Alpine Spring

Magnificent yellow blooming tree 

Spring is in full bloom up here on the mountain. Since returning to SoCal after months and months sailing Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean, the cool mountain air is refreshing both our minds and our spirits.

Columbine are everywhere...

It's sad that these days when we think of columbine we think of these guys instead of the sublime mountain blossom.

The columbine have the appearance of jellyfish gently swimming about

What a miraculous blossom. If I was a parent whose child was killed at Columbine high school, I would fill my yard with these blossoms. They come back spring after spring, no matter how harsh the snowy winter. The hope would be that with each passing year, a little bit more pain would be replaced by a little bit more peace and joy.

We've been hiking alot, and just generally re-aquainting ourselves with our mountain home. 

The pile of shoes by the door started off neat and organized. 

With all that hiking, I guess we've gotten complacent. LOL...

More mountain color

Mountain Iris

We had the first fire of the season this past week. It was called the Hathaway Fire. The smoke was visible on the horizon.

It was 30 miles away, near Big Bear Lake, where ash rained down like snow.

 Fortunately the fire was extinguished before much damage was done.

California poppies by the side of the road

They look like butterflies

With only 2 weeks left of spring, we arrived on the mountain just in time!

This California poppy is ready for her close-up

With spring comes pollen. The yellow stuff coats our little lake in thick layers. Achoo.   :-I

We'll take the pollen infestation if it's the price we pay for the mountain finery

We made a trip down the mountain for supplies. 

After 2 years away, Trader Joes, you are a sight for sore eyes! 

If it isn't quite clear yet, we are ecstatic to be here.  :-)

Short poem of the week:

Ample Make This Bed

Ample make this bed.

Make this bed with awe;

In it wait 'til judgement break

Excellent and fair

Be its mattress straight

Be its pillow round;

Let no sunrise' yellow noise

Interrupt this ground.

                         -- Emily Dickinson

Get outside and enjoy the spring! One never knows how many springs we have left... 

XOXO Liz (and Chris)