Jumbo Rocks

On Monday the weather cleared so I headed for Joshua Tree National Park, but then it started raining again. Of course, Joshua Tree National Park has gazillions of joshua trees. But the two sites I was able to hike before the weather turned was Jumbo Rocks and Barker Dam, and neither had any joshua trees!

May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view.

May your mountains rise into and above the clouds.

~ Edward Abbey

Rain, Rain & More Rain

It never rains in southern California; until it rains. Then it rains and rains and rains. It's just plain foolishness to go traipsing around anywhere you don't have to be; there are mudslides and flash floods all around, and sirens. So, from the dry security of my second story balcony, I shot the raindrops at dusk as they pelted the street below.

California Dreaming

All the leaves are brown

and the sky is grey

I've been for a walk

on a winter's day

I'd be safe and warm

if I was in L.A

California Dreamin'

on such a winter's day...

~ From California Dreaming, The Mamas & the Papas

Winter's Approach

Cold Mountain is a house

Without beams or walls.

The six doors left and right are open

The hall is blue sky.

The rooms all vacant and vague

The east wall beats on the west wall

At the center nothing.

- Han Shan, 750

Translated by Red Pine