4~ July Trip 2014

As you may remember, our last Summer Trip 2014 installment 

had us hiking in Big Sur.

As promised, here are the photos from the top (West side actually) of the lollipop!

Just in case you want to listen again:

California Saga: Big Sur

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=93Gl7DmmNvE
10.4 minutes

A view of the coast from the top!

I zoom in for a closer look!

I can't get enough of the milky ocean waters

Lunch spot

 After we stop for a while for a hiker's lunch, we hike back down, 

completing the loop part of the trail. 

Patched Ocean

Manzanita branches

Moss weaving

Leaf variety

Leaves and evergreens

Brilliant!

I hope you've enjoyed this section of the hike.  

I was very proud of myself for keeping up well enough with the young folks. 

I wish I could hike here more often (read that as every day!). 

It was awesome!

Thank you for joining me.

Coming up next: A waterfall....

Photos by NAE @pomegranatetrail ©2014

Sunday Drive ~ Wildflowers and More

Today we took a Sunday Drive.

Kind of like a Sunday Hike, but with a lot more sitting!

This worked out well for a few reasons.

My low pressure tire gauge needed to be reset, which includes holding down a button and then, with that done, then driving more than a few miles, at faster than slow speed.

OK, then.  Did that.

Let's hope it worked.

I'll find out tomorrow when I commute.

It was also a good plan as things at work have been busy recently.

So a relaxing drive sounded nice.

So, buckle up and let's hit the road!

As always, click on photos to enlarge. 

We first stopped at the Vista del Lago Visitor Center, which overlooks Pyramid Lake.

There is so much 'water' related information there.  Lots to learn.

I went here once, to learn to water ski.

I didn't.

I stink at this type of activity.

Then, we headed up the highway in search of spring wildflowers...

But, first we had to do a quick fix on the breaking sun visor. 

Good thing I had some yarn and scissors in the car!!

There they are!  Lots and lots of California Poppies!

Mr. Crow (Raven? I never can tell!) sits in the wind.

There he goes.  Look at those cute feet!

Doesn't this one (above) look like a painting?

Lousy photograph of a hawk swooping over us.

He was a beauty.

Can you see him there under the power lines? (middle of the pic)

 In the distance, snow on the mountain.

Beautiful.

Soon we come across an old rock wall and building foundation to explore.

Lupine

Rusty Sun

The road heading out.

A big mystery box!

On our way out of the mountains, we see evidence of recent fires.  

Miles and miles of blackened skeletons, looking so surreal.

We stop to see these beautiful sweet smelling yellow flowers, 

which line the road everywhere.

I wish you could feel the breeze, smell the flowers...the air.

Soon, we see an amazing formation in the distance!

Do you see it?

Let me zoom in...

And a view of Castaic Lake.

What a beautiful day for a Sunday Drive!

Thank for coming along :)

~Nancy

Photos by NAE @pomegranatetrail ©2014

A Quick Spring Post ~ Catching Up

Spring has been in the air around here.

I love it!

Here are a few April images.

These first photos are from my day trip up the coast.

This is the friend and the walk I've posted about before.

The Monarch Butterfly space.

We saw only a few stragglers.

But, we saw plenty of other beautiful sights.

And as always, the visit with this friend is priceless!

 

Same flower...different light.

The sun peeks out behind the giant Eucalyptus trees.

Earlier in the season, this is where one may see many butterflies.

Today, we hear a hawk and see him land in the nest high above us.

Hawk Nest

Spring variety!

Love my trips up the coast.

Another day, I make a quick trip up the canyon near my sister's home.

I always love seeing this pig and say in my head "When pigs fly..."!

 These two show the view over The Valley (on a clear day).

This is The Valley I grew up in.

Now I live in another valley on the other side of the far mountains.

I love how pretty it looks when it's clear.

But, it is way to crowded for me.

It has been since I was about 14 years old.

However, this place holds many memories and pieces, places of my childhood.

So, I treasure that part.

And I do love the canyon near my sister's home.

Thanks for coming along as I spread some Spring Sunshine!
I'll have today's trip posted soon.

Photos by NAE @pomegranatetrail ©2014