We spend Christmas day in Santa Cruz enjoying a festive dinner with Victoria, Jonathan, Sadie and Jonathan's parents (complete with Haynes traditions such as Christmas Crackers and Cinnamon Rolls). We spent the night at a dog-friendly hotel in town and enjoyed visiting some more on Boxing Day.
Christmas Morning Cinnamon Rolls - a tradition!
My sister Liza came to visit for a couple of days and we enjoyed a brisk hike up to the Pinnacles and some lively games of Yahtzee. She is planning to return later this spring with my niece Lelah and her darling grandson Truman.
Liza hiking up to the Reservoir
I took a day trip up to have some quality time with Victoria and Sadie on the 31st.
Phil and I spent New Year's Eve having champagne and Scrabble but were in bed watching a movie by 830. We managed to ring in the New Year - on East Coast time but that was about it.
Beautiful Sadie in her new outfit
We are excited to be Pinnacles National Park. When we arrived here Dec 5th it was Pinnacles National Monument. The upgrade was passed by Congress and signed by President Obama on January 10.
Everyone in the park is very excited. It is hoped that the new moniker will increase interest in the park and boost attendance.
We have been doing light chores around the campground and hiking one or two days per week. WE have almost daily Condor sightings as well as abundant wildlife on our daily dog walks throughout the park. It is still pretty quiet here with few campers. We are having freezing temperatures overnight but sunny and 60 during the day. We did experience some spitting snow on the peak during our hike last week. We expect activity to increase from President's Day through the spring when the wildflowers are out and the sun too!
I am looking forward to visits from my sister Liza and other family from this part of the world!
