Sunday, June 08, 2008

New Discoveries

Did you know you can grow California Poppies in a container? With my little knowledge (read: confidence) on what will grow where I took a chance and planted some little seeds. Look what I got:

The rose bush on the side of the house is heavy with buds and here is the first:

On another note: I treated my hiking partner and myself to a concert on Thursday. I am so very glad I went. I was given a CD for christmas from a friend who is always on the cusp of new music. He has wonderful, discriminating taste. I have been enjoying the CD and, lucky us, the artist came to Reno. We went to Bartley Ranch , home of the Hawkins Amphitheater. Sweet outdoor venue, small and intimate. I am so in awe of this artist. The CD I have covers his music from starting around 2000. The guy was 22 years old! Holy Smokes. Prolific songwriter, talented musician, and a voice you can't believe comes out of this young man. He dabbles in so many types of music you can't really classify it. Bluesy, folksy, rockin', dancin'...check out his website Jackie Greene . Have a listen to his new album. I am partial to Shaken, Rusty Nail, and Gone Wonderin'. All have a different feel. This guy is amazing. I am a total "greenehead" now.

On the hiking front, yet another fabulous discovery by accident. The best kind. We had planned a trek to Winnemuca Lake out off Highway 88 near Kirkwood. The area is still a bit snowed in, so after realizing that wasn't what we were up for we headed to Markleville. SP, my hiking partner, had a page from the local paper saying there's a nice trail out around Grover Hot Springs. Off we went, determined not to let the day slip away. The trail starts off the road before you hit the Hot Springs. We happened to pass two women making there way back to their car and asked them what the hike entailed and where it lead. Turns out it leads to a waterfall. Awesome. The trail meanders through meadow along the side of some hills, along the campgrounds, beside a pretty wide open meadow and then you see a creek surrounded by boulders that are easy to scale and take you along the curves of the creek. If I had remembered to bring my topo map I would have known that above the falls there is a lake but we were winging it and 5 miles round trip was enough for us considering the late start we got. Saving the lake trek for another day. It was a gorgeous afternoon, light breeze and the sound of fast moving water. Easy to shake off worries and cares and just be.

Creek running along a rocky path. We sat and had lunch here.

The falls. Not big or high but powerful and awesome just the same.


Mini-falls off to the side of the main feed.

"She needs wide open spaces"-dixie chicks-

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

I'll have to check out his music sometimes.

Yolanda said...

Such lovely photos.

Marilyn said...

Hey, girlie, I've been AWOL. But trying to get caught up a bit. Love me some Jackie Greene...I'd never heard of him until shortly after we came back (3 yrs ago) and he opened for Willie Nelson at Dixon May Fair. I was hooked. :) Great photos...glad you're enjoying your hiking. And always, thank you for comments and support. xoxo