A Breath of Fresh Air

The majority of the fires burning around us have been contained. There are still some hot spots and fires further from us that are burning, but we have been able to open the windows to get some fresh air. We have had a busy couple of weeks and received some good news in that I received my job back - same position and same school.

Dr. D went on a tour of some of the burned areas. He had quite a few pictures that looked like this.

This is a picture of one of the fires they were still working on.

Check out this beetle we found under the trash can. It was almost the size of one of Dr. D's fingers.
Miss S having fun at the park.

This little monkey is all stretched out.

Dr. D went to a conference in Boulder, Colorado and was able to visit the rockies.

Enjoying an afternoon by the creek.

Miss S had fun with her cousins at our place.

Enjoying the view off the ground.

Miss S and her big cousin at Manzanita Lake.

Miss S and her little cousin at Summit Lake.

We headed to the Bay area. Miss S loved the ponies at Gilroy Gardens.

She was plenty happy driving around too.

We went for a train ride through the redwoods.

Dr. D and Miss S at the beach by the Santa Cruz boardwalk.

Now that is an expensive gallon of gas at $5.21.

I was able to see some of my friends from my first year in the dorms. Including my roommate to the right in the picture who I have not seen in over 10 years.

When we returned home many things in the garden had really taken off. It was a very slow start this summer, we think because of the smoke. Now that it has cleared and there is more sunlight getting through we are seeing quick growth.

Some peppers..

pumpkins..

and our grapes have been sending out lots of new leaves.