ROCKY BUTTE FROM BOTH SIDES NOW

A MOUNTAIN WITH A LONG VIEW

This communications tower sits atop a high bluff near the summit of Rocky Butte.

It will take especially good eyes to see the tower in the frame below, but it is there to the right of the summit in the middle of the shot.

The shot is from the deck of our house on the ridge.

Rocky Butte is about 3,250 elevation.  I spotted the antenna using a set of field glasses.

The frame below gives you a better sense of the distance from our ridge.

Rocky Butte is one of the taller peaks in this area of the Santa Lucia ranges which gains in altitude to the north.

I've followed the data captured by the Rocky Butte weather station which I assume is located with the antennae next to the summit.

So, remembering the view of Rocky Butte from above, here is what it looks like from the little plateau slightly behind it.

I'll remember how the peak looks from up close as I see it from my home in the distance on the other side. I'll also recall the magnificent view offered from the peak next door to Rocky Butte.

If you look closely you can see Morro Rock, the stacks and Hollister Peak.

This is San Simeon Cove from afar.

This is more of the Santa Lucia Range, north and east of Rocky Butte.
What a difference an altitude can make.
RAIN UPDATE
We received another .1 over night and that pushes our yearly total up here on on the ridge to 37.9. That is extraordinary.
See you down the trail.

THE WEEKENDER :) PLAYING INSIDE

IT IS HISTORIC

June rain on the Central Coast is rare. Forecaster David Hovde says it has rained on this date only once in 10 years and only 3 times in 85 years.

It is a drenching rain with the potential of more than an 1 inch and half . The Parade and Rodeo in Santa Maria, the Paella Fest in Paso Robles, the Tennis Tournament in Cambria, graduation parties, weddings and a lot of other outdoor activities have been drenched or some cancelled.
So on a rainy weekend we have some inside diversions for you.
INSIDE DIVERSIONS
I have always loved kaleidoscopes. Today's a perfect day to play.

AND HERE IS A LINK TO A MOUSE ACTIVATED KALEIDOSCOPE

AND THERE IS ALWAYS FOOD

Here are the main entrees from a recent dining club
Spanish Fest-the center piece is Paella

Estefado Cornejo en Tomate
Spanish Rabbit in Tomato

Chicken with garlic and saffron in wine

Spanish vegetable casserole

Spanish Home fries

Tapas-mushroom, Serrano Ham, frittata, tapenade

Panna cota with compote and Polvernodes


So, a feast for your eyes.
Enjoy.
See you down the trail.

DECORATIONS ON THE COAST & AN UPDATE FROM BOB

MOUNDS OF LUPINE REIGN OVER THE COAST

The coastal lupine, which grows in a bush, has benefited from the wet winter and spring.

 From a distance the lupine bushes look like frosted cup cakes.

 A isolated bush provides a perfect sea side roost for a black bird.

AN UPDATE FROM BOB

Dear Friends,

We now have a more definitive schedule out of Mayo Clinic. There are 
chemo treatments Thursday (6/2) and Friday (6/3) (Bendamustine) to 
attempt to push the CLL below 50% bone marrow involvement. This is 
necessary in order to proceed with a reduced intensity transplant 
protocol. The pre-transplant outpatient schedule is spread over several 
weeks. Actually, that is a good thing. We may live at the transplant 
house in Rochester some of the time, but I can maintain a semi-regular 
work schedule around appointments. A couple of flying sales trips are 
possible, if needed. The intravenous catheter (port) goes in on 7/14. 
The first TBI (total body irradiation) treatment is 7/19. That's when, 
as "Coach Mac" would say, we "start earning our scholarship". I have 
gained 7 pounds over my personal preferred weight in anticipation of 
chemotherapy and radiation. An  exercise regimen has resumed to 
strengthen my heart. The doctors don't seem to believe my physical 
condition is an issue. The Lord is blessing us in many ways: support 
structure, provision, timing, friendships.

Energy level? Excellent.   Mind? Clear.   Attitude? Always.

Foster

We wish you the best on your courageous journey.

See you down the trail.

RED TAPE?

IS THIS THE ORIGIN?

    We know "red tape" is administrative or bureaucratic procedure that delays progress.  On a trip to the California Capitol in Sacramento we may have come upon the origin.

There in the historic office of the late Secretary of State Charles Curry is an example of what well could be the source of the phrase.

Here a stack of documents, tied together, awaiting signature or distribution.

Our curator told us that when the office was swamped with business and when backlogs occurred, the awaiting official papers would be "tidied up" by being tied up with

red string or tape, the kind winning runners would break at a finish line.  

 That red string kept things from moving forward, through a final processing or disposition.  

"It's caught up in red tape," our curator told us became the phrase.

The concept stuck, but I wonder if any one still uses red tape?

See you down the trail.

AN IMPULSIVE TURN-A GOOD TURN-REPAIRING A TURN

 DISCOVERING A SIDE ROAD

        It was an impulsive turn off Highway 1, the Pacific Coast Highway, as we headed south from Morro Bay toward San Luis Obispo.  I was interested in getting near a field of rolled hay bales. That wasn't going to happen, I soon discovered, but the narrow the road looked promising none the less.

        Poppies along a fence row revealed a more red variety that we had seen before.

A healthy crop of prickly pear cactus formed a kind of fence.

 There were more brilliant poppies and blooming wild flowers filled a field.

The road did not permit access to the field of bales, but I discovered a new perspective

on Mt Hollister

and further down the lane an historic private cemetery. It dates from the mid 1800's and belongs to the heirs of Vincente Canet who came from Spain around 1824.

A little noticed side road on an overcast day revealed more jewels here of the Central Coast.

Make a turn and take a side road someday.  You might be surprised what you'll discover on a rarely traveled route.

WORKING THE COAST HIGHWAY

PHOTO BY DAVID MIDDLECAMP SAN LUIS OBISPO TRIBUNE

LINK HERE FOR AN EXCELLENT STORY BY TAD WEBER OF THE SAN LUIS OBISPO TRIBUNE ABOUT THE BIG SUR DIG-THE EFFORT TO REOPEN THE PACIFIC COAST HIGHWAY

A GERMAN TURN

I was pleased to read of the German government's commitment to alternative fuel sources by 2022. Putting investment and support into wind, solar and hydroelectric will help move the technologies forward and make them a more viable investment.  This is the direction of the future.

See you down the trail.

MICHAEL ON FIRE--A UNIQUE PERFORMANCE & SUCCULENTS, CACTUS AND THEIR FANS

EXTRAORDINARY MUSICAL ARTIST

      Michael On Fire played the Painted Sky this Memorial weekend in what was one of the most powerful and personal performances I've seen.

      Michael and his band, mesmerized the audience in the historic recording studio.  He is a powerful lyricist painting images that connect with something deep in the psyche in a way that makes you feel you have known the songs and ranged over the emotion of them for your whole life.  His tunes are as though they were pre ordained in your memory.  Almost his entire play list clicked open a receptor that made it immediately recognizable, though I'd never heard his music before.  Weird huh!  And the stories they convey also reach deep in a haunting way. He covers a landscape of history, spirit, aspiration and grit. 

     He is a sincere and engaging troubadour.  His band were all masters of their instrument. In the room that evening was a give and take between artists and audience that was palpable. 

     I urge you check him out.  His music will not leave you soon. Here are a couple of samples.

THE ANNUAL SHOW

       The Central Coast, South Africa, an area of the Mediterranean, south and west Australia and portion of Chile share a unique climate and growing zone.  Succulents and cactus are a part of that mix, especially where drought resistant plants do well.
       Those exotics are celebrated on the Central Coast by the Central Coast Cactus and Succulent Society.  They are so celebrated there is a waiting list to join the Society.
This year's show, the Fifth Annual, is a case in point.
        Look at the people in que to ring out their purchases.

Yes, that is a double line.

with four cashiers at work.

 These are scenes from the "sales" room.

Ribbon winners are presented further down the post.

THE SHOW ROOM AND THE RIBBON WINNERS

I was ignorant about succulents and cactus until our move to the Central Coast.

I knew a little about desert cactus, but very little.  I've been fascinated to discover the wide variety of plant and marvel at their exotic and other worldly look.

The picture below reminds me of a character out of Star Wars.

If you are curious, we did take a couple of new plants home where they'll join our succulent garden.  Frequent readers of the blog have probably seen photos in previous posts in our Day Book section.

See you down the trail.