I'm going to Cali in Oct and can't wait

Cali is my state, where i was born - it's in my blood and i miss it terribly sometimes. I haven't been in a few years. my mom and sister are there as well and many friends - so i am gleefully excited that i'm going! my girlfriend, Cindy Forrester, has agreed to her first teaching gig and i couldn't be happier for her. We've been emailing since last Christmas, when we had met online through etsy and did a necklace trade together (which i will wear to class and show off!). And another friend, Dede Warren and her friend, Robin are running the retreat - a new venture for her as well. Congrats to both of you. they are calling it The Artist Studio and registration has already begun with spots still available. The retreat is being held in Seal Beach. check out the flyer show casing Cindy's beautiful and much admired work. i am hoping to talk my good bud, Jennifer into attending if she can. she's so close and i must see her! (hint, hint). also, i found out that another online friend, Jamie, of Simply My Art, is attending. So i am thrilled to be meeting her in person as well. I think this is going to be a very talented group of women coming together. can you tell how excited i am?

Manasquan Reservoir

So this morning i got up early (to beat the heat and people) and headed over to Manasquan reservoir to see what i could see. i first went over to an area called the "visitors center". there you can rent kayaks, canoes, launch your boat or jump on one of the many bike/walking trails. i was a little under prepared, as it was already quite hot, i forgot my hat and i was wearing flip flops. i wish i had brought my bike since it is a 5 mile loop to cover the reservoir! i bought a bottle of water, drenched my bandana which i put over my hair and started walking. it was a nice walk although i didn't go too far before i turned around. there was no way i would make the 5 miles! plus the trail was taking me way around the water into wooded areas and i wanted to see birds around the water (herons, egrets, etc.) so after taking the photos i wanted i returned to my car and then drove over to another area where the enviromental center is. it was very quiet over there, which was nice. most of the joggers, bikers and walkers were over on the other side. i took a trail that led behind the center had a myself a nice little walk.

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the best i saved for last! i had no idea i would stumble across a bald eagle's nest with 3 eaglets! can you imagine my surprise? i was the only one out there and i felt like i had made the discovery of the century. i was on a trail when i saw it and managed to make my way down this craggy, rotting log, while wearing flip flops. i walked some other logs to this little tiny patch of sand/rocks and then just sat and watched in amazement at what i was getting to see so close up and uninteruppted. the dad was sitting on a branch above the nest. my mom would call this a "God treat".