New Year's Day was a beautiful sunny day for taking a hike.
With football looming in his viewing future, we opted for a short hike at
I have gone to this park for various events and adventures for close to 30 years.
I've been there 12 out of the past 13 years for our local pow wow, a favorite for me.
I took my children & grandson there to see the animals and the old train and houses of
Heritage Junction. In fact, many years ago, when my children were in grade school, we happened to visit the park on a day when workers were busy making some Adobe bricks to add to the ones saved from the old Mitchell schoolhouse. I'll always fondly remember watching those men mix the Adobe with their bare feet! What a great learning experience that was!
If you want to learn more about
William S. Hart, you can start with this link or Google for more information. There is even a video clip at the park with our favorite
Huell Howser.
This day we went specifically to see the herd of American Bison,
which after all these years I'd never seen!
Come along and walk with us...
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| Windmill on the path |
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| A place to rest in the sun |
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| There they are, feeding on the hillside! |
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| There are 13 in the herd at this time |
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| They're big animals! |
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| Really big! And golden in the sun :) |
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| A gift from Walt Disney, because everyone gives a heard of bison as a gift! |
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After a long view of the magnificent animals and
a friendly chat with the park employee feeding them, we continue
up the hill to the "Mansion" otherwise known as the museum.
It was closed for the holiday, but there was much to explore outside around the buildings.
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| View |
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| Lines and Patterns |
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| Crows & Seagulls |
~click to enlarge all photos~
As we stood on the top of the hill, observing the view, a flock of crows going to my left...momentarily merged with a flock of seagulls heading to my right. It was hard to get a picture before they were gone.
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| Comfy chairs on the porch |
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| The artistry of porch posts |
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| Stump |
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| Growth |
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| Trails |
The trail below loops around the hills, following the area the bison roam. It is about a 5 mile hike. We hope to do this hike soon.
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| One trail |
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| Sparse |
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| I declare 2014 the Year of Us! |
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Before we head home, we stop to visit all of the animals.
There are a variety of birds, ducks, pigs, potbelly pigs, a deer,
the biggest cow I've ever seen and these guys!
I noticed their 'lines' this day.
The curved line on the horse's face and the beautiful black line on the little donkey.
After hanging out with
Jude all these years, everything looks like stitch to me!
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| Hello There! |
We will be going back for more hiking here.
There are a couple of other trails that lead off of the main paved one.
They look worth exploring. And there is that loop too.
We also hope to go back soon when the museum is open.
For now, I'm glad you could come along with me!
Photos by NAE @pomegranatetrail ©2014