Week 40

In to the great wide open

Under the skies of blue...

~ Tom Petty

We went camping on the coast! Finally. There is nothing like being on the edge of the continent with the

wind in my hair, the waves crashing on the rocks, and the endless view - unless there's fog. Even the fog was beautiful! It was worth the short trip and very much needed. I have hundreds of photos that won't all fit here so, here is a sampling.

An Anise Swallowtail entertaining me while we were stopped on the side of the road.

All set up just before sunset. View from the door of our trailer.

We didn't get any epic sunsets due the fog bank off-shore.

Picked up a few of these awesome sturdy mugs.

The view of our campsite from the cliffs. 

Standing on the edge of the continent.

Had to get an "Usie".

He doesn't want me taking his picture.

Headed down to the cove for some exploring.

The ice plant colors during sunset!

She was not ready to leave and wasn't moving from that spot.

These two are too cute.

They found "chairs" to sit in.

Rock climbing.

I asked him to pose like a super hero. I'm not sure what he was going for here.

The mouth of the Russian River.

Week 27

Continuing on with my birthday celebration. CynCyn spent the whole week with us. She got to see some friends, visit the boys' offices, spend quality time with the 4T's, go out to brunch, lunch, multiple dinners, day trip around the bay, wine tasting, and binge-watch Ted Lasso. We all enjoyed her visit and miss her already. 

It was the best birthday week ever!

Good morning Hubs and Dr. CynCyn.

Time to pack up camp and go home.

Putah Creek from our campsite

Monticello Dam, Napa CA

Wild blackberries that I won't touch because they grow with poison oak.

Aunty and Niece

Aunty and Nephew

Checking out the neighborhood Little Free Library.

Carpaccio appetizer at Luna.

Snuggles

 

Sather Tower from the parking lot of the Greek Theater.

San Francisco Bay Area from Grizzly Peak.

Our view of the San Francisco skyline while wine tasting in Alameda.

Week 26

While the world burns…Oh, I mean let me get this out of the way. 

I made this banner for my July Facebook cover photo. I like to change them up every month even if it’s the only thing I post and this one needed to be shared. I also set up a fundraiser on Facebook for Planned Parenthood for my birthday. It ends on the 16th and I’m hoping to get $500 that I plan to match.

 

In the meantime, I had a wonderful 60th birthday celebration. 

Camping, boating, tubing, mimosas, food, drinks, music, family, fun, and a “hitchhiker” we picked up from the shore. I had no idea who the woman was for a few seconds and I want to always remember seeing her, waving champagne bottles, and smiling at us…our Dr. CynCyn flew out from Florida to surprise me and spend the week with us. Excellent job family! I love you all, past the sky.

A view of Putah Creek from our campsite.

Putah Creek at sunset.

Putah Creek at Sunrise on my birthday.

Family ❤️

It was as fun as it looks!

It was a challenge to get sharp focus of these priceless faces from a moving boat,

still, I'm so glad I brought my camera. 

The perfect birthday weather.

Week 16

What a fun trip! We took our new trailer camping, finally. We joined our son, his family, and almost forty of his friends in the Mendocino National Forest for his 30th birthday. Lots of dirt bikes, travel trailers, little kids, big kids, rain, sunshine, HUGE campfires, food, adult beverages, five dogs, a baby goat, a fox, and FUN. I have a gazillion more photos to sort, edit, and get into an album or gallery. I'll try to remember to update here with a link when it's done. 

Yep, we drove towards the rain clouds.

This was spectacular! And then...

...on the other side of the road, ELK! grazing in the rain.

Headed up into the rain clouds. It was so beautiful though!

One view of our group campsite. We woke up to snow, thankfully higher up in the hills.

Jesse and Paisley, cruising the campsite.

Birthday morning ride.

Bri and Paisley's turn.

Playing in the water in her snow clothes and living her best life.

Logan waiting not so patiently to ride.

The guys ride. Paisley wanted to go too.

Packing it all up to go home. Logan was "helping."

Happy 30th Birthday, Jesse!