Between the Raindrops: Vernal Pools at Stanford University

Heading into rehearse Carmina Burana at the Bing Performing Arts Center for one of several dress rehearsals the other evening, I heard a chorus of what sounded like a thousand Pacific Chorus Frogs - odd because I couldn't think of any body of water nearby. Jasper the wonderful pooch-from-Taiwan and I returned the next day to scout out the frogs home. Just off Bing, we found glorious vernal pools. As you probably know, vernal pools are temporary. The form from rain runoff when the ground is saturated, as it is by our recent crazy California rain season. Jasper and I didn't find any frogs during the day, but he thoroughly enjoyed the tasty grasses.

In Between Raindrops - Succulents and More Stanford University

Can you spot my happy pooch Jasper posing in front of the Stanford family Mausoleum?
He wanted me to show him off more - so I put a great big version at the bottom of this post!

The Stanford Succulent Gardens, known officially as the "Arizona Garden", is a great walk with or without a favorite pooch alongside. We're enjoying a short break between rain storms - though you'll never hear us complaining after several years of drought! - and this outdoor arboretum is the perfect place for a low-key outing. 

That Agave Americana- also known as a Century Plant - is so exciting to see in bud! Jasper Dog and I are going to go as often as possible to keep an eye on that once in it's lifetime bloom.

~ ~ ~

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agave_americana

http://bgm.stanford.edu/groups/grounds/special/arizona

Pismo Beach - End of the Summer Camping

Camping doesn't get much better than hanging with Cousin Martha and Jasper-the-Wunder-Pooch at Pismo Beach North Beach Campground, along the Central California Coast. Foggy in the morning, followed by temperate days. The beach is close enough for multiple daily pooch walks. We strolled into town along the sands, as well as heading south towards Oceano. Went out to eat only once, and honestly we wouldn't have needed to do that - cooking in camp was easy and lovely.

Always Something New to Learn from my Pooch

Seems like I've always got something new to learn - especially in this technology-rich world. It's tempting to put it off. Do you ever do that?

Yesterday, I helped Jasper -my wonder dog- learn how to climb this and descend. He didn't like it, especially the going down part. But he persevered and after several attempts he didn't need my arms around him anymore for the slip-sliding down part.

I learn a lot from this pooch.