Mostly Happy Trails with Dora

I can't believe it!  We are back to the same park where I published my first "Happy Trails" column last year.  This year it is much hotter and hasn't rained yet and there are more flowers.

Me and Mom have been going for some walks. Mom takes pictures while I look for bunnies and sniff at all of the pretty plants.

OK guys: see that sign about not picking up wood, rocks, or plants?  Believe it.  

See the pretty yellow flowers? 

See the fuzzy teddy bear plant right next to the flowers? 

I walked too close to it and my tail brushed it. (Of course it was Mom's fault that she was not paying attention to me.) She said "Don't get too close to that cholla" then looked down and saw a big piece on my tail. I didn't feel it then and I wagged my tail at her and a piece of it stuck to my shoulder! That hurt! Mom tried to pull it out but didn't have a way to grab it so I tried to help and I turned around and bit it. Let me tell you: Mom freaked out! So then Mom was down on the ground beside me pulling stickers out of my mouth as fast as she can not even worrying about the pieces getting in her own fingers. At least she remembered her phone for a change so she called Dad and told him where we were and bring a towel. Sometime in there I tucked my tail between my legs and the piece that had been in my tail came off of it and stuck to the inside of my leg. Just where there is soft pink skin and not much hair. Ouch.

After getting most of it out Mom and Dad walked home with me then made me sit on Dad's lap while Mom pulled the rest of the stickers out with tweezers. I had some in my gum and in my lips. That was not a fun time.

It is not a good idea to pick up plants here. I am surprised that they even need signs to tell you that.

 I'm going to be more careful on our bunny-hunts now.

Do you see the bunny in this picture? 

Right there.

And here's another bunny. Why doesn't cholla stick to them when they run into a patch of it?

There are also lots of little squirrels that live in holes in the ground and lots of birds. It's been fun to hunt for them too. At night there are coyotes so we don't go out then.

Until next time, Happy Trails! And don't pick the cholla.

Two Springs Wrap-Up

March is "blooming cactus season" in the desert. 

Tempting plants found at Lowe's.  We may need to invest in some of these in the future.

One last exploratory drive on the way home from the outlet mall. We discovered yet another place for a hike next year.

The brittlebush is in full bloom.

San Jacinto seen from near the mouth of the canyon.

We also drove up the road that leads to the tram. There are some great views of the valley as you descend.

I was surprised to find out that Palm Springs was a popular destination for Spring Break. Or maybe it's once again a popular destination.

Some scenes from around the house. We have our name in for the same site next season.

Both white and pink oleander were blooming.

 The sparrows, doves, and finches will all miss us this summer.

On March 28th and 29th Mom and I drove back to her house in Oregon. It was a windy day in both the Coachella and the San Joaquin Valleys. We fought dust that first day. Tuesday was a different story. While it was stormy at Two Springs and snowing in the mountains . . .

Photo courtesy of Tom, who stayed home.

North of Redding the redbud are blooming.

Snowy Mount Shasta was shrouded by clouds. 

 Marble Mountain Wilderness Area

 One of the few things I miss in Southern Oregon: Kaleidoscope Pizza. Mom and I shared this:  

Prosciutto Blue

Prosciutto ham, Romas, Gorgonzola, artichoke hearts, garlic and olive oil

That's my kind of pizza. 

Wednesday I was up before "bright and early" to fly back to Palm Springs. Warning for the future: the 7:30 flight out of Medford leaves you running to make the flight from Portland to Palm Springs. The first flight was delayed slightly due to de-icing, but it still would have been tight.

Boarding the puddle jumper in Medford. I was lucky to have both a window seat and to have nobody beside me.

A couple of views of White City, the Rogue River, and the Denman Wildlife Refuge where I spent many hours laying and running tracks over the years.

Downtown Portland

 A vineyard west of town.

The flight from Portland to Palm Springs must have been beautiful. It was clear and the pilot gave an ongoing narration as we flew south. But having a middle seat over the wing, I saw nothing. 

Back at Two Springs, it was time to button up at Mom's house and to get ready to roll with ours. 

All wrapped up. 

See you in November!