Tuesday, February 26, 2008

SAN DIEGO WITH Z KRIPKE


























After 4 years, we finally stopped talking about visiting Z in San Deigo, and DID it!! Oh, and what fun we had, dogs included. :)
On two or three days notice she planned the most fabulous visit.

Day one: Fun at the dog show. We got to sit ringside and see the Chihuahuas (I have a big soft spot for Chis), Poms and Papillons. Z had the schedule all planned perfectly. Then a fun trip through the vendors. Z is AMAZING. She looks and acts so young. I could hardly keep up with her and had to ask her to slow down a few times, lol.

Our dogs acted as if they had grown up together. They cuddled up in Z's stroller and fell asleep. Bella enjoyed it so much I decided she and Breezey just had to have one of their own. So of course, Z accomodated us by finding a great little pet supply store with strollers. We left with a lovely aqua one. :)


We dined on the famous fish tacos....as fabulous as advertised. :) Then off to the beautiful University for a walk with the girls. The art and architecture here is breathtaking.





The TTouch seminar was next. What an eye opener! I was very impressed with the knowledge and compassion this gal had. We certainly learned much in our 4 hour session. Several dogs had remarkable positive reactions to her work, including Breezey.

Z and Dan's home is so warm and welcoming. I felt comfortable and at home immediately. I really hadn't planned on spending the night, but our rental car never showed up, so Z cheerfully put Bella, Breezey and myself up in her bright and spacious guest room. Dan's stunning blown glass pieces line the shelf under the windows. I admired each and every unique and colorful piece. Dan and Z offered me any piece I wanted! I chose the gorgeous vase he had created that day: a glittering amber piece infused with aqua dichroic glass. It is a treasure.

Day two: After a breakfast of home baked bread, fruit and coffee, Z asked if I would like to make some dichroic glass pieces of jewelry. I adore working with glass, but have never tried this. OH what fun! I could really get into this hobby, for sure. I can't wait to see what comes out of Z's kiln. I had some neat glass to work with, including some laser etched Paps and butterflies that Dan had made with his laser etching machine.

We drove to the RV park to pick up Paul, then spent the day with Z as our tour guide of San Diego. La Jolla bay is breathtaking, truly. Today was especially fabulous because of the huge waves. We got out and walked the dogs in this inspiring place.


Again, the dogs (this time including Anniebelle) enjoyed each others company and were very compatible. Zena even chose to ride in the carseat with Bella and Breezey.

I was so proud of our little Bella. She had such a good time, relaxed and happy no matter where we were or what we were doing.

We still have Wednesday's Papillon Picnic Club walk in Balboa Park to look forward to. I just can't wait!

TWIN PEAKS DESERT SCENERY



















I had been wanting to just take a liesurely drive in the desert and take scenic pix since we arrived in Brenda. Paul and I took advantage of this beautiful day on the desert right after a rain storm. No dust at all. It was a gorgeous clear day near twin peaks.

Monday, February 18, 2008

PERFECT DAY FOR A POWER PARACHUTE























Today was the day the fliers have been waiting for. Just perfect: calm, warm, just a bit hazy so the sun wasn't in their eyes.

Paul and Gary went up for nearly two hours! Both were ecstatic when they returned. I can see these power parachutes make people "high" in more than one sense of the word, lol.


The power parachutes are unique in their ability to cruise low to the ground. I asked, "How Low?" Paul said: "Two feet....no kidding." They cruised along winding 4 wheeler roads, and traveled Preachers Pass, the mountain pass we took coming back from Southern Cross mine.


They enjoyed huge open vistas of all the little towns seen at once, Brenda, Bouse, Parker, Quartzite.


This is as close to flying like a bird as a human can get!

WINDY DAY FOR A POWERCHUTE






Some of the guys just couldn't wait for a calm day, so up they went. (not Paul and Gary) The wind gusts were impressive, and several landing attempts were aborted and tried again.


It did make for some pretty shots of the power parachutes.
Paul and Gary help Jim untwist his chute after landing.

KOFA


While in Quartzite with George and Rachel, I came across a wonderful artist selling her oil paintings of the desert. I loved this one painted of the Kofa wildlife refuge, and bought it to enjoy at home. Her art was ridiculously inexpensive. I couldn't frame it at home for what she charged for her original art work all framed beatifully.

NEW FRIENDS





To say everyone here is friendly is a huge understatement. We make new friends on a daily basis. Yesterday AM a tray of bloody Mary's were brought over to us by complete strangers.


Sylvia and Norm are our "neighbors", just diagonally across from us in a permanent trailer. They are owned by Millie, the tiniest miniature dachshund I have ever seen. Millie was bitten on the side of her face by a side winder rattlesnake, and lived to tell the tale.


Sylvia was a Montana state Legislator, who will be running for Montana state Senate next month.


"Daisy" is one of three Papillons we know of here in the park. She is absolutely precious, and drives her "own" golf cart. She sits high on her owners lap, "steering" golf cart happily around the park.


I'll get more pix of our (and Bella's) new friends before we leave.