California Winter Wonderland

 

Campbell looking scenic at Venice Beach. This was taken a few weeks ago before the rains. Today we are at home enjoying the rain and the wind -- listening to the new drone on about "Storm Watch".

El Centro Memories

About two times a year we venture down to visit friends in El Centro. Generally we go in the Spring and Autumn, the Summer is too hot for a civilized visit. Everytime we are suffering with 90+ in Valencia, I remember that our friends in El Centro are facing 110+. They've adapted to it, our family would just melt.

This truck is part of a larger art installation, "Salvation Mountain". The colors at sunset are amazing, but worth the visit any time (summer excepted).

Morning at the Huntington

We took my mom and the boys to the Huntington for some early morning garden time. I had just been there a few days before to meet with someone to learn how to best display and protect a few old books. It's a great place to spend time.

We love going to the garden anytime, but there is something special about mornings in the garden.  More pictures from our visit here or if you prefer flash here.

Remember

Remember.

I took this photo in Ypres Belgium before the Last Post Ceremony.

Burned Forest

Thursday we went on a 7.5 mile hike from Horseshoe Lake to Devils Postpile. Along the way we passed through a part of the forest that burned in 1992. A benefit of the fire is that it makes for a panoramic view of the San Joaquin Valley.

Ben was a pack-man most of the hike. The rest of the children all did fine.

Friday: Yosemite.

Nice hike

Resting in front of the Postpile.

Valencia's Gator

On our walk this morning to the fake lake, Cooper said, 'look a gator'. Thinking he had spied a large lizard I kept walking. Then Campbell pointed and said the same thing.

Sure enough a gator's head could be clearly near the bird sculpture. But like the lake, it's fake. We think it may have been put there to discourage the geese from eating the plants near the sculpture.

The next question is what should we name it. I like fauxlagator.

I'm open to suggestions.

Eclipse

I took this photo from the back garden during the eclipse. I plan to post more photos Thursday evening after I return from my civic duty as a juror.

Happy Thanksgiving

We got up early this morning and started a 5 mile hike at 7am. We took this photo at the summit - C1 was not happy looking towards the sun.

Great that we are all healthy.

The wanted and unwanted

We've had our share of wildlife in our area. The hummingbirds are in our garden all year long, and other creatures come and go throughout the year. Last week we had some very bold and very unwanted guests just outside our dinning room window. They, like the hummingbirds, seem to enjoy the pineapple sage.

The bush is going now. Sorry birds.

More on the fire

We took a quick ride up to the lake this morning to see the water dropping planes skim across the lake. It was amazing. The fires are all burning away from GTY and our house, but homes in other areas are in danger.

For more pictures click here.

Santa Clarita Fires

There are fires burning all around Santa Clarita. Many of our staff is under some form of evacuation orders.
While at lunch we drove to the lake and I was able to get some shots of the fire, the smoke, and the helicopters.

Back to School

Nothing says Autumn, like the return to school. I took this photo of the boys on their first day this year. I forgot to post it.