Pacific Crest Trail~Our World Tuesday~061212

Well, I finally got OUT of my car and walked a portion of the Pacific Crest Trail this past Sunday.  Heck, I've been driving by it for over 30 years.  My cousin has been working on it (trimming tree branches and moving rocks) for about the same amount of time.  But, until Sunday, I had NEVER stepped a foot on it.  Can you believe that?  After reading the book, Wild, by Cheryl Strayed, I decided to investigate it.  I only hiked about 1/4 mile north on it (I discovered I didn't have any water in my car...), but it was so refreshing to be up so high and to view everything!  I was amazed by the amount of wildflowers there along the trail.  There's a monument and map of the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto wilderness portion of the trail (see photo).  It was a beautiful Sunday morning (about 8:00 a.m.) when I stepped onto the trail.  A light breeze was blowing.  I really enjoyed the isolation and solitude, but I think next time I'll take either my cousin or my husband with me.  It's a whole different world...solitary and vast up there.  I've seen people walking from the southern end of it, crossing Highway 74, and I frequently see people on horseback on that side.  I do often see horse trailers on the northern side and, since I only have 4 more days of school this year, I'msure I'll have plenty of opportunities to explore it this summer.  Our World Tuesday for June 12, 2012.  To visit Our World Tuesday, please go to:    http://ourworldtuesdaymeme.blogspot.com/

Cahuilla Tewanet overlook~Deep Canyon

I awoke early Sunday morning, ready to get out and explore Deep Canyon and to get to my horses.  I've been realizing that after teaching all week, on Saturdays I'm just too exhausted to do much at all.  I stayed home Saturday and took a couple of naps, did the laundry, and ran some errands.  But, by Sunday, I was ready to go!  I headed up Highway 74 to the Cahuilla Tewanet overlook, which is a nice pullout area and overlook into Deep Canyon.  I actually headed away from the signs and instead took a walk out toward the edge.  There were many things to see including pinyons, agaves, and the canyon itself (bottom photo).  You can see how rugged it is up there.  There are NO roads down into the canyon, but there are a few hiking trails.  If this summer's weather forecast comes to bear, there should be a lot of rain up there this summer during the July/August monsoon season.  Right now it is very dry.

Pinnacles park~Friday's Fences~060812

Every once in a while I like to go through my archives and find photos which I've forgotten about and this afternoon I went through our photos from our trip to Northern California in 2008.  Hubby wanted to stop at the Pinnacles park before we headed up to Chalone Winery (which was closed that day).  However, the park was delightful.  Hot, but delightful.  Hey, we're from the desert, right?  Anyway, I spotted this fence and flowers and snapped one photo of it before we headed up the trail.  Friday Fences for June 8, 2012.  To see other fences, please go to:    http://lifeaccordingtojanandjer.blogspot.com/

A meeting of great minds~Nature Notes~060712

I wasn't sure what was happening here the other day.  One of the herons made a beeline toward three turtles who were sunning themselves on the edge of the park's lagoon.  He seemed quite intent on either them or something in the water.  It turns out it was something in the pool.  I thought the turtles would dive into the water, but they didn't.  They held their ground and stared down the heron.  It was an interesting interplay and I'm glad I got to see it!  I hadn't seen so many turtles out sunning themselves before.  They were all along the edge of the pool!  Nature Notes for June 7, 2012. To visit other Nature Notes participants, please follow this link:   http://ramblingwoods.com/

Heron~World Bird Wednesday~060612

There are three herons at our local civic center park.  They seem content to live there and not move on, so I see them every time I stop for a visit.  They don't eat the birdseed or bread crumbs that people throw out to the ducks, but I notice they do get in on the action.  Maybe they are curious?  They have a certain grace and beauty, I think...don't you?  World Bird Wednesday for June 6, 2012.  To visit WBW, please go to:   http://pineriverreview.blogspot.com/

Mt. Lassen pics~Outdoor Wednesday~060612

We traveled to Mt. Lassen over the July 4th weekend in 2010.  We drove up the western side of the Sierras and stopped at many mining towns along the way.  There was still snow on Mt. Lassen on this date.  I just thought I'd share a few pics with you, since I have the external hard drive out and open!  :-)  To visit Outdoor Wednesday, please go to:    http://asoutherndaydreamer.blogspot.com/

Saguaro and blue sky

I actually took this photo a couple of years ago, in May.  I just haven't had a chance to stop and take pics of the saguaros this year.  They were planted up by the Bighorn development, at the top of Highway 74 in Palm Desert (before the road goes up the mountains).  If you enlarge it, you can see the bees flying around the blossoms.