Of Golds and Gemstones, Julian, CA

Where was California's most productive gold mine? It was in Julian, California at Stonewall Mine. In 1893, $2,000,000 of gold was mined in this site only with a 30 ft shaft - and that $2M was 117 years ago. Could you imagine how much the worth of that would be now?

Lake Cuyamaca @ Cuyamaca Rancho State Park, San Diego County

Julian, California was actually San Diego County's biggest city before, not San Diego. However, after the gold mining era, people slowly moved closer to the coast, making San Diego now the 8th largest city in US.

San Diego

Julian however became San Diego's quiet mountain escape and winter wonderland. 

 Cuyamaca Rancho State Park, Julian, San Diego County

The biggest attractions in Julian for San Diegans are: 

1. A Quiet Mountain Escape Less Than an Hour Away from the City.

2. Julian's Apple Pies. Hmmm, I forgot to take a picture of those famous apple pies, but here are some apples from the trail instead. :)

Fallen Apples in the Trail 

( this was not in a farm, but in one of the hiking trails, I wondered if these apples were wild )

3. Hiking Wonderland. 

Stonewall Peak, Cuyamaca Rancho State Park, Julian, CA

4. Fishing

5. And perhaps, the biggest drawer of them all, gold panning and gemstone hunting.

If visitors are not into gold panning and gemstone hunting, they could still take a glimpse of what the gold and gemstone mining from more than 100 years ago is like.  Visitors could either take a tour at Eagle And High Peak Mine, one of Julian's original gold mines. Guides lead visitors through the intricate path of tunnels in the hard rock mine and share tales of the life of early residents of Julian.

Visitors could also enjoy a 1-mile train ride, exploring the Authentic Smith Ranch 1870 "gold rush" mine and they could pan for gold!

I may not be lucky enough to strike a gold and precious gemstone in Julian, but I consider these my "gold" find. :)

Golden Leaves Instead, haha!

My Gem Finds :) haha, Herons @ Lake Cuyamaca

If in case you visit Julian to try experiencing gold panning and gemstone hunting and end up with none, don't worry, I am sure you can always find precious gemstones in jewelry stores such as finding gemstone jewelry at Reeds.com.

Photographing White Pelicans at Lake Hodges

White Pelicans, Lake Hodges, San Diego, CA

I am enjoying the longer daylight because of Daylight Savings Time right now. After a day's work, we now could enjoy the great outdoors longer, for the sun sets at around 7 pm now. Last Friday, we were greeted by a lot of white pelicans at Lake Hodges. Of course, there are other birds as well, as Lake Hodges has been designated as Globally Important Bird Area.

During weekdays, we usually do not take a long hike because we start hiking late in the afternoon already, after work. We usually take the 3.8 mile hike at Piedras Pintadas Trail of Lake Hodges, which is along the South Shore. Lake Hodges is our favorite hiking trail for bird photography. The lake is teeming of wild birds, where the South Shore is home to numerous marsh, shore and riparian bird species.

Here are some pictures of white pelicans captured by hubby.

Sea Lions At La Jolla Cove

 Sea Lions enjoying a swim? Or trying to escape the wrath of pounding waves?

Are these sea lions wanting to jump down into the water or happy enough that they are well rested on top of the rocks away from the pounding waves?

Whether on land or on water, they are such a joy to watch.

** Pictures above were taken March 2nd, 2014.

Random Pictures....Random Thoughts

Sometimes, life can be confusing......isn't it?

But then, after the passing tides,

 We see the beauty of it all, the beauty in challenges, the beauty in tears, the beauty in success, the beauty in everything....

that we couldn't help but celebrate life with one another......

Ahhhh, life is joyful.....so joyful....says these two harbor seals.

HAPPY WEEKEND EVERYONE!!

Take a moment to stop and enjoy the beauty around you, and if you could, freeze those beauty in your photos. All images above are old photos that I took from La Jolla Ellen Browning Scripps Park- San Diego. Meanwhile, let me leave you with a photo I took today at Lake Hodges.

White Pelicans, Lake Hodges, San Diego, CA

Why I love Daylight Savings Time

Torrey Pines State Reserve and Beach, San Diego, CA

Okay, don't hate me now, but I am one of those who secretly rejoices whenever time changes to Daylight Savings Time. Even though the idea at first sounded very strange to me being a transplant to this country. Maybe, during the very first week of experiencing it, I too was whining about 1 hour of sleep lost. But after that very first week of experiencing Daylight Savings Time, I found it actually was an "adjustment of time" for me to enjoy most of the things I love. 

Here are some reasons why I love Daylight Savings time:

1. Longer Daylight time to enjoy outdoors after work. 

Overlooking Torrey Pines from Torrey Pines- Del Mar Trail

This reason alone is enough for me to love daylight savings time. :) Moving the time one hour forward means sun setting late, and the longer daylight after work means more hiking time and more time to enjoy the great outdoors. The more time I spend outside physically, the less time I sit in front of the computer, the better it is for my mental, emotional, physical and spiritual health!

Cactus Monday- Borrego Palm Canyon Nature Trail

Anza Borrego Desert State Park, San Diego County, CA

The hike:

     from the visitor center: 5.5 miles round trip, 600 ft elevation gain (no fee to park at visitor center)

     from Borrego Palm Campgrond: 3 miles round trip, 600 ft elevation gain ( there is $8.00 day use fee to enter campground )

This is the most popular trail probably in Anza Borrego Desert State Park, and is also good for beginners because the ascent is very gradual, and the trail is well maintained. Though some parts of the trail would require some boulder hopping, because of the big rocks that litter the ground. Most parts of the trails are rocky, but very manageable. 

Desert Nature Trail, Visitor Center

The peak visitation to this park is during winter and spring when the temperature is cooler. In the summer, because of the intense desert heat, the trail is more isolated. Though at other times of the year, the hike here can be drab for some, because there is nothing but sun-blasted vegetation. But during spring, March and April, this park can turn into a rainbow of colors.

Blooming Beavertail and Brittlebush