Down by the River

     There are so many reasons why I love my hometown. really too many to count. But, an easy one to point out is our networking of parks that blend into the downtown area. I've grown up there. I've had moments there. Learning to ride a bicycle and roller-skating with the fam. (decorated with pads galore, mind you-have you met my mom?), birthday parties and cookouts, outrageous church events, zoo trips, tennis practice, watching cross-country meets, running, ice cream runs, dates, tennis coaching, etc. I've spent my fair share of time around those parks and in the downtown area. Needless to say, it made no sense for me not to spend some time there over Fall Break.

     So last night, Ripley, Katey and I made our way out for a late night walk to the Falls. Katey brought her dog, Daisy. I brought Camo. We're trying to work on their friendship. It only makes sense that they be friends if we're friends, right? ; )...we may or may not have almost had a couple of dog fights ("bad-to-the-bone" resonated with a whole new meaning).

Anyways, meeting at our church, we set out down the streets we've frequented so much over the years until we reached the park...

Meet beautiful Katey and Daisy...

Ripley (our "hipster" friend with the really cool hair and resume to make anyone else look like a preschooler) naturally opted for carrying a chai tea around rather than a dog so after a quick drop-in at Starbucks, we picked a spot down by the water...

and we enjoyed a glimpse of Fall weather at its finest for an hour or so...

and I really was there, promise!...except Camo made the picture-taking documentation of that rather difficult...she didn't really want to be anywhere near the camera...

in fact...she didn't really want to be a.n.y.w.h.e.r.e. near any of us either (ahem...because of Daisy)... And so my dog claimed the "loner" title of the night...I still love her despite her social phobias. And to be fair...

...she eventually came around when Daisy dropped her bone. finders-keepers-losers-weepers? Probably not the most respectable motto, but it did wonders in brining her within arms reach...those leashes can get tight y'all...

And so it made for a wonderful Fall night. forever friends. in our hometown. down by the water. on a beautiful night. just enjoying the weather and each others company. Thank-you Jesus. Thank-you Fall Break. Thank-you Hometown.

...maybe next time it won't be such a dog v. dog experience for those other two : )...we've got some room for improvement so I'm thinking another night like this will be in store rather soon!