Beautiful colors of lichen on the trees.

Nancy hugs a bear ❤️.

Everyone is enjoying the marine air and the sunshine.

Ozzie plays his stick game in the sand.

Erin and Brandon

Ali and Spencer

Jim and the boys.

Astoria, the Megler Bridge, and Washington behind us.

With Megan and Zak married, the festivities begin...

Getting silly!

Dash settles down after he gets his fill of bird chasing.

Across the mouth of the Columbia River, you can see Oregon.

Jim carries his boys over the rocks so that they can see the crashing waves.

About 20% of heads open, but the yellows, pinks, lavenders, and reds were beautiful.

Ah...

These birds are amazingly noisy. \240They make a call that is very much like the computer noises used in old disney movies. \240We think they are Brewers Blackbirds. \240The only time they scatter is when an osprey or hawk hovers by. \240Minutes later they are back in the tree with their whirrs, clicks, and beep-beep-bot-cheap.

For most of the day, the lake is a mirror. \240In the evening, the wind ripples across the lake. \240We’ve seen geese and osprey catch sizable fish from the lake.

Jim was impressed with this tree-a giant in the company of Scrub Oak trees.

After Jim’s discovery of the rock pile (which is much bigger then this photo portrays), he checked rattlesnake climates and behaviors. \240He feels confident that it is still too cold. It will be a heaven for snakes in the heat.

It’s a very nice park right in the center of town. Blocks away is the site of their Shakespearean Featival.

Cairns are all over the park. \240There is also a natural spring, with a bunch of folks collecting water in jugs.

Concerned about evident Poison Oak, we decided to pass back over to the street side. \240Not too soon - a couple of old ladies scolded me for having dogs in the park. \240Ummm, no such signage where we entered.

We walk down to the marina. \240The only souls there were us and the crows.

Dash keeping his eye on the big crow.

We get to pull over and admire the view. \240We have many great memories here in the area, but we have to pass through to get to our next site.

Spring has arrived!

In the Lassen area, this shoulder high bush is everywhere. \240Called the Sticky Leaf Manzanita, the bright pink flower is striking. \240We have spotted deer and jack rabbits in the brush.

The cones from the area trees are colossol. \240An old trick, learned from my photographer Dad, was to include something familiar (my foot) in the photo, to get the true size of something unfamiliar ( the hefty cone). \240Shout-out to my Papa!

Following the eruption, they kept close tabs on volcanic activity. \240This little building still holds an old seismograph, which can be seen thru a side window.

The Loomis park entrance into Lassen National Park was partially open. \240The ranger stations were closed, including the Museum. \240It is always fun to see the old buildngs. \240Mr. Loomis was the photographer who documented the Lassen eruption in 1929.

The end of the trail for us.

Our ride under the full beauty of Mt. Lassen.

The ice is cold, and we are curious how long it will last under the sunny skies.

At Devastation, we stopped and walked around. \240This path was short and lead to nowhere. \240It provided us a great photo shot.

This is the ‘back side’ of Lassen, and the snow pack is incredible.

Spring, however, is melting the snow. \240It was a warm sunny day in the high 70’s, and a cooling sensation rising from the deep snow.

Our first good look at the volcano. \240There is a lot of exposed lava rock.

Most of the park this day was still closed due to snow pack. \240We were able to travel as far as a spot called Devastated. \240Manzanita Lake was still iced over.

It is a very dynamic landscape and we are in awe traveling at such an elevation along this roadside.

The Sierra Nevadas to our right, we travel down Highway 395. \240It is here that we learn all of the passes to Yosemite Park are closed. 😕

Climbing toward Bridgeport, California we are well above the mile mark.

Arriving in the Mono County area, we soon reach our destination: \240Twin Lakes, California.

There is still quite a bit of snow. \240It won't last long as the days are warm.

The community here is very small. \240Those that last the winter travel by snowmobile and hunker down. \240The upper lake is a complete mirror of the lower lake.

Ozzie, who is notorious for not liking water, has found a stick he wants and the sacrifice he needs to make to get it.

Dash cooling himself off.

The wonders of the mountains above us!

There are multiple travertine terraces, with big cracks where the water moved through and down into the rock.

We learn from a local that the pools are on native land and have been used for many, many years. \240My pool was steaming HOT!

A deep and large crevass through one of the travertine ridges.

A beautiful and surprising gem.

We love that there is a fish ladder between the two lakes.

We stopped for lunch and picnicked under the incredible Matterhorn Peak, 12,281 feet, the tallest peak in the Sawtooth Ridge.

Leaving the mountain community of Bridgeport, we went from lakes, to grazing land, to boulder land, then cottonwoods and poplars to sage brush. \240The tranformation in a short 200 miles is astonishing.

We will finish in Lone Pine, California, and the near end of the Sierra Nevadas.

The landscape is so surreal, it feels made up. \240Apparently, the rocks are millions of years old, and weathered by wind and water.

The rocks are as big as houses and as tiny as a pebble to fit in your palm. \240It is a weird place to see and wander.

Active bear signs everywhere.

From the ranger station, you can see the pinnacles. \240They are a wonder to behold.

The snowmelt produced beautiful waterfalls. (video)

We wait with the Belgium boys for the sound of fighter jets.

Remember the scene in Close Encounters of the Third Kind, when people were parked along the side of the road waiting for the nightly trip of alien ships? \240Well, i feel like we encountered the same kind of scene. \240We came across a spot where people were just waiting for something to come along, \240it turns out, it is where people wait for fighter jets to come roaring down this canyon. \240 \240It is INSANE when it happens. \240We got to see it, and the jets fly incredibly low and dive into the canyon below you. \240Then they cut back and forth along the canyon and exit at the valley floor. \240Jim was yelling. \240I lost my breath! \240It is something to behold.

I can't say that I've been in this situation before. \240

The wind is constantly moving the sand. \240It doesn't look like it, but the dunes are quite large, and the sand is super fine.

We are fortunate to witness the desert spring bloom. \240The blossoms were bright pinks, orange, a delicate blue and the tinest yellow flowers.

It was an amazing day!

We had a little rain and a lot of sunshine, and as we were leaving ghr park, we got to see a rainbow.

Of course, the masked man and his trusted guide were prominently featured.

The wagon used in a recent Tarantino movie. \240The wagon was cool...the springy tooth a little over the top.

A pair of spurs worn by the old cowboy Tom Mix.

The lake behind us and our tired legs enjoying a seat at a nearby picnic table. \240It was a lovely ride.

The rocks are simply amazing. \240They are cool in the warming sun, and like this one, you can often see all the way through the cracks.

Those beaded lines...!!!

Perhaps the most beautiful tree in the park.

What a treasure we have in our national parks!

The oleander and the little quail which hid under it is such a joy to the eyes. \240

At our little oasis, we have palms, pink and white oleander, various cactus, little quail families, and bats.

We spend the afternoon enjoying the Colorado River.

Nearby, a local saloon sells Route 66 beer. \240We get a bottle to document our day.

The dogs are patient wirh me as I walk one of them.

The biggest labyrinth of the bunch and so amazing under the beautiful sky.

Beautiful Lake Havasu.

I am filled with wonder over the spines of a barrel cactus. Although my family did vacation in Arizona, I do not recall having been close enough or interest to inspect. \240

Our campsite is in the Yavapai Nation and called Asah-Gweh-Oou-O; the eagles view.

Parked nearby a small stream, we got to hear birds most of the day and coyotes at night.

Pool time for the humans.😉

I was thinking of my kids, who love the desert. \240The colors are so vibrant, and it was so good for my soul to be here.

The birds were bathing in the water as I walked up. \240Sadly, they didn't like my disruption, so I sat for a while hoping they would be brave enough to come back. \240They did.

Ali and I agreed to spend 15 minutes of calm every day. \240Well, I had 30 minutes of calm in the garden, in a comfortable chair under the shade of a mesquite tree.

While in the park, we got to see a wedding, lizards, adorable ducks with ducklings, and sculptures like this egret.

Another beautiful cactus.

We had lunch at the historic Copper Queen Hotel.

Jim and I climb the stairs to Castle Rock. \240They are steep and uneven, with houses built at every turn. \240It reminded me of Jerome.

The community love to say that they have a bohemian vibe.

A gate to one of the homes on the way up the steps.

Steps, steps, and more steps.

At the top (almost! \240I am not climbing the rock).

Jim climbs out onto the ledge to get a photo of the open mine across the canyon.

Returning to the saloon, I toast to all fabulous women.

A mine tour where loads of copper came out of the Queen Mine. \240This car is the same car used to take miners into the subterranean tunnels.

We got to see unmanned simulation, tour the landing strips, launchers, and the aircraft.

Here we are in the hanger where they train. Jerry is a former Army man, now retired and on contract (which explains the beard).

2d 13th Battalion. \240The unmanned units are used all over the world.

This unit has a camera installed at the belly and is used for reconnaissance, flying at 8k feet. \240The green boxes at the left are training pods where students practice maneuvers.

We explored the jailhouse, Big Nose Kate's Saloon, and the Crystal Palace. \240OK Corral coming up-

Jim is facilitating a breakout. \240Good thing he has already been hung for a different crime...

Branding irons at the OK Corral.

It's loud, crazy, and over in minutes.

Wyatt Earp walks away unscathed. \240Really, it was fun to watch.

An overhang of stone near the pictographs.

The local boy scouts built a nice platform and barrier to preserve the area.

A short distance from the platform, more symbols in red.

Close to the top of the climb, the trees turned to pines and I loved the aromatic air. \240We could hear tom turkeys calling as they moved along the ridge.

The grounds are very nice, and adjacent to Fort Huachuca.

The blimp was grounded and so we got a good look at it. \240We learn that it connects and communicates with several others placed along the entire US southern border.

Here's a peak of Mexico. \240We could see the multi-tiered border surveillance, dual fences, towers, boots and eyes on the ground.

The Dragoons, which seemed like such a funny name for a mountain, are so diverse and interesting!

The sand on the road crunches like it does at the Salt Flats. \240Jim says it is sort of like driving on ice.

A close-up of the sand.

Jim and the boys had fun climbing dunes.

In constant motion, the sand is creating (and covering) new dunes.

The living desert. \240How the plants find a place to secure roots and drink is really a bit of a miracle.

What a wonder this place is for us, this day!

Inside the Ysleta (little island), stands patron saint, Kateri, "Lily of the Mohawks".

The Socorro Mission was established in 1691. \240This building was built in 1843.

The 6pm rosary was in session. \240I occupied the back seat and listed to the prayer in Spanish.

The last mission on the trail was the Elizario Mission, established in 1789. \240This beauty was built in 1882. \240The timbers used in the building are beautiful. \240It is impressive to have three bells in the tower.

Oh, the doors are wonderful to look at.

We finish our exploration by watching the sun set in the horizon. \240It was a fun day.

These beauties just posed for me. \240There were multiple hummingbirds along this section as well, filling their bellies with flying bugs.

Just wrapping my mind around the fact thT we saw this same river at the Texas/Mexico border.

I am in love with the fence!

We get to explore the Georgia O'Keeffe blocks, the central park, and sidewalks of silver and turquoise retail.

Nearby, we find the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi. \240Its architecture is amazing and the chapel is both elaborate and peaceful at the same time.

The ceiling has intricate gothic ribs and my eyes do not want to stop taking in the beauty.

The baptismal font, in the center of the cathedral, is continuously flowing. \240So beautiful!

I loved how the stained glass reflected light.

Another chapel nearby, the Loretto Chapel, is much smaller than the cathedral, but equally outstanding. \240This chapel is known for its spiral staircase, which for many years did not have handrails. \240It is held together by wooden pegs.

Much of the tile is marble and the stained glass windows provide ethereal light into the chapel.

And it is delicious!

The fresco on the restaurant wall is too lovely not to photograph...

Some of the images are easy to identify. \240Others are just a guess...

The boys are on the lookout for critters. \240They founds a few beetles and a bunch of ants.

The hike is about a 2 mile loop, and there are about 7 different locations where one can see petroglyphs.

Sunset in New Mexico.

The mounds, along the Santa Fe Trail, are fun to see and imagine early wagon migration.

The road to Taos is winding, passing through Cimmaron Canyon, Eagles Nest and Angel Fire.

We were surprised to see buffalo on the way up the canyon.

Pronghorn antelope are everywhere.

The Pueblo (Red Willow) community cemetery.

While we were walking around, Jim saw the Fry Bread sign. \240He got a definate YES from me and so we entered. \240We were surprised to find that it was someone's home ( and for that reason, I have no photos of the inside. \240It was very cool to see). \240Beetha, the owner and cook, talked to us about adobe structure, her tribe and her family. \240Her fry bread and chili were outstanding. \240She was great to talk to.

Here we are near the North House under the shade of their ramada.

Like all ghost/mine communities, you can find remnants of old buildings.

The gate to the main entrance. There was quite a bit of coal left around and even untouched coal in open holes around the place.

We poked around and found an opening to the mine through some rocks. \240You can see the timbers a bit. \240Jim caugioned me not to get too close 😟. \240The ground and rocks were unstable.

Below the mine, you can see the mule stables. \240We saw lots of deer and antelope in the area.

Up close, you can see the grass used in making the adobe.

One of the stained glass windows.

Sunlight coming through the main door keyhole.

Yep, we have been kissed by the sun!

Jim is clearly too tall for this kind of housing.

I love stone, the way it looks, feels and smells. \240I was one happy person inside the dwellings.

Sooooo grateful I do not have to grind my own flour!

Inside the dwelling, little birds have built crevice nests. \240They fly in and out of the windows.

A beautiful place with a beautiful spirit.

Ah! \240This stone!

Jim represents!

A look at the Arkansas River below the wooden-slat bridge. \240This shot is right through the boardwalk timbers.