Thank you so much. |I had to wait till Christmas Day to open the gift...not that it was easy. I kept looking at the box and moving it around trying not to shake it. Finally my husband moved it where I could not find it. He said "Its for Christmas...you know Santa only comes on Christmas Eve" so I had to be patient and wait Today is Christmas and the wait was over!! The box contained a wrapped box. then inside the wrapping was a beautiful penguin box Then inside that box was 3 wrapped gifts. My whole family was in suspense watching me open each layer. My 14 year old daughter said "now that is the best way to wrap presents!"

My secret Santa really figured me out. It was so worth waiting for. My dream for many years is to hike the John Muir trail. I mean it is the thing that I would feel would make my life complete. My Secret Santa did not just get me a book about hiking that trail...he got me the BEST John Muir guidebook there is. So now I can go safely and have a well planned trip - hoping to go this August. The other thing I do alot is local hiking and I always take my dog. At this time of year it is really dark when I head for Green Grind (our local steep fitness trail). So when I go after work I am afraid my dog will disappear into the dark woods (ok she is a very good dog and smart - after all she is a Nova Scotia Dug Toller) but in the woods the smells kind of overtake her brain and she may wander away since she knows Green Grind trail well. Now I have this amazing neon glowing dog collar and can flash as well. So she can't escape and I have no excuse not to be out there after work training for John Muir trail Last but not least my name is Alpine Gurl and my Secret Santa got me a CD called A for Alpine! How wonderful is that??!! I am visiting people for Christmas so have not been able to listen to it but I thought that was SO cool to get that CD. I love it without even listening to it. So Merry Christmas! You are a very thoughtful and creative Secret Santa. I appreciate you tons. I will send some photos with Nani when I get home and I will let you know how the CD is.

A is also for Awesome! I love the music - Alpine is a group I can keep listening to. thanks

Also here is a photo of Nani with her new collar. We went snowshoeing yesterday - very cold and the trees were super icy. She looks good with the collar, don't you think so?!