Antics and Adventures of an Uppity Woman

HAPPY HEARTS' DAY!

2012-02-14T13:27:00.000-08:00

RE-DISCOVERED GEMS - BAJA SUR, MEXICO

2012-02-09T07:44:00.000-08:00

This is the first in a series of photographs taken before I started blogging and right after I started using my first digital camera.

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First Stop: Playa Coyote (a little south of Muleje):

These are Mobula Rays (or Devil Rays or flapjacks or little black kites!). These rays are breathtaking to watch when dozens of them at a time fling themselves out of the water to flip and flop and splash then settle down again. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oi2C4f12U_I

There are differing opinions for this behavior, but some romantic locals believe it's part of a mating ritual. This pair glided right past me, in calf-deep water, not a care in the world, and slowly enough for me to capture them "on film"!

No self respecting Baja beach would be without its share of Pelicans. Watching them dive for food was the daily entertainment. And this one was a little more colorful than the California Brown Pelicans I'm used to seeing. Note the mohawk styling!

Still ensconced at Playa Coyote, one Springy night the beach community was treated to a lovely eclipse of the moon.

The shy creature down in the hole has no idea what remarkable, abstract beach art it has created. A monochrome Jackson Pollock wannabe!

In spite of the smooth skin, those prickly spines don't invite touching!

This is one of several marvelous geologic formations imaginative guides like to show off during visits to Isla Espiritu Santo, off the coast of La Paz. Pretty scary, eh?

Todos Santos Big Foot Pepper Tree

Although way off the beaten track, Bajia de los Suenos (Bay of Dreams), formerly a quiet, hidden fishing village, has been discovered. When we visited, however, the area was still quite rustic, and despite signs of construction for another Baja mega resort, no-frills, beachside parking was available.

Guerrero Negro, on Baja's West coast is one of two large Gray Whale nurseries. Re-finding this photo, gave me goosebumps all over again. What a thrill to see this mom nudge right up to our boat to catch a warm shower from the outboard motor's spray!

Scammon's Lagoon is also the location of Guerrero Negros's salt mines (visible on the horizon...

...and home to dozens of Osprey nests elevated on specially-built mounts along the roads throughout the town. Look closely at this nest to see the junk this mother scarfed up to provide homey comforts for her little one. OK, not so little! Good mom bird!

Stay tuned for more Baja magical discoveries.

I AM WOMAN...HEAR ME ROAR!

2012-02-03T21:38:00.000-08:00

You know I don't take to my soapbox too often. Not often enough, actually. Yet here I am. And for starters, you are "listening" to a woman who is Pro Life AND Pro Choice.

I have been appalled at efforts of male-dominated legislative bodies to formulate laws that would return women's rights to the dark ages: barefoot, pregnant and tied to the bedstead; to formulate draconian laws that intrude on female reproductive rights, to limit access to birth control, to defund Planned Parenthood, and the craziest of crazy, to establish personhood rights for a fertilized egg. 2011 was an exciting year indeed! And it's not over yet.

For me, the most galling, deceptive piece of fiction in today's media is the campaign by uber-right wing activists to deny Planned Parenthood any federal money because performing abortions is one of the many services it offers. They have attempted to paint Planned Parenthood as an abortion factory and, therefore, none of your tax dollars should be available to that organization.

HELLOOOOO...NO federal money has been used by Planned Parenthood for abortions. EVER. NONE. ZILCH. NADA! Use of federal funds in the performance of abortions by ANY person or organization has been illegal since the establishment of the Hyde Amendment in 19SEVENTY-SIX for dog's sake!

Whew! I'm getting really steamed. A rational summary of these issues can be found in Salon.com's article "Susan G. Komen's Priceless Gift," "a radical decision woke the country up ... and gave new life to women's health advocacy."

Spread the word. Please.

http://www.salon.com/2012/02/04/susan_g_komen’s_priceless_gift/

Thanks for listening.

CHEERING AWAY THE GLOOM

2012-01-30T09:20:00.000-08:00

It's been a few whiles since I shared what I like best about the outdoors: wildflowers. Here's hoping these wildflowers (some may be repeats) will help cheer you if your mid-Winter day has a slate gray sky.

Cheer up bunkie...Spring will be here before you know it!

MADISON AVENUE

2012-01-26T07:49:00.000-08:00

Most of the time I think ads and commercials are pretty lame, but every so often, something coming out of a Madison Avenue right brain makes me chuckle. Like the woman, Jen, who telephones her boyfriend, Todd, just to tell him she's giving him the silent treatment!

Or, the packaging for "Bugles," my all time favorite junk food snack (recently rediscovered at The Dollar Tree).

I know, I know -- pretty corny. But I love shaggy dog jokes too.

THESE BOOTS, MADE FOR WALKING,...

2012-01-22T07:02:00.000-08:00

...were worn by Karen Lutz, a through-hiker, when, in 1978, she hiked the entire length of the Appalachian Trail, lovingly referred to as "The AT." A "through-hiker" is someone who hikes the entire distance, from Georgia to Maine, in one season. Ms. Lutz' fabulous feat took her 5-1/2 months to complete.

Boots made of lightweight fabric and leather last about 1,000 miles; the heavyweight full grain leather boots pictured here lasted 1,600 miles. Since the entire AT is 2179 miles, I'm guessing Ms. Lutz had to break in TWO pairs of boots as part of her pre-trip planning! I couldn't see the maker's name on this pair, but they sure look like the Dunhams I used to wear. (No relation!!)

The AT is well marked and many times tied into local spur trails. This one appeared on the Tennessee-North Carolina state line in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

The Appalachian Trail, a "Scenic Trail" part of the National Park system, was completed in 1937, passes through 14 states, and is meticulously maintained by 31 trail-maintaining hiking clubs throughout its length, thus making the AT the only volunteer-managed National Park.

Some parts of the AT are "improved" with steps, shelters, information kiosks and picnic tables that double as roadside picnic areas, like this one at Dick's Creek Gap, that also provides trailhead parking for day hikers. The trail signage is carved into rock and helps keep hikers oriented.

Other trail sections are more back-to-nature!

As part of her Masters Degree study, Ms. Lutz determined that through-hikers need from 4,000 to 6,000 calories per day. Just imagine the food planning necessary; imagine the fuel conservation necessary; just imagine the fitness training required!

Today, Ms. Lutz is the Mid-Atlantic Regional Director of the Appalachian Trail Conservancy. Her through-hiker boots were encased at a Blue Ridge Parkway museum honoring the Civilian Conservation Corps and other pioneers.

THE BIRDS & THE BEES

2012-01-17T07:55:00.000-08:00

PROLIFIC POLLINATORS

Enumclaw, WA honey bees

Fort Bragg, CA bumbles

Fort Bragg, CA honey bees

So laden with sweet nectar he can barely fly!

Diggin' in..."I know there's some left in there"!

E.B White's "Song of the Queen Bee" is my absolute FAVORITE poem of all time! Scoffing at mankind, one of the queen's refrains is "...[man] thinks he's advancing as long as he's changing..." So true!

http://www.badbeekeeping.com/ebwhite.htm

Most fun when read aloud. Enjoy!

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BACKYARD FEATHERED FRIENDS
Never fail to delight

Coarsegold, CA Goldfinches

Coarsegold, CA Bluebirds of happiness clean up well in my backyard birdbath!

Coarsegold, CA little red House Finches. Clicking to enlarge this one, lets you better see the Finch on the right in flight, coming in fast, not to miss his very own primo spot at the banquet "table"!

Coarsegold, CA Blue Jay with an uppity attitude!

An enlargement of this zaftig little sentry was one of eight chosen by members to grace Park Sierra's Clubhouse walls. His favorite lookout is right outside the front of my rig, where his charges feast on leftover nyjer (thistle) seeds scattered on the ground by rowdy Goldfinches.

His name is Stanley. Don't you think that's just a perfect moniker for him?

"WOLF'S MILK SLIME"

2012-01-13T08:54:00.000-08:00

or LYCOGALA EPIDENDRUM to any students of botany or mycology out there.

When in Santa Cruz, I use the disposal station at New Brighton State Park in Aptos to relieve my tanks. I found these little lovelies on a rotted, downed log near the fresh water spigot. It was the tiny pink blobs that caught my eye.

These are actually considered a slime mold, not a fungus, and when opened, they ooze a toothpaste-like substance. Ick! As interesting as they presented, I chose to go no further and didn't poke any of them!! For some really nice closeups, go to:

http://www.bio.brandeis.edu/fieldbio/Fungi_Miller_Stevens_Rumann/Pages/lycogala_epidendrum_page.html

and for images of the slime, go to:
http://wiseacre-gardens.com/wordpress/slime-mold-lycogala-epidendrum/

Who names this stuff anyway?!!

SAGITTARIANS

2012-01-10T07:46:00.000-08:00

FIRE, ENERGY, WARMTH

...linked with the element of fire which represents outgoing, action-oriented energy that seeks spontaneous expression. ....the symbolic focus of the sign is connected to the principle of exploration and evolution....drawn toward travel ... and to enjoy social contacts, meeting new people and exploring other cultures.

They are said to be tolerant in their views, mainly concerned with the "big picture" but with little patience for the details. Like all fire signs, Sagittarius can be idealistic in vision but tactless in expression.

They are known for their bluntness and are often unaware of their ability to cause anguish in others.

Playing with fire

AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL - 4.

2012-01-07T08:19:00.000-08:00

Thank you President Obama, for ensuring at least SOME of our troops have been reunited with their families, loved ones and American soil.

Barnside art found at Classic Organic, Gaviota, CA

http://www.classicorganic.org/

MOTHER BUGS SON FOR FUN!!

2012-01-04T08:14:00.000-08:00

ENOUGH ALREADY ... KNOCK IT OFF!

CAMERON reminds me:

Yesterday is history

Tomorrow is a mystery

Today is a gift

That's why we call it "the present."

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

2011 BANISHED WORDS...

2012-01-02T12:13:00.000-08:00

from Lake Superior State University, MI's tongue-in-cheek "Annual List of Words Banished from the Queen's English for Misuse, Overuse and General Uselessness"!

Nominations have been invited from across the globe since 1976, and there are now about 900 words in the university's archives. This year the top of the list ("amazing") received 1500 nominations. There's even a Facebook page called "Overuse of the Word Amazing"! One person quoted in the article I read blamed it all on Martha Stewart, who thinks EVERYTHING'S amazing!!!

Here are 2011's winners:
amazing
occupy
baby bump
shared sacrifice
win the future
ginormous
man cave
the new normal
blowback
thank you in advance

Those words join last year's list, which included:
viral
fail
a-ha moment

However, usage of some words, like "viral," stubbornly continue to hang on to this day.

I'll wager *you've* got one or two or five idiotic, useless favorites, right? Like, you know, the word "like"!?!!

SUZANNE GONZALEZ

2011-12-28T15:20:00.000-08:00

12/18/47 - 12/24/11

You were a gift.

You brought joy to those around you.

And today, a Christmas gift for you dear Suzanne, "He opened for you, a bright eternity."

Love doesn't make the world go 'round. Love is what makes the trip worthwhile.

Rest in peace dear cousin.

NAUGHTY? NICE?

2011-12-17T21:13:00.000-08:00

"MOMENTS OF BEING"

2011-12-07T10:59:00.000-08:00

After leaving Santa Barbara to attend college in a city far to the north, Refugio was always a beach I returned to for surfing during vacations. The water is refreshing, not cold, even during the Christmas holidays; and if you pack heat like I do, one does not need to wear a wetsuit in December! Refugio is rarely crowded, only a tiny bit breezy; and its small, protected bay had perfect waves for a wimp. (Yes, indeed, I was once a wimp!!)

Little wave-smoothed fragments of inner earth.

I found this fascinating creature, a Nudibranch, also known as a "Naked-Gill Sea Slug," at the high tide line, a long way from the safety of its normal tide pool habitat. Simply put, they are snails without a shell. http://www.wetwebmedia.com/nudibran.htm They have no operculum, and their organs are exposed. In this photo, its head tentacles are visible; its "eye" is that worm-like protrusion on the top of its head.

After I had provoked it by touching it repeatedly (tsk-tsk), this Nudibranch started to burrow its head in the sand and curl into a ball -- of sorts. Its body is really smooth and soft, but here it is sprinkled with sand and surrounded by sea foam.

And as it moved, it exposed its unique body parts. Northern California Nudibranchs aren't nearly as dazzling as those found in other parts of the world, but this one sure had some distinctive body "designs."

Click and enlarge this shot to better see its very interesting patterns. Its "skin," by the way feels like jello -- smooth, silky and squishy! Kinda like a slug without the slime! (Thank you Jane Farwell for helping me identify this little beauty.)

Gulls can be fickle sea birds. At times they are obstreperous, invasive and a downright nuisance. On other occasions when their "mood" eschews any human contact whatsoever, they will hit the sky if one approaches within 50 feet! Gulls will be gulls, I guess!

And now in my sunset seventies, Refugio is a place to refresh spiritually, to rejuvenate and energize. Strolling the beach, listening to the waves, breathing deeply of crisp ocean air, watching the sunset and photographing treasures the ocean coughs up is good enough. MORE than "good enough" when shared with special friends.

PSSSST! WANNA MEET SOME REMARKABLE WOMEN?

2011-11-17T11:53:00.000-08:00

CAROLE, behind her camera

KATHY and LAURELEE

CALICIA

CRYSTAL and LINDA

LISA (and Tim O'Brien). We had to make him an honorary (temporary) Ladeze man so he could guide us down the Rogue. He said "thanks anyway" to the offer of lipstick!

WOODY (and the rest of the river rats reflected!)

You haven't lived until you've done 360's on the Rogue with WOODY at the helm!

CRYSTAL, our Figurehead and Pirate Spotter!

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Back on Land...

CRYSTAL, left, with the latest Lazy Dazer, EMMA, Grandma LISA and EMMA'S Mom, JEN. Absent from this Ladeze outing was sorely-missed GREAT Grandma, JANET. This family now boasts four generations of RVing women -- all Lazy Dazers!

PAT won't leave home without her hot water "bottle."

DORIS, and MARY behind her. (Doris won't leave home without her carbonator.)

CALICIA won't leave home without her surge protector

AUDREY won't leave home without her Swiss Army Knife...

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Between her two-part presentation of "THE CHASSIS, THE ENGINE AND THE BOX: WHAT TO DO AND WHEN TO DO IT," JOAN never really stopped sharing her RVing expertise.

The only males allowed in the "clubhouse" are the canine variety...

Meet male canine extraordinaire, BLACKIE, and ...

PAT, his human

LAURELEE, we know it's you under there ... your badge was a dead give-away!

LAURELEE moderating "TOW or NO"

LINDA won't leave home without her special towing gloves!

Uppity Women in Training: KATHY on the left, and the STURGIS SISTERS, ANNIE and MARY, who traveled cross country from Pennsylvania to join us in Oregon. We were so glad you could join us!

NANCY tells us all that we need to know...

...and what to buy to "AMPLIFY CELL AND WIFI SIGNALS"

Good food, great company...

...and a reaaaallly UPPITY dessert of Ruby Port and Truffles served by JENNIFER G. and WOODY

and CAROLE

CINDY, PAULA, ANNIE and MARY.

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Colorful characters

I could *swear* I told everyone it was "Silly HAT" night!!!

NANCY...

JENNIFER G. and CRYSTAL

LINDA

NANCY and KATE

The wolf, disguised as Grandma LISA,

and LUCYBLEU entertaining EMMA

Ambassador CALICIA

AUDREY

LAURELEE

MARY

JOAN

The Lazy Daze LADEZE official Flying Monkey MASCOT. (Do you think maybe an "intervention" might help?!)

AUDREY tutors us in how to "CAMP MORE and SPEND LESS"

CAROLE and LINDA share tips and treasures to fine tune an ALASKA travel experience.

CINDY, JENNIFER G. and WOODY planning their next geocaching adventure; (PAT in the background)

MARY, LUCY the wonder dawg, and ANNIE, her human

JENNIFER G., PAULA and CINDY

DORIS "prepping" the Champagne for our "Eat and Split Brunch"; JENNIFER and CRYSTAL get ready to chow down on JOAN'S homemade quick breads.

NANCY and AUDREY sharing last minute tips and info.

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My rig BEFORE the 8th Annual Ladeze GTG.

My rig AFTER the 8th Annual Ladeze GTG

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BE STILL MY HEART!!

For me, these dynamic, enlightened women enrich my personal Lazy Daze LADEZE experience, this year held on the banks of the Rogue River, Oregon. It has been a privilege to absorb their energy and imagination, and their enthusiastic participation is infectious. These women make it all worthwhile, and I am so very grateful for their friendship and generous contributions. Thank you.

KONA

2011-10-15T08:07:00.000-07:00

HA! Bet you thought I was going to entertain you with photos from beautiful Hawaii, huh? Well, so sorry, you'll just have to be satisfied with a portrait of a beautiful feline, Kona Berggreen of Solvang, California.

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Now what do you suppose I have to do to get a glam pose out of my own fur creature?

Sambo sez "jest fergitaboutit" ... I got better things to do and I ain't sittin' still for no damn woman with a camera!

ICE CHEST ART

2011-10-13T07:32:00.000-07:00

I know...I know...reaching the bottom. But WAIT! There's more to come. Stay tuned!

1955 - 2011

2011-10-07T18:25:00.000-07:00

"Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life. Don't be trapped by dogma -- which is living with the results of other people's thinking. Don't let the noise of other's opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary."

RIP Steve Jobs

(Silhouette by Jonathan Mak Long)

A SUNSET SERIAL...

2011-10-07T08:31:00.000-07:00

Texas, November, 2009

AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL -- 3.

2011-10-06T08:24:00.000-07:00

Mountains and Dunes floating on a sea of more dunes ...

Revisiting White Sands National Monument,
New Mexico, November, 2009

REPEATING

2011-10-05T08:35:00.000-07:00

I came across these two fashionistas at the Elephant Seal nursery in San Simeon, January, 2010 -- thought they might be worth a few smiles for a Wednesday Hump Day!

ELIZABETH WARREN

2011-09-28T13:55:00.000-07:00

"Every now and then, someone comes along and says something that makes everything clear. Elizabeth Warren just did that, and the world is taking notice."

"There is nobody in this country who got rich on his own. Nobody. You built a factory out there -- good for you."

"But I want to be clear. You moved your goods to market on the roads the rest of us paid for. You hired workers the rest of us paid to educate. You were safe in your factory because of police forces and fire forces that the rest of us paid for. You didn't have to worry that marauding bands would come and seize everything at your factory..."

"Now look. You built a factory, and it turned into something terrific or a great idea -- God bless! Keep a big hunk of it. But part of the underlying social contract is you take a{nother} hunk of that and pay it forward for the next kid who comes along."

Just sayin'

MORE "BEEN THERE..."

2011-09-09T08:40:00.000-07:00

Sweet Memories of BRITISH COLUMBIA, July, 2007

Through the mountain and into the trees

And the ever-stunning Lake Louise

SOUTH CAROLINA

2011-09-05T07:25:00.000-07:00

A few of those "Been There, Done That"

Sweet Memories. This one at daybreak, Outer Banks, 2009

Charleston, SC

Priceless Seagrass baskets

And an "abstract." Sort of!

I WAS WRONG!

2011-08-27T11:00:00.000-07:00

Again. Although the Sierra is still my favorite mountain range, the Cascades have earned a special place in my heart. Maybe because this range of (we hope) extinct (or at least inactive) volcanoes is so in your face when the skies are clear and blue. Mt. Baker, Mt. Adams, Mt. St. Helens, Mt. Rainier, and all the way south to Lassen are peaks that on a clear day, one can see for miles around. And they are stunning in their white-cloaked majesty.

UP HERE

DOWN THERE

For the folks who live in the shadow of Rainier, you can often hear, "The mountain's out? Ho-Hum. What's this? Our ninety-third hour of Summer?!!! "Big deal!! But what do I know? I'm just an awestruck tourist!

MYSTERY PLANT

2011-08-25T07:39:00.000-07:00

Does anyone know what these curious little plants are? The leaf structure resembles that of an anemone (noticeable when the second photo is enlarged).

Shimmering in the sunlight and their beards fluttering in the breeze, they reminded me of miniature garden gnomes -- tiny, feathered sentinels for the colorful treasures in the meadows around them.

Common Buttercups

Owl's Clover

Rockjasmine

Aster

Bear Grass

Delicious Lupine that filled the meadows with the scent of Nehi Grape Soda!

All photographed at the foot of Mt. Rainier.

SCOTTISH PRIDE

2011-08-21T09:11:00.000-07:00

My sister, brother-in-law and I enjoyed a warm, sunny day at the Scottish Festival that has landed at the Enumclaw Expo Center every July for 65 years. It's huge! And, from all over the world, it draws clan members, pipers, dancers, game challengers and dogs to play, compete and party. In case you haven't heard, Scots do like to party hardy!

First, the Parade of Clans...

...that also included "families" of Celtic breeds and Northwest kennel clubs

Isn't this black and white dog the spitting image of the dog in the "For Better or Worse" cartoon?

This is John McBride, pipe major, whose soulful, goose-bump-producing bagpiping starts the festivities. John does not have a tan line. I know. I hired John to play his pipes at my sister's surprise 50th birthday. Of course the women in attendance asked ... and were visually enlightened!

Celtic Breeds Agility Trials

Celtic Breed Stuffed Shirt!

We Robertsons shake our heads in confusion...how did Clan Robertson suddenly become Clan Donnachaidh (Don-a-kee)? We stopped at the clan tent and inquired. Apparently "Donnachaidh" is the Gaelic spelling/pronunciation for "Robertson." Ask me?....they shoulda just let it be -- in plain ol' king's English! (Obviously, they didn't ask me!)

A traditional pipe band from Canada ~~

A co-ed band, but the drummers were *all* girls. WOW! These lassies could swing and twirl their pom-pom drum "sticks" like the Rockettes swing their legs and were the absolute finest keepers of the cadence!

A rocking Australian band called "Brother" -- guitar, bagpipes, drums, and ... say WHAT? A didgeridoo. An *amplified* didgeridoo! It was fun to watch this non traditional band treat us to a different, foot-tapping, energetic sound....

... and to watch the young and old audience respond to its primal beat. You could almost "be there" if you click here: http://www.brothermusic.com/

This guy...not so much!

Lots of men in kilts...

Lots of umm, er, zaftig women in princess garb!

Yes, Enumclaw is smack dab in the middle of a dairy-producing, cow country region.

I don't care how it's labeled, it's not Scottish food!

Practicing for tomorrow's competition -- so nimble and sweet.

These flirts were corralled inside the beer garden doing what they do best after tossing cabers: drinking a good ale and oogling the babes...

...including my sister, who stopped and flirted right back after they referred to her as a "hottie." Discerning folks, those Scots!!

Little "hotties" in training, cooling off next to the misters -- *water* misters.

Cross-eyed ... or just cool?!!

Hope you had fun people watching too!

PIGS!

2011-08-15T11:45:00.000-07:00

OOOPS! Pardon me -- I'm a city girl. Those are COWS! Right? Yup ... those are definitely TWO cows under a still-standing (mostly) tree, at first curious about that strange, two-footed creature with a black box growing out of her head.

OH! This is divine. Gourmet tree leaves. We scored!

AHHH JEEEZE ... this was supposed to be a by-invitation-only private banquet. Which one of you lowlifes alerted the buttinskies?!

HEY! Move aside Bozo...I can SEE there's still a branch left. What a bunch of hogs you are!

Guess we won't be invited back to that blowout spread any time soon.

YA THINK?!

Oh well...I guess the grass really IS greener anyway.

SELF PORTRAIT!

2011-08-13T08:43:00.000-07:00

A QUOTIDIAN ROUTINE

2011-08-10T08:05:00.000-07:00

When day is done, leftovers are wrapped, the kitchen is spruced, and the water stops running, the birds, Beezer and Squeeky, know it's their time for some quality interaction with their "mates," Joe and Janet. This is Squeeky in Janet's lap chowing down on her special out-of-her-cage, after-dinner treat.

Janet was originally Beezer's "mate," but after that traitor went and introduced Squeeky to the household, and Beezer was no longer an only-parrot, he stopped singing and talking, snubbed Janet and defected. Joe became Beezer's new "mate." Sometimes Joe is a little late to hit his chair so Beezer will deign to *temporarily* perch on Janet's old familiar shoulder. But only for a few minutes!

Beezer's special after-dinner, out-of-his-cage treat is the opportunity to groom Joe's nails! Or maybe his beard. If you click to enlarge this photo, you can admire Beezer's Mabeline lashes.

AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL -- 2.

2011-08-07T10:42:00.000-07:00

Spotted down the road from my sister's in Enumclaw, WA, not Hartford, CT! ... never did see his harem.

AND THEN...

2011-08-03T07:45:00.000-07:00

... there are days when Rainier looks like this.

MY SISTER...

2011-08-02T13:07:00.000-07:00

...has great hair. She was born with popcorn curls and doesn't do one damned thing to get it looking like this!!! Doesn't even use a blow dryer!

GREETINGS...

2011-07-29T12:18:00.000-07:00

From the Pacific Northwest...

...where Mt Rainier makes its own weather.

SO COOL!

HARVEST HOSTS

2011-07-21T08:15:00.000-07:00

A little over a year ago, friend and fellow Lazy Dazer, Joan Taylor, introduced our RVing "cult" to a novel camping approach conceived by Don and Kim Greene, based on their RV travels throughout Europe: cost-free overnighting at small wineries, ranches, orchards, working farms, etc.

The Greenes' endeavor, Harvest Hosts, charges a nominal annual membership fee to RVers; the fee entitles RVing members to detailed regional listings from Alaska to Baja, California to Maine, of their Host Members -- those mostly-agricultural operations willing to allow (host) RVers to spend the night on their property free of charge. However, like Walmarting, it's not actually "free" if travelers show their appreciation by purchasing the Host's offerings of wine, lavender, fruit and the like!!

Kelley Orchards in Weiser, Idaho recently hosted two of us in their lovely fruit orchards -- ever so much more quiet, green and peaceful than "pavement parking" when one is aiming for a distant destination down the road.

For a unique going-down-the-road experience, Harvest Hosts is a highly recommended resource. In addtion to the Greenes' website, there is a nice write up at "Rv.Net," and "Trailer Life Magazine" gave them a "shout-out" in their July issue. (The article's superimposed [lame layout] photo of the Lazy Dazes was taken by yours truly while visiting Purple Haze Lavender Farm in Sequim, WA last year.)

http://blog.rv.net/2010/11/free-camping-at-wineries-and-farms/

http://www.harvesthosts.com/images/Trailer-Life-article.jpg

http://www.harvesthosts.com/

FOR PLAY...

2011-07-18T08:06:00.000-07:00

...first find a gaggle of kids, a socialized animal preferably still in puppyhood, throw in a ball or a frisbee, turn on the water, let 'em loose in some wide open grassy spaces while the sun is shining, hear them squeal, watch them dance, hear them sing and make music -- do you remember having energy like this? And not a care in the world?

Embrace the joy. Enjoy the memories!

BEFORE AND AFTER...

2011-07-15T08:15:00.000-07:00

NOW AND THEN

Seen at the used-to-be gold rush Town of Bonanza, Land of the Yankee Forks, Idaho

AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL--1.

2011-07-12T08:42:00.000-07:00

Mt. Hood - Oregon

A Topless Mt. St. Helens swimming in a sea blue sky

(this Washington "monument" was taken from across the river in Hood River, Oregon)

WONDERING WOMAN

2011-07-10T08:49:00.000-07:00

I wonder if this family has cell service. I wonder how far away they have to go to retrieve mail. Newspaper? I wonder how far away their nearest neighbor lives. I wonder if there's a school bus stop nearby. Or perhaps the children are home schooled? I wonder if the road to it is even paved.

I wonder what it would be like to live such a rural part of the state (Idaho). Or perhaps this isn't truly "rural," but might actually be considered a classic wilderness existence -- with their very own grass-fed cows, of course.

(Yes, you'll probably have to click and enlarge to see what I'm talking about!!)

LEAH'S LEASH

2011-07-08T07:20:00.000-07:00

Hmmmmm -- wonder if I'll get in trouble.
QUICK! She's gum banging instead of watching me!

AHHHHH! That was a righteous time out

MARK TWAIN SAID...

2011-07-05T18:57:00.000-07:00

"Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely. Broad, wholesome, charitable views cannot be acquired by vegetating in one's little corner of earth."

Taking Twain's admonishment seriously, our two-rig caravan took two weeks to explore most of Idaho's Scenic Byways. We are most fortunate to live in "this little corner of the world" -- perhaps growing a teensy bit older, but certainly not "vegetating"!

TWO LEGGED

2011-06-30T07:50:00.000-07:00

Surf's Up in Santa Cruz

NOT!

Especially not in January!

Can't find my GPS...isn't China just around the next bend?!

FOUR-LEGGED

2011-06-28T17:53:00.000-07:00

This is Crackerjacks the wonder dawg and his human, Gary Spellbring. Crackers' antics are the result of patient training by his other human, Lenore, and this is just one in Crackers' huge bag of cute canine tricks.

OK, can I have my cookie now?

FIRST RULE(S) FOR EATING ICE CREAM...

2011-06-23T07:52:00.000-07:00

...on a hot Summer day

BECOME ONE WITH THE BAR ~~ ESPECIALLY THE CHOCOLATE PART...

SAVOR IT...

EAT IT VERRRRRY SLOWLY IN LITTLE TINY BITES...

AND REMEMBER

IT WILL LAST LONGER IF YOU DON'T SHARE IT WITH YOUR SISTER!

YUM!

JUST FIDDLIN' AROUND IN WEISER

2011-06-22T08:20:00.000-07:00

A day in the life of David Lin
a competitor in the Small Fry Rounds (ages 5 - 8) at the Weiser, Idaho National Oldtime Fiddlers Festival.

~~~~~~~~~~

This is David's Lilliputian violin.
In the third week of June in Weiser, ID though, it becomes a FIDDLE!

David just turned five and is the youngest of four boys in the Lin family, from Kentucky, all accomplished fiddlers, who come to Weiser to compete. This is David's first competition.

~~~~~~~~~~

PRACTICE-CONCENTRATE-PRACTICE!

TAKE A BREAK

PLAY WITH PLAYFUL DOG!

COMPETE (with not one, but TWO accompanists) at his service

The audience could view

DAVID ON THE OVERHEAD, ALMOST SWALLOWED WHOLE
BY HIS LUCKY BLACK CLINT BLACK HAT

"I DID GOOD, DIDN'T I?"

HANG OUT WITH BROTHER AFTERWARDS

CRASH IN DAD'S LAP!

At Tuesday night's ceremonies, David received special recognition and a prize for the YOUNGEST festival contestant.
WELL DONE, DAVID!

GET HIGH ON MOUNTAINS!

2011-06-21T08:30:00.000-07:00

You can have your Tetons, your Rockies, your Cascades, your Sawtooths...

But the Sierras make my heart sing!

Especially along Kit Carson Pass and..

...Especially in shoulder seasons!

And I hope your Summertime is full of memorable adventures!

'PECKER PANTRY

2011-06-19T09:40:00.000-07:00

In Park Sierra, Coarsegold, CA, there are more Acorn Woodpeckers than people, squirrels and golf carts combined. They peck and peck and drill and peck and store acorns EVERYWHERE: woodsheds, utility poles, benches, awnings, radiators -- just about anywhere they can poke their little beaks! This oak tree is a favorite of the ubiquitous red-headed 'Peckers, and one of their most visible acorn pantries. The tree has so many holes and had actually become such a hazard that some limbs have had to be removed. Here's what one limb looked like last Fall.

Some branches have been drilled so frequently, so thoroughly, and by so many 'Pecker generations that you can see daylight right through them!

MADE IN THE USA

2011-06-18T08:25:00.000-07:00

At least most of our fresh food is still grown "locally."

Peas? Beans?

Whatever -- they are just getting started in sunny Western Idaho. Yum!

MY HEROES!

2011-06-17T07:32:00.000-07:00

Here it Comes!

There it Goes!

~~~~~~~~~~

When you see a fire engine, they are mostly seen whizzing right on by as you slow down and pull over to the curb -- to the rescue, right? It's a rare occasion, for me anyway, to see the insides of one up close and personal. More dials and gauges than on the dashboard of my Lazy Daze, f'sure! And spotless, shiny and mirror bright.

When you think of a fireman doing his/her "job," maybe what you visualize is someone in knee-high galoshes and a rubber suit, hose in hand, spraying water on something burning.

This engine was called to the scene of a drifting dock, stacked to the rafters with rentable kayaks, that had lost its mooring and knocked into other boats in a Morro Bay marina as the tsunami roared in, not like a lion.

Maybe this wasn't a call to a life-threatening situation, but just imagine the skill, training and mastery involved in manipulating those gauges, operating those dials, and engineering a dock rescue! These guys deserve pay raises, not cuts.

I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE!

2011-06-15T08:05:00.000-07:00

Especially during wildflower season!

NOT RELATED

2011-06-13T07:35:00.000-07:00

I love finding and photographing wild flowers, especially "new finds" where I have to dig into reference books and the Web to learn its name. But what truly stumps me is finding similarities in a wildflower (a native) and a commercially grown non native.

The first photo below is a wild Prickly Poppy indigenous to the high desert biome on the Eastern slopes of the Sierras. These were photographed at the height of their blooming period, July, 2010.

In March, 2011, I came across this amazing, cultivated look-alike. It is a Camellia that thrives in foggy, moist Pacific Coastal zones. At first I thought it was a "Katie Wootton." Alas..."Katie Wootton," while similar in appearance, is a double Japonica Camellia; the name of this one, photographed in Morro Bay, remains a mystery.

While their crepe-paper petals appear almost identical, each flower's leaves, pistils and stamens are decidedly unique. You can see the differences easier when you click to enlarge the photos.

YES, OF COURSE WE'RE RELATED!

2011-06-11T07:30:00.000-07:00

OH...THERE you are!

I'm on my way -- finally!
XXXOOOOOUUUU

THE BIG ISLAND, THE BIG KAHUNA, THE REAL DEAL

2011-06-09T09:45:00.000-07:00

THE FLORA

I've never seen anything like this plant; it's almost primordial. And it's well worth clicking on the center of the photo to see the amazing detail of this complex, unique flower.

THE FISH

(Yellow Tang in Swimming Pool-Clear Water)

PU'UHONUA O HONAUNAU

(A Place of Refuge)

THE FAUNA
Directing volunteers on how to clear out scavenger fish from the Place of Refuge ponds -- the old fashioned way!

ALOHA!

JUICY!

2011-06-07T09:30:00.000-07:00

Isn't this a PEACEFUL green?

YOSEMITE JAZZ BAND....

2011-06-05T07:49:00.000-07:00

proves once again, Park of the Sierras is not a sedentary old folks' home!

COUNTRY LIVING...

2011-06-04T12:17:00.000-07:00

...CAN ALTER YOUR STATE

~~~~~~~~~~

The flowers at their feet

Tidy Tips

Phacelia

Acres and acres of Phacelia

CALIFORNIA'S GOLDEN CHAIN...

2011-06-01T09:17:00.000-07:00

Wending its way through the Sierra foothills, Highway 49 still offers up rusty treasures, unique towns, golden chaparral, some contemporary comforts and luscious wildflower displays (here, Clarkia - Farewell to Spring). It's doubtful though, that one could find an O'Douls to quench one's thirst in mid-1800's Chinese Camp!

Emptying reservoirs, diverting rivers, PG&E delivers power to California's gluttonous cities.

This lovely "graffiti" proudly welcomes visitors to the town of Mariposa, Spanish for "butterfly." This mural of little winged wonders and indigenous wildflowers was created and painted by Mariposa High School students and, although just a tad bit faded, is a pleasant reminder that some "street art" is positively delightful.

Some signs (this one at the Mariposa Visitors' Center) beg to be vandalized! Or removed!

JUST AROUND THE CORNER?

2011-05-30T11:21:00.000-07:00

Maybe we can hope for Spring after all. Hope springs eternal and all that!!

WILL SPRING EVER ARRIVE?...

2011-05-29T13:48:00.000-07:00

THIS YEAR?!

BEEN THERE...DONE THAT

2011-05-26T23:58:00.001-07:00

It's not that I haven't had any recent adventures or that life's been boring or anything. On the contrary. It's just that talking about myself takes a bit of effort. So, dear readers, in a nutshell, I've just experienced some drastic transitions involving "hanging up" my tires for long periods of time. Maybe "drastic" is too extreme. "BIG" might be more accurate. As in buying a membership in an Escapee RV park in California's Sierra foothills and moving, settling into a new lot, staying put and getting comfortable with new people, new surroundings, new rhythms, new responsibilities.

Change is good, right? Change makes life interesting; change opens doors and makes us strong and flexible. Says so in the fine print, right here! Well, the thing is...I've been busy volunteering in the park, having lots and lots of visitors and simply haven't been on the road much -- but that's about to change. In the meantime, my computer is host to thousands of unpublished photos. So until there's some new stuff to share, I'm starting a "Been There, Done That" series of "old" photos, not in any particular chronology.

~~~~~~~~~~

Coarsegold Creek and Fungi after early September rains

~~~~~~~~~~

Park of the Sierras Neighborly Critters

More than you need is greed, and if you eat food that doesn't belong to you, you might even end up dead!

FALL IN THE FOOTHILLS

2010-10-30T07:39:00.000-07:00

Witnessing the changing seasons in Coarsegold has been such a pleasant experience. Summer, especially hot Summers, gives me the blahs; Fall is energizing and exciting and pulls me outside!

Say AAAAAAAHHHH!

LAUGHTER...

2010-10-28T08:12:00.000-07:00

...is therapeutic, reduces pain, increases job performance, reduces stress, improves the flow of oxygen to one's heart and brain, helps prevent heart attack, slows blood pressure, triggers the release of endorphins and increases one's general sense of well being. Or put another way: Laughter is the best medicine!

"You can fake an orgasm, but you can't fake laughter." (Bob Dylan)

And some of us wear our hats on our sleeve. I mean, knee!

Gives a new meaning to hat hair!!

Gini's bra substitutes as a "silly hat." HEY! Whatever floats your boat!

Laughter is the closest distance between two people." Victor Borge

I'm sorry Cindy -- I know you're not "fuzzy," but this was the best photo of your fabulous smile!

"Laugh alone and the world thinks you're an idiot"

And there you have it....why Lazy Daze Ladeze LOVE "Silly Hat Night"!

UPPITY? YOU WANT UPPITY?...

2010-10-12T15:07:00.000-07:00

...LET ME INTRODUCE YOU TO UPPITY!

FIRST, THE VENUE

The Eastern Sierras...

In the high desert of the Alabama Hills...

At the foot of Mt. Whitney...

The entrance to "downtown" is well marked.

A DIVERSE GROUP THAT CAME FROM NEAR AND FAR

Such as Monica, who traveled from New Jersey...

And this family, three generations of RVing women in two Lazy Dazes from Arizona: Lisa, mom Janet and Lisa's daughter, Jennifer.

THEY ARE WELCOMED...

...with a feast of weenies, campbeans, a salad bar and s'mores prepared by wagonmistresses, Joan and Lorna, and, after dinner, warming Kahalua, compliments of Calicia!

THEY GET PRESENTS

Wrapped in "gift bags" from "303 Products," (a company that had provided the Ladeze with generous samples of protectant and carpet cleaner), augmented by shop rags, ice cream sticks for cleaning window tracks, pipe cleaners for clearing spider webs from water heater tubes, towels, wipes, Skoy cloths -- all in keeping with the cleaning and lubing theme of this "event." Also included were the traditions: rubber bands and kazoos and an emergency road kit of chewing gum, bailing wire and bandaid!

And a table full of handouts: checklists, medical forms, pet information, regional travel guides and maps and vendor product information.

THEY TEACH

Joan is an advocate of liberating women from their FUDs (fears, uncertainties and doubts) and to that end armed us with a packet of syllabi and handouts for the presentations she would make each morning. (Click on the photo to better see the "Table of Contents" for the confidence-building material she put together for us.)

Never before having attended a Ladeze event, with spunk and pluck, Heidi engaged us in a lively interactive presentation, "Essential Lists for Solo Travelers," that covered ideas, suggestions and information germane to most of the Ladeze present.

THEY ADVOCATE

Cancer survivor Linda reminds us to get mammograms. (Linda, we're thrilled you could join us. When I think of you, the words "true grit" come to mind!)

THEY LEARN

Not one single woman was absent from Joan's daily presentations. This one on "Keeping it Clean and Movin' Free"...

...or this one on "Waste Tank Maintenance."

THEY VOLUNTEER

Calicia, among many other gifts of her time, demonstrates the advantages of "Freedom Waterless Car Wash." (BTW, Calicia, who generally travels from Massachusetts, is a charter member of the Ladeze group, having attended the first and all but two other Ladeze events.)

THEY ARE ENCOURAGED TO

ELEVATE COMFORT LEVELS

See? Maintaining the stuff "Under the Hood" isn't so scary after all.

THEY ARE CREATIVE

This time with beads. Some made earrings; others made R'minders (to put the antenna down, to make sure the cat didn't escape, etc!)

THEY CONTRIBUTE BOOKS, MUSIC AND GREAT STUFF...

For their fund raising yard sale...

...And then go shopping!

THEY PREPARE DELICIOUS, HEALTHY FOOD

We're talking gourmet buffets and potlucks here!

THEY PAY RESPECTS TO THE CULT OF BACCHUS

Joan is indeed a renaissance woman. In a matter of hours, she can go from cleaning an RV's air filter to instilling us with an appreciation for California Chardonnays.

We had been pre-prepared with comment and grading sheets.

As Joan introduced each label, wine elves then poured between palate cleansing cheese, water and crackers.

Happy campers, yes indeed!

Hmmmmmm, I like the "green" better than the "blue." Better pour me some more green, just to make sure.

Disclosure!

Not just first class, but award-winning

High fives for a job well done.

THEY PLAY GAMES

Babes to women. Who are they?!! Successfully matching today's what-you-see-now, two winners identified *most* of the cutiepies!

THEY BOND, TALK STORY, MAKE FRIENDS,

SHARE EXPERIENCES

THEN SAY "SO LONG FOR NOW" IN HIGH STYLE

With a champagne brunch that included home made quick breads...

AFTER AN AWESOME GOOD TIME

MAKING FRIENDS AND MEMORIES TO CHERISH

NOW THAT'S UPPITY!

(Thank you Barbara for this lovely panorama.)

~~~~~~~~~~

P.S. Stay tuned (in a few days) for scenes from "Hootin and Hollerin" Ladeze style!

PHASE I: Recycle!

2010-09-13T08:05:00.000-07:00

There goes your Bud Lite. My Diet Pepsi. Someone's 7-Up! What do you suppose is going to happen with this block o' aluminum next?

THIS IS MY FRIEND LARRY...

2010-09-11T07:05:00.000-07:00

...We're helping him celebrate his 60th Birthday.

It was billed as a "Larry Fest." And fest we did!

Thank the goddess he's not too old to be silly AND still be a Sexy Sixty!

His friends will make sure he STAYS silly on special occasions! He's wearing his new "thinking beanie."

Larry has a loving fan club. But it beats the hell out of me why they were singing "Oklahoma"!! (That's Loni on the left, wife Renee in the center and Hostess with the Mostest, Barbara, on the right.)

It looks like he might be describing what's for breakfast tomorrow.

Homemade can't be beat, and nobody does it better than our inimitable hostess.

~~~~~~~~~~

The morning after -- no, not a pink elephant...

...We were treated to an exotic breakfast that included a scrambled egg. One egg. One ostrich egg -- the equivalent of two dozen large chicken eggs!

Tools were assembled for cracking this baby.

Barbara recites step-by-step instructions for mining the egg's precious contents; Larry dons his miner's lamp, marks the strike point...

...inserts the stir stick to loosen the contents, and...

SUDDENLY!

A Deep Horizon Ostrich Blowout!

~~~~~~~~~~

Such a sweet young thang. You just keep on celebratin' buddy! We love ya!

IN THE GLOAMING

2010-09-09T07:32:00.000-07:00

Some sunsets sizzle. They're probably the ones we remember most. Or best. (Flathead Lake, Montana)

(Mobile, Alabama)

And some sunsets are polite, but a little on the blah side. (San Diego, CA)

Some are just "everyday" sunsets, warm and welcoming, but most likely taken for granted. (Refugio Beach, CA)

Then there are the twilight "sunsets" -- supernatural and just as unforgettable. (Eastern Sierra, CA)

(White Mountains and Owens Valley, CA turning pink at twilight)

HERE'S LOOKIN' AT YA, KID

2010-09-08T11:44:00.001-07:00

I hope you're having a Happy Hump Day!

I CAN SMELL IT FROM HERE!

2010-09-07T07:50:00.000-07:00

There are certain people in my family of gardeners who just look at dirt and something marvelous grows.

So here's a bit of beauty from my cousin's garden; I hope it will brighten your Tuesday.

SAND ABSTRACTS

2010-09-06T14:45:00.000-07:00

When you look closely, Mother Nature doesn't have to try too hard to please the eye.

Or energize the being and replenish the soul.

HEAT & PRICKLIES

2010-08-22T07:45:00.000-07:00

Ubiquitous heat-loving, summer flowers in the high desert of the Eastern Sierras, these Prickly Poppies are a close relative of the taller, rangy Matilija Poppies. There's almost no difference between their large, delicate crepe-paper flowers, but Pricklies have spines on their stems, and Matilijas have a heavenly, spicy fragrance.

Pricklies contain alkaloid properties that are poisonous to cattle, but they had many medicinal uses for Mexican and American natives. For example, when smoked, Pricklies produce a euphoric, sedative effect for about thirty minutes and were used as an anesthetic during surgery and to treat inflammation, fevers and warts.

Me? I just love to look at them!

BUGGED

2010-08-19T08:34:00.000-07:00

As some of you know, Mark and Darice Dixons' website http://Wildflowerswest.org is often my go-to reference for the final answer in identifying my own wildflower discoveries. Their research is thorough, the photographs are stunning, the details are fascinating and the comments are lighthearted and entertaining. Theirs is so obviously a labor of love.

The Dixons have been experimenting with some slide show software for their bug photos that is now ready for prime time. Be prepared to be blown away at the beauty, detail and variety of the insect subjects.

http://wildflowerswest.org/wildflowerswest/thepollinators.htm

Enjoy!

Trivia:

The Phylum Arthropoda is the most numerous of all living organisms, containing more insect species than plants and animals combined, and 40% to 50% of those insect species are beetles. Did you know that Arachnid (containing spiders and mites) is not an Order, but is a Class in a Subphylum all its own? Of course you did!! And that Daddy Longlegs belong to the Arachnid Class but are not spiders? Well, now you do!!

And wonder of wonders, did you know that Lobsters and Crabs are insects?! Or that wars have been fought and empires established over the simple Silk Worm? Millipedes are scavengers, and some of them secrete cyanide to protect themselves when threatened. And, you probably already know that when you are bitten by a mosquito, it was a female mosquito that raised that welt.

For a fun excursion into the insect world, this website will introduce you to the varied insect Classes, Orders and Species, their physical make up, how their different body parts function, how they are different and how they are similar to one another.

http://biology.clc.uc.edu/courses/bio106/arthrpod.htm

Have fun exploring, and I hope the next time you see a bug, you will recognize and appreciate it for its beauty and complexity. (Flies and fleas excepted!!!!)

FLUTTERBYS

2010-08-18T11:43:00.000-07:00

I have tried and tried, without success to identify this sweet butterfly. While it looks very much like the endangered Karner Blue, the habitat is all wrong. These little guys were found flitting through the air in the Eastern Sierras in mid-July at about 7,000' elevation.

They were such fun to watch but difficult to photograph because they were seldom still for more than a millisecond! At rest, they blended in with the earth at my feet. No sooner would I get the camera focused, they would take off again, just a flash of blue fluttering out of range.

AMERICAN FINERY

2010-08-03T07:45:00.000-07:00

I caravanned with my Lazy Daze buddy, Joan, to Devils Postpile National Monument, via a route that took us through Yosemite National Park then up and over Tioga Pass to the "other side." These two parks are nature's masterpieces, and I am eternally grateful that these treasures have been set aside for the world to savor.

These were taken on a hazy day, with a Sierra storm brewing in the East.

Having previously enjoyed Yosemite at least a dozen times in all seasons EXCEPT Summer, visiting in mid-July was a real eye-opener. Although crowded with shoulder-to-shoulder tourists from the world over, I have not yet been inflicted with the cynicism virus! This crown jewel still takes my breath away.

Mountain Pride Penstemon is pollinated by hummingbirds and acted as a pink "fog line" all along the Tioga Pass road.

We reached the East side of Tioga Pass just before sunset. The storm had dumped some hail and slush at the summit, but oh my, it's definitely the clouds that made this sunset a phenomenal sight for weary travelers.

~~~~~~~~~~

Devils Postpile National Monument has been on my bucket list for many years but prior attempts to explore the area had been met with roads that had not yet been cleared of snow. In July!

Access is by driving down (then up) a steep, winding, single track road with blind curves and only occasional wide spots where a Volkswagen might be comfortable pulling over; this same road is shared with mandatory shuttle buses that depart from Mammoth Ski Area at the top of the mountain. Definitely an "E Ticket" ride in a motorhome! At least it was paved and had been cleared of snow!

And, sometimes forced to stop and pull over to let uphill traffic pass, I could get some shots of the sensational Minarets without driving off the cliff!

Our campsites on the banks of the Middle Fork of the San Joaquin River yielded lots of photo opps. Fungii...

...Phlox -- could be Prairie Phlox. Although certainly not found on a prairie, this delicate species can also be found at higher elevations (5,000' +)

Not until you look closely at this riverside bush do you notice the tiny reddish-brown flowers. At a distance, you might even think the bush was infested with little, brown insects.

Not so. A closer look revealed tiny twinned flowers, sweet and unusual.

As graceful as they are, yours truly does not usually ooooh and aaaah over these Disneyfied rodents-with-hooves. But, when they are browsing peacefully in a wild habitat such as this, I'll admit they're a pretty sight.

Have you ever seen the San Joaquin River in such elegant surroundings?

~~~~~~~~~~

Our ranger-led hike eventually led us to this fascinating, geologic formation...

... symmetrical, columnar basalt "postpiles," some reaching over 60 feet high.

Unbelievable!

They look like vertically-stacked fence posts...a pile of fence posts!

Mostly-hexagonal columns formed as the basalt slowly cooled, but because cooling times did vary, some columns are five-sided, others four-, seven- or three-sided. The joints were formed when the columns contracted during the cooling process.

This unusual formation was almost blasted into oblivion to make way for a hydroelectric project on the San Joaquin River. President William Howard Taft to the rescue! The park was established in 1911.

These cheery Seep-Spring Monkeyflowers can be found in? Yup! You guessed it: seeps, springs and bogs!

Along the trail to the postpiles, we passed this meadow carpeted with Jeffrey (or Alpine) Shooting Stars. Jeffreys have distinctive linear leaves and are found in open damp meadows, whereas Henderson Shooting Stars have rounder leaves and are found in drier habitats at lower elevations.

I love this tree, warts and all!

So placid in the early breezeless morning, this lakelet left me with such a peaceful feeling as we exited this unique monument.

BENEDICTO...

2010-08-01T07:14:00.000-07:00

...for lovers and nature lovers...

May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view. May your mountains rise into and above the clouds. May your rivers flow without end, meandering through pastoral valleys tinkling with bells, past temples and castles and poets' towers into a dark primeval forest where tigers belch and monkeys howl, through miasmal and mysterious swamps and down into a desert of red rock, blue mesas, domes and pinnacles and grottos of endless stone, and down again into a deep vast ancient unknown chasm where bars of sunlight blaze on profiled cliffs, where deer walk across the white sand beaches, where storms come and go as lightening clangs upon the high crags, where something strange and more beautiful and more full of wonder than your deepest dreams waits for you -- beyond that next turning of the canyon walls.

~~~~~~~~Edward Abbey

MI FAMILIA -- PART III

2010-07-30T07:00:00.000-07:00

My second cousin, Sara Gonzalez is getting married. Matt Scott is the lucky guy!

The Bride

The Groom

The Grandmother of the Bride

Suzanne, the Mother of the Bride

Court, the Father of the Bride

Cousin Jesse and Mother of the Bride

The Bride again --

can't have too many pix of the Bride!

Boris (may he rest in peace)

Sara and Matt met at the Ion Theatre in San Diego, California. No, they are not ushers. They are actors in a unique, "bold, uncompromising theater" group.

The group is so "uncompromising," that, a mere two years after establishing an experimental home base called "The Lab," it DE-installed the "Lab" when the company learned that the property's owners were the largest in-state supporters for the passage of Proposition 8. Committed to its mission of inclusiveness and diversity, the landlord's support of Proposition 8 became a major obstacle for the company. You can definitely say that ION talks the talk and walks the walk. Hooray for ION!

(If you're not a Californian, or if you are not familiar with Proposition 8, you'll find some excellent background here:)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/California_Proposition_8_(2008)

And a discussion of the subsequent lawsuit filed in Federal District Court, here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perry_v._Schwarzenegger

But I digress....here is the link to ION THEATRE. Should you wish to explore the site, may I suggest you start by clicking on "COMPANY" on the top menu bar, then scroll through the "COMPANY 1..." options at the bottom. BEHOLD! In the first view, there's Sara and Matt sitting on the stairs, bottom right. A handsome couple indeed.

http://www.iontheatre.com/

Also at the top of the menu bar, click on "ON STAGE" to learn about Ion's productions, (ESPECIALLY THE ONE DIRECTED BY SARA!), then at the bottom of the page, find "Back of the Throat," to watch Sara's synopsis of the play she directed and how, in the present climate, it is a highly affecting post 9-11 allegory.

~~~~~~~~~~

Dear Sara and Matt, I wish you a fulfilling life together, brimming with joy and adventure, and, as you grow old together, with happy surprises and challenges within reach. Oh be still my heart!!

SALMON EGG TREE

2010-07-28T11:22:00.000-07:00

Actually, I don't think this is a tree, but rather, a bush on steroids! And I just made up the name for it! I don't know what kind of plant, small tree or large bush, it really is! It's simply stunning in person!

It has an oak-like leaf, and I was just surprised to find it covered with luscious, juicy berries this time of year --late July.

It's the only specimen I found in my new neighborhood (approximate elevation of 1200'). I can't wait to see what its blooms look like in the Spring.

It's readily apparent I need to get a regional tree identification book to augment my wildflower tomes. These mysteries are tormenting me!

A MERE MONTH AGO...

2010-07-24T13:34:00.000-07:00

...homeward bound from Washington, along the Columbia River Gorge.

Cool, refreshing...........blinding rain!

Misty, mysterious forests...

Lots and lots of flowering weeds, otherwise known as wildflowers...

and cool green hills.

Oh why oh why couldn't I have appreciated that weather?!!

And when the sun comes out and finishes melting this snow,

Lake Shasta may have absolutely no red dirt shoreline showing. I haven't seen the lake this full in decades. It was absolutely stunning.

And in today's sweltering heat (no, the grass is never greener, for very long, at least), I have those lovely memories of Pacific Northwest Rain to keep me cool(er)!

NAME THAT TREE #9

2010-07-21T08:11:00.000-07:00

Devils Postpile National Monument

GAINING A FOOTHOLD

2010-07-19T08:31:00.000-07:00

Tioga Pass

July, 2010

"Q" - NAME THAT TREE (#8)

2010-07-17T08:05:00.000-07:00

Another Hawaii find.

MESSIN' AROUND AGAIN!

2010-07-16T07:07:00.000-07:00

This proves it, once and for all! The moon really is made of green cheese! Looks like a Roquefort to me. Well, more Roquefort than bleu anyway.

MAJOR BURROUGHS ~~~~ SOAP BOX ALERT

2010-07-15T07:29:00.000-07:00

I detest this feckless war, America's longest war, and its attendant siphoning off of our country's future leaders. Our men and women in uniform, thrust in harm's way daily, make incredible sacrifices. For what? I grieve for them and for their families who fearfully and proudly watch and wait and hope and pray their loved ones don't come home in a flag-draped pine box.

Go ahead and call me names, but flag-waving and firecrackers and meaningless "support our troops" bumper stickers have no impact on me. Yet finding this poignant, personal affirmation on a California country road was gut wrenching and heart breaking. I just want Major Burroughs and his fellow heroes to come home safely to their loved ones so they can get on with their lives in peace in THIS country.

IT'S A MADAGASCAR DAY GECKO...

2010-07-14T08:03:00.000-07:00

...a diurnal subspecies of gecko.

FAREWELL-TO-SPRING...

2010-07-13T07:59:00.000-07:00

or HERALD-TO-SUMMER. Whatever you call it, Clarkia (not sure of species) is a stunning, graceful wildflower that blooms when the hills start to dry out, and is one of my favorites.

When I lived in the Santa Cruz Mountains, hillsides were covered with these nodding, delicate beauties in May. Traveling Highway 49 in the Sierra Foothills in early July, there were miles and miles of Clarkia to heighten my pleasure of this back-country California road.

And here I thought I'd already seen California's wildflower peak.