Its there...its there... its really really there!!

CH Baledwr Desert Sunset - DN15460502

Confirmation - awards processed through 16-Oct-2010

Number of points 15
Number of major wins 2
Number of major judges 2
Total number of judges 8

HIP HIP HOORAY!!

Now to wait for her picture and certificate to arrive in the mail!

Seeing this always renews the smile after a dog finishes :)
Even more so with Sedona for me, I think.
:-)

Fall Vacation Part 5 : Visit to Kathy Miller's house

So on my last day in the bay area, I left Napa (and Alden and crew)  and visited with JoAnne Rogers (of the Cody, Megan, Kitty, and John fame) in Concord.  I had a nice lunch with her and her husband and then left to Santa Clara to visit with Kathy and the fur-kids there (Denali, Elbee and Sage).  Kota's first job was to be a proof dog for Sage.  He was more than happy to oblige. 

 The last time Dakota saw his litter-sister, Denali, was when they turned ONE YEAR OLD!  They're now 7 years 4 months old! 

 I decided to take Kathy's beautiful yard to take some good pictures of my kids....  Kota.....  a dog who melts my heart :) 

 Kathy has some beautiful foliage in her front yard (her back too - but we were in the front).. 

 Chancey - showing off his beautiful blue-ness :) 

 Kathy got these pictures of Piper.  She was smitten by the little Pie and was taken with how much she reminded her of her own beloved Kenai....  Pie is quite charming and full of all sorts of stuff (good AND bad) :) 

After we visited with Kathy, I went up to Discovery Bay to have dinner with a friend who I had never REALLY met in person.  It was as though I had known her my whole life and I didn't want to leave.  We've gone through some stuff together, and to have each other to lean on has been ... well, words can't describe.

After dinner, I decided I didn't want to drive back into the bay area, so I went ahead and headed towards I-5.  I stopped that night in Santa Nella, CA and drove the rest of the way home the following day.

I have more pictures (taken while driving) on my Olympus camera which I haven't downloaded yet.  Those pictures will come next....

Fall Vacation Part 4 : San Francisco & Napa, CA

On 10/10 I went to San Francisco for a Celebration of Life for Bill Wilkinson.  He owned the company I worked for when I worked in San Francisco (2001-2006).  It was a wholesale produce company - thus the beautiful produce display, in his honor....

 And Mr. Wilkinson... on vacation....

 After the Celebration, I took the dogs to Holly Park and walked them around for a while.  I found this park nearby my old work place when I picked up Orion (whose first kennel name I can't remember - it was 'something Coedwig Star Gazer - bred by a lady in Molalla, OR).  After that, I frequented the park as a nice walking place...

 The view to the east... with the bay in the background....

 Yes - my dogs are posers (again)

 I looked up and saw THIS!  It didn't dawn on me, but it was Fleet Week!

 Posing again :)  Too bad they wouldn't look at me....

 The sign for the park in the Bernal Heights neighborhood.

 So once I realized it was fleet week, I went after my better lens and sat down to watch the planes over down town San Francisco...

 The view to the east again - with the better lens....

 darned posers!  Gosh they're cute :) 

 This place (the Old Clam House) always caught my interest - it was just down the street from the produce market.  Since 1861.  Wow. 

 This was part of my drive home for 5 years.... 

 from the city, I decided to go to Treasure Island since I'd never been. 

The Golden Gate Bridge in the distance... and if you look closely, there is a seal or something in the foreground in the water.....

 said seal (or something) :)

 The San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge from Treasure Island....

 The shine off of the bay....

 Alcatraz in the distance

 my shadow

 I found a nice couple to take my picture with the bay bridge in the background

 I drove around Treasure Island and looked at all of the buildings that used to be used for old military things, but now sit empty, rotting, and vacant....

 Found this "boat" on the east side of the island... 

 Makes me seriously scratch my head and wonder.....

 After I left the city area, I drove back to Napa and spent the evening with Alden and her oldest, Teddy.  Teddy had to go and retreive Duncan, as he would rather avoid any and all spot light like things....  cute, huh? :) 

 The purpose of getting Dunc was to get a picture of Dun-Kota (Mandy's name for Kota).  It was great to see Grandpa Duncan and Kota together after all these years....  Kota is VERY much like his grandpa... even Teddy commented on the similarities in looks and personality.... 

It was a great visit....  more to come....  :)