we had our aliyah...I guess it's time to pack

O.k. so we are checking things off the list ... Most of the items so far are for Ashleigh
but that is o.k. it is cheaper then sending packages, well maybe. but enough about that

Now it's time to work on our trip and the excitment is starting to kick in... or maybe it is just the euphoria of having only one more load of laundry to do.




Barry is actually admitting to being excited, he is going to Israel he has spent so much time sending his girls to Israel and now it is his turn.

So on Saturday we had an aliyah and the Tefilat Haderech that we should travel safely, not be eaten by wild beasts or fall pray to bandits or ambush and I am hoping that too. However, we can now consider ourselves blessed we just have to be careful until it's time to go.

I wonder if the prayer covers the packing process also.

But packing is for later...

Now it is time to plan... in the North we have heard about De-Karina Chocolate , Petler Winery and Yarden Winery. A friend in shul was telling us about a facility to see in Haifa that he supports and is affiliated with Masorti it is called Ahava Village for Children and Youth. There is Rosh Hanikra and Akko and Cesaria and Haifa and Safad and ohhhh my I could name so many things and that is only in the north.

Up Up and Away.....

O.K.... we did it, I know your asking what did we do?

We checked one more thing off our empty nest list.... A HOT AIR BALLOON RIDE!!! yea ha!!!but instead of saying done that, don't need to do it again.....this is definitely going in the do it again category.

beautiful, smooth, fun, exhilarating all words that can be used but don't do the adventure justice.





we started before sunrise....the Hot Air Expedition van picked us up and off we went to the launch area.... which is actually a large (these balloons are 3 stories tall and actually displace more square feet than the good year blimp) flat area where they get the balloons set up








and watching the process is actually quite interesting (Marty I think you would like this), they fill the balloon with cold air, and then when it is full they start to use the burners to heat the air and right the basket.



while the ground crew is getting everything ready our Captain Mike D gave us a few instructions

and before we new it we were in the basket and getting ready to leave the ground.

And then we were off....

it was smooth actually that was the biggest surprise to me was how smooth and peaceful the ride was, and if you didn't look down you didn't even realize that you had left the ground.


and that is how it started...we slowly lifted off and then up UP and Away!!!! we did have one slight detour when one of our basket mates...no not Barry, had a panic attack and we had to set down so she could get off ...but that was quick and then we were up again.





And then it was just an amazing experience full of moments when you realize that ....














that God does exist....and she is right in front of you...no matter which way you turn.

We were so busy looking that we didn't realize that our hour had passed....we had been up to 4,000 feet traveled about 5 miles and it was time to set down again for the celebratory toast, The Ballonist's Prayer, breakfast and the presentation of our Certificat d'Ascension En machine Aerostatique.

And yes this is us at 4,000 feet

and we can't wait to do it again

I hope some of you will join us next time.

Off on a new adventure

This year we are experimenting with Empty Nest....I know I know Ashliegh is still in school and at home (kind of...but that is for another post) so we are trying to just do little trips...and that is what we are on this weekend.

We are in Arizona, at The Kierland Resort and Villa's in Scottsdale to be exact...using a little timeshare for a little rest and relaxation.

One of our favorite places to relax is in the Lazy River....a 900 foot river pool where you grab an inner tub and just float....when we get home I will put up the pictures from the Lazy River (oopps forgot the sync cord for the water proof camera).

And as wonderful as it is during the day



it is a great place to walk and sit at night.

with little lighted seating areas an fire pits all over the property.

I think I am going to enjoy this empty nest thing...

Where did you sleep?

and we are on our way home a little more banged up than last year ...but it was still a wonderful weekend.

If you remember last year we were in the little tent....o.k. so this tent is actually Christine's (can't tell will all the orange) but that is what we were in last year and Barry really didn't like having to get dressed laying down. So this year we waited and when we saw the sales start we did it....we bought our own tent

It's 10X13 and can sleep 6 if you really need to .... but personally I think it is great for just one queen size air mattress and room for all of our stuff and Barry really likes that there is room to stand up and get dressed.

Our Travel Buddies

last year Barry and I kind of did this alone....there were a few of his Rotary people but most of the people were new to me.... but this year it's different...we talked about this enough that we wet the appetite of a few members of RGEB.

So Christine, Leslee and Michelle have decided to take the plunge ...so to speak and conquer the river.

Exactly what are we doing????

WE are going river refting on the American River the south fork of the American River to be exact it has over 50 different rapids ranging from class 1 to class 3. The Chart below shows you the different tpes of rapids and what makes them what.

EASY BEGINNER
CLASS I-II
Rivers with Class I flat water interspersed with occasional Class II rapids: waves 1-2 feet high. Using a self-guided watercraft is an option. *Best for young children and tentative adults.
BEGINNER - INTERMEDIATE
CLASS III+
Rivers with Class I - II water interspersed with Class III rapids: waves usually 2-3 feet high, passageways contain some obstacles. Rapids are challenging but not overwhelming. * Best introduction to rafting for the widest range of people.
INTERMEDIATE
CLASS III-IV
Rivers with Class I - III water interspersed with occasional Class IV rapids: waves and drops 4 feet high and sometimes higher, difficult passageways containing some obstacles. Unintentionally falling out of the raft may mean an uncomfortable "swim". * Best for those with previous Class III experience wanting to try-out Class IV whitewater, and for athletic, adventurous first-timers.
INTERMEDIATE-ADVANCED
CLASS IV+
Rivers with Class I - IV water and more difficult Class IV+ rapids: 4-5 foot waves and drops, complicated by difficult passages containing obstacles that require quick, precise maneuvering. Falling out of the raft and "swimming" in a rapid will be difficult. * Best for those with previous Class III or Class IV experience wanting a more difficult whitewater challenge.
ADVANCED
CLASS V
Rivers with Class I - IV+ water interspersed with long, tumultuous Class V rapids: 5-8 foot drops and obstacles that must be avoided. Falling out of the raft means an extremely difficult and potentially hazardous "swim". * Best for those with previous Class IV & IV+ experience seeking the ultimate whitewater challenge.
UNRUNNABLE
CLASS VI
Rivers containing rapids that are so difficult that safe passage is doubtful and chances of serious incident, injury and death are almost certain. If attempted and successful, luck deserves the largest portion of credit.

Gas on the 5

It's highway robbery....can you imagine? $3.79 a gallon O.k. so where did this atrocity happen? The 5 and the Stockdale Highway...and yes we did pay the ransom.

Los Banos was a little better....#2.79 if you pay with cash $2.99 if you pay with a credit card....

note to self: when you come up with Sam check gas prices.

Empty Nest or Revolving Door

So June was a very busy month...I went up to Davis to help Sam come down a day later she was down in Redondo Beach working for Camp Menorah. Then we took Ashleigh to Camp (she is a counselor now) then a quick trip to New York for business and then San Francisco for our anniversary and my birthday. After that we thought it would be a leisurely summer of breakfast, work, walks and time to do what we wanted to .... o.k. so we thought wrong

So we came home from San Francisco on a Monday and Ashleigh was home on a day off on Wednesday for 21 hours so by Thursday noon 1:30 she was gone.

But not for long...we had 4th of July to ourselves (and it was good) but then we had kids again...Sam came home for a weekend then Ashleigh was back for intersession and then Same came home with friends ....and then Morgan Arrived

While she was here we had another meeting of the Big Girls Club, a trip to Olivero Street and a ride with Shomer in the convertible. And just a quick as she was here ...she was gone but it was a great trip.

But we would not be alone for long Morgan left on Tuesday and Ash came home on Wednesday and left on a Thursday and then Sam came home on Thursday night and Barry took her to the airport today for a quick trip to Vegas....(Happy Birthday Julia), Celia leaves for Vegas tonight, Sam comes home Monday Morning and then leaves for Georgia, Ash will be home on Tuesday and then leave on Wednesday, Sam will get home Sunday and leave for camp on Monday...Ash gets home from Camp on Aug 19 Sam is done with camp on the 21st....and then we leave for Davis on the 29th....do you think Shomer is as dizzy as I am?.

Just like last year ...well kind of

Empty nest or revolving door I was planning on one and ended up with the other....my days and nights alone with my hubby and the dog....well they have been very few and far between... but this weekend it will be different.....o.k. no it won't we just won't be at home we will be on the South Fork of the American River with about 75-80 of our best friends (well maybe). So those of you who followed our adventures last year knew about our first river rafting trip, and we had such a good time that we are doing it again this year. Just like last year we will be going with River Runners And just like last year I am blogging on the ride...so what is different? well because we were speaking so highly of the trip last year and how much fun we had Christine, Leslee and Michelle from the office are going to join us.

yes that is them behind us.

Michell and Leslee are driving and Christine gets to ride in the back sea

The nest is empty ...again EN24

YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

don't get me wrong I love my kids.... 

but it is so nice and quiet when no one is here

we (that would be Barry, me and the dog) can sit quietly 

yeah right...

I can knit (a new skill...and I can make a mean scarf) 

Barry can read 

and Shomer, well he can bring us balls and ropes and other items that he would like us to throw  so he can go chase them......

where is everyone you ask?? 

well as we go into this Thanksgiving week 

Celia 

is in Portland 

she will be down for Hanukkah but we will miss her at our table

Nathan 

is in Florida 

he will be starting EMT school in January 

we will miss having him at our table

Samantha 

is still up in Davis 

waiting for Asheigh to arrive and  coming home on Wednesday...

Morgan

is in Florida we will miss having her at our table

Ashleigh.... 

has just sacheted in from STS Family Camp (she was a counselor)

and is now off to Davis to spend some time with her sister

and keep her company on the drive home.

So until Wednesday... the nest will be empty 

Barry and I will just have to figure out what to do with the time

suggestions are not necessary.

The first harvest

I was wondering if I would know when it was time to pick my veggies.... but I guess the plants and Mother Nature know best.... and they told me it was time to harvest ....

basically by dying....

The sad part for me is that my little pumpkin plant

the plant that started it all...

grew and grew and grew

it even flowered

but I never got a pumpkin

has also died....

but we had some tomatoes and the squash for dinner tonight with some wine and lamb chops and they were good....

so now I guess I need to start planing for next year.

my little terrace garden cont.

oh how my garden grows...

every morning you turn on the hose and you don't really pay attention

and then all of a sudden you look and wow! how it's grown

little sprigs of green popping through the ground

has now taken over the whole planter box...

and the little yellow flowers that I was so excited about

have bloomed into yellow squash....

almost as big as what we buy in the market.

and my tomatoes....

these two little plants that have been sitting there

and all of a sudden they started growing and then there were the little yellow blooms.....

and then little green teardrop tomatoes and finally

they are turning RED!!!!!!!!!!