Princess

Auntie's littlest princess landed safely in San Francisco.

She embraced the city with enthusiasm...

completely charming auntie!

Look who was taking my picture!

Kaiya love, love, loved the sand and the water!

 A taste of daddy's chocolate ice-cream at Ghiradelli gave her the stamina to walk the streets of San Francisco.

Walk through the Valley...

On April 7 our family piled into the Suburban for a California Delta adventure with my friend, Fred.  

Our first stop was Locke, California.  Together we slowly navigated the town that essentially stands as it did in 1920, just five years after the Chinese established the community.  The store name on the window has faded like the once bustling streets.    

Resting after years of use, an assortment of worn baskets line the walls.

The gambling hall is now quiet, but the games still lay on the tables and in the corners.  I wish I could hear the echo of the voices that once gathered here.

  

As Fred and I stood in the old restaurant kitchen we talked about how hard it would have been to stand over the hot fires and cook all day.  This is my last photo of Fred. 

Afterwards, we drove over to Sacramento and dined on the deck of the Delta King one more time together.  I basked in the gentle breeze...it was a picture perfect day surrounded by my family and Fred. I noticed that Fred had a gentle smile on his face as he watched the kids and would gaze out at the river.  

His smile made me smile.  It was the perfect ending to a perfect day.

He had spent the day revisiting the towns of his teen years, plus, he found his grandfather's store still standing over a century later!  Not to mention we drove by the miles and miles of pear orchards where he had spent his summers working in the hot sun. He loved to share his stories--especially when he would remember something he hadn't thought of in years.  His eyes would light up--utterly delighted!  

Unbeknownst to me that would be my last day with my friend.  He fell later the next day, and the doctors discovered he had fluid on his lungs.  He would return home again, and over a month later he had the strength to talk to me on the phone.  Then on July 14 his family called me to tell me he had entered hospice.  Fred slipped away Sunday morning, July 15.

It had became apparent in recent months that Fred was growing tired and his body was growing weaker, but his mind was strong, and he told me he was old and that time was nearing...

and yet my heart is very sad.

I miss my friend.  He taught me so much.

After reading some of the stories Fred had shared with me, my uncle wrote to me he was struck by how "rich the life of an ordinary man is."

And he was right.  He captured the essence of Fred.

And today I sit with only the memories of Fred and my uncle--who passed away July 12.

One 55.  One 96.

The fragile circle of life.

Void

The bedroom at the end of the hall is unusually quiet.  Chex mix is not baking in the oven or corn popping on the stovetop.  Nor is she reading in her favorite chair...or stealing my computer to chat with friends.

I keep looking for her her even though I know she is gone on her own summer adventure with my sister.

One week ago she flew to Indiana...all alone.  Note she only has a carry-on and bag for a 21 day stay!  Miraculous!  She is notorious for packing heavy.  Of course, since it is 30 degrees warmer there shorts and t-shirts were the only sensible option (and lighter to pack).

She hasn't melted...yet.  My sister is spoiling her.  Her cousin thinks she is cool.  I am worried she won't want to come home.  However, her influence on my niece gives me hope that my brother-in-law will send her home:)

Sunglasses, purse, and lip gloss and the shopping diva is ready!  Definitely the work of my daughter!

The little monkey is charming her cousin with all the cuteness--here she was trying to wave to the neighbors, but they could not see her since she was hidden by the railing, so she solved that problem!  Just like a little girl I once knew...

Kiahra still loves the challenge of keeping her balance.  Here her brother captured her after her ballet performance--suiting that she is pausing in the kitchen with her roses because she spends so much time dancing there too!

I love you, Kiahra!  I miss you!

Dirt Work

As peaceful as life is without cell service or a wireless internet connection...it can be a problem.  I forgot to pay the bills before we left on our trip, and being obsessive about details, I begged my husband to drive me in search of service.  We drove down the road waiting and waiting and waiting for a 3G signal.  Ten miles later we stopped.

In the meantime, the kids were hanging out at the camper.  As they sat at the table looking out the window at the beautiful morning, they noticed movement in the ground just a few feet away.  Fresh dirt was being pushed up.

Upon closer examination, they discovered a head popping out behind the dirt!

Evidently, he was adding on to his house!

After gazing at the sun, he disappeared again for the last time.

When we returned, excited voices were clamoring to tell us the story--complete with photos.

As I gazed at the freshly moved dirt, I felt a pang of envy that I wasn't there to witness the mole working.

Moral:  Look at what we miss when we are "plugged" in!

No Cell Service

As we wound through the redwoods, I felt my anticipation rise as my metropolitan lifestyle drifted away.  We emerged from the coastal mountain to be greeted by the sun dancing on the ocean--creating a sparkling jewel.  When we finally stopped, we were at the end of the road, literally, at a campground bordering an ocean inlet/creek.  

The forest height is impressive as the trees jut into the sky--taller than any other forest I have seen.

The harbor seals were basking in the sun on the rock and dock when the tide was high.  As the tide drifted back out again, they would disappear.  

Then the herons would stand in the river--picturesquely, but waiting patiently for dinner.  In the blink of an eye the long neck would dart beneath the surface and the beak would emerge holding a fish.

My intrepid photographer tried to capture the elusive bird.  His curiosity took him down the trail until he found their destination--high in the tree tops (look closely and click on photos to enlarge).  

As he studied the tree tops, he suddenly realized that there were many nests nearby! Evidently they are social birds that flock together. 

At dusk, their voices came alive.  The one in the nest would call out--and in Ron’s version, she was scolding in the barrage of squawking...”Where are you?  The kids are hungry?  Hurry!”  Then the heron in the water would merely call out once loud and clear.  Late into the night we could hear their calls.  Though for the record, I did discover that the male and female take turns tending the nest and gathering food! So perhaps, it may have been the male squawking...

Birdwatching would have elicited bored yawns from me in years gone by, but in this setting I was intrigued and ready to embrace the experience.  At dawn I found the heron standing with a perfect mirror reflection in the water in the dawning light.  Stunned, I just stood and watched her.  When I reached for my camera, she took flight.  Definitely shy birds!

Disclaimer: Many camping adventure posts to follow frequently!

Shy Guy

I had to work to capture this shy guy.  He wasn't too fond of me, so I had to sneak up on him with my zoom lens.  Then I tiptoed around searching for the best angle.  I almost had the perfect shot when with unbelievable speed he vanished beneath the surface again.

Precariously tottering on the rocks around the tide pools, I decided I was going to be next to disappear into the water, albeit a bit less gracefully, so I stopped stalking the shy guy.

Meanwhile Kade was introducing "Bob" to the girls who thought Bob was very cute.

I was left wondering if Bob was more social than Shy Guy, or if Kade just has better reflexes.