We have finally had some beautiful California weather! We've gone hiking and/or biking daily. We have seen eagles, hawks, osprey and pelicans. It's been a great week.

Osprey standing on his catch

Mama eagle

On Wednesday, we went for a bike ride to try to find a petroglyph rock that is on the park map but we had been unable to find on foot. We crossed the 3-mile long dam and ran into another bike riding couple who told us of a pair of bald eagles nesting, so we headed over there. We left our bikes at the top of the hill and approached on foot. Judging by size and coloring, we think they are an immature pair of eagles. We never did find the petroglyph.

Papa eagle

The nest. We didn't see any babies.

On the way back, I was exhausted and made the mistake of trying to get my phone out of my back pocket while riding across the gravel-covered dam. My balance is not fabulous and I went down on my left elbow and knee. Luckily we had our first aid kit with us and Denny put some antibiotic cream on both and a stretchy bandage over the napkin we were using to try to stop the blood. I was woozy and laying on the ground while he tended to me. Unfortunately, we were still 3+ miles from camp. I rode part and walked part of the way home. My elbow is going to have a really good scar, but I'm most ticked off about the hole in the knee of my new jeans!

Gravel and elbows do not mix!

The creek never receded to the point that the park was reopened. Since we were tired of being restricted to 10% of the park, we were happy to move on. California has been having abnormally low temperatures and very wet weather. Lucky us! When we pulled in the slide, a thin sheet of ice fell off the canopy. 28 degrees last night! Good thing our heater works well!

On the positive side, all the mountains have snow caps, and we are hoping this means a plethora of spring flowers! And the weatherman is calling for a return to normal temperatures!

When we pulled into our new park, we were asked if we were here for the mountain bike race. We had no idea that we were going to be at a full park with a million kids and bikes. Oh joy! I don't want to sound like the old person who screams "get off my lawn," but they were some of the rudest people we have encountered while camping. We nearly got run over by bikes every time we tried to walk anywhere. They were jumping curbs, tearing up landscape, and building moguls by the bathrooms, and no parents appeared willing to keep any of these teenage boys in check. One young man drove his car over to visit the kid next door and since this is a pretty tight park, decided he should park right in front of our RV, snug against the front. We were there but he never even asked if that was okay! Enough of my old person rant. We left early in the morning for a nice long walk, escaping most of the first day craziness.

We walked around the entire lake, 10+ miles! I figured that must mean that the lake was the size of Mackinac Island, since when I rode a bike around that I was told it was 9 miles. It was a beautiful 65-degree day, and we were surrounded by snow-covered mountains.

The lake had a lot of white pelicans and other water birds.

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Pelican landing

Osprey taking flight from the dam control tower

We were able to do some geocaching (mostly fruitless), watch some mountain climbers, and enjoy the beautiful scenery all while being able to be almost completely oblivious to the bikers for a few hours.😄

Serene

On the way back, we stopped at the marina store for a well-earned ice cream bar!

On the following day, Trevor drove over to hike up to the mountain peak with us. He drove us to the trailhead on another glorious spring-like day.

Near the top

Trevor at the peak

Near the top, campground in the background at the left

Denny and Trevor on the way up

When we got back to the camper, hoping to have an adult beverage before taking Trevor back to his car, we discovered that Denny had left the RV keys locked in Trevor's car! So the guys set out on another hike to the car while I stayed at the campsite since my short legs would only slow them down. Kismet had seen us return from her window spot and spent the entire time they were gone meowing at me to come in and feed her! When they returned, the sun was setting and Trevor had to leave. 😢 Though, he did leave us some excellent Salvadoran pastries from his corner bakery! Since he is leaving later this week for a trip to Thailand, we won't be seeing him again for almost a month, right before we leave California.

The creek is receding. Hopefully we will soon have access to the rest of the park since 90% is on the other side!

Since we can't hike, we rented a car for the weekend and headed in to San Juan Capistrano where we visited the famous mission where the swallows return every year. Although we saw the swallows' nests, no swallows had returned yet. The gardens were beautiful, with flowers, unusual trees and fountains.

I loved the smooth red bark on this tree.

The town of San Juan Capistrano is very cute and has a fun old town portion. After a little grocery shopping, we headed home to try to walk again. Alas, we are still not able to.

I really want to cross!

The following day, we braved the traffic and headed into LA to spend the day with Trevor.

You can see the Hollywood sign from his window.

Trevor's apartment building

After a yummy lunch of papusas at a tiny Salvadoran restaurant, Trevor drove us around to see the sights. We started with skid row, which he says everyone should see when visiting the "real" Los Angeles. Very sad! Next, a marijuana dispensary. Lots of security, and we had to leave our licenses at the door. The smell was overwhelming, and I ended up outside while the boys looked around.

From there we moved on to the Griffith Observatory and the Getty Museum. More beautiful gardens at the Getty and priceless art works. My favorite was Van Gogh's "Irises"!

A floating floral labyrinth

 The never ending traffic and downtown LA from the high hilltop where the Getty is located.

Barrel cactus garden from above. I love this picture! I think they look like apples from here.

Outdoor courtyard at dusk.

We left to go meet Dalia, Trevor's girlfriend, for a late dinner at Maccheroni Republic, a lovely and very popular Italian restaurant downtown. Dalia took a picture of us, but I neglected to get a picture of her and Trevor. 😞 Next time! Excellent food, lovely company, and then time for the long drive home. It was much shorter at 10:30 at night, though.

Waiting for our table

It was very sunny when we left the RV, so we left the heater off and a vent open so Kismet would be okay. When we got back, it was 49 degrees inside. Luckily it is a small space, so with the propane and electric heaters both running, it was toasty within an hour or two.

Since we had the car for the weekend and it was raining again, we drove around the area the next day. In one direction was the mountains, in the other the ocean. What to do? Both!

Fog over the Santa Anas

Waterfall on the side of the road

After driving a long winding road on the mountain, it was on to Dana Point and a cliff-side bluff walk overlooking the ocean.

Right next to people's houses!

Where the rich and famous live and store their boats

It was windy up there!

I wish we had found this cute little historic restaurant before we had lunch!

After a week in our parking lot type campground by the ocean, we moved to Caspar Wilderness Park at the foot of the Santa Ana Mountains near San Juan Capistrano. Now this is better! 35 miles of hiking trails in the foothills of the mountains with a lazy little creek running through it and tons of geocaches.

San Juan Creek

Our RV on the left

Santa Ana Mountains

Our first couple of days were beautiful. But on our most challenging hike up to a vista, Denny for some reason, chose not to bring his camera. It was beautiful and we vowed not to hike without it again!

Due to the presence of mountain lions in this area, we agreed not to hike without carrying bear spray. So far, we have not remembered once! But we do have our hiking poles with us. Not one sighting yet. Also, due to the presence of mountain lions, no dogs are allowed in the park or on the trails. While hiking on one of the more remote trails, we noticed many large poop piles in the middle of the path and lamented about people who bring their dogs hiking in spite of the rules. We decided it was not mountain lion scat as cats bury their poop. After checking on Google, we found that mountain lions poop in the middle of paths to mark their territory! The path was a little muddy so I took a picture of a footprint that I believe was a mountain lion's.

Horses are allowed on almost all of the trails, and even though we haven't seen any, there is evidence everywhere.

Denny at the equestrian campground, on a bench carved out of a whole tree

There are bunnies (hares?), California quail and ground squirrels everywhere! These two were either playing or challenging one another. The one bunny stood up like this for quite a while! Then he jumped straight up in the air and ran away.

California Quail

Due to a small rain storm, many of the trails were closed, but this one was open since it was flatter and we were able to see the hillsides covered with California poppies!

Then the rains came... After a night of torrential downpours, we awoke to find that we were surrounded by water.

And our lazy little creek had turned into a raging river.

The park is closed except for the RV campground, and they are not allowing any newcomers in. There are only 4 of us left!

By nightfall, the waters had receded, and this morning is bright and sunny with most of the water gone. YAY!