Thankful Thursday - for Then and Now

When we left for the desert, our world at home in the mountains was a mixture of lingering autumn and incipient winter.  We knew that those leaves wouldn't stay on the trees for much longer.

One of many wonderful things about the western US is that a variety of climates exists within driving distance. It seemed like the perfect time to go have another autumn and extend the season of warmth. The next day, our world looked like this.

We'd never had time for an autumn trip to the world of red rock before. It was perfect.

We'd all run or mountain bike in the morning in shorts and t-shirts, getting to see the colors around us. Then, we'd soak up the sun in our campsite. Our first campsite was one that will always be dear to my heart, K's Rock. We discovered it on K's last trip to the desert. For new readers, K was a chocolate Lab whom we loved with all our hearts and died of bone cancer way too young in 2012. Her cancer journey taught us so much about love, life, and death.

Although the side of K's Rock where we camp makes it look like a flat rock, it's not. That is very clear when you view it from the air. Our white LabMobile is on the side that looks flat.

I've become very attached to this spot, both because it is idyllic and because I think of K whenever we are there.

Our sentiments about K take nothing away from our Shyla who has won our hearts with her sweetness.

I love to see her lying in the sun at the base of K's Rock. It's heaven on Earth to camp there, all four of us. I am thankful to have known K and for our current pack who makes me smile every day!