Girls at a Women's Tea

One of the mothers set up this table for the little girls to enjoy while their mothers participated with other women at an afternoon tea.  The women had floral centerpieces, but the girls had fresh fruit.

Miwok Structure

This reconstructed structure is typical of one used by the Miwok California Indians along the coast of what we now call Point Reyes.

"Justin Morgan had a horse."

There is a Morgan horse ranch adjacent to the Bear Valley Visitor Center of the Point Reyes National Seashore.  It's the only place in the National Park System where horses are trained and kept.  Morgan horses, well-known for the intelligence and good temperament, are trained to be used by rangers for patrolling the National Seashore on trails and other places.  The horses are trained to jump obstacles, not get "spooked" by crowds or other scary things, and to navigate through difficult passages.  The horse barn is open to the public.  The horse pictured, Lance, was wandering around waiting for his visit from the vet the next day.  It's a beautiful setting with rolling hills and lovely grasses.

Ordinary, yet Beautiful

Produce is something that we see on a regular basis, but I still enjoy the beauty of a well-arranged fruits and vegetables.

First Order Light

I love the way glass is used in lighthouses.  This is another view of the Point Reyes Lighthouse.

Baleen

Last week I  discovered that different species of whales have baleen that has a color that is unique to it.  The golden colored baleen pictured here is from a California gray whale.  There's a bit of dark baleen from a different species in this picture, too.  The baleen felt like the stiff bristles of a plastic broom.

Warning Sign

It always amazes me that this type of sign is necessary.  In spite of  the signs, though, I often people on the other side of the fence.  

Tunnel of Trees

Life Boat Rescue Station

This beautiful building isn't someone's fantastic house.  (I told my husband to buy it for me.)

It's a historic life boat rescue station.  Men would go out in life boats from the dock below to rescue seamen from ships that had run into trouble. It's a wonderful setting, though.  It's on the Marin Headlands in Central California.

Point Reyes Lighthouse

This light house operated from 1870 to 1975.  We have to walk down a steep incline and 302 steps to reach it.  It was placed low on the cliff so that it was below the high-lying fog of that part of the California coast north of San Francisco.  They've recorded winds of up to 133 mph here.  It's known as one of the most windy and foggy locations in the U.S.A.

Early Morning Commute

Watering "Hole"

This bathtub is outside of one of the local fire stations.  It's used by both horses and dogs and is adjacent to two welcoming chairs for weary humans.  The rock encasing it is Palos Verdes stone and is widely used locally.

Sunset over the Pacific Ocean

Enjoy!

Fountain at the Geffen

The Geffen Playhouse has an authentic Spanish-looking fountain in its courtyard

Patterns of Light

I like the patterns that these lights inside of a movie theater made with the wood slats.

Easter Sailors

Unlike much of the U.S.A. last Sunday, we had a beautiful, warm day.  Many people headed to the beach and to their sailboats. 

Fountains and Reflections

I like the reflections formed on the wet pavement.  There's a lot of spray that comes from the fountains' movements.  A cruise ship was in port the day I took these pictures at the Port of Los Angeles.

Spring Wildflowers

The California poppy is our state flower.  About one hundred miles from here is the California Poppy Preserve, but California poppies occur naturally in a lot of other places.  These are growing next to a power pole on my street.  Another volunteer that's commonly seen is this variety of lupine.   Texans call it a "bluebonnet."

Easter Sunday

Here are some of the flowers used to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Cross and Window

This draped cross with flowers at its base was used as part of the Resurrection Sabbath celebration at my church today.  

Good Friday

 Christians reflect on Jesus's death on this day.

Spring Clouds

We had an unusual early morn rainstorm that left behind these dramatic clouds.

Chevy in Grocery

One of our local markets is promoting spring and summer adventures-- I think.  I was surprised last week to see this classic Chevrolet filled with produce sitting inside of the store.

More Wildflowers

Here are a few more of our wildflowers from my hike on Saturday.

Who Needed to Rest?

I'm not sure if the man or the dog needed to rest, but they both seem pretty relaxed.

Girls and their Spectators

I could see these girls playing as I hiked on the hills above the soccer fields, but I could still hear them and their enthusiastic spectators.  I was a quite a distance above them.

Quarry Trail and Wildflowers

Is There Anger or Danger? Or both?

Here are a few interesting signs posted in our local mountains.

Passing Time

This lovely clock reminds knitters and those who are needlepointing when to go home.

April Theme Day: "Vote"

Here in the U.S.A. there are some very strict rules regarding behavior near the polls.  One year I was asked to take off my pin-on button that was supporting a candidate since even it was considered electioneering.  The rules are designed to ensure that no one can coerce you to vote a certain way.