Here is another view of Kaweah Lake with the snow-capped Sierra Nevada mountains in the background. Beneath these mountains lie the King Canyon and Sequoia National Forests.

Woodlake Botanical Gardens

Just east and north of Lemon Cove a small town, Woodlake, has an amazing botanical garden. Started in the 90s as a means to give kids jobs, this nonprofit organization has created a ten acre garden full of citrus, vegetables, flowering  plants and trees. It occupies ten acres of an abandoned rail line, and the walk is worth the two to three hour exploration.

Took a few days off to travel north to the Southwest coastal towns in Oregon. Traveled via US Highway 101 to revisit the upper reaches of Northern California (Arcata, Crescent City) and visited the Avenue of Giants just outside of Garberville, California. This National Forest protects the surviving giant redwoods that once populated most the the Northern California coast and ridges. Wildflowers bloom abundantly, and there is very little congestion on the road or on the hiking paths.

The southwest Oregon coastline is equally beautiful. Attached are photos of the coastline from Brookings to Florence and Yachats, Oregon.

Gateway to the Seqouias

To see more, go here for more on these murals: http://cityofexeter.com/visitors/gallery-82815/murals/exeter-murals-25 

Just as Philadelphia, San Francisco, Seattle, Oakland many other metropolitan  cities have done to beautify cityscapes, Exeter, California, has commissioned over twenty unique murals to cover bare brick walls throughout this town. These murals record past events from Exeter's history as well as celebrate its rich cultural and diverse background.  

Billed as the " Gateway To The Sequoias", Exeter is a surprisingly upbeat, cosmopolitan community of 10,000 residents. Surrounded by hundreds of thousands of acres of citrus trees, Exeter offers upscale shopping, gourmet dining, beautiful gardens, and nearly weekly events focused on agriculture, gardening, music, the performing arts and of course, food (Farmer's markets, fairs and wine tasting). Well worth your time to stop by. 

Much Needed Rain...Too Little, Too Late

Over the weekend we received over an inch of rain with three to five inches at higher elevations. Although much needed and appreciated, temperatures dropped thirty degrees to the low 50s, we're still in a severe drought situation. Morbund creeks and rivers sprung to life (see above) and fading wildflowers revived. 

Today, I traveled to the southern portion of Sequoia National Park to view the Sequoias, hike along the trails and meet with other people who sought the same enjoyment. As I traveled south into the National Forest, I was surprised about the lack of traffic. Yes, it's the middle of the week, however, there are vacationers everywhere, but, for some reason not here.  I noticed as the road climbed higher and higher, eventually to a height of 7200 feet, the large, no amazingly large number of dead confers. Ponderosa pines, incense cedars and sugar pines.

I knew the past four year drought had affected central California significantly, however, I was surprised at seeing the damage. According to the US Forest Service, over 10,000,000 trees have died in the last year alone. 10,000,000!!! A four year drought, rising temperatures and an infestation of the Western pine beetle and wreaked havoc for many southwest US forests.

Here are two links which post photos and commentary from last year; today's problem is even worse.

http://www.fresnobee.com/news/local/news-columns-blogs/earth-log/article26412484.html 

http://www.lanl.gov/discover/lab-science-in-the-news/climate-change-could-cause-massive-tree-die-off-in-us-southwest.php 

http://www.kaweahcommonwealth.com/news/10-million-trees-dead-sierra-and-counting 

When I arrived at the trailhead for the 100 Giants, I discovered, as did others who arrived at the same time as I, that the trail is closed indefinitely. Due to dead and dying trees, the trail is impassable because of falling timber. The US Forest has no idea when the trail will be reopened. 

I was unable to take any photos of the massive Sequoias. I recommend if you want to seek further information on this massive die-off of several national forests, search for "photos of Sequoia National Park dying trees". You'll be disheartened by what you find.

Continued my exploration of the Three Rivers area including Lake Kaweah and entrances to Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. A photo shows just one inlet of the lake; the lake stretches ten miles in multiple directions, and, because of the drought, is 20% below capacity. 



Further up the road are the two national parks which I'll explore in more detail at a later time: Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. Within these parks thee are 33 groves of Giant Sequoia trees including the popular Trail of 100 Giant Sequoias in the Long Meadow Grove (a 1.3 mile hike easily handled by anyone). Also, the Boole Tree, the largest Giant Sequoia in the US National Forest system, grows in the Converse Basin Grove (another relatively easy hike).

Food stands persist everywhere between Visalia and Three Rivers. Today, I stopped at three different stands to acquire the vegetables you see below (I buy in small quantities, since I'm only feeding my self). Picture below are (from left to right); carrots, celery, spring onions, asparagus, yellow squash, zucchini, green onions, avocados, red and yellow beets, broccoli, cucumbers, spinach, and cilantro. And, I paid less than $15 for all of this!  Some I will pickle and ferment, others I will sautee, some which become part of my morning green or fruit smoothie, and, particularly the spring onions and zucchini I will grill.  

Some updated photos of the interior; there have been modest, but, needed changes.

Spent the afternoon visiting the small communities in and around Visalia, including, Exeter, Porterville, Three Rivers and a couple of others. Monday, seems to be organic fruit day; so, I picked up organic oranges, apples, limes, lemons, blackberries, and blueberries. Plus, a few basic cooking ingredients - garlic, shallots, ginger.

Tomorrow is veggie day; most farms harvest around dawn, and the produce is available by 9 am. I need some beets, celery, carrots, kale, lettuce, spinach, cauliflower and broccoli. If I can find some exotics, I'll grab some, too. Photo below is only a sample of what I picked up at prices that are unbelievably lower than the SF Bay area (and, all locally grown).

I have begun my journey south and east, as I head into retirement. Packed all my gear and essentials on Saturday, April 30th, and departed Rio Vista, California, Sunday morning, May 1st, to my first stop, Lemon Cove RV and Tiny Home Community. Lemon Cove is east of Visalia, California, about ten miles. Visalia is half-way between Fresno and Bakersfield. This community sits at the gateway of the Sequoia and King Canyon National Forests which feature massive sequoia trees, mountain views and endless hiking and backpacking opportunities. Lake Kaweah lies just east of Lemon Cove, and provides boating, kayaking, swimming and paddle boarding venues.  I'll provide photos of both in my next post. The Sierras are still snow-packed here. Temperatures in Lemon Cove are moderate, and there is always a light breeze. It is very quiet here!

I will spend at least the month of May here, before I head off to Prescott, Arizona, in an area known as the Granite Dells, a lush oasis in the middle of the northern Arizona high country. 

All packed and ready to go!

Sunday arrival, and nestled into my slot, with plenty of shade throughout the day. My entry faces East to maintain the excellent Fung Shui!!

A local builder, California Tiny Homes, delivered this tiny home on wheels two days before my arrival. I have not seen the interior, however, the craftsmanship appears to be excellent.