cazalea
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Off Beach & Bay, Into the Trees
We started at the top of Mount Soledad, but found it overrun with dogs (not on leashes) while the owners stood and talked. I understand that dogs have more fun this way, but they also drive out any small animals in the underbrush -- either they move away or they "go underground." So no fun for me! 
Apparently the Parks Department aren't upholding their control or sanitation obligations either, so the neighbors are stepping in.
Birds on top of bushes were the only wildlife we saw, so we packed up and moved along.
We went over the hill, down by the shores, and up to Pottery Canyon. I can remember my mom bringing us here in the Fifties!
Here's a typical Eucalyptus tree compared to my Lotus Elan.
We met the owner of the property behind the park fence. His family has been there on 7 acres of land, since 1948. He grew up with the Rodriguez families.
We hiked up the canyon, marveling at the variety of plant life.
We took the main path (the secondary path only went 50 yards and stopped at a fence).
Have you ever seen a tree establish multiple trunks with crossover connections!?
Here it is from the other side.
We were stunned by the size of the eucalyptus trees, and the number of
dead trees.
Old age, beetles, drought, nobody really knows exactly why they are
dying (so said the neighbor who has been there for 72 years).
I vote for Old Age, because plenty of new ones are coming up...
It was cool and shady - a very nice day for a walk in the woods.
I asked her to stand on the stump to illustrate its size.
As we went uphill it became narrower.
and more overgrown.
We finally found some water, then the canyon turned steeply uphill.
We saw a fence at the very top, so saved ourselves the climb, and turned around.
I can imagine how much fire risk this canyon could present to the homes now surrounding its top.
AND some risk to those outdoor novices who might be hiking through the poison oak. (We did not)
We got a good view of a few homes -- this is called the Mushroom House.
Returning safely to the Lotus, we snuck out of La Jolla just in time as the road in was jam-packed with beach-bound traffic. A Porsche turbo blasted past me on the highway, followed by this Lamborghini.
And that was it for the day.
Cazalea
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Off Beach & Bay, Into the Trees
We started at the top of Mount Soledad, but found it overrun with dogs (not on leashes) while the owners stood and talked. I understand that dogs have more fun this way, but they also drive out any small animals in the underbrush -- either they move away ...
Good post Mike …
Enjoyed your day with the trees, but the photo of the Eucalyptus tree and your Lotus Elan looks really cool. Have a great weekend !
Eucalyptus are invasive and dangerous fire-wise...
...they provided a lot of fuel for the '91 Berkeley fire. www.kqed.org
The joys of living in the golden state...!
Thank you for sharing and triggering many wonderful memories.
