Kitty in the Black Hills and Wyoming

Kitty has been away for awhile but she is back. A few months ago Kitty went the Black Hills in South Dakota and to Gillette, Wyoming. It was very cool to see open pit coal mines, Mt. Rushmore, and Crazy Horse Monument. The area has a lot of things to see and learn. Kitty can't wait to see the area again very soon.

Kitty in NYC with Steven Harper

Kitty has somehow gotten bigger and ended up in NYC with the awesome Steven Harper. How special is she!

Kitty is a dirty girl.

Kitty is a dirty girl. The pilatesgirls and Kitty went to Glen Ivy in Corona, CA for a day of relaxation in the pools and mud baths for her dear friend Tish's 100th birthday. It is not everyday when you have a friend that turns 100. Tish looks amazing for her age. She is on the left of the first picture. Unless told, people might have thought she was turning only 50!!! Kitty did see some scary sights like the hirsute man in the third picture. At first she thought he was wearing a fur shirt, but nay, it was his follicular growth on his dorsal area. After a day of mud, Kitty needed a bath to clean off.

Kitty at Bear World

Kitty was frustrated that she did not see any bears at Yellowstone, so she went to Bear World in Rexburg, Idaho to see them. The bears roam freely as you drive your car very slowly around a guided road. It was very hot that day, so the bears were too hot to eat the tires of Stephen's truck, but they have in the past with other cars. The baby bears were very cute. The bears were so interesting that we decided to become bears too. Kitty thinks she likes honey.

Kitty in Yellowstone

Kitty is awestruck with the magnificence of Yellowstone. From the green meadows, the geysers, the animals, the geothermal mineral water basins. There was still extensive damage still visible from the 1988 fires, but the area is coming back. Of course we went to the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone. Of course we went and saw Old Faithful erupt. Of course we saw bisons up close. Of course we saw the Morning Glory pool. How could we not? We were in Yellowstone and proud of it.

Kitty in the Grand Tetons

Kitty is amazed with the beauty and expansiveness of the Grand Tetons. It almost hurts your eyes because it is so beautiful. When you think of what a alpine mountain range should look like, the Grand Tetons is the gold standard. On the way to Jackson, Wyoming we stopped at Bear Lake, Utah for a World Famous Raspberry Shake and it was good. The Jackson Hole area was a super fun to place stay. We had the best food on our trip there. The only thing Kitty did not enjoy was all the stuffed animal trophies everywhere. Kitty feels that animals are best seen when they are alive and not stuffed and mounted on a wall.

Kitty celebrates a birthday!!!

Kitty celebrated her birthday with dear friends where she was showered with the best gifts. Her friend Lori baked her a delicious cake. Her friend Rafael tried to make a Kitty fondue, but luckily she did not taste like chicken. The last picture was taken at this beautiful old mansion called Kimberly Crest in Redlands. Kitty has decided that it is not so bad to get older, when you have good friends.

Kitty back at home

Kitty is back at her home beach. The weather is very nice today but it did rain when she got back to San Diego. It is different to see palm trees everywhere versus redwood trees and long stretches of sandy beach versus rocky shores, but it is nice to be home. Kitty is resting up for the work week ahead.

Last Day at Esalen

Come to the woods, for here is rest. There is no repose like that of the green deep woods.

- John Muir

Kitty is savoring the last day at Esalen before going "up the hill". On one of the first days on the trail Steven had everyone pick out of a bag a John Muir quote. This was the quote I chose. Rest is what I needed. A last chance to see the ocean from Esalen. A last chance to bathe in the baths. A last chance to see friends who over the week have become a tribe. Kitty is sad to leave.

Kitty in Big Sur Day 5

Kitty woke up this morning to the smell of smoke and a blood red sun. The fire that is 100 miles to the north has brought heavy smoke to Big Sur. Today is our last big hike, our last chance to hear the roar of Big Creek. Many of Kitty's friends enjoyed the natural hot springs. Kitty is taking it all in and making memories.

Kitty in Esalen Day 4

Kitty almost got blown away by the wind today. Her friends Deborah and Ian took good care of her and protected her from being sand blasted. She danced in the pink and purple sand at the Garnet Sand Beach. With her friend Marty, she ate wild strawberries until her fingers were stained red. Kitty sat underneath the branches of the pygmy redwood forest and watched them sway and creak with the wind. The wind today sounded at times to be a sweet lullaby and at times speed metal.

Kitty in Esalen Day 2 and 3

Kitty is making friends with people, trees, and other creepy crawlies. Steven Harper, who is the leader of Kitty's hiking expedition, tells everyone to turn down the internal volume of the chatter in our minds and turn up the external volume to the world around us. She can feel, hear, and smell nature all around her. There is the sound of the leaves crunch beneath her feet. There is the smell of the ground and plants. There is the sound of the water and the birds in the trees. Kitty is being touched by nature.