Byrne Milliron Forest

The smoke was thick in SJ so we headed over the hill to hike at a new place:  Byrne Milliron Forest.  It was off the beaten path so there were not very many people. 

It was a gypsy forest with lots of quirky items placed around the forest.  We enjoyed exploring and looking for statues, crystals and other items.

You can see the smoke here which is a look out at the top of the mountain.  It was a really warm, humid day, which is unusual that close to the coast.

 After the hike, we went to Sunset State Beach for a picnic overlooking the ocean - so good for the soul!

Nameste

Got these at Trader Joes - they bring me such joy!  They are right behind my computer so I look at them all day.

Off to College

After 20 months, it's time for Astrid to go off to college.  We had a TNDC Farewell Party for her the nite before and a walk and ball playing the morning of.  She is ready.  It is time.  

Contemplating life in college!

Astrid and her sister are ready to change someone's world!

 

Sisters

Early last week, we found out that Astrid's sister, Athena, who was being raised in Seattle was catching a private plane down to the Bay Area for turn in on Monday August 23.  And instead of her going into the kennels 5 days early, we offered to keep her.  

A plane had brought 8 puppies from Santa Rosa to Seattle to go to puppy raisers.  So Athena jumped on the empty plane back!  Jim was a trooper and drove up to the Sonoma Jet Center to pick her up.  And then brought her to the cabin.

She did great and enjoyed a bunch of head scratches from Jim in the front seat of his truck for 3 hours.  What a trip for a dog!

Here is a story about the puppies.

Celebration of Life

Unfortunately Aunt Ginny unexpectedly passed away at the end of July.  That led to the blessing of family getting together to celebrate her life.  It was extra special since we had not seen anyone during the pandemic.  Eric and Susan stayed with us for a couple days and we made good use of the time by hiking Quicksilver, taking a drive up to Mt Uhmunum and playing a new card came called "sweep".

A Man and his Granddog

Oak getting snuggled for a selfie and not sure she is really into it.  But her grandpa loves her so much he doesn't care!

Astrid goes to Work

Astrid squeezed in a trip to work before she went to "college".  It was a great experience because she had never been in an elevator or on a high floor looking out a window.  Because we are still in pandemic protocols, there were only 6 people on the floor and we were in a conference room most of the time.  But she did great - until lunch time and then she got ants in her pants.    Luckily a friend from work who is also a puppy raiser and lives locally came to pick her up so she could go have a play date with his dog, Oprah.

 

Time for "College"

It is time for Astrid to go to college because we have lost our drive to keep her on the straight and narrow.  For example - yesterday on the boat, she thought it would be a good idea to come up on my lap - uninvited.  And because I am sad that she is going to be leaving and because she is on her "Farewell Tour", I just let it happened and reasoned that it's teaching her to be snuggly!

Farewell Tour

We got t-shirts to celebrate Astrid's Farewell tour before she goes back for professional training.

 

Astrid III - Update

It is a little over 2 weeks until Astrid goes to professional training.  A few things to note:

1.  Below are three of my favorite pictures of her.

2.  She is continuing her "Farewell Tour" and recently took 2 camping trips with G to the eastern side of the Sierras.  "Farewell Tour" t-shirts are on order!

3.  She has started this crazy alarm barking that might get her released.  We have talked to the puppy program manager about it and are doing everything they suggested but at dusk, she gets very alarmed at....nothing!

20 months old - her turn in picture, taken at Cherry Lake

8 weeks old - right before she came to live with us!

 15 months old - on top of Table Top Mountain