Hollywood Fire

As I was walking back down the street from lunch today, the sky was dark with smoke coming over the Hollywood Hills. Turns out two youth near an apartment building on the other side of the hills had started a fire that spread FAST! It took off in no time at all and before all was said and done 130 acres burned. Many of the studios in Burbank were filled with smoke, freeway exits were closed. Anyone who was outside could only stop and stare at the smoke and fire. It came close to the HOLLYWOOD sign, but did not burn it. All in all, no homes were burned, and no people were injured or killed in the fire. It was all out in a few hours. The electricity did flicker a few times as the flames got into the high voltage eclectic lines that go over the Hollywood hills. It could have been much worse, but was a very dramatic day all in all!

Anza-Borrego State Park

The 2nd weekend in March, Dale and I took a 3 hour drive out of the city East to the Colorado Desert to Anza-Borrego State Park in Eastern San Diego County. It was traffic nightmare getting out there though the 91 freeway pass and the 15 freeway was not any better in Corona. However, once out on the smaller 2 lane highways, it was so much better, and once in the rural areas it was like a heavy weight of the city was lifted off. We both remembered, that this is the reason we go camping.

This is the LARGEST of California stat parks, comprising some 600,000 acres, 1/5 of San Diego County is held in trust within the park boundaries to give you a bit of perspective. The park is home to the endangered Peninsular Bighorn Sheep, the park's namesake, (borrego). The Octillo cactus, Cholla cactus, and also The Black Tailed Jackrabbit and Roadrunners. The park is one of the best places to view wildflowers in the spring, but unfortunately we have had so little rain this spring, that the wildflowers are not blooming like they normally would. That was a bit disappointing, but also it meant it was easier to get a campsite. We camped at the Tamarisk Grove campgrounds with the campground in the middle of a very tall grove of Tamarisk trees that were beautiful just on their own.

Even though it was March, we had some very warm temperatures. It was up to 95F when we were leaving on Sunday. We also took along our neighbor Ren's dog that we were pet sitting. She has a very cute little Shena Ebu, named Hatsu. She loved the camping, and especially when we did smores around the campfire, she thought the graham crackers were the most delicious.

We also did a couple of short hikes in the area, the park is great for well marked trails to hike in in the desert. We went on the Cactus Loop trail that features an excellent view of the surrounding area and well marked cactus. The Yaqui well Nature Trail was also great terminating at a desert water hole.

We took a nice drive back on Sunday through the mountains and the cute town of Julian up at 4000 feet, known for their apple orchards. We also drove through Escondido, and stopped for a nice lunch in Oceanside, before heading up the coast to Long Beach.

It was a great weekend camping get away!

Tracers

Dale and I went to the Long Beach Play House with our neighbors across the street, Stacy and Trapper on Saturday the 3rd of March. It was a lot of fun, we went to a great Mediterranean restaurant in Belmont Shore, on 2nd Street, before the play, and then headed over, to the playhouse. We saw "Tracers" by James Scarborough.

I thought the play was very well done, the actors were top notch and it was directed very well, it was a great play. If I were to make any remarks on it's lacking, it would be a central cohesive plot to draw you in and take you through the play. It seemed to be a conglomeration of small scenes from Vietnam, and experiences from soldiers. It covered these in depth, emotional, physical, and left nothing out from drug use to suicide. It was quite intense at times. However, I was most curious in seeing this play with our neighbor Trapper who served in Vietnam. I wanted his opinion more than anything. After he stated that the play was good, but only one tenth as intense as the REAL Vietnam experience he had. Trapper said the language, and scenes and occurrences were all pretty much right to the point. It was great to see the play with him, and to be able to get these perspectives from him. It is always great to talk to Trapper about this subject, and he is not afraid to discuss. He calls it his therapy, and willingly talks about all aspects of the war. (yes his REAL name is Trapper)

Plant Of The Month

Jasminum officinale


It is a Semi-evergreen to deciduous vine. This vine has lots of fragrant white flowers in spring, summer, and fall. Blooms on new growth. Prefers a moist well-drained light soil enriched with organic matter. Drought and pollution tolerant. Jasmine associates nicely with climbing roses, honeysuckle or clematis, but it looks superb grown on its own. Grown in the perfume fields of Southern France, it has good tolerance to a wide range of temperatures and is easily maintained in pots. Min. temp. 45 F.

When walking down the streets of Southern California at this time of year, especially in the early evening, you will smell this distinctive flowering vine. You will stop in your tracks to look for the plant the smell is that strong at this time of year. The only temperate plant close to this strong of a smell is Lilac. They are now in full bloom all over, and so it is a delight for the next few weeks to see this all over fences, walls, and many places you least expect it. I have grown it in a pot on my patio before, and was delighted each spring with the lovely flowers and scent. Sleeping with the window open and a light breeze brings the delightful scent into your room to make for a peaceful night's rest!