A Special Place

    There was that special place we went to in WI every September….. renewing for the soul.  Now that special place is in CA in May.  We headed up to an area near Bakersfield and had wonderful days there.  It is at a farm that grows pistachios, walnuts, cotton and alfalfa.  This is the area of CA that is flat, flat, flat and only grows tumbleweeds if not irrigated.  You folks in the Midwest probably get a majority of your fruits, nuts and vegetables from this area.  To get there you travel over the Grapevine- a road that takes you up 4000 ft of elevation to get over the mountains.  It is a 3 1/2 hour trip if there aren't any traffic/accident delays.  It was very toasty hot there-especially on the weekend- high 90's.  I went earlier than Dave and this was one of my traveling companions :)

Well watered grass and areas of much appreciated shade.

Tenters stayed among the pistachio trees.

Pistachios

It is hard to see what Kenny has in his hand but he was quite pleased for that meeting. Dave caught a frog that was hopping through the meeting tent!

The road home- fields and fields of crops.

Grapevines

My new infusion pitcher from C&B.  Love the tasty water!

Monday night we beat the heat by heading to the coast. We did our 4 mile walk along the beach. Then we picked up carry out and this was our view for dinner! Very inexpensive beachfront dining. And that speck in the sky is Dave's plane! 

Catching up

Looking out form the stadium to the bay

  I have fallen behind on the blogging….my interest has waned a bit. Just too busy living and enjoying life here in sunny Cali.
   Our Brew Crew came to town so we ventured out to Petco Park to cheer them on. And we recruited Jacinda (formerly of Waukesha,WI) and her San Diego born husband Chad. It was a beautiful Monday evening near the bay. A beautiful baseball stadium.

Brewer fans

Gorgeous view of the SD skyline from our seats.

Ha ha! This is what native San Diegans do when it drops to 60 degrees!

So glad these "kids" don't mind hanging out with us older people!

Celebrated Jane's Birthday recently. My 2 beautiful friends who help exercise me.

Special brunch companions. Ayla and her mom Jeanelle. 

And Grannie Denita my cousin:) visiting from Oregon.

   Last Sunday we had a lovely day spent with friends. A wonderful morning fellowship meeting then lunch out. Then…… the big hike. We have been meaning to hike Mount Woodson for awhile now.  It is 6.4 mile roundtrip and 2000 ft elevation increase. So we were prepared- I am in much better shape than I was 1 year ago. It was a semi warm day that grew to feel HOT once we started hiking. Here is the mountain lion that is always advertised but rarely seen. Don't we look all set?

Lake Poway

This is as far as I got before collapsing in the shade with my power bar and water.  A new medication I am taking affected my metabolism/blood sugar and I decided to stop before someone had to carry me out! So I didn't get to the top.

Potato Chip Rock and a conquering Dave!

Trae and Dave

The crew minus Dave and me. Jeannie, Brooke, Scott, Jeanette, Colleen, and Trae.

Dave on his i pad playing me in Ruzzle while enjoying the couch he said we didn't need! He is a pretty awesome husband :)