In celebration of the spring equinox (and a slight improvement in weather) we had Springfest with friends on the deck. Robert and Keith grilled hot dogs and we had an afternoon of conversation sitting in the sun.
The two brothers, Jesse and Charles. Known to friends as Jumbo and Buster.
We got back to Bend on March 7 and found lots of snow still on the property! Everything survived the winter and thank goodness for Robert’s foresight to cover the hottub with sturdy corrugated metal! We discovered evidence of wildlife use of the deck and shed while we were gone.
Several of our friends staged a “party” on the deck on a freezing winter day and Alastair took this great picture, blew it up and framed it for us. It was wrapped and waiting in the shed for our return. What a great Homecoming!
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.