Living Desert Reserve Easter Sunday

Still no granddaughter...sigh...So, again this morning, we went on a two hour walk at the Living Desert.  We did this yesterday morning, too.  Daughter, SIL, hubby, and I...traipsing out along the trails and walkways of the Living Desert.  Both mornings have been pleasant...not too warm, but yesterday there was an Easter egg hunt and the reserve was VERY CROWDED!  Today, it was quiet!  :-)  Here are some pics from our two days.

Shadows at the Living Desert Reserve~Shadow Shot Sunday~033113

So yesterday our daughter and SIL wanted to meet us up at the Living Desert Reserve and walk around.  We both bought our memberships and then walked around for two HOURS!  Turns out, the LDR was also having Easter egg hunts, which explains the hundreds of kids and couples with kids in strollers!  :-)  Still, it was a lovely morning to be there.  The two cheetahs were out, chewing on bones.  It has been so rare in the past to actually SEE them!  We saw the baby giraffe, too, and the mother and father.  Father giraffe was interested in some tall grass on our side of the fence and, with his long tongue, he was able to get it.  By 11:00 a.m., however, we were all tired and hungry, so off to breakfast we went!  I took these photos in the African village section of the park.  I always LOVE the shadows there.  Shadow Shot Sunday for March 31, 2013...MAYBE our granddaughter will arrive today?  If not, our daughter will have her labor induced tomorrow.   Shadow Shot Sunday for March 31, 2013.  Happy Easter!

Cactus blossoms and sky~SkyWatch Friday~032913

I stopped by my favorite walking place one afternoon this week.  Honestly, the trip to Joshua Tree last Friday with my class of 24 3rd graders WORE ME OUT!  I'm still sore all over!  And, I've noticed that I've slept a lot this week, while on my spring break.  Well, I guess I needed the rest!  It's a LONG 8 weeks until our next holiday, Memorial Day!  Anyway, I found this yucca which was blooming.  It actually had 3 separate flowers blooming on it!  SkyWatch Friday for March 29, 2013...still no granddaughter :-(   To visit SWF, please go to:   http://skyley.blogspot.com/

Desert beauty and fence~Friday's Fences~032913

Sometimes I forget that the desert has a stark beauty of its own.  But, driving down one road that constantly has drifting sand, I'm reminded of the harsh reality of life in the desert.  Not only the tree, but the fence is nearly buried.  Friday's Fences for March 29, 2013.   To visit Friday's Fences, please do go to:   http://lifeaccordingtojanandjer.blogspot.com/

Comin' and goin' (Scout)

Coming and going and GONE!  That's Scout for 'ya!

Finally~horse lessons

Since I'm off school this week for spring break, I FINALLY got to spend a morning with my trainer up at the horse ranch.  She's been working the horses each week (weather permitting) and I must say, Gigondas has made the most progress!  She now allows us to touch and brush her face and head.  In fact, she really enjoys it!  ALL of the horses were very hairy.  I noticed that when I put my hand on Quad, I was covered with hair!  So, we brushed each one of them (except Sunni...we both forgot!).  She now takes each one down to the arena first to let them roll, run, and get their energy out BEFORE she ties them at the tie rack.  Apparently Quad busted loose again (...sigh...) a couple of weeks ago when tied at the tie rack.  Scout still has her attitude and one reason why Maia takes the horses down to the arena first is Scout.  She's much easier to work with after she's run and released her pent-up energy!  It was a beautiful day up at the ranch yesterday, with a slight breeze.  I'm not returning today because I'm going to the Palm Desert organic farmer's market this morning, but (if my daughter doesn't give birth), I'll return on Thursday or Friday.  ALL the horses got a turnout either in the round pen or arena, so a good day was had by all!

 Look how much extra hair Gigondas had!  No more!  It's GONE!

 Scout's appy spots are now seen.  They are hidding during her winter coat!

 Scout saddled and worked with the saddle.

 Quad can finally WALK!

 Sunni kicking up his heels.  He was a BRAT and didn't want to be caught when down in the arena...

Even Lucille got some "free time" up in the round pen.

Still no baby...

Well, we're still waiting for baby Ellie (my first granddaughter) to appear...I have this week off school, so this would be the perfect week and our daughter's due date is April 1st.  If she isn't here by then, Jennifer is off for a C-section.  We're having PERFECT weather this week...in the mid 80's (it's a DRY heat!).  Hubby and I bought two red Adirondack chairs yesterday for the front yard and I can't wait to go out and sit in one of them, but I have our tax appointment this morning and it already looks pretty depressing.   Our daughter has her last doctor's appointment at the same time and I asked her to call me when she's done.  I may run some errands after that as I need some things in Palm Springs.  Photo is of a joshua tree from our school field trip Friday.  There were a LOT of joshua trees in bloom and I hope to be able to return one day this week with my big camera.  I only took my pocket-sized Nikon Coolpix with me Friday.