Beautiful Spring! Big Sur wakes up

Big Sur wakes up!  The picture at left is the white Banksia rose in my front yard, festooned with blooms training to the ground from the top of the arch.  this picture was taken during the "white flower" ment, when it seems that every flower blooming is white.

Whether it's apple, pear, apricot, quince, or plum,
this year the trees are loaded with flowers, promising a huge crop of fruit later on.  the avocado trees are also making blossoms in profusion.

Lizards and salamanders are crawling to new positions, and once or twice the sounds of frogs have pointed out that spring is really here.

The birds are beginning to arrive.  At night the owls are quite vocal as they assert their territories and conduct mating rituals.  As the owls slowly fade out in the dawn, the doves call to one another.  Then, one by one, other birds begin their songs.

This is the opening of the "tapestry of song".  Within weeks, many types of birds will arrive and begin nesting.
This is the overlap of the northern and southern migration routes, so in nesting season the many songs converge and rebound off one another early and late in the day.

Flocks of small finches, robins, colored canaries, and many others join the woodpeckers and the jays.  The woodpeckers have already been busy for some time, rat-tat-tat-ing away at the acorns they have stored in the trunks of trees, as they sprout and become prime food.

There is already a pair of wood ducks on the pond, who glide away each morning when I walk by.
They have a nest, and I am pretty sure I know where it is, but I don't let on.

It's a great time to visit the back country.  Come on out and get some spiritual nourishment!

Get in touch with me about planning your time in nature.  Cal me at (831)667-2314 to schedule a time to plan your inspiring and refreshing time for renewal.

I'd love to get together and make new stuff happen!

Have a lovely day,

Betty

About Betty:

I have spent over forty years in the back country of Big Sur, gathering experience that I would love to share with you.

My service orientation drives my successful food distrubution business, and is key in the high quality of my fashion items, known for their originality and quality.  

I have served on various boards and community organizations for many years, including the school board that esatblished an independent school district in this are.  I currently serve on the Executive Committee of the Planning Process for the California Coastal Trail, Big Sur section.  In June of 2015 I will join the Big Sur Multi Agency Advisory Council as local representative.

Mill Creek: The Big Picture

Here is the view of Mill Creek from one of the pullouts on Nacimiento Road.

This watershed is home to a large creek, fed by many small tributaries.
A popular hiking trail leads from the bottom of the canyon for several miles.

The road is a long and winding one, as the Beatles song described.  For me, it is the road home, which I have driven thousands of times, and is so familiar.

The rocks hold mysteries, as the road crosses an important geological interface between Franciscan and Laurentian formations.  (I'm not a geologist, but a friend explained this to me in great detail.)  what it means for the observer is that there are stripes of limestone and formations that stimulate the imagination.  The sides of the road are decorated with wild flowers.  The rains this year have give me a sense of expectation that a good wildflower display will appear. 

In this photo, the ridge on the right hides from view the place where Big Sur Retreat Camp is located, on the flat pasture ground, just above the ranch house.

The difference between the southern and northern exposures is profound.  On the left, the southern exposure, you see how the land is steep, and dominated by scrub brush, rocks, and thin grass.  This is because of the heat of summer, keeping plant growth in check.

On the right, the northern slope, trees grow huge and the shade of green is deep because of the density of leaf growth.  the various gray trunks are those which were burned in the fire several years ago.  Many of these trees were killed, but not all.  Some are putting out fresh growth at the base.

 It is wonderful to see green on the hills this year.  I hope to enjoy the company of visitors, and to be able to share this treasure of Nature.

Get in touch with me to find out how to get out into the back country in comfort and style, and have an amazing experience in Mill Creek!

Have a lovely day,
Betty

Click here to visit Big Sur Retreat Camp by video!

Visit my web site for more information!

I have spent over forty years in the back country of Big Sur, gathering experience that I would love to share with you.

My service orientation drives my successful food distribution business, and is key in the high quality of my hand made fashion items, known for their originality and quality.  

I have served on various boards and community organizations for many years, including the school board that established an independent school district in this area.
I recently founded Big Sur Visionary Life Network, a forum and support group for local creative and visionary people to gather and collaborate.  You can learn more about it here:

Monterey and Big Sur Visionary Life Network

I currently serve on the Executive Committee of the Planning Process for the California Coastal Trail, Big Sur section.

In June of 2015 I will join the Big Sur Multi Agency Advisory Council as local representative.

Mountain Magnetism

Driving out the other day, before dawn, I came up on this vista and felt so fortunate to see it.
With all the soft colors and the movement of the fog through the canyons, the scene was full of softness and I felt a sense of wonder.  I knew it would be a great day.  Big Sur has a way of bringing things to visible form, and giving silent messages of Grace.

The magnetic feeling of the love of Nature is unmistakable.  Recent rains have brought out the greens and new shoots are forming.  Some of the older trees are breaking and falling.  Change is in the air.

Plans for new activities and ways to share this magnificent treasure are appearing.  What a great time of year!

If you are in the area, and would like to join a new meetup, check out this link:
Big-Sur-Visionary-Life-Network

This is a monthly event on the fourth Tuesday of every month, from 3 to 7 PM, at the Grange Hall in big Sur.  It's a chance to hang out and share ideas, create support for one another in our creative and visionary lives.  Hope to see you there!

Best wishes for your magnetic and dynamic enjoyment of your day,
Betty

Welcome to Big Sur! YouTube welcome video

About Betty:

I have spent over forty years in the back country of Big Sur, gathering experience that I would love to share with you.

My service orientation drives my successful food distrubution business, and is key in the high quality of my fashion items, known for their originality and quality.  

I have served on various boards and community organizations for many years, including the school board that esatblished an independent school district in this are.  I currently serve on the Executive Committee of the Planning Process for the California Coastal Trail, Big Sur section.  In June of 2015 I will join the Big Sur Multi Agency Advisory Council as local representative.