JULIE GONZALEZ TROTT: 6/1948 - 6/2010

Dear dear Julie, our talented baby cousin, you were an imp as soon as you emerged from the womb! And then you kept us smiling and on our toes with your lively, pointed political zingers and in-your-face pragmatism -- your own sassy woman, and definitely your mother's daughter!

In 1951 with big sister Carlotita and Court, one of your big brothers -- always a ham.

Daddy's girl -- at the Coconut Grove, 1964

High School graduation from Marymount, Los Angeles, 1966.

Jim, another loved one taken suddenly and far too soon -- with Jesse and Courtney, on her first Christmas.

In 2003 with an all-grown-up Jesse...

and Courtney (no date on this one). Thank you for becoming "this" generation's historian and preserving and sharing "old" family photos.

Your life ended much too soon. I will miss my little spit-fire cousin SO VERY MUCH! And I can almost hear you say, "Such is life"!!

So many sweet memories of you will comfort us dear Julie (in 2007), and your light will burn brightly as you continue to live in our hearts.

MARCE YARROW: 9/1930 - 5/2010

"Nothing can make up for the absence of someone whom we love... ." Yet our hearts will be filled with lovely memories and remembered joys of the times we shared with you dear dear friend.

Steve found this in your desk. It sounds like you; we're sure you wanted us to find it!

To those I have loved and to those who loved me,

When I am gone release me, let me go.

I have so many things to see and do.

You must not tie yourself to me with tears,

Be happy that we had so many years.

I gave you my love and you can only guess,

How much you gave to me in happiness.

I thank you for the love you each have shown,

But now it's time I travel on alone.

So grieve awhile for me if grieve you must.

Then let your grief be comforted by trust.

It's only for awhile that we must part,

So bless the memories within your heart.

I won't be far away, for life goes on,

So if you need me, call, and I will come.

Though you can't see nor touch me, I'll be near,

And if you listen within your heart you'll hear

All of my love around you soft and clear.

And then when you must come this way alone,

I'll greet you with a smile and welcome you home.

So many will miss you Marce dear ...

like Great Granddaughter MacKenzie,

Grandson, Nevan,

Son Steve and Daughter-in-law, Carol ...

And our little band of sisters just won't ever be quite the same without you.

May you rest in peace dear Marce.

CALYPSO ORCHID...

...has now been crossed off my bucket list. What a thrill to photograph this rare wildflower.

This is its neighbor, not quite fully opened yet. Notice the basal leaf at the bottom of its stem? That single leaf is its only source of nutrients. Also notice the needles on the forest floor. They should help you imagine how tiny this plant is -- most are no more than two inches high, difficult to see, easy to step on!

This is the Calypso Orchid habitat. See if you can find another one!

BETWEEN 2000 AND 3000...

feet elevation, the sights and smells in California's natural world are unique, especially in the Spring.

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Leaving my secret camping spot in high clover...

I headed back across the Eel River to the outside world of scary highways and scarier logging trucks...

...and headed East on CA 299 from Arcata to places along the Trinity River not visited for over thirty years. While waiting for a construction worker to flag me forward, this delicate little Saxifrage, hanging in dripping seep on a rock wall right outside my window, caught my eye. Trigger finger always at the ready!

Most campgrounds along 299 were still closed for the season. Except Hayden Flat. Not built to accommodate large RVs, I found it little changed since my frequent visits in the late 70's -- then in a tent of course!

A mixture of Oak and this tree is what used to keep my home warm in the Winter: Oak for a long burn, Madrone for a hot burn. I still chuckle when I recall overhearing visitors to Santa Cruz wondering if those "red trees" were those famous Redwoods! Nope; just pedestrian ol' Pacific Madrones.

Little white Dogwood puffs teased my peripheral vision -- eyes on the road and no place to pull over. What's a flower freak to do? Yup! Stop the rig in the middle of the road, turn on flashers, "roll down" window, shoot and run. Now that's the ticket!!

As a kid, I called this the "puzzle tree." Actually it's either a Ponderosa Pine or its closely-related Jeffrey Pine. I'm inclined to think it's a Ponderosa because of its orange bark. Have you ever stuck your nose into a crevice in the bark of either species? It smells like vanilla to some, to others, like baking cookies or pineapple! It's said the defining way to distinguish between a Jeffrey and a Ponderosa is the smell from fresh-cut wood: one smells sweet, the other like turpentine!

Paused in Weaverville, I admired the snowclad Klamath Mtns. and hoped that sky stayed blue through tomorrow!

Turning North on Highway 3, I could catch glimpses through the trees of Trinity Lake, renamed Clare Engle Lake, and finally re-renamed its original Trinity Lake. My large-print "American Atlas" is way behind the times, and the lake still honors the dead senator Engle. Trinity Lake is fed by the Trinity River and several creeks, here gushing snow melt into the north end ...

...with lots more gushing snow melt to go before one can launch a boat...

...and maybe not until August before the skis won't tangle with gravel bars or tree snags.

Up and up I drive, in rain, shifting down to first gear -- smack dab in the middle of the Trinity Alps, waaaay above that comfortable 3,000-foot elevation, I met up with four, count 'em, f-o-u-r snow plows. Oh oh! But no worries, rain stayed rainy not snowy!

I eventually crossed the Pacific Crest Trail and started down. Whew -- that was a bit of a white knuckle drive for yours truly.

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Leveling out at the bottom of that wild ride, the little town of Etna in the Scott River Valley greeted me at a nice, comfortable 2,900' elevation.

This mural was on the side of the firehouse...

...note the all-girl bucket brigade! Can't help but wonder if the town's fire department employs any firewomen?!

I love coming across these towns that aren't surrounded by mega-malls where consuming and acquiring is the focus; where businesses are still owned by locals, and where there's an honest-to-goodness soda fountain - drugstore!

Leaving this sweet little burg, I wondered what it would take to live there. Well, I discovered Etna isn't immune to California's obscene home prices: $125,00. for a 750 sq.ft, two-bedroom "fixer-upper" for example. So, OK, housing costs are high, but worth visiting? Hmmmm, it hosts the annual Scott Valley Bluegrass Festival every July, and I hear it boasts a stellar band lineup from across the country. You decide!

FIVE STARS

These are the nice people who operate Riley Creek, a five-star "resort" in Ft. Bragg, CA. They're really quite normal; they just also happen to know how to have a good time.

These are views through the resort's "dining hall" windows.

Before!

And these are the proprietress' "after" photos.

She is definitely the poster woman for what healthy eating, clean living and short hair could do for YOU!! Not to mention what a pause in their garden of Redwoods and Rhododendrums and wildflowers and Rileys' own brand of warmth and generosity will do for you. "Cathartic" comes to mind. I left there energized, believing I had just emerged from a spa for the soul!

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While in Ft. Bragg, I was introduced to Ron LeValley, his gallery and his fabulous nature and wild life art. He has a unique stratagem ("Outside My Window") for marketing his work. But here's the thing: LeValley is a biologist first; the photography came later. Should you subscribe to his daily mailings of "Outside my Window," free of charge, you not only get an informative glimpse of his breathtaking photographs, he also generously shares historical and photographic details for each shot. If you love the natural world that surrounds you, I guarantee your day will start with a smile when you open mail from Ron LeValley.

http://www.levalleyphoto.com/gallery/omw.php

His website:

http://www.levalleyphoto.com/

To access archives of his "Outside My Window":

http://www.levalleyphoto.com/gallery