The park has reopened 03-22-24

Construction is complete on Parque de Arroyo Verde, the park we look into from our backyard.   It is now a "play"  park with many different physical activities, including six or seven climbing structures, a cement ping-pong table, a zip line, many metal benches, and cement tables w/benches attached.  The grand opening was yesterday afternoon (after  being rained out twice before) and it was a gorgeous sunshiny day.  KoKo and I walked about 5:30pm and walked all the way to the back, which is what we see from our house.  

The view from our backyard. 

And the view from the park.  Our house is the blue/grey one on the right.

Looking  back at the entrance on Palm Drive.  The white vertical poles at bottom right are the zipline supports.  On the left is another climbing  structure.

We will walk there again in the future, although KoKo is not impressed because there are no low bushes that he needs to water.

In a nostalgic vein....  Today was anniversary 50 for Floyd and I. And it has been 34 years since his death.  Time just slips away, doesn't it. 

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Each day when we walk past this hedge the fragrance is stronger.  It is buzzing with bees who are so intent with their pollen gathering that they don't pay any attention to us.  

Nobody trims it until it covers too much of the sidewalk.

Intertwined are two different shrubs.  In the top left corner are the pale pink flowers of Raphiolepis (Indian Hawthorn). across the bottom you see the violet blooms of the plant I can never remember the name of!!!   I have been working for half an hour and can't locate it.  So, I will add it when I remember.   

Update

LANTANA!  A  very common landscape plant in SCalifornia.   Comes in many different colors and growth patterns.

Here in the center is the Raphiolepis (Indian Hawthorn) and the violet flowers (lantana) going from top left to lower right.

Spring has sprung and we shouldn't have much more rain until the light monsoon in August. 

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Sky High 03-18-24

When it was time for our evening walk it was raining and thundering.  Quite odd because the sun was shining brightly all around.  When it had dried off a bit it was 7pm and almost dark.   As we stepped out the door I looked up to see a Space X rocket rising in the NW; Vandenberg Space Force Base with a payload of satellites.   It is a wonderous sight and each launch leaves a different, but awesome contrail.

I don't remember seeing a break in the trail before,  maybe going through a different level of atmosphere. 

The "head" develops, broadens, and starts to dissipate. 

Still going, beyond my view. 

Far behind the disappearing head the trail curls in the atmospheric breezes.

The sun is almost beyond the horizon, but the contrail it so high it still reflects the light.

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