Little Wooden Bridge

This is the little wooden bridge along the Allen Trail I wrote about in my previous entry.There was the smallest of creeks in this mini gorge and it made the sweetest music. We stopped here, Glenna the Australian Shepherd & I, to have a sip of water and a few doggie treats - Glenna, not me in this case - while I had some crackers. This was about half way up as far as we went on this sweet little trail.

Tunnel Under 101

Last week I packed dog and camera and headed out for the woods. I decided I needed some real exercise, so opted for the Allen Trail just south of High Rock (Main Stem, Eel River) and just north of the con flux (South Fork Eel w/ Main Stem Eel). This trail goes up ... and up ... and keeps going up some more! From the Avenue of the Giants, I park just south of the High Rock Conservation sign. There is a smaller sign for the trail - it's easy to miss. After the first 10 or 15 minutes, the trail brings you here - its a tunnel that goes under the freeway - under 101 - for pedestrians only, of course. From the other side, we progressed up and up some more - at least you know it will be an easy trip back to your car. We passed a small stem with a wonderful little wooden bridge going across, where the trail continues on.....
When I 'googled' Allen Trail, I got a wonderful map complete with elevation information. The total trail ascends some 800 feet! I went perhaps half way so far. Maybe next time I will go all the way to the campground.

Monday's Walk in the Woods

Another day in paradise, here in the coastal redwoods. This photo was taken while hiking near Weott - about a 20 minute drive from my front door. In LA I would have to drive over 2 hours to get out of civilization and its not nearly as beautiful. This trail was up, up all the way - but easy getting back to the car. I drove for a spell, got out for a half mile hike; drove further south on the Avenue of the Giants before stopping for another stroll - and today I made it three stops. My Glenna-girl (dog) lives for these excursions. The last few months she would stop beside the basket where we keep all our leashes and look at me - then the basket and back to me. I feel a lot safer with her as my protector when I'm out by myself in the forest. We do have wild cats and even bears - but its humans I'm more concerned about. Glenna doesn't like strangers and won't take food from a stranger (she's no labrador), which makes her a good hiking buddy.

My usual Monday Walk in the Woods

This is, I believe, a Northern Maidenhair Fern - Adiantum Pedatum - if I spelled it incorrectly, it's because I didn't feel like putting on my reading glasses. This is my favorite of all the ferns growing up here - I like their architecture.

There is an amazing diversity of life in the forests - we are, after all, a temperate rain forest. Mushroom season is done for this year - I didn't see any fresh ones today, just some old and shriveled up 'shrooms. This is the first time in months I've been out in the woods, so it was extra enjoyable for me. Glenna (my Australian Shepherd) has sorely missed our weekly walks - but when things get busy at home and at the store, I have less time for hiking about in the redwoods.

Bonfire - I mean campfire

Last month my husband and I were invited to a birthday party on a 160 acre ranch near Ben Bow. There was a BBQ - remember that we eat well in Humboldt - and after dark live music. I was told that the artist - a reggae singer - was rated #4 worldwide. He had bumped into one of the birthday-boys' buddies in Eureka and offered himself (for FREE) to entertain and delight the ranch owner. There is quite a convoluted story - too involved and lengthy for this blog - about Reggae on the River. It involves the Mateel Community Center (originators of the festival almost 20 years ago) vs. People Productions. The divide just about tore the community of Garberville apart. One was either on the side of the Mateel or with People Prod. My husband was asked to try and mediate a compromise between the two so that the festival (world renowned by now) could go on as expected. The birthday party was for the fellow who bought out People Prod and his event is called Reggae Rising - the Mateel kept the name Reggae on the River. Now - to get to my point - we not only know how to eat well in Humboldt Co (lots of organic & vegetarian dishes) but - WE KNOW HOW TO BUILD A CAMPFIRE!! Boy do we ever...

Glenna Girl

This is my "puppy girl". She is an Australian Shepherd and the coloration is called blue merle. She does not have any blue in either eye - which means she is a few points off perfect - whatever that means. I love her enthusiasm and her smarts - although the later can be frustrating because she thinks for her self.

I was running errands in Eureka a few years ago and saw a couple walking with their 'Aussie' down the street. I could not help but comment and compliment what a fine-looking dog they had. Both humans gave me the 'I don't know you-why are you speaking to me look'. I felt brushed off and deduced that they were not from the area. I went on about my errands and ended up in need of a cappuccino so I stopped and went in the nearest coffee house. When I came out - there were the same threesome - the Aussie and it's two owners. They sat at the table next to me and being a total Aussie-lover, I apologized for disturbing their peace earlier but that I love the breed so much I could not help myself. This time they were not so nervous and we started up a conversion. They told me a tale about another fine-looking and VERY smart Aussie they had seen in the redwoods a few days earlier. They went on to tell me that the dog was not just with it's female owner, but with a whole school bus full of children. I asked them if the bus had the name Orleans on it. It turns out I bought my Glenna-girl from a woman who lives in and drives a school bus for Orleans and that their description matched Luke (the school bus dog) perfectly! That couple was a little freaked out that by pure happenstance, the dog they had seen in the forest was the sire of MY dog!!! I could tell that they were from a large city and didn't expect such connections. Its a small world sometimes.

Burst Pipe

Somewhere under all that mess is my salmon fish sculpture (clay) - Yikes !! We had a pipe burst and flood the basement. Bill, JK, Ryland and I all worked (feverishly, as they say) to get everything up and out of the water - which was 1 inch deep.

The good news is - homeowners insurance covers most of the damage; and ... it's forcing us to re-carpet the floor. That means we have to replace that orange shag carpet - so sad. The pool table should make this job interesting .....

Rooster, not King

This is the He-Man himself! Not the chick on Ryland's hand in my last blog entry. He has attacked me, Ryland and Bill. JK has escaped - so far. He's not a bad bird and not stupid. He's just programed to be an ***#@#**. He can't help himself. We use a Christmas tree holder as a shield when we go out - or at least I do. He keeps his eye on me the whole time. It's quite un-nerviing

The new batch o' birds will soon be big enough to be out of their small pen during the day. I don't know yet how many of the New Hampshire Reds are male/female ..... we shall see .......

At a recent birthday party, the hosts' father was in charge of the BBQ. He had his pieces of chicken half done by the time we got there and was basting it with a home-made concoction. I had some, and then some more. And I had to keep nibbling every time I passed by the table. We found out later it was home-raised chicken, home butchered as well. I must say - I've never had chicken that tasted so good!! !!! It was a tad drier, more lean and the flavour was natural-gourmet. I can't wait for our rooster to finish growing to full size. Yum, Yum in advance.

Ry with New Hampshire Red

This is my son Ryland with one of our new chicks - a New Hampshire Red. We sell the eggs out of our store and sometimes direct from our refrigerator to neighbors. This rooster tries to attack anyone coming into his domain. I keep trying to get it through his thick skull that HE is not in charge of anything - I AM !!! But he doesn't listen very well. Ryland is very good with that nasty rooster. One time he attacked Ryland, who caught him by the leg and held on tight. The rooster ended up hanging upside-down by that leg. After that he had a bit more respect for my short son.

The Full Dragon

This is the rest of the beastie you see in the next entry. By the way - Humboldt is the home of the world renowned Kinetic Sculpture Race - a Humboldt original and a crack up to watch - especially the water entry segment. You never know who will float, sink or just sit there going nowhere (but having fun). You see, the rules are basic: must be human powered, must traverse sand, road and sea, and it has to be artistic (open to interpretation, of course). I'm not sure if this dragon was ever in the KS race, but it has the look.

Fire Dragon

I often say we have too much fun in Humboldt, when I'm not saying we eat well in Humboldt, both of which are completely true. I shot this picture at the Plan It Green Convention which came complete with parade. The parade had electric cars and hydrogen-powered cars as well as pedal-pushers (bikes), and a circus like troop all decked out for Mardi-Gras complete with jugglers and - oh yes - a troop of karate kids. It was a fun day and we did well, selling several kitchen composters and lots of bamboo socks ... and a few other things as well. All in all it was a very good day.

Nooner Cafe

A few weeks ago I heard about a new place to eat in Eureka. Since my husband & I were going "into town" that day, I suggested we give it a try. The fare was not your usual Americana hamburger or sandwich. I had an Italian roast beef sandwich which included Portobello mushrooms and pesto. It was better than OK, better than same-ol'-same-ol' so I was glad we stopped there for lunch. The cafe was in an alley, as you can see, and had a bit of European-ness about it. I even enjoyed the view. Then it was back to work for us both. Now if I could only get my husband to turn off his cell phone, knock-off with the business conversation and just ENJOY the MOMENT ..... but then he is a type A and loves business - what's a girl to do?

Ducks about to Fly

This is a photo of a pair of ducks about to fly off. I took this snap from my kayak last Sunday on the South Fork Eel River. We have a large variety of flying creatures here in Humboldt. We are on the honker's (ducks), flyway -both the greater (bigger) and lesser(smaller), so in the right season we have over 80,000 ducks dropping in for a stay. We have resident: herons (blue & green kind), egrets, bald eagles, osprey, pelicans and several varieties of hawk including Coopers Hawk. We also have the usual squawkers: crows, robins, finches, humming birds and Blue Jays to name a few. With 6 major rivers, plenty of fields, acres of forest, bays and estuaries we have birds that capitalize on each of these eco-systems. Such a varied ecosystem gives food and shelter to our amazing feathered furies. I met a fellow photographer who specializes in bird photography. "If it ain't flying, I don't shoot," was his mantra. He gave me one of his business cards and on that small piece of paper was a truly awesome photo of a heron taking off from the water - his feet were mere inches out of the water and everything was in perfect focus. This gentleman was about 65 years old and was enjoying his retirement. He also had a most unusual devise for his camera. It had been a rifle at one time, but had been modified not for a scope, but for his camera. When ready to take a photo, he raised up his 'gun', aimed and took his best shot. In oh so many ways, this area qualifies as Paradise and I'm so very happy I chose to move here.

Ben Bow to Redway

Sunday Bill, a friend & I headed for Redway first, then on to Ben Bow and from there into the water. With kayaks, one always needs transportation back to where your car is after you 'out-take'. In Redway, all we did was to drop off one car, with it's driver hitching a ride with us to Ben Bow. There is a lovely park there and the famous Ben Bow Inn which is first class - but not in a Hilton-Sheraton American style. It's a Tudor English establishment with nicely groomed grounds and a great site right on the South Fork Eel River. They also have first-class food - that much I know from personal experience. But it was the park we turned into to get to our 'put-it' location. We got our kayaks off the top of our Suburban (the only reason we have such a gas-guzzler) and dragged them down to the water - about 300 yards. The total paddling part was 3.5 hours with a 1 hour lunch break roughly half-way at Tooby Park in Garberville. After lunch it was back into the river and on to Redway, where I stayed with the kayaks while the two men (my husband and a friend whose wife had bronchitis and couldn't join in) drove his truck back to Ben Bow so Bill could pick-up our 'Burb, then back to collect the kayaks and head for home.

Along the way we saw countless ducks - several breeds of; a bald eagle; a nude sunbather; five other kayakers in two groups; & really way-cool-gnarly tree roots clinging to or dripping from the rocky cliff-like banks of the South Fork. While waiting for the return of the suburban and the guys, I noticed several dogs - all much better behaved than any of mine; two ladies sans bikini tops - one was playing a guitar and singing; and parents swimming in the Eel with their kids. All in all it was a relaxing day and our first paddle of the season.

My husband gave me an orchid plant for Valentines Day.

I don't usually like Valentines Day - its way too pink and red for my taste. But I DO so love flowers. Their architecture astounds me every time.

While he often drives me nuts, I know he loves me. He's extremely smart, informed and seems to enjoy juggling 4 projects/clients at a time and frequently needs my assistance, taking me away from doing 'my own thing'. He also seems to love working 12 hour days, 7 days a week. I sometimes remind him that even God gives us ONE day a week OFF !!!

For this picture, I pluked one of the blooms and placed it on a bed of basalt pebbles which came from Carnelian Bay on Lake Tahoe.

I wasn't entirely happy with the result - I don't think it does the flower justice.

As of February 18

After a bit more clay, I decided to rest for a bit so I could get on with all my real work - like housework and bookkeeping - I normally would be doing. In this shot, it shows the curve rather well, but the tilt is not as obvious. I've tried to make put it in a realistic posture. What I've learned is how much I have to learn about clay types and underlying forms. I need a good book for these things, but I have little doubt that I am capable of the sculpture aspect. I once make a human head out of Fimo clay about 1 inch tall and wow'd my art history sister. She didn't know I had it in me - neither did I.

Done with the newspaper, I started applying the clay. I don't know if you can tell, but I was working on it on my bed.

Not wanting a stiff-as -a-board sculpture, I gave it some flow ... after all - it does live in water, yes?

Art Project Progress1

At this point, I was mostly done with the form - made out of newspaper as you can see. It does look like a fish - I hope.

Latest Art Project

This is my latest art project. I've had the urge to put hand to clay for almost two years, so I finally gave in, bought some clay and started to fumble around.

This is the Matolle River. We took an afternoon picnic and walk. It is a troubled river which should be full of salmon - if it had more water. We have what I call Rural sprawl - lots of 10, 20 & 40 acre lots all using on-site springs and creeks. That means the water doesn't flow to the river, so the river has much less water than it should. With the current budget crisis, our governor has frozen all grant monies, so restoration will slow down and be funded locally - from the pockets of landowners and those who care about the salmon - it's a fight for the continued existence of these amazing fish. Moss grows everywhere as it is a very damp environment. We have had a bit of rainfall lately, but this river is still below it's mark - for salmon, that is. However, the water was clear and swift-moving, which is a good thing. I feel blessed to have chosen this place of beuaty to live and plan to keep being part of the restoration and salvation (of the Salmonids) movement up here in no-man's-land.

This is another fine mushroom that grows in our forests. It could be a Cantrell, but from this photo it's hard to tell. I try not to step on any or disturb them so that they might propagate and flourish, so I don't know what the underside looks like. The shamrocks are wood sorrel with the latin name - oxalis : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_wood_sorrel . These have a burgundy red on their underside in late summer and they fold up at night to protect themselves. Up here in Humboldt County we have what we call " 'Shroom Season". Lots of people head out to the forest to gather scrumptious morsels for their dinner plates. It is but one of many seasons - like deer hunting season and duck hunting season ..... It's what we locals do for fun - gather in the harvest from the forest.

I went for a stroll in the Rockerfeller Grove today with some friends. One fellow has been learning a lot about native plants and redwoods in his volunteer training, although he volunteers at the Humboldt Bay Natural Wildlife Refuge - the 'bird sanctuary'. He helped us identify plants - when we weren't discussing politics, that is. These are Cantrell mushrooms and they are an edible delight. As we were in a state park, there was no collecting of any kind, so we photo'ed them and left them as we found them - beautiful!

Sunset & Fog

I snapped this photo about a week ago. This is the view from our front yard - the cliff-side yard - looking out towards Ferndale. The fog here is ever changing and always enchanting. It's one of the reasons I moved (and remain) here. The last two years there has been far less fog than 10 years ago. Global warming? or natural fluctuation. The redwood trees get the majority of their water directly from the fog (moisture in the air), so they should survive this drought just as they have survived so many other droughts. It's one of the reasons I moved here - the water. Its also way my sinuses are so happy here - they like the damp, which means I can breathe!!! Its rather special to have such a great view, and I love photographing right from my front yard.

Nesting Sites

Our chickens gave us 9 eggs yesterday. There has been only a small reduction in egg production throughout the winter. Most chickens seem to all use the same nest - they must be taking turns. One chicken, a Barred Rock, likes to fly up to the top of the chain link gate, then back down onto the other side. We found 40 eggs one day while cleaning up around the exterior of our house in what we labeled the Illegal Nest. Now we collect her eggs as well as the ones in the coop. She is a very independent chicken and loves to 'free range' outside their designated living quarters.

This was the view as we made our way to The Racetrack. I have a fondness for geology and I'm slowly - with each adventure out of Humboldt County - collecting the Roadside Geology series. Much of the southwest is what geologists call Basin and Range country. As you can see in this photo, there are indeed a series of basins and ranges.

On our way into the park (Death Valley National Park, that is), we were in a canyon pass between the Panamint Range and Death Valley itself, when we heard a horrible sound. It sounded like a freight train pushing a lot of air before it. I didn't know what it was - until a jet passed us, screaming along at mock-2 just overhead. I'm sure those hot-shot pilots get a kick out of startling those of us on the ground, going a mere 55 MPH.

I took this after an afternoon of hiking up a slot canyon we read about in a Hiking in Death Valley booklet.

The weather is quite mild in December, although if there is a storm the winds can be harsh. In summertime, the temperatures can get as high as 120 degrees - hot enough to cook an egg on the road.

Having been partially raised not far away in the Mojave area, I have a fondness for the desert. Not to the point where I would want to live there, mind you, but there is a stillness, a quiet I find to be soothing.

In 2006, my husband & I took a trip to Death Valley between Christmas & New Years. For anyone who loves geology, Death Valley - in spite of it's name - is amazing. My Dad said, "what in the hell for?" I explained that it's a great place to see rocks because there is no trees or foilage hiding the rocks. My Dad also loves trees and thought it a great joke. He may be in his 80's now, but still has a wonderful sense of humor.

We took a 27 mile gravel road - more like small, rough-edged boulders - to what is called The Racetrack. Rocks have left mysterious tracks through the hard-as-concrete ancient lake bed. A USGS crew once took GPS devises and found the Racetrack to be absolutely flat. The theory is that when it rains, the water sheets out due to the flatness and soaks into the dry bed making it slicker than ice. My brother-in-law confirmed this fact as he ended up splat on his ass during a rare rain on the track. Wind comes into play next by pushing the rocks, forming the tracks you see. This track probably took several storm events to create such an irregular and interesting trail. It was definitely a trip to be remembered.