May is here and that is the busy time of the year here at the ranch. It is the time when we fill the barn with spring hay so the animals have food for the winter
Poem of the Week
How Small it Feels
I step from cooling tile to concrete slabs as they are heating up, the sun is hot so i soak in its rays & watch crabs scurry into the grass in shade that dots the green & blue landscape (sweetie the gray concrete will barely register) it's bright like saturated neon lights that play and dance and move with the island night
and sweetie, do you know how small it feels to stand on the shore and look at the sky and realize those colors bring you real or closer to it than you see with your eyes
under those sunglasses, and I will paint you a picture on your palm, but don't cry sweetie when it washes away with the rain.
Story of the Week
St John US Virgin Islands
If you want to experience the natural beauty of the Caribbean and still stay in United States territory, One of the best places to go is St John in the US Virgin islands.
St John is one of three islands that make up the U S Virgin island. the other 2 are St Thomas and St Croix.
The original inhabitants were Arawak Indians. Columbus was the first European to see the islands. The United States purchased the islands in 1917 from Denmark for 25 million.
ST John is a little east of Puerto Rico. In 1956 Laurance Rockefeller donated his holdings or about 3/4 of the island to the National Park Service on condition the park would stay in it's natural state. Today it is known as Virgin Islands National Park. Walking through the park you get a glimpse of how the eco system of a sub tropic island functions.
Walking the park is a great way to relax and enjoy the leisurely pace of the islands. To take a nice video journey through the park click on the following link http://bit.ly/9Cc0vj and journey with the travel show Travelista, The Map.
Once you have relaxed and become used to island time it is very difficult to pull yourself away and rejoin the hectic pace real world.
Pine Mountain Evening
It is evening once more a the Pine Mountain ranch. We have just finished dinner and are gathered by the warm fire in the fireplace in our family room. Laurel and Grace are watching a movie and I am reading my Discover magazine. Tonight my after dinner coffee from http://www.coffeefool.com is Puerto Rican Yauco. This Americzn roast coffee has a coffee and rich cocoa taste that goes well with fresh baked chocolate chip cookies.
Well the movie is over and so is my coffee and cookies. It is time for bed.Good night everyone see you in 2 weeks.
It is mid April already but that did not stop old man winter from trying one last attempt at bringing a winter storm to the area. At least the lower elevation rains helped fill the reservoirs with much needed water.
The hay in the field is growing fast and as soon as the weather dries out, it will be time to cut and bale hay. This cutting is the most nutritious and we mix it with the rest of the cuttings to have a nutritious mix.
Area News
The five year old girl from Frazier Park, Missty Gamblin that was severely bitten in the face by her neighbors dog is now home after $35,000 in surgery costs. Her mother is a single mother with 2 kids and no medical insurance. A fund has been set up to help with the costs. Donations can be taken to the Mountain Communities Family Resource Center (above the library at 3015 Mt. Pinos Way, Ste. 201 in Frazier Park, 8:30 a.m. to noon and 1-4 p.m.) or checks can be made to the MCFRC, P.O. Box 1902, Frazier Park, CA, 93225, with the note “Missty Gamblin Medical Fund.”
Poem of the Week
Mimosas in Marin County
by emily d stine
I'll play pretend for a day late brunch, organic omelets orange juice champagne a lifestyle whimsy, I can't complain.
Stroll through the boutiques, jump on my bike, head up to the view for picture & hike.
Water cerulean, & sun-splashed cheeks, the walk is lovely, water opening between peaks.
Stop for a moment, toes in the sand, force my mind to remember this beautiful marine land.
Story of the Week
The Lighthouses of Marin County
by G Smith
Marin county is north of San Francisco on the other side of the Golden Gate Bridge. It is an area of scenic beauty and waterfalls.
Marin county is one of the 27 original California counties and was a county even before California became a state. The county has a long coastline and even it's own bay called Drakes Bay after Sir Francis Drake who sailed their in his ship the Golden Hind in 1579
To protect ships from crashing on the shore Marin county built several lighthouses. Today the time of the lighthouse keeper is past and automated means are used to keep the remaining lighthouses operating.
Point Reyes and Point Bonita are the 2 most famous ones.
Point Reyes
This lighthouse was built in 1870 and served as a lighthouse for over a hundred years.Built below the edge of the cliff to keep the light out of almost constant fog, the lighthouse is 308 steps down the cliff. you need to be in top physical shape if you want to try the tour on this one. Between the high winds and the fog visiting this lighthouse is an adventure. The walkway to the lighthouse is shut down when the winds hit 40 miles per hour. The light tower is a 37 ft high 16 sided structure built in 1870. It housed a 6000 pound first order Fresnel lens that magnified the light and split it into 24 individual light beams. This powerful light could be seen up to 24 miles out to sea.
In 1975 a small building was built below the station . This building houses the modern light, fog horn and radio automated signal equipment.
Point Bonita
The lighthouse was built a half mile down a trail. In the middle there is a tunnel. The lens is a second order Fresnel able to be seen 18 miles away.To save money the back side against the cliff was not lens ed.
Lime Point
Lime point existed as a fog horn station from 1833 to 1900 when lights were also added. This station was on a small spur of land just east of the north tower of the Golden Gate Bridge. It had a 3 story keepers station and two 12 inch steam powered fog horns. The station was automated in 1961 and the 3 story station keepers building was torn down. All that is left of the station today is the automated fog horn building.
Besides light houses another point of interest in Marin County is Muir Woods a stand of old grove coastal redwoods from 500 to 1200 years old. Well maintained trails add to the enjoyment.
Marin County is a wealthy county with the medium income around 92,000 a year. Lukas films of Star Wars fame used to be in San Rafael the Marin county government seat but they have now moved to the Presidio.
Pine Mountain Evening
It is evening once more at the Pine Mountain Ranch. we have gathered in the family room to enjoy a movie on TV. We have just finished dinner and I am relaxing in my easy chair with fresh apple pie and a cup of the sample coffee of the day from http://www.coffeefool.com Tonight I am having Panama Boquete. This American roast coffee is filled with fruity sensations and just a hint of chocolate taste. It goes well with apple pie.
Well my pie, coffee,and movie are over and it is time for bed. Hope everyone has a great couple of weeks. we will see you in 2 weeks. Good night everyone.
We are now well into spring at the ranch. This years beef cattle are out in the pasture munching away and already gaining weight.
The aquaponic garden in the greenhouse has just switched beds. One bed produces while the other bed is replanted. That way there is always a crop ready to produce when an old bed finishes.
In local news
Last year we had too many bears wandering around raiding garbage cans etc. Now this year we have reports of bear poaching by the chairman of the PMC board no less.
On Easter a hiker found a dead body in Hungry Valley. No one is saying if it is a homicide or natural causes yet.
Poem of the Week
Desolation and Charm
by emily d stine
And I'll miss you Wyoming, as I careen out of tumbleweed scenes, grass wishing to be green, lone strips of asphalt inter- rupting vacant views.
I'll miss the wind that whistles through your ghost towns like a memory unfound.
And I'll miss you Wyoming, but mostly I'll miss your desolation and your charm.
Story of the Week
Wyoming
The state of Wyoming is the 10th largest in land mass but the population at 544,270 is the least amount of any state. Almost half of the state, 48 % is owned by the US government through the bureau of land management and the US forest service.
Wyoming is a place of big sky and large mountains. It is where the high plains meet the rocky mountains. Wyoming is a place of unique natural beauty and a place to get away from everyone and contemplate nature. Just do it in the summertime because Wyoming winters are harsh and bitter cold with lots of snow. Wyoming is bordered by Montana, South Dakota, Nebraska, Colorado, Utah, and Idaho.
Wyoming has 10 different mountain ranges and the state elevation ranges from 13804 ft to 3125 ft. More than 40 mountain peaks in the state are over 13,000 ft.
Wyoming has 3 interstates I-80 and I - 90 which run east and west and I - 25 that runs north and south.
The continental divide runs north and south through the center of the state.The rivers on the east side, North Platte, Wind, Big Horn, and Yellowstone end up in the Mississippi and the rivers on the west side the Snake and the Green end up in the Pacific Ocean.
French trappers in the late 1700's and Lewis and Clark in 1807 were the first Europeans to enter the area. One of the members of the expedition, John Colter described the wonders of Yellowstone but people thought he was making up tall tales.
Wyoming was the first state to let women vote and in 1924 became the first state to have a woman governor.
Wyoming has 98 towns but all but 9 have populations under 10,000. The largest town in Wyoming is the state capital, Cheyenne at 57,000. There is one university, the University of Wyoming and seven community colleges.
Mining , ranching and tourism are the main income producers for the state and Yellowstone national park is one of the main attractions.
Pine Mountain Evening
It is evening once more at the Pine Mountain ranch. We have just finished dinner and are in the family room watching a movie. We are having cherry pie for desert and my sample coffee of the week from http://coffeefool.com. Tonight we are having Chocolate Covered Cherry. This American roast coffee with the taste of cherry and chocolate go just great with fresh cherry pie.
Well the movie is over and my pie and coffee are finished too. It is time for bed. Good night everyone see you in 2 weeks.
Spring has sprung with full force on Pine Mountain. Everything is green and the wildflowers are beginning to bloom. It is a time to mend the fences and prepare the ranch for spring and summer.
The greenhouse and the fish in the aquaponic tank survived the winter and are doing well.
Poem of the Week
Friday Night in the City of Roses
by emily d stine
and the locals are listless under- neath their tortoise shell eyes.
Inside, in gray low lights and cigarette clouds new age music wafts lazy-like over to the crowds.
In studio lofts, art galleries and bars, put on emphatic facade 'cause we're all gonna be stars.
Clutching pints, the perfect accent for those black fingernailed hands of the hipster rockstar tattooed fans.
It's Friday night in the city of roses, the river's eerie outside, it's bubbling, for the sea, but tonight the babble's inaudible over the band and the Friday night scene.
Story of the Week
The Columbia River
by G Smith
The Columbia river at 1243 miles is the longest river in
the Pacific Northwest. It drains an area roughly the size
of France. The Columbia forms much of the border
between Oregon and Washington and drains 7 states.
It is the 4th largest river in the United States.
The Columbia begins at 2690 feet ( 820 meters) above
sea level in the Rocky Mountain trench that forms the
border between British Columbia and Alberta in Canada
. The river flows northwest for the first 200 miles then turns
sharply south at the north end of the Selkirk mountains.
The Columbia turns west at the Spokane river then South
at the Okanagan river then southeast at the Wenatchee
river forming a big C. The river then heads west at the
Washington- Oregon border. The River then becomes
the Washington -Oregon border for the final 309 miles
to the coast.
During the last ice age about 15,000 to 10,000 years ago,
the Columbia took a more direct course through the
big c area when the ice dams on ancient Lake Missoula
would break sending the entire lake down the Columbia river.
When the flood was over the direct route formed a dry river
bed. This dry river bed was called a Coulee. Grand Coulee
dam was built during the depression forming lake Roosevelt
opened in 1942. It is the largest dam on the Columbia at
Normal water height is 380 feet ( 115 meters). In 1951
with the addition of Dry Falls dam and North dam, Banks
lake was formed in the dry coulee valley above lake Roosevelt.
Twelve 14 inch pipes and pumps lift water 280 feet from
lake Roosevelt into lake Banks forming a 27 mile long lake
for irrigation of the surrounding area. Six of the pumps can
be reversed and turned into turbines during peak electric
demand times. Total power output of the Grand Coulee
dam with 33 Turbines is 6809 megawatts. The biggest
problem with the Grand Coulee dam is that salmon can
not get by the dam. This keeps the salmon in the last 243
miles of the river instead of 1243 miles like they once roamed.
The Columbia continues through Gorge Amphitheatre,
Priest Rapids dam, then the Hanford Nuclear Reservation.
The Hanford Reservation is the only untamed part of the
Columbia that is left.
The Snake river and the Yakima river join the Columbia
and the river turns sharply west at the Washington Oregon
border. The Columbia becomes the border for the two states
for the final 309 miles of its journey. The Columbia reaches
the Dalles. Between The Dalles and Portland, the Columbia
cuts through the Cascade mountains forming the breath taking
Columbia River gorge.
The gorge is 4000 feet at the deepest part and 77 streams
flow into the gorge before the Columbia reaches the ocean.
Many of these 77 streams form spectacular water falls as
they deposit their water load into the gorge.
The last dam of the 14 dams on the Columbia before the
Pacific is the Bonneville dam. This dam has an island in the
middle and 2 hydroelectric dams one on each side of the island.
The Bonneville dam also has a lock for river traffic and fish
ladders to help the salmon navigate the river.
At Portland a few miles from the Pacific, the Columbia
turns to the north and slows dropping a load of silt. It then
turns west again and joins the Pacific. The last turn keeps
the Columbia from forming a delta at the ocean.
Pine Mountain Evening
It is evening once more at the Pine Mountain Ranch. We have just finished dinner and are gathered in the family room to watch a nature movie on TV.
I am seated in my favorite reclining chair and have fresh baked sugar cookies with this week's sample coffee from http://www.coffeefool.com Tonight my flavor is Dutch Chocolate. This American roast coffee is a chocolate lover's dream with just a hint of coffee flavor to round it out.
My coffee and cookies are finished now and the movie is over. It is time for bed. Good night all, see you in 2 weeks.
It is nearly the middle of March already. Winter has been strange this year. One minute we have a winter storm and the next the snow has all melted.
This year we have a full eco system in our greenhouse called aquaponics. All we have to do is keep the water chemistry right and keep the water flowing from the fish tank to the grow beds and back again. The plants love the constant nutrients and grow like crazy.
Our little wood shop is doing well. when everything crashed in 2008 no one was buying anything. The smaller pieces are now selling. People are downsizing.
Poem of the Week
Mediterranean Momentos
by emily d stine
Midday sun sways soft in the sky deciding to be blue or to dip into blue--an aquamarine sun- bathe for Mediterranean rays. The boat's carving aqua ripples, churning blue to white in its wake.
We cruise over Grotto Azura, adjust eyes to turquoise hues and exquisite views as if the gods had bathed there.
And with a turn, we're sliding back to Sorento. Dip our feet, a final reprieve from the sun and a sip of lemoncello-- sun-filled imprint for my tongue.
Story of the Week
Malta
Malta is an island in the Mediterranean. It is 93 km south of Sicily and 288 km north of Tunisia. The island has had a rich and varied history.
History
Malta was first settled around 5200 BC by people from Sicily. They built megalithic stone temples that still stand to this day. Disease or famine or both wiped them out about 2500 BC.
Next came the Greeks, Phoenicians, Carthage, and finally Rome. Next came the Arabs, Germans,The Spanish from Aragon, then the Knights Hospitalier who turned the island into a fortress. The French under Napolean occupied the island for 16 years then the British took over in 1814 and kept the island until it became independent in 1964. Malta became a republic in 1974.
Today Malta is made up of 3 main islands. Gozo, Malta, and Comino and numerous small uninhabited islands. More than 404,000 people call the islands home.
We landed at Malta International in Valetta, then rented a car and drove to the Baystreet Hotel in St Julian. The hotel was a 4 star that rented for $97 a night.
Malta is a people place. There are more things to do than there is time to do them.
On Gozo there is Dwejra inland sea. In Valleta St John Cathedral of John the baptist fame.
The restored 5000 year old temple at Hypogeum.
Ggantija temple. Impressive slabs and pillars from 5000 BC.
Ggantija Some of the best diving in the world in the blue green waters of Malta. if you prefer not to get wet, There is the MV Sea Below. You can look through 38 windows to see the ocean below.
There are museums and fortresses.There are so many restaurants you hardly know where to start to sample the local cuisine.
Marsaxlokk There are rocky beaches and sandy beaches but there are always people. No seclusion here.
Malta does not have enough natural water to supply everyone so desalinization plants provide over half the water on the island.
Many British retirees call the island home.
The official languages of the island are English and Maltese. Driving is on the left since it was a former British colony.
Time went by so fast and finally we had to leave and return home.
Pine Mountain Evening
We are gathered once more in the family room of the Pine Mountain ranch. Dinner is over and we are watching a movie and eating fresh baked cookies. tonight's coffee from http://www.coffeefool.com is Raspberry Squared. This American roast coffee is mixed with the finest black and red raspberries to give it a distinctive taste. It goes great with fresh sugar cookies.
The movie is over and so is my coffee and cookies. It is time for bed. Good night all see you in 2 weeks.
It has been another week of Winter at the
Pine Mountain ranch. ther4 have been col temperatures and on and off rain and snow. It has been windy but our wind turbines make the most of it.
The fish and plants are doing well in the heated greenhouse.
The roads and highways have been treacherous at times but you get used to it.
Rocket and Starburst have been staying close to the barn for shelter from the winter winds.
We have been making furniture in our wood shop so the economy is improving slightly.Last year this time our little shop was mostly idle.
Poem of the Week
The Other Side of the Bay
by emily d stine
It's February and sunny
and we're sliding across the bay
away from Frisco and onto Berkeley
explore the college town.
The sun's setting and we fly
like bandits, ribbon-roading up the
ridge, racing the sun.
We pull off at the top to see
sun slipping under the three
bridges that cross-stitch the bay.
Sounds of silence whistle under
our feet and the sky grows pink with haze.
And we left that place days ago
but I can't shift my gaze.
We have had several snow storms in the last 2 weeks.
We get some snow and then in a few days it melts.
The fish and vegetables in the green house are doing
well even though it is mid winter.
We are still making a few pieces of furniture in the
wood shop. This week we take a travel visit to India
with Roxana
Poem of the Week
Indian Dreams
by emily d stine
Shiver through the sheets as my mind
wanders back to the place and I see
saris blowing through the wind, soft
reds, pinks, blues spinning in my head.
Casting clay pots and spitting fat camels
Indian children laughing through streets
where we walked, Western in our wear
the colors so vivid I feel that I'm there.
There's a cow in the road but nobody
honks.A foggy view of the Taj Mahal
invades my thoughts. Varanasi,
the world's oldest city, laundry and
funerals flounder in the ghat.
My Indian dreams, the saris bring
me back, a gentle breeze, how the
wind makes the colors sing.
Story of the week
India
by Roxana Arzamazova
My big travel across India the Route:
Delhi, Agra (Fatehpur Sikri), Gwalior, Dzhansi,
Orcha, Kadzhuraho, Varanasi, Calcutta, Puri
(lake Chilika), Konark, Bhubaneswar,
Vishakhapatnam, Chennai, Madurai,
Kanijakumari, Kovalam, Karkalla, Kollam,
Alaputsa, Kochin, Udipi, Karvar, Goa
(in transit), Vengurla, Malvan, Devgarh, Alibag,
Mumbai.
I decided to take a trip to India. I had a six week
vacation so I started in Delhi, Tadj-Mahal,
Kadzhuraho Varanasis places everyone knows.
I developed a route by means of guidebooks
to India "Dorling Kindersley" And " lonely planet".
India is very cheap country. With a TV and a bathroom
I paid for hotels on the average 5 dollars.
The cheapest-$3 (Kadzhu - ÒÁÈÏ), $7 Delhi on Mejn ,
and a maximum of $ 14 Mumbai. Without conveniences
in the room. my expenses would have been less.
Many people are afraid to go to India because of the dirt.
Really, Hindus like to throw dust under feet. But in
good hotels and the tourist centers it is very clean. I never
suffered digestion frustration. For this purpose it is enough
to wash your hands before a meal, to drink
bottled water and not to eat in doubtful places. In a couple
of days you cease to notice the dirt. In India there are a lot
of beggars. Do not give them money or they will follow you
forever.
Transport in India is cheap. In the city it is possible to move
by tuk-tuk. They cost less than a city bus. Twice I used night
buses with berths and twice I slept on trains. I stayed at
25 hotels. Certainly, that is a lot, but I saw so much!
Why do people go to India? It is a country not similar to others.
It has a special charm. There it is not accepted to steal.
The Indian women dressed in sari’s, and look like
queens.
In the south is it eternal summer. There are the high
mountains, deserts, jungles, and seas.
Many people go there in
ashrams to do yoga, medical experts, surprising
philosophy. Pursuit of money and success can lead to depression
and you loose the meaning of life. Hindus can explain to you that
all is not necessary. Consumer society philosophy it is not the
cleverest.
"Exclusive dynamism, continuous activism tear to pieces the
person, or transform a person into a machine. In India no one
hastens anywhere. Be ready for it!
In Delhi the most interesting sites are the 800-year-old
Kutb-Minar (height of 70 meters), the Lotus temple,
the Red fort, the Gate of India, Radzhput.
I headed south. Two hours and you in Agra where there is
the most beautiful building in the world. The Taj-Mahal,
and also the big fort. Nearby there is Fatehpur-Sikri the
capital of emperor Akbara.
In the city of Gwalior at top of a 100-metre hill the beautiful
fort is located. In Orchhe there is an interesting palace.
Further on my way there was a world famous village
Kadzhuraho with it’s 25 temples and erotic sculptures.
Varanasi. the most sacred city of India, (from which Shiva
has risen to the sky). On the bank of Ganges are 90 Ghats
(ladders) and 2 places of cremation. Hindus dream to die in
Varanasi. Normal cemeteries are not present, Bodies burn
down to ashes and ashes are swept away by the Ganges.
10 kilometers from Varanasi in 500 years B.C. Buddha
gave his first sermon.
Calcutta. One of the greatest cities of India. Victoria's
memorial the most beautiful building of the city. On the
bank of Bay of Bengal in Konarke there is a temple of
the Sun a XIII century building with erotic couples on
all the facade.
Nearby, in the open air a scene where
the festival of India is annually held. For 20 rupees you
receive weight of pleasure.
In the city of Chennaj (Madras) of veins Foma the
non-believer also is buried. In a Catholic church on
seacoast it is possible to see his tomb. Tourists like to
visit a temple complex in honour of Shiva in the city
of Madurai. Twelve 50-meter gates are entirely covered
by figures of people, demons, gods, and animals.
In the south of India the city of Kannijakumari is located.
The most interesting here its 2 islets on which it is possible
to get, having stood the big turn, afterall Hindus
wish to visit on "The end" of India and to visit the island
where philosopher Vivikenanda and others meditated. There
is a 40-meter monument to the local poet
who lived 2000 years ago.
Here there is the Bay of Bengal and Arabian sea. Further on
my way is Kerala. One of the
most beautiful beaches- khovalam. Here always there are a
lot of tourists. Tourists love Varkalu. Nearby are Silent creeks
a system of fresh-water channels and lakes. Travel by
tourist ship from Kollama in Alaputsu (70 km) occupies a
whole day and leaves unforgetable impressions.
Narrow small streets in the city of Kochin with the Portuguese,
Dutch and English constructions are charming. In earlier times
there were warehouses with spices.
State of Karnataka was next on my way. Near the city of Udipi
is the fine and deserted beach of Malpi. And such beaches are
in considerable quantity!
Most tourists visit Goa. Tourist possibilities in India are huge!
To the south of Goa in the city of Karvar there is a good beach,
but instead of tourists a herd of cows there sunbathe!
I have passed through Goa by trip bus and arrive in fishing village
Vengurla. The beach there is multi-kilometer, and tourists appear
seldom.
In the city of Malvan it is possible to look at the big island, and in
The village Devgarh There is a big peninsular fort.
in Alibage there is an island fort. During low tide outflow
(during the lunchtime) it is possible to pass on foot. From
Alibaga to Mumbai it is possible to get there by
sea.
30 minutes by bus and an hour by a ship and you are in
12-million Mumbai. The city looks fine from the sea. There
are many high-rise buildings, and many beautiful English
constructions.
India is a country which you will desire to come back to again
and again!
Pine Mountain Evening
It is evening once more at the Pine Mountain ranch. We are in the family room by a warm fire in the fireplace.
Laurel and Grace are playing a game of scrabble.
We have just finished dinner and I am enjoying my after dinner coffee with a plate of fresh chocolate chip cookies. Tonight my coffee from http://www.coffeefool.com is Celebes Kalossi. This American roast coffee has a spicy syrupy taste with just a hint of oak.
Well my coffee and cookies are finished now and Grace won the game of scrabble. Now it is time to get some sleep. Good night see everyone in 2 weeks.
This is a blog about life on a ranch near Pine Mountain Club, California We have a lot of comical animals on the ranch that make life interesting. We also travel near and far to bring you a new adventure every week. Check out some of our alternative energy products and our bargain air travel.
Pine Mountain News
