Sonoma weekend

Had an excellent weekend with Andy and Ira at Villa Pia. Arrived early on Saturday and chatted with Ira while Andy was on a 25 mile bike ride with some friends. Margaret and Winnie the dog came. Commando and Winnie became great pals and played chase and wrestle and sniff stuff. I was careful to do no work the entire weekend unless lazing on the couch, taking pictures, and eating count as work.

Commando did disgrace himself a bit by separating some of the pool skimmer parts and scattering them about. Fortunately I was able to stick them back together so no pool skimmers were permanently harmed.

This is Andy removing some scummy algae from the magic pond.

This is Winnie and Commando enjoying a relaxing nap after a good game of chase.

Funny bumper sticker near work

What is this flower?

Don't know what this flower is. It faces to the ground and I'm propping it up with a stick. It's about the size of a half dollar. The plant is growing right in the middle of a dirt road.The plant is low growing and is maybe the size of a dinner plate. Any ideas?

Wright's:Lake July 2011

There's sure been a change since last week. Much of the snow has melted, although it still isn't possible to drive to the lake. Hiked down to Silver Creek and then back up to the road on some old, discontinued forest service or logging road and then back up to what looks like a horse trail.

Then we drove for snacks and some time to read and sit in a chair at the big meadow at the crossroads. Lady bugs were flocking everywhere and flying around like tiny orange lights in the sun.

The picture is a big hunk of the stream bank that has fallen into the stream. The bank is covered with flowers and they are completely submerged in the water.