Country Drive

With spring trying its hardest to bloom forth this year, we thought we'd go for a drive a few days ago to see how she was doing.  I truly believe we live in one of the most beautiful places with so many differing scenery options.  This day we chose country views.

Though we were hoping for fields of wild flowers, there were only a few patches of poppies.  Too little to even get out the camera.

But, we saw some ground squirrels, birds, and a bunch of cattle.

No fences to keep these bad boys off the road.  But, they definitely were quite interested in us.  They may have been a bit put out since we didn't even ask permission to take their pictures. 

I just love to watch cattle as they mosey along.  They always look like they think they are so much smarter than I am.  Maybe they are.

Look at this one giving us a side glance. 

We only saw two snakes, but they were less than a few minutes from each other.  Both in the road.  This one we tried to urge off the road before he got hit, but he wouldn't listen.  As few vehicles that are out his way, he probably thought he had all the time in the world.

However, we knew better.  This was the second snake we saw.  He had already been hit.  Though, to be honest, I can't say I was sad. 

This looked like a rattler and I am so afraid of rattlesnakes.  I guess I feel like that's one less to breed and perhaps come my way.  I know.  I doubt if his descendants would have ended up in my backyard, but still.  It just somehow makes me feel better. 
Don't judge me!  They scare me!

So, I don't leave you with thoughts of venomous snakes, here's a fabulous bush we drove by.  The picture doesn't do it justice, but it was a fantastic flash of color in the midst of all the green of the rolling hills.

Aquarium, Part 1

For Christmas last year, we gave our grandchildren a trip to the Monterey Bay Aquarium, to be taken in family groups (minus the nursing babies and without parents).  Due to busy schedules and other stuff, we are just getting around to making good on our gift.  We took the Abdelaziz children last month and are scheduled to take the Gombojavs next month.  Hopefully, the Correas will follow soon. 

The Aquarium is an awesome place where it is very easy to spend the entire day and still feel like you haven't seen everything to your satisfaction.  My only complaint is that there were too many political displays.  I don't like being bombarded with political agendas while trying to enjoy the wonders that God has created.  However, it is a great place and they do a lot of good for the ocean and its creatures.

It is about two hours away, so we left early and had to stop for lunch.  We wanted to eat before we went in and the only place we saw was here, a place I haven't been to in ages!  But, what child doesn't want fries?  And a chocolate chip cookie for dessert?

Here we are walking from the parking garage down Cannery Row ready for our adventure.

I certainly cannot do justice to the sea life, so I won't be showing a lot of "fish" pictures, but since this is definitely Abishai's favorite, it must have its place in this story.

Jael was very conscientious and took little notes about everything that interested her.  She brought little slips of paper in her pocket.

The children loved all the hands-on learning.

Standing under a wave is exciting even if you know it's coming -- since you've stood here wave after wave. 

So, the girl on the right is the same little girl on the right in the picture below. 

How time flies!

(Meg, Izzy, Jael)

The boys have a fascination with all the snails in our yard, so they loved these little vests!

They have something for every age!

Okay, there's a story behind this picture.  Papa had the camera most of the day and realized that he wasn't getting in any of the pictures, so I took the camera for a bit.  After I took this picture, he took the camera to peruse the pictures.  (Isn't digital great?)  So, when he saw this one, he started laughing.  I looked questioningly at him.  He asked who I had taken a picture of.  I still didn't get it.  So, after a few comments and questions back and forth, I finally understood.  He thought I had taken a picture of some stranger just to make him think it was him!  He doesn't think it looks like himself.  I think it looks exactly like him.  I still don't get it.

As gorgeous as those jelly fish are, these handsome men surpass them!

They weren't standing up and they weren't laying down.  They were on a slope staring UP into an amazingly enormous tank with sharks, tuna, sunfish, and other huge creatures.

Leaving.  Can you tell the sun was in our eyes? 

We did a better job this time.

One last stop on Cannery Row before getting to our van.  Dippin' Dots!  Papa's idea, of course. 

The whole day was absolutely wonderful.  Not a stressful moment.  Pure unadulterated enjoyment.  I'm not sure if we gave our grandchildren a gift, or they gave us one.  As with Dippin' Dots, good to the very end!

For the Love of Speed!

This was my wristband today. At the Buttonwillow Raceway Park. And it wasn't my entrance pass.....

We went to the Raceway as a gift to Diego for his 4th birthday. The kids had a fun time, but I think the adults had a better time......

Diego loves the movie, "Cars". He just recently found out that races were for real! He happened to see NASCAR on television and almost went in shock! He's thrilled that people do this for real!

Look real close and you can see Diego (and Sarah-Kate).

We were walking around, saw this car, and met its driver. He's the chaplain of the raceway. Says he has the fastest pulpit in the west!

He let Diego sit in his car. Fun!

Aaron Schwartzbart, the chaplain, and Gabe.

Sarah made us a wonderful picnic!

Then the real fun began! The wonderful chaplain offered us the opportunity to ride as passengers in a real race! Which is why I needed a wristband!

Gabe in a BMW.

Me in a beautiful black Corvette -- one of the fastest cars out there!

I told my driver, Joe, that I had wanted to be a race car driver when I was about 16. I said but then I became sane. He laughed and said that he now has his insanity back and that is why he was out there!

The race lasted about 25 minutes and the track had lots of curves and hills. We got up to about 130 mph! Which seemed really fast on that type of track! And with cars all around you!

He said I was a great passenger and that I could ride with him anytime! He, of course, doesn't know that I felt naseous for the next several hours! LOL

A spontaneous adventure that actually would have made a great "bucket list" item! If I had one of those.