8.16.2010

August 14 through 16, 2010

White Dog, The Other White Dog, The Honorary White Dog, Michael, Candace, Gregg, Richard, and I took Steve to Vallecito Lake near Durango CO to celebrate his birthday weekend. We rented a house overlooking the lake.





We had great views and shared plenty of smiles!





We hiked and ran in grassy meadows. We saw a young buck in our "yard" and Michael saw a bear on the opposite shore as he and Steve motorboated to scope out the lake.


We hugged a lot and enjoyed each other's company.







We displayed our mastery over the art of fishing (caught nothin' but the giggles at one point)!







We did a fair amount of following Quinn's nap zen.






Dragon learned how to swim...and unlike White Dog, LOVES it!
Dragon was also our chipmunk security guard and nearly got one of the bold ground squirrels! Taught that guy a lesson!

White Dog moved her terra-forming skills gained in our backyard to a larger scale on the beach. She also taught Dragon some of the beginning design concepts. When THWD plagiarized one of HER works and began altering it, WD had no choice but to fill in that hole and chase Dragon from the site!






Gregg made pumpkin spice cake with dark rich chocolate frosting and pepitas as garnish.


Early this morning Steve received a very special birthday wish as we looked out of bedroom window in response to White Dog's throaty growl. There on the ridge at eye height to us was a pair of grey wolves standing under the pines in the grey drizzle. They stood and looked right at Steve before silently slipping back into the brush.



With Richard and Gregg along, our idea of "roughing it" food wise was not hot dogs and canned beans. This is the cheese and fruit tray for apres hiking one afternoon. We had red wine and mushroom sauced steak with potatoes gratin and asparagus on night, blueberry pancakes with honeyed spiced greek yogurt and pork sausage
for breakfast, grilled pesto salmon and veggies for lunch, pork loin with grainy mustard crust, risotto, and grilled stringed beans...and homemade humus...and guacamole...yes, the pups enjoyed the feasting, too...and we all enjoyed the sprawling on deck chairs watching the Perseid Meteors and moaning about eating too much after!
It was wonderful weekend of natural beauty, marvelous loving heart family, and a reminder that growing old is not so bad when you have such wonderful two- and four-legged people to share the journey with. Tomorrow, White Dog will show you what she and TOWD gave Steve for as a gift (Thanks to Casper D Dog's very talented mom)!

12 comments:

TwoSpecialWires said...

Hehehe! You were pawing out a comment to us, just as we were imagining ourselves outside of Durango with you! Your pictures and words conjured up so many images. It was like we were there. Seeing the clouds (and feeling them, in the furs of the White Dogs). Noticing the wolves and watching the meteor shower. Tasting the amazing food. And most of all ... enjoying the company.

We're home. The three of us. Waiting for NinaGirl to call (she texted Moma and said the program is running late tonight.) Soon we'll slip into more of a routine. Well, at least sort of soon.

Thanks for your patience up to now, and until we are truly "back".

Your Colorado friends (who must make a trip south next time)
Love
Jake and Fergi xxoo

NAK and The Residents of The Khottage Now With KhattleDog! said...

OMD!

Mom got gooseflesh reading about the wolfies that khame to hang out -

Thanks fur sharing the paweosome weekend!

Now, where do I order a khake like that fur my mom?

August is a GREAT month!

Hugz&Khysses,
Khyra

Teddy Bear said...

Sounds like an absolutely pawesome time was had by all! Hiking, lots of delicious food, squirrels, bears, wolves. Wow!

Love,
Teddy Bear

D.K. Wall said...

An excellent way to spend the weekend - especially with a couple of wolf buddies hanging out with you if only for a few moments.

Jacqueline said...

Wow, sounds like a lovely and restful birthday weekend; your culinary feasts sound incredible!...What a fun adventure to share with your babies and good friends=heart family is so awesome!...The meteors and wolf sighting made this trip an extra special celebration!...Happy week, sweet friends...J, Calle, Halle, Sukki

Brian's Home Blog said...

That sure did sound like y'all have fun...but watch thosee wild critters, they can be not nice!

Amy & the house of cats said...

Wow that sounds like it was such a great trip! We think that it sounds like a great way to spend a birthday - and a tasty one too!

Mack said...

What a great time! Glad you got to taste the goodies!
Sugars,
Mack

Remington said...

What a great time for all! Love the pics!

Cappy the Eskie said...

Hi Everyone - it sounds as if you all had a wonderful time. Dad would certainly appreciate the food. He's the epicure in the family and a fantastic cook. Mom is more of the canned beans and hot dog type.

We love the pictures.

Hugs and yips,
Cappy and Ollie

Hansel said...

Oh boy what a wonderful trip you all had. We would LOVE to visit there one day.

Kari in Alaska said...

Ok Im back :) time to play catch up but soon I am on a normal schedule for a change!