GDB Fun Day

It is Guide Dog Fun day again!!!

This is one of the highlights of my summer. All the GDB puppies gather together on the San Rafael Campus and have a busy day of learning, playing, and connecting with new and old friends. Mom and I and Gotham piled in the car early Saturday morning and headed down to GDB Headquarters.

When we saw the campus full of raisers and puppies all gathered together catching up. We saw Sarah who raised Hansel’s sister Hominy who informed us that Hominy was graduating that afternoon!!! So exciting! Then we looked around the little booths and got some new bow ties for Gotham so he would look dashing every ware he went.

After that it was time for out littermate meeting! This is a time where all the littermates of your puppies litter gather together to meet, share personalities, and of course pictures.  Even Gotham’s mom Bloomer came out to say hi. The puppies that were there were (left to right) Gonzalo, Galileo, Garman, Gotham, Gwen and Bloomer (Mom) in the middle. Gotham and Gonzalo are twins! There are both dominant, head strong, stubborn, observant, puppies. They are difficult dogs to train. The other puppies don’t seem to be that way but they all love to play especially with each other. Bloomer wanted nothing to do with her puppies especially the crazy boys.

After lunch we watch sever presentation on the whelping kennels and R+ training. We learned a lot and enjoyed seeing all our GDB friends. The last presentation of the day was the graduation ceremony which is so magical. Hansel’s sister Hominy looked amazing now that she was all grown up and an official Guide Dog for the Blind.  I am so proud to be a part of this organization.  

Hiking

This summer so far has been filled with hiking and being outside. Mom and I went with my friend Joleen and her mom camping up at Fallen Leaf Lake in Tahoe. It was so relaxing to lay down in the meadow and read a book. We went for a hike around part of the lake and the whole scenery was bursting with new life as the snow was melting away. The water was as still as glass and the aspens had bright green leaves that twirled in the light breeze. Our camp was under Mt Tallac and the brilliant white cross of snow shone brightly in the early June days. Swimming was quite refreshing you might say. Even Gotham got in and seemed to enjoy it a little more than the pool and defiantly more than the ocean. Joleen brought her kayak with her and we tool turn paddling around the shore of the lake. Gotham came too and curled up on the back of the kayak while I paddled around.

Our next hiking adventure was with Kim to Lake Winnemucca off Carson Pass. It was absolutely gorgeous. We started hiking and the sun was warm and the breeze was cool. We were up so high that the snow hadn’t completely melted away yet. We came to our first little patch of snow and I let Gotham go walk in it. He was so funny; he rolled in it, slid his face in it, dug in it, and tried to eat it. We kept going and every other patch of snow we hit Gotham got so excited and just wanted to go play in it. We made it to the lake and it was stunning! There was so much snow tucked into the rocks on the other shore. There was still some ice on the lake. You could hear the low roar of a distant waterfall. Spring had just started up there. All the plants were still squished down after being buried under snow all winter. We took a short snack break on a rock and Gotham totally passed out! After the break we hiked up one of the ridges, climbing over boulders and whacking through the low brush. Gotham did so good, if he got stuck he would look at me and I would come back and show him where to step or carry him over the spot. There were so many little ponds of snow melt that we found. Gotham would run and pounce on the patched of snow rubbing his face and belly up and down the sun cupped surface. On our way down from the ridge we hiked through a huge snow patch. It was a lot easier than boulder hopping. Gotham was running and sliding and face planting the whole way and we were too. One foot would slide one way and the other foot another. Out feet were soaked but in the heat of the afternoon and after working hard it felt so nice. Once back on the trail we made quick work of getting back so we could rest. We had to run through a swarm of mosquitoes before we made it back to the car. We were all exhausted! We totaled 6.5 mile hike!

Gotham and also went to Tahoe for a Guide Dog Puppy camp. We took with us Abby, Gotham’s co-raiser. Camp was fun but in the evening Abby and I left and went for a hike. We went to Eagle Lake just before sunset. We got a cute picture of Gotham on one of the bridges crossing the river but that was the only break we took. We made it to the lake with 20 min to spare. Eagle Lake was like glass! You could see the reflection of the mountains on the surface of the water. There were 2 cute ducks floating by the shore and we fed them dog food. As we were cooling down the mosquitoes were coming out and attacking us! Once we were rested up we were off hiking back down. The sunset was awesome lighting the sky with soft yellows and golds mixed with a little pink on a light blue background. We stopped at an outlook on the way home overlooking emerald bay. Once we got back it was time for some S’mores. The next day we spent some relaxing time at the beach sitting on the pier and under it playing in the sand. Gotham didn’t want to swim with all the other puppies.

 The Summer is not over yet we still have lots more hiking and camping to do!

March

We did not do a whole lot in March. Mom moved in the middle of the month to a new house that she will stay in for a while. I officially HATE moving!!! It is a very cute house with a white picket fence and a pool. She is very happy there and just needs to finish getting settled in.

 I did do a lot of hiking in March with Kim, my roommate. One day we went out and it had just rained and the trails were so muddy! As we walked we collected so much mud on our shoes. Then the mud picked up weeds and sticks. We had mini yards on our shoes. We were slipping and sliding up the mountain but the views were amazing and the stormy clouds were beautiful! Gotham did so good! He was only 4 months and it was his first hike. He loved being out in the hills running through the mud. His paws were all spread out so he would not sink or slid in the mud. He was a tired pup afterwards! After his bath and a few erands he was out for the rest of the night!   

                     

February

With February brought snow. Since we were not getting any in the Sierras my friend Joleen and I went to Utah!!! We drove out there with her boyfriend David and hit it just right. We followed a storm in and got to ski powder the whole time. We skied Canyons in park city and it was beautiful! The snow was fluffy and deep! Joleen and I skied from the tallest lift that was full of experts only signs. It was amazing! We played in the aspens which was magical.

At Canyons they have a Belgium Waffle shop and OMG they were to die for! They would stuff your sweet fluffy with 2 bars of Belgium dark chocolate and then top it with whip cream and strawberries! I was in Heaven! That was my favorite part of the trip only second to the powder runs with Joleen.

On our way out of town we stopped at a local museum because they had the Dead Sea scrolls exhibit. That was incredible! This is one of the jars the scrolls were found in. being able to see the history from Jesus’ time was absolutely incredible! I know I am such a history nerd.

Gotham is growing up also. He is so goofy and loves to play with all his toys. He is not partial to one or the other he must play with them all.

The end of February also brought my Dads birthday. In honor of him I made his favorite Oatmeal Raisin Cookies. He could never get enough of them. I miss him so much!

I also was able to get a few Ski Patrol Days in at Sierra at Tahoe. I do love my home mountain! It is so pretty watching the sun get low and doing sweep. I feel so close to my Dad in these times.

Janurary catch up

I know I have not bloged in a log time so it is time to catch every one up! Here is Janurary!

 

For New Years I went to Tahoe to spend it with some amazing friends. Yes baby Gotham and all his cuteness came too. He got to experience snow for the first time and LOVED it! He was digging in it, eating it, and running in it the whole time. We took a hike to Fallen Leaf Lake and Gotham got to experience being in a back pack and ice on the water’s edge.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  We did lots of hikes while he was young and until he was 4 months he had to be in the back pack. He really did not like it! He cried the whole time and complained every step. We hiked the Nevada hills alot with my roomate Kim. When we went to Folsomwe hiked Folsom Lake when the water was super low. On one of our Folsom Lake hikes we saw the old salmon falls bridge that is usually deep under water. Drew did a flip in the setting sun and we all walked across the bridge.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

       

 

   

 

 

 

 

I even found a love note from God. Whenever I see heart rocks I think of Him. This was a great one!

 

 

   Aspen is much friendlier with Gotham than she was with Hansel. She will even cuddle with Gotham as they sleep.