Yesterday's trip off the Mountain

 Headed down to the high desert yesterday looking for wildflowers.  Where we were I really didn't see any.  We stopped at a local lake in Hesparia for a walk and to photograph the pelicans.  It is mating season for the pelicans in March and April and they build their nests in this area.  You can see that when mating season arrives, the bump on their beak is prevalent.  

A really beautiful day yesterday at the lake.  The dome structure is described in this paragraph I found on google.  I think it's such a beautiful piece of art.  

The lake is small and usually a lot of people are fishing on the weekends so we only go during the week.  It's about 30 minutes from the house and a beautiful ride through the high desert to get there.  

 

HESPERIA LAKE RUMI DOME

The Rumi Dome at Hesperia Lake was built as part of a Museum and Nature Center project planned by the City of Hesperia in the mid-1990s. While the plans ultimately shifted, the Rumi Dome still stands 20 years later. Larger than the Rumi Dome at CalEarth, this dome features two entrances and multiple rows of colored glazed bricks in beautiful symmetrical designs. While CalEarth now focuses exclusively on SuperAdobe building designs and technology, Nader Khalili spent many years studying traditional adobe and earth architecture to fully understand its benefits and capabilities. Khalili would call his structures "tangible poetry" and always shared his fascination with the universal elements of earth, water, air, and fire and how these elements combined could create beautiful and inspirational forms. 

Some houses on the road above the lake.

YOU SAY - I CAME ACROSS THIS A FEW YEARS BACK

 

I was at a forum this morning where somebody was posting something personal about some difficulties they were having. This song came to mind. I had never heard of this artist until a few years back and this song has remained in my memory. So after going to find it again I thought I'd post it here in case it lifts anybody up today. 

 We got a lot of rain during the night but thankfully no snow. Big Bear and a few other towns up the hwy did get some spring snow which will melt fast. I came across this photo the other day when I went over to an area nearby to look out over the rim and saw this beautiful scene.

GREEN VALLEY LAKE

 A favorite really small town like 7 buildings - up a few thousand feet from our town.  I went looking for spring but figured there would still be snow.  There was but the weather was nice and spring like.  

March was an usual month without somebody's birthday in my family except...for my oldest who's birth is the 31st.  

How are we almost to April - ...it's a paradox really ..for me anyway...winter feels so long, but then spring shows up and flies by.  But then i look back and it seems like fall wasn't that long ago.  I guess this is what getting older is like.  One's perception of time shortens.  

Had a son and two grandkids here off and on last week and enjoyed seeing them all. 

A REMINDER TO MYSELF

 As I set things outside and rearrange pots and put a tablecloth on the table, setting out my favorite outside things - I come across this photo from April reminding me we still can get snow up to Mother's Day.   

We're heading out today to see what is blooming up here on the mountain.  I follow California Wildflower posts on facebook and every day people are posting their gorgeous spring flower  photos from different areas in California.  There are so many places we could travel to see fields of flowers but with price of gas these days we'll stay closer to home.  

So while others admire their blooming fields in their areas I will still be seeing snow.  Supposedly a huge storm is taking shape to come in on Monday up here - We could get a dusting of snow but i doubt it will be much.

(took this photo over at Lake Arrowhead a few years ago on April 10th.  I would definitely like to live in one of those condos).  

HAPPY SPRING DAY

 My almost 15 year old granddaughter  visited this week with her dad and brother.  I was looking at older photos of her and came across these and thought wow, what memories I have of this day.  Two of my youngest grandsons were toddler babies and my oldest grandson who will be 20 this year was the driver.  

I'll have to show these to my granddaughter while they are in town. These were taken in a neighborhood where they use to live nearby where we did and would see them often.  Their grandpa was walking the babies and I was enjoying looking out for traffic and taking the photos.  The two little guys in the stroller are now both almost 12.  

(Cousins out for a drive)

SOMETIMES TAKING THE HIGHER ROAD IS MORE SCENIC -(BUT HARD ON THE HIPS)

 Because of winter weather I sit more during that time of year.  Spring comes and then I over do it when trying to get back in condition.  Yesterday I chose an uphill area I hadn't walked before and the views were beautiful but I was sure stiff this morning getting out of bed.  Luckily though it disappears when I walk around a bit so I'm outta here again today.    I'm a big believer if you move it you don't lose it and i was losing it over winter.  Takes awhile to get back in the groove.

I notice birds coming back that haven't been here for awhile.  I will get the feeders filled and the suet put out.  Even if we still get a light snow storm it will melt quick.  

FOUR YEARS AGO THIS WEEK

 We still had snow in March and the feral cats and the skunks ate very good at our house.  The cats knew to let the skunk do whatever it wanted to.  I could walk right up to the window where the table was that the skunk was on and it wouldn't even act surprised.  It got use to us - and it wanted food.  The ferals are gone now and the skunks have disappeared.  It's been a good six months since we've had no wildlife  on the deck which I'm very grateful for.

Posting a few snow pics from March 2018 on St Patrick's day around the area.  This year all snow will be melted probably by the 17th. 

That mountain in the back with the cell towers is Strawberry Peak.  It makes for a nice hike and you can get a great view of the valley from there.

Here's a partial view of our lake and our grocery store from up at Strawberry Peak.  

Driving through Blue Jay to Lake ARrowhead.

AWHILE AGO I SKETCHED THIS OUT

 I didn't know where I put it until today when I came across it again.

  Anyway, posting it as a reminder to anyone who loves cats - This is their snotty way of telling you what they like and what they dislike.  

A COOL BUG FROM THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY FAIR A FEW YEARS BACK

Because of Covid, the fair was cancelled for 2020 and 2021.  They will be open this year in May for a couple weeks instead of September.  

In Southern California, September is a heck of a hot month and although it was miserable at times to walk around I loved going there.  I am so happy it's back.  

The last time I went to the fair I photographed this VW that was on display.  Really took me back to the good ole days.

Do you have County Fairs that you like to go to?