Linus by the lake:
We were done with skiing for the day and checking out Tahoe City. It was cool how you could run around by the water!
Check out Earl’s beard:
Someone was a Good Boy and got a “cookie” at the upscale pet shop in Truckee (he also got a new dog bed!)
There was some drool happening
Finally!!
We skied with our friend Dom for a few days at Squaw (myself in yellow, Andrea in the middle and Dom in red)
Dom splits his time between Truckee and SF, and knows Squaw really well. He led us down this pretty scary slope called “The Attic.” Being… not on my best ski game this year, I was just happy I made it down!
Near the top of Granite Chief, our friends Andrea and Mattius who live down the street from us near UCSF. Mattius was REALLY FAST on his snowboard. We played Chinese downhill to high camp and he creamed everyone by about … 20 seconds! His strategy was to go straight and not turn. They must breed ‘em fast in the Alps. Then again, this is the same guy who got ticketed for speeding on the autobahn, so…
And finally, here is Linus running in the snow just south of Carson Pass. We were stopped by CalTrans waiting for the pass to open that morning, so decided to have a romp!
Oh, and just so she doesn’t feel left out, here’s a little video I shot of Lucy chilling in her box:
Our gander down the California seacoast over New Years was so special and so dear to my heart that I almost feel it would be crass to share too much. Sometimes with blogging I have to remind myself to keep certain things earmarked as just for me- instead of braying them all over the internet. On that note, I am simply going to post up a few photos from our adventure and leave it at that. Earl, Linus and I had an amazing time exploring the shoreline and rang in 2010 in an unforgettable manner.
I hope you all had a stupendous New Years.
One of the many beaches where we stuck our toes in the sand on a foggy grey morning.
The way the waves were crashing into these rocks and sending ocean spray flying- not only was the air perfumed with salty goodness, but the visuals were absolutely stunning.
We sat for a while watching the tide flow in and out from in between this rock gully.
Interesting looking erosion on this seaside rock. Apparently it has an interesting smell, as well!
5’ in front of the picnic bench where we sat sipping our coffee, this was going on:
Oh, joyful way to wake up on a lazy morning!
One of the state parks we visited had this placard about how it used to be a butter and cheese mecca. Sounds like my kinda family empire
We took a tour to see Elephant Seals!
An Alpha asserts his dominance.
They looked like big sea slugs just lying around! We were about 25ft from them at all times. Moving around at a surprisingly fast clip, we saw them undulating like big eels.
Slapping sand over themselves to stay warm and ward off bugs
A little further away, we saw a mother seal give birth, and a swarm of gulls descended to eat the placenta. There was also a very brave coyote skirting around hoping to get some placenta and dead seal pups.
Nerd vs Elephant Seal
This is Ano Nuevo Island. It used to be a Peninsula, but has since eroded into an island. Also, this house was built in the 1920s from redwood planks. It has been abandoned since 1950, but still stands true despite being zero maintenance and constant beatings from ocean waves and winds. A testament to the strong redwood boards and old-style craftsmanship. It is also entirely inhabited by seals, sea lions and gulls! Humans do not set foot on the island.
An Alpha and his “harem.” Bow chica wow wow….
This guy found a spot all to himself! Must be an exiled beta.
We whiled away an afternoon noshing cheeses (and cheeses, and cheeses) at a goat farm
Hadley Farms hosts ornate gourmet, locally grown dinners in the goat farm in this charming old barn. We’d love to come back for one, although at $150 per ticket (for a 5-hour “experience”) they are a tad beyond our current budget.
Hullo, ladies
Hadley Goat Farm
Our stowaway! We did not drink champagne on the balcony at midnight (we were erm… in bed!) nor did we utilize the outdoor hottub, but E and I have avowed to return and take full advantage soon.
We cozied up with a bottle of this
Oh hey! You’re eating brie on a rosemary olive oil rustic loaf? I’d like some if you’re feeling kind.
CJ + couch + corg
Oh, hello there! Our co-habitant, Ivy in all her glory.
Canine and swine bond over their love of carrots! Linus was *very* scared of Ivy. He was curious, and went up to smell her, but then was skittish and backed away whenever she would stick her nose through the fence. Ivy was SUPER friendly- very personable!! She was such a sweet girl and completely charmed us for the days we stayed with her. The pig makes a hard case against eating bacon.
Sniff, sniff. You guys got anymore carrots out there?
We happened upon this pumpkin field of sheep. I wish I had a polarizer, because this photo does not do the colors we saw justice! Think very bright greens with striking oranges.
Wouldn’t be a complete trip without a burger and a beer!
Earl has been instructed not to read this (seeing as he’s the administrator of this site, it’s impossible to keep secrets from him if I want to write about them here).
But, I will let you all in on a surprise, as he’s promised not to read.
Guess what? Over New Years, I am taking my beloved away on a romantic trip! Our first real vacation in over a year and a half!!! This is very exciting because it punctuates the end of my period of “unemployment” and “career change” and “being broke” and all the sad, empty wallet and second guessing/soul searching side effects that come with that decision.
We’re heading down the coast to a bed and breakfast Pescadero and Ano Nuevo State Park to see elephant seal mating season. Star watching, oceanside picnics, mountaintop hikes, bottles of champagne, wine tasting and potbellied pigs are all on the agenda. You heard right. The bed and breakfast we’re staying at has a pet pot bellied pig! So cute, right? We’re even bringing Linus, so I wonder how he will react when meeting the pig, who is apparently housebroken and lives in the main house, using his own piggy-sized doggie door to come and go at his leisure.
Here is the “room” (it’s a 2-story tower! we get the whole thing) where we will be staying:
We shall be sitting on that balcony at midnight on New Years Eve, looking out over the ocean, sharing a snog and toasting to the new decade!
and here es le oinker:
I am so, SO excited for this trip and all that it represents. It fills me with joy to be able to pay for us to do something like this myself, FINALLY. Even though this trip is just a small weekend, it makes me very happy to do something special for Earl after all of the love and support he has given me over the past year and a half.
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