Giants fans are everywhere! Here is some driveway art from my neighborhood.
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Picture a Day #293 – Neighborhood Giants Fan
Posted in art, DIY, home, photography, picture a day
Tagged art, baseball, California, chalk art, drawing, home, photography, postaday, SF Giants, World Series
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Picture a Day #291 – Apple Muffins for a Blustery Day
When you are wrapped in your warmest fuzzies against the first cold storm of the season, it must be time for golden muffins fresh from the oven. What better way to celebrate apple season than with apple muffins? If you happen to have some home-made jam, even better! Here is my recipe for chasing away the chills:
Apple Muffins
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly oil 12 muffin cups (standard size).
Combine 2 cups unbleached flour, 2 teaspoons baking powder, and 3/4 teaspoon cinnamon.
Add 1/2 cup packed dark brown sugar, 1/4 cup vegetable oil, and 2 eggs. Blend.
Stir in 2 cups grated apple, 1/2 cup chopped nuts of your choice (I used almonds this time), and 1/2 cup golden raisins.
Put the batter in the pans and bake for 25-30 minutes, until a fork inserted into the center of a muffin comes out dry, and the muffins are golden brown. Remove from pans and serve warm, or cool on wire rack and store in airtight container. Makes 12.
Posted in DIY, home, photography, picture a day, sustainable living
Tagged apple muffins, baking, food, home, photography, postaday, recipe
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Picture a Day #290 – A Shoe Tree
One of the highlights of our recent road trip was this “shoe tree” just west of Hinckley, Utah, on Highway 50.
It is quite a landmark. We passed it on our way east, and stopped to take a photo on the return trip.
Posted in art, DIY, history, nature, photography, picture a day, travel
Tagged art, Highway 50, landmark, nature, photography, postaday, road trip, shoe tree, travel, Utah
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Picture a Day #289 – Pando, the Aspen Clone
On the Fishlake National Forest in central Utah, there is an Aspen clone, an enormous stand of Aspen that is connected by a continuous root system.
Fish Lake
Each stem, or tree, is part of one organism that is over 100 acres in size. It was named “Pando” by scientists, which means “I spread.”
Pando
This Aspen clone is the largest documented organism in the world. But it is in danger of dying because the older trees are drought-stressed and under attack by insects. The young trees that would replace the older ones are being consumed by the local deer and elk.
Pando closeup
Efforts are underway to remedy the situation. There is a portion of the area that is fenced off to allow the young trees to grow.
There are also portions that are being cut to stimulate growth. We had the opportunity this past week to see for ourselves what this area is like.
Fish Lake, the site of this enormous Aspen clone, is only a short distance off of Highway 95, part of our route home to California after our adventures in Colorado. We chose this route not only to spend time in the red rock area of Utah, but also to see the Aspen.
the largest documented organism in the world
Although most had already lost their leaves by the time we reached them, it was still a stunning display.
I think the naked trees are beautiful, and there are so many! This area is close to 9,000 feet in elevation, so it will soon be covered in snow. That must be a truly majestic sight!
Posted in nature, photography, picture a day, travel
Tagged Aspen clone, education, Fish Lake, nature, Pando, photography, postaday, travel, Utah
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Picture a Day #288 – In Capitol Reef National Park
One of the highlights of our drive on Highway 95 through the red rock of Utah was Capitol Reef National Park. The views are stunning everywhere you look. This area is one amazing geology lesson!
Posted in nature, photography, picture a day, travel
Tagged Capitol Reef National Park, education, geology, highway 95, nature, photography, postaday, red rock, travel, Utah
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Picture a Day #287 – Before the Storm
This little vireo (Hutton’s?) showed up in the yard today, as a storm was approaching. It wouldn’t sit still in this oak tree for more than a couple of seconds, and the light was bad, but I couldn’t resist!
Posted in home, nature, photography, picture a day
Tagged bird watching, California, home, Hutton's vireo, nature, oak tree, photography, postaday
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Picture a Day #286 – Highway 95 Adventure
When we left southwestern Colorado two days ago to return home to northern California, we decided to take a different route. We had been through Moab, Utah on our way east, with a stop at Arches National Park.
near Canyonlands National Park
This time we took Highway 95 through the red rock country south of Canyonlands National Park, crossed the Colorado River near Lake Powell, and paused in Capitol Reef National Park.
closeup
The weather was perfect: it was mild and sunny. The scenery on this route is amazing. It is an easy drive, and with a little extra effort we made it all the way to Ely, Nevada, even after stopping on the Fishlake National Forest. Whew! Here are some highlights.
approaching the river near Hite Marina
Colorado River at Utah State Route 95
Next stop: Capitol Reef National Park!
Posted in nature, photography, picture a day, travel
Tagged Canyonlands National Park, Colorado River, highway 95, nature, photography, postaday, redrock, travel, Utah
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Picture a Day #285 – A Hike in Hovenweep
Yesterday we visited Hovenweep National Monument, a group of ancient dwellings that is far off the beaten path. It is a small area near the four corners of Colorado, Utah, Arizona, and New Mexico.
We visited one of the outliers, Cutthroat Castle, which is in Colorado, and the main site, which includes a campground and visitor center, in Utah.
Cutthroat Castle
The road to Cutthroat Castle is rough, and it is recommended that you enter the area in a four-wheel drive vehicle with high clearance. It is an easy hike to the ruin, but because of the isolated location and unpaved road, it is a completely different experience than the main area of ruins.
Cutthroat Castle detail
Both are beautiful and fascinating to investigate. Cutthroat Castle is also quiet, with views of the surrounding landscape. It is well worth the 45 minute drive from Cortez, Colorado to the outlier, and another 30 minutes to the visitor center, where you can hike the trail that loops through a canyon.
Hovenweep ruin
Although these dwellings are no longer inhabited by the ancient ones, there is still life here.
Lizard
Posted in history, nature, photography, picture a day, travel
Tagged ancient dwellings, Colorado, Hovenweep National Monument, lizard, nature, photography, postaday, ruins, travel, Utah
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Picture a Day #284 – A Road Trip Through the Fall Colors
Our trip to Colorado this week is a getaway to relax, visit family, and enjoy the fall foliage.
The colors have been fabulous scattered across four states. In the higher terrain, the aspen lost their leaves when cold weather and wind arrived earlier this month. But there are still plenty of bright hues to enjoy!
Today we celebrated the season on the San Juan National Forest in southwestern Colorado, where these photos were taken.
Posted in nature, photography, picture a day, travel
Tagged aspen, Colorado, fall foliage, nature, photography, postaday, San Juan National Forest, travel
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Picture a Day #283 – A Morning in Arches National Park, Utah
Yesterday morning we left Moab, Utah and drove north across the Colorado River into Arches National Park.
Balanced Rock
It isn’t a large park, and we were able to drive the length of the road, stopping at several viewpoints and even taking a short hike, in the course of the morning.
Delicate Arch
There were plenty of visitors, even on a Monday in October, but it wasn’t overcrowded. The weather was around 70 degrees F near the visitor center at the entrance, and cool and breezy when we reached Devil’s Garden.
Entrance to Devil’s Garden
The hike into Devil’s Garden, just past the campground at the north end of the park road, is easy to somewhat strenuous. There are several side trails.
Windows in Devil’s Garden
We went as far as Landscape Arch, a little over three miles round trip. There is a lot more to see, and fabulous views of the surrounding landscape.
Landscape Arch
We have visited this park in spring and fall, and I would love to see it in winter white!
Posted in nature, photography, picture a day, travel
Tagged Arches National Park, nature, photography, postaday, taking a walk, travel, Utah
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