We hadn't even gotten to the trail before we saw our first one, just getting out of the parking lot. They are loud little birds and you thought they were pretty cool.
We brought you here once before, when you were just a little thing. We figured this time you'd have a lot more fun, and boy were we right! We got there before they even opened, and took a little walk.
While we were walking around, you needed mom to carry you for a while, and I got some nice pictures of that. Sometimes you look like me, but sometimes you really look like your mom.
We hadn't been too far down the trail, this time we went all the way up to the vista point and around the pond, and you collected sticks the whole way. If we let you keep all these sticks, you would have the most massive collection in the world no doubt.
I even took a sly full-family portrait, a little ahead of you and mom on the trail.
Mom took some really nice pictures with the big camera.
While you ran up and down the trail and tried hard to wear yourself out, or at least work up some appetite for our picnic!
When we got to the pond, there was a huge old tree trunk felled that made for some great climbing opportunities. Mom even snapped a picture of the two of us!
Then you climbed as high as you've ever climbed before. On the way up the hill, we passed some other folks out for a walk. Much to my surprise you declared loudly "Now where are you folks headed??" I can only assume this is a line from (what else?) Curious George, as I've never heard you say it before. But leave it to Maya to quote George, in a proper context!
On the other side of the pond we stopped by this gigantic eucalyptus tree - Daddy really likes that kind. They are so dramatic, with their bark peeling and their huge branches and they smell so good in the sun.
There were lots of big trees up there, something I always notice now that we're getting ready to move to the land of little trees! We made our way up the hill, wondering what the view would be like.
And it was an awesome view down to a bigger lake, the next mountains over, and of course the whole of Silicon Valley down below.
Really quite a view, you wanted to check it out closer.
It was at this point we decided to break out the binoculars, which was a great call because you are, as you'll see, quite cute when it comes to holding them all by yourself.
Even if you don't always look through the right end of them!
In this picture I think you look a little bit like one of those National Geographic zoologists on TV being an expert about something or other, probably lions or snakes or something cool.
Then you tried again some alternative ways to get the best out of those binoculars.
Time to head down to the winery for a picnic and (for Momma and I) a tasting! We started down the hill. Mom had to carry you because you had some serious business to take care of, you see what I mean:
Finally, back to the winery! The land and buildings are very old, and looking around made Daddy remember how much fun he had on our wedding day. Walking around this place, it is quite easy to forget you are 'just up the hill' from Cupertino, and not too far away from Dad's office.
The trail for the preserve literally borders and (when the winery is open) runs right through their grounds. In addition to the Eucalyptus trees, there are plenty of giant old firs and other goodies Daddy loves.
After some Almond Butter and Jelly sandwiches, it was time to run around in the sun. You found a hole in the side of this barn, and declared that this is where the birds and the bees came from!
And finally, into the tasting room. This place will always be very special to your mom and dad. We had our reception dinner right over there!
I didn't recall having this many Calla Lilies around last time, but since it was the flower we had the most of (and your Momma held) at our wedding, perhaps they decided they fit in so well, they made sure there were lots and lots of them around for when we came back.
I know it drives your Momma nuts sometimes when I'm taking pictures. Well today we were both taking pictures, and there are a lot of good ones. So if you want to see more, click on the link below to go to the full album, which has a bunch more. This picture is from before we left for the walk, but I really wanted to include it. You see those cardboard tubes on your arms? Toilet paper rolls are just about your favorite toy ever. At this moment they are being used as your 'Robot Arms'. Which makes it kind of difficult to carry both your purple stick AND the lego tower you are pretending is a banana, but you are somehow managing. Sheesh are you one cute kid! We had a lot of fun with you today, thanks for letting us take you to Picchetti!
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| From Picchtetti Winery - Full Album |
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