Winter 17-18: the outdoors

Now that it is officially summer, and I have had several consecutive nights to do nothing but read whatever I please, there is, at long last, some leftover energy to chronicle the past 9 months. So here we are, starting with the moments spent in the great outdoors--the most photogenic and also the most memorable days.
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The "hill" behind our house: where we go when it's been too long without a longer hike, when one or more of us is worn out from the daily grind, or when we just need to unplug and listen to each other.

goofball

favorite family portrait of the year

 Also, when a spectacular sunset is clearly about to happen:

Sooner or later on these walks, I'll take at least one of these sibling photos:

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A spectacular hike mid-winter near Half Moon Bay; we are so blessed to have both the mountains and the ocean nearby.

nibbling on juicy sour grass

the ocean is in the distance

one of my favorite photos of Sava ever

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Pescadero Marsh: home of the most spectacular climbing tree.

did I say goofball already?

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Fields of yellow mustard near Half Moon Bay:

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Our favorite, now-annual trip to the Point Reyes Hostel, complete with hikes along the stunning Limantour Beach and Chimney Rock. Bob, who was visiting, got to enjoy some California scenery, too. The pictures might feel redundant, but it is hard to photograph this place too much. Also, the sibling camaraderie, especially when it occurs in the great outdoors, kills me.

we had a couple of miles of beach ALL to ourselves; this is not hyperbole

at their favorite restaurant in Point Reyes: The Point Reyes Station Cafe

writing in their journals in the hostel bunk beds; be still, my heart

this might have been the windiest day of the year

rockstar?

tata enjoying the sunshine

game of "tickle"

the hike at Chimney Rock

elephant seals at the bottom

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And last but not least, a birthday hike for this mama along our favorite Russian Ridge. We got hail, rain, mud, and sunshine, all the space of a couple of hours.

goofball?

minutes before it hailed on us

elf in the tree

Nature is good for us.