Sunday, August 31, 2008

Vacation to Patrick's Point


We just returned from camping along the northern California coast at a wonderful state park named Patrick's Point. This is in the land of the great redwoods, damp 65 degree weather, wild blackberries and ... banana slugs. The yellow guy pictured above was making his way up the side of our tent one morning.



Our campsite was on a bluff about 40 yards from the ocean. From camp we could hear the crash of the ocean. We had a couple of clear evenings when we could see sunsets from this point behind our tent. On the clear nights, the stars were incredible.


We had fun at several beaches near Patrick's Point. This picture shows the beach and bay at Trinidad, which is a fishing village six miles south of Patrick's Point. A monument above the beach lists the names of locals lost at sea.

On this trip we covered nearly the entire length of the state -- logging 1,900 road miles. Our kids and van both survived the trip. I'm reminded that California is an amazing place. From border to border, there is a great diversity in terrain, climate, industry, history, population and culture. And the northern coast and Patrick's Point -- simply beautiful.

Saturday, August 30, 2008

Baby Mouse


Our son caught this tiny mouse which was being chased by Mr. Orange, the neighbor's cat. This little guy is really fast and hard to catch. We've seen Orange and our two cats carrying rabbits, rats, lizards and moles, but this is the first time we've seen such a little mouse. It was fun to see, but our outdoor-loving son returned the mouse to nature.

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Chicken Update



So here's Rhode Island Red and our Barred Rock at almost two months old. They have grown up fast. We remember when they were just days old fluff balls and then when they started getting their feathers after a couple of weeks. Hopefully in a few more months, they will start laying eggs. In the meantime, our family has had fun with the chickens. They are very much family pets.

Did you know that there is an "urban chicken movement" sweeping the nation? Citizens groups in cities, such as Ann Arbor and South Portland advocate for urban chicken keeping and more lenient "chicken laws." Pasadena's own Path to Freedom has one of the best websites around. Another good one is backyard chickens.

Friday, July 11, 2008

Tomatoes for Dinner


This weekend we get to enjoy the first returns from our garden. Fresh tomatoes, peppers and basil from the garden along with a little cheese and bread. It is fun to just go out in the garden and pick some fresh vegetables for dinner. Looks like we are going to have alot of tomatoes this year. I think all that prep work we did a few months ago is paying off.

Friday, July 4, 2008

Sierra Madre July 4th Parade

We had a front row seat on the curb. Great parade, every year.

No question about the Grand Marshall. SMFD.


Scouts, schools, veterans in uniform, jeeps, old bicycles, vintage cars, trucks, the Humane Society, churches, a priest on a motorcycle, a bubble machine, Sierra Madre City College, politicians, mail carriers, mini-cars, fire fighters, the forest service, a soft ball team, a cheer squad, and .... tractors. A wonderful small town parade.
No water fights though. In past parades, fire fighters exchanged blasts of water with kids toting super soakers lining the parade route. Not this parade. I hope it comes back next year.


Thursday, July 3, 2008

San Gabriel Mountains -- 1880's Views

Sierra Madre from Sunny Slope
Carlton Watkins, 1880
Courtesy of the California History Room, California State Library, Sacramento


At one time, panoramic mountain views could be had from seemingly anywhere in the San Gabriel Valley. This Watkins stereo card was made from a photo taken from L.J. Rose's Sunny Slope ranch that covered some of present day East Pasadena (south of Foothill) and San Marino. The card's title ("Sierra Madre") refers to the mountains and not the yet to be founded city.


San Gabriel Valley View
Unknown Photographer, ca. 1880
Courtesy of the California History Room, California State Library, Sacramento


I cannot tell where in the San Gabriel valley this photo was taken. But I like it because it gives a good feel for how the mountains dominated the scene when the San Gabriel Valley was mostly open plains.


Tuesday, July 1, 2008

Chicks - Two Weeks Old


Here she is. Rhode Island Red, a little older and a lot bigger than that little fluff ball she was when we got her. The chicks are constantly eating and seem to grow daily. This one was amused at her little visit outside today. She then had to return to her temporary home inside. She and five other little chicks are living in a neighbor's old rabbit cage that now dominates our living room.