Alcatraz Island

A Visit to the Rock - Alcatraz

Jeff and Scott

Not just a prison, it was also a fort began in the Civil War built for that purpose.

Picking out his cell.

Eating a churro, a cinnamon pastry sold on the streets in San Francisco.  He told us about this several times; obviously it was good.

Reading and Eating

 We do a lot of reading and eating around here.  Some days we read outside and most days we eat lunch outside as well.  The little ones have found creative places to do both. 

Muir Woods

One day after Jeff got home from work rather early we visited Muir Woods National Monument. It is located not too far from the city and close to the beach as well. We had had an 85+ degree day but along the coast and also in the woods, it was much cooler. John Muir was a naturalist who spent most of his life in the woods and especially in Yosemite drawing and writing. Some day (whenever that is), I'd like to read some of his work.

There is a ring for the Civil War on this Redwood tree stump.

Giant Redwoods

A Douglas Fir. When we lived in Prairie Village, KS outside of Kansas City, we always bought Douglas Firs for our Christmas trees. I still think they are the prettiest trees for that purpose. This one might be a little large for our house, though.

Of course when they saw this, they all wanted to go in; all at once. Daddy is checking to make sure they're all inside.

Coming out.

Here's another one...

And another.....

OOps, left one in there....

This relatively small redwood began growing in 1776 at the beginning of America's fight for independence.

Horsing Around

Obviously one of the highlights of our time living here in California is the horses. One day, the boys came in and told me they had taught them how to race accidentally or as Jackson said "race accident". Huh? So, they asked me to come watch and I did. They had taken bamboo sticks, that they found the first minute we arrived here in May and have played with every day since, and were pretending to "ride" their sticks like horses. Apparently as they "gallopped" all over the pasture, Oliver and Little Man decided to run with them. They laughed and giggled all about this for several days, the boys, not the horses that is. Oliver running after them.

There they go with Little Man in the lead.

Jackson trying to get Little Man to stop at the finish line.

While I was watching all this, Oliver decided to get a little nippy, with my apron...

He just about bit a hole in it....

Still working to free myself....

Yes, I have it now; but his neck is lunging out for another bite....

After all this fun, we let them out for awhile. Oooh, did they love that green grass for a snack. One of them ended up in the garden. Scott eventually came out and retrieved their harnesses and pulled them back into their pasture area.

The Secret Garden

Welcome to The Secret Garden.
I realized I never posted any pictures of the grounds at this beautiful California home so here are what seems like a bunch but I have probably taken hundreds. The house is surrounded by trees, shrubs, flowers, roses, paths, and is breath-taking. Enjoy these pictures that in no way show all of the beauty and uniqueness.

I stuck this garden ornament in just for fun!

A fountain we called "The Old North Wind"

A Real Outhouse

Confederate Jasmine grows in SC and in CA