Workin on my tan

I may have overdone it

Guess

Ah

Vacation at last

Summer Solstice, Summer Sun, Summer Scorcher

Summer has arrived. It was 109 degrees on 6/21/08. Not the kind of heat where you go outside. Unless you are 7 of 9. 7 insisted on playing Frisbee. I think we both are sunburned from that experience.

After that experience we retreated to the comfort of the straw bale house. After being closed up for 3 weeks in 100+ degree heat for 5 consecutive days, the house was a comfortable 79 degrees. Not bad for a place with no air conditioning.

One of the great things about the heat is that it produces magnificent sunsets. Here are some panoramas from that most blistering day.

This was taken 1pm when the recorded temperature was 107 degrees.
And these pictures say it all.

Straw Wine

I have been in a wine mood lately and decided to map out the wineries that I prefer. These are all within a 10 mile radius of the house. Most are pouring 2006 in the tasting rooms but if you ask you may get something out of the ordinary.

Wine Drive

What Up with 7, What Up with Camera, 7Up!

For those of you who know 7, you know she is a very active dog. Lately she has been running 4 miles in the morning, playing frisbee for 30 minutes a day and getting walked 3 miles at least 3 times per week. I think she has finally had enough as she is now reduced to just standing around looking tired:

The picture of 7 above and the flowers below were taken with a new camera. Yes, after 6 years I have traded in my 4 megapixel camera for a 9.1 megapixel with all the bells and whistles that I will never use:
And finally, I like 7Up. Always have. Though I do not like the amount of sugar they put in soda so when I drink 7Up, it is Diet. While enjoying the cool refreshing taste of 7Up I decided to read the label and educate myself on what I am putting in my body. I was heartened by reading the I was 7Up is using '100% Natural Flavors' to help quench my thirst:
The next question that popped into my head was "What are these 100% Natural Flavors". Reading the back of the can was less than informative:
Can someone tell me what ingredient is 'Natural Flavors".

7 is not sharing her frisbee.

NYC-SFO-Paso and 7 of 9

Paso Straw Bale at the end of May. It is only 81 degrees this weekend vs. 104 degrees 2 weeks ago.

As you can see, 7 is enjoying the cooler weather, playing frisbee,

and hiding in the landscaping. Can you find 7?

A little bit of hunting:

And after all of that excitement, 7 went to Silver Horse Winery and made herself at home:

Finally here are a few panoramas from this weekend: