A Day Exploring Wrightwood, CA

Rachel By Rachel1 min read454 views

Yesterday we visited Wrightwood, CA to go hiking and sightseeing.

Wrightwood Welcome Sign.

We stopped by The Big Pines Visitor Center to get information.

The Big Pines Visitor Center is a historical building built in 1924. It is open Mondays through Fridays, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m, and you can obtain National Forest Adventure Passes, Campfire Permits, and much more. There are two hiking sites: the Blue Ridge Trail which is across the road and Big Pines Nature Trail which is above the visitor center building. Restrooms are across the road.

The Big Pines Information Station.
The Big Pines Visitor Information Guide Board.

The start of the Nature Trail is above the staircase. The walk is quite simple despite a few steep areas. After a certain point, you can’t go further due to the possibility of encountering a Mountain Lion.

Nature Trail Sign.

Due to the extreme weather, we did not venture on the Blue Ridge Trail.

Nature Trail.
Nature Trail.

There is a sitting area across the road. It’s next to the public restrooms and the parking leading to the Blue Ridge Trail.

Sitting Area across The Big Pines Information Station.

While hiking, we spotted a few native plants on our way up:

Native Plants.

Arctostaphylos Parryana (also known as Parry Manzanita), Eriastrum Sapphirinum (also known as Sapphire Woollystar), Asclepias Californica (also known as California Milkweed), Castilleja Applegatei (also known as Applegate’s Indian Paintbrush ), Phacelia Ramosissima (also known as Branching Phacelia), Penstemon Speciosus (also known as Royal Penstemon), Justicia Californica (also known as Chuparosa), Astragalus Lentiginosus (also known as Freckled Milkvetch), and Hypericum Calycinum (also known as Creeping St. John’s Wort).

We wrapped up our trip by visiting Alice’s Vintage Cottage.

Scorching Weather & Beautiful Blooms

JM Perez By JM Perez2 min read347 views

It’s a beautiful day out here in the High Desert.
I have not done much in the garden lately due to the scorching weather, but I go out early in the morning to make sure that all the potted plants are getting enough water. I am grateful they are still thriving.

I first discovered Allium Drumstick many years ago, when I was shopping for bulbs and couldn’t find the variety I liked. The came back year after year and I enjoyed them, until a couple of days ago, when I found the long stems on the ground. It turned out that a gopher ate the roots/bulbs.
I cut a few of the stems and placed them in a vintage vase.

Allium (Sphaerocephalon) Drumstick Stems in Vintage Vase.

Training, pruning and maintaining the Amethyst Falls Wisteria have been very rewarding. Our pergola is now partially covered in gorgeous lavender-purple flowers.

Amethyst Falls Wisteria.
Common Jasmine Vine.

There are many plants currently blooming around the gardens:

Rose Mallow (Lavatera Trimestris Loveliness).

The Tulbaghia Violacea ‘Silver Lace’ (Variegated Society Garlic) below is one of my oldest plants, and it’s still thriving after fourteen years.

Tulbaghia Violacea ‘Silver Lace’.

Lavender bushes are getting bigger.

Lavender Phenomenal.

Some succulents are blooming, such as the Pine Cone Cactus Flower, Corsican Stonecrop flower, and Sedum Morganianum (Donkey’s Tail).

Succulents bloom.

Many rose bushes and trees are in bloom:

Miniature Rose.
French Lace Rose.
Hybrid Tea Rose ‘Love & Peace’.
Hybrid Tea Rose Rio Samba.

After a year, the Nicotiana Glauca seedling has grown quite a bit.

Nicotiana Glauca (Tree Tobacco).

The steamy temperatures and high humidity have been harsh, especially for wildlife. I found a dead hummingbird as well as a few dead lizards. Ground squirrels and gophers have been active in the garden, damaging plants, sprinkler systems, and irrigation pipes.

I find so much joy in my garden. Spending time alone with Nature has always been healing and awakening.

Happy Gardening!

A Day Well Spent In Big Bear, CA

EPEngineer By EPEngineer1 min read335 views

Last night we finally made the decision to take a trip to Big Bear, California, before we are faced with triple-digit temperatures. Today was the day and it was awesome!

Big Bear Lake CA – The Village Welcome Sign.
Image source: Alamy.com

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We took Highway 18 through Lucerne Valley, CA.

We had brunch at Teddy Bear Restaurant:
– Club Sandwich
– Bears Best Sandwich
– Fried Egg Burger
– Mushroom Burger

Brunch at Teddy Bear Restaurant.

After our brunch, we visited a few shops, and took a walk around the lake.

Big Bear Lake, CA.
Big Bear Lake, CA.

On our way home, we took the Rim of The World Highway.

There’s a high school at the top of the mountain overlooking the San Bernardino Valley.

Rim of The World High School.

The view is breathtaking.

Rim of The World Hwy.
Rim of The World Highway.
Rim of The World Hwy.

It was a worthwhile adventure.