Walking, Running, Riding, and Restoring

I always try to find the good in things.  So, in the midst of all the stress with the things going on in my life lately, I've found increased motivation to get out to walk, run, and ride my bike.  Lots of good ways to restore my sanity, relieve some stress, and get healthy as a result.  A win, win, win!  

I always carry my cell phone with me.  And, being the picture taking fool that I am, a lot of pictures get taken along the way.  Here are a few from the past few weeks.  They're all from Instagram....that's why they have black frames on them.

My walking partner, Salsa...

We love going to the Santa Plateau in our local hills.  It's a beautiful place!  And, it's a great place to ride a mountain bike...

It's also a great place to go for a walk or hike.  Gorgeous!

I think I could sit on one of these benches all day!

There are seasonal pools of water there.  They call them "vernal pools".  They're currently looking quite beautiful!  I love the walkway that goes over them.  Sometimes they're filled with fairy shrimp, tadpoles, tiny frogs, and little snakes.  I love it when the pools are there!

My husband and I were mountain biking there last week and came around the corner and saw a pig!  It was out for a hike with it's family.  It seemed very happy.  It would stop to nibble some grass and then look up to see they were ahead and start running to catch up while it grunted softly.  Funny and cute!  I have to say....I've never seen that before!

It was about 70 degrees and sunny that day.  Beautiful!

I love all the big, old, oak trees up there!

I was up early yesterday morning.  I opened the blinds in our living room and the sun was streaming in.  Penelope was soaking it up and looked like she was meditating.  Good job, Penelope!  A good reminder of something I need to do more of....stop, close my eyes, take some deep breaths, and meditate!

Wildflower Friday

I met a friend for a walk this week at Santa Rosa Plateau.

It's in the nearby hills that run between us and the Pacific Ocean.

It's a gorgeous area and I've spent a lot of time up there over the years.

It's always fun to watch the seasonal changes and see what's blooming.

Here are some of the flowers I saw this week...

I have no idea what this is called as I can't seem to find it in my wildflower guide.

The colors sure are pretty though.  They were even more brilliant a week earlier when they even had a bit of red on them.  The petals and leaves are very tiny.  They often grow in large patches.

The petals are starting to dry out and shrivel up now.

I wanted to get closer for photos but these were down below us in an area that

could have had snakes.  I wouldn't chance that!  I think they might be Monkey Flowers.

These were right next to the orange Monkey Flowers.

I think they were the same thing but more red.  Pretty!

I love the delicate little leaves and flowers on these.

I can't find these in my book either.

I think they're interesting how they grow in a horizontal row around the stem.

 Ok...I think I might need a better book.  I can't find this one either.

It was pretty waving in the wind.

I like lichen!  Just had to throw in a photo of some lichen.

It's so delicate and interesting.

Have a fabulous Friday!