Comments:
Hot & Bothered, Walking Inland, but Intrigued
Wanting to walk someplace different today, we headed south to the Otay River Valley, where there are ponds and often we have found semi-tropical conditions. But not today. It was closer to desert.
It was overcast, hot and dry.
Looking for the river, we turned in several smaller roads. And back out from dead ends. Then we saw this sign and pulled in.
It was overcast, hot and dry.
Looking for the river, we turned in several smaller roads. And back out from dead ends. Then we saw this sign and pulled in.
We could have used an ice cream, but a guard in the parking lot sent us away. "Now only for Ice Cream Truck!" he warned, as we circled around and rolled out of the lot.
Indeed there were about 50 trucks loading up in the back.
We slid between tire centers and junk yards, heading for the river. Mostly we found empty lots where we would not dare leave our car to be watched by those loitering around the edges.
If you catch my drift.
But then the ambiance changed. Turning through narrow roads, we came across what looked like a space ship drifting quietly down from the heavens, landing gently in front of us.
Amazed, we drove up to the gate, were invited in, and talked to a gentleman who had responsibility (at that church) for roughly the same things I do (at our church).
We slid between tire centers and junk yards, heading for the river. Mostly we found empty lots where we would not dare leave our car to be watched by those loitering around the edges.
If you catch my drift.
But then the ambiance changed. Turning through narrow roads, we came across what looked like a space ship drifting quietly down from the heavens, landing gently in front of us.
Amazed, we drove up to the gate, were invited in, and talked to a gentleman who had responsibility (at that church) for roughly the same things I do (at our church).
After a pleasant chat, we parked safely in the shadow of the church, and headed down to the river. Which was pretty low. No surprise at this time of the year.
There was plenty of wildlife though, as we saw birds, squirrels (no photo), rabbits (too fast for me today), one ambling humanoid, and heard lots of birdsongs.
It was nice down in the shade with some cool-th coming from the water.
Perhaps a little earlier in the year, or in the day, we would have seen more animal activity.
The path was wide, level and easy to walk.
But I certainly wouldn't do this in the middle of summer or fall.
Despite the friendly bird songs, we were warned off this spot by a feisty hummingbird. If you haven't been around hummers much, you'd be surprised how aggressive and territorial they can be.
Then threatened by a chollas cactus.
Despite the negativity from those residents, we were enticed by a few wild flowers.
But we were beginning to overheat, as the sun burned through the overcast skies, baking us.
I pulled up the sleeve of my too-warm, black shirt, checked my watch and realized it was midday. We needed to get back to the car.
Here's a bit of cultural information. We read it when we got home.
I neglected to grab a stalk of wild licorice to chew on the way. Rats! A habit from my childhood, growing up 10 miles NE of this spot, and familiar with the flora and fauna.
It was nice down in the shade with some cool-th coming from the water.
Perhaps a little earlier in the year, or in the day, we would have seen more animal activity.
The path was wide, level and easy to walk.
But I certainly wouldn't do this in the middle of summer or fall.
Despite the friendly bird songs, we were warned off this spot by a feisty hummingbird. If you haven't been around hummers much, you'd be surprised how aggressive and territorial they can be.
Then threatened by a chollas cactus.
Despite the negativity from those residents, we were enticed by a few wild flowers.
But we were beginning to overheat, as the sun burned through the overcast skies, baking us.
I pulled up the sleeve of my too-warm, black shirt, checked my watch and realized it was midday. We needed to get back to the car.
Here's a bit of cultural information. We read it when we got home.
I neglected to grab a stalk of wild licorice to chew on the way. Rats! A habit from my childhood, growing up 10 miles NE of this spot, and familiar with the flora and fauna.
Thanks for joining us today in the Otay River Valley.
Cazalea & Mrs. C
Thanks for joining us, too bad we didn't have more engagement with the wildlife
but it was an interesting day anyway.