Staying put in LA (when everyone else is away) isn't so bad.  Heck, I got to hike with my hon while our shadows held hands.  Just beware the dreaded devil's coach horse beetle - it behaves like a scorpion, smells like a stink bug if provoked, and apparently has a bite to remember.  We saw quite a few of these European invaders.  The one below was about one and a half inches long.  I'll work on getting a better photo...

Drinking Rainbows

The rain never let up but the sun came out today.  Really cool.  It was raining AND sunny, and a big rainbow appeared.  Ames got instantly thirsty.  But rainbows aren't really made for drinking, as everyone knows, and this one started coming back out his eyes in no time.  Trust me.  If you look closely, you'll see it.  Then Kevin had to have some.  It was a rainbow-drinking frenzy.  Kevin wasn't spared; it came out his eyes too (you don't believe me but enlarge the photo and you'll see the evidence).  I understand the urge -- all that color is a rush after days and days of non-stop gray rain.  But I know better than to step up and drink in a rainbow... or open my mouth in front of a camera.. either way.

Ohi-yo

It's taking me a while to post all the Ohio pics.  Still processing more than just photos.  What a wonderful trip.  Tapping my roots has opened a good Pandora's box, filled with intriguing history, remarkable people, new friends. 

 

Trying to keep up with Aunt Pauline.

One of many family habitats.  This one just above Brush Creek.

Musket ball evidence of the 1894 riot at Washington Court House.

Could Charles be right about my carnie roots?

The Great Serpent Mound

An overhead view of the mound using a real snake skeleton.

Tobacco is the new black (yes, I'm trespassing).

Two Days of Beach Biking

Pedaling feels like a reasonable totter to our gorging teeter.  Yeah, we're slow-ish and require nourishment along the way BUT it was super chilly (burns more calories, yes?) and we put in two consecutive days.  Great sightseeing as usual, from the fisherman's pit bull friend playing with her still-flopping treat, dolphins, big schools of mackerel and disco dancers on pilings, to a magnificent giant schnauzer, moving lighthouses (up close, they resemble sailboats), tiger moth caterpillar (saved from the perilous bike path) and hang gliders on the bunny hill.  There was also an enormous flock of gulls which caused a hoodie stir.  Oh, and Christmas lights already draping the pier.  Guess we're on to the next holiday.

White Wedding

Megan and Mark - Wedding Story from www.bluephoto.biz on Vimeo.

My Great and Wonderful Aunt Pauline

High On More Than Helium

Ain't nothin' like a wedding parade. Oo la la.
Thanks to the master of parade ceremonies, MG, complete with boom-boxed bike, Austrian horn (right?) and orange socks (out of frame, too bad for you). Props to perhaps the best guests in the West. And kudos to the B&G who led the procession, rallied on the badminton court, cut the cupcake, made it through the B's amplified 6th grade flute recording, and brought everyone together.
Keep love rollin!

Just Another Day At The Beach

... not so! It was the big Ronda-vous. Super special. Only a few hours at Crystal Cove but there was no better place to be, no better company to be had. Shared the perfect weather with a huge Quinceanera party, dolphins and a seaweedy sandman. Check out some of the digs on this stretch of beach - Appalachia West siiiiide. Representing.

Ohio!