Sunday, July 26, 2026

Walking with Clementine

 Clementine and I got out about 6:30 this morning for our walk. Rancho Guahome Adobe county park is one of my favorite morning walks, but a little too far for a walk with an eight-year-old so we drove to the park.

From the parking lot we first walked toward the "Indian rock" on the hill. Along the way Clem noticed a beetle similar to the one we saw in Georgia a few days ago.


The grinding holes in these rocks are deeper than the pones along the nature trail.

The park has a nice community garden...

...so we posed for a selfie at the wisteria-covered entrance.

Then we took a walk all the way around the hacienda. It was not open so we peeked through gates and windows.

Along the way we saw lots of not-so-wild wild rabbits.

A restoration effort is underway on the roof of the adobe hacienda. 


WE took the main trail between the hacienda and the sports complex. Lots of folks walk that trail every day and many of them have dogs. We talked to this friendly man for a while. His companion is named Beacon.

I looked way down the path and noticed a lone "dog" headed our way, sharp-eyed Clementine quickly and correctly determined that it wasn't a dog but a different canid -- a coyote. He walked toward us until about 100 yards away, then stepped through the fence. When we came near that spot he was watching from the field in full view -- though I took too long to get the phone from my pocket and got this less than perfect shot as he moved into the brush.

As moved further along the trail, he walked back onto the trail and continued on his way. Look carefully and you'll see him in the distance.

We had a very nice walk and saw some interesting wildlife and met several nice dogs and their human companions along the way.

Saturday, July 25, 2026

A Belated Birthday Party

 Things just didn't work out for a birthday party for Clementine last spring and the party was postponed till summer. You'd never know there was a delay. Everyone had a



ball.

Three hula hoops were a hit! 


Rice Krispie Treats
Watermelon, grapes, carrots, hummus, crackers...

A $2.50 ball from Walmart provided more fun.


Good food...


..and pizza.

Face painting





Crafts


After we sang happy birthday there were delicious chocolate cupcakes with strawberry icing.






Then we had some seriously silly games...

"horse" races...







Lasso the "horse"



And, of course, opening presents...







Morning Walk with Clem & Ruth


We walked to the top go the hill to the big water tank and took this selfie. Then we walked to Anza then Bobier then Cortez to Apollo and all the way to the Indian Rock -- but it was locked up. 


Clem spotted this great climbing tree and we took a picture.

These nice ladies had two sweet dogs, Dobby and Sadie -- that is they were sweet till a third strange dog showed up and they started growling!

These folks are really America's big birthday!


Two more hungry dogs.


We stopped by a yard sale. Ruth tried on a hat. We bought a toy rabbit (Ruth), six bandannas (Clem) and a heart-shaped cast iron skillet (me).