Up to Speed

Well, we are engaged now! It's a bird! It's a plane! No... it's an engagement! (ha ha...)

It all went down in Yosemite (we are fans, indeed). So and Marky came with- which really kept me from thinking he'd propose on the trip (good work, love).





We had a very close encounter with a bear because we arrived really late to the two pines camp ground and over looked a potato and deodorant that ended up astray under a plastic food tray (come to think, it may have carried a scent too!). In a rush- the bear jumped into the truck bed- was driven off by So- on its way out he brushed her tent! Very exciting camping experience...

The next day there was moodiness, sleepiness, and other nonsense going on with me (really I couldn't have thrown any more at Johnny). I suppose I'm pretty lucky he still proposed, but it isn't luck at all- it's some kinda of love (the best kind).

What's next? We'd like a house, definitely a wedding, probably a couple of dogs and maybe a pony for Wolfy boy to play with.

Cheers!

Lazy sunbather.

My brother spotted a lizard sunbathing in the backyard. I heard him talking to it, and was really just kind of concerned about his mental state (I absolutely love him). He invests much of his time in front of the television watching the Discovery channel. Also, that Penguins of Madagascar cartoon, but I digress. Anyway, he was convinced it was some sort of poisonous desert lizard because of the extremely bright blue and teal coloring all over his(her?) chubby little body. I sort of bought into it when I went down to see what all the fuss was about.

As all wild things are, it is quite dirty.

All he wanted was to sunbathe.

I called Kevin, the resident lizard expert, and my good friend. He looked at a few pictures and agreed to come by to pick him up, assuring us he was not dangerous, just "really cool looking."

Although it turned out to just be an exceptionally attractive blue belly, and not a poisonous beast, I am quite pleased it gave the lovely Cantrell couple a reason to stop by and spend some time with me.

Addendum/Post Script: The blue bellied sunbather freaked out during the earth quake last night. I kind of did too, my whole bed shook.

Swoon.

I loved that song you made up.

Without shoes.

Wolfy boy.

Perspective.

I say, car robot.

Before we met.

The world needs dreamers.
- Bottle Rocket

Jo(ey).

and if you wait a little my pretty friend
until I come back to hold your hand
we'll be like bugs when they break through a cocoon
you know, I wish that I could see you soon
- Herman Düne

Winos

Johnny.

Everything passes. Everything changes. Just do what you think you should do.
-Bob Dylan

Not so dramatic interpretation

Spring Break Escape

No... we didn't go to Cancun, Miami, or Vegas for spring break. That is just not our style.

After months of anxiously waiting we finally got on the road with our bikes, all of our camping gear, and city essentials stuffed in the Ranger. The sun was shining, the birds were chirping, and we were wearing ear to ear grins. Bliss.

I have more to say than anyone could possibly want to read (we did a lot) so here are a few lessons I brought home with me:

1) Do stop everywhere, it makes the ride a lot longer and that is a good thing.

2) Never stop at a Motel 6, ever. We did, and I held on to my pocket knife all night after reading the dead bolt sign that highly recommended using it (shady). We both woke up the next morning with dry aching throats, compliments of the heater, yep.

3) Where you stay makes a huge difference. Hotel Des Arts totally beat staying at friends places in San Francisco, not that I don't appreciate my friends extending their homes- but this place is some serious bang for the buck (pun might have been intended).

4) The Alembic does drinks right. My attempt at a Jack Rose was put to shame by their bar tender. It's almost sexy watching them make drinks.

5) No matter what you've read, heard, or seen in pictures- it doesn't do Yosemite justice!

6) If you're doing the morning dishes in Yosemite, warm up the water first.

7) Johnny is a man of many talents. Currently held titles: road, grill, and sauce master.

8) Anything tastes good with Sweet Baby Ray's BBQ sauce. The sauce, indeed, is the boss!

I wish I had more time off... and a Jack Rose in hand.

Hope you enjoy Johnny's awesome pictures!
-Jo

Our last day in Yosemite it rained with some hail mixed in.

In awe of the glacier formed peaks.

We wanted to swim in Mirror lake but the water was cold.

Mariposa Grove, the Sequoia trees are gargantuan. Highly suggest seeing them.

Jaw dropping lookout point.

SF with some coastal fog in the background.

Night pic

Lighthouse around San Mateo.

We pulled over for lunch and grilled up some burgers on the tailgate. This view was a mere 10 ft from us. Highway 1 is a great drive from San Luis Obispo. It's slow but the drive doesn't seem long at all. So many places to pull off the road and take in the scenery. I loved it. The water is cold but I'm sure that's what keeps it secluded. Another might be the presence of Great White Sharks.
- Johnny