Sunday, August 24, 2008

Dog Days of Summer

Yesterday was the Dog Days of Summer at AT&T park in San Francisco. It is an annual event with a portion of the proceeds of the Dog Zone tickets going to the San Francisco SPCA. There were hundreds of dogs in all shapes and sizes. Roger was the only standard poodle that I saw.
Our experience started with a parade around the field, which I was afraid we might miss. According to the information we received with our tickets, the parade was to begin at 11:20. We left Paradise in plenty of time to make it by the deadline and we didn't have any problem getting to the ballpark. We were following the directions to the parking lot and before we got there, right across from the entrance to the park, we saw a hand written sign that said "Parking Available, $30." Dawn and I looked at each other and remarked about what a rip off that was. We continued on toward the designated ballpark lot, but mistakenly turned in to the permit only lot. No problem, they just directed us through to the entrance to the regular lot. We pulled up to the lot attendant and were shocked to find out that the parking fee was $30! We asked if there was cheaper parking somewhere else and he said yes, but that it was 5 blocks north of the ballpark. He gave us the directions to Embarcadero & Bryant, and we proceeded back the way we came. He had said the lot would be on the left so we were in the left lane. Right close to the intersection there was a sign indicating a right turn into the lot, but we couldn't get over in time. We continued north several blocks, made a legal u-turn, found another lot with plenty of spaces and pulled in. The parking fee...only $20! We parked and embarked on our 5 block trek. By now it was at least 11:35. When we finally got to the park we saw a long line of dogs and their human companions all waiting to go inside for the parade! Although I had already resigned myself to missing the parade, I was glad we got to participate.
Upon entering our assigned section and seeing how crowded our row was, we decided to sit in a lower row that was almost empty. We figured it would be good for as long as it lasted, and it lasted for about 2 innings. Thankfully, the people whose seats we were in were very gracious. We then took our assigned seats and discovered they were actually better, as was the company! We were seated next to a puggle (with whom Roger was enamored and who left before I could take her picture), a beagle, an Airedale, and a couple of chocolate labs.
It was a warm (hot) day in San Francisco. Each dog had been given their own orange water bowl and the SPCA dog monitors came around regularly to make sure that the hydration needs of all the dogs were met.
The only problem with going to a ball game with so many dogs is that it is hard to focus on the action that is taking place on the field. This is the best of what I saw of the game...bottom of the 4th inning, score is tied 2-2, Pablo Sandoval is on 2nd base (after a lead-off double that I'm not sure I actually saw), Barry Zito hits a single & Sandoval scores! We left shortly thereafter. I learned later that the Giants beat the Padres 4-3.
It was a long day, despite seeing less than half of the game. Roger slept almost all of the way home. I told Dawn I didn't think I would do it again, but I'm already reconsidering! If I do go next year I vow to take more photos and perhaps a video or two (or more).









Saturday, August 16, 2008

Can't get enough of Lake Tahoe!

If I ever win the Lotto I will be looking into buying a place at Lake Tahoe, but until then renting a house with my gal pals for 5 days and 4 nights every August will have to do. We started this tradition in 1997 and first stayed in a little studio cabin in Tahoma at a place called Tahoe Cedars. A charming place it was, old and well established, with its own private beach and families that returned year after year. We were lucky to get in that year, but decided to try something new the next year. (Tahoe Cedars has since closed and now sits boarded up, looking so forlorn). A reasonably priced motel on the beach in South Lake Tahoe was our choice for 1998. South Lake Tahoe proved to be too crowded for our liking and a motel room also proved to be too crowded. The next year we found a house on a golf course in Incline Village for not much more than the price of either the studio at Tahoe Cedars or the motel on the beach. That spoiled us and we've had either a house or a condo ever since. Most recently we've been staying at a house at the edge of Tahoe City. The location is great, the price is right, and since we've stayed there several years now we feel quite at home from the minute we arrive until its time to leave. This was the first year we extended our stay from 3 nights to 4, though we've talked about it almost from the beginning. We also had company for the first time - JoAnne's sister and cousin came up and spent 2 days and a night (thank you Shelley, for the wonderful fruit platter!). Our days were filled with hiking, relaxing at Calawee Cove, rafting on the Truckee River, lounging around playing Hand and Foot, swimming in the lake at a place we've named Rock Beach, and a little shopping. Our evenings were spent strolling around downtown Tahoe City, going for walks in "our" neighborhood (beware of the bats!), taking in the sunsets at Commons Beach (more bats!) and North Tahoe Beach, playing Hand and Foot, and watching the Olympics. It was a good time as usual and I think I can safely speak for the group and say we all are looking forward to next year. The photos were all taken with my cell phone.


Beautiful blue Lake Tahoe from the Rubicon Trail
(yes, it really is that blue!)




Commons Beach just after sunset



Flowers in "our" neighborhood



Looking north toward Incline Village from "Rock Beach"



"Rock Beach" looking south toward Sand Harbor



Sunset from the highway above "Rock Beach"



Getting ready to leave "Rock Beach" on the last day (so sad!)


Last look at "Rock Beach" until next year