Coachella Valley View
This pic of the Coachella Valley was taken at around 8,500 feet up Mt. San Jacinto, from the outdoor observation deck of the Palm Springs Tramway station.
Links: previous related post
California
McCain Valley Cave
This pic looks out from a small cave on the side of the road leading to the Sacatone Overlook in the McCain Valley Resource Conservation Area, which is off I8 just north of Boulevard, CA.
U.S. Flag at Carlsbad Flower Fields
I’ve been saving this pic of the beautiful flag which is in The Flower Fields in Carlsbad, at the corner of Palomar Airport Road and Armada Drive, for just the right day and this is it! Happy 4th everyone!
Links: The Flower Fields
Autry Museum of the American West
The Gene Autry Museum of the American West is located in Griffith Park in Los Angeles just across the street from the Los Angeles Zoo. This statue of Gene and his faithful horse Champion is in the open-air courtyard of the museum complex just outside the Wells Fargo Theater. Mr. Autry passed away in 1998 at the age of 91.
Links: Autry Museum Champion
Annie’s Canyon Trail in San Elijo Lagoon
Annie’s Canyon Trail in the San Elijo Lagoon (Solana Beach) recently reopened after being closed for many years, due to over a thousand hours of effort by generous volunteers and a substantial donation by a local supporter. The trail takes you into a mini slot canyon where the canyon floor is less than a foot wide in places, past a cave, and upward to a summit with expansive views of the lagoon. It’s a very cool trail!
Links: San Elijo Lagoon Conservancy virtual hike video of trail
Potato Chip Rock on Mount Woodson
A popular hike in San Diego County is to summit Mount Woodson (elevation 2881 ft) by either the eastern route which starts from Hwy 67 or the western route that starts at Lake Poway. Once on top, you enter a “forest” of communications towers. A great landmark just west of the summit is Potato Chip Rock, pictured above. Normally you see visitors standing on the edge having their picture taken but we were there very early this foggy morning!
Kumeyaay Home
The Kumeyaay-Ipai Interpretive Center in Poway has a few reproductions of the traditional Kumeyaay dome-shaped homes known as ‘ewaa. The frame of the shelter was typically made of willow branches while the covering was made of tule weeds, willow leaves, and brush. One hole served as a door and a second hole in the roof allowed smoke to escape.
Los Angeles Zoo
The Los Angeles Zoo is located in Griffith Park and houses over 1,100 animals representing over 250 species on its 133 acre site. The zoo opened in 1966 and was preceded by the Griffith Park Zoo which opened in 1912 in a nearby location. One of the big successes at the zoo has been its California condor breeding program.
Escondido Creek at EFRR
Escondido Creek begins in Bear Valley above Lake Wohlford and flows for 26 miles before emptying into the Pacific Ocean at the San Elijo Lagoon. This very beautiful and accessible view is from the Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve. The Escondido Creek Conservancy has helped preserve over 3,000 acres of this important watershed.
Links: EFRR Escondido Creek Conservancy previous related post
Aquaculture in Agua Hedionda Lagoon
An interesting site in the Agua Hedionda Lagoon is the aquaculture operation of Carlsbad Aquafarm. This enterprise raises Mediterranean Blue Mussels, Pacific Oysters, and Ogo. Their website says that their products can be found at Whole Foods, Sprouts, and local restaurants. Apparently the local brown pelicans are appreciative of their efforts.
Links: Carlsbad Aquafarm
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