Friday, March 23, 2012

Phyllis Comes to Chico!

CHICO, CALIFORNIA
TUESDAY
MARCH 20, 2012
Hi: 59
Lo: 46

Our favorite groundhog, Punxsutawney Phyllis made an overnight stop here in Chico, California on her World Tour. Of course, we were just thrilled to have her. We had BIG plans for her stay. Picnics, walking tours of our university, some wildflower hikes...and then, as fast as a jackrabbit, the wind changed.

It's gusts pushed in billowing clouds the color of charcoal. Not to mention the cold, whose bite stung like a bee.  There would be no picnics, tours or hikes for us. What on earth could we do? We had to think fast.

 Lucky for us, Phyllis was pretty exhausted from her travels when we found her waiting for us patiently on the porch. 




 Lucky for her, it was nap time! (Did you know groundhogs snore?)



After a little shut-eye, Phyllis was ready to see the town by bike! Chico has a large biking community. Rain or shine, you'll find people's legs-a-pumpin', pedaling away. Notice how she wore a helmet? Bike safety is important. Brains before beauty! =)




We raced as fast as our little legs would allow us down the street to the public library. With the wind in our hair, not to mention a few rain drops plopping right onto our eyeballs, we barely beat the storm that was moving in from the west, or was it the east? The south?

"Shhh," we were told when we shuffled through the library's doors.  But let me tell you folks, it was pretty hard to stay quiet with all of the fun books around! Phyllis was in good company. 




After such an exciting afternoon, we hit the hay pretty early.  Who knew what the next day would bring?!


WEDNESDAY
MARCH 21, 2012
Hi: 67
Lo: 48

This was Phyllis's last day here in Chico. It was cloudy with a chance of meatballs  rain...and FREEZING! (Well, not technically freezing, but really cold for our central Sacramento valley, California standards.   

INTERESTING FACT:  As Phyllis told her story of April Fool's Day, some of these California kids had no idea what a blizzard was! Some have never seen snow.

Phyllis told us she really wanted to see some of the town's wildlife. Here she is feeding some exotic birds: Bert, Ernie and Elmo.



Next she had a hot date...hot playdate that is! As you can see, Phyllis was very good at taking turns with the toys.  The get-together was hugely successful with no time-outs or castle-building squabbles.




I don't know about you, but at our house, we LOVE to eat! This means we made sure to feed Phyllis a nutritious and hardy meal before it was time for her to jet off to San Jose, CA.   Wouldn't want her little  groundhog belly grumbling on the trip south, now would we? She still has a lot of road to cover!



Despite the poor weather, we had a lovely time with our favorite groundhog. We will never look at a rodent the same way again.  =) We love you Phyllis! KIT.

Best Wishes,
The Omlors.

28 comments:

  1. What a wonderful stop Phyllis had. Bert, Ernie and Elmo are the cutest! I'm glad Phyllis got to hang out with them!!

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    1. Phyllis got a kick out of her new feathered friends! :)

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  2. I am so impressed with how clever you are and what a great back-up plan you had in place, ready to whip out at a moment's notice when the weather failed to cooperate! I can tell that Phyllis had a fabulous time with you! She loves napping. She LOVES going to the library - she and I do it all the time, but we've only ever been to libraries in New York and Connecticut, so I'm sure it was tons of fun for her to visit a west coast library! And she loves to dig, so no better place than sandbox. And she loves to eat - and what could be better than oatmeal and brown sugar? As for Bert, Ernie and Elmo, I believe a lasting friendship has been established :) Thank you so much for having Phyllis to visit, taking such good care of her (she will fuss over the bike helmet!) and showing her such a great time!!! Such fun!!! :)

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    1. Thanks Susanna! We have such a great children's section at our library, I just had to show Phyllis! I loved having her and am so proud to have participated in this tour. Thanks so much for the opportunity!:)

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  3. I notice that Phyllis has managed to find furry or feathered playdates all over the world. She sure knows how to make friends easily! Like the way Phyllis had to explain a blizzard! Great post, Elizabeth!

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    1. Thanks of checking in Joanna! I had to explain that the bike in Chico was know where near as cool as the bike in Nice, nor as fast. Your's was a hard act to follow!

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  4. That was great -- glad you had a windy-day alternative (that nap space looks so inviting...)

    Phyllis is such fun! And she looks good in any hat, including a bike helmet.

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    1. It is a pretty cozy nap place! Rarely can one resist it's temptation. Phyllis does look good in any hat doesn't she? Loved your post Beth. Beautiful language!

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  5. Cute write-up. Glad you had a back-up plan. We are anxiously awaiting Phyllis's arrival.

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    1. So glad to see that Phyllis arrived safely. I didn't insure her trip!

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  6. Very cute! Love the photo with the bike - so picturesque!

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    1. Thanks Renee! That is my favorite side yard spot! I can look out and daydream as I wash dishes! :)

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  7. Wow, Phyllis was busy! You were such great hosts.

    Are Bert, Ernie, and Elmo your chickens?

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    1. Unfortunately, Bert, Ernie, and Elmo are not ours...but the Easter Bunny will be bringing some feathered friends to our kids this year! Can't wait to see what the kids name them!

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  8. Very interesting outing Phyllis had with you! Sorry to hear the weather has been nasty, but looks like you found other good things to do!

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  9. A rainy afternoon in a well-stocked library is pure bliss! I'm a homebody at heart and Phyllis's visit with good food, chickens, bike rides and a playdate sounds so very wonderful to me. :)

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    1. It was great! Super fun. Hope you guys are enjoying your time with her as well! LOVE the picture of Ethan. So sweet! Books are great.

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  10. Elizabeth, it looks like you guys had too much fun. Library trips and play dates are the best way to fill up the days.

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    1. Thanks Kirsten! That's how we do things around these parts! :)

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  11. I just love all the travel stories with Phyllis in tow! Great job

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  12. Ya all kept the sunshine in your hearts and that made for a fun time with Phyllis on her visit ;~D

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  13. So glad Phyllis visited you. Looks like she had a great time!

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  14. Phyllis looks like she had a great time! Love Bert, Ernie and Elmo! It's good Phyllis could tell some kids what a blizzard is :)

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