The long Independence Day weekend is giving me time to catch up on a few things. These pictures were taken back in late May/early June when I was in California and Minnesota.
Sonoma County, California
We spent Memorial Day with friends who have a really beautiful weekend house in Sonoma. We had a great time and the weather was perfect. The second to the last one is me enjoying Widow Barnaby after a swim.
Under the flight path for MSP
Would you believe that this beautiful wetland was right next to our airport hotel in Minnesota. Despite the “closed” signs, my sister and I took a nice walk in the evening as an antidote to our dinner at the nearby Mall of America.
hogglestock 
Looks and sounds like you had a wonderful time. Those photos are fabulous and the one of you relaxing with a book –well priceless :)
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Looks like bliss.
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I live just one county over from Sonoma in Solano county, which looks just like Sonoma but with a large bay.
Your pictures have me a bit homesick. In New Haven for the summer this year.
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Beautiful photos!! Sounds like a wonderful time!
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Great shots of you! And I especially like the one of the table with the glasses.
All of you eating together is right out of a magazine.
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I love outdoor reading!
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Lovely photos–I wouldn't mind some away time like that! Glad you had a good time.
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Diane: It is a perfect place for that kind of thing.
Ted: It was bliss until our final day in Sonoma and my allergies went nuts.
CB: What are you doing in New Haven. I saw on your blog that you were there but I may missed the part where you explain what you are up to.
Elise: Hubby gets most of the photo credit. Except for the MN pictures.
Nan: I hesitated to include the still life of the table because it doesn't really say anything about the trip, but I thought it was such an interesting photo I couldn't resist.
Amanda: Oddly enough I usually don't like outdoor reading. I get too distracted by bugs or the sun or something else. But that day none of those were problems.
Danielle: It definitely was nice to get away especially since there was a houseful of boxes that still needed unpacking.
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Beautiful photos! Puts me in a calm, serene mood just looking at them.
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What lovely photos! It just looks so wonderful there – so calm and peaceful – exactly what a trip away should be like – relaxing. Looks like you definitely had a good time :)
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Oh wow! My uncle worked for many years as a refuge interpreter at the Minnesota Valley NWR. He's now retired and lives in Iowa, growing delicious things in his garden and volunteering at a local nature refuge.
– Christy
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