I run almost every morning, but the chilly wind this morning made me feel blah about it. I decided I'd go for walk after lunch. I headed straight down Hillcrest Ave. When we first moved here, I thought these trees looked so "California". Retzlaff Winery vineyard is on the other side of the fence.
Grape vines are definitely nicer to look at in the summer and fall.
You meander all 3 sides of the vineyard and come out on this trail parallel to their driveway. The setting is lovely, we held a few fundraisers here when I worked with the schools.
A mile away, I've arrived! Often there is water down there, hence the bridge. Although California is entirely free of drought, Livermore didn't get the hammering of rain some places did. Our YTD is 8.93", our rain years are recorded July-June. The majority of the rain falls Dec, Jan, & Feb.
I ignored the bridge, I prefer the back trail.
I miss the water rushing by, along with seeing & hearing the ducks. Maybe next month?
There are houses to the right of the back pathway. I wonder how much raccoon activity there is?
This house is partially secluded by Opuntia and Yucca.
Hi!
Some have covered their fences for some privacy, these people have opted for FULL privacy!
I guess I wouldn't want people peeking in, although the trail isn't too busy. However, I don't think I'd want to cover up the view. Or the way it would expand your own garden.
Ruh roh.
They had covered their fence with shade cloth, but couldn't hide this telephone booth.
One of my favorites, I don't know why.
They have more than a hutch. This is an 2-story apartment building for rabbits. I didn't spot any today, but they have some HUGE rabbits.
I decided to exit the trail and walk through neighborhoods on the way back. This house is interesting, I can't quite figure out those windows?
Daffodils everywhere, I hope that means spring will be here any second!
I LOVE a decked out median island. I wish there were more neighborhoods that incorporated them.
I liked this entry.
This rounded room, personally I'd rip that off those windows a.s.a.p.
another island.
Pretty cool.
Closer to home, I think this used to be a bed & breakfast. This home is directly across the street from Livermore High School, est. 1891.
So much going on between these homes, that is a Chevron gas pump back there to the right of the tractor.
A sea of Delosperma, ice plant blooming in this front yard.
My favorite were these tho, Echinopsis chamaecereus? several clumps stuck in along the border.
Back home :)
You meander all 3 sides of the vineyard and come out on this trail parallel to their driveway. The setting is lovely, we held a few fundraisers here when I worked with the schools.
Beautiful! I love the shot through the gate, and your plantings lined with bricks are very special!
ReplyDeleteThat yellow house is intriguing - I'd love to go inside!
DeleteSome have erected privacy fencing by our trail, which kind of eliminates part of the attraction of their location for them imo. Competing interests between view and privacy, I guess.
ReplyDeleteI'd definitely leave it a bit see-through. All that extra landscape!
DeleteI enjoyed your run! My days of running are over, sadly. We're looking out at more snow!
ReplyDeleteSo much snow, the winter is no joke there! I think all the snow & ice removal is as strenuous if not more, than running.
DeleteHaving mostly prefect weather as you do, you can hardly use it as an excuse (as I do) not to exercise :-D I wonder if you notice different things on your walk than you do on a run...
ReplyDeleteThose two palms in the first photo are absolute perfection. What are the trees in the third photo, along the 'trail parallel to their driveway'?
When median islands are done well and properly taken care of, they are very cool. You have two examples of excellent islands!
Chavli
I noticed the houses more when I slowed down. I think I tend to stare at the ground while running so I don't trip. That is a row of California Pepper Trees, Schinus Molle. The winery stays on top of maintenance, so they are really pretty. *I have one weeping over our fence in the back, and it is REALLY messy. Smells like peppercorns when it rains.
DeleteThat's a peaceful - but interesting - walk! I oppose Opuntia brutality but the face carved into the one pad was funny. You've reminded me that it's been a long while since I've walked the local trails.
ReplyDeleteAgree on brutality, but this one was cute - and there are SO many Opuntia there, and it gets chopped back regularly. Yes, I'd love to see photos of your trails!
DeleteVery nice - are those weeping willows along the pathway? It is so interesting to see what people do with their properties and entryways. I've always been fascinated by that. I don't like the totally closed off look. I would at least like a tantalizing glimpe of the gardens beyond (although in the case of the solid wooden fence, I'm guessing there is probably no garden there).
ReplyDeleteI should've noted they are California Pepper Trees, Schinus Molle. Beautiful and messy. Oh, I agree - you described it perfectly. A tantalizing glimpse. Ha ha, yeah I bet you're right - not garden people!
DeleteWhat a lovely walk. So much to see.
ReplyDeleteThank you Liz :)
DeleteI love a good walk around post, thank you! As for that door in the fence…UGLY!
ReplyDeleteWhat a weird choice, I like to tsk tsk and shake my head as I walk by.
DeleteThanks for taking us along on your run. I've enjoyed seeing some of the front gardens. Where has the water in the riverbed gone? Lovely daffodils, here it'll be a while yet before they flower.
ReplyDeleteI imagine the water will flow if we get a bit more rain, maybe February? Some of the dry years it never filled. The wettest year -I think 2022 washed part of the path away, the water so high it high the bottom of the bridge.
Delete*hit the bottom of the bridge.
DeleteArroyo Mocho! What a flashback...I attended 5th grade at Arroyo Mocho Elementary in Livermore.
ReplyDelete-love the snaps of stately structures and inviting front yards.
WHAT!? Bea, I had no idea you lived here. Did you go to High School here?
DeleteThis was fun. The daffodils really made me smile. :-) We woke up to 9 degrees today.
ReplyDeleteOof, 9° ! Now that must hurt your skin? I don't think I've ever been anywhere as cold as that.
DeleteIf you ever want a real refreshing vacation, head my way. Hee Hee! In the winter that is. ;-)
DeleteI would so love to take that walk. Palm trees! That fascinating fence with the house door - never seen one like that! Flowers in bloom in January (although I actually have one that will be blooming soon, but probably under snow, alas). The third picture would be my dream paved walk in January.
ReplyDeleteIt is a nice trail, I should tromp over there more often! I bet the snow will be pretty.
DeleteWhat a nice look around the neighborhood. I often think about what I would do if I lived at such and such house with their yard. WTF on that weird white door in the massive wood fence. I wonder what they are hiding back there, though the shade cloth fence sounds ugly too. I was surprised by the variety of house styles, sizes, etc. - there's a lot of diversity there.
ReplyDeleteThat door is SO dumb! The neighborhoods surrounding the trail were built up in different decades, and they are unique. I live on a street of repeaters, I think 5 or 6 different plans - way less exciting.
Delete