Uncle Walter

Grace and integrity. A true news reporter. Not a poser.

Rest in Peace Walter Cronkite

Yreka

Think well preserved gold rush era small town. Think of it being the last town before the Oregon border. Think evergreens, rolling hills, 3 Mt. ranges, 4 distinct seasons, farm land, Mt. Shasta and WalMart.

Here We Are

Oh boy, Oh boy, Oh Boy! Stop! I'm gonna barf!

A dying breed Little Tyke

Nice "do" Helen and the wall came a tumbling down

Clarity

Have been told that two of the pics I snapped on my I-5 drive are too small to appreciate. So in keeping with full disclosure here they are in a larger size.

Is that NOT Dick Nixon's profile in the snow?

Brings new meaning to ballsy don't you think?

Mind Set

Oh Get OVER It!

Yreka Walls

Cones of Yreka

These were hitch hiking. I found others.

Yreka Miners Free Ride

Claude Rains It's Hot!

Prospectors Lack of Exercise

Ideal

1. Sunrise

2. Hummingbirds

3. Flowers

4. Butterflies

5. Strolling Along A Beach After a Storm

6. A Dog's Loyalty

7. Cary Grant

8. Earl Grey Tea

9. Long Hot Showers

10. Pumpkin Patches

11. Cat's Purring

12. Best Friends

13. The Whole Concept of Ice Cream

14. Stars At Night

15. Watching Clouds Change Shape

Still Have All My Marbles

Some may disagree but it's fact. Besides, none of the nay sayers have seen the pink bag that holds them. Made from remnants of an old pillowcase and sewn together by Mom, the sock size carryall holds lovely round treasures collected some 50 years ago. Cat's eyes, agates, solids, pewees and boulders. Have no clue why I thought of these little globes. Just popped into my mind. Do kids even play marbles anymore?

Sea Green

That will be the color of my right butt cheek sometime Monday after the black and blue fades. Ramona and I took a new route on our walk this morning. I figured we could cut through the backyard on the way back. WHAT was I thinking? Steep hill blanketed with pines needles. Traction isn't something they provide. Dog off leash flies down the hill. Large, slow moving object slips, tries in vain to regain balance, (arms flailing here) falls with a noticeable thud. Ramona runs back up to moaning object sprawled out on the hillside. Magical puppy kisses motivates the wounded soul to scoot on her broken ass (seriously, it's broken) down the remainder of the hill, stand and limp into the house. Brings new meaning to a Bang Up 4th of July!!!!! Har. Har. Ouch!

Ramona, Deer and Sarah Palin

Ramona: Dad's dog. I got her from the pound for him. Smart as a whip. Loves belly rubs. Win Win Situation.

Happy Happy Happy Sun Puppy

Deer: They stroll through my Dad's back yard daily.

Lunch Time Hello

Sarah Palin: BIG L, Body L, LOSER!....and now has added QUITTER to her sad political resume. 18 ethics complaint during her brief stint. Kind of tells you about her mettle.

Auntie Em, Auntie Em

Okay NOT a tornado but a huge thunderstorm. Love it. Reminds me of my days in Kearney, Nebraska. Nothing compares to how quickly the weather can change over the Great Plains. Lightening has ebbed, rain ended. Some thunder in the distance. Temp is still in the 80's. Time for bed.

I-5 Blues

Broke the 12-13 hour jaunt North on Interstate 5 into two sections. LA to Orinda. Orinda to Yreka.

The best thing about the journey is NOT being in LA. For those who have never experienced the joy of I-5 travel nor visited the late, great, state of California you are going to learn something. MOST of the state doesn't look like, Hollywood, LA or San Francisco. There's thousands of acres of agriculture. It's called the Central Valley. Think alfalfa, almonds, apples, apricots, artichokes, beans, bell peppers, corn, garlic, grapes, olives, strawberries, tomatoes, (trying to recall all of the foods I saw en route). Anyway, you get the picture. A food basket that feeds the US and the world.

Finished listening to a Thousand Splendid Suns audiobook en route and my friends Christa and Jeff gave me a new David Baldacci for the ride home. Perfection. I also experienced my first buffet lunch at an Indian Casino. That alone is worth a post on this blog but I'll refrain.

Pics below start at the Grapevine in Gorman (no there isn't a grape to be seen and no, have nary a clue how it go it's name) and end with a POV of Dad's abode. Most were taken as I drove along at 75 mph through front or side windows. Isn't that why there's cruise control? So I can take pics?

There was also a brief attempt at a closer exploration of the ghost ships of Benica.

And we're off...........

The Grapevine Garlic

Corn Haven't a clue

Red Truck Water LA steals from NoCal

No, I'm Fine Thanks Love H20 Melon

Political Comment REALLY???

Retired Ships Sunflowers

The Dog Pound Lab Puppers

Casino Classic

Mt. Shasta Nixon Lives in the Snow

Yreka Miner Pop's Place