Dog-gone Christmas Ball

Doggies have just as hard time as their humans waiting to open presents...

Giving Thanks...

Thanksgiving 2011

Despite what the media preveys, 

WE ALL have much to be thankful for. 

 Especially FAMILY and FRIENDS!

This time around, 

we were blessed to share each other's company. 

 We had an enjoyable time preparing, cooking...

 and sharing the meal...

remembering our loved ones

 as we 

celebrated

 and gave 

THANKS. 

Busy Beach Blog...

Captivating clips of marine mammals and feathered friends.

Seal Beach

Pelican Patrol

There be Dolphins!

Crash & Terns

SeaCliff Beach Vacation

Never a bad day at the beach! Especially when it's SeaCliff State Beach near Santa Cruz, CA.  Marine layer (aka fog) burned off at about 1:30 pm.  Brilliant sunshine softened with a breeze. Ebb and flow of humanity, but not crowded.

Relaxing in the sand

Finally on vacation

Beach Time for Ma & Pa

Sun, Sea & Sand (some people too)

 In addition to the beach,there were lots of active wildlife...Pelicans, seagulls, seals, dolphins...

Pelican Air Patrol

Seal friend

Moon over Rio del Mar--end to a perfect day at the beach

Langeland's Loft July 2011

Mountain Forest Vacation
Our Home away from Home for a few days...

Alpenlite Site

Our site is part of Calaveras Timber Trails, located near Calaveras Big Trees State Park in CA.

TImber Trails Park

We enjoy our time in the "screen room" gazebo adjacent 

to the Alpenlite.

Welcome to our get-a-way in the mountains

The forest is such a magical place--great for R & R...

...and for family. 
Nice to have our dear family together!

John, Ally, and fur kids Bonnie & Bella

Ryan, Melissa, and fur kid Arden the Dog

Auntie Mel Mel and the fur nieces

Arden the Dog lays it all out

Meanwhile, up at Lake Alpine..

Lounging in the snow in late July

Love the lake and the view

Dog campers

Later...     

Exploring California Caverns near Mountain    

                                    House, CA

Actually the EXIT

 Spelunkers Two

Marblelicious

The sights were grand and the temp was a cool 53 degrees--perfect escape from the near 100 degree heat at the surface.

Happy Cavers

Later that week, we drove east on Hwy 4 from our base camp near Avery... 

Scenic Overlook up Hwy 4

Happy times with Ma & Pa

Doggies with their Peeps

Took a side adventure south of Hwy 4, and discovered a beautiful mountain lake, nice Forest Service campground and day use area.

Spicer Meadow Reservoir

Below the dam was a lovely meadow with Highland Creek meandering through it.

Jody on the Highland Creek bridge

Beautiful Highland Creek below Spicer Dam

Dam Bridge

We searched the byway for the infamous WHALE ROCK.

Finally found it!

Humans apparently have a thing for "decorating" nature...

See ya next time

Marv & Amy's 50th Anniversary Bash

Spent last weekend up in Seattle, WA at DC Liz's place.  Occasion was Uncle and Aunt's 50 wedding anniversary and family gathering.  Great weather...Great food...Great fun!

Cuttin' the cake again after 50 years

Family Photo

View from Liz's home--looking north

View from Liz's home--looking south

Cake was YUM-MO Fantastic

Cousins & fam

We all went to church the next day

Father's Day Surprise

It's tough to get one by the Old Goat...it does occasionally happen.  DW says let's go to Murphys. Pick up some provisions and lunch at a favorite feeding spot.  So I agree to the plan, not knowing I'm being set up--Surprise Father's Day lunch with DD, BF, Arden the dog, and of course DW.

Murphys, CA

Main Intersection in Murphys, CA

Alchemy Wine Bar & Cafe

Looking for a little exercise after a fabulous lunch, we wandered north on Main Street. 

South stretch of Main Street in Murphys

Group pose by Murphys' Creek

 Daughter, Dad, and Arden the dog

DD, BF, Arden the dog

After a walk to the park and a few photo ops, we meandered back to our transports and bade farewell.  

WELL DONE MEL!!!

AirShow!

Went to the Beale AFB Air Show--many static aircraft, old and new...

C-47/DC-3

C-17 Globemaster III 

???

Scary RQ 4A Global Hawk

Mel's F-22 Raptor

This is it!

Raptor's Vectored Thrusters

Mel and the WarBird...Douglas A26C Invader

The REAL reason for going to any air show

Odd...