Mammoth

I said a few days ago that I was going to try to be up to date on the blog by the new year.  I'm almost there, but it is 10:50 on December 31st and I am drinking a glass of wine that is making me sleepier and sleepier, and I am still in September.  That's why I am not a big fan of resolutions.  Just general categories.  Things to be intentional about, think about.  No need to DECLARE anything really.  

So, probably won't be up to date, but I will think about it.

We went to Mammoth in September and it was beeyootiful.  Going in the off season, we got a condo for a decent price.  Actually, we could have slept in the van for the amount of time we actually spent in the condo.  The first day we hiked to Devil's Post Pile.  This amazing post-like formation formed when volcanic rock cooled quickly.

 Becoming Junior Rangers

View from the bottom

View from the top.  It was crazy - like octagonal pavers.

The kids really turned a corner on this outing.  And by "turned a corner," I mean much less whining and a lot more exploring.  

 Top of Rainbow Falls

 Bottom

 Watching the guys from above

 Yes, she is half naked.  At least she has underwear on here - they finally dried out.   You can fill in the blanks...

 He will not be left behind!

 It got chilly the second day when we hiked to several mountain lakes.  This was breath taking.  Coming from TN, where all the lakes are low, it was amazing hiking higher and higher to more water.  And the wind was whipping!

 And there was snow!

We must go here again.

Palomar - Year 3

The first year we visited Palomar we just went up for the day.  The past two years we have stayed a couple of nights.  As much as we love living in the city, I miss being able to just let our kids go out and wander.  I can remember disappearing into the neighborhood and woods as a kid for hours.  I would never do that now - not because times are so much worse - I don't think things have changed much really.  We just live in a different type of place, not as suitable to roaming the 'hood.  Anyway, Palomar Christian Retreat Center is a great little place where the kids can come and go as the please and I think I enjoyed that as much as they did.

 Long way to retrieve any errant shots.

 Acorn woodpeckers.  Apparently they were anticipating a famine.

 Yes, that is a purse she is carrying.

 The archery is a highlight for the kids.

 Dark-eyed Junco

 Can you find the titmouse?

 Yes, she too is carrying a purse.  What is it with these city girls?

 Raising a little birder.

 Bluebirds

Looking forward to winter 2014.

Idllywild

While Mike's family was here, we had a chance to run into the mountains for a couple nights. All we did was read and walk and eat and sleep. That's it, really. So nice. This was a view of the peaks above our little cabin.
Poor Greta was fighting a virus...which actually worked in our favor because she didn't mind sleeping and walking (being pushed or carried) around the whole time.
Stellar's Jay. First time I saw one of these, I thought for sure it was a woodpecker...a blue one! I was so excited. Duh.
Actual woodpecker. Acorn woodpecker...and yes, those are all their holes. They hide acorns (obviously) in them for food later.
Not sure what this is.
Even though you can't hear it, still sounds peaceful doesn't it?

Being there

I really like San Francisco. I never spell it right the first time. But as a city, I enjoyed it and would like to go back...maybe without children. We love our children, don't get me wrong. But sometimes it is just nice to travel a little lighter.Minna's parents were in town as well and it was fun to tour around with them.


One rough lookin' city bird. Go ahead, blow him up - r.u.f.f.
The famous Painted Ladies.



We rode the ferry over to Sausalito.
Having a little mother daughter moment...and probably only my mother will be able to look at this picture and know that it was strenuous, not sentimental moment.


Minna's little baby bump.

Alcatraz. I am currently reading The Count of Monte Cristo and this is what I picture for the Chateau d'If.
So, do you even remember that this was the impetuous for the whole trip?
And it was totally worth it!
She was wonderful!!
Olivia made a dozen or so drawings the week before we left with the intention of giving them to the actors in the play. She was so proud to do so and they were very gracious.
It was a wonderful trip all the way around.