Aaaaaaaaah Awesome

The above picture was taken from Auntie T's lovely
Pt. Reyes Station home's outside sitting area.  
Since the tide is out the area is pretty much dry.
When we first visited many years ago, 
this area was grasslands filled with cattle grazing.  
We watched the returning of the water to this area
during the Giacomini Wetland Restoration Project.
When the last levee was breached,
the water previously held back returned.
It was a pretty impressive event which we felt fortunate to view.
Now when the tide is "in" the area is filled with
all kinds of birds, large and small, feeding.

The dead tree has been purposely left for the herons,
both kinds of egrets, and Bald Eagles to roost in. 
While sitting in the sunshine turkey vultures like to spred out their wings to dry.

The very first time Shasta visited she walked onto the pond.
She was surprised when she fell into water.
Needless to say, she, BEing the very smart dog she is,
has not repeated her experience. She presently is walking
about the pond sniffing all the delicious smells left
by the myriad of critters who visit.

A stunning white flowering area

Another impressive flowering area. 
This one in shades of pink to lavender.

Pink flowering currant (Ribes sanguineum)

The tiny blue flowering plants are Bluebells. 

Tanis is not a native plant fanatic as I am.

She use to be a "professional" gardener using plants

of all variation, choosing the right plant for the right spot

in each and every garden she planted and cared for. 

In her own garden she has followed that path.

So I do not know the names of all the plants 

in her garden nor of the ones photographed for this post.

The bottom of this walkway leads
to the brick area featured in the very first picture above.

Beyond the gate sits Tanis' new hybrid Camry. 

One of the many different California Wild Lilacs (Ceanothus).
This particular one was chosen for this spot because of its vibrant purple color.

 Both buildings of this home have a sod roof.  
There is a bedroom and bathroom in one building
and in the other is a kitchen, living room,
meditation room, computer space
and TV room with a Murphy bed
+ another bathroom with a sauna adjoined.
Many of the kittie cats that have lived here
love to sleep on the luxurious roofs for their naps.

The hot tub is on left in this picture 

with table and chairs for eating outside slightly to its right. 

Apple trees have been planted below the bricked area.

Looking beyond the apple trees is the tidal area towards the West.

Behind the far ridge covered with trees is the Pacific Ocean. 

The area is known as the Point Reyes National Seashore.

The entire time we were all together in this Aaaaaaaaah Awesome setting, we shared many a

Glorious Spring

Our arrival in Sonoma County was heralded by verdant green rolling hills, teeny tiny lambs gamboling together, cows and calves feasting on fields of lush green grass and fruit tree in glorious bloom.

Rosemary in full flower
near the Joe Rodota Trail

Wild plum tree in bloom along the Joe Rodota Trail
in Sebastopol. This trail was previously a railroad track . . .
now a wonderful biking, walking, running path
between Sebastopol and Santa Rosa.

Ahhhhhhhh . . . the very best is BEing at sea level where my heart is so happy because it does not have to work so hard and walking is pleasurably easy rather than a breath taking experience. Shasta is enjoying eating fresh green grass on our early morning stroll down the lane. She does miss her romps with Hobbs at Lopez Park however. 

The Spring or Vernal Equinox is March 20, 2021. It occurs when the Sun heading North in the sky crosses the equator line. This tilting more towards the Sun results in increasing daylight hours and warming temperatures here in the Northern Hemisphere. This shift brings about all the glorious signs of Spring that are so uplifting after Winter. 

We have recently come from the high mountainous desert of Santa Fe, New Mexico, where it was Winter when we departed. Thus we are especially joyful to BE experiencing the vibrancy of Spring here in Sonoma County. Rain has been falling a number of days we have been here. The rain feels so nourishing and many tell us that it is so needed. Auntie T in Point Reyes Station, California, tells us she has measured only 1/2 of her typical rainfall in her rain gauge.

Wild turkeys with the males strutting their stuff by fanning
out their tails and puffing up their feather to attract the females.

Mustard blooming in the foreground
Valley Oaks in the back ground.

This whole year plus of "lock down" has taken a toll on all of us. At this time of Spring when we see renewal all about us, may we feel the vitality of springtime and the regenerative energy. Ahold of the season's energy may we dig deep to tap into our own resilience for each day going forward during these trying times.

How strange and wonderful our home, our earth,
With its swirling vaporous atmosphere,
Its flowing and frozen climbing creatures,
The croaking things with wings that hang on rocks
And soar through fog, the furry grass, the scaly seas
How utterly rich and wild . . .
Yet some among us have the nerve,
The insolence, the brass, the gall to whine
About the limitations of our earthbound fate
And yearn for some more perfect world beyond the sky
We are none of us good enough
For the world we have.
         Edward Abbey

As we celebrate Spring in all her glory may we each have a joyful belly