can you relax enough…

to sit on that bench and just be…taking in the sights and sounds on a Spring day?

Tree over pond…

Spring day at Laurelhurst Pond in Portland, Oregon

SwittersB ©

city park…

empty save a few nearby residents walking their small dogs, that have been cooped up all day in downsized condo’s and flats.

Geese Couples…

Geese have reportedly been known to mate or pair off for several decades or more. Here some couples were strolling about a nearby park.

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Making the News

Our granddaughter, Desirae, while with family at a park in Portland, was asked by a local news crew if she would like to participate in a segment on back to school thoughts. She readily agreed and the rest was a fun experience for the family…and especially Desi.

Good Thing…………..

I don’t live down near Hwy. 62. Because I think I would barrage you with that scenery even more than I have this past few weeks. I love the Pacific NW, where I call home, but there is a powerful draw to the that other worldly area off Hwy 62 in California. Accommodate me a bit more.

Certainly the aerial imagery doesn’t do much for the location.

At the ground level the terrain is a lot of browns, tans, a little green. But, if you carefully wander off you can find beautiful colors, wildlife, serenity and amazing visuals. Bring plenty of water, wear the right shoes and note that these rocks are highly abrasive so be careful of not just reptiles and thorns but trips, slips and falls on very rough surfaces.

This concentration of color is not so common. You have to walk a a bit to find individual or clusters of such colors. That is not to say there is not beauty in the less colorful surroundings too.

I don’t know, some how that tangled, jumbled scene has beauty for me.

Joshua Tree National Park: Surreal Beauty

Upon the advice of friend, Ann Roche, my wife and I ventured forth into the Joshua Tree National Park. We entered on the north end of the park near 29 Palms and made the loop back west toward Yucca Valley. What an extraordinary experience! Maps are available at the park’s information center (29 Palms side)

We marveled at the amazing rock formations, Joshua Trees and the occasional flowering cactus; truly a wonderful experience. We didn’t arrive until mid-day so the lighting was not optimum for photography. However, there is so much beauty around every bend that just to take it in without fussing over the camera is enjoyable too. We got a few shots nonetheless to share. I experimented with a polarizing filter for a few shots.

Because of practical/medical reasons we didn’t hike a lot, but we ventured out here and there and took in the sights, clean air and cooler temps of the higher altitudes (70 degrees). There are plenty of sites that can provide you excellent information on touring the park. We noted nice tent camping that was situated near outstanding rock formations without being obtrusive or invasive. There were plenty of turn outs to park and hike in a ways toward the rock formations. Even if you never left the vehicle it would be a pleasant experience.

Two valuable resources are: Desert USA and Joshua Tree Nat’l Park

Cap Rock~Everywhere one looks there are massive rocks precariously perched atop others. With all of the park’s fault lines crisscrossing about I imagine sooner or later an earthquake helps reposition these large rocks.

We didn’t see much wildlife on this outing save some lizards. We read about Big Horn Sheep, Tortoise, Snakes etc.

Photography: Wet Carpet