Final Thoughts and Cool Photos

Hope your weekend was as lovely as mine.  Couple of my fave clients came in for haircuts on Saturday morning, then hiked with my hubby, enjoying the lovely fall foliage.  On Sunday, we attended our terrific new neighbors' church, enjoying a thought-provoking service and meeting some new folks.  Then we headed to our dear friends' annual Fall Fest for the evening, reconnecting with some old friends and building some new friendships!  And, the weather was Fan-Tab-U-Lous!  (Not a real word, but I like it!)

From our canoe trip on Russian River

Thought I'd take a break from editing and grading my classes' papers this gloomy Monday morning, and wrap up my commentary about our incredible trip.




We visited both the Petrified Forest and Safari West on the outskirts of Santa Rosa.  Because of the location of these attractions, we had to drive through the area of Santa Rosa ravaged by wildfires in early- October of last year. 

Wow.

I was amazed and heart-broken at the same time.  Sadden for the many, many homeowners that lost their homes.  Many appeared to still be living in RV's and campers while rebuilding - to that, Don and I can relate!  On the other hand, amazed by how well the natural landscape has recovered in just one year.  Sure, we saw many crispy, blackened trees, some dead, some just barely alive.  But, we also saw quite a bit of green.  New growth.

Healing...Recovery!

In the Petrified Forest

The once-active volcano that created the Petrified Forest in Sonoma County.

Living tree grew through a petrified tree!

Miraculously, the fires burned in such a way that they skirted around the beautiful Safari West.  While the small animals and humans evacuated as the fires approached, there was no way to collect and move all of the large animals.  All they could do was hope and pray that these magnificent, exotic creatures were spared.  Sure enough, not one beast was lost!  Praise God!




Just wanted to share these last few photos with you - especially for the animal lovers who follow!  Don't know about you, but we are animal-documentary geeks.  On any given lazy weekend afternoon during the winter, you can find Don and I plopped in front of the tube watching something about the Serengeti or another exotic place with cool critters!

Thanks for following me through our latest adventure! 

Gearing up to decorate for Christmas very soon...might not even be able to wait for Thanksgiving weekend this year. I need to go through the decorations that spent months in a storage unit or in the barn just in case some were broken or stained and need to go.  Then, the girls and I will head out shopping.  Gonna spruce it up in style this year!  I'll be sure to share photos, Friends!