Fish Lake to Lake of the Woods

What a glorious day of hiking. Nine easy miles around a couple of pristine mountain lakes with beautiful Mt. McLaughlin in the background. It's distressing that we haven't had much snow this year - but hard not to like these sunny, clear days.

Lake of the Woods with Mt. McLaughlin in the background

Crossing lava fields 

Almost done, after 9 miles on the trail

On a clear day . . .

We joined our hiking group on a trip to N. CA's Castle Crags, just south of Mt. Shasta City. Even though it is mid February, it might as well have been June. We shed our light jackets early and enjoyed the sun and clear blue skies. The hike took us over at least 5 running streams and up 2400 feet. We have been awe struck by the views of Castle Crags on our many trips back from S. CA along I-5 and wanted to hike in the area. This was our chance and it couldn't have been a nicer day.

Our landscape project is almost completely finished. It took longer than anticipated (don't all construction jobs take longer?) but we are very pleased with the result. When the good weather starts, it will be nice to have an inviting outdoor area to enjoy the firepit and views.

View from front door

North Patio

Nightengale's Christmas Tea

My good friends, Gladys and Taffy, took the "hat challenge" and we attended a Christmas Tea at Nightingale's Bed and Breakfast. The innkeeper is an old friend of Gladys'. There were mimosas to start then a wonderful assortment of scones, tea sandwiches, cookies and chocolate covered strawberries. A local dress shop displayed new fashions. Great afternoon!  . . . and Taffy won a prize for her outrageous hat.

Ready to go

Lost - and found . . .

Autumn in Southern Oregon is a symphony of gold, orange and red. It's wonderful to be in a hiking group that routinely gets us out into nature. For most of a day we are part of an ever changing landscape. Lost Creek Lake is really a reservoir that it painfully low at this time of the year. But,  there is beauty in the bare banks of the lake - and promise that the changing season will bring rain, snow and rebirth.

Lost Creek Lake

Hiking Black Butte

I've always wanted to hike Black Butte, the cinder cone next to Mt. Shasta. With our friends, Gladys and Mike, visiting from Malibu we decided to go with the Wednesday hiking group. It was a rainy morning but cleared up just as we began our assault. Great feeling of being on top of the world as a reward.

At the top with great view of Mt. Shasta

Art Alive - and thriving . . .

A few days ago my good friend, Mary Lou LoPreste, and I drove 30 minutes up to Greensprings, a mountain village near Ashland to visit the renowned local artist, Harriett Rex Smith. She is 93 years old and still painting daily in her cozy studio retreat. Still living alone and driving back and forth to Ashland on mountain roads, she is an inspiration and role model. I bought the print below and will proudly hang it in our home.

Spring Dogwoods by Harriett Rex Smith