Ed Nailed it!

We were driving on a beautiful road as we left the Isabella Lake area.  The photos describe it all, unfortunately not as well as desired.  They don’t begin to capture the turns and twists and beauty and light and colors and shadows and steep drops and narrow passages sneaking between boulders and trees.

We now have our quote for beautiful roads!

~~~

The engineers stayed home and the artists made the road.

Edwin R. Anderson 

For the Love of California

I was born and raised in California so when I see, for me, the quintessential California scene my heart won’t be quiet and my eyes refuse to be still as they rove from one delightful scene to another.   My feet want to walk and walk, exploring the nooks and crannies.  They want to jump  from rock to rock as the little girl in me did, but my jumping from rock to rock days are mostly over.  I lull on the edges of the water, tossing stones, dreaming, loving my memories.  These  rolling foothills, sparse trees (mostly pine and oak), grasses, sage, manzanita make up the understory and huge boulders with plenty of smaller rocks and a river running through it.  All awesome!  Absolute perfection.

We are on the Kern River here, just below the Isabella Lake damn in Southern California.  

Benton seems to be equally happy in this landscape but I’m pretty sure he only has eyes for the ground squirrels, putting his nose deep into one hole after another, then wildly running to the next and next.  One happy dog!  Of course he would be happier if we would throw sticks into the river for him to chase, but the river is high and fast with winter waters.  It would be dangerous.  Ed and I are saved from Benton’s constant stick chasing love by the ground squirrels that capture his attention.

The rain and snow this year in California has been epic, after years of  dry, so the landscape is green and beautiful.  I’m hoping the snow pack will help curb wildfires.  After years of draught California has not had a lick of summer water flowing down the streams, melting into the shady canyons, or oozing over the meadows for a very long time.  All valuable ways fire is curbed.  Raking doesn’t quite cut it!  But snow pack does!

I could stay here for weeks, it is so beautiful.  Plus, although cold at night, the days are warm, but not hot and the sky is blue.  More perfection!

We just finished a breakfast of eggs, bacon, and roasted potatoes, but now we hit the road.  But first a walk about to enjoy this beautiful spot one last time before driving away.

~~~

All Nature’s wildness tells the same story:  the shocks and outbursts of earthquakes, volcanoes, geysers, roaring, thundering waves and floods, the silent uprush of sap in plants, storms of every sort, each and all, are the orderly, beauty-making love-beats of Nature’s heart.

John Muir

Happy Valentine’s Day!

A bouquet from my honey.

~~~ 

Love planted a rose, and the world turned sweet.

Katharine Lee Bates

Walls and Gates and more Walls

I, at first, thought Palm Springs, Palm Desert, and the other towns in this area, were lovely.  But, they have not passed the test of time.  Not only do I have to be pounded by the stupid trump wall, but this area is all about walls and gates and security and more walls.  What the wealthy haven’t figured out is if they’d stop flaunting their hoarded goods, they would not be so vulnerable to theft and vandalism.  

Any way, the prominent streets are boulevards — four lanes, often with a landscaped median and lined with one wall after another.  At first, I even though the landscaping was lovely.  But that too has failed the test of time.  The plants are uninspired, the maintenance looks like someone took a blowtorch to the gardens, and I’ve never seen so many poorly pruned trees in my life.  I won’t even mention green lawns and water wasting.

Plus everything is sterile.  Few people occupy the sidewalks and bike lanes, and in the stores and on the roads, the friendly quotient is way down.

Boy, oh boy, do I miss Langley — our funky, friendly, beautiful town.  A community that is mostly “real” and a community made up of loving, intelligent, community-minded folks.  And we’re not hiding from the world but opening our arms wide for all people — rich, poor, old, young, black, white, and brown.  We grow fruits and vegetables and beautiful free-flowing gardens.  We honor the sea and its inhabitants and we love the forest and its inhabitants.  Most of us care for one another in ways that are community events, like Hearts & Hammers.  Other times kind acts are hidden from view, but the generosity flows freely.  We have environmental treasurers and people treasurers all coming together to create beauty and community.   I Love Langley!

Here is a sampling of walls and gates and more walls...

                                                                             ~~~

         Living in sterile man-made environments that are disconnected from nature should
                                                      be expected to lead to sickness.

                                                                      Steven Magee

The Desert’s Pull

Perhaps it’s not just the warmth that drives older folks to the desert, perhaps there’s more.  What about the speed of our lives?  As children and adults we are always going, going, going.  But as we age, and retire, we suddenly have less scheduled time plus we move more slowly.  Slowly enough to take time and study details.  Just what a desert needs.  I remember as a kid I couldn’t wait to finish driving through one.  Boring, boring, boring.  Even when I was out of the car walking. Boring, boring, boring.  Now, all these years later, I love the desert.  Subtle colors.  Quiet.  Dramatic shadows.  A gentleness offset by it’s harsh ways.  Or it just the quiet?  And, yes, the warmth is perfect too. 

One night Ed and I decided to boondock at Hawk’s Canyon, part of Anza Borrego State Park.   A perfect example of subtle colors, quiet, dramatic shadows, lovely rock formations.  After sitting in the warming sun for a couple of hours, we moved inside as dark and rain were coming our way.  Our camp’s view...

After we had moved inside, eaten dinner and were engaged in the evening’s activities, Ed looked up and gasped.  Although we knew it was raining, we didn’t think it amounted to much, so Ed’s surprised response caught my attention.   Looking out Thistle’s window it was what looked like a  mini flash flood.  The road had turned into a river.  Fortunately our camp site had enough high ground to keep us out of the flood.   Further up the road some campers had to rearrange their camp as the water came right through their tent site.

These pictures were taken the next morning, long after the rain quit. You should have seen our shoes and Thistle’s floor.  Mud/sand/goo everywhere. 

The next day we drove a short distance to Slot Canyon.   We arrived at the trail head at noon.  No dogs on trail.  Oh drat!  Too hot to leave Benton in the car for long, so we set off to hike the bluff, saving the canyon for another day.  Looking down into the canyon is stunningly beautiful.  Would I have liked it as a kid?  I keep wondering because what I do remember from my childhood is I really, really did not like the desert.

Here are shots of the canyon from the rim...

Here we are,  hiker folks... 

~~~ 

I can’t get enough of wandering.  Or the earth.  Some of us carry an inherent need to explore.  Textures.  Fragrances. Sounds. Air. Shadows. Movement. Patterns.  Light.

Victoria Erickson 

  

      

Pioneertown

Driving back to Palm Desert, after our wonderful week in Ojai, we took every back road we could find to avoid the freeway.  As the day began to turn to night, we started our search for a place to camp.

Pioneertown showed up on our map with a little tent, so we headed for it.  By the time we finally saw the Pioneertown sign it was quite dark. We couldn’t quite figure out where the campground was located and once we determined its location, we couldn’t find the road to get to it.  The few lights marking the town were mostly blinding or for “mood” only and did a poor job of lighting our way.  Once found, we discovered the campground was a parking lot.  Outhouses and a scattering of picnic tables were the only amenities.  The price, $10.00 per person.    For one person, quite the bargain.  $20 for two not too bad so we stayed.  I’m so glad we didn’t drive in with three kids.  Fifty dollars would have sent us out into the desert for boondocking, pronto.  

The next morning we went out exploring.  Pioneertown is indeed cute and we thoroughly enjoyed wandering around.  Nothing was open, but because the buildings
are also residential, it didn’t feel deserted.  Also, while we were there two commercials were being filmed.  One was a dance group of about 20 dancers.  The other consisted of about half a dozen motorcycle cops.  But, back to Pioneertown.  It consists of one street, called Mane Street.  Roy Rogers cut the town ribbon back in 1946, when it was first opened.  After several years of fame and success, Pioneertown hit some rough spots, turning into a place for the down and out.  These days it is enjoying a bit of a revival, with lots of visitors and care being poured into the buildings, together with serving as a backdrop for commercials and films again.

This first photo is of the Post Office, in operation since 1946, and still serving the community.

Nearby is Pappy and Harriet’s, and on the Sunday night we were there, it was packed.  Inquiring about dinner we were told “no way”.  The restaurant was part of the original Pioneertown, but Pappy and Harriet did not own it until 1982 and continued until Pappy’s death.  The new owners must be carrying on in Pappy’s fine tradition concluded  from the crowd we saw.

And, there’s nothing like horses clomping down the street to make the scene perfect.

~~~

Until we meet again, may the good Lord take a liking to you.

Roy Rogers 

Ojai Beckons

A few days after my last treatment, we headed for Ojai to visit with Skip and Sheila.  What a lovely break from the desert and a wonderful visit with friends.  The driveway of Skip and Sheila is flat and perfect for Thistle.  It’s almost as if we have our own condo-in-a-driveway getaway.

Ed and I spent several mornings walking to town for coffee and a pastry plus exploration.  Ojai is a charming small town, situated in a valley and surrounded by mountains.  Idealyic, might be the right word.  Of course, I have a special feeling for Ojai, because I lived here as a kid.  My memories are fond ones, and I cherish my childhood experiences of running pretty wild exploring the nooks and crannies of my east valley neighborhood.  But Ojai is not just fond childhood memories.  It is also  the welcome we receive and the outstanding hosting poured forth by Skip and Sheila.

Going back in time is always so very interesting.  What we remember and what we don’t, with the memories helped out by the trauma or attention a certain activity generated.  I remember getting in serious trouble a few times.  Once when I borrowed a horse from Thatcher School, but my mom insisted I stole the horse and I was forbidden to ever again  go to Thatcher Scool.  I also received quite a lot of attention when I helped my Dad (who was at work)  burn trash.  The fire escaped it’s container, almost scaring my mom to death.  My sister, mom and I carried buckets of water to put it out, fortunately succeeding as Ojai is a wildfire waiting to happen.  My punishment was to sit all day (which is really, really hard for a five year old) at the scene of the crime to make sure it didn’t flare up again.  And then there was the time I walked to the main road to meet my sister coming home from school but instead went home with another friend who came by.  Getting home late, I found my parents fit to be tied, waiting with both worry and anger clearly displayed on their faces.  Isolation in my room for this one.

Small towns were like this back in my childhood.  Lots and lots of roaming freedom, but the rules  were not to be broken.  We needed to be back home for meals, and on time.  We needed to tell our parents where we were going and when we’d be home.    And, as I found out we were not to steal horses or start fires or wander away with a friend.

Anyway, my memories are fond memories and our visit with Skip and Sheila was wonderful and got even better when Sharon and Charlie joined us, adding to my warm and fuzzy feelings about Ojai.

Look how green the hills are.

Riding the orange groves splendid...

Hiking the hills beautiful...

Visiting with friends devine...

And then, there’s silly Ed...

~~~

Never stop screaming, playing and laughing,

 it’s part of our childhood which will always be with us.

Romina Noriega

Whitewater Preserve

Where do we stay in Palm Desert so we can do the medical stuff I require?  Not motels, hotels or fancy trailer parks.  Nope, we often park in the Kaiser parking lot, with their permission, so the doctors and treatments are within walking distance.  Other times we camp at Whitewater Preserve, Lake Coahuila, Pioneer Town, Chiraco Summit, Black Rock, Salton Sea, and Anza Borrego.  We kinda sleep around.

One of our favorite spots is Whitewater Preserve.  A private preserve, just 20 minutes from Palm Springs.   The land was purchased by Wildlands Conservancy along with Friends of the Desert Mountains and the Coachella Valley Mountains Conservancy. This preserve is doing a wonderful job of protecting and restoring these 291 acres, once the historic Whitewater Trout Hatchery.  Visiting Whitewater is free.  Plus one can camp  three nights free each month.  The camping is limited to vans and tents, and is next to ponds and a lovely picnic area.  The trails for hiking are wonderful and nearby.  The Pacific Crest Trail is a stone’s throw from the Visitor’s Center, picnic area, ponds and camping.  This entire area is critical habitat for the desert bighorn sheep and the federally endangered least Bell’s vireo and southwestern willow flycatcher.

Hikers and inspiration seekers flock to this environmental delight, so near, yet so far from the heavily populated Palm Springs, and surrounding towns.  It’s nice to note, all of the Wildlands Conservancy’s preserves are operated solely from private funding.  I definitely dipped into my wallet for a contribution.  How can one not support a program dedicated to the beauty and biodiversity of the earth and to provide programs so that children may know the joy and inspiration of nature?

And the cream topping on this delicious vanilla, strawberry and chocolate banana split was a visit from Leslie, a fellow traveler, who has become a friend. She, and her husband, Al, own a vehicle exactly like ours — Westie Sprinter.  She lives on the east coast but was visiting the west coast over the holidays, so we were able to meet up.

I highly recommend a visit to this preserve if ever you find yourself wanting solitude, peace, quiet and beauty while in the Palm Springs area.


                                              

~~~

Cherish sunsets, wild creatures and wild places.  

Have a love affair with the wonder and beauty of the earth.

Stewart Udall

Recalling Christmas

We departed from the NW for warmer climates on December 9.  With me freezing all the time, warmer seemed like a better option for winter this year, plus I didn’t want to give up Thistle adventures just because of a little cancer.  Nope.  I wanted to travel still, no matter what!

We needed to scurry down to the Palm Desert area as my first SW chemo treatment was already scheduled so we couldn’t stop and visit with family and friends as we headed south, much to our disappointment.  We are hoping to set up a schedule on our return trip that will allow time to make some visiting stops as we head home.

After rushing down to Palm Desert for treatment, then meeting with the doctor, my treatment was cancelled due to logistics issues at the treatment center (with only 4 chairs), and issues regarding my lack of tolerance to chemo buildup.  So, I picked up a mini vacation from chemo.  Right away I felt slightly better, giving me more energy to enjoy the holidays and a visit with Brad and Yessi.

When we first arrived we camped in Joshua Tree and were delighted, as always, with Joshua Tree’s stunning beauty.  The majestic Joshua Trees, dramatic cactus, monumental rocks, big sky, not to mention watching the climbers, all enchanted us, as always.

                                     

After a few days we  happily, delightedly and ecstatically welcomed Brad and Yessi.  They spent ten days with us, flying away to home again the day after Christmas.  Before the government shutdown made Joshua Tree off limits (we didn’t want to add to the crowds, many of which were gravely  misbehaving), we enjoyed a few days of hiking this beautiful place.

And biking too...

But, Brad being Brad, more adventure was needed.  So off to the Palm Desert Tram for a ride to the top of the mountain and a two day pack trip for Brad and Yessi.

The hike from the top to Idyllwild for Brad and Yessi, back to a campground at Idyllwild for Ed and me.   Brad and Yessi reported a fantastic hike to the top of Mt. San Jacinto, reaching 10,000+ feet elevation and snow.  A warm Thistle, with heat, for Ed and me.

The wrap up was Christmas in Idyllwild, bike riding, dining out, snow on Christmas morning, and a 

collection of gifts, funny to useful,  we’d been opening each evening for days.  A very special holiday no matter which angle I view it from!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

~~~

“You can kiss your  family and friends good-bye and put miles between you, but at the same time you carry them with you in your heart, your mind, your stomach, because you do not just live in a world but a world lives in you.”

Frederick Buchner