Auf Deutsch

September 2004:
Hi everybody! I am still living in Menlo Park, California, about 30 miles south of San Francisco, and in the middle of Silicon Valley. I am renting a ridicolously expensive apartment, but the best thing about it is the lemon tree in the front yard, providing me with the best lemons I ever ate! Stanford University is just a 15 minute bike ride away, and I will be working there as a post doc until December, trying to improve modeling of volcanic deformation. If you ever have a chance to visit the Stanford Campus, you should do so, because it's worthwhile the visit. The architecture is beautiful, and there are lot's of outdoor sculptures (especially by Rodin), as well as well maintained gardens with some gorgeous trees. There is also a lot going on culturally. There are lectures by great scientists, writers, and political figures almost daily. This summer, I went to a lecture and discussion with Isabel Allende. That was quite interesting, especially after having read many of her books, and being quite familiar with her biography. I also took a class in wilderness medicine, taught by several of the founders of this field. I must say, these people have a very special sense of humor.

Over the 4th of July weekend, Dave and I went to Lassen volcano in Northern California. Lassen last erupted in 1914/1915, but there is evidently still a lot of heat there, expressed by several areas of boiling mud pots, and lot's of steam coming out of the ground. We hiked to the summit and explored the main crater. We starting early in the morning and that was a good idea, because it got increasingly hot and crowded with people later in the day. To me, it's always fun to be so close to volcanic activity.

This summer seems to be cooler than usual in the San Francisco Bay area, but it still often gets hotter than I like it. Luckily, there is some natural air conditioning in place: The coastal fog. No matter how hot it gets inland, it is always cool along the coast, because the meteorological conditions usually cause a strong afternoon breeze, and fog in the evenings through mornings. Not everybody is as excited about this as I am! The coast is about 30 driving minutes away, and whenever I can, I go there for a walk along the beach, or for a swim in the pounding waves. All my other spare time, I spend in the sea kayak. I am paddling in San Francisco Bay, or along the coast. It is beautiful, exciting, and a lot of fun. I have found many good friends among the sea kayakers here, and I am still amazed by the energy and skills, friendship and fun, help and wisdom, that this diverse group of people provides. Of course, kayaking is also a good way to cool down during the hot summer months. If there is no waterfall close by, there is always the eskimo roll.

I hope everybody is having a good summer and fall! Doerte