California June, Part 3: Mammoth

On Monday, daddy and I loaded up the car and set out in a caravan with Laura and Harper following on the very long drive up 395 to Mammoth

On the way, we stopped at the Lone Pine visitor's center at the foot of Mount Whitney.  They had this really cool relief map of the area showing the shapes of all the mountains

This is a section of the aqueduct pipe that carried water from the Owens Valley to Los Angeles.  It fits three happy girls pretty comfortably!

Most of the snow in town at Mammoth had melted, although the mountain had over 10 feet of snow in places.  Near the condo we found a small mound of snow that was perfect for sledding!

One day we went for a drive to June Lake and had a nice picnic by the lake

When we were at Alisal, daddy and I bought some really cool hats.  Daddy has a green fishing hat and I have a cowgirl hat, just like Jessie in Toy Story

We took a hike up the hill above the lake after lunch.  Uncle Chris showed us pumice, a rock that can actually float on water!  I collected some to take home to mommy so she can scrub her feet.

After we finished at June Lake we went to the Obsidian Dome, a volcanic hill near mammoth that is teeming with obsidian.  Its a black rock like glass that can be made into knives and arrowheads.  I gathered some for my rock collection.  This was daddy's favorite stop on the trip.

The view from our condo

On the last full day there we wading in a stream near Old Mammoth.  Daddy and Uncle Chris got really excited about this because it was the same spot where they used to play when they were our age!

(I'm pointing out the obsidian)

Back at the village, I enjoyed the "beach" for a little while

Our last dinner was at the famous Convict Lake Restaurant, another favorite spot for daddy and Uncle Chris. It was yummy!

Goodbye, California!  We had fun and we look forward to coming back this fall!

California June, Part 2: Alisal

After we picked up mommy from the airport, we drove on to Alisal, a ranch in the hills of Solvang, CA for the annual House family reunion.  I fell asleep en route to awaken among a beautiful sunlit garden with lavender, rosemary, and mustard plants.  Best of all, my cousins Laura and Harper were there to begin a long weekend of playing, running, and laughing!

We dressed up in our fancy, pretty flower dresses and played with Boppy

My aunt and uncles were there too!  Kevin, Steve, Beth, and Kendall!

We played all day in the sun and the pool the first day.  Good thing, too, because it rained the next two days, a first for our Alisal trips.  

 I like my goggles!

Daddy gave me a submarine ride

 Here's Harper and I relaxing by the pool with tasty milkshakes!

 On Friday evening, we got dressed up for dinner.  All the cousins look great together!   We posed for the adoring grandparents, aunts, and uncles . . .

 This created quite the media circus, of course.  But that's OK- we like being the center of attention!

Can you say, "Christmas Card"?

The next morning we all went on the Breakfast ride, climbing aboard the hay wagon for the drive out to the adobe.  The cool thing about this time is it was mommy's first time at the adobe.  She thought it was pretty cool and is beginning to understand all the fuss.  

After the ride, we gathered in the recreation room to enjoy the mobile petting zoo- a collection of pocket pets.  I got to play with a little doggie, some birds, some rats, and a really cool lizard!

After the petting zoo we headed out to the corral to watch the older cousins have their horseback riding lesson.  They did well!  I even got to ride on the back of a horse as Boppy lead me around.  It was great and I'm looking forward to riding some more when I get a little older!

We spent the rainy day inside the room reading and enjoying the fire. It was actually really nice!

Finally, we celebrated dad-dad's 70th brthday!  Laura, Harper, and I brought in the cake and we didn't drop it!  Dad-dad was so surprised and so pleased!

Next, on to Mammoth!