Burn Piles

We've lived here over 12 years now, but we are still finding new places to walk. Some of them are quite urban, but today was a different trail through the Sonoma Valley Regional Park where we have been going for years. Just above the parking lot we noticed these 'burn piles' made by trimming the trees of excess or dead branches as a fire prevention measure. They will be burned during appropriate weather conditions and with fire suppression resources available at the site. There were dozens of them on the hillside and it struck me what a lot of work it must have been and how many more trees there are. I doubt if they will do all of them, but I'm curious about what their goal is. 

We decided to follow a new trail and were pleased that there were very few people on it and we could let Spike off the lead. The big bonus was a pond deep enough for Spike to swim in, and he didn't hesitate, plunging in and swimming toward the middle through the reddish brown plants floating on top. They're probably some sort of algae but they weren't slimy and the water was clear underneath, so it was just the spot we've been looking for him to have a swim and he loved it!

Near the pond was a nice home all by itself just outside the boundary of the park, I assume. It looked nice with a pool, several outbuildings and a  tree house! It must be fairly new as a lot of this area burned in one of the fires, probably the Nun's fire in 2017.  It seems very isolated and we couldn't tell how it could be reached by car, though clearly there has to be a road somewhere out of sight.Further exploration is called for.

There was an interesting fungus growing on a newly cut stump. I've put a picture of it in extras.

We drove home through he Sonoma Valley, a beautiful drive through vineyards at the foot of the Mayacamas Mountains and views I never tire of.  We decided to forego lunch at a winery we often stop at because we both had things to do, although it was probably just about warm enough to sit in their outdoor piazza.

While John went off in search of a new pair of PIlates pants,  I figured out how to make a star for the back of my coat and made a prototype with scrap material. I  have the pattern for another one which I would also like to try.

Sunday supper will be here tonight. Jim just got back from visiting his mother and I am making a dish I think Dana will like.