Wishing You Peace… And a Winter Wonderland

December 22, 2015 / Curt Mekemson / 39 Comments

There is great beauty in the world. Snow adds another dimension. This is the road leading down to our house.

In troubled times, it is easy to forget that beauty surrounds us, and that there are people found throughout the world who are kind, generous, and tolerant. It is important to remember that the world’s great spiritual leaders— whether their wisdom came from Bethlehem, a cave near Mecca, a Bodhi Tree in India… or a mountain, desert, forest, palace, or city slum— simply wanted the best for their followers: peace, understanding, happiness, a future.

I have to believe, do believe, that if Jesus, Muhammad, Buddha, Moses and the world’s other great spiritual leaders of the past were here today, they would walk shoulder to shoulder together down earth’s highways urging the people of the world to work together to create a better world— not only for humankind, but for all life.

It’s a good thought to have during this season of hope, joy, and giving.

Speaking of “the beauty that surrounds us,” it snowed here last week. Peggy and I woke up and found our deck and trees coated with three inches of soft, white loveliness. We quickly decided to go for a walk in the woods. It was perfect for the season. I half expected to see an elf, or at least Frosty the Snowman (or maybe Big Foot wearing an ‘old silk hat’). The magical guys were all busy on holiday chores elsewhere, however. We happily shared our hike with the local deer herd, wild turkeys and an inquisitive grey squirrel instead.

Naturally I took my camera. Here are some photos from our ‘winter-wonderland’ walk. Think of them as our Christmas card to you. May you share a warm and happy holiday with your family and friends. We wish you peace.

Curt and Peggy

As we stepped out our back door, this young fellow was taking time out to smell the daisies. (That’s called artistic license. Actually he was checking the metal flowers to see if they were edible.)

Snow covered trees towered over our tool shed. There would be no yard work today!

I stopped to take a photo of a snow-covered branch and a flock of Canadian Geese flew into the photo. Serendipity. The specks on the photo were a reminder that it was still snowing.

Peggy took advantage of my distraction to pack up a snowball. And yes, she threw it at me! Had you been present, I can pretty much guarantee that she would have thrown one at you as well. We play a lot around here.

Snow makes the limbs on our White Oaks stand out.

Snow adds drama to White Oaks. A Ponderosa Pine stands to the left. The dark spot on the oak center right is mistletoe. Now, if I can just get Peggy to stand under it…

The limbs of this Douglas fir were bowing with the snow it had collected.

The limbs of this Douglas fir were bowed with the snow it had collected.

The straight tracks made by a wild turkey suggests it was on a mission. Normally turkeys wander about pecking at anything that resembles food. Snow is wonderful for recording animal tracks.

A female Black Tail deer stopped next to our upper fence to checks out. "You wouldn't happen to have an apple, would you?" she seems to be asking.

A female Black Tail deer stopped next to our upper fence to check us out. “You wouldn’t happen to have an apple, would you?” she seems to be asking.It was one of her twins that was sniffing at the metal flower.

Just past the road, our walk took us into Klamath National Forest that borders the back of out property.

Just past the road, our walk took us into Klamath National Forest. It borders the back of our property.

Peggy provided a splash of red in a sea of white.

Peggy provided a splash of red in a sea of green and white.

And I added a touch of blue. The OR on my hat stands for Outdoor Research, but I like to think of it as Oregon.

This oak was definitely a thing of beauty.

The snow added to the natural attractiveness of this twisted oak tree trunk.

Not to be outdone, a stalk of grass captured its own share of beauty.

A manzanita bush shows off its winter coat.

Its leaves peaked out through the snow.

Surprise! A madrone’s bark gleams with wetness created by melting snow.

Our walk takes us down to the Applegate River, which borders on the front of our property.

Our walk takes us down to the Applegate River. Ponderosa Pine on the left and Red Cedar on the right add color.

We return to our lower property following Upper Applegate Road.

And a final view of the forest giants that keep us company.

And have a final view of the forest giants that keep us company.

Part II: A Walk on the Wild Side of Southern Oregon… from the Mail Box

January 5, 2014January 24, 2015 / Curt Mekemson / 26 Comments

Ferocious animals are found along our mailbox route, including Charlie, who barks more in a minute that the minute has seconds.

I took you along for a walk to my mailbox in the last post. We hiked over Cody’s Bear Trail, went looking for a wayward skunk, and found the deer herd that believes it is the true owner of our property. Maybe it is. We then detoured through the Klamath National Forest, rejoined our neighborhood road and arrived at the mailbox.

Today we are completing the trip. We will walk along the Upper Applegate Road, check out the Applegate River, visit with one tiny and two huge dogs, and finish our hike on Ethan’s Hidden Trail. The total walk to and from the mailbox, with detours, is a mile and a half.

But first I have to report on two new developments. One, I found the skunk. He is a magnificent creature, by far the biggest skunk I have ever seen. I’d gone down after dark to collect our garbage can on the main road. And there he was, waddling. In fact he waddled right into our front road culvert. He is one culvert-loving skunk. I am surprised he fit.

Two, I received an award from the Word Press blog Animal Couriers. I love these people. They transport people’s pets all over Europe but also throughout the world. And they do a lot with rescued animals. They’re good folks. Was the award for my great humanity, good looks, fine intelligence and quick wit? No, sigh. It was for my “off the wall” comments on their blog. So there you have it, in case you haven’t noticed before: I am an off the wall type of guy. I like it.

Upper Applegate Road, Southern Oregon. Photo by Curtis Mekemson.

On leaving the mailbox, our counterclockwise journey takes us along Upper Applegate Road. It’s my kind of highway. At night, I can drive the whole 13 miles without meeting another car. Charlie the Dog lives up the road on the right. Our river property is just above the grove of trees.

Trail on Upper Applegate River in Southern Oregon. Photo by Curtis Mekemson.

I quickly leave the road. There is the Applegate River to explore. Besides, if I had been born to walk on roads, I would have been born with wheels.

There is this sign… but I am sure they can’t mean me. Plus I haven’t met the owner to ask for permission in my three years of living here.

River rock covered in moss on Applegate River in Oregon. Photo by Curtis Mekemson.

I learned a long time ago that beauty surrounds us, if we are willing to see it. This river rock covered in moss is an example.

Wood grain photo on Applegate River in Oregon. Photo by Curtis Mekemson.

Another example: grains in wood. I found this long-dead limb just beneath the no-trespassing sign.

Applegate river in winter. Photo by Curtis Mekemson.

And here is the Applegate River. It is running low now because we haven’t had much rain but that doesn’t detract from its beauty.

Manzanita growing on Applegate River in Southern Oregon. Photo by Curtis Mekemson.

Recognize this bush? It’s smooth skin is the primary clue. This is manzanita. In the spring it hosts small pink flowers that smell oh so sweet. In the fall it sports bright red berries.

Manzanita Flowers. Photo by Curtis Mekemson.

A photo of manzanita flowers I took last spring.

Oregon Red Cedar. Photo by Curtis Mekemson.

We return to the road, walk past Charlie’s house, and come to this magnificent red cedar that marks our property line.

Granite rocks on Applegate River in Southern Oregon. Photo by Curtis Mekemson.

Before we head up Ethan’s Trail back to our house, we’ll make a quick detour onto the river property we co-own with out neighbors. We have to scramble over granite rocks to get there.

Applegate River. Photo by Curtis Mekemson.

But the journey is worth it.

Lichen on rock along Applegate River. Photo by Curtis Mekemson.

Walking back from the river I find this lichen…

Pool of frozen water on rocks next to Applegate River in Southern Oregon. Photo by Curtis Mekemson.

This small pool of water that was frozen over and offered a fun reflection. The pine needle on the left side provides a perspective on the size of the pool.

I also found this site of a feast. Poor birdie.

We have now arrived at our front road. Our sunroom is hiding behind the oak tree on the left. Ethan’s Hidden Trail starts in the trees on the right. I found the skunk about fifteen feet below where I took this photo.

As I head over for Ethan's Trail more neighbor dogs come out to greet. These are A guard dogs and regard everybody but their master with suspicion. I think Griz is finally starting to like me. I've told him waht a good boy he is at least a thousand times.

As I head over for Ethan’s Trail more neighbor dogs come out to greet me. These monsters are Anatolian guard dogs and regard everybody but their master with suspicion. I think Griz is finally starting to like me. I’ve told him what a good boy he is at least a thousand times. He actually wagged his tail.

His brother Omni, on the other hand, has that look that says come across the fence so I can eat you. He lost his eye as a puppy.

Omni didn’t. He has that look that says come across the fence so I can eat you. He lost his eye as a puppy and has been irritated about it ever since.

Applegate Valley trail through ponderosa Pines and Douglas Fir. Photo by Curtis Mekemson.

While Cody’s Bear Trail makes its way through White Oaks, Ethan’s Hidden Trail wanders through Madrone, Ponderosa Pines and Douglas Firs on the opposite side of our canyon.

Blackberry vines growing in the Applegate Valley of Southern Oregon. Photo by Curtis Mekemson.

Blackberries fill the canyon. By August these vines are loaded with fruit that the deer help us harvest, delicately.

When we can see our pump house, we are almost home. An interesting aside… when we bought the property we noted that the ceiling of the pump house was filled with outlets. “What the heck?” we thought. And then the light dawned. We were in rural Oregon. The pump house had been used for growing pot. I tease Peggy that if our retirement funds ever run out, I am going to become a pot farmer. She smiles indulgently.

Madrone tree in Southern Oregon. Photo by Curtis Mekemson.

Finally, when we arrive at the large Madrone that provides our back yard with shade on hot summer days, we are home. The smooth skinned Madrone is related to the Manzanita. Thanks for coming along on the Mailbox walk.

NEXT BLOG: I will return to our pre-Christmas visit to Puerto Vallarta where Peggy and I will visit the small town of San Sebastian located high in the Sierra Madre Mountains.

The Last Colors of Fall… At Home in Southern Oregon

November 2, 2013January 24, 2015 / Curt Mekemson / 16 Comments

View from Curtis and Peggy Mekemson's patio in southern Oregon.

A view from the patio. Our white oaks provide a dash of golden orange to set off the green forests and blue mountains.

Several years ago Peggy and I were in the middle of a year off when we were treated to most of what America has to offer in fall’s brilliant display of leaves changing color. We began our adventure in late August. Our trip had taken us into Alaska and the weather was changing. The geese were getting restless, preparing for their journey south. We decided to migrate as well. Since our next scheduled stop was in Florida for Thanksgiving, we had three months to wander.

Our route took us down through the Yukon Territory and into British Columbia’s impressive national parks of Jasper and Banff in the northern Rockies. We then made our way east through Alberta and Saskatchewan, dropped down into North Dakota, and then traveled through Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania and New York. We arrived in the New England states of Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine at the height of leaf peeping season. We then journeyed south through the Mid-Atlantic States into the Blue Ridge Mountains. The trees were spectacular the whole way. We were following fall, so to speak.

Fall in the Rockies. I took this photo on the western side of the mountains in Colorado.

Fall photp of Blue Ridge Highway by Curtis Mekemson.

Fall along the Blue Ridge Highway.

Fall photo of Blue Ridge Mountains by Curtis Mekemson.

Fall view looking out on Blue Ridge Mountains.

Our rather mild weather in Southern Oregon doesn’t produce the magnificent colors of New England, but we get a decent showing. I kept promising myself I would get out and take photos but writing and procrastination interfered. When I finally managed to be out and about with my camera, there were more leaves on the ground than in the trees. I was left with the last colors of fall, but they were still impressive.

Southern oregon fall photo by Curtis Mekemson.

Trails snaking through our five acres are named after our grandsons. Connor’s Cutoff, hidden under leaves, does a good job of capturing fall colors.

This photo follows our road down the hill and past the white oaks.

An Oregon Maple adds a touch of yellow to our yard.

Photo of Oregon Maple by Curtis Mekemson.

A close up of the Oregon Maple. I like the contrast provided by the dark limbs.

These red berries decorated a neighbor’s yard. As I recall from my youth in California, we called them California Holly.

Photo along Upper Applegate Road in Southern Oregon by Curtis Mekemson.

Our drive into the town of Jacksonville, Oregon provided more fall views.

Photo of fall view on Upper Applegate Road in Southern Oregon by Curtis Mekemson.

Another view along Upper Applegate Road on our way into Jacksonville.

Fall photo of the Applegate River by Curtis Mekemson.

Our property fronts on the beautiful Applegate River. I took this photo on one of the bridges across the river on Upper Applegate Road.

NEXT BLOG: We will visit one of America’s premier parks (where I happen to be as I type this), Pt. Reyes National Seashore, north of San Francisco, California.