March Arrives

With February over, we entered March by dumping 3.5 inches out of the rain gauge, and by getting snowed on nicely, and then Craig returned to help on the various projects he and Jeffery have been working on.  We had some adventures, and some fun, plus the three of us began our study of the Declaration of Independence, which was very interesting and illuminating.  Now Craig has gone to visit his family, so Jeffery and I are getting a few personal projects done.  "Spring Cleaning" time!

March arrives

tracks on the bridge

one more task completed; a storage trailer is empty and leaving!

Swans and geese

Coffee stop on my way to the ski hill

Had to try out the fresh snow while I could.  The weather has not cooperated with my scheduling needs.

Okay!  It's the day Jeffery, Craig and I take a hiking tour on and in the midst of the Smallest Mountain Range in the World; the Sutter Buttes.  These sheep looked like they were made of the rocks that were also strewn everywhere.

Very cool rock walls mingle with the sheep and boulders.

We carpooled into the property, through 7 gates, and gathered at the start of our trail which would take us up onto the flank of the North Butte, which is right above and behind Craig's head.

This forest was so cool!

The group along the "trail", which really was not fully visible everywhere.

Another view of the group wendings

That's Mt Lassen and neighboring peaks, faint in the background center.  We could also see Mt. Shasta at one overlook, but the cameras didn't catch it well.

Me with the pestle at the mortar rocks where native people ground their foods.

This giant boulder had resonant places when you hit it with a rock.  Booms and noticeable vibrations in our bodies would come if you hit it just right.

Lots of friendly, noisy cows and calves along the way

The sort of glen or bowl that we would trek around

The tour included moments to enjoy the serenity and the views

This section was quite steep and tilted, so you needed one leg to be shorter than the other.

baby blue eyes

The same steep section as before, only from my perspective instead of Jeffery's

One last view of Mt. Lassen

Now we're in Marysville on St. Patrick's Day to celebrate the 138th Bok Kai Parade and festival.  This is one of the old buildings in this town we love.

Jeffery has to get some kettle corn

The line into the Bok Kai Temple was long, so we hung out nearby under the kumquat tree.  A lady told us to pick some and put them into our pockets for good luck, so we did.

The beginnings of the Phoenix installation being created by dowser and Bok Kai supporter Larry Bird.  There is a story behind it.  I'll tell you more as I learn it.  I found out that the mural on the wall was done by Ronald E. Slater

Sign post?  Totem?

Lion Dancers at the Gateway to the Temple

cool old cop car

Year of the Dog parade float

Jeffery, Mom, and Kathleen along the parade route

You can sort of tell how long the dragon is in this shot.  Jeffery learned that 30 people are carrying it.

Our dragon tries to eat the running Dragon-leader's staff ornament

A Lion-cub takes a wee breather

Added this shot because of the storm clouds adding atmosphere and contrast.

My family in front of the newly opened Chinese School.  This was such an exciting moment for us, as we'd never seen the inside of it in all our years.

Doorway display

close-up of the door panel

The old dragon

fun to get to look up close at how much work goes into the making of the dragons.

There you go! I'm up to middle March!  See you around.

Playing Catch-up to Now - part two.

Here's the rest of February for your viewing pleasure.

Jeffery at a ferny waterway on the Rock Creek Road

See the Spaniel on the boulder?  Is it running, or is it perched on a ledge?

lichen-moss bull's-eyes

Tree growning out of a rock on Rock Creek

It now costs money to trek across Table Mountain.

Frozen pond

The journey beckons; the day is brisk but sunny

The first wildflowers make a pretty show

Last year's fire swept through this giant ravine where Phantom Falls lurks

There's Phantom Falls!  It's been too long since we saw ya!

Zoom up; with the dark cave created by the overhang at the bottom of the falls.

That's Jeffery standing on the bluff where we first saw Phantom Falls, and I'm at the top 'o the Falls itself.

And there I am at the top of the Falls; photo'd by Jeffery

Tiny red flora

Pink roots at the water's edge

Creek bottom is interesting

Jeffery and I head away from Phantom Falls, back towards the car

The Sutter Buttes seem to float on the water-fields; Avalon-like

I just love Table Mountain with it's litlle hidden ravines and grottoes 

Low ground flora

We don't know what created this "shadow"; water erosion?  It was too far to get to see up close

Tree growing out of rock

In one direction is the big ravines; but turn around, and it is this smooth sward of upland

We wended to the baby falls we usually visit, but this year, from the north side of the mountain

It snowed in Tobin!  Matt and Wendie informed me that it also snowed in Sacramento that day.

View out the window.  Please note Sara's Christmas-gift "found things" hanging to the right.  An older one hangs to the left of it.

Airy-fairy powder snow on the cedar overhanging our deck.!

Me skiing under the snow-making machine

Frosted flora in Sierra Valley

Total pogonip

It's an Alien Being on a perfect ski-day

Here's the Winter View of that highway bridge overlooking Donner Lake that Jeffery took for me.  Thankyou Jeffery.

I think that's pretty much it.  Sorry for the hasty presentation!