Category: Seasons

Chalk Fire Burn Area & Wildflowers

This afternoon, I took a trip through the Chalk Fire Burn Area, looking for wildflowers, and found many. I’ll be posting a few examples here, over the next few days. Parts of the forest are still incredibly devastated, and others are recovering nicely. One thing that was just astounding was the vibrant green of the hills where the fire-retardant was dropped. I had been told years ago that it was a fertilizer, but boy, I’ve never seen the effect as clearly as I did today. I have shots of some of these places, or I watched, as the planes dropped the retardant. The affect is not to be believed. 

This is straight out of the camera, but it looks surreal! Wherever the retardant was dropped, is now an emerald field!

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South Coast Ridge Rd., and the forest it traverses, is still closed to the public from Nacimiento Rd. to Willow Creek Rd. However, many wildflowers are viewable from Nacimiento-Fergusson Rd. I’d advise caution, however, as there are LOTS of tourists on that road, at least today, and most of them were apparently afraid of the edge, and preferred the wrong side of the road! 

Watch for photos throughout the week. I will try to post one tonight as a teaser. 😉

And finally, a note about our rather “overzealous” new USFS “cop” — please send or call with any serious stories, if you are willing to back them up, but also remember, we may be VERY glad to have him here this fire season. Note this morning:

“03/29/09 09:14 Big Sur, Mile Marker 14 Plasket Ridge Rd.  Report of illegal campfire, USFS responded with Law Enforcement, no fire.”

Springtime in the Colorado Rockies, 3/22/09

This is just one photo of Springtime in the Colorado Rocky Mtns., on I-70, just before Leadville. Lots of skiing going on, and more, after tomorrow’s storm blows through! The second shows the altimeter.

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dsc_1205That’s 10,400 ft.

One of the many gifts my parents gave me was the gift of seeing most of the western national parks when I was growing up — long before they were crowded. My step-dad also gave me the gift of teaching me how to backpack up some incredible mountains, carrying everything I would need on my back for camping out in the woods. While both my mother and brother were campers, they did not share our love for backpacking.

Today, I saw Pike’s Peak for the first time in a long time. My step-dad and I hiked that, but I cannot remember how far up we got. We did get to the top of San Gregornio and San Jacinto, though, in other years. As I get older, and continue to function with only one leg, those experiences take on new meaning, knowing I was able to have them in my life. Many do not. Ever.

The Green of Spring

  The Green of Spring, originally uploaded by wind_dancer.

These  historic water tanks are owned by the State Park. They sit on the El Sur Ranch, the oldest continuously operating ranch on the coast. They are across from the Coast Guard Station and the Lighthouse.

Slight chance of rain Sunday. 20%. Will keep an eye on it.

Hot Sunday

For all you weather watchers out there, my temperature gauge now reads 90 degrees! This is January, for goodness sakes! Whatever vegetation moisture we had, is fast drying up!!

This is a good time for a little reminder from one of the members of the BSVFB:

On another note, we have been having some issue with folks and their backyard burns.
Residents need to understand that burns MUST be put out at night and attended all day. As we already know, we had a significant fire in December right after a rain day. Last year, a burn pile re-ignited after smoldering for nearly 2 weeks. burning an acre in the middle of the night. A can of fireplace ashes caused a dumpster fire in a local campground that scorched trees and ground even though it was RAINING. The risk is out there and worse than ever, so we must pay attention. Dead and dry brush is still vulnerable. Burns MUST be out and cold by dark.
Thanks!
Firefox

Fall

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The chilly mornings of November are here — the times of hot cocoa and soup at night, and that first steaming cup of coffee in the morning. I’ve always loved Fall. But then I love Winter, Spring, and Summer, too. Each season casts its spell on me. Each has its own brand of special.

Fall can bring crisp, cold mornings, and sunny, warm afternoons. The leaves are turning and falling. My blessed Valley Oaks (Qercus lobatas) begin their winter hibernation, opening up their canopies so that the sun seeks the ground. The sun is lower in the southern sky as we rapidly approach the shortest day of the year.

Between now and December 21, 2008, I watch the daylight hours become shorter, so that the day seems over before it has begun. I watch the dogs fluff out with their winter coats. I enjoy the snuggling in the warmth of my down comforter, recently revamped with a new duvet cover.

This Fall, I will be staying closer to the home front, and probably only seeing my North Coast friends at Thanksgiving. The highway is too “iffy” this year. I am used to rock slides, mud, and changing conditions on Highway One. But this year is different. Too many variables, and some of them not even that variable. 

We know the highway will close – probably several times in several places. I need to winterize my Jeep — you know, put a sleeping bag, a pillow, flashlight and emergency supplies in it. I need to be able to spend the night in it, if called upon to do so.

Fall: it is the time I finish my preparations for winter, and I have little time in which to complete them. Living close to nature like this is not like living in town. The seasons carry their messages much louder and clearer for us, here in the wilderness.

Yes, Fall. I am listening.

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Also, Charles Bell of the NWS in Monterey is asking for our participation in the  Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow Network (CoCoRaHS) is now in California! This volunteer-driven program will allow people the chance to enter precipitation data on a daily basis and have the information immediately displayed on a web site (http://www.cocorahs.org/State.aspx?state=CA).

It requires a special 4″ rain gauge and training. The program is explained at the link above. Happy reporting, everyone!!