Let's celebrate Dean on his 70th birthday with a collection of photos taken since his 65th in 2015 đ
Here's a photo of a Frenchman who bears an uncanny resemblance to Dean at 70
Quite a change from that 23 year old bad boy
Or maybe not... he's halfway to his new 'do and still clowning around
Vacations Near and Far
Bellagio on Lake Como in September 2019
Writing postcards at a café across the street from Chateau D'Ussé in the Loire Valley
Cheateau de Serrant, on the way to Angers at the end of our second Loire Valley trip
We happened on a path to a lovely waterfall in Entrecasteaux- a tiny village in Provence
Sporting a cane in front of the Pont du Gard in Provence (shortly after a hip replacement) in 2016
Limahuli Gardens during a light shower in 2015
The beach at the St Regis Hotel, down the hill from our Hanalei Bay condo, after the flood in 2018
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| The local Garden Isle paper- Monday April 16, 2018 |
The National Weather Service said Kauai broke a national rainfall record after a gauge one mile west of Hanalei recorded 49.69 inches during the 24 hour period ending at 12:45 p.m. on April 15th 2018. And we were there. That may have been the most excitement we've ever had on a
vacation. Dean drove through the raging waters to allow me to stock up on provisions during the storm. For days after the rain stopped we sat on our lanai and watched helicopters flying over Hanalei Bay taking people out and bringing supplies in. The North shore is still recovering and has just recently opened up to visitors. We were planning on making a long-awaited pilgrimage to the Limihuli Gardens in late March of this year, but our trip was cancelled due to the pandemic
Dressed according to etiquette at the Hindu temple on Kauai in 2019. The road to the north side of the island was still closed on this trip so we found other fun things to do.
Waimea Canyon
A hike to Frog Lake in Markleville in early September 2015
On the same trip to Lake Tahoe we did a favorite hike to Marlette Lake - Dean took the photo as we returned to the parking lot. Often before we'd biked to the Tahoe Rim trail on this same dusty path, but not this time and probably never again.
Happy memories of biking the Flume Trail high above Lake Tahoe
We had planned another trip to Lake Tahoe in August 2018, but had to cancel because of wildfires and smoke in the area. Instead we had a staycation with a day trip to Petaluma and Olema where we had dinner at Sir and Star. Dean is modeling the new tee shirt he found that day in Point Reyes.
Mother's Day brunch at Cotogna in San Francisco
On a short trip to Mendocino in April 2019 when the trees were blossoming
Wine tasting at the annual Big Crush event in Amador County
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| Ethan and his mate honored us with a visit |
Every once in a while a hawk would pay a visit to the tree outside our window. Dean named him Ethan
Hiking on El Toyonal path with Dean's favorite Mt. Diablo in the distance
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| Toasting from separate tables outside the Rustic Bakery in Larkspur |
Even during the corona virus pandemic Dean managed to celebrate Passover with his sister Ricki at the Rustic Bakery in Larkspur, observing social distancing of course.
Projects Completed Around the House
Completely rebuilt stairs from the house down to Tamalpais Road three years ago
Another view of new stairs and railings photographed on a dry August day
Tore down and replaced rotting retaining wall on the landing this Spring--at the far end there is a faint view of the earthquake cache we finally assembled a few years ago. Dean keeps adding useful items like a tent and walkie talkies!
Rebuilt two more retaining walls as shelter in place projects
and reimagined a path next to the basement
and gardening never stops
And finally, five more years of fun with
darling Allie
