The Next Hike

This hike is from last weekend.  I'm still compelled to 'catch up'...I have so many things to share!
This was a hike to see if there were any of the fat-round acorns to collect.  While at Ojai Day, I had heard that the season was 'late' this year and many acorns were still in the trees.  So I went looking.  I didn't find any.  The guy was right, squirrels and birds beat us to it.  I did get to enjoy being outdoors though, so all was not lost.
This area is across the valley from the previous hike.  It is right off a major freeway too.  One time, a few years back, we hiked to the very top of one of the mountains on the trail.  It was a very hard hike, filled with switchbacks.  I kept thinking we were almost there, ready to wrap around the mountain...when the trail would lead up some more!!  I was not in the best shape (much heavier back then) and I was quite excited to get to the top!  Then to only make it back down again.  Oh my!
While we stood on the top of the mountain, looking around and being amazed at how high up we were, three turkey vultures began to circle right over our heads...and I mean RIGHT ABOVE our heads.   I kept telling them, "Wait, I'm not dead yet!!"  I didn't stick around too long up there!

Anyway, last weekend I was alone on my hike.  I have to admit that I am always a bit wary when alone or out of eyesight of the guy as these hills have rattle snakes, mountain lions and coyotes among other wildlife.  The coyotes are OK by me, but the others...well, I don't want to meet them out there alone.  I met a couple coming back out as I was heading in and they told me they had seen a bear cub, but didn't stick around to meet it's mother!!
Needless to say, I didn't hike too far in!  I was inspired to think of Valerianna of RavenWood Forest and how brave she is as she wanders her woods!!

Do you see him? (Click on photo to enlarge)

I almost missed getting the picture as he ambled up the hill.  This is the very beginning of the trail, so I was surprised to see him so close to the road.

The trail in...and later back out!

 The sunlight was dancing on the trees.

A light sprinkling of fall was evident.

Moss and dryness residing together

Trees & a flag lined up on the ridge

Eco-dyed leaf!

Paused to listen to the wind in the trees.

(((sigh)))

Then paused to hear the song of the woodpecker

Every time I've been here, this gate stands open.

I like that.

It's nice to know we're always welcome.

Thank you for hiking along with me again.

PS I hope the video plays, this is rather new for me!

Photos by NAE @pomegranatetrail ©2013

Hiking and Searching for Acorns

This post is quite belated.  This is a hike from a couple of weeks ago.  I just can't seem to get to it all lately.  I hear myself think this and comment on it at other's homes in the blogworld.  It's beginning to sound like whining, even to me!  But, since I've not yet figured out what to DO about it...I repeat myself, lest you all think I am no longer interested.  That is not the case.
Thank you to the many who have inquired about how I'm feeling since the Great Illness of September 2013!  I'm back to my usual health these days and very glad of that.  He is feeling much better too, thankfully.

Anyway, these are from a hike we took recently in the same general hills as our hike I posted about in August.  You can see that here.

Last time we went to the right, but this time we went on the trails to the left of the mountain.

Come along, won't you?

 How many locks does it take?

Oh, well, the gate was open and so in we went...

 The trail into the oak grove

 The trail back out

I was on an acorn collecting mission that day!

 Looking up I notice such interesting patterns on this tree's trunk.

 Here's a closer look.  Do you see what I see?

Red lines, life lines!

An old capped well made a great drum!

Back home again, I spent time with my sunflowers.

As fall heads towards winter, their days are numbered.

I don't want them to go just yet.

Days later, they were falling over of their own accord.

Then the landlord sent someone to 'clean-up' all of the 

volunteer trees and such in the back 40.

All that stands there now are the two logs.

One is from the walnut tree my neighbor cut down.

The other one you can read about here.

We're back to more brown than green back there.

(((sigh)))

Photos by NAE @pomegranatetrail ©2013

Mama

Today, as everyday, I remember and honor my Mama.
Today, as everyday, I miss her.
Today, as everyday, I celebrate her.
5 years have gone by, but much stays the same.

Today, I pause.

Photos by NAE @pomegranatetrail ©2013