Auntie Em, There's No Place Like Home.

When we began yesterday morning's goodbyes from Susan's home in Borrego Springs, we were aware of how Anna and Kyber had become so bonded to each other.  Kyber has not been known to share his pad with another before, so this moment was quite special.  They bark alike, trot alike, chase jackrabbits and squirrels with the same furious abandon.  And never catch a one!

 And the 2-legged human life forms had to say their goodbyes also.  Thank you, Susan, for such a wonderful re-entry to California, a big dose of desert sun, long walks, and great meals.  Till next time............

Up the Montezuma Grade we went, into the mountains over Anza-Borrego

 Autumn all around, like in this stand of cottonwoods along the creek........

Leslie captured this fabulous photo of Big Bear as we cruised past L.A.

Really, couldn't this be in the Alps ?

We had planned to stay in a mobile home park, but it was so depressing, we drove up the road and kept looking for somewhere to camp.  Leslie persevered (I would have checked us into a motel!) and we found ourselves in the Los Padres National Forest, in the snow, at 5800 feet, just over the Grapevine. the Frazier Park exit.

 Oh, baby, was it cold!  This morning our door mat was literally 'frozen solid'................

Though we had no heat, we stayed warm.  We even let Anna sleep on the bed.

So, welcome back to California!  In Georgia, there was gas for 3.19 a gallon.  In Arizona it was 3.59.

We crossed over to  California, and boom, here it was!

Anna began to know we were nearing home.

When we turned onto Hudson Drive, we saw our neighbor Hank.  I called out Hello! and Hey, Hank, that's where you were when I saw you last!  He answered laughing, This is where I've been the whole time you were gone!  

Our "Endless Autumn" continues.  The maple in our front yard............

..............and our neighbor's yard.........

and at the neighborhood park, all in full autumn splendor.  Anna and I had a good walk tonight.

 And the night herons are back........as evidenced by the results of their excellent nutrition.
I can't help it.  As a nurse for 45 years, I find that poop tells many stories..............

After spending three months in the Teardrop, only taking what we actually needed to live, keeping stuff organized, and the weight down,  I said a prayer for this neighbor, and his two-car garage stuffed to the rafters.  Whew.  Bless his heart, as Aunt Lela would have said.

Bless you all for reading all this all these months.  Three months.  Seems like we just left.  Seems like we've been gone forever.  Isn't time a funny thing!

We'll catch up with our posts of Texas, our visit with Allee and Ken, in New Mexico, and our drive across Arizona.  

And Thursday we're off to Alaska (on an airplane, not driving), with hopes for great Aurora sightings.

Talk to you tomorrow!  Good night for now.

Written in our very own home, over the rainbow, on Hudson Drive, San Jose.        RJ.