Christmas Spirit
December 7, 2008
Scarlett and Santa 2008
Today Scarlett was groomed and has lost the long hair. She looks like a puppy again and I’ll get an updated photo out soon. This Norwich Terrier is such a sweetie. After we picked her up from the groomers in Valley Springs, we took a drive through the Gold Country and enjoyed the Christmas Spirit in Sutter Creek, CA. The lights were hung over the narrow gold town streets, shops were open late and enticed shoppers in with cookies and candy. There were wonderful Christmas things to see and everyone was in such a jolly mood. The air was crisp and everyone was having a great time. The town was even handing out free cups of cocoa! Next week they have their Christmas Parade at night which will be beautiful. Check out the town’s website for details. http://www.suttercreek.org/ Enjoy the Spirit of the Holiday. Create new memories and traditions.
Gail Brokaw http://www.embracethepossibility.org
The Big Island, Hawaii Vacation
May 3, 2008
I just got back from a week in Hawaii on the Big Island. It was spectacular! The rainforests were amazing with plants that were so huge and dense that it seemed a dinosaur could appear at anytime. The island seemed quiet except for Kilauea which was belching sulfur dioxide enough to cover the Big Island and all the other islands in the chain with dense clouds of the gas. Though we seldom saw any blue sky during our week, it was warm and bright. I especially loved the Hilo side of the island as it seems more like the old Hawaii versus the Kona side which is geared more toward the tourists who are looking for beaches, restaurants, and entertainment. It was a nice balance to see both areas during our week.
One day we drove to Pahoa to walk the old lava fields and view steam rising from the ocean where lava is now flowing from Kilauea. We could see steam rising from places all down the mountain where cracks in the earth were releasing the sulfur dioxide gas. The lava flow we were walking on had hardened into shapes and ropes and now ferns and other plants are coming up out of the black rock. Land owners who’s property was completely covered by lava flow are now rebuilding out in the middle of the lava rock field. One house was spared the lava and sits alone, surrounded by lush green plants that are surrounded by acres of lava rock. It’s an oasis in the middle of a lava field. There were realtor signs in the rock lava announcing property for sale, if you would like to buy a nice piece of Hawaii! Talk about owning a piece of the rock!
How about you? What location could you recommend for a relaxing and interesting vacation?
Rainbow Falls, Hawaii
