What's Worth Getting Up for on a Sunday

Ah Sunday! My hens object to my sleeping in on weekends so I was up early which is a good thing. When Joann visits me we go to an early mass at St. Michaels Catholic Church. I'm a derelict, heathen Catholic, who never sees the inside of a church unless my buddy drags me there, escorts me there kicking & screaming. After church eschewing our tradtional visit to the Sunday buffet at Marie Callendars we went for a somewhat smaller breaking of our fast at Coco's for blueberry pancakes & coffee all around. Oh yum...

Worth Getting Up for on a Sunday
It being a Sunday and all, we went for a Sunday drive. It's amazingly only about an hour southeast of my house. So off we went, guided by GPSs ('cause I sure as hell didn't know the way) and along the way enjoyed the sights, weaving through the foothills on the country backroads.

Some country homes prefer stuff more exciting
than pink flamingos in their front yard
If I were that cougar I'd leave the big sucker alone

Took as hour to reach our goal, Indian Grinding Rock State Park. We started off in the the Chaw'se Regional Indian Museum, chatting with the ranger 'bout this n' that but then we were off for a walk. Why spend time indoors with so many nifty things to see on a sunny Spring day?

The Regional Museum
The Roundhouse is beautiful, and still functions as a meeting place for area Indians to have Big Time celebrations.

Behold - Joann and the Roundhouse
I've never been to see the dances at the Roundhouse but some day I hope to give it a visit and maybe even join in on a dance.

Inside the Roundhouse
Along the path through the park there is a Miwok Indian Village that is used for primitive camping by different groups. Wish the heck I had to opportunity to try camping in such an inspirational setting.

Fragrant Cedar Bark Houses
The meadow adjacent to the Miwok Houses was dotted with tiny blue and white flowers, Baby Blue Eyes.

Baby Blue Eyes dotted the meadow
Ah! What a beautiful day - had a scenic, flower strewn drive home, though every drive in the Gold Country foothills is a scenic drive.

Chez Claire Entertains

This weekend my San Diego buddy Joann was up for a visit after baby sitting her 5 month old granddaughter Mckayla.

Early on we decided to make it a take-it-easy weekend - hey, it's what we do best, you know? Joann was kind enough to accompany me on some overdue errands, like picking up chicken chow. the way to the feed store - on the heel spur of the moment so to speak - we were sidetracked. Ended up at the local nail parlour; Joann's treat for both of us (do I know how to pick my friends or what?). We had a nice soak in the big foot toilets (I don't think that is what the spa specialists call the thingmabobs), followed up by scrubs, lotions, oil messages, green sea scrub, more massaging, hot wax, deep tissue massage, and nail painting (just for 'moi', i.e., 'Lady-in-Berkenstocks-alot').

Joann was a dignified lady during the treatments, which for her included a manicure, while, to my chagrin, I was jumpy as a drunken cricket. It's my ticklish toes you see. I might do better at pedicures if I were put under, 'cat-at-the-veterinarian style', but there you go.

Joann's extremities, north and south get the
deluxe spa treatment; no oils,waxes or mud spared
my humongous feet enjoy a hot parafin treatment
It's fun enjoying a girlie day with buddy, ahhhhh what a treat!

Speaking of treats, must mention, when Joann arrived yesterday, and obviously in her honor, the girls - all 3 - each laid an egg. How's that for a welcome and a fine how-do-you-do?

A Triple Header

Colorful Day

Sometimes it's delightfully possible to mix business with pleasure. Due in Fresno for a business meeting, I decided I might as well stuff a little birding into the mix. So heading south on Highway 50, I stopped by Diablo Canyon Road - a deserted looking area in Stanislaus County. On an average day that winding valley road probably hosts often sees more of long-horn cattle than people.

Browsing Longhorns

First stop along the canyon was the Owl Condos where I found no nesting Great Horned Owls, but their neighbors, the Red-tailed Hawks were home.


Redtail Tending Her Nest

After paying my respects, by not staring to hard, I traipsed around the corner and found a lovely patches of Orange-red Indian Paintbrush.

Indian Paintbrush

While I fiddled over the flowers with my camera over the flowers, a male Costa's Hummingbird flew right up to me. He was facing into the sun, gleaming like an amethyst jewel! In a flash he was gone and I will always have him in my mind and I will also always mourn the perfect photo of that shining royal purple gorget that I didn't get a shot of. Another National Geographic Cover Photo lost!


Glittering Costa's Hummer Photo by Mark Chappell

I headed back down Highway 5 and soon enough I was driving along Little Panoche Road. The wildflowers were spectacular.


The width of the the valley was powdered with flowers


Seems to me, Mother Nature took Bird's Eye Gilia...



...and used them for the lavender in her palette

She obviously fancies pastels...


...with the occasional dash of hot colors like California Poppy for contrast

When I nearly had my fill of flowers, it was time to hit Mercy Hot Springs for my annual viewing of the Long-eared Owls. The owls are surprisingly tolerant of onlookers not to mention annoying photographers like me.


This Owl was so dinky & resembles a disgruntled sock puppet

Eventually it was time to head east for Fresno and a boring night at a hotel. But as I headed out of Mercy Hot Springs I thought, 'Come for the Owls, stay for the wildflowers'


I could stare at displays like this forever and a day

Blue Dicks Dancing in the Goldfield