June 22, 2013--Blueberry Picking with Bobbi and Janet; Doe and Fawn; Off to San Luis Obispo

June 22, 2013--Saturday--167343 Odometer reading

       It was up and at 'em this morning to get to the u-pick 'em blueberry place by 10am when they opened. Any later and it'd be too darn hot!  It's really funny that Bobbi brought it up that she and some other friends were going picking, as when we were driving up I had seen the farm and wanted to stop!
      So we were up and on our way early, which meant Roy and Steve were up too. Steve was dressed

for relaxing and the morning air, as we gathered our hats and sun screen and bottles of water. Phone calls were made and received...cancellations, misunderstandings about date and time, etc. In the end, we would be picking up Janet who used to work at the bank with Bobbi prior to her retirement. 
        However, just before leaving I went back into the house to grab

my purse, and Roy called to me to come back to the bedroom.  Standing just outside our window, was a beautiful fawn and doe. They were amazing. I grabbed my camera to get a photo of them as quietly as possible, and would have gotten some amazing shots had it not been for the disturbing fact that I could not get the auto-flash to stop flashing! I tried everything to turn it off, but nothing. So the photos show the flash in the window, but you can still see them and all their beauty.
      The farm was huge, and after getting our buckets we were off to the picking areas. We were told to pick

a full basket and that we could eat as many as possible as we picked as they were organic and there were no sprays or anything harmful used on them, and since Bobbi and Janet were old hands at this, coming out here every 2 weeks during prime picking season, we headed for the bushes they thought would have the plumpest berries in great numbers.  
       They were phenomenal!  We picked for about an hour to get our buckets full (Janet and I had to help Bobbi fill hers as she was behind due to being picky about blueberry "hairs"  :-)   It was a warm day so good thing we had the hats!  We met lots of people:  many children helping their Moms fill their buckets or filling their own; a family of people from San Jose originally from Russia and speaking in their native tongue...it was lyrical and beautiful; a young Asian couple trying the berry picking for their first time and discussing the best techniques to acquire the best berries in the least amount of time.  Everyone was having a good time, and enjoying the berries. 
       When we got back to the stand after washing our hands and mouths thus removing telltale signs of berry munching, I enlisted the help of a young woman who was just beginning the process to see if she'd

take our photo.  Bobbi cracked up at my audacity, as this woman had 4 children all under the age of 6, thus her hands were a bit full. But I assured everyone that I always ask the person who seems to be doing the most to help with things, as they are usually the best multi-taskers...and it was very true in this case. She was a delight, the children were beautiful and she was happy to take a few photos for us. 
       We went back to the house anticipating a full weekend together, but plans were cut short. Our friend Diane who has been battling some very large health problems the last year, called.  It seems she has injured her back and is truly in need of some help.  So without hesitation, we packed up our things, hitched up the Teardrop, and bid everyone a fond adieu. 
       

It was so good seeing them again, and although we wished we could spend more time, they were so kind and understanding about our need to help our dear friend,.  We were sent off with iced beverages, new ice for the cooler, and lots of good wishes and hopes we'd come see them at their gorgeous home in Tennessee. Hey, another adventure in the making!!
       Upon arrival in San Luis Obispo, we went straight to Diane's. She was indeed in great pain, and looked so frail from her illnesses of the last year. But we were so glad to see her, and she us.  Because of her lung cancer, she could not have Guayo (no dogs or cats) in the house with her, so we parked in the shade and opened the windows.  That goodness the temps were low and there was a breeze, so he was fine and only a little confused with being left alone in the truck. 
       I put in a load of jeans for her, as she desperately needed washing done, we then secured a hotel for the night (not easy...it was Cal Poly Weekend and rates were raised and vacancies scarce, but finally managed and the rates were inconsequential when the reality of a dear friend's well being is at stake).  Diane ordered delivery of some wonderful Thai food, which we enjoyed together while the laundry dried and then we completed the folding and hanging, took it upstairs for her and I made her bed. It was the new beautiful coverlet on her bed that had messed up her back. It was magnificiently gorgeous, but heavy, and being weakened from her treatments, when we tried to pull it up she did some harm to her back.  
       Having accomplished items that were needed, and assuring her we would be back in the a.m., we needed to get to Guayo and get him to the hotel so he could get out of the car and not think we had abandoned him.  So with assurances that we would return in the a.m. to help with some other items, we left for our motel and some rest.