mom were murdered this morning by her brother.

She Played for Mt Carmel High School, and her mother was a SDPD.

Her Father passed away years ago.



I can't stop thinking about how terrifying her last moments were. News story below:
http://www.10news.com/news/28581654/detail.html