Tag Archives: Hemet

Looking Back-Part 1

2
Posted by on in Community, Family, Social, Striving

December 30, 2016, Chula Vista-  I arrived here at 8:30 PM, PST.  It will be my last time visiting the San Diego area, for the purpose of spending time with my son.  The next time I see him, it will be in Arizona, then in LA, as he gets ready to go overseas, albeit to a “safe” duty station.

I had an interesting drive out here, from Prescott, in the rain.  Our Arizona Outback got a goodly amount of precip, as did SoCal.  Both are parched, so these little sips of dew will slake the earth’s thirst for a week or so. I am hoping the reservoirs, in both states will benefit, at least an inch or two.  I noticed mostly responsible driving, all the way here, even at the often dreadful Morongo roundabout.  Patience, on my part, and that of the three drivers behind me, got all of us into the parking lot of Ruby’s Diner, without so much as a honked horn.  The only exception to the orderly flow came later, in Hemet, when an SUV, going at least 50 mph, blew past three of us, and through the red light, at which we were waiting.  I was reminded of why the driver might have behaved in this way, when going through a DUI checkpoint, set up by the Chula Vista police.

Now, to look back at this curve ball of a year.  2016 saw the end of many lives, both public and private.  I appreciated the accomplishments of John Glenn, Muhammad Ali, Nancy Reagan, David Bowie, Merle Haggard, Prince Nelson, Glenn Frey, George Michael, the mother-daughter duo of Debbie Reynolds and Carrie Fisher, and Harper Lee.  I also am much appreciative of the sacrifices of all First Responders and Military who gave their lives in service, thes past twelve months.  Personally, I will miss two aunts, a cousin, and four friends who passed on, in 2016, also.

The changes that happened, as common folk raised their voices, worldwide, and demanded to be heard, will be long in their unfolding and in their repercussions.  The key to living through those, though, is to remember the power of attraction- and focus on what GOOD one wants to see.  The bad will, otherwise, not fade.

Tomorrow:  The good parts of 2016

The Road to 65, Mile 231: Back to California, Day 1

6
Posted by on in Hiking and Nature, Travel

July 17, 2015, Oak Grove, CA–  “Don’t go telling people this is Aguanga.  We’re Oak Grove!  The sign even says so.”  Thus did a campground host admonish me, when I was describing my location to someone on the phone. This little village is darned proud of its identity, and never mind that the mail is addressed to Aguanga, six miles to the northeast. I stopped here for the night, at what has become my go-to campground, when en route to visiting my son, who is in the Navy, in the San Diego area.

My journey started in a more timely manner than previous SoCal trips, with my getting out the door by 9 A.M.  I was in Blythe by noon, affording me a nice lunch at Rebel BBQ, my favourite venue in Riverside County’s eastern gateway.  It offers south Texas-style barbecue fare, including brisket prepared with a Mexican-German sauce blend.  They offer something called vinegar slaw, which sounds like sauerkraut, but I opted for creamy slaw, with my meal.

It was 102 F, in Blythe, so I headed quickly uphill,  getting to Hemet, a higher desert town, by 3.  I spent a bit more time here than I have in the past, and for the first time, I checked out Hemet’s downtown, starting with its library, where I spent an hour or so.

SAMSUNG CAMERA PICTURES

The town also has a lovely Children’s Museum, on the southern edge of downtown.  Not having a little one along, I didn’t go inside, but a local mother takes her children there, several times a year.  This speaks well of Hemet’s regard for its rising generation.

SAMSUNG CAMERA PICTURES

The view towards Mount San Jacinto, 40 miles to the east, is spectacular.

SAMSUNG CAMERA PICTURES

I headed out of town, along Juan Bautista de Anza Historical Trail, which is paved as far as the Conservation Camp, named in de Anza’s honour.  The route passes several orange groves, which remain a staple of Hemet’s economy, while having faded in other parts of southern California.

SAMSUNG CAMERA PICTURES

Bautista Conservation Camp, run by the State of California, is used as a staging area for fire suppression efforts.  Painfully, not so far away, on the north side of San Bernardino County, a serious fire is wreaking havoc, destroying a small hamlet and threatening other areas.  I hope the hurricane remnants, that are forecast for tomorrow, bring soaking rain to the region.

SAMSUNG CAMERA PICTURES

Between Bautista Camp and the Cahuila Indian Reservation, one goes along a narrow, unpaved road, and is treated to exquisite views like this:

SAMSUNG CAMERA PICTURES

I can only imagine these will be even more gorgeous, once the rain comes.  Now, to sleep under the stars, before that happens.