Mountain gate~Friday's Fences~121313

I was out driving around Garner Valley last year when I spotted this gate and fence.  They have so many interesting gates up there!  I always enjoy driving through Garner Valley, but, unfortunately lately I haven't been able to go anywhere...sigh...Friday's Fences for December 13, 2013.  To visit FF, please go to:   http://lifeaccordingtojanandjer.blogspot.com/

Gulls~Wild Bird Wednesday~December 11, 2013

I was pretty upset with hubby when he made a 3 night reservation at the BEACH instead of the mountains.  But, 3 nights at the beach would cost less than 1 night up in Idyllwild, so off we went over Thanksgiving break.  I really didn't want to go.  I wanted to feed the blue jays in the mountains, watch the rabbits, and feed the squirrels.  But, hey, I'm just along for the ride, right?  So, off we went.  One late afternoon we drove down to Laguna Beach (Aliso beach, actually), parked the car, and wandered off to take photos.  I was enthralled by the seagulls who were taking a bath in the fresh water coming down from Aliso Creek.  They were having so much fun!  And, others were just standing around, quietly enjoying the sunset, like me!  Wild Bird Wednesday for December 11, 2013.  To visit WBW, please go to:  http://paying-ready-attention-gallery.blogspot.com/

Gulls at Laguna Beach~Water World Wednesday~121113

I took these photos when hubby and I went to San Juan Capistrano and Laguna Beach during Thanksgiving break.  They were splashing around in the fresh water which came down from Aliso Beach.  Notice I didn't say "clean" water...obviously after a rain, it wasn't clean, but it was fresh.  You can see the ocean right beyond the sand.  They sure were having fun!  Water World Wednesday for December 12, 2013.  To visit WWW, please go to this link:  http://www.kissess4u.com/2013/

A view of the desert at dusk

I also saw this one...a view of the desert below at dusk.  I'm too confused and lazy to crop it...oh, well.

Okay...I cropped it...

Toro Peak webcam yesterday afternoon

I'm not sure what is going on up in our local mountains, but these were two of the views from the Toro Peak webcam yesterday afternoon at 4:30.  Yes, there were clouds spilling over the mountains, but I had no idea it was this cold up there!  I wonder what the mountains will be like today?

Mountain clouds, Lucille, and nice weather

It was a beautiful autumn day last Tuesday when we stopped by the horse ranch.  We were returning from 3 days in San Juan Capistrano and the ranch was on the way home.  My trainer, Maia, was there and she had Lucille saddled, so up I went!  That was my 5th ride on her.  I did not plan on doing any riding and I only had my Reeboks (not my boots), but she's so gentle, I really am not afraid to hop up on her.  And, it is a LONG way up!  She's 1/2 draft and 1/2 Tennessee Walker, so she is a BIG GIRL!  I enjoyed my ride on her and I'm glad I had another opportunity to do so.  Maia has now switched her lesson day to Monday, so that means I'll be able to see her and the horses 1 holiday in January and 2 days in February (weather permitting).  She was one happy horse after the ride!  My thanks to hubby for taking these photos!  :-)

Sunday and the weekend

I'm finding that I'm usually too tired on Saturdays to even THINK about driving up the mountain to check on the horses.  I only got up to see them a week ago Sunday, and then again on Tuesday and Wednesday this past week.  And, this weekend?  Forget it.  I ran errands all day Saturday (COSTCO, Clark's Nutrition, and Vons).  I was out of birdseed and wanted to put some out and watch the birds.  Unfortunately, either the hawk was close by or the birds have mostly scattered.  Saturday's birdseed was still there Sunday morning.  I haven't heard or seen the hawk now for over a week, but apparently the birds are wise to him and now avoid our yard.  I usually hear one of the pair up in our cottonwood cackling every morning, but I haven't heard them now for some time.  Maybe they've moved on?

So, yesterday I stayed in my pajamas all day.  I'd done housework, too, on Saturday, which apparently just exhausted me to no end.  After 4 bouts of pneumonia and then having bronchitis ALL last school year, I'm finding that I can only do so much in one day.  I'm pretty much exhausted.  And, I did unload 6 bags of horse pellets, as well as 5 mineral BLOCKS and 5 little salt bricks on Wednesday, which did me in for the rest of the week!

And, it's back to school for the next 3 weeks now...BUT, as the sign says...AND, I have a 3 week break!  :-)