Estelle the Great 2003-2011

I traded in my car today.  We've had a rough couple of months, the CD player stopped working, the transmission was on its last legs, the power steering was creaking, the fan vents barely blew the A/C, Estelle was getting old and it was time to let her go, but not without a bit of remorse and nostalgia.  As I went through the glove compartment, I was struck by all the maps, love notes, photos, and random ephemera I forgot I'd tossed inside.  The letters went back almost 8 years, when I first got the car and had been dating Fritz-ky.  I wonder what happened to him?  We lost touch ages ago, when he decided to escape Hollywood and go back to school as a playwright.  I now live a few blocks from his old apartment, and wonder if the current tenants love the space as much as he did.  It was a lovely studio/one bedroom with hard wood floors, bare brick walls, and a bay window, that felt like something straight out of New York.  I suppose it's strange that I remember his place more clearly than his face, but isn't that how it's supposed to be with old loves?  Years go by and you remember the good and the great, but never the bad?

I guess, that is how it will be with Estelle, the first car I purchased all by myself.  Like all great relationships, the beginning was blissful, the middle comfortable, and the end sad and at times rocky.  We traveled almost 100,000 miles together, most of which were solo road trips, just me, her, and the open road.  It's hard to find a great travel buddy and she did well keeping up with my crazy notions.  For that, she will be missed.  Rest in peace, dear friend, RIP.

Walking in my shoes....

While cleaning out the closet, I found these funky shoes and realized I'd only worn them twice.  Decided it might be time to take them out in the sunlight again.  I think they rather enjoyed themselves.  But, you can judge for yourself....

 They were shocked by the vastness of the San Fernando Valley.

Loved the hike to the top of Fryeman Canyon.

Thought the fountain at Tree People was rather delightful.

Dipped their toes into the Pacific Ocean

Spotted a Kayak and asked to if they could take it out for a ride.

85 Degrees in Malibu?  Perfect day!

*Photos by Erin, Heidi, and me

Sammy

Meet Sammy....

He and I had a sweet little date in Griffith Park today.

We walked a bit.

Explored some caves.

Talked for hours.  He explained the difference between Maple and Elm trees (a brilliant professor of dendrology!!!)

We visited the old animal cages.

And made some new friends...

Then daydreamed about clouds and napped.

We were so comfortable together.  It was the most perfect date.

I hope he calls....

*Photos by Jacqui

Yet another snow day in Boulder, Colorado....

 "Off we go thru the dense jungles, then over the Himalayas to find our fortunes."

 "Whatever you do, don't look into the Golden Buddah's eyes...."

 "Oh dear!  Maddie didn't listen, and now he's lost his head!" cried Blythe.

"Perhaps he will be better if we put him on ice.  I hear that it worked for Walt Disney," said Strawberry.

Snow angels

"Oh Madagascar, our fallen comrade, you will be missed."

A traditional Tibetan Sky Burial for Madagascar.  

 Off on another adventure, our two intrepid explorers go...

Past the jungle of the Ivory Buddha,

Through the blades of mile-high grass,

"Watch out for snakes, Blythe!"

Over the shoulders of the Thai Princess Mountain.

Up the tower of elephants, 

They wander until they find their treasure: the Ancient gold, emerald, and ruby-encrusted Goddess of Kandahar.