Into the Wild

Waking late (unusual for me) I turn my back on the garden and all it's attendant chores and head out into the back country. It's a gorgeous day: cool, windy - and the clarity of the light is unbelievable.

First stop, a cabin in the woods: A warm and friendly smile greets me.


While fleece, gloves, hat, jacket and camera are being collected, I enjoy the view of the coastline from the back garden. Rough life, eh?

Almost more impressive is the well established lemon tree. Even in December it is loaded with fruit - real California gold.




We head over the mountains to the Santa Ynez Valley and Lake Cachuma. Cobalt blue, the water laps ceaselessly along the muddy shore.





Even well bundled up, the wind blowing from the San Rafael Wilderness is extremely cold. The wind brings with it the scent and feel of remote times and places, ancient lands. We cannot resist the Siren's song.

We head up to Figueroa Mountain - not really remote, certainly not wild - but beautiful nevertheless.
Grass Mountain: Not for the faint of heart, it's a quad-busting climb, especially near the summit. Don't do this hike on an 80 degree day with a triathlete friend - you'll regret it.




The colors are sere and faded - and as the afternoon slides toward evening the light softens even more, turning the dry grasses to platinum.


At last we head home, back over the pass, and the evening sky darkens to pink and lavender along the horizon.