A California winter Christmas morning run

Alternative title: Hey, hail hurts!

I set out for a quick run this morning before heading to my parents for Christmas. The morning was cold and drizzling, but decent running weather. I decided to go to a open space preserve and wildlife sanctuary near my pet sitting job.

Blackie the wonder dog!

He is a 15 year old, blind cocker spaniel that I have been pet sitting on Xmas and when his owners go on vacations, for most of his life. Here he is very unhappy about, but damn cute in, reindeer antlers!

The run started off amazing! I was one of two runners on the trail and the birds were out in force. I must admit I am a sucker for waterfowl. My favorite being the cantankerous coot!

There are hundreds upon hundreds of coots at this preserve.

You start out around a small, man made lake (above). This area is usually crawling with people and it was a little surreal to be out here alone.

Snowy Egrets fishing on the shore of the lake

And then the trail heads out to the marsh and slough. It was so beautiful.

There are certainly worse ways to start a Xmas morning!
Sorry for the scary, no makeup shot.


A pair of stilts wading on the mud flats

A pair of Canada Geese. Christmas goose anyone? I am kidding, I am kidding!

Today I was treated to several rare white pelican sightings. In all I saw 8 of the huge birds!

Pair of white pelicans on the slough. God, I sure wished my hubby and
his fancy camera were here! A point and shoot is not the right camera for this!

I was only going 5 miles today, so I turned around to head back in and I saw this

Uh oh. Looks like a storm is a comin'. Wonder if I can beat it back?

The answer to that would be a resounding 'No!'

Within minutes the wind was whipping and the deluge started. It was crazy! Then HAIL! I will tell you, hail hurts like hell when it is hurled at you by 30+ mile an hour winds.

It was crazy like this for about a mile and half and then as quickly as it started it stopped. By then I was back at my car, but the evidence of the brief storm was present.

They did not look like this when I left for the run


Nor did this!

Great way to start Christmas! The rest of the day was pretty typical holiday fare: I ate too much, laughed too loud, and was 'knodding out' tired on the drive home.

Now I am getting ready to leave for Hawaii! My dog is at her grandparents house for the week, alternately being spoiled rotten by my parents and tortured by their new puppy.

Daisy the English bulldog puppy!

She had to be crated during present exchange. She was WAY to excited about wrapping paper, bows, and the "new" dog in the house, my poor 11 year old Lucy. X-mas is her birthday by the way! I can't believe it has been almost 10 years since we got her.

Lucy says, "Happy Holidays! Now take this damn jingle bell collar off!"

I hope you all had a great day with family and friends! My next post will be from HAWAII!!