Last weekend I joined a group camping out in Agua Caliente County Park, just outside of Julian in southern California. While driving through Ramona in the late afternoon, I spotted this windmill and turned the car around, grabbed my camera and started snapping pictures.
This gorgeous oak tree stood out against the gray, cloudy sky, while the grass glowed in the incandescent sunlight. I wanted to stay overnight, under the tree, wrapped in a blanket.
One morning Orville, Bill, Sue and I went on an early morning hike up into the hills to watch the sun rise. Bill is the man in red, climbing up the rocky hillside through ocotillo bushes.
That would be me, looking out at the sun rising, loving life early in the morning. Before we took off hiking, Bill made me a cup of real coffee; an amazing feat considering it was 5am and still dark.
Sun lighting up the sky, mountain, agave and spindly ocotillo bush. In a couple of weeks the long sticky branches will be topped with fiery red blooms.
Sue standing in the morning light. This woman is incredible and camps and hikes all around the world by herself; definitely a gal after my own heart.
Early morning view from our campsite in Agua Caliente County Park in Julian.
Orville and Bill, enjoying the early morning.
One morning we took a drive out to the mud caves. Craig is standing in the entrance to one of the caves. I thought he was joking when he said we were going in there. I would never have guessed that a cave was in that narrow cleft in the cliff.
Dave is the mastermind behind the whole mud caves thing. I couldn't find them again if you paid me a million bucks. He drove us down strange dirt roads, making quick turns down other strange dirt roads, passed a street sign for Hollywood and Vine and eventually came to a stop. I learned my lesson from the last trip and told them I was not going to drive, but would drive in the Jeep with the boss.
Big, bad Bart; no just kidding. He is actually a very nice guy, retired Marine, always wears shorts, tackles all the hard stuff and yet definitely has a soft heart.
Inside the mud cave it was all dark and spooky. Towards the back of the cave, light came through a large hole in the ceiling let and illuminated the swirling sandstone.
Whenever I see such crazy, amazing beauty in the natural world, I thank God for all that He has made. He is totally and wonderfully awesome.
The little girl in front is Victoria, a sweet darling who proudly states that she is five and a half. She was such a good little hiker and never complained. Every once in a while she would hold out her hand and say I need help, and whoever was nearby would help her up or down whatever rock she was climbing. Such a joy, such a sweetheart.
Dave in a moment of quiet contemplation; is he thinking when will we ever get out of here? or why did I eat all that spicy chili last night?
Michelle's beautiful daughter, walking into the light; keep going girlfriend!
Me, Victoria, Tanya and Dave, a little blurry but we are there! When I asked Bart if he could take our picture, he reassured me he had taken many pictures; he just didn't say how they came out.......hmmm.
The mud eye monster; a prehistoric creature that lives in mud caves and was caught in a storm and will forever be embedded into the walls of this cave. Poor little guy.
Here is Orville, a mighty man of God. Thank you Orville for organizing such a wonderful trip! It was a blast; at times a little hot, sometimes very windy, but all in all good fun, food and fellowship.
"Praise the Lord! For it is good to sing praises to our God; For it is pleasant, and praise is beautiful." Psalm 147:1
Here is Michelle, a gal that everybody loves. Somehow she always ends up with a big rock in her backpack which makes her pack so heavy. Looks like she learned her lesson this time and didn't bring a backpack. Good job, Michelle!
Stunning view as we drove through the desert after our walk in the mud.
This would be Holly, a dear, sweet gal that I sincerely enjoyed meeting.
Here is Victoria, the girl who captured all of our hearts. Tanya, you have done such a wonderful job raising this beautiful, darling girl. May God be with you, dear sister.
Sitting around the campfire, shooting the breeze; Bill was always cooking up some amazing thing over the open fire; bacon wrapped biscuits, beef kabobs and kept talking about marshmallows but I never saw any. Everyone promised me S'mores, but I never got one. Next time I will take matters into my own hands and bring marshmallows, graham crackers and chocolate.
On my way home, I stopped in Box Canyon and hiked around a bit taking pictures.
Its getting late and I must go. Good night, one and all.
You are loved. You are special. Believe it. Receive it.