HIKING IN THE BARNETT RANCH PRESERVE

Yaay!!  The rains stopped and the sun is shining.  Now we can see what direction our condo is facing and watch the sunrise.  It is cold, here, though at -1 this morning with frost on the vehicles.  Better than rain.

Yesterday, we went on a 2 hour hike in the Barnett Ranch Preserve and saw many interesting things. 

There are 5 species of live oak trees in southern California and they are big and gnarly.  

We also learned about the laurel sumac, also called a taco bush as the leaves are curled up like a taco shell.  Farmers used to plant the sumacs, which are highly susceptible to frost damage, near their citrus crops as indicators of freezing temperatures.

There were plenty of boulders and rocky outcrops, sections of chaparral bushes and open meadows.

The only wildlife we saw were ground squirrels and hawks and the tame life was people, dogs and horses.

Great to get out in the fresh air for exercise.