Ventura Ranch, Santa Paula CA

We went camping near Santa Paula to celebrate Jules' birthday.

No polar vortex in these parts.  Here was our view to the north.

And to the west.

My little girl.

Our campsite had a huge California Sycamore tree, its trunk riddled with acorns.

Which was odd, because sycamores have seeds that look like that shown above.  Acorns come from oak trees, which look like this:

I assumed squirrels were storing the acorns in the sycamore.  I pictured the squirrels on the trunks, their fluffy tails functioning as an anchor against the tree, as their industrious little paws twisted in the acorns.  But, a quick trip to the U.S Forest Service website proved me wrong.  It turns out acorn woodpeckers were storing the acorns, first drilling a hole and then depositing the acorns.

The girls loved the tent.

The girls were busy running around the entire time, collecting acorns and pine cones, helping with the campfire, running randomly down the road…

I made Smores cupcakes for Jules, just in case the campfire smores didn't work out.  They were delicious!

Pirate ship!

We went on a nature walk by the Santa Paula River.  I love these delicate little flowers.

Anyone gone camping lately?  It was our first camping trip with the girls.

New Year's Day 2014

On Wednesday, we woke up, looked outside and realized it was a beautiful winter day in California.

So after lunch, we loaded in the car and drove to Ventura, the town directly north west of where we live.  It's hilly and overlooks the ocean and the Channel Islands.  We parked at the Ventura City Hall and then walked to the path through the Ventura County Botanical Gardens.  Jules had fallen asleep in the car and miraculously stayed asleep during the transition to the jogging stroller.



The gardens are in the early stages of development, and at this point, are really just a trail through the coastal chaparral.

Paige took to the trail with enthusiasm.

Since it's winter, most of the sage scrub is brown right now.

Paige found a lone flower in bloom, though.

There's downtown Ventura in the distance and the ocean beyond.

Plants gone to seed.  I think it might be a coyote bush.  Or maybe I'm making that up.

More views of downtown, the pier, and the ocean.

Agave plants or yucca in bloom.  I need to step up my local plant knowledge.

Lemonade berry plants budding out.

Look at that blue sky!

The rock work on the trails was fantastic.

Wild fennel plants gone to seed.

Happy New Year!

Ojai Valley Inn and Spa

One of our favorite weekend day trips is to Ojai.  We usually time it when we have a wine shipment to pick up from the Ojai Vineyard tasting room; we go for a long walk at the Ojai Valley Inn and Spa, grab a snack, and then pick up our wine.

The architecture is beautiful and so is the landscaping.

According to the resort's website, the whole property was converted to "Camp Oak" during World War II for use by the Army.  By 1944, it was turned over to the US Navy as a place for rest and relaxation for returning troops.  Can  you imagine?

Once again, it's midday and my photos are washed out.  The picture above is inspiration  for my yard in San Diego.

Again, not the greatest picture, but I love this oak tree with the lanterns hanging from its limbs.

I've got a thing for iceberg roses lately.

Beautiful trailing rosemary!

Salvia.

While I was taking pictures of flowers like a nerd, Paige and Jules were picking up leaves, seedpods, and twigs for their "collection."  I put some of the leaves in a jar when we came home.  We left happy, full of truffled homemade potato chips from one of the resorts restaurants.

Sunshine Friday

Do you shop on Black Friday?  The name depresses me - I picture people alone, in dark rooms, with their money.

So, we went to the park instead, to soak up sunshine and play.

We park about a quarter mile south of the park and walk along the beach path to get to the "pirate park."  This is how we sneak in more exercise for the girls.  It hasn't occurred to them that we could park right next to the park.

It was a beautiful clear day - the Channel Islands, which are normally ensconced in fog, were out strutting their stuff.

Off we went, holding hands.  The mountains were nice and clear too.

A little rest at the halfway point.

Oh California, how I love you.

Pretty flower in the park that matched the girls' outfits.

Almost at the pirate park.

Quick ride on a seahorse that Paige named "Shark."  She also told me that "she's a girl seahorse."

"Har har mateys!"

"Me too!  Me too!"

Sand dunes in Southern California are fairly rare these days.

I hope your Black Friday was as nice as ours!