My thoughts and prayers are with daughter Hillary and her husband Chris, who had to say goodbye to Marley, yesterday. Marley had a wonderful home with them for the past 15 years and will be missed greatly.

Marley and I had great times together. I will never forget our cross- country trip in the U-haul with Marley and Margaret, taking my daughter's stuff to Lake Tahoe.

Goodbye you wonderful companion. I will miss you forever.
Rennie is taking a final look at his wide open playground. I had to carry him into the passenger seat as for the first time on our trip he refused to jump into the car with me. He sensed that this was the day to say goodbye and his days will not be as carefree as they had been. The time he could just run through the surf at full speed mocking the water or flushing out the prairie dogs while cruising to the tall grasses never having a chance to harm them. Just running circles in the sand or sniffing endlessly whatever piqued his interest "du jour"! Not having to defend his territory to the woman with the three dogs. It will be interesting for him to return to the urbane environment of Oakland.

This was our sunset on the final evening. It seems to perfectly describing my mood in a wonderful way of grey colors.
My favorite clump of trees and the sky seem to be waving their final goodbye to me personally.

The past 7 days here was truly the perfect oasis for me. The nearly deserted beach, the cool temperatures, the magnificent display of wild flowers, the starkness of the coastline, the struggling surfers in the frigid water, but above all the serinity which I felt out here. It will be etched in my memory forever as I look ahead whatever the future will offer.
 
Accepting the cold water of the Pacific and the coolness of the weather and loving it has been one of the startling transitions that I have made over the past couple of weeks.

Today I braved the 53 degree water and lasted less than one minute. I thought my heart would stop. The locals did not mind as you can see from the short video. Of course, Rennie has loved the frigid water from the first day on and cannot understand why I don't dive into the waves with abandon.

It has been kind of a down day for me as I found out that Marley our senior grand dog is not doing well. Marley was adopted by my daughter Hillary at 6 months and I think he would turn 15 later this year. He enjoyed a wonderful life with Hillary and Chris her husband.

Marley was a well heeled traveller visiting places like the Grand Canyon, where he dug in his heels about 5 feet from the rim and refused to take another step. He was smuggled into a motel in Las Vegas, walked Rt 66 (actually relieved himself at the side of the road), knew something was not right at Death Valley, but above everything else loved the outdoors in Lake Tahoe, including swimming in the clear water with Hillary. What a great dog and loyal companion!
 
Apparently there has been a malfunction of some sorts and I cannot republish the blog. So I am trying to establish this page with the missing pictures. It may had something to do, that I accidentally posted the first pic twice.
 
This part is a bonus in gratitude for the flood of comments from all of you. It was extremely rewarding for me to get them and knowing that you are enjoying my drivel.

When I asked Nina W. for suggestions on what I should see, she told me that I had to visit the pigmy forest in Mendocino County. Rennie and I did just that.
What you see just to the right of the railing is not a young forest, but in some cases may be trees 100-200 years old. What was yards in diameter in Redwood Tree country last week and grew to 300 feet in height, compared here by 2-3 feet in height and less than one inch in diameter. For example, take the Mendocino Cypress in the following picture. In good soil it can reach a height of 100 feet; here a Mendocino Cypress at one quarter of inch diameter and 1-2 feet tall has shown 80 growth rings.
What is responsible for such a natural "bonsai"? Geological upheavals coupled with ocean changes actually created 5 terraces over the course of 500,000 years, meaning that where I took the pictures from, was now 650 feet higher than 500k ago. It is interesting to note that nature has a sense of math as each terrace was created about 100,000 years apart and even the height of each terrace was between 100-130 feet in height.

Ancient soil within these terraces and it's flat terrain, restricted drainage and rainfall leached out the necessary nutrients creating an extremely acidic environment as evidenced by the iron rich hard pan type soil. Slow growth and poor drainage creates wet soil that in turn limits oxygen reaching the root system. Obviously, there are other factors, but based on the lectures I received these are the answer to why we have a pigmy forest.

I was also taken by the Bishop Pine. You may be able to make out the cones below. These cones can stay closed for many years; in some cases they only open during a fire attack. At that time the seeds do not burn, but become activated by the fir to start a new forest. The sane thing can be said at those horrible wildfires in AZ, CO and UT. The forests will replenish.
Finally, the Pomo Indians lived in these coastal areas primarily by fishing, hunting and eating from the land. Supposedly, they loved Huckleberries. I am not familar with what they look like; however I am including a pix of a berry type I cannot identify. Notice, the wine red bark which is in stark contrast of the rest of the shrub.
While trying to identify different plants, all your master gardeners out there, what is this? I ran across early this morning on my way to the beach.

And finally this pix of one of my favorite spot. It stretched the little I-Touch's technical brain to its max, but I think it still shows up OK.

 
When you enter Mendocino you immediately feel the difference from Ft Bragg as there is one arts center or gallery after another. I also immediately understood why it was on Nina W. favorite city list and why she told me to make sure I visited it. Mendoncino has successfully combined artisan ship and a sophisticated life style, yet has maintained the charms of the past such as a half dozen of these water towers. Even both cities share the marvelous coastline, I got the feeling that Ft. Bragg was a bit more industrious. They both offer unique B&B accomodations; however Ft. Bragg offers more choices of motels and based on my limited observations - a bit biased - better beach access.

Mendocino offers very few cultivated front lawns per se; it is flowers, flowers, flowers or just native wildflowers. Can anyone identify that tall flower stalk. They grow between 15-20 feet tall and have those tiny lavender colored flowers

You also have to get load of this backyard.
And if I have convinced you to relocate to Mendoncino, than here is your first contact. No, Carol I have not put down a deposit yet.

Here is the view if you stand in front of the 4Sale sign.
Once again, thank you Nina W. for suggesting this part of California Rt. 1 for me. I don't think I would have come here without your suggestion.
 
There is always that fork ahead; however Rennie had been keen to keep us on the right path. The trails here are numerous and lead through fields full of tall grasses, wild heather and an assortment of wildflowers. There is a type of swallow which skims the tall grass in a way I have never seen a swallow do that. Usually the fly high after insects, but this green backed and white on its underbelly fly just a few inches above the fields or water.

Rennie and I spent a good bit of the day at Ft Bragg/Mendocino botanical garden. It was a fantastic experience to take in all the beauty. Some of 47 acres was cultivated and some of it was left natural, especially along the ocean cliffs. What I really enjoyed were the exhibits of the draught resistant plants.
Yet my favorite flower so far grew in the wild right next to the ocean and is called Indian Paintbrush. I think it is aptly named.
My dialysis regimen is going splendid with the new cycler.

 
Whoa my earlier post had tomorrows date. Do I want to wish my life away?

In between I received a birth announcement that Tanja gave birth to her second son Leonard Oskar and she is doing well and is overjoyed. The little one at 21" and weighing in at 8 lb 8 oz was not so little. My Aqua Buddies may remember the father as Gunnar swam with us a couple years ago. Tanja is the daughter of Walter and Brigitte, who also visited the Y last year for one session.

I wish Tanja, Gunnar and Moritz (their other son having his 2nd birthday this coming Thursday) the very best. Life will change for Moritz that is for sure. It is always a change for the first born to suddenly have to share their parents love.

I also received a note from my sister that her boyfriend's Chuck's mother passed away. My deepest sympathy to both him and Lis.
 
As usual Rennie insisted on leaving the room and proceeded to immediately doing his business. I bagged dutifully and left the bag at the side for pick-up on my way back when that thunderous voice of what could have been a woman Marine sergeant said, "you are not going to leave that here"? Suppressing something like " no I was going to leave it for you", I just told her that I was going to dispose of it properly on my way back (I had also noticed by then the 3 dogs she had on the leash). I later saw them again with the dogs roaming and Rennie nervous. I kept on walking the other way, but I heard a commotion behind me and the three dogs were charging at us with the woman yelling at them but not getting them to return to her. I held on to Rennie tightly and at the top of my voice with outstretched arm I yelled " get baaaaaaack"! Two of them stopped in the track, Rennie slumped to the ground at the verociry of my voice, but the third one continued to charge. I repeated the command with a threatening step toward the fast approaching dog. Rennie also emboldened started to bark. The dog an Australian shephard with a quick look back and realizing he was alone, quickly pulled off. They departed after that and we had the beach to ourselves.
The waves were about 3 feet high.

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Mountain goat or dog in sheep clothing?
 
Rennie demanded to be taken out after my last cycle at 5:30 am. I told him you've to be kidding. It is 42 degrees out there. However, relented and was glad I did almost immediately as I would not have wanted to clean up his business inside.

I took the I-Touch with me as the early light showed that after yesterday's all day rain it cleared up overnight. It quickly became evident that there are limitations to the capability of this technology called I- something; however let me post the pix I took anyway.

At the end of the blog I give those readers of this blog who have not commented a chance to input.
Note the carpet of wildflowers. Warblers and finches had their morning meal.
For pedestrians and bicyclists only. I will have to take this shot again when there is no wind.
Coast Guards!
From my balcony!
Finally this picture was taken in Oregon on our walking trail along the Rogue river. This trail lets the person to step in time and imagine the Indians whether Klamath or Takelma walking silently and caring for their family. Rennie really enjoy leash free hikes of 6-7 miles at a time. The two trees below evoked some funny thoughts on my part. See what you experience and post your comment!

A couple of my thoughts:

"take your hands off me, you brute"

"let go off me you big lug"

Of course, as the wind would blow there would be a moaning sound and you could imagine a song like the. Beatles singing "I want to hold yor hand. Go ahead and have fun with it.

Incidentally, Dan and Darlene has similar trees in his backyard.

Wishing you s great Saturday. I am off to Mendoncino they have a special garden tour there.

Cheers, Petet
 
I dedicate today's blog page to my sister Lis, who is celebrating her birthday with her boyfriend Chuck under sad circumstances. His mom his terminally I'll and my prayers go out to both of them. They plan to go camping the old fashioned way - pitching a tent. I told her better them than me, I outgrew tenting at age 12 with the boy scouts. Gosh, do I remember the wet nights. Happy Birthday, Lis.

Having experienced two wonderful days with Dan and Darlene, Rennie and I hit the road again in search of the perfect beach spot before we have to go to Oakland again. However, I need to tell you one final item regarding Rennie and the deers. Dan said that he did not see a single deer all day on his property and Margaret he wants to know how much you charge to rent Rennie? Apparently, Rennie left a calling card behind!

Regarding out trip. When you look at the map and chose a route like a Easterner would, you may choose to California routes 299 leaving Redding, then connecting with Rt 3 and the Rt 36 to US 101 and finally at Leggett take famous Rt 1 and enjoy a leisurely drive along the Pacific coast. The you would say it should not take more than 4 hours as it is about 200 miles in distance, right? Wrong, wrong and deadly wrong!

First of all I did not encounter a stretch of highway more than 100 yards long without at least one S- curve. Then it was up and down mountainside. If they warned you to slow down to 10 miles an hour because a terrific switchback was approaching you better to took heed, otherwise there was no guard rail to keep you from plunging a few hundred yard below, where if you were really lucky you would find yourself on the same route again.

At Leggett CA, where US 101 and CA 1 intersect we could have driven literally through a Redwood tree, but the line was too long so instead a few miles down Rt 1 we were forced to drive around a fallen tree. Luckily a local cowboy type came through for us tourists. Actually, his wife was the hero. When the cowboy asked her if she left the chainsaw on the pickup truck she replied, no, but I left the chain on the truck. He managed with the chain and his 4 wheel drive to drag enough of the tree aside where he cleared one lane for us to pass.
Rennie liked it because he was able to negotiate an extra bathroom stop out of it

I have a total different appreciation for Northern California now. The local drivers are very courteous and they have pullouts ever do often allowing for quick passing. With it raining all the way I was the one mostly doing the pullouts.

After driving about 8 hours, yes that amounts to about 25 mph average, we arrived just north of Ft Bragg and were in luck regarding a room with accompanying pet. Theresa at the Sand and Surf lodge an absolutely fantastic place informed us there was one more room for pet friendly clients. I think the rain must have caused some cancelation, because I just can't imagine the place being available. A number of places did not accept pets and were completely booked out. So from two nights in a fleabag hotel in Redding (they had an American Legion convention and places like La Quinta were booked solid) Rennie and I lucked out with a Penthouse.

There are great trails right to a gorgeous beach, immense fields of wild flowers and even on the cliffs there are flowers. I think the rain today brought out the succulents. I will try to take some pictures when there is no rain. Rennie just ran and ran on the beach. He is totally exhausted.

Last night I did not get much sleep as I had a "pacer" above me who literally paced all night long. The new cycler worked out great and it felt good not having air enter my abdomen. The setup for dialysis here is the best arrangement yet. Everything is within reach; it is even better than home. We are staying put for the next 7 days. We have everything!!!
Life is good!

Cheers, me