Skeleton tree for Halloween

There's a dirt road in Pinyon which goes back to the Pinyon Crest estates.  I love to take this road and look at the views, like this one, with the fog bank rolling in to our Santa Rosa mountains.  There are a lot of dead pinyons there, like this one.  I thought it made a nice Halloween tree, with its outstretched limbs.  Have a safe and happy Halloween!

The view from Spring Crest

There's a tiny community of less than 20 homes along a part of the mountains along Highway 74.  It is called Spring Crest.  I often pull out there to look at the view of the desert floor far, far below.  Last Saturday, however, I stopped to take a closer look of the views around this area.  Aren't they spectacular?  I can see the huge plateau in the bottom photo from my home in the desert and it's so different up here in the mountains!  It was such a clear and bright day that I'm glad I had the opportunity to view this area.

Palm Springs windmills~Our World Tuesday~103012

I stopped at Spring Crest Saturday to see if there were any trees up there with fall colors (there were...).  Then I looked back and saw these views of the Palm Springs windmills, which I really enjoyed.  They are only visible at a couple of places along Highway 74, this being one of them.  What a contrast~from the mountains to the desert floor 4,000 feet below!  Our World Tuesday for October 30, 2012.  To see other worlds, please go to:   http://ourworldtuesdaymeme.blogspot.com/

Pretty leaves and trees at the ranch

The nights have finally been cold enough up at the horse ranch so that the trees may begin to turn colors.  I always keep an eye on these, which are near the entrance to the ranch.  Last weekend they were all green, but I did spot some signs of autumn Saturday.  It was windy, so I hope most of the leaves didn't blow away!

Cali having some fun!

Folks keep asking for me to post photos of my horses here.  I actually have another blog dedicated to them over at:   http://deserthorses.blogspot.com, but yesterday I took Cali down to the arena for some R&R.  She is in a large corral with her herd mate, Scout.  But, occasionally she needs some time ALONE (away from her half sister) (They are from the same wild herd up in Wyoming, the Salt Creek mustang herd).  I forgot that it was windy yesterday when I took Cali out for a walk.  She spooked at the flapping bags on the old trailer, she spooked at the flapping tarp over the hay stack, and she spooked at blowing leaves, but we made it down to the arena in one piece.  I'm actually glad that things WERE moving yesterday because it gives her experience with "strange" and "spooky" things!  She didn't bolt, she only flinched and froze a couple of times.  Geez...I mean, she's a MUSTANG!  I wonder how Scout would have done...hmmm.... Anyway, after munching on dry leaves, Cali finally took off running in the arena and letting off some steam.  She walked back to the corral quietly and without any drama!  Third photo down shows my two geldings, Sunni and Quad, looking at Cali's antics in the arena.  Cali has always enjoyed her "free time"!

Ocotillo and sunrise~Orange you Glad it's Friday~102612

It was early last Sunday morning when I drove up the mountains to the horse ranch.  So early, in fact, that I was able to pull over and snap a couple of photos of the rising morning sun, which was already shining and heating up the desert floor below.  But, with the mountains providing cover, the sun was just beginning to peak over this one.  I'm submitting this to "Orange You Glad It's Friday", a new meme I found this week.  Please stop by and take a look at OYGIF here:   http://gresham-hoodphoto.blogspot.com/2012/10/orange-you-glad-its-friday-10.html

Fall colors and fence~Friday's Fences~102612

I found this pretty fence and tree out in Lake Riverside Estates last weekend.  This weekend should be clear and warm.  Well, that's the forecast for the desert (mid-90's...) I never know what I'm going to find on the other side of our mountains, like in this area.  Friday's Fences for October 26, 2012.  To visit Friday's Fences, please go to:   http://lifeaccordingtojanandjer.blogspot.com/