Mylie's Guest Post

Mylie and I teamed up for a little guest post over at my sweet friend April's blog today. 

She's off gallivanting on her honeymoon, and I'm only slightly jealous.

Head on over to The Striped Flamingo to read about one of our recent adventures!!!

A Saturday, Sunny Side Up.

Some days you just need to pack up your sister and your Schnoodle and head out to the coast.

Start out with the biggest cup of coffee you can find, and hit the beach.

Begin up on the bluffs. 

Wind whipping your hair everywhere, crisp February skies bright with sunshine and wispy clouds.

Then mosey down the hill onto the sand. Fluffy, soft, each footstep making divits as you walk.

Let the schnoodle off her leash, and into her happiest place.

Freedom. 

Make sure you bring a ball. She knows it's in your purse. 

That's why she's jumping on your leg.

Throw it.

Again.

Again.

Again.

Again.

Rinse. Repeat.

Watch the crashing waves.

They are huge right now.

The foam sneaks up on you.

But if you're listening, you'll hear it and run out of the way just in time.

Did you stop throwing the ball?

You better get back to it. 

Far as you can.

Farther. 

A little more left.

A little more right.

The Schnoodle runs after it, and a cloud of sand poofs up around her as she stops the roll.

She'll snort, and huff to get the sand out of her nostrils.

But immediately turn around and return the ball to you.

That's what you're here for.

Isn't it?

Watch out for other pups.

The Schnoodle just wants her space. 

Plop down in the damp sand. 

Let the Schnoodle curl up in your lap.

She isn't much of a cuddler, but any serious game of fetch requires a momentary breather.

She's ready.

Throw it again already.

Hurry.

Throw it.

Now.

Okay, and again.

And again.

And again.

Again, again, again.

If she could speak one word of English, it would have to be "again".

Make her carry her ball back.

Constantly looking up at you with a sandy muzzle.

Inquisitive eyes, won't you throw this for me, or do I have to keep carrying it?

Yep, keep carrying it.

And then you carry her. 

Up to the car.

Beach party is over.

Towel her down with a spare blanket, and let her curl up in the back seat.

The day has only begun...

Mylie's Adventure Day

I mentioned in my last post I had some fun adventures planned this weekend.
I had been trying to check out Fort Funston for the longest time.
It worked out to be the same weekend as Mylie's Birthday - so hey, let's just call it a celebration.

Fort Funston is on the south end of San Francisco, along the bluffs above the Pacific.
It is incredibly beautiful.

Sandy Dunes.
Ice Plant for Days.

This weekend in April it was bright green, spattered with bright fuchsia blooms.

Fort Funston is a huge off leash dog area.
With temperatures about to hit the mid seventies on a sunny Saturday, there were dogs EVERYWHERE.
Random black labs running around the parking lot, with no owners seeming to claim them?
Uh, okay.

Anyway, my sister and I took Mylie out towards the trails.
I had high hopes.
But, after a couple of rough aggressive dogs at the dog park, Mylie can be a bit skittish with other dogs.
On leashes, controlled by both owners, meeting is usually good.
But if she feels surprised or cornered, I get nervous for her reaction.

So, while we headed out, we eventually found a tiny patch of sand and ice plant where she could roam, or  scamper in her case, around freely.

But her independence didn't last long as a bunch of other dogs - I'm talking a TON, were all over.
So we headed back to the car for the next part of our adventure.

As awesome as Fort Funston is, on a crazy busy Saturday, it's just not for her.
For a super social and active pup, it is a dream.
Maybe we'll get back there on a weekday when it is less hectic.
I'd love to give it another go.

Off to our next stop, Fort Miley.
Mylie's namesake Fort, almost.

See how regal she is sitting next to the sign?

I need to start off saying,
I FREAKING LOVE FORT MILEY.
We will be back.

One day hanging with my family a few months ago, we happened upon it.
I had never even heard of it, but on our way to the Legion of Honor, I saw the sign,
and of course made my dad make a u-turn.
I had been dying to bring the Smiley dog back.

It has some of the most beautiful views of the Pacific and the Golden Gate.
We parked, descended the stairs to the trail, and headed east - towards the bay.

Totally dog friendly, and rumored to have an off leash dog area (though I didn't seem to find it, but I wasn't really looking), it was a bright trail, with some lush greenery along the way.

Laura and I found an awesome shady staircase where we could hear the crashing of the waves down the way....so we took them, not exactly sure what we'd find.

Best.
Decision.
EVER.

As the trees opened up, we found this:

Super awesome semi-secret beach.
Rocky, not necessarily a swimmy beach, but the waves were crashing and the ocean was spraying.

Tons of mussels in shells between the rocks.

I wanted to stay there forever.
So did Smiles.
She found a comfy place to sit.
Schnoodle on the rocks.

We climbed back up the bluff, on a different trail, more rocky, and found a cool rock maze as well.
And some spiritual enlightenment.

We turned around and headed back - mission complete.
Adventurous success.

And it was time to refuel.
Thank goodness for the iPhone.
And the Google.
"Dog friendly restaurants in San Francisco"
And my sister doing said googling, because I imagine there were quite a few results.
BUT, she discovered the Park Chalet, the sister restaurant to the Beach Chalet had outdoor dog friendly seating!

And was right nearby.
An already awesome day, just got even more awesome.
Is that even possible?

Mylie and I secured some lounge chairs while Laura ordered us some lunch.

Mylie got to feel like a big deal out and about with the rest of the city dogs in Golden Gate Park.

We all went home a little sweaty and a lot happy.
I love me some dreary, rainy weather, but when it comes to adventures, warm California sunshine is where it's at.

As far as adventures go, this one goes down in the books as a perfect 10.

Linking up over here for the first time: 

Oh, Hello Little Blog.

Hello, little blog

that I only seem to post on on Mondays.

Hello, new blogger format which makes me want to not think about blogging. 

Hello, another super fun weekend on the books that I want to share so I'm sucking it up and dealing.

Hello super long post ahead:

Hello, Friday lunch break. 

Hello, eighty degrees, lunch on the lawn, with my favorite pup.

 Hello, Friday night at home, bake-a-palooza.

Hello, taste-testing a mini Kahlua cake.

Not my best.

 

Hello, 5:30am wake up on a Saturday.

Hello Starbucks.

Hello, Garage Sale/Bake Sale fundraiser to send Pastor Dave & Jon to the Sudan.

Hello, sudden customer influx.

 Hello, garage sale assistant.  

 Hello, Swag-a-thon 2012.

Hello, Hope Decals being slapped on everything.

Including folding tables.

 Hello, best lemonade stand in town.

Seriously, SUPER delish.

Hello, Peepers chugging all the product.

Hello, happypotomous.

Hello, hand smushed in a cupcake two seconds later.

 Hello, naptime.

Hello, IT'S ALMOST NINETY DEGREES AND THERE IS NO SHADE 

AND I'M SO OVER IT RIGHT NOW attitude.

From both of us. 

Goodbye, unsold items.
Goodbye, hipster table.

Goodbye, super cool pineapple lamp, why did no one want you?

Hello, three stores for watermelon on the hottest day in April.

Hello, five dollar mini watermelon.

Hello, Sunday AM, Pastor found having a triple Mac Party. 

Hello, not having to tell the kids "no sweets til after church" because someone is doing it for me.

 Including physically restraining them.

Hello, Sunday birthday lunch with Grandma.

Hello, chilly beach wog with sister.

Down and back.
Down and back.

Hello, hijacked seashell

Hello, two amazing weekends in a row.

Hello, being excited for a third.

Hello, can it be weekend again ASAP?!?

Linking up with Lisa.

The Most Beautiful Weekend Ever

This past weekend was full of sunshine and smiles.
Gorgeous blue skies.
Seventy degree afternoons.

Winter seems to have forgotten to stop by the Bay Area,
which most days makes me upset.
In the words of the 90's band Garbage, I'm only happy when it rains.

I, however, am not only happy when it's complicated.
Complicated things make me very unhappy.

But anyway, back to the weekend.
I took Friday off to spend the day with my sister for her birthday!

We drove into The City.

Headed over to the ferry building.
Definitely one of my favorite places.
For sure my sister's favorite.
And it was her day.

She got Blue Bottle.
I got a waffle.
Not exactly a "le waf" - but still delicious.
I am lenting coffee.
I'm gonna need a trip back to Blue Bottle sometime after April 9th.

We climbed the stairs to coit tower.
Crazy gorgeous views.

Walked down the other side into North Beach.
There were so many cute shops we just happened upon.
Including this little market.
Bicycle coffee?
Yep, I'll be back.
Post April 9th.

Somebody stayed over Friday night.
At 3am, I rolled over opened my eyes to find her staring directly at me.
Nose to nose.
She sleeps like a log.
So that was like, totally creepy.

Since my mom had to work on Friday, I took her out to lunch on the coast on Saturday.

Another crazy beautiful gorgeous day.

We had fun walking along the beach.

We hunted for seashells, and I taught her to hunt for sea glass.

She found the biggest piece for me! 

Afterward, mom treated me to a McDonalds vanilla cone (fun fact: they do not have any dairy in them, instead I believe they switch out any milk products for crack.) and herself to a Shamrock Shake.

Sunday afternoon, back to the parentals so my sister could open some {amazing} gifts,
and this little cutie was wiped after my grandma threw the ball for her for an hour straight.
But she made sure to keep her cute little squirrel right under her paw in case she needed it at a moment's notice.

That is about it. 

A bunch of random, and a whole lot of happy.