Cali Catch-Up

~ Kelly Wolf

Photo-sharing is the one thing I’ve missed since jettisoning myself out of social media about a year ago. To address that loss, I’ve decided to use this space to share some pictures of what I’ve been up to since returning to California in late-November. Of course, this strategy only addresses half the issue. I’m still missing out on other people’s photos, but I don’t know what to do about that besides ask my loved ones to text me everything they post online…which they probably/definitely won’t do.

I’ll start with the big trees:

The dogs say, “What tree? Another dog is approaching!”

I really missed California’s incredible array of trees and pined (ha ha) for them ever since we left in ’09.

Next, the coast:

Daisy’s first Pacific Ocean experience. She approved.

Titus at Point Reyes. He was introduced to mussels and barnacles and thought they were very scary. But the rest of the beach was great.

This is how Titus lets us know we’ve walked far enough.

I’ve done a lot of wandering around outdoors. I’m unemployed and surrounded by beautiful, natural spaces, so what else can I do? 🙂 (Those of you who know me even a tiny bit won’t be surprised by the mushroom portraiture.)

On the Vista Loop at Sugarloaf Ridge. I’d had my first visit to this park the day before and it was a total failure – I ended up trudging uphill on the road in the rain for over a mile – so I had JR go back with me the next day to have a redemptive experience. And we sure did!

Joyous JR on a ridge trail

Raindrops on a spiderweb

This branch/root looks like it’s running.

San Francisco and the bay from the summit of San Bruno Mountain

That hill is made of compressed volcanic ash from millions of years ago!

We got to visit Santa Cruz and reunite with our sea lion pals:

And I got to snap a shot of this place that was right by my first apartment in Santa Cruz. I call it the Watch That First Step House:

Here are some flowers:

😆

Here’s what our Christmas tree looked like:

And here’s a lit-up palm in Sonoma’s downtown plaza:

Here I am with my dear friend Caro, whose birthday we got to celebrate just a week after we arrived:

We’ve been friends for over 20 years ~ I’m so excited we’re back in the same state!

And finally, here’s Mom with Titus:

Both dogs are in love with their Grammy and can’t believe how lucky they are to have her move with them to California. 🥰

Yay, I got to share pictures!! I’m so happy. I really hope you liked them…and that you start texting me yours. 😁

6 thoughts on “Cali Catch-Up”

  1. Gorgeous photos mija. We are so lucky to live here. Nature is so beautiful. Did you love the Armstrong park? I sure did!!! I’m so happy you are all here!!! 2025 was intense but it also brought good things including your move back to CA! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

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    1. We loved the Armstrong park – what a gorgeous place! I want to go back and walk over to the other park that connects with it. I’d also love to see a play or some other event in that forest theater 🤩

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  3. happy holidays!! Congrats on heading to CA again. Sun!! Great pics and thanks for the update.
    CO is good for us (also, Sun!) and I started teaching at the local high school. Mostly good, but you know the deal with public schools. Boys are 6 and 8 and live to hike/do nature, so I feel happy and lucky. Have a great new year and say hi to JR.
    nicole tobin wooton

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  5. So happy for you! Thanks for sharing your beautiful pictures. We visited Armstrong park last summer. I didn’t even want to speak; it felt like a sacred place!

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