Jeri Westerson

This trip, in California, I've traveled through the Mojave desert with its miles of Joshua trees and cactus, over hills that made mines, some now defunct where now lies ghost towns, the memory of booming times that suddenly dropped away. We went higher...

...we move on to cross the sierras (a feat that took months for pioneers to make their way, for us it only took a few hours) into California's gold country, as in Gold Rush. Pioneer towns that haven't lost their 19th c. character on their main streets, but have grown considerably since those days...

This trip, in California, I've traveled through the Mojave desert with its miles of Joshua trees and cactus, over hills that made mines, some now defunct where now lies ghost towns, the memory of booming times that suddenly dropped away. We went higher...

We traversed the long Central Valley of endless farmland; miles of almond groves, and stone fruit trees. Hours of it. We climbed out of that through Tehachipi, the living model train set, and reached the desert again, heading into San Bernardino county, heading for Riverside county, our home.

This trip, in California, I've traveled through the Mojave desert with its miles of Joshua trees and cactus, over hills that made mines, some now defunct where now lies ghost towns, the memory of booming times that suddenly dropped away. We went higher...

...while on our right we would pass a mountain range protecting the lowest point in the U.S., Death Valley. But higher we climbed till we met the tree line, a carpet of dense pines; ponderosa, sugar, and others. Fall had taken hold among the glittering aspens, flickering in yellows. After our stay..

This trip, in California, I've traveled through the Mojave desert with its miles of Joshua trees and cactus, over hills that made mines, some now defunct where now lies ghost towns, the memory of booming times that suddenly dropped away. We went higher...

...until you could see the jagged spine of the sierras higher than ever imagined with tiny trees atop. Old barns with swayed roofs dotted the terrain of creeks and poplars meandered followed by black cows. To our left as we climbed, were the ever-growing western sierras where we were headed...

Getting all packed from our last overnight campsite halfway home, ready to go home...when hubby discovered the trailer had a flat tire. I guess we were due. Good thing we're close to town.

Leaving Mammoth one day early, still a little concerned about dragging the trailer through the weather in the pass to Jackson. We'll spend the night about halfway there at a Quality Inn. A real shower, full time internet, and meals someone else cooks. And Chloe loves hotels. (She studies my notes)

Minding my own business sitting in front of the campfire, heard "whoo, whoo!", looked up, and saw this dark silhouette with a wide wingspan come out of the darkening forest toward me and nearly take my head off. Who to you too, Owl.

We've been keeping our eye on the weather. In about a week we have to go through some passes to journey on to Jackson in Gold Country for my event. It looks like we may have to cut out week-long stay in Mammoth...

I saw this baby squirrel eating a pine nut along the creek.