Wednesday's Winding Road

Taken in the spring of 2014. 

Winding Roads Wednesday

Part of someone's long and winding driveway... ;)

Wednesday's Winding Road

This was taken in April of 2011.  It's not quite this green right now in these mountains, but we have gotten smidgens of rain.  The best news is that the mountain range to the south of us, the San Jacinto range, where the huge fire is still burning got quite a bit of rain yesterday.  The little town of Idyllwild is safe, thanks to heroic efforts by over 3,000 firefighters.  The fire came within one mile of the village and, as everyone knows who lives in areas prone to huge wildfires, a mile is waaay to close for comfort.

Although the fire has burned over 27,300 acres, it is now 85% contained.  Contained doesn't mean 'out' but it does mean that the firefighters have a line around 85% of the fire and that is good news indeed.  It is expected to be completely contained by tomorrow evening and expected to be completely out within a couple of weeks. 

The best news of all is that the evacuation orders have been lifted and folks can go home.  Having been forced to evacuate in 2003 and 2007, I can say I truly know the joy, thankfulness and elation these people are feeling.  And I know that their hearts, like mine, go out to the people whose homes were lost. 

Winding Road Wednesday

"It's a dangerous business, Frodo, going out your door.  You step onto the road and, if you don't keep your feet, there's no knowing where you might be swept off to."  J.R.R. Tolkien

(photo taken in April of 2011)

Wednesday's Winding Road

Taken in July of 2006, out on Old Mill Road, Crestline, California.  This is typical July weather in the San Bernardino mountains, bright blue sky with clouds that are mostly decorative because they drop so little rain.

Wednesday's Winding Road

I took this in May, 2010, on my down to Hesperia, which is a little town down in the desert on the north side of this mountain range.  I took it while driving, so please forgive the poor quality, but this stretch of road has always been one of my favorites up here. There's a little creek on the right side of the road, down in a shallow ravine.  Sometimes I park the car and walk around.  It always astonishes me how much magic this area right next to a fairly busy road manages to keep:

I don't think many people take the time to get out and look over the side; I never see any of the 'markers' that people usually leave behind like squashed plants, cigarette butts and other trash.  It makes me grateful that not many people take the time to investigate places that are a bit difficult to get to (it's a bit of a hike down to the little stream) because, usually, too many people just drive the magic right out.

Winding Roads Wednesday

There are so many beautiful winding roads up here.  It's one of the things I love about living here.

AND...they don't show up in this photo, but the sky is full of clouds! :)  :)  :)   We actually got a bit over an inch of rain.  Now we only need 37 more inches of rain and 119 inches of snow to be at normal levels. Don't think that's going to happen...  Oh well.  To quote my friend, Kathleen, "Some is better than none!"  At least it washed all the pine pollen off of everything.  Of course, everything will be covered in yellow pollen again within just a few days, but my allergies are really happy right now.