cazalea
[Seiko Moderator]
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Another man was driving into the countryside, Part 1
He parked his truck and took a walk…
We’ve been off the trail for about a month, thanks to my dermatologist, but today we ventured out to a new area we’d never investigated before.
We have been close, as shown in several posts:
But never on Cowles Mountain or the Mesa Trail.
Regional location shown here on satellite map. The airport to its left is Miramar — of Top Gun fame; now a Marine Base not Navy.
Mission Trails Park is mostly wilderness and spans about 7000 acres. It claims to be the largest city-owned park in the country.
Here’s the official map. Our route today in Orange
Starting off, the usual warning signs:
Not being a dog owner, I missed having a picture of best friend (wife, husband) on back with XX eyes!
Our efforts going up the trail were closely monitored by all sorts of flying objects.
The trail winds up through thick brush but it’s wide enough not to have to push through any bushes.
We are working our way up the eastern slope towards the west and the peak of Cowles Mountain (not intending to reach the top which is miles away)
There were plenty of birds to keep us company, along with bees and a couple bunnies (not shown).
I seem to have a half-ton of Swiss steel on my wrist today.
Any Geologists in the house? What sort of rock is this?
Our gray-green truck down below, in front of that blue car.
We keep climbing… the path goes through a scrub oak tunnel
as we emerge on the other end we attract the attention of a lovely Scrub Jay
The bees paid no attention to us,
even when I got down and cleared out some weeds that were impeding their passage into the subterranean hive.
The views were getting better, the sun higher, the temperature hotter.
This ground bird is well camouflaged!
Huff, puff. If we had a dog, he’d be panting too.
Why are we still climbing?
We decided to head back down the mountain before one of us expired (yes we had snacks and water).
No jokes “Break a Leg” allowed.
Come into my web, says the spider as he runs back into the hole...
Come into my trap, says the cactus, tempting us with its fruit.
Come into range says this hawk who might have been licking his lips (beak?) at the thought of fresh meat...
We were eye to eye, 20 feet apart!
As we rejoined the main trail, these two old guys told us where it came out at the top, so we wandered back down to the truck, drove around and up the hill, to take a look down from the other end.
Please join us in Part 2, for the conclusion of our adventures.
Cazalea
Another man was driving into the countryside, Part 1
He parked his truck and took a walk… We’ve been off the trail for about a month, thanks to my dermatologist, but today we ventured out to a new area we’d never investigated before. We have been close, as shown in several posts: Down by the San Diego River...
Another man was driving into the countryside, Part 2
As we walked down the trail, we remarked on how laden the bushes were with flowers and bees and hummingbirds, despite no rain for months. I know that Grassmont Reservoir and Lake Murray are both at the top of the hills to our west. They might leak a bit a...
Bees have subterranean hives!
I guess I shouldn't be surprised. Since I have heard of bees living in basements and in walls.
Two superb parts of the walk / drive 👌🏻👍🏻
You really capture your surroundings to a T 👌🏻👍🏻👏🏻
Looks exactly like....
the bushes of Topanga canyon which I love to frequent myself....
Thanks for reading, and for the encouragement
the walking is half the fun, the rest is having someone to share with, and discovering what’s made it into the photos, and how to write it all into a story. Otherwise I’d just be inside messing with watches and stuff like that. Cheers, Mike ...
It’s like messing about with boats only somewhat safer
and sometimes less expensive said Ratty and Mole in Wind in the Willows ...
