Year: 2014
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Joshua Tree
It’s been many years since my last climbing trip. I was a college student then. Now, my residents think that I can still do this, and Lucas set me up with gear. My main reason to go out to Joshua Tree was to get some Milky Way shots. But at this time of year, I…
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Gazebo Seat Project
This second of three projects for the year (the first being the cabinet) was dragged out over too many months, but I’m so happy that the gazebo seats overlooking the pond are finally done: the designing, joining, sawing, assembling, painting, and cleaning. The lumber was a combination of maple for the seat bottom and poplar…
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Family Vacation: Jackson
Having left Yellowstone National Park, we reenter the Grand Tetons from the north, passing by Jackson Lake before reaching Teton Point Turnout for sunset. Far to the east, storm clouds build; there is a faint rainbow amidst the rain spouts. I think there are more angry clouds beyond the western ridges, since the sunset colors…
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Family Vacation: Yellowstone
Approaching through the south entrance of Yellowstone National Park, we first visit vast and expansive Yellowstone Lake. Mud Volcano basin is interesting, and Andy is drawn to Dragon’s Mouth Spring, which spews a sulfurous breath to all who approach.
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Family Vacation: Grand Tetons
After Boston, I fly directly to Jackson Hole. The plane circles in from the north and tucks in under the blanket of clouds. Below, the valley is beautiful, dotted with golden cottonwoods and aspens in a two-colored mosaic. Upon landing and after getting the car, I rush to the Snake River Overlook for a sunset…
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Mount Washington
This has been a phenomenal hiking season. Starting with summiting one of the most prominent mountains of Southern California—Mt. San Jacinto, the peakbagging list includes Mauna Kea, Mount Whitney, and now Mount Washington. I’ve read about Washington many times. Visiting Boston for the American Society for Surgery of the Hand meeting, I knew I had…
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High Sierra Trail: Day 8
Hikers bidding for the summit trudge by our campsite. Even though it’s barely light outside, I see their headlamps and hear their voices. Then, I hear Mickey. He and Wayne are off early as well. They are going to hike down to Whitney Portal first, where they will unload and clean up, thus avoiding the…
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High Sierra Trail: Day 7
The alpenglow foreshadows the glorious day this will be. Hovering above the Great Western Divide, just before sunrise, the band of orange sky washes the entire landscape in a warm hue, in absolute contrast to the nippy cold air. The color of the meadow’s grass looks a bit strange. Of my group, I’m the first…
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High Sierra Trail: Day 6
Like the other mornings, the routine is pretty much the same—hot breakfast, clean up, pack, and head out. We quickly gain elevation on this climb out of the Upper Kern Canyon. Before long, we are looking back down the canyon that is open to the clear blue sky. Then, we join Wallace Creek and hike…
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High Sierra Trail: Day 5
We’ve been looking forward to this mid-trip breakfast. Even though the powdered eggs turn rubbery when overcooked, the vegetarian bacon bits add enough flavor to the dish of scrambled eggs and hash browns. The little packets of ketchup make all the difference. Along with two rounds of French press coffee, this turns out to be…
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High Sierra Trail: Day 4
I’m the first one up on this short rest day. The sky is clear, and I emerge from my tent in time to catch the first light on the distant mountains, painting the tops a fiery orange. Moraine Lake is a perfect mirror. I step onto the lakeshore to take pictures, tiptoeing between bear tracks…
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High Sierra Trail: Day 3
It’s a lazy morning. We’ve had a tough second day, and to reward ourselves, we decide to not rush it. Mickey had slept under the stars, and that must have been beautiful. Wayne, seated on a smooth boulder, reads his devotional. I take pictures of the stark above-treeline views. Mark pulls out his fishing rod,…
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High Sierra Trail: Day 2
This would be our hardest day, stumbling into camp around sunset, completely exhausted. But, the start of the day is great. We set off early, climbing through thick forest along the gentle trail covered with soft forest litter. Soon, we arrive at Bearpaw Meadow. The luxury of staying there for $350 per night doesn’t seem…
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High Sierra Trail: Day 1
We’re off! Setting out from Crescent Meadow, the trail climbs a gentle knoll through carpets of fern fronds shaded under giant sequoia stands. After about a mile, we emerge from the forest and hike along the open slopes, passing Eagle View Overlook. Across the valley, Cathedral Rocks provide a steady landmark throughout most of the…
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High Sierra Trail
It’s all about the luxury items. The scale is actually quite ruthless, and ever since Brad convinced me to try using it before our trip to Rainier, I’ve been letting the scale make most decisions. The pack weighs 1191 g, the sleeping bag 1038 g; and the second shirt 156 g. In total, my pack’s…
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The Boatmen’s Song
The term “Ao Ai” 《欸乃》 originally appeared during the Tang Dynasty, in a poem by Yuan Jie 元結. As a guqin melody, however, this piece traces to 1549. Also known as the “Northern Fishermen’s Song” 《北漁歌》, the more well-known title “Ao Ai” is an onomatopoeia—it’s melody was written to conjure up sounds of oars and…
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Excursions on the Big Island
Before this trip, I was made fun of. It’s because I tightly budgeted the times for exploring the island while not in the meetings of the Western Orthopaedic Association, and my time plan was more like a work schedule. The good thing is, the meeting is set up so that most all of the afternoons…
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Mauna Kea
We could have just driven up there, against the car rental policy. I didn’t actually read the verbiage, but according to a lot of websites, most rental car companies prohibit driving up the road from the Mauna Kea Visitor Information Station to the top. So, we decided to hike it. Joining me are my senior…
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Western Orthopaedic Association 2014
The Western Orthopaedic Association meeting took place on the Kona Coast, at the Fairmont Orchid. The Loma Linda University group had several papers that were presented over the days of the meeting. Thursday Robert Quigley: Comparison of bupivacaine and liposomal bupivacaine toxicity in articular chondrocytes Friday Krysten Bell: Comparison of skin surface pressure beneath bias-cut…
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Mt. San Jacinto Peak
This trip was to realize what was left unaccomplished last time with the Orthopaedic Surgery Interest Group (OSIG). The goal, for those of us who are struck with summit fever at times, was to stand on Mt. San Jacinto’s peak. Andrew, Co-President of OSIG, had sent out the notices weeks before, and the original student…
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Dinner for SBCMS Staff
It’s a sultry day—perfect for sitting by the pond, sipping iced tea from mason jars. Because of the enormous amount of work that went in to the Installation of Officers’ dinner, I’m having the San Bernardino County Medical Society staff members over for dinner as a thank you. On the menu: Caprese on sticks, stuffed mushrooms,…
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Cabinet Construction
Of the three springtime building projects, this cabinet was the first to get done. The stairs down into the pond pump and filter vault needed to be concealed, and I thought a cabinet would both be functional and aesthetic. Starting in May, I bought some redwood lumber to supplement the scrap pieces that I already…
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SBCMS Installation of Officers 2014
It was great to catch up with Dr. Ken Lane, who, along with Dr. Bangasser, introduced me to San Bernardino County Medical Society when I was a student. Tonight, I felt honored to be joined by my family, colleagues from Loma Linda University Health, and representatives from the medical community. Tonight’s award recipients went to:…
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Montreal AOA/COA Meeting
There was little time to explore the city during this year’s combined American and Canadian Orthopaedic Associations’ meeting. From the reviews, the Emerging Leaders Program was another success. I also learned a lot from the Council of Orthopaedic Residency Directors (CORD), where there were many take-home messages on resident assessments, milestones, surgical skills training, and…
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Goodbye, ’Ma
My grandma comfortably passed away four days ago at the age of 90. The guqin piece below, Evening Call of the Raven 烏夜啼, is dedicated in her memory. * * * * * ’Ma was born April 19, 1924, the sixteenth day of the third lunar month, year of the Rat 甲子年三月十六, to my great…
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California Orthopaedic Association in Monterey
This year’s California Orthopaedic Association took place in beautiful Monterey. Hutch Huddleston and Leslie Kim put together a nice program, beginning with practice management topics. The Saturday night gala at the Poppy Hills Golf Course featured guitar and steel drum—Caribbean Extravaganza. On Sunday, we participated in the “What’s New in Hand Surgery” symposium that Neil…