Fall colors~Oak Creek Canyon

Hubby and I traveled to Arizona this weekend to see the fall colors there and we weren't disappointed.  We drove through Oak Creek Canyon, near Flagstaff, two times.  The first time was Saturday afternoon, the second one Monday morning.  We each took an extra day off work for this trip, tee hee!  :-)  It was worth it.  We were in Flagstaff Monday morning when the storm started to come through town, swirling fall leaves around.  Boy, was it windy!  The canyon is so different in the morning, too.  I like it better.  The colors seemed to be much more vivid.  Here are some pics from Monday morning, Oak Creek Canyon.

Fall colors~Oak Creek Canyon~Sunday Stills Challenge~102713

This week's challenge is perfect because we were in Oak Creek Canyon, Arizona, yesterday.  And, the colors did not disappoint us at all!  Here are a few of the photos I took in the canyon, which is only 12 miles from Flagstaff. Sunday Stills Challenge for October 27, 2013.  To visit SSC, please go to: http://sundaystills.wordpress.com/

Looking toward Idyllwild~ Friday's Fences~102513

I love this meadow in Garner Valley and from here, one is looking toward Idyllwild.  There are often meadowlarks along the fence and further into the meadow, there is a red-tailed hawk.  I love to go there and decompress!  Friday's Fences for October 25, 2013.   To visit Friday's Fences, please go to:   http://lifeaccordingtojanandjer.blogspot.com/

Feeling better! :-)

I'm feeling better again (thankfully)...My colleague had a fever of 103 degrees for a couple of days and she is now back at school (fever-free).  Phew.  Tis the season.  Time to get out my homemade desk cleaner.  I don't use commercial ones because they are FULL of things I can't pronounce.  I use a mixture of Dr. Bronner's soap, thyme, and a few drops of orange oil (for the aroma).  Seems to do the trick and my room smells so good!  And, our weather is nice right now...low 90's, even in the 80's.  Ahhh...autumn!

This is how I feel today...

This is how I feel today...no words needed.

Hawk~ Hello and Bye, Bye! ~ Wild Bird Wednesday~102313

This guy REALLY didn't like me even looking at him.  Twice I spotted him and twice he took off, flying away from me.  But, I did get some shots of him in flight.  Hehehehe!  He was up in Anza a couple of weeks ago.  I just haven't had time to get these pics posted.  I was sick with some kind of virus all weekend and I'm back home, sick again today.  Ugh...no fun!  Wild Bird Wednesday for October 23, 2013.   To visit WBW, please go to this link:  http://paying-ready-attention-gallery.blogspot.com/

Shorelines~Sunday Stills Challenge~101913

I had to go back to my archives for this week's challenge.  We just don't have any shorelines down here in the desert and I've been sick for 2 days and I haven't even left the house.  Just plain exhaustion and a sore throat!  However, last August, we did spend a week in Arizona, up on the Mogollon Rim.  This beautiful lake is across from the ranger station as you drive up the highway to Overgaard.  I forget the name...there were osprey there, too, and I spent a lot of time watching one of them and listening to him/her call its mate.  Sunday Stills Challenge, "shorelines" for October 19, 2013.  To visit Sunday Stills, please go to:   http://sundaystills.wordpress.com/

Fence, meadow, and sky~SkyWatch Friday~101813

A fence, a meadow, and blue sky.  What more could one want, right?  Ha~ I want some clouds!  SkyWatch Friday for October 18, 2013.   To visit SWF, please go to:   http://skyley.blogspot.com/

Random 5 Friday~101813

First, I'm GLAD it's Friday.  I have a sore throat, so I'm taking the day off work, away from my 29 "germ factories" (i.e. students!)

Second, I'm now TIRED of our endless sunny days.  I want a day with CLOUDS!  I mean, how many days can you put up with when it's day after day of sunshine?  It gets boring after a while.  I can't wait for the clouds to spill over the mountains...maybe next week.

Third, I'm so looking forward to a weekend!  It has been a long week.  And, last week was long, too.

Fourth, I'm glad our national parks and the Santa Rosa mountains visitor center are open again!  YEAH! And that people are back to work at their jobs.

Fifth, hubby made pasta last night with lots of garlic and spicy Italian sausages.  Yummmmmmmmm!!!!  Thank you, honey, for that (he doesn't even read this blog!)

So, that's my Random 5 for Friday, October 18, 2013.  Now, you about you?  Photo shows the horse ranch last weekend.  To visit Random 5 Friday, please go to this link:  http://www.aruraljournal.com/ 
NOTE:  No, sorry, I do NOT rent out my husband...He does, however, cook for the entire family.  We are all ready for his baked ziti and homemade chili, now that it is getting colder here!  :-)  Cooking is his way to destress.  Mine is to grab my camera and head for the mountains!

Picket fences~Friday's Fences~101813

I love picket fences.  I found these up in Garner Valley, in the little community there.  Aren't they delightful?  Friday's Fences for October 18, 2013.  To visit Friday's Fences, please go to:   http://lifeaccordingtojanandjer.blogspot.com/

Open again~thankfully!

The Pinyon Flats campground should now be open again. Yippie!  I really missed driving through it and stopping to take photos!  I also noticed that the Santa Rosa mountain visitor center, too, has been shut down for the last 10 days and it will be open again today!  THANK GOODNESS!  I mean, what kind of IDIOTS would close down things which belong to "We, the PEOPLE..."?  The businesses around Joshua Tree National Park were really hurt by the government shutdown and it, too, will reopen~Saw two RV's in the parking lot of WalMart last night.  And, as our Canadian friends like Al & Kelly will begin returning to the southwest, I am glad that parks are now going to reopen.  Have a safe trip!

Ranch life

I thought I'd post this photo of the ranch for everyone to see.  This is where I board my horses.  It's up in Anza, which is about 40-45 minutes away from our desert home.  I enjoy the drive up there, alongside Deep Canyon.  It is such a different environment.  The horses are getting their winter coats now and are getting shaggy!  :-)

White heron~Wild Bird Wednesday~101613

I love to go to the Living Desert Reserve in Palm Desert and I enjoy seeing all the animals there.  I especially love the birds.  There are two avaries at the reserve.  This beautiful white egret was in one of them, with another egret.  They were preening the other day and I couldn't resist the afternoon shadows and their delicate feathers.  Isn't this one gorgeous?  I could have stayed for an hour...it was so restful!  Wild Bird Wednesday for October 16, 2013.  To visit WBW, please go to:   http://paying-ready-attention-gallery.blogspot.com/2013/10/wild-bird-wednesday-66.html

More red leaves

In the little community up in Garner Valley, there are several spots with fences that have the Virginia Creeper growing along them.  I like to drive by and keep an eye on it, especially in the autumn.  And, Saturday didn't disappoint me at all!!!  Isn't it gorgeous?  WOW!

Mountain landscapes~Sunday Stills Challenge~101313

I love living in the desert so close to our local mountains.  It's only a 10-15 minute drive from the desert floor to the pinyon forest above us.  And, the environment is so different up there!  To be able to drive from our house, at 200 feet above sea level to about 3500 feet above sea level is a real drastic change.  I drive from desert flora and fauna to pinyon forest flora and fauna.  I especially LOVE the moods and changes in the mountains!  Sunday Stills Challenge for October 13, 2013.  Second photo from bottom is looking down into the desert. To visit SSC, please go to:   http://sundaystills.wordpress.com/

A beautiful afternoon at the Living Desert

So, after school yesterday, I drove home, changed into my shorts, grabbed my camera, and made it to the Living Desert Reserve before their 4:00 p.m. closure.  The park is actually open until 5:00 and there were still quite a few people walking through the park in the late afternoon.  I'm such a morning person that I forget the long, afternoon shadows are so beautiful!  And, the park was very quiet.  No screaming kids!!!  I walked for an hour, leisurely strolling through the garden center and some of the bird exhibits.  It was so nice to have this time and space to myself!  I should do this more often.  Here are some pics from yesterday's stroll.

Fence post in meadow~Friday's Fences~101113

I drove out through Garner Valley last weekend to my favorite meadow.  There were a few other cars there and I didn't go much further.  I always enjoy this fence and view.  I didn't see any meadowlarks there, however.  I can't wait to see these mountains tomorrow, especially after our first snowfall!  Friday's Fences for October 11, 2013.  To visit Friday's Fences, please go to this link:   http://lifeaccordingtojanandjer.blogspot.com/

More fall leaves

More fall leaves on a Virginia Creeper.  Our local mountains, especially Idyllwild, got their first SNOWFALL yesterday!  Whoo, whoo!  That's EARLY!  Can't wait to see the snow this morning.  I'll take my Nikon with me today.

Red leaves~Virginia creeper

There's a little community in Garner Valley.  They aren't the 5 acre spreads and mini-mansions of the meadows, but a nice, close-knit little community of "regular" houses.  I often drive through that area to admire the houses and their gardens.  I found this Virginia creeper, which is already turning red!  I need to return this next weekend, or it will be GONE!  We are having an early autumn this year!  Anyway, aren't the leaves gorgeous?

African patio and shade

I LOVE all the shade at this patio in the African exhibit at the Living Desert Reserve.

Morning light in the desert

Okay...I have a window of Internet connection, so I'm going to post like mad.  I took this photo Saturday morning while waiting for our daughter and granddaughter to meet me at the Living Desert.  Can you see why the morning has a "golden glow"?  I love morning light!