Gett'n loopy...

Another big loop day for Dad.  This time we went North East toward the small town of Manton.

A different landscape than the grassy rolling hills on the West side. There are rocks, lots of rocks, for this is volcano country.

The Cowman always said, "if you are going to run cattle in this country you need to ride a horse that was raised here."

oaks, and more rocks...

the occasional ranch house

 and attending barns.

 Further on we were in timber country with apple orchards, and vineyards,

and there is Mt Lassen overseeing it all.

Big loop'n...

 Took Dad for an airing out car ride the other day. We made a big loop to the West towards the Atwood Ranch, and saw some of my favorite country. Dad enjoyed getting to see some new (to him) country.

Atwood Ranch pic

 It's the perfect time of year to be in the rolling hills with everything so green, the creeks running, and the huge old oaks budding out in the draws. You could hear the grass growing. Redbuds were in full bloom in some of the creek bottoms. Dad was on the look out for deer, but we didn't see any game except for one wild turkey and a covey of Gambels. Lots of cows and calves were about. Saw one of the most even herds of Angus cows I have ever seen in a commercial operation. 

I stopped in one draw to repair a piece of fence that was down. Dad asked if I knew who's place it was. No, but the cows inside it were eating their way to that gap in the fence. It only took a few minutes to repair, and we were back on our way.

 

Dad is getting less and less able to get around, thankfully his mind is sharp as ever.  He amazes me with his memories of hunting camps in the back of beyond, and flying machines from eighty years ago. He can look at an unmarked map and tell you where he got a buck, or where the best fishing creek was.

I'm going to try to road trip him to Idaho to see my brother this spring. Just waiting for the weather to be a little more stable. 

Quit digging...

 A Blessed Easter

Other than a couple hellacious spring thunderstorms, it has been too beautiful to stay inside a moment longer than necessary.

Last week I ducked yoga and headed to the range for some much needed cow, rock, grass, blue sky, and boom therapy.

 ***

Marymine is constantly telling me that Lauren is my mini me.   I don't see it but, I don't mind at all.  When I was down at Marymine's for the 5K I asked Lauren if she had dyed her hair brown.  She said "Oh Nanny, yes I did! I got so tired of that white trash blonde look!"  I looked at Lauren and said with a straight face, "really, hmmm..."  It took a second and Marymine over in the corner of the kitchen laughing so hard she couldn't speak, for Lauren to realize that she had just mightily insulted her granny.  Lauren came over hugged me and said " Oh No, I didn't mean you Nanny, your hair is white... like old people have!"  My words were, "I love you Lauren, quit digging."  

Spring has sprung...

More gorgeous weather this week! The lakes and reservoirs are filling up, everything is growing like crazy.

 

The landscaping around the house is getting ahead of me.  I may have to break down and have a yard service come in to help out.  

The Ceanothus is blooming.

and the Grevillea Noellii.

 While taking the above photos, the sense of being watched just kept nicking at my back.  Turned around to find this fellow watching me from inside the fortnight lilies...

Not sure he thought I was doing the photos properly, but he never said anything.

This was a Bloodsucker drive week, and St Patrick's as well so... two birds one stone.

After the rain...

We have sunshine!  Good morning Mt Lassen.

                                  

*** 

A great weekend with Marymine; full of family, kids, dogs, green tutus, and lots of laughter!

SIL Jane and I gett'n ready for the start of the Shamrock'n 5K in Sac on Sat. Windy and Colder than all getout, but the rain had stopped. Them darn tracking devices on the numbers are so you can't cut through the back streets, who knew! Just so all is straight, it was probably not me that might have tripped that ol guy with the T that read, "You've just been passed by a 70 yr old man"...
 and the wind resistance on a tutu, geez!