Ode to Autumn

 

 Autumn

Gentle rains fall

Chilly breezes blow

Lovely color changes

I love Autumn so....

 

 

    Make sure to visit YAM HERE to get the Rulez and join the FFF fun!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Little Tehachapi Nature

 

 Tehachapi was filled with beautiful nature and scenery. From the hills behind the 

railroad tracks...

 

 

 

...to the mountains beyond

 

 

 

The  pine cones that had fallen on the tracks made interesting photo props.

 

 

 

...and a local patch of dried flowers caught my eye...

 

 

 

Thanks for joining me as I reminisced about

Tehachapi this week!

 

 

I'm joining The LLB Gang

for Nature Friday this week! 

 

 

A Little Closer....,

 

After a morning at Tehachapi Loop,watching the trains from afar,  we decided to spend the afternoon getting a closer look and moved to a spot to get a closer look at the train engines as they rolled by.

 

 

 I'm always amazed how train engines can pull so much weight behind them.

 

 

 

 

 For loud, clumsy and strong behemoths, trains can also be very photogenic!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wings on Wednesday

 

This little Acorn Woodpecker seems to be waiting for a train in Tehachapi....

 

 

 

Or maybe just taking a break between pecks!

 

I'm joining Yam over at My Take for Wings on Wednesday

Trains in Tehachapi

 

About 5 years ago, my husband and I took a road trip to Tehachapi, CA to visit the Tehachapi Loop. My husband is a big fan of trains, and this was on his "Train Watching" wish list. I am by no means a railfan, but am always up for an adventure. I have to say I am glad I went because I found out, although I may not be a railfan, I am a big fan of photographing trains!!

 

From the Above Sign found in front of the scene in my first picture

" National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark

Teachapi Pass Railroad Line

Constructed 1874-1876      

Commemorated October 1998

 

In front of you is the world famous Tehachapi Loop which is about halfway upgrade to the Tehachapi Pass. This Steep line averages 2.2% in gradient in its 28 miles of length. This feat of civil engineering genius was the crowning achievement of civil engineer William Hood of the Southern Pacific Railway Company. It is one of the seven wonders of the railroad world.

 

The Tehachapi Pass Railroad Line was cut through solid and decomposed granite by up to 3000 Chinese Laborers from Canton China. They used picks, shovels, horse drawn carts and blasting powder/ This line. which climbs out of the San Joaquin Valley and through the Tehachapi Mountains had 18 tunnels, 10 bridges and numerous water towers for the ols steam locomotives. It was completed in less than 2 years time under the leadership of civil engineer J.B. Harris, Chief of Construction, a remarkable feat.

This line was part of the last and final links of the first railroad line connecting San Francisco to Los Angeles. It was the primary factor in the early growth of the city of Los Angeles and the State of California. 

This single track line, essentially unchanged is still in constant use today, 122 years after its completion. It passes an average of 36 freight trains each day. This attests to the superior job of both engineering and construction done by the two civil engineers and the Chinese laborers. This plaque is dedicated to them.

History and Heritage Committee

Los Angeles Section and Southern San Joaquin Branch

American Society of Civil Engineers"

 

 

(photo credit to Charasmatic Planet)
 Hopefully, we can get our own drone pic one day, but here is an aerial view of what the loop looks like....

 

Here are some of the shots I took of the Loop from a few different angles(from ground level).

 Train getting ready to enter the loop...

 

 

 It's almost ouroboros-like, the way the same train passes itself

 

 

 Entering the tunnel...

 

 

 

 This shot gives things a bit more perspective.

 

 

 As I mentioned, I'm not a railfan and don't know many details about Tehachapi Loop, other than it is a beautiful work of engineering. I do know if you search the interwebs for the "Tehachapi Loop", you will find a plethora of information to peruse at your leisure.

Stay tuned the rest of the week for other sights around Tehachapi!

 

Your Choice

 

Monday, the day you choose which way your week might go....

 

 

 

 

Spring Flowers

 

"Can words describe

the fragrance of the

very breath of Spring?"

Neltje Blanchan 

Twilight

 

 

 

For as long as I remember, twilight has been my favorite time of day. Colors seem a bit deeper, shadows dominate and the artistic side in me sees this as the most beautiful part of the day.

 

The promise of a quiet evening, after a hectic day, is what the hustle/bustle side of me loves most about twilight.

Wings on Wednesday

 

Sing it Sister!!

 

I'm joining Yam over at My Take for Wings on Wednesday

 

 

 

Serenity

 

Serenity

{noun} 

*absence of mental stress or anxiety

*a state of peace and quiet

*a disposition free from stress or emotion

Moody Monday

Foggy Monday Mood....

 

 

Flower Friday

May-Flower

                                by Emily Dickinson

Pink, small, and punctual,

Aromatic, low,

Covert in April,

Candid in May,

 

Dear to the moss,

Known by the knoll,

Next to the robin

In every human soul.

 

Bold little beauty,

Bedecked with thee,

Nature forswears

Antiquity.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cross the Bridge

 Every path in life has a bridge

The journey is crossing it!

Some Wednesday Waves

To sit in silence at the shore,

watch the waves and hear the surf,

is to appreciate the very breath and heartbeat

of the Earth 

 

Doe Zantamata

 

 

Forest Beauty

 Into the Forest I go,

to lose my mind

and find my soul.

~John Muir

 

Reflections...

 

 Today I'm taking a moment to reflect on the past month of A to Z posts. I've learned about my blogging "style", what I like to blog about and how often I should blog. I have also had the chance to visit some very interesting blogs along the way!

 

 

 

One of the biggest things I realized after my first few posts is my "main theme" should have been photography, with a minor in Travel. While I ENJOY travel, and am blessed to be able to do so frequently, I REALLY ENJOY documenting my travel with my camera even more. On the other side or reflection, I have learned I also enjoy learning the history of the various places I have traveled.  So moving forward, along with the photos, you may see more historical references to the places I visit.

 

 

 I have realized a few things about frequency along this journey. Blogging six days a week just isn't an option for me. Many of you who visit know I also have a "Dog Blog" which has been neglected. I will be ramping that blog up to three to five days a week again soon as documenting the journey of my "furmily" has always been a love of mine(Visit the LLB Gang HERE).

 

 I do know I cannot neglect my photography(shots that don't include dogs), so between our recent/future travels and past travels that need documentation, I'll be trying to get a detailed post a week out for the foreseeable future, or maybe a post broken up between a few days depending on the story needing to be told. I will try to provide light content in the form of a "daily photo" or something similar, depending on time constraints.

 

 

 I've visited so many different types of blogs as I've traveled the A to Z Challenge. From food to fantasy, travel to cinematic reviews, I get lost in all the great writing out there! I did not do much commenting, and am joining the A to Z Road Trip to do just that. I have the Master List and will be making my way across the world visiting and commenting along the way!

 

 

 I'm already thinking about themes for next year's challenge, so the answer is a resounding YES, I am planning on returning next year! Thanks again to my good friend YAM for suggesting I join this year's A to Z Blogging Challenge and a big thank you to all the organizers that helped make it happen. I'm so glad I made the effort, and made it from Austin, Texas to the San Diego Zoo! 

 

 

The biggest thank you to those who stopped by and commented during April. Here is an easy clickable directory to April's Journey for those who are visiting for the first time!

 

A - Austin

B - Big Sur

C - Carmel By The Sea

D - Desert Day

E - Eureka

F - Fredericksburg

G - A Most Grand Canyon

H - Hana Highway

I - The Covered Bridges of Indiana

J - Jet Plane Jaunts

K - Wait Toto, We ARE in Kansas

L - Lighthouse Love

M - Mahalo, Maui

N - Napa Valley Winery

O - The Oregon Trail

P - Pepperwood and Ave. of the Giants

Q - French "Quarter" of New Orleans

R - Red Rocks of Nevada

S - Something for Everyone in San Diego

T - Route 66 and Tucumcari, NM

U - Utah and Bryce Canyon

V - Vegas Baby

W - A Wisconsin Summer Day

X - Xtra Terrestials in Roswell, NM

Y - YOLO You Only Live Once

Z - Zoo - The San Diego One

Zoo - The San Diego One

 

 In general, I try and stay away from typical "Zoos". Something about animals being caged for the enjoyment of humans just seems wrong. However, the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance is the exception to the rule. Their Mission says it all:

"San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance is committed to saving species worldwide by uniting our expertise in animal care and conservation science with our dedication to inspiring passion for nature."

The San Diego Zoo gives back, does research and has been key in helping certain species survive. To learn more about the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance by visiting their website HERE

 

My love for the San Diego Zoo started when I was a child and living in California.  Visits to the Zoo were always a special treat made once a year when my Grandparents came to visit.

 

I don't remember to much about these visits, but I do remember the flamingos. The exhibit may have changed, but these graceful pink feathered friends can still be found greeting incoming guests as they enter the park.

Let's do a walk around... 

 

A Gorilla and her little one

 

 

 

 Satu, the orangutan

 

 

 

I was lucky enough to see the Giant Pandas Bai Yun and Xiao Liwu before they returned to China in 2019.

 

 

 

 Playful statuesque giraffes...

 

 

 

...and cute tiny little antelopes

 

 

Finally, the most popular attraction of the Zoo, the Koala Habitat. I have to admit, I spent quite awhile watching this guy(or gal) munching leaves from the Eucalypt tree.

 

 

 I understand the need for wildlife habitats and Zoos, and although I avoid most all other animal parks. There is something nostalgic that still draws me to the San Diego Zoo.

 

 

;

FFF - Let's Go Out and Wander

 

Pick a direction, which way should we go?

Will there be sunshine or will there be snow?

Will we go where the trees cover the land?

or head to the coast, where the sea meets the sand?

It doesn't matter say we, where we end up

As long as we're together, along with our pup(s).

Life is too short to sit home and ponder

Let's get in CeCe and go out and wander!

 Make sure to visit YAM HERE for more posts and HERE to get the 2021 rules then join in the FFF fun!!

YOLO-You Only Live Once

 

YOLO(you only live once) All the cool kids are saying it, and hey, it fits in for the Y of things today. As we come out of the "year of discontent", let's remember not to take the small things for granted. We only live this life once, and I am trying to remember to get out and live it.

 

Get up and watch the sunrise. You don't have to be on a tropical beach to do it.  Your back porch, your living room window, standing on your sidewalk also are a beautiful setting. The beauty and promise of a new day is always something to celebrate.

 

 

Appreciate the feel of the sun on your face. Especially if you live in a climate that sees plenty of rain, like mine.  Enjoy the warmth of the sun when it appears.

 

 

 When you can, get out and enjoy the outside. Take a hike, sit on a bench in a park or just look out the window. There is so much beauty out there we take for granted.

  

 

 Look for the small things to appreciate. A bird flying by, a squirrel on a rock....

 

 

...or the Spring wildflowers around the neighborhood.

 

 

 If possible, take the road less traveled. It's possible that is where you have the biggest adventure.

 

 As life comes at us at full force, I am doing my best not to let it pass me by. 2020, although one of the slowest years, also sped by with so many adventures canceled, or put on hold.

 

 

 

 

This year, I am going to do my best to mask up, stay clear of others and not let the sun go down on another year without adventure. I hope some of you will try and do the same.