Archive | November, 2011

… and we’re back!

After another visit to the gorgeous central California coast, I am convinced it is one of the prettiest spots on God’s green earth.  We loved every moment of our long weekend in the Santa Ynez Valley, from knitting by the fire to playing Settlers of Catan to winetasting to feeding the horses to hiking to window shopping to walks on the beach… so lovely.

Activity I am most looking forward to this morning: downloading pictures from my camera to share with you soon!

But in the meantime, here are the long-ago-promised photos from SeaWorld San Antonio.  One of the first things we discovered when we arrived is the dolphin pool.  You’re permitted to lean over the low wall and splash your hands in the water, calling the 10 dolphins towards you.  The younger ones enjoyed coming close to get head rubs, and that was the way I finally got to touch my first dolphin!

 Lena wasn’t so sure at first.  What are these giant creatures coming out of the water, Mom?

But she enjoyed this!

Later we took her into shark- and ray-infested waters.  Her fascination was fairly short-lived. 

By contrast, I think we could have sat by the duck and flamingo pool all day and she would have been happy.  

At the end of our day there we went to the orca and beluga/dophin shows, which are full of lights and music and action.  Elliott and I love scuba diving and have been in close contact with a lot of cool sea creatures, but somehow every time I see an orca or dolphin or penguin or ray up close, it takes my breath away.  By the time we have reason to return to San Antonio, I think Miss Lena might agree with us even more.

1 :: in family, Lena, Texas

ta-ta for now!

Isn’t this photo amazing?!  We went to SeaWorld and I have a bunch of gorgeous photos to share with you.  Much to my delight, I touched a dolphin for the first time ever.  After Elliott’s work with dolphins in the past, I like that I now also have that familiarity with a dolphin’s rubbery skin.  There are some darling pictures of Lena at SeaWorld too.  Of course.

We’ve been busy with my wonderful mom visiting this week and now are heading off in the morning to California for a few days.  In case there’s some radio silence on my end, you’ll know I’m just collecting fun things to share upon our return!

2 :: in Texas, travel

ta-ta for now!

Isn’t this photo amazing?!  We went to SeaWorld and I have a bunch of gorgeous photos to share with you.  Much to my delight, I touched a dolphin for the first time ever.  After Elliott’s work with dolphins in the past, I like that I now also have that familiarity with a dolphin’s rubbery skin.  There are some darling pictures of Lena at SeaWorld too.  Of course.

We’ve been busy with my wonderful mom visiting this week and now are heading off in the morning to California for a few days.  In case there’s some radio silence on my end, you’ll know I’m just collecting fun things to share upon our return!

2 :: in Texas, travel

First Fridays

There’s a tradition in our neighborhood called First Fridays.  (Remind anyone of Fridays After Five in C’ville?  Sigh!)  It’s a collaboration between local restaurants and artisans, a celebration of food and craft.  Sections of our neighborhood were transformed into miniature markets filled with artwork, and a huge artists’ studio (once an old warehouse) opened all its doors to welcome passersby.  As the sun set, restaurants seated patrons who had just finished tours of little neighborhood museums and crafters’ studios. 

Later we walked home down our beloved River Walk.  The leaves change colors and there’s a hint of autumn in the air… even in Texas!

My mom is here for the next couple days and we’re having so much fun with her.  This morning we went out for an early breakfast to the Guenther House, a beautiful little mansion that’s been transformed into a restaurant and museum.  Wish I could start every day with pumpkin pancakes and strawberry waffles!

5 :: in family, Texas

First Fridays

There’s a tradition in our neighborhood called First Fridays.  (Remind anyone of Fridays After Five in C’ville?  Sigh!)  It’s a collaboration between local restaurants and artisans, a celebration of food and craft.  Sections of our neighborhood were transformed into miniature markets filled with artwork, and a huge artists’ studio (once an old warehouse) opened all its doors to welcome passersby.  As the sun set, restaurants seated patrons who had just finished tours of little neighborhood museums and crafters’ studios. 

Later we walked home down our beloved River Walk.  The leaves change colors and there’s a hint of autumn in the air… even in Texas!

My mom is here for the next couple days and we’re having so much fun with her.  This morning we went out for an early breakfast to the Guenther House, a beautiful little mansion that’s been transformed into a restaurant and museum.  Wish I could start every day with pumpkin pancakes and strawberry waffles!

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5 :: in family, Texas

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