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| Jun | 2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
On the 1st, Kathy fell off the bed in the motel room in Payson, hitting her head, but with only (apparently) minor injuries to hand, arm & neck. We packed up and drove home this day, going thru Phoenix area on the way.  Clouds at the PO this afternoon  Sunset this evening On the 2nd, Jef drove to dentist in SD, checked out Big Rock house, washed car & did some shopping on the way home. Kathy worked all day on chores at home.  Weeds running rampant in front yard...  ...and in back yard On the 3rd, Kathy returned to work a long day. Jef did some chores & worked on pix.  Thunderhead trying to develop over Toro On the 4th, Jef worked on NM pix at home while Kathy worked on chores. Both went to see their MDs in town this day. Got Stacey's gift card fixed & had lunch at Rams Hill.  Our lunches  Snapped a few pix from the restaurant level       Panorama by the corn hole area  Sunset Peak on drive to clinic for Kathy's Labcorp test, which they refused as the prescription was for Quest On the 5th, Kathy worked at the office while Jef did chores in town and at home. Swamp cooler pump broke, so we went to back up system: the minisplits.  Monster squirrel that Kym threatened to release because of its cuteness, so I "released" it instead  Took doggies on walk around circle this night - this house has one obnoxiously bright light On the 6th, Jef stayed home & worked on pix & hosted Teresa, who cut the puppy's nails while Kathy & Kym went out to lunch. On the 7th, Jef drove Kathy to MD in Escondido, picked up dinner for later at Pinto Thai & did shopping before Kathy drove Jef (slowly) home, so Jef snapped some pix on the drive.  Horses apparently don't care for mustard at this ranch just east of Ramona  Cuyamaca Peak as we near the egg store  Apparently wine tasting here, but on too dangerous a curve  The camel ranch    Driving up the 79 from Santa Ysabel towards the pass  Cattle ranch at the pass  We didn't need gas for this trip  A Palomar observatory dome can be seen on the top ridge  Heading south on S2 near the Warner-Carillo  From this pic I found the Warner-Carillo Ranch House hours are weekends noon to 4pm  Lots of agaves in bloom  Never been to the top of this hill where you can look straight across Dry Canyon at the Montezuma Grade, so plan to hike it next season(from the house)  Again took puppies on night walk, this time did the Lightning spur On the 8th, mostly took it easy at home.  Late this afternoon decided to go check the meter  Way down, but probably rising, as we are using minisplits instead of swamp cooler as the pump has failed On the 9th, Jef drove over to Sewanee and burned more palm fronds & dead paloverde branches.  Without the 1.6# of clothes & camera, looks like I weigh about 204# in the morning  Wily scooted out the the way as I drove up driveway, but later returned to check out what was going on   After clearing out a fair amount of palm fronds this is what remains for the next visit here  Fire going - after I removed 4 bags of ash  Probably the same 2 roadrunners Charles gave water & treats to when he was alive  Fire viewed looking towards house  Raised garden |
On the 10th, Kathy saw one patient at the office while Jef hung around the house.  Raised garden is struggling in this heat (vicinity of 106°F for a while now)  Meter is again going up, what with swamper down and using minisplit 24/7  Kym & Kathy drinking outside to watch Strawberry moon rise  Strawberry moon        We walked doggies around the circle and did a spur this evening  Kathy with Pepper  Jef with Daisy on the 11th, Jef started cleaning bottom of pool, and then drove Kathy to CAT scan session in Rancho Mirage.  Kathy had the idea to move back patio furniture to partial shade of the veranda  This dragonfly was buzzing around our garden this afternoon  Canna lily blooming! Only the 2nd time, and the first time it bloomed a few years back wind destroyed it before we could see it  Doggies inside  Doggies in front patio, chilling   A couple of military choppers doing their twilight practice   Kathy wanted to walk to old country club and back, so we went on this hike with puppies around 9pm - here is straweberry moon rising   Strawberry moonrise from old country club  Kathy refused to be in this pic, and she was too hot and wanted to be back home (still in the 90s)  Kathy needed the flashlight for this walk On the 12th, Jef did 2nd scrubbing of pool, bailing out more debris, but too much to finish. Maybe 75% cleaner than when he started prior day. He then swapped white Jeep with the truck at Titos - truck has new oil change and new thermostat. Jef did some work at the office to help Kathy.  Moonrise this evening  On the 13th, Jef & Dave pieced together the wrong-sized filter for the evaporative cooler & installed a new pump. Kathy & Jef made a batch of spaghetti sauce.  Had to use a part of old filter to get new filter to fit   Jef chiseled off a pound or 2 of carbonates sticking to grille On the 14th, Jef scrubbed pool, bailing out most of the dirty stuff & started filling it. Jill came over this evening & dyed Kathy's hair & gave Jef a haircut.  After 2 scrubbings from 2 and 3 days ago  A little cleaner  Cleaner still - may have did one final bailout before filling |
 Clouds this afternoon   Pool is filling  Never bothered to straighten posts - hopefully pool will hold together On the 15th, Dave came over to try to diagnose why the western minisplit unit was not working - seems to be a defective board, so Kathy got HVAC to schedule an appt for the next day. After this, Jef & Kathy took puppies to PCT & walked 1 mile, 200' vertical on the south, mostly shady side of S2. We cut it short, as temperature was in the vicinity of 100F. Jef stopped filling pool when he discovered a hose connected to the filter was leaking. It was about 6" above this, so it drained down 6" for the next day.  Kathy & Pepper starting out on the PCT  Wild buckwheat & elderberry blooms  Daisy trying to catch up with Kathy & Pepper  Entering grapevine area   After reaching area with little shade, we turned around as temp was ca. 95°F  We managed to get a mile in  Nearly 200' elevation gain/loss  Problem with the pump hose in the newly filled pool On the 16th, Kathy went back to work for a full day. Jef did chores at home, got the back-up swamp cooler delivered, and waited to HVAC to do their testing. They will call Mitsubishi to figure out how to fix either a defective communication between inside & outside unit OR a defective board the next morning. On the 17th, Jef drove Kathy to Rancho Mirage for a biopsy. During the procedure, Jef did some shopping. As Kathy was starving at the end of the procedure (she had to fast beforehand), we went to Joyce's for sushi.  This used to be a duck pond when we visited a patient here about 15 years ago  Hospital named after Ike  Picked up Kathy here after her discharge  Sushi at Joyce's  We had to avoid a crash scene here about a month ago - these skid marks show the severity of the crash  Several dust devils in the valley as we returned   After replacing hose, new one leaked in same place! Eventually used duct tape on original and fixed the leak On the 18th, HVAC came over & determined mini split had a bad circuit board & repairs would be too costly. Earl's came over and sprayed for ants. Kathy made a batch of canneloni. On the 19th, Kathy returned for a full day of work. Jef helped Dave get new swamp cooler to back yard and removed old swamp cooler.  Dave using grinder to get old swamper loose in order to remove it On the 20th, Jef and Dave managed to get new swamp cooler installed.  After using mini-splits for nearly a week, meter headed north, but not too much  New swamp cooler On the 21st, Jef dragged the old swamp cooler 50' in soft sand using a dolly, but as dolly had wheel locked by plastic caught in it, he managed to strain his back. That afternoon, we cooked up some dinner and visited Pam & Jaime this evening. We made fresh salsa, a salad and burrito fillings.  At the dinner table On the 22nd, Jef went over and burned about 20 palm fronds at Sewanee house, but there is still more to do.  Palm fronds burning on this hazy day On the 23rd, Jef drove up to Ranchita and dropped keys off with Dave. Dave mowed down weeds in front yard of Big Rock house and checked out the work to be done inside this evening.  Mr. Yeti imprisoned with the rest of this failed Ranchita business   On the 24th, Kathy worked a long day at the office while Jef contributed with driving a patient, bringing printouts, and doing intake paperwork at the office. | |||||||||||||||||||||
| May | 2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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On the 1st, Kathy had 3 office patients. Jef walked to town & did some shopping.  After getting home - 4 miles to go shopping in town - Daisy was glad I was home On the 2nd, mostly took it easy at home - Jef did paperwork for Kathy's prior day. On the 3rd, Jef drove Kathy to MD in Escondido & stopped at fruit stand and Staters on the way home.  Sunrise this morning  We took puppies on a 2 mile walk this morning to east side of BS Road. Here is an area that is more deserty than normal  Walked by the original house Kathy got when she moved to Borrego. Kathy, btw, whined that it was too HOT this morning(high 80s)  As we reached S-2, Kathy spotted neon orange on west side of San Ysidros - poppies!   Humid enuff to really bulk up this contrail!  Flowers near Henshaw with poppy-coated mountains in background  Most of foreground flowers are poppies, as well      Panorama from S-2      Panorama of Borrego Valley from Crawford Overlook   Rain shafts over Santa Rosas   Panorama of clouds after arriving home       Some sunset colour, but not much - not clear to the coast       On the 4th, took it easy at home as heavy winds were predicted all day, but we did get a good(measurable) rain midday!  Rain!   It also rained during the night On the 5th, Jef drove to opthomologist thru Cuyamaca, encountering some fog & drizzle. Doctor said the fly debris I got in my eye won't go away, but will stay around as 'floaters', but otherwise my eyes are fine. Then drove home, doing some shopping and getting gas along the way. Also had some drizzle on the way home, too.  Stopped in Santee to check on house & talked with Danny - note the weeds doing well & Danny says the banana tree needs to come down  Top of mountain across from gas station obscured by clouds  Top of the grade had a thin fog  Clouds over Borrego  View of valley on mostly cloudy day  Late afternoon in Borrego On the 6th, Kathy had a full day at the office while Jef mostly took it easy at home.  Flies from rodent that died in the garage  Took some pix of our master bathroom   On the 7th, Jef drove Kathy to dentist in RB. We did some shopping on way home and did a little hike on Upper Tubb Canyon trail - only about a mile or so in almost an hour, as Kathy had to stop frequently due to fatigue (recovering from pneumonia) and her achy-breaky back.  Doggies on my lap  Another beautiful day in Borrego - walking from street after taking out trash  Pulled over to take a few pix on S-2 these are phacelias  Poppies still on San Ysidros  ...but might be fading  With blooming brittlebush along side road, we thought there might be some blooming on trail  Mesquite in bloom  We saw very few flowers  Buckhorn cholla blooming   Kathy at turnaround point  Borrego Mountain as viewed from portal  Found this mortero - not surprising with Tubb Creek a quarter mile away  Heading back was mostly uphill, so Kathy had more problems with fatigue & back  Heard a big helicopter a long way off - here it is overflying us - probably a Super Stallion On the 8th, Kathy had another full day at work. Jef did chores & mostly took it easy at home. On the 9th, Kathy had a home care. Jef mostly stayed home doing chores. On the 10th, mostly stayed home doing chores. On the 11th, mostly took it easy at home.  Nice clouds at the Mall  Meter still heading south  Clouds taken behind our house  Starting to see more wascally wabbits!  Nice sunset this evening  On the 12th, Jef walked to town, going over the hill & picked up Kym meds at pharmacy, something for Kathy at the store, dropped off & picked up mail before coming home the short way in less than 2 hours.  Cool clouds developing  Going up wash  Panoramas near high point of hike    Heading down to town  Clouds over Santa Rosas looking really cool      Starship Enterprise?  Moby Cloud?  Cloud dancing (with 2 left feet?)       Later this evening with colour starting to fade  Jef  Other Jef looking at first one?  1st star I see 2nite!   Flower moon finally rose, but obscured by clouds On the 13th, Kathy skipped another full day at the office due to nausea. She took meds which made her sleep most of the day. Jef did filing at home.  Nice morning clouds  Clouds over the mountains meant it was windy all day. On the 14th, Kathy went to the local dentist, Dr. Bob, to start process of getting a new tooth. Jef got around to walking doggies around the circle - as they hadn't been out for a while, quite a chore with 2 rambunctious puppies!  Kathy grilled brats this evening  Wispy clouds near sunset  Pool still not ready  Cris-crossing contrails  Panorama On the 15th, Kathy worked at the office while Jef cleaned up a lot of palm fronds that accumulated over the decades(several years worth), burned these and cut down and burned dead branches from the paloverde, spending a couple hours.  The wind at the start blew the fire into a creosote, so I soon trimmed said creosote & threw a branch into the fire  Used this container to bring most of the fuel to the fire  No wind at this point On the 16th, mostly took it easy at home, but we did go out to Ram's Hill as Stacey gave Kathy a gift card for that place. Nice dinner and pleasant weather as we dined outside. They didn't honor the gift card, so we left it with Gabriel, out waitress, to get it straightened out.  At Ram's Hill   The honoree(mom)  At the left of this panorama was a group of girls in (probably softball) uniforms playing corn hole (black and white uniforms indicate out-of-towners)  A little sunset this evening  Panorama taken by our table  Kathy was not feeling that great and became so out of it that Jef drove home  We were the last to leave just after Borrego midnite, as Kathy is a notoriously slow eater On the 17th, drove Kathy to get a CAT scan in Rancho Mirage - there was emergency vehicles on the Salton Seaway and Kathy noticed one vehicle in the probable collision was a RAZR. We first shopped at Staters and made it to radiology facility over half an hour early... but Kathy found she left her backpack at Staters, so we rushed back to where we left the cart and luckily the lady moving carts was there and Kathy found out she had just turned in the backpack and got it back, so we then rushed back to CAT scan place and being only 10 minutes late got it done. A duststorm was going on during our drive.  Dust kicking up near Font's Point |
 At the airport  Clouds at mountain tops in Rancho Mirage - not dusty in this area  We went in & out of dust clouded areas   Final leg heading home on the Salton Seaway    Arriving back at West Star On the 18th, mostly took it easy at home.  Our pepper plant still doing well On the 19th, drove Kathy to MD appointment in Rancho Mirage getting gas there, as we were on fumes, did a little more shopping, and returned home, but on the way passed another crash on the Salton Seaway - this time what appeared to be a horrific head-on collision with a motorcycle - the remnant of the motorcycle was in the middle of the road and someone was attending to the victim, who was stirring, but if he did survive would have extreme traumatic injuries. We passed the ambulance a minute later, and heard the road was closed for a while afterwards.  Ambulance heading to crash scene we just past (possible head-on of car vs. motorcycle)  On the 20th, Kathy went back to work for a full day. On the 21st, mostly took it easy at home. On the 22nd, drove Kathy to MD appt in Rancho Mirage & did some shopping. On the 23rd, Kathy worked, as she missed prior day. On the 24th, Jef drove to RB & picked up Julie's B'day cake for expedition to NM the following day.  Jef snapped a few pix on the way to RB  Accidentally took this pic --- big brother watching us?  Nearing Santa Ysabel  We have yet to check out this nature center  After turning the corner and heading west to Ramona    Camel ranch  Last pic before enterring cloud cover On the 25th, finished packing car and started expedition to NM, first camping at Lost Dutchman Campground near Apache Junction.  At campground, this "cholla tree" must be about 12' high!  Cholla fruit dangling  Setting up camp  Panorama of camp  Dove atop a saguaro  Part of Flat Iron Mtn looming above campground  No cooktop brought on this trip, so enjoying a sandwich for dinner  Sunset colour  While walking doggies, checked out a little of trail to Flat Iron Peak  Map of the campground  The 2 of us  Lights might be aircraft heading to Phoenix  Getting dark  Just before hitting the sack On the 26th, broke camp and drove to Julie's house in Socorro where we met her and her boys. We did the birthday thing this day, as Thor had to go back to Albuquerque for work this evening. Julie gave us her room for our visit.  Puppies this morning  After packing up car this morning  VLA from about half a mile before the turn out   Panorama at VLA showing all the decals left by other travelers   Must be the 3cm or 1+cm configuration, as all antennae are close to center  VLA turn out  Julie's cake before lighting candles  7 candles on one side and 3 candles on the other - signifying her age  Of course some were trick candles  After a few breaths, she did succeed in extinguishing the candles  The front of Julie's house  Vino time after cake eating  Logan, Julie & Thor just before Thor drove off   Sunset as viewed from Julie's living room this evening On the 27th, Julie showed Jef the local UFO monuments on a walk & drive by. Kathy, Jef, Julie & Johnny dined at the Owl Bar for lunch.  Walking onion - we got a couple of these to bring back to CA  Spanish broom  Grandma Johnson had this hanging in her living room - Norman Yackley is a known artist, but not famous  Logan shot this carribou and made this trophy  Dad's old frame for a van Gogh copy  Walking puppies  Julie made a small detour from her normal walk to check out the 1964 landing site with rocks circling the 3 touchdown points (and 2 others along with "UFO" written with rocks)  San Diego sheriffs endorsing Owl burgers??? This was at our booth  After lunch was served  Stopped by to check out the 1964 landing mural(dedicated to the 1st official investigator, Lonnie Zamora) - note M Mtn as an island at the horizon  Panorama at Evelyths - we visited for about an hour this afternoon  In front of Evelyths - Julie explained she had an opportunity to buy it, but Doug rejected it  Menacing clouds viewed from Julie's back yard   Dog fight in Julie's living room  "Clash of the Titans"    Julie & Johnny gave us a concert this evening at Julie's house - part 1 was in back room with Julie on drums     Concert part 2 was in Julie's living room  Julie on washboard - Kathy & puppies in audience     Julie only did one song with this bass cajon  On the 28th, we drove to the Socorro Nature Area and did a 1+ mile walk. Later that day, Julie gave Jef a little tour of the campus.  Parking area of Nature Area  Originally thought these yellow fruits were flowers  Julie commented on how many trees had died in current drought  Entering a more verdant area   Made use of one of the benches that happened to be in the shade  Kathy had noticed a truck stuck in the sand and we assume this tractor was to rescue it   Julie was last married to Doug here over 25 years ago (October 30, 1999)...  ... but she was recently divorced(last year) and is now hanging out with Johnny  Reaching the parking area  At New Mexico Tech  Looking towards Brown Hall  Panorama of grounds north of Brown  Hedge cut to shape of NMT logo, complete with the "M"  Julie in the back of Brown Hall. This new section was labeled "The Old Main"  The old man in front of the Old Main  Rose garden in front of Wells Hall  Julie by Cramer Hall  Panorama from Wells to Cramer  Both Jef & Julie taught physics labs in Weir Hall  M Mtn behind old Chemistry Building  A robin  Julie had to show Jef this building which thundered with a waterfall  This may be the largest evaporative cooler in the world and pumps cool air to all buildings on campus on warm days  The old library - both Jef & Julie had graduation ceremonies on the right side of this building  Julie participating in this sculpture - being part of "The Past" |
 Sample golf ball ore-bearing rock  Julie pointing to vacant space where our offices used to be, as Workman Center was re-done and the north side where the Tower of Babel was is now outdoor landscaping, including lawn  Macey Center is now a day care and solar panels are just part of a decorative roof - Julie had a wedding here circa 1988  Forest south of the pond has been thinned  The bridge over the pond is still there  Ducks, ducks, wonderful ducks   The bridge used to go to an island, but now connects with Macey Center   Looking over pond to the west and M Mtn  Looking south at the bridge over the pond   Panorama of arm of the pond - we skirted the golf course with ease (no golfers behind us)   Rather than walk back to campus, we walked along the outside of the golf course  Hole 13 is a par 4 - other numbers are probably yards for men, women & kids?   Another big building going up  Dan Lopez engaged in a building frenzy when he was president - Workman Center is maybe next door?  South Hall dorms  After getting Kathy a T-shirt at the gift store, took an inside pic in the SUB (Fidel Center)  The gym  I guess the elm trees survived the Dutch elm disease in the 1980s after they were trimmed way back  Julie at entrance to Brown Hall - note that groundskeepers had decorated front with coleus back in 1980 and continue to use these today!  Kathy made a spaghetti dinner for all of us tonight, complete with lots of leftovers   Impressive clouds this afternoon     Watching some TV  Sunset this evening   Johnny & Julie practicing for open mic tomorrow  On the 29th, Julie & Jef took doggies on walk thru her neighborhood. This evening we went to open mic at the Box Canyon Brewery where 4 of 5 performers did 6 songs each, including Johnny & Julie, Dave Thomas, Dave's son, and a couple others.  Nice landscaping  Colourful desert willow blooms  Panorama of view from a new homesite  M Mtn  Back home - a cloudy day  At the Box Canyon Brewery... Julie was not all there  Johnny & Julie performing    Kathy remarked she had a good voice & he was the most talented guitarist here tonight  The young guy was great, too  Lots of talent tonite  A sunset happening outside   Looking west to the plaza as we left Box Canyon this evening On the 30th, Julie led us on a tour of the plaza area of Socorro. That afternoon we again visited Bob & Susan. Bob had pic of havolinas ravaging his apple tree a few days back (apparently driven from mtns by gray wolves reclaiming their territory). We had a few drinks & played a few games of pool. We then went to the Cap, where Johnny had be performing already for over an hour. We had green chile pizza & Jef had a green chile Socorro dog. Julie got recruited to sing "Free Range Chicken" with Johnny on his last song of the nite(song written by Susan's brother Burt Taylor). That evening, Julie & Johnny joined Jef & Kathy for a bonfire in Logan's area. Apparently Logan made a spot to hang out with his friends, but had only used it once in 15 or so years!  Holleyhocks blooming   South of the plaza is a park dedicated to the military  Bloodthirsty sister?  She has Elfego Baca's park north of plaza in her sites!   A fragment from Jumbo  A piece of history  Marvin was our dean when we went to Tech  Kathy's new souveneir T-shirt  Panorama of the plaza  Wheel of Time sculpture by Claudia DeMonte & Ed McGowin  Artwork shows highlights of Socorro from its founding in 1598(before Jamestown was founded!)  Red yaro in front of St. Miguel Catholic church  Kathy wanted to check out inside of church, but door was locked  Puppies checking out their patron saint, St. Francis   Kathy had never before seen the "red hot poker" flowers  Cool old house near the church  Well kept house & grounds  Elfego Baca's old house  The story of Elfego (Robert Loggia played Elfego in Disney's mini-series "The Nine Lives of Elfego Baca" filmed from 1958 to 1964)  Back to military side of plaza where entire playground has a military theme  Kathy had to do some off-roading, of course  At Susan & Bob's - Susan made some great fresh strawberry mocktails and we brought over a bottle of wine  Got to play some pool - we were pretty mediocre, but it was fun   How long can these cottonwoods survive so far from the water table?  Julie, Susan, Linda(retired Capital Bar bartender), Kathy, Bob & Jef  Johnny performed outside under the cottonwood tree  Kathy & Julie looking over menu   Our order was #12  The pizza & Socorro dog have arrived (both were excellent - much better food than Box Canyon)  Johnny performed under this cottonwood - we were headed home  Jef had worked all day cutting up a mostly dead Spanish broom & set up a fire for this evening  Sunset this evening   Jef had no problem getting the fire going - broom burns well!  Jef tended the fire most of the hour we were down there  A pleasant evening with no wind!  A fairly full moon looking toward the house  Johnny had moved blue lights from side of house to this area   Lights of Socorro in the background  Pepper was there and so was...  ...Daisy On the 31st, packed up and left Julie's house for home. The day started pretty hazy with only 1 mile visibility. We made it to Payson AZ, and as it was in the 90s in the mountains, Kathy decided to get a motel room there.  Eerie haze this morning  1 mile visibility made mountains invisible!  Even hazy at the VLA    Jef parked in the middle of the tracks to take picture - they are only used to move the dishes  This is the first motel (The Payson Inn & Suites) we stopped to see if they took doggies - they did, so we checked in  Clouds this evening  Walked doggies in this somewhat scuzzy neighborhood | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Apr | 2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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On the 1st, mostly took it easy at home. Took Kathy to clinic & waited an hour in the car.  My dog team pulling me around the circle  View from heliport next to the clinic  Mesquite blooms On the 2nd, too windy for Kathy again, so Jef took doggies on a walk. Road maintenance got around to starting to finish resurfacing our road.  Panorama at sunrise after I took out trash  Fresh tar with lots of gravel on our road On the 3rd, walked to town to mail taxes, pick up mail, med from pharmacy, and muffins for Kathy. Otherwise, took it easy at home.  Lillies starting to bloom out front  Meter still heading south, again below 4000  Panorma of clouds at start of hike  Beavertail blooming at vacation house on Bending Elbow  For some reason they put a 2nd re-surface on Bending Elbow!  They paved over the coldenias that had broken thru prior resurfacing  Panorama at Methodist church  View coming home over the spur  This couple, apparently out-of-towners, was standing on a boulder at the old country club and seemed to be discussing what a different place Borrego is On the 4th, drove to dentist in SD for quick visit, stopped by Santee house, and did some shopping before coming home.  View from new Santa Ysabel gas station - note that it's green everywhere  Panorama of Santee living room  Looking towards hallway  Holley's old room  Guestroom - note the hole in the wall (Rob's laundry chute)  Master bedroom  Master bath  Guest bath  Back yard  Front yard   Storm clouds near Henshaw - actually got some rain!  Panorama at Crawford Overlook  Very clear, as Salton Sea easily visible  Sunset this evening  Puppies playing  Pepper puppy On the 5th, mostly took it easy at home.  Pepper puppy fetches socks... but doesn't want to part with them On the 6th, mostly took it easy at home.  We took doggies around block with 2 spurs - about a mile On the 7th, mostly took it easy at home and prepared for 5 day trip the following day.  Kathy (for 2nd time) started oven & forgot we had stored some peanuts and thawed out Cornish game hens in the oven  Most of the peanuts and the game hens were salvaged in time, however. On the 8th, Kathy worked most of the day, doing home health. After work we packed and drove to Huntington Park and spent the night with Stella, Alvaro & Holley.  Sunrise this morning  Barrel and amarylis both blooming out front  We made it to LA  Puppies made it too!  On the 9th, Kathy drove all of us to LA County offices in Norwalk & Holly + Alvaro got hitched. We took pix of this process and also got pix of the house Kathy was raised in, as well as her old high skool.  Heading to Holley & Alvaro's appointment    Stella & Kathy at the place where it happens   While paperwork was started, Stacey joined in a video call   The couple and the "gallery"  The actual event (photos not allowed, but Kathy insisted Jef take one)  Afterwards, we went to the arch where couples get photographed, but Alvaro & Holley were enamered with this...  ... jumping spider on the arch  Holley & Alvaro with the certificate  The couple with the moms  The kiss  Photos on the nearby lawn  Lots of little flowers on the lawn    Besides the bigger daisy-like flowers, there were a few non-dandelion little flowers in the lawn  These were the most noticeable flowers  Mother & son   The entire wedding party  Kathy showing Holley her grandma's house for the first time  Panorama of grandma's old neighborhood  Snapped a pic of Kathy's old high skool  Doggies in back yard    Kathy feeding doggies  Doggies in front yard   On the 10th, Jef & Kathy checked out a few possible venues for Holley's main wedding, should she ever have one. Only 1 pic from first 2, as we were unable to get in to check them out, and they were in nasty congested areas. We then checked out the lodge in Elysian Park. Dropped by Landa St. house on the way to the next venue and wound up getting tour from Jez and Phil - also meeting dad Jimmy, who was busy in new granny hut behind the house doing a remote therapy session.  Bad parking situation at 2nd venue - also Jef had to deal with crazy lady while waiting for Kathy  Kathy had to go, so tracked down a bathroom at a Food 4 Less, where I noticed that portable security trailers are in use in a lot of areas in LA  Poor guy probably thinking "why am I in smell-A?"  This art piece building(intersection of Echo Park and Sunset) was a drug store when I was young, catty corner is still a dry cleaners(was Hollyway Cleaners when I was young), BofA is still there,but the Pioneer Market is gone  Scott Avenue entrance to Dodger Stadium  At bottom of Boylston St. is one of my old school chum's house(Raymond Petty)  Mom's old house completely redone(1610 N Boylston)
 Parking area    Jef & Kathy  Interior  Connector from main building to outdoor area  Water falling into duck pond  Panorama of outdoor area  Kathy walking from lodge to outdoor area   Fountain in pond  Dropoff point for guests who don't want to walk uphill from parking area  Looking towards parking area  Arriving at 1964 Landa  Kathy heading up   The hand rails are gone  Panorama at garage level  Panorama at garage roof level  Now a structure(playhouse?) on the garage roof   Jes giving us a brief tour - note the missing walls!  The old laundry room now has a breakfast nook!  New kitchen countertop. Phil says nothing has gone to waste & dad's fancy woodwork has been redistributed around the house  Now an open staircase  Living room is now bright with windows open!  Note that dad "signed the house" - this beam had been hidden behind lowered tile ceiling(now removed)  Grandpa Jimmy's work room - he was doing a remote therapy session at the time, explaining why the "on air" light was on outside the granny shack  With windows open, dad's terrace art can be seen from inside the house  Big windows open again  Front door replaced with a glass door for even more light!   Phil pointing out the missing blackberry vines  No more blackberry vines!    Jimmy finished his session & came down to say hi  Kathy talking with Jes & Phil  Heading back to the car  Tex's old house across the street
 Kathy walking to the entrance  Main hall for any event  Kathy in main courtyard     View of main courtyard from small bar  The small bar  |
   Main entrance  We left and came by the next day for a tour  Some parts of the city are pretty dirty  Kathy at home feeding doggies On the 11th, Jef & Kathy checked out a few more possible venues for Holley's main wedding & Kathy determined her favourite. We had to negotiate rush hour traffic to get back home, and we did our last minute shopping for bridal shower the following day.  Back at the LA River Complex: San Fernando Courtyard - some events could be done on this lawn, but this courtyard gets some heavy duty freeway noise  Gina was our tourguide for this venue  The big bar  View of main courtyard from other side - the giant chiminea behind the guy walking is the wood fireplace available to us 
 Kathy in the banquet hall  Sample table setting and 15' diagonal LED display - Kathy talking to Gor, our guide  Looking from banquet hall across entry hall to the courtyard  Grand entry hall  Outdoor courtyard panorama  VIP area panorama(oops, mangled Gor and Kathy)  You must take this staircase from courtyard to go up a flight to get to this VIP area  Panorama men's bathroom  Panorama ladie's bathroom  Even fancy overhead lighting in bathrooms  Toilet in ladie's bathroom  VIP section in banquet hall(across from stage)  A more complete example of how all tables appear at the start of festivities  Sample chandelier  Dancing area  Panorama of entire banquet hall  We found parking in residential area a couple blocks away  Cool little houses in this area  We drove off with a lot of flower petals on our car  Kathy getting cards, bridal party gift, and other supplies for big party tomorrow On the 12th, Kathy was too tired to continue checking out wedding venues, and Holley, Alvaro & Stella were too busy prepping for party this afternoon, so declined to participate. We enjoyed a great catered party this evening with about 70 in attendance.  Set up before guests arrived for bridal shower  Ready for guests   Party starting before everyone arrives  Most people here now  Yan, at left is the neighbor who sat at our table - a Vietnamese chemical engineer who left Vietnam for Japan, working there for 10 years, before coming to US. Couldn't get engineering job here, but lucked into position at the main LA library when it was seeking translators who spoke Vietnamese and Japanese - they got a "2-fer" with Yan! He worked there for 33 years before retiring  Party was catered by Carnicerķa La Potosina   I estimated around 70 people showed up   Getting ready for pix with shower gifts nearby  Groom & bride    Sun getting low    Couple with Holley's proud mother     Kathy paid for the cake     The secretary of Belmont Hi Skool & daugter came later and also sat at our table - she had that position for 37 years and was nearing retirement     Alvaro & Holley later this evening - not cold enuff for a jacket for most of us   An announcement of fireworks got some of us to go in back  We were in an alley between a big strip mall and some houses  Fireworks were powerful enuff to trip car alarms on the other side of these stores!  Just a little smokey afterwards  About to head back to party  These 2 were both headed for University of CA after this summer - I think one at least was going to UCR         The couple with the other side of the family (Stella & her beau)    Freddy's a bit taller than these 2       Dancing commencing     Kathy traditionally dances with Holley at weddings!     We cleaned up most of the tables after the party was winding down  A more intimate setting    Concha   Modelo levitating in mid air???  On the 13th, we packed and Jef drove back to Borrego. Kathy was not feeling well, so took medications to prevent car-sickness & pain, so shortly after arriving home, she laid down and slept 12 hours straight.  Gifts were not opened until following morning  On the 14th, Jef drove Kathy to get a PET scan in Indian Wells, had some sushi (as Kathy had missed dinner & couldn't eat prior to PET scan, so was starving afterwards), and then did some shopping before we got home.  Sunrise this morning    Snow on Gorgonio from Indian Wells  As Kathy couldn't eat before PET scan, she was starving so afterwards we dined nearby at Dragon Sushi    Paloverdes still going full blast in Borrego  At the library  A 5 magniture earthquake had hit when we were driving to Palm Springs area  A picture frame leaning against wall had come down in earthquake, causing destruction of at least one knick-knack - a candleholder given us as a wedding present by Kathy's cousin John - later we found a piece of another important knick-knack On the 15th, Kathy went back to work, working a full day.  Paloverdes still going crazy  On the 16th, Jef drove Kathy to vet surgery place in SD, to get suggestions on what to do with deformed left front leg on Pepper. Vet suggested seeing how she did on our trip up north this summer. If we think it should be fixed, cost is about $6K plus whatever 8 weeks of followup dressing changes would cost. Problems might include Pepper coming down hard and breaking the fix before it is healed.  Saw this huge crane over Clairemont Mesa as we drove off from the vet  Ceanothus blooming at the base of Iron Mtn  With Kathy driving, Jef snapped pix on the way home  Taking Old Julian detour to avoid Ramona rush hour, we drove by a free-range egg ranch    Nearing Old Julian Hwy  Fancy houses near Hwy 78  Starting on Old Julian Hwy  Field of African daisies   Driving by Camel Ranch  Now on Hwy 78  Trumpers fruit stand  Windy-windies  By Santa Ysabel Preserve, note the oaks are blooming  Green meadow just before Santa Ysabel  Approaching Dudleys On the 17th, another windy day with Kathy working the whole day. On the 18th, another windy day. Jef walked doggies about 1 mile around the circle & did chores at home.  Pepper is just too enthusiastic when Kathy comes home!  Paloverde at the Mall with clouds by Toro Peak  The library |
 Jef drove the truck today On the 19th, Jef made deviled eggs for the next day, Easter.  Easter Bunny about to make an egg-hiding run On the 20th, met John in Glorietta & we had a potluck with about 12. Had an egg hunt, but only Joseph participated as his brother had no interest. Went on 2 mile hike with Dave.  We set up Easter potluck 100 yards downwash from usual spot, as it was occupied  Creosote and ocotillo were blooming   Joseph playing one-armed golf, as his good arm is in a caste  There were about 9 of us at this point, as Joe and David had not yet arrived  Tied puppies to the ice chest for most of the party  12 in this pic, means there must have been at least 14 total(Jef & Joseph off-camera)    David watching as Joseph finds Easter eggs    Joseph finds a basket of chocolate eggs!    Another successful desert potluck for John. Lorraine, I suspect, was an agent for the Easter Bunny     Dave wanted to go on a hike, so we walked up to the pass - about a 2 mile round trip hike   One of Dave's friends had no idea what an ocotillo was, so one of his tasks on the hike was to get pix of ocotillos  Old guy on the left had to insist Dave slow down going up the steep inclines  Some barrels were also blooming   Dave about 5 minutes before we hit the end of the road  Back at camp - Joe & friend had already left  John, Terry, Bobby, Lorraine & John   Puppies spent most of time on short leashes, as they wrapped leashes around chairs  Joseph jumping out of Jeep  Joseph was not an angel - just ask Kathy   Golfing in Glorietta  John spent the whole time playing with his teency cars  Quick way to cook marshmallows for s'mores    Looking towards Salton Sea   After David left, camp is smaller  Took doggies on a little walk before we left  We were last to leave right behind John(at right) On the 21st, drove Kathy to MD appt. in Rancho Mirage & did a little shopping before driving home. On the 22nd, a full day for Kathy. Jef did chores around the house. On the 23rd, drove Kathy to MD appt. in Palm Desert, got gas and drove straigh home. We both mostly slept the rest of the day.  Mesquite pollen drifts On the 24th, Kathy was not feeling well, but went to work anyway.  Did some trimming of dead paloverde at Sewanee house  Paloverde still going strong at the Mall  Allergic reaction to bandaide adhesive after Kathy got mauled by Pepper puppy  Kathy pushed herself & walked dogs for a mile around the circle  Meter definitely heading south  On the 25th, as Kathy was spending most of the time in bed & we had too much wind for her, Jef decided to go on an ambitious hike from the house to Hellhole Canyon - doing 10 miles in 4 hours - but as he didn't stretch beforehand, he was in pain the last half of the hike.  Headed up the first tributary to main wash behind the old country club  A rugged route with boulders, dry waterfalls & vegetation, but no big problem  A couple bones from a small mammal  Hornblende is one of the kinds of rocks in this wash  As I neared the top, started to see the San Ysidros  One of only 2 plants blooming in the 1/2 mile trek up this wash - this is a windmill (other was a trixis)  Webo Peak became visible  This small barrel cactus had fallen onto my route  Nearing the top of the wash  Reached S-22  After crossing road, found Surprise Canyon rim trail & followed it  About to drop down to Hellhole trailhead  Hellhole trailhead  "They didn't bring enough water" monument  One of 2 hikers 1 minute ahead of me for the 2 miles I hiked up this trail - Flatcat Canyon is straight ahead  Hikers still just ahead of me as I reached the outskirts of the oasis  Not sure, but this could be a goldeneye bloom  Apricot mallow bloom next to first sycamore  Sycamore with flowers in foreground  Yerba Santa blooms  Turnaround point at elevation 1600' and 4.5 miles into hike (took flatter but longer return route)   As I went several minutes into the grove before reaching my 2 hour limit, still in the oasis for the first few minutes of my return  Panorma - left is Borrego Valley, right is up canyon  Borrego Valley in distance  The mortero on the trail  Mortero  Last few palms  Back to sycamore signifying the edge of the oasis  Past the oasis  Even 1 cholla flower was blooming  Noticed sandstorm blowing from Rockhouse as I was 20 minutes from home  Paloverde doing great - note palms being blown by the wind - I wasn't the only one  At home - more then 10 miles in just over 4 hours  1100' elevation gain On the 26th, mostly took it easy at home.  Despite the wind and cold, Kathy persevered and walked the dogs around the circle  While Kathy & Kym worked in back yard, Kym mentioned there was a rainbow - here it is above the house  It had been sprinkling just before this  Rainbow can still be seen faintly on the left On the 27th, mostly took it easy at home again.  The rat that has been terrorizing the house for the past few weeks, apparently, finally ate one of the several poison cubed it had cached, and is here on it's deathbed - threw it in front yard after this  Did some shopping & took this panorama at the Mall  About half an hour after I tossed rat in this area, I went to take a pic, but only a blood trail was here  I think these are raven tracks by the nearly dead rat & blood was caused by rat putting up a little fight before being flown away On the 28th, Jef decided to walk on ridge behind old country club, doing a 4 mile hike.  Meter still heading south  Approximate route of hike after passing old country club  From first pass, much of water tank trail is visible  At 2nd peak, elevation 910'  Near end of route up ridge and S-22 is now visible  Looking towards Hellhole trailhead - this is where the finale of a DiCaprio movie was filmed last year  Turnaround point of hike  Multiply by 2 to get distance for hike  Unusual vantage of grade where part is below and part above. This is a mark of Zorro, and is the "windy-windys" of the grade.  Panorama - left is upper part of ridge and right is lower part  You can see the Surprise Canyon rim trail behind this truck   As I was about to enter a long flat area, wasn't paying much attention to footing, and slipped & fell on my butt, arm & hand - here's the area of slippage and injury to my thumb   Enuff flat area on this mesa for a small village!  Crypto-gramic crust    This looks like it might be used to have a register(cursory exam found none, so it might no longer)   Flat areas of this rim have trails - might be old indian trails  Possible sleeping circle on last peak before the old country club  Arriving back to old country club  Summary of hike after reaching home  Elevation history of hike  Kathy harvested these carrots from our raised gardens this afternoon  Night light might have made one of the fiddleleafs scary big!  On the 29th, Kathy went back to work for a fairly short day. We actually had enuff rain to get back patio wet this afternoon!  Paloverde still going strong  Only clouds mid-day these days vs. at sunrise or sunset On the 30th, did some chores around the house. Kathy went to lunch at Red O with Kym.  Possibly a native bee in cactus flower in front patio  Kathy harvesting hot peppers from pots in front patio  Meter still heading south  Looks like dust column in center of pic - perhaps a distant dust devil | |||||||||||||||||||||
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3Q'25