While the grandkids were still here we made an excursion Across the Road. I hadn’t wanted to take three dogs and the two kids on my own because of the part where we have to walk on Meridian Road. There isn’t a lot of traffic but the cars are fast and there isn’t much of a shoulder to walk on. I didn’t want to pull the wagon where Kason was riding and hang onto three leashes, all the while trying to get the dogs off the pavement when cars came. (The dogs want to stay on the pavement because they have learned that when they walk off the pavement they are apt to pick up puncture vine burrs in their feet.) By the way, Rusty shared some photos of this in his blog.
The wagon worked well for Kasen and had the added benefit of taking all the necessary things like water bottles and the doll.
Meryl and I traded off with the wagon, but part of the point of this walk was for Kirby, wearing her black and pink Nikes, to run with Aunt Meryl.
Eventually Aunt Meryl tired and needed a ride.
Time to go home. Kirby started to pout because she wanted Sawyer’s leash.
I let her take Rusty and all was OK.
Leaves are turning color and falling.
They will be gone soon.
The black walnut leaves are already gone. Or maybe this is one of the trees that is dead. I think the drought took it’s toll on some of these.
The view looking southeast.
Ginny’s ball was cracked and even with the “Chuckit” I couldn’t throw it very far.
Rusty runs after Ginny every time she goes for the ball. Then he runs back with her but he doesn’t always keep up with her now.
There were sunflowers in one of these fields and there were lots of seeds dropped on the road at harvest time. Now they are all sprouting.
This is Ginny while I was on the ground trying to take seedling emergence photos.
So you know that she put the ball right under my camera.
Ginny, do you know that broken tennis balls don’t float? She spent time looking for it after she had taken it into the canal.
Back at my driveway there were beautiful leaves to photograph. A wild grape vine.
Walnut tree.
This was taken on the first walk a few weeks ago. The dogs are on the leash until we get off of Meridian Road.
The field was bedded up and planted about two weeks ago.
Can you see the sprouts when you look at one of the lines almost right in the middle of the photo? Those are sunflowers.
The most exciting thing for the dogs is that the canals were filled about a week ago.
On the last walk I noticed that Rusty spent more time than usual in the water. He usually just goes in when he’s hot and gets out again, but this time he spent time cruising (the best way to describe his half walking/half swimming) up the canal. I think his hips are bothering him so much that it felt better to move that way.
He also needs help getting out now. Last year I helped Ginny out. This year it will be Rusty. 
Wet dog.
The alfalfa has been cut and baled once already and is now being irrigated.
Here is another week’s growth of the sunflowers.
The best surprise for Ginny I think is that she got to chase the Toy into the water again. Rusty will have more of these photos on 
Mustard blooming.
Mistletoe berries.
Almonds just about ready to bloom.
Looking west.
Taken earlier in the day. One of our two almond trees is in full bloom and full of bees.
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