Pickleweed

My dad is 91. I was talking to my sisters on the phone a couple months ago and they suggested I come to visit... sooner than later. Not that my dad is in bad health, but he is getting older. So I talked to Chuck and we looked at the budget and found we had some extra money so I bought a round trip ticket! I got it on-line and printed it at work and found I had a Precheck ticket which means I didn't have to take off my shoes or open my suitcase, just cruised right on through security!

I'm usually so nervous when I fly alone (I've only flown two other times by myself) but this time I was so excited! I usually want someone to come in with me and make sure I get through security okay (I'm a wimp, I know) but this time I told Chuck he could just drop me off. I walked slowly through the airport and just took in all the sights and sounds. I couldn't wipe the smile off my face! Got a window seat - my favorite! - and there was no one in the middle seat. I love aerial photography and the only down side was the window was incredibly dirty. But I could live with that. I was humbled at God's provision.

Mount Rainier

Mount St. Helens. 

You can tell it's Mount St Helens because it doesn't have any peaks.

It's more of a rounded top.

I don't know where we were at this point but this lake shows signs of drought.

Crossing from the mountains to the desert.

 Torrey Pines Golf Course

Coming in to San Diego!

The Coronado Bay Bridge

My plan on this trip was to spend one-on-one time with my dad and each of my two sisters. We usually tell all our friends that we're coming into town but this time I didn't. I wished I could have seen them (I was born and raised in San Diego) but I really needed to focus on my family this time and it turned out to be one of the best vacations I've ever had.

You know when you go somewhere with your family, you try to make sure they're doing what they want while trying to meet the needs of extended family and friends. It can be exhausting! But this time it was only me. It was so different. I was free to just go and do.

The first day was with Deb. She works at a ranch with miniature horses, goats, sheep, tortoises, peacocks... it was amazing! We made sure everyone had fresh water and she gave her own horse some oats. I got to ride in a golf cart! :)

This miniature horses' eyes were so beautiful!

And miniature donkeys...

This mama had just given birth that week. The baby was about the size of a small dog!

There were two tortoises and they were huge!

 

My sisters horse

White peacocks. I don't think I've ever seen a white one before!

We were being watched the whole time!

My sister has a menagerie of her own at home. Her German Shepherd Nala would randomly walk into the kitchen and stare at the floor. My sister would then grab the pointer and Nala would go crazy! Leaping in the air and trying to jump on the little red dot! Such a funny dog!

 

 She also has a chihuahua that sleeps in a side table.

 

And a tiny tortoise, a baby from the two at the ranch.

 

(I have so much more to tell you but this post is taking a lot longer than I expected, so I'll have to finish this another time. 

If you don't know what pickleweed is, stayed tuned!)