All American canal, Indio, CA

I was out in Indio yesterday morning for my horsemanship lesson and on my way home, I crossed the All American canal.  I had my camera with me, the clouds were just right, and I had time to take some photos.  The All American canal comes from the Colorado River and traverses our desert, bringing water to the farmers and cities of the Coachella Valley.  There are plenty of signs around it warning people to stay OUT of the canal, but every year somebody falls into it and drowns.  On my way to my lesson, I saw a father and his son fishing in it.  OYE VEI!!!!  I stopped to take a photo of the algae on the sides of the canal.  This makes it nearly impossible for somebody to climb up the sides and get out!!!!  We used to have the water district lady come to our classrooms and warn the students about the dangers of the canal, but with budget cuts, she doesn't come now.  I remember her telling the class that the calm water is deceiving.  There is an undercurrent which is moving constantly because of the pumps which suck the water down, down, down into them...THAT's where people get into trouble and drown.  Beauty is deceiving, right? There are NO fences along the canal and there are a LOT of homes along it in Indio. 

Tehachapi tree

We found this tree when we stopped in Tehachapi, on our way back from northern California and I stopped to hop out of the car to snap this picture of it.  Then we took the road down to the Tehachapi loop and along the way, a bobcat crossed the road right in front of it!  He was FAT!!!

Dry Creek abandoned house~Whimsical Windows and Delightful Doors~010912

During our trip to the wine country in December, we passed by this abandoned house in Dry Creek.  Just look at all the windows!  It was condemned and a "No Trespassing" sign was posted.  Don't you wonder what stories an old house like this could tell?  Whimsical Windows and Delightful Doors for January 9, 2012. To visit WWDD, please go to:  http://iwishiwereaphotographer.blogspot.com/2012/01/whimsical-windows-delirious-doors-6.html

Going for a ride

There are several boards at the horse lesson place and this lady has 3 horses, all rescues.  On this afternoon, she saddled up her Arabian gelding and off they went!  I was talking to her while she was tacking him up.  She only began riding 3 years ago!~ Isn't that amazing?  Ha!  Maybe I'll be riding again soon! (I guess there's hope for me, after all!)  My problem is that with my back injury (from a fall 2 1/2 years ago) my legs cramp up, which is why I haven't been back on a horse for 2 1/2 years.  But, she sure looks like she's enjoying her afternoon!

Desert sunset~SkyWatch Friday~010612

I took 3 lessons in basic horsemanship this week, since I was still on vacation from school and I had the chance to do so.  I learned a lot during my lessons and found that I was doing some things wrong, or incorrectly.  It's hard to adjust from training dogs and cats to working with horses.  Horses are a prey animal and their first response to danger is flight.  That's why they make such good racehorses...they run!   Anyway, I signed up for these lessons out at a horse rescue in northern Indio, which is actually located between our son and daughter's homes there!  It's very dusty out there and I'm always covered with dust when I'm done, but I tell you...the sunsets out there are incredible!  I took my cameras with me on Tuesday for my first lesson and took these photos.  Today's sunset wasn't spectacular, as there were no clouds in the sky to make it interesting... :-( SkyWatch Friday for January 6, 2012.  To visit SkyWatch Friday, please go to:   http://skyley.blogspot.com/

Healdsburg window~Whimsical Windows and Delirious Doors~010312

Here's an interesting window from Healdsburg, CA. It's a yarn store!  We stopped in Healdsburg for breakfast and went walking around the town square afterwards. To visit WWDD, please go to:  http://iwishiwereaphotographer.blogspot.com/

Buena Vista Winery, Sonoma, CA

Hubby and I stopped at the Buena Vista Winery before leaving Sonoma this week.  It's about 2 miles off the main road in Sonoma and the road is curvy and narrow.  It's up in beautiful country, though, and well worth the drive, if you have time.  Buena Vista Winery was actually founded by the father of California winemaking and hubby has always wanted to visit it, but never had the time.  He knew it had an old stone building and he spent some time inside just wandering around.  Here are some pics, then, of the Buena Vista winery.