Monday, April 21, 2008

Rose Valley Falls

here are the shots I took on our hike saturday morning. This is Rose Valley Falls, just up the hill from Wheeler Gorge. The hike was easy even for the 2 yr old and the reward was stunning. Come on, follow me up the hill!

We like to call these tree caves! Aren't you just waiting for the hobbits to come around the bend?


Greg and Alaster on the trail. only about a 1/2 mile to the base of the falls.


What??this is it????? No wait for it ....wait for it....
now look up!


this is the last part of the falls. It is visible about 3 miles off so you can imagine how tall it is. During a heavy rain year the water covers the whole rock face.


Still here....well we will see you on the trail!

Tent-a-cools in Joshua Tree next month!

Sunday, April 20, 2008

The Tent-a-cools ride again!

Well, the camping season has officially begun. My camping buddies the Tent-a-cools met at Wheeler Gorge in Ojai, California this weekend to kick off this years camping extravaganza. We always begin the year here. It really is so incredibly beautiful as the photos show. And the nice thing is no real amenities ( flush toilets or showers). This keeps those with ......delicate constitutions out of the really cool spots. Call me crazy but camping for me is all about being out there in nature, cooking over a fire and peeing in the woods!



our camp was about 20 feet from this creek


the view from our table......


water runs in this creek all year round and you wouldn't believe the frog racket at night. Quite the serenade! Not quite sure how the frogs brave the water, cause man it was cold.


Downstream from camp.


and the best for last! The absolutly fabulous pop up trailer my honey gave me. It needs a lot of work but boy was it fun. Don't know if I can go back to tent camping after this.

how does my garden grow?????

here are a few shots of the garden! Spring is here and the garden is just starting to take off.


see the purple cabbage patch!


the oregano and nasturtiums are growing like mad...


my soon to be water feature amid the marigolds


the mint bucket over flows

and the grand fennel finale! enjoy your week.

Wednesday, April 9, 2008

party over here

My chickens think it is mardi gra! Quite a ruckus coming out the coop at the moment. You see mini belfry has been hired to create nest bedding for me out of recycled paper and this week he brought me Easter grass. It is lovely cream and gold crinkled paper shreds and the coop feels quite festive. Rest assured that when the chickens are quite through with the party, the shreds will then go to the compost heap and then on to the garden!

sadly no photos of the party but you should hear the noise. The neighbors are going to call the police!