April 30th I saw in the sunrise what the weather watchers had predicted, it was going to be hot. The morning cool passed quickly under pulsing sun rays. The mercury was headed for 90.
We don't live far from the western edge of the continent and, in an automobile, a car, we can be at the coast in 20 to 25 minutes.
I say "in a car" because I am grateful and self conscious about the privilege of being able to travel with the ease we do. I am reading What I Saw in California, a journal of an 1846 journey west across the continent from what was then the United States. Edwin Byrant, a news reporter from Kentucky, described the step by step progress in a daily journal, often closing each day's entry with the number of miles traversed. It wasn't unusual for a whole day's travel to be no more than the distance from my town to Bodega Bay: 15.6 miles, as I said, achievable for us in twenty minutes.
Looking toward the bay and the Pacific Ocean beyond
from Bay Hill Road
The Point Reyes Peninsula is visible in the distance. It was one of those days when the off shore winds made it almost as warm at the coast as inland.
This photo, taken from the driver's seat through the skylight gives a little prospective to these Tower of Jewels, flowers that are growing wildly along a road above Highway 1. The bees and butterflies like them ever so much.
Cow Parsnip Heracleum maximum is also known as Indian Celery or Pushk and it is important not to confuse it with the dangerous giant hogweed. Cow Parsnip is a native of most of North America and was used by early inhabitants in multiple ways. Here is the best link I found for distinguishing it from dangerous look a-likes.
Willow Creek waters making their way to sea...
Looking north...some of the northern coastline has but little beach,
especially when the tide is high and in.
About four miles inland on a road that no longer allows full access, this barn is still being used.
When I see relics of farms now gone, I think of some of my dear friends who would love an old shed or barn in which to set up an art studio or raise donkeys or goats. These buildings have been unused for many years now, but they belong ever more deeply to where there are, just as they are.
Was this once a Home Sweet Home ?
A long shot from high up on Coleman Valley...
and a close shot at the beauty at my feet... Blue Eyed Grass
Almost time to head back to the barn...
traveling east again now through the lovely hills.
As I suspected the heat of this last day of April opened many of the roses in my gardens.
At this rate, What might May bring?
~Shared with thoughts of friends in climes not quite yet warmed up~
with best wishes, Jeannette
1 comment:
Thank you for taking us along with you. What beautiful sights even for those of us where the weather is already warm. Never heard of such a tall flower before. That must be really a sight to see in person.
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