Smoke Gets in Our Eyes....

Further photos from the Harris Fire still burning in the East County portion of San Diego:



I took this from the sidewalk in front of the kids' favorite pet shop in Alpine.

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E took this while we were driving east on Interstate 8, just before exiting into Alpine.



We made a quick stop at the View Point just east of Alpine/Viejas to get this photo looking down through the mountains toward the ocean. Usually a glimpse of the blue sea can be spotted from this overlook; today it's mostly smoke and haze from the week of fires....

Pumpkin Patch....

Mini-pumpkins are so cute!



B tumbles off his disc and down the hill of fluff while "sledding."



Some of the dairy cows....



The boys carefully choose their own "jack" pumpkins.



Some of the decorations and "for sale" pumpkins available ... I like the background here, too.

Sailing....

The sails of our rented Coronado 27 (27-feet long).



My dad and brother love sailing with the family. We had a couple of tricky tacks, but they're pros.



T took his turn at the helm as well.



A small portion of the downtown San Diego skyline ... our view the entire time we were sailing.

Sailing...

As we sailed under the Coronado Bridge, a navy destroyer followed us into the harbor.



Elizabeth enjoys the view from the back of the sailboat.



J at the helm as we motored back after much tacking with tricky winds.



We sailed past the Midway Navy Museum, as did another sailboat. On a weekday, only a few sailboats are usually sailing about which makes it lovely and relaxing.

More Town Festival....

A long line of fire trucks from around the east county....



This medieval dude saw me snapping photos and cheerfully posed for me.



Judith enjoys free barbecued ribs which were given out by a local restaurant to advertise their new grill. She's a fascinating woman: an accomplished poet, a gifted photographer and artist, with a heart for sharing Christ and art with others. She delights in sparking people's passions and in serving the community. Judith wears many hats in our small town (co-editor of the newspaper, associate director of the arts council, member of the town council, volunteer in the public school, etc.), and I am fortunate in counting her as one of my dearest friends.



B and J pet a miniature horse just outside of our arts booth. My kids rode their bikes, scooters, and skateboards all over town today, rubbing elbows with friends and neighbors and enjoying every second of our town festival.



This is one row of our crafters area. I was particularly attracted to the lovely jewelry, especially by Ann Larkin, who has been one of our art council's Featured Artists. And the tea booth called my name; Judith treated me to some Apricot Tea that smells absolutely heavenly! Without the rodeo this year, business was rather slower than in the past, but overall it was a very fun but tiring day.

HP Party #3: After Midnight!

The sign we passed just before going in at five minutes past midnight...



The queue in front of B&N as we drive away, precious book in hand, at 12:13 AM....

Even More HP Party!

E in the costume parade....



Madam Hooch parades by....



One of the costume contest winners brings out the first purchased books!



T took this of me waiting in line in my wheelchair.



E is buying her book!