As we passed through Lodi, I decided to get my hair cut! I went to the salon I frequented when we lived in Lodi.

BEFORE

THE FIRST CUT

THE HAPPY RESULT – BANGS!

Our next stop was in the northern San Joaquin Valley with friends in Patterson, CA. We had to drive into Modesto to have a motorcycle worked on. While it was in the shop we walked around town, looking for geocaches (we found 5!) and sightseeing We found this great little Victorian house and a block later, an antique (1962) Ford Ranchero!

Our trip north took us to Colonel Allensworth State Park, a small park with an amazing history. We walked around the roads and restored homes and businesses of the small town of Allensworth and learned a little of the historic significance of this town founded by the Colonel in 1908.

A small shack that was temporary home for some pioneer residents as their homes were being built sits next to one of the restored stores. The Sante Fe railroad grade can be seen in the background, the railroad depot was an important factor in the towns founding and early success. In 1914, the railroad built a spur line to a neighboring town, allowing most rail traffic to bypass Allensworth and depriving the town of economic trade. Increased demand on water for agricultural use and disputes with the land company that controlled the water rights were also instrumental in the towns decline.

The two room schoolhouse was in use until 1972.

Our camper can be seen in the background, at one of the 15 sites in the great little campground! We also saw lots of ground squirrels and even a burrowing owl in the open space in town, couldn’t get a picture of it though.

The day before we left the desert for our trip to Bend dawned warm and sunny. We took a walk to the west, towards the sand dunes. Previously we stayed closer to the mountains, thinking the flat desert was too boring. Wow, were we surprised, first of all by the flora, then the fauna! We crossed paths with not one, but two Desert Tortoise!

This first Tortoise was in a small wash, probably munching on some breakfast plants, evidenced by his green smudged mouth!

The second tortoise was out in the open, walking across a dry gravelly hill. Maybe he/she was looking for some breakfast, or maybe a mate?

Late February sun and warmth brought out many blossoms.

Blue Phacelia

Dune Evening Primrose with some Sand Verbena on the side.

The bright yellow Brittlebush was blooming all over the desert, rivaling the sunshine!

The Desert Lily was popping up in the most inhospitable looking places, a little early for it’s common name ‘Easter Lily’!