Point Lobos

Last December I was accepted into the Point Lobos docent program - I know, I know, another volunteer gig. What can I say, I'm a volunteer addict :-)

Point Lobos is a California State Reserve, which is the most protected type of state park in California. Point Lobos is a beautiful seaside park with many trails to hike and a rich history. The Spanish who built the Carmel mission in the 1850s named the area Punto de los Lobos Marinos (point of the sea wolves), and the sea lions (as we now call them) still hang out on the rocks offshore. I have had to study the park's flowers, trees, birds, animals, geology, and history - it was a much bigger undertaking than I though it'd be when I signed up, but I'm so glad I stuck with it!

I have had the opportunity to take a lot of pictures while studying Point Lobos. Here are a few of my favorite.

Seaside Painted Cup (a native, Spring flower) overlooking Carmel Bay:

A Monterey Cypress tree with a green algae (which has beta carotene that makes it red) called Trentapholia clinging to its lower branches:

A succulent called Bluff Lettuce clinging to some of the granodiorite (a metamorphic rock that formed when dinosaurs roamed the earth) near Cypress Point:

A path through one of the many meadows:

And finally, a short video of one of the many coves during a stormy day:

Christmas Vacation in Texas

We were lucky enough to spend the week before Christmas in Texas with Bill's Mom, sister Becky & her family, and brother Brian & his family.

Becky took us to the Christmas tree farm where there were many rides for the kids to enjoy. We were able to ride on a roller coaster, and watch the kids play on the "Monkey Jump" ride. Here's a video of the quick loop around on the roller coaster:

And a few photos of the family. First up, Amber:

And James with his dog:

And last, but not least, a great picture of Bev & Ashleigh:

While in Texas, we also spend several days hanging out with Brian, Rebecca, and their girls. While we were there, we got to visit Brian's fire house, and got a few great shots of the girls.

First up, Peyton:

And Raleigh with her Uncle Bill:

And lastly, us gals after our scarf crafting session:

What a fun time with family!!