Howland Hill Road and Stout Grove

Stout Grove, 44 acres of huge Redwoods, was a gift from the owner of a logging company. In order to see the trees, we had to venture 12 miles down a rugged dirt road (Howland Hill Road) to arrive at the grove which borders the Smith River. I learned today that the redwood trees grow best at elevations below 2000 feet and thrive on the continuous rainfall and moderate temperatures of the coastline.

The looped trail was an easy 1.5 mile stroll through towering trees. The day was perfect - the sun was shining brightly through the forest.

The patterns and swirls in the redwood stumps were beautiful. Apparently redwood trees are quite resistant to disease and rot, and are able to bounce back even after being burned. Some of the trees along the coast are over 2000 years old.

Jedediah Smith Park

Yesterday we walked Tan Oak Drive (a road that goes down to the Smith River) with our friends, the Thodes, and our dogs. This area was something straight out of a Walt Disney movie. The forest floor was covered in ferns and the trees - a mixture of redwoods and deciduous trees created a wonderland that, in my case, called forth images of fairies and elves. Frank, however, was imagining the great T-Rex!











Many of the redwoods were covered in fungi, moss, vines and a variety of other life forms that in some cases resembled scary creatures! As we neared the river we could hear the rapids.

The edge of the river bottom was covered in rocks and blooming wildflowers. Take a look at the lupen!

Location:Redwoods

Rest and Relaxation on the Rogue!

What a delightful surprise! Frank looked at a map and picked a halfway point for our trip to the Redwoods and landed on Shady Cove - a small town on the Rogue River. To quote Frank, the town is "very funky - and all about the river". We pulled into our site in the early afternoon, so we had time to sit by the river and enjoy the sun. Here is screen shot of our trailer park on Google Earth.

They've really made an effort to fix up the park with plantings, lawn, and chairs. Bogie and I went for a walk along the river's edge and we met several other campers enjoying their afternoon. Bogie even met "Rockie", a standard size Aussie.
The owner was really into Aussies (she owns several) and told me that Bogie had a very nice muzzle and good confirmation - she said that many of the mini-aussies have a shortened snout. Although she complemented his bearing, she did add that she thought he was a bit heavy!!!! Oh well!

Check out the putting green next to the barbecue pit.

Tonight Frank, Bogie and I went for an evening walk. The fish were leaping on the far side of the river, and a big heron flew gracefully over the water! All very awesome.

Spring is Busting Out

Well, it's raining, it's pouring ...(can you hear the music?) I am ...Soooooo....in the mood to start my gardening, however, all the old timers here advise me to wait until after memorial day. The nights are still very cold and we frequently drop below freezing. Last week, after a beautiful 70 degree sunny day, I rushed down to Bi-Mart and bought a great big split oak wine barrel; outdoor planting soil; and a bunch of flowering plants. That very afternoon, I set to work creating a huge flower barrel that would greet visitors as they came up our drive. Unfortunately, that night the temperature dropped below freezing and 2/3rds of the plants shriveled and died. One of the plants that I planted (and one that survived) was an artichoke. Can't wait to see how it does.

A few daffodils have sprung up in the garden, and I will have to make a point of planting more bulbs next fall. They are such a happy flower and the yellow color is fantastic!

For now - I am trying to satisfy my desire for color by purchasing bowls of flowers such as the one you see above. To be on the safe side, Frank and I carry them in every night and put them in my heated garage. Isn't it beautiful! I am hoping that we won't have to do this for long.

One other flower that I want to show you - I don't know what it is but it is popping up in our yard and on the forest floor behind our house. If anyone knows what it is, please let me know. So delicate and cute!

Resending pic

Not sure why it didn't load to the blog. I am the one looking intently at my music ( near back row). I am decked out in a red hat with white and red flowers and two turkey feathers. I appear to be in the back row but I am just in front and to the right of the lovely lady in the white hat - my friend Terry!

Broadway Ladies

A friend just sent me a pic from yesterday's concert.  This was a number -just the ladies- a great medley of songs.  We got to vamp around with outrageous hats and boas!

drawback

Sent from my iPhone

Another Good Day

Sister's Community Chorale Concert today. Some 50 plus voices joined together to offer a Spring Concert. It was so much fun to sing with this group of talented people. Our program included a mix of patriotic, gospel, and broadway hits.

Following the concert I whipped up a great dinner - vegetarian enchiladas, corn bread, retried beans, and tomato/cucumber salad. Frank has lost over 20 pounds and the doctor is pleased with Frank's latest lab results.

Loving my sourdough starter - baked my prettiest loaf to date (sour dough whole grain)!