Beach Loving Companions . . .

We met 'Rio' on our Sunday beach walk. 'Rio', a 14 month-old Newfoundland loves the water ~ a perfect beach companion. His guardians adopted 'Rio' as a weeks-old puppy after the loss of their beloved Retriever they'd had for many years. 'Rio's' guardian tells me that 'Rio' dives to the bottom of their swimming pool to retrieve objects. Newfoundland's, 'Newfies' are known to be expert swimmers using their front paws not unlike humans do when 'pulling' water. 

It will be fun to see 'Rio' on the beach again. I've made so many canine friends here . . . 

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Heading into the parking lot we were greeted by this alert face. This handsome guy was quite the 'ham'. As I was photographing him he seemed to pose this way and that, clearly enjoying the attention. 

heyyyy . . .  don't . . . .

don't EVEN try and stick your head out here . . .

a bit of admonishment has his trailer companion snicker . . .

A Love Letter to You . . .

I love this little eleven minute film about 30-something professionals and climbers, Fitz and Becca Cahall's 300 mile journey through the Sierra's. In my mind, they've got their priorities straight. Stunning photography, beautiful message . . . I love what Fitz does at the end of the film . . .

I am a 50-something hiker. All I want to do is hike and photograph and blog about hiking. I dream of hiking the Pacific Crest Trail . . . all of it. Not at once, pieces at a time. This is a goal worthy of living. Anytime spent in nature, in the out-of-doors, makes life worth living. Spending that time with the people I love makes my time hiking beyond amazing . . .

May 2010 Infineon Race

My kid feels this way about dirt biking.  I understand his passion for being outdoors on his bike, on the trail, challenging himself, feeling victorious, feeling alive, being with people he enjoys and with whom he can share his passion. I'm happy he has something he feels so exuberant about.  

As a teenager I felt that way when I was on the back of a horse, bicycling out to Stafford Lake, on the back of a motorcycle, or with my friends at the beach. I felt alive. I have no recollection of feeling this way indoors, it was always out-of-doors that I had aliveness flowing through me.

So I send you this post as my love letter to you . . . go outside, take a walk, a hike, a ride . . . enjoy being alive . . .

xxoo
 

CLICK HERE for VERTICULTURE ~ "What's Your Love Letter?" contest

Before the Storm . . .

racing

Got out on the beach before the rains and there was so much to photograph I spent nearly three hours hiking and shooting pictures.

 

 

 

sand toy . . .

About a dozen kite boarders took advantage of the gusty afternoon winds. They were moving so fast I wasn't able to capture any pictures of them in the air.

the dog followed this guy up and down the beach

So this is how the big boys play at the beach . . . looks like fun to me!