innocence

My youngest two, Jacob and Hannah. Now 20 and 18. They are good kids, they make their Mama proud. MOST of the time. Sometimes they give me big huge knots in my stomach and sometimes like this weekend they cause my heart to stop for a brief second. Or maybe it was longer, i can't remember cause the blood had left my head and I couldn't think.

This weekend was a big milestone for me. I was all alone. Husband on another trip again. That might not seem like such a big deal to some, but when you've had five babies and they grow up to have lots of friends and they all end up at your house, well, you can imagine! The oldest daughter is moved out now, eldest son in L.A. working on his first million(and having fun doing it), middle son in Bali, that leaves these two....

... the ones causing me heart failure...

While out to dinner with eldest daughter I stare dreamily off into space and say " I wonder how your sister is doing on her camping trip?"

Kim, never a waster of words, and hardly a keeper of secrets says:

"she's on a train to San Diego"

WHAT?? i am picturing my baby in the redwoods, in NORTHERN

California. Now i am hearing that this child may be hundreds of miles the opposite way?

It seems she wanted to go meet friends over Spring Break and thought I would say no. So she made up the Redwoods I ask? Hannah told Kim she would keep her informed. But Kim hadn't heard from her. So we both start texting and calling her and all her friends and friends parents. We found out some kids DID go to the Redwoods.

We compare notes, trying to think of clues as to her whereabouts. I tell Kim we are like

Mma Ramotswe and Mma Makutsi trying to solve a puzzle. I only say this because I feel like crying and don't know which direction to turn my thoughts, north or south? where is my daughter? Well, i do remember her googling train schedules and me forgetting to ask why. And she did take the hair dryer, but at the same time she asked stepPapa if she could take one of the sleeping bags... I don't like mysteries...

So, I waited to hear from her. I told myself not to worry, she is a smart girl and will make good decisions no matter where she is. And she is 18 now. So I got busy with enjoying my kid and husband free time.

I went on a trail run, and out to breakfast, went to 2 flea markets, one time with oldest daughter and one time with M.I.L., still no messages from my baby. Watched Born Free all by myself, which is good because I can cry all I want and no one can ask me "What's the matter?" But half way through it I wondered at my choice of movies...Mama lion and her cubs...

Next night, I get another visit from Kim again.

"Jacob spent the night in jail Mom"

WHAAAAT???

It seems there was a fight and my baby son was in the middle of it. He was already home and sleeping she said so don't call him. I look at her and say WHY did you wait to tell me??

Because there was nothing you could do.

And we didn't want to worry you.

I say, I am not cut out for this.

oh dear.

Morals of this story:

1. beware of oldest daughter bearing news.

2. copy lion behavior, in the beginning fiercely protect, in adolescence, let go.

3. consider changing cell phone service, Dear tmobile, i love my G-1, but you get less bars in more places.

4. reread The #1 ladies detective agency stories, I am a terrible detective.

5. next life come back as a grain of sand, and travel around landing on exotic beaches all over the world.

Oh, and Hannah did end up going camping,

innocent after all ;) but there is still her brother to deal with...

xxx love, lori

Lighthouses,castles and ghosts?...

" You may feel like you are in a Stephen King novel"...these were the words the guide said to us as our bus crept down the fog covered gravely road. We were headed for the Piedras Blancas Light Station...

...this is the last part of our circle of central California. We began in Carpinteria, headed out through the Sespe Wilderness, Pine Mountain and the Los Padres. We spent two days camping in the Carrizo Plain National Monument, eventually heading back to the coast to San Simeon...

...oh sorry my friend, you can't come with us...

...we all started to laugh when our guide told us we were not driving into a horror novel, where we would become captives away from all civilization...I think everyone was feeling the same thing...

??

...after all, just because a place is in complete isolation on 18 acres (7 hectares) of a fog~enshrouded rocky promontory, is no reason to feel...sketchy?...

"Piedras Blancas" means white rocks and was named by the Spanish explorer and navigator Juan Cabrillo in 1542. The tower was built in 1874 due to increased shipping traffic following the Gold Rush. President Andrew Johnson authorized the construction of 8 lighthouses on the west coast, including Piedras Blancas.

Photo- Illustration by Mark Arnold
Mark is one of the tour guides. If you've ever had a tour with him, you'll remember his stories about life at the point.
He says he is trying to tell the story of when the light still functioned with these images.

These prints combine modern photographs with vintage shots and are further manipulated to show what the light at the point must have looked like. For more info or to purchase a beautiful print go to
http://www.piedrasblancas.org/

...Our first stop was inside the fuel~oil building where we were given an introduction and learned a little about the history of this place...

....our friendly and knowledgeable guide...

...the area is also managed as a wildlife sanctuary, see the elephant seals lounging on the beach below? we watched a great whale migrate so close we could hear his spout, do you think he knows the area surrounding Point Piedras Blancas recently received designation as a Marine Reserve? your safe here California Grey...

...let's go inside...

...yes, it was cold, and damp and everything turned black and white (kidding) although it does feel as though you've stepped back in time...

...looking straight up. Can you imagine climbing these a few times a day? we were not allowed up, repair work and all. That was ok. We got the feel of the place. Light~Keepers were dedicated folks, with a most important job. Did you know they actually lit a lantern with a wick (5 wicks) that were used along with a lens? What a tricky job that was. It would take at least a half an hour to light the lantern, and then only after the lens rotation time was exactly adjusted, the keeper would begin the more relaxed portion of his watch....

...beautiful or creepy, I couldn't make up my mind, beautifully creepy then...

...they let us go, no one got locked up, whew, we'll be back for another visit to Piedras Blancas, it's a very special place...

Good thing, we don't want to miss our next tour which is of

Hearst Castle

Yes, there is a castle in California...

... there are many books and websites devoted to this "hilltop estate"so I'll not say too much. The former residence of media magnate William Randolph Hearst, it was gifted to the State of California in 1957 and opened to the public in 1958. Now operated as an historic house museum by California State Parks.

You just have to see it to believe it. The building pictured above is only one of the three "smaller" guest houses...

...this is the house...

...pool...

...filled with antiques, artwork and treasures dating to 800 B.C. ...

...our thoughtful guide...

...there are 4 or 5 different tours you can take, there is even one for the gardens...

...Marble sculptures...

...the casual dining room...

...no ghosts here...

...after watching a movie, the guests would go back to one of the 56 bedrooms, after washing up in one of the 61 bathrooms...

...the underground pool..

...time to leave the Enchanted Hill, back to reality.

You know you are a lucky person when you can go into a palatial pad like this and be ohsograteful for your humble little home, and life. I would way more rather have experiences than things...(unless we're talking about Chanel, those little black compacts and #5 perfume and oh, oops! carried away here!)

So, it was time to start for home. We talked all about the fantastic time we'd had, all that we'd seen in a few short days, hoping we'd gotten those shots and the g.p.s. info so necessary.

But there was one last thing on the list, a quick stop at Montana de Oro again. Chuck needed to get coordinates for one of the hikes we did in the past. When we got there it was at the tail end of a storm, the wind and waves were howling. I opted for the warmth of the truck while he went and took care of business. Deciding to go have a peek in visitors center, I found the woman working there in a panic. It seemed a couple of trail runners had just happened on a mountain lion taking down a deer! Her phone wasn't working and she wanted to use my mobile to call the rangers. Mine had no service. But she showed me a map and pointed out the exact location. Then she warned, do not! go on this trail. Take any other, but this. Ok, I said, and thanked her. Then I ran. And luckily Chuck was running back towards me. I told him what I'd learned. And within minutes we had the truck up to the trail head, where we shouldn't go, and then he was gone. This is the kind of thing he lives for. I sat there in the warm truck hoping he would and wouldn't find this drama. But he did. The deer anyway. Poor thing, laying there with her belly all eaten out. I know I know, but that's nature, it's either that or the butt.

A lions got to eat too.

One more adventure coming to an end...

'till next time ;)

xxx love, lori

29 years young

My baby is 29 today...

if you've been a parent, then your probably like me,

and wondered,

where does the time go?

It was like yesterday (sometimes) that I found out I was going to have my first baby.

Then, driving home from the hospital for the first time, taking the beach way so

my girl could see the Pacific Ocean, wanting it to be one of her first impressions.

It's hard to describe a person in so short a space, but if I say that Kimberly Summer is one of the kindest, most generous, friendliest persons on the planet I don't think anybody that knows her would disagree. She's also a free and WILD spirit. She can get into more trouble than any body I know. I knew I was in for it when her Kindergarten teacher said she'd not had a child like this before! But she makes me laugh, almost everyday, I love that she does that to me. I can't remember what life was like before her, she's been my best friend and mama's helper (even when I didn't ask her to) all my adult life. I may have let her down in the past, it's not easy parenting five children under 1o, or being the oldest of the lot...

yet she's done it with grace and dignity...

and now, here it goes again...

...my baby, and her babies, the doodles...

can life get any sweeter?

me and my bestfriends

my girls, my daughters

~Happy Birthday Sweetheart~

...and honey, 29 is NOT old ;)

xoxoxoxo Love Forever, Mom

From the Prairie to the Sea

Shortly after leaving the wide expanses of the Carizzo Plain, heading for the coast, we found ourselves in the green grass hill country of central California. Pictures can't begin to show the shades of green we passed along the way. And brown. Wow! American Bison were grazing


on a hill right beside the road. These are really big guys. It's hard to tell the size, but I think they may even be larger than a rhinoceros. At least alot hairier, and snortier. They are not like horses or cows for sure, they had no interest in people, they just walked slowly by, without even looking up...


enjoy your day buffalo...



...taking a detour off the main road we found a sweet meadow to have a picnic lunch in. Spring is definitely here on this patch of mother earth. Everyone was there, the magpies and meadowlarks, the bees and butterflies, caterpillars and even more wildflowers...




... pretty Baby blue- eyes...

This is my 5 star restaurant, lunch made for me (again!) by my lovely husband and served in a field of fragrant flowers (and no cell phone service again)...it can make you think...





"Can one desire too much of a good thing?"


~William Shakespeare


...a couple hours later, we've arrived at Morrow Bay, not our original destination, but taking a chance the Sea Otters might be around, we went to go find out. There they are! See that mass of brown? I am sorry i don't have better photos, at least not on this computer. They are really cute. There are six out here, two are mamas with their babies on their chests. They wind up in the kelp to keep from drifting away, floating on their backs. And then they nap. So peaceful. We, watched until they woke up. They preened and rolled around cleaning up. They are so animated and funny to watch. All the big lenses were pointed at them, it's a fabulous place for photo's...

...here is my husband and his pride and joy,(this lens needs it's own separate backpack!) see the gull? I think he was feeling leftout, everyone filming the otters...

...alright then, pose for your portrait!...

...and not to forget you silly squirrel ;) ...

...and then these two ran up to me for attention it seemed (i know, i know, they want food) and then suddenly got shy, whispering to each other...

I climbed down the rocks to get a better view once all the otters were awake, I was hoping they might move a little closer. And then an amazing thing happened. I hope my video will work, but just in case it doesn't, one of them broke away and swam directly towards me. It was one of those moments, making eye contact with a wild animal. I know I smiled at him and I'm sure he winked at me...

...time to head north and look for a hotel for the next two nights, I'm really excited for tommorrow (and right now and tonite and oh, you get the picture!) hot showers, warm beds, more adventuring...

xxx love, lori

California's Serengeti

Sunrise on the Carizzo Plain

Wildflower season for us means checking websites and hotlines daily, to get the most current updates on the blooms. And sometimes it means getting up and going to find out for ourselves.

Leaving right after work last Wednesday, our adventure began soon after hitting the road. We passed through the beautiful back country of the Sespe Wilderness, driving over Pine Mountain and finally coming into the California Valley. Our destination was



Carrizo Plain National Monument.
The last of California's historic grasslands.
"here in this remote part of California where ravens and prairie falcons dip and rise with the play of the wind and wildflowers color the hills each spring, it's still possible to look out over hundreds of miles of open space and to watch stars spread across a dark sky."




We arrived after dark to find the campsite almost all to ourselves. Oh there weren't any other campers, our company was two Great horned Owls perched in the tall eucalyptus above our tent. We went to sleep and woke up to Hoot~hoot, hooty~hoot~hoot!

KCL Campground


...breakfast was served (and lunch and dinner!) to me.
Thank you husband.

The view from our tent...

...checking out an old barn...

...and now the hunt for wildflowers!

....LOOK! we found them, like a golden carpet on the Plains...

...the scent comes almost before the flowers appear, standing in a field of these natural beauties is a heady experience, I wanted to stay for hours...

...look!, my husband is color coordinated to the fields!...

...here is a sign showing the Pronghorn Antelope, we were hoping to see and photograph these also. There is so much to see out here, according to the visitors center there are "more than a dozen species of reptiles and amphibians,100 species of birds and 45 species of mammals that live seasonally or year~round in the Carrizo's spacious grasslands, shrublands and wetlands. And of course...the spring wildflowers...

San Joaquin blazing star
...hillside daisies...

...silver bush lupine...

We had a great morning driving around looking for and photographing flowers and critters, but there was another reason we'd come out here and since it was going to take most of the day we had to get going. We packed up our stuff and made our way over to another camp, Selby, which was conveniently located next to the trail head for the hike we had to go on. A 12 mile hike. 6 miles of it up. Steeply up. Carrying heavy camera equipment. Gulp. Oh, and did I say it was very warm out?

So, off we went...

...up...

...our destination was going to be the highest point in all San Luis Obispo County, Caliente Mountain, 5106 ft (1556 m)..

...and up... on the way we saw more wildflowers, and hawks, San Joaquin antelope squirrels and meadowlarks, and...

A baby horny toad! We put this little beauty right back down as soon as I got it's photo. Isn't he great?!

Well, we got to the top and I could have sworn it was further than six miles, but my husband with the G.P.S. in his hands tells me that this is the true distance....

...can you make out the trail in the background of this photo? we are a loooong way from the campground. Chuck and I separated at this point, he scrambling around the mountain for more pics and me hightailing it back down. When I saw the "one more mile" marker I nearly started to skip, I was never more happy to see our tent. No sooner had I gotten my sweaty shoes off when Chuck appeared over the ridge. We weren't done yet. Next up was Soda Lake (still in the Carrizo Plain) for evening pictures...

...on the way to the lake...

....gold fields (a wildflower aptly named)...

...one last hill to climb for the day. See our truck down there? we are all alone at the Soda Lake lookout....

...and here is one view of Soda Lake. The road through the Plains is visible too, its partly paved and part asphalt. I think it's that and the Antelope and the grass and the rock outcroppings that are all reminiscent of the Serengeti. It's a spectacular place, but to really appreciate it you have to look close, I guess it's just like anything else...

Caliente Mountain(the peak we were on)

~sunrise at Selby camp~

we woke to the yelping sound of a pack of coyote's...

...knitting (a little project) at camp before heading out...we're leaving here today, we'd love to stay, but there's more to do (always!) and not so much time...

driving out, away down the long solitary road, our eyes scanned the meadows and plains for one last thing we might see...we'd already been so lucky, seen so much...

and sure enough, as we neared the exit I saw a small mound in the distance. I told Chuck I think I see ground squirrels, it's something. So he stops the truck and turns the binoculars on the mound of dirt. Slowly, he lowers the glasses and says quietly to me, "Keep calm, but you've just spotted a pair of burrowing owls" WHAT???? It is the thing I've always wanted to see. My husband said he'd try for a photo for me.

We didn't stay long, they were sitting at a nest and were agitated by us. But he got some photos and I am thrilled. And then we packed away all the big lenses and congratulated ourselves on a fantastic trip. And then 5 minutes later, I saw a Pronghorn Antelope!

way too far away for photos but hey! what a day!

...now we're back at the coast, but not at home, we're in a little motel, there is a lighthouse we've been wanting to see...

xxx love, lori