Skywatch Friday - Balloons Over Reno...

A couple of weeks ago, The Great Reno Balloon Races, were held here in Reno. On the Sunday morning, a friend,her daughter and I went up Rancho San Rafael Park, to watch the mass ascension.

Instead of going to the park itself, we went up on the hill behind it. The view was incredible, with the balloons ascending in front of us and then coming low over our heads to land on the other side of where we were.

Here are a few photos I took of the event. The first two were taken with my film SLR camera, but came out a bit faded. I've since been told about poloroid filters and how they brighten a photo, especially landscapes. I've bought one and look forward to playing with it :-)

(CLICK ON ANY PHOTO TO ENLARGE)

The balloon carrying the American flag taken against the rising sun..


The fly past ...aren't quite sure what type of planes they are..


Smokey the Bear didn't stay up very long. :-)


The two balloons carrying the American flag and the Nevada state flag. They'd already started rolling up the Nevada flag as I snapped this shot. Even as a Kiwi, I got a lump in my throat as I watched these two balloons rice and gracefully float over us, as 'God Bless America and 'The Stars and Stripes' were sung.


The Mass Ascension begins...


'Wanna Hug??' :-)


Beautiful, colourful balloon...


Balloons swooping in low to drop a bean bag on a target that was stretched out on the ground. This was happening just yards in front of us and was fascinating to watch..


Balloons coming in to land directly across the road from where we were standing..


Walking the balloon down the slope..


Makes me chuckle the way the lady in front, is hanging on for dear to the basket supports :-)

All in all, it was rather a fun morning. :-) I have some more that I took the day before, when I was chasing them all over downtown Reno, where they were landing in the most interesting places !!

Have a great weekend :-)

Go to SKYWATCH for views of the sky from all over the world !

Camera Critters - My Meesha

Meesha, telling me to hurry up, when we were fossil hunting in the NV desert, early this summer..

I'm reposting this, which I wrote this last Monday, the 19th. I wanted to share it with you all as a tribute to my beloved and brave Meesha.

It's been 5 days now since she crossed over the Rainbow Bridge. I miss her so much. I think, that until now, I hadn't realised that grief could actually make your heart hurt.

Meesha was so much part of our family. She was born in our home, so, as somebody mentioned yesterday, I have known her from cradle to grave.

She and I had a connection that was really special ... she was my shadow and my best friend.

I know that in time this crushing pain will ease. I also have so many happy memories of her to look back on and I have faith that in time I will see her again....

Anyway ... this was what I wrote on Monday..
*************************************************************************************
R.I.P My Beautiful Meesha

As you have probably noticed, I haven't been posting lately. It's been a combination of my hubby being out of work, being ill with the H1N1 flu and one of our fur babies being very ill. I've been doing some intensive nursing at home, trying to help our wonderful girl win her battle with cancer.

Sadly today, in the early afternoon, our beautiful and courageous Meesha lost her fight. She passed away in my husband's arms.

Right now, my heart is full of pain ... but there is some comfort in the fact that she is now on the other side of the Rainbow Bridge, running free and probably chasing butterflies.

It hurts so much to say goodbye, Meesha. I knew this day was coming, but it doesn't make it any easier or make the tears stop.

I shall so miss looking into those beautiful, big brown eyes and seeing the love shining out of them.

I shall so miss seeing you running through the house, with that comical, wide-eyed look on your face, when you thought you had lost sight of me.

I shall so miss the excitement you showed, when I walked in the door after being at work or shopping.

I shall so miss cuddling my face into your soft, warm body..

I shall so miss you...

Thank you so much, my beloved baby, for the 12 years of unconditional love that you gave your Mum and Dad. We shall so miss you, but we are grateful that you are now at peace.

Rest In Peace, beautiful one ... you will never be forgotten.


At the river, this summer, before she got really sick. Look at that happy look on her face and that furiously wagging tail. She'd just caught sight of me. :-)


Beautiful doggy smile. :-)




I so loved her colouring, that you can see in these two photos..


One of my favourite photos of her, taken at the beginning of summer, when we went fossil hunting in the old Lake Lahontan bed. You can't see her closely, but this little dog, standing there surveying awesomeness of the desert and sky, just makes me smile..


Yesterday, Sunday, the last full day of her life, we took all three down to the local lake. Meesha managed to walk part of the way, but spent most of the ride in the bike trailer. She had such a happy look on her face and even barked at another dog. I'm so glad she had that.

Love you, now and for ever, baby girl...

Skywatch Friday - Cloudy Skies

The skies around these parts have been rather gloomy, this last week or so. Sort of matched my mood..

Makes for interesting clouds though !!!

Anyway, I am now back. Thank you to those who emailed me wondering where I was. Sorry I did not get back to you, but I was dealing with my own illness (freakin' pig flu) and the serious illness of my beloved fur baby, Meesha, who passed away last Monday.

Next week I'll post some photos I took, early morning, of the balloons at the Great Reno Balloon Race.




Go to SKYWATCH for views of the sky from all over the world !

R.I.P My beautiful Meesha...

As you have probably noticed, I haven't been posting lately. It's been a combination of my hubby being out of work and one of our fur babies being very ill. I've been doing some intensive nursing at home, trying to help our wonderful girl win her battle with cancer.

Sadly today, in the early afternoon, our beautiful and courageous Meesha lost her fight. She passed away in my husband's arms.

Right now, my heart is full of pain ... but there is some comfort in the fact that she is now on the other side of the Rainbow Bridge, running free and probably chasing butterflies.

It hurts so much to say goodbye, Meesha. I knew this day was coming, but it doesn't make it any easier or make the tears stop.

I shall so miss looking into those beautiful, big brown eyes and seeing the love shining out of them.

I shall so miss seeing you running through the house, with that comical, wide-eyed look on your face, when you thought you had lost sight of me.

I shall so miss the excitement you showed, when I walked in the door after being at work or shopping.

I shall so miss cuddling my face into your soft, warm body..

I shall so miss you...

Thank you so much, my beloved baby, for the 12 years of unconditional love that you gave your Mum and Dad. We shall so miss you, but we are grateful that you are now at peace.

Rest In Peace, beautiful one ... you will never be forgotten.


At the river, this summer, before she got really sick. Look at that happy look on her face and that furiously wagging tail. She'd just caught sight of me. :-)


Beautiful doggy smile. :-)




I so loved her colouring, that you can see in these two photos..


Yesterday, Sunday, the last full day of her life, we took all three down to the local lake. Meesha managed to walk part of the way, but spent most of the ride in the bike trailer. She had such a happy look on her face and even barked at another dog. I'm so glad she had that.

Love you, now and for ever, baby girl...