So Much to See and Do the Kids (and adults) Will have the Time of Their Lives

Yesterday afternoon my friend called me and said she would be playing soccer on a field near my house and she thought I might like to walk the dog over and watch.  Yes, I would like to watch the game, no I would not like to bring the dog.  He's had his chance to attend a soccer game.  One day we were out walking in an big open area (he was off leash) when we came upon a girls' high school soccer practice.  He started running up and down the field with the girls, chasing the ball and having great time. When I finally got him leashed up and over to the sidelines, the girls came over and started petting him and fawning over him.  Noticing how irritated the coach was, we left.

Handball courts are in the background.

 The field where my friend was playing is part of a vast and impressive sports complex that lies between Roosevelt Park and San Jose High Academy.  There is a fantastic skateboard park, a roller hockey rink and stadium, handball courts, baseball fields (yes, multiple baseball fields) football stadium and track.

Roller hockey rink is in background.

Nestled in among all these arenas are two open fields large enough to accommodate soccer.  Any given night in San Jose, one is likely to find soccer games (organized and not) taking place in parks and schools and fields.  My friend's game was part of an adult coed soccer league and I have to say it sure looked like fun and set against the backdrop of Mt Hamilton with Lick Observatory sparkling in the setting sun, it was a pleasure to be there.

Meeting Up with the Dog Biscuit Man

Wait, wait, wait..

There is a very nice gentleman who goes walking in the SJSU/Naglee Park/Roosevelt Park neighborhoods and who always carries with him a packet of dog treats. The first time we saw him my boxer didn't even know that the man carried treats but still he dragged me across the street to see the man. One meeting was all it took for this man to become boxer's new best friend and so on our walk this morning when he saw the dog treat man headed our way he quickened his already very brisk pace in order to get to him faster. Little things like this add up to make my neighborhood a nice, not perfect, but nice place to live.

Bark in the Park - A Dog Lover's Paradise

Bark in the Park is the annual carnival for dogs held at William Street Park.  I felt a little guilty attending the event without my dog (I've taken him in the past and he got way over-excited) but I just love watching dogs with their people.  The event includes an Owner/Dog Look Alike contest, herding demonstrations, Silly Dog Tricks and a Canine Costume contest.  A friend of mine said that there was much excitement and chasing about when the sheep escaped during the herding demonstration.  Sorry I missed that.  Bark in the Park is a fundraiser for the Humane Society and other charities.  

Misty, Moisty Morning in Kelly Park

This place is so special to me that I'm reluctant to go public with it. If you go to Kelly Park and walk past the picnic area and the Japanese Friendship Garden and then through a chain link gate, the park opens up into a wild old orchard and a path that follows Coyote Creek. I love the solitude of this place and each season brings its own brand of beauty. Right now the landscape is stark with buds just beginning to swell but the rolling turf is covered with bright, fresh green grasses. This area is teeming with birds all year round. I have seen blue herons as well as Western Bluebirds. In a few weeks this park will be a sea of fruit tree blossoms. Check it out.