This was preparation for the picnic. Our menu was a portable feast and combined the efforts of our house and Gregg's: ham and cheese empanadas; asparagus in lemon and oil; a Spanish goat cheese and a sharper mountain cheese flavored with merlot from the Pyrenees with crusty french bread; a Spring tossed salad bursting with local fresh produce and sprouts; a chicken pasta salad with olives, artichoke hearts, tomatoes, mushrooms and feta; turkey on home-baked potato rolls; homemade cinnamon rolls; poppyseed bar cookies; and cherry almond cupcakes. Oh, and duck jerky, too, just in case!
We headed north to Dixon where the sheltered apple orchards at higher altitude are just beginning to come into bloom. Later, we returned to this lake for our picnic.
Hiking along the orchard road. Steve is wondering how he is going to photograph our adventures when there are FIVE in the WDA.
It was a pleasant breezy day and hiking was pleasant. "Why don't we find a way up?" Nuka, our robust hiker, suggested as she and Puff lead the way. (With little Sen-ge right on their heels). Dragon and Quinn stopped often to whiff the incredible scents of juniper and apple blossons, and pine.
So up they went, except for White Dog who decided to join me back where we had parked...at the edge of the apple trees...where I was sketching and enjoying a more tranquil approach to celebrating the Season. As I worked, WD investigated a bit and then settled next to me to observe and critique. We were both startled when the hardy hikers returned.
After nibbling Gregg's delicious cinnamon rolls, everyone agreed that we should find a feasting spot. We made a short drive over to Cochiti Lake and found a shade shelter on the top of a rise which overlooked the lake. We feasted and savored and toasted Life, Family, Love, Nature. Then we took a short walk down to the water's edge. The late afternoon sun glistened on the water and we all took a moment to say "Thanks."