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.  

1st Camping Trip of the Summer

The weekend of Mothers Day Mom and I decided to take our first camping trip of the summer! Where else would we go for a fun, relaxing, beautiful weekend than our favorite little spot we found at Monterey Bay, CA. The weather was amazing! It was sunny and warm…well it was also SUPER windy when we got there and most of the nights. But it was still awesome! Gotham also came… he really likes eating the ground so he hung out in his crate a lot. We spent our day exploring the town a little more than we did last time. We went and looked at the light house and walked along the cliffs overlooking the ocean in hopes of seeing a whale. No luck this time.

 

We went down to the water to look at the tide pools and there was this really cool big rusty pipe that stretched out towards the ocean. The 3 of us followed it as far as we could. At one point it went over a big tide pool and you defiantly didn’t want to fall off or you would get very wet. With Gotham in toe we went across watching our footing the whole way. At the very end the little man falls off and I had to pull him up on to the rock.

It was so windy we had to keep our hoods up so our hair wouldn’t fly away. After looking at the tide pools we sat on a rock overlooking a small cove and saw about 5 baby harbor seals playing in the water. We then walked along the big beach and Gotham had so much fun trying to get the foam bubbles that the waves carried in.

The next morning we had our Ziploc omelets and stopped at an adorable coffee/book store. They had an amazing tea selection also. Then we were off to Carmel. Oh the traffic was terrible! It was so crowded we didn’t stay and jumped back on Hwy 1. We found this other beach that was beautiful and empty! We parked our car and hiked down to the water.

The beach was made up of all these small pebbles that were all different colors and perfectly smooth. Mom found this beautiful periwinkle stone that she had to come and show me. Well I decided to venture out on to a rock that was dangerously close to where the waves were breaking on shore.  Just when Mom comes out a massive wave crashed on to the rock we were on and soak us from the waist down.

Poor Gotham was completely soaked. We run back to dry sand laughing and dripping wet. We found a flat rock and laid out on it so we could dry. For the rest of the trip Gotham did not like the ocean waves.

The next day we had planned on going to the aquarium. On our way there we stopped at this little French bakery and got delicious almond croissants. We ate them while overlooking the bay. Our tour of the aquarium was so nice this time. We took out time sitting in front of the big tanks just enjoying the fish passing by. We also watched several movies so Gotham could have a break from all the people. Gotham really doesn’t like shopping and would sit under the shirts as I was looking at them.

It was so relaxing to just take our time and only see the things we wanted to see. That night we went for a nice long walk along the shore and watched the sun set into the ocean. Our last morning we walked alon the shore again and we saw a mommy and her baby otter  resting in a cove. So cute! 

Over all one of the best camping trips we have had.

Happy Mother’s Day Mommy!!!

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.