Winter in Alaska

I've been back from Juneau, Alaska for a couple of weeks now, and am enjoying my family, winter activities, and Bay Area weather. I have so many wonderful memories of my month in Juneau with my mom, brother, sister, and Aunt Char, celebrating Christmas, New Years, and my Dad's life. We experienced freezing temperatures down to 3℉, a record-breaking snowfall, and drenching rain that melted a good deal of the snow in less than a week. Weather whiplash! 

The Big Freeze

By the time I arrived in town, Juneau had already had a big snowfall, but the roads had been plowed so it was easy to get around. We took some family car rides, and ate at some wonderful restaurants. Some of my favorite sights include the ice fog rising from the water, the rosy afternoon light, and the early sunsets. Some of my favorite experiences included hanging out with my family, watching good movies and shows, and sleeping on flannel sheets!

Ice fog at Auke Bay harbor

Rosy afternoon glow over Mendenhall Glacier

Ice fog at Amalga Harbor

Early sunset at Eagle River

Cozy back seat driving

The Big Snow

Two days after Christmas, an atmospheric river of snow rolled in and covered the Juneau area in fresh snow! The mounds and drifts of white snow were so beautiful. Snow removal equipment worked around the clock to keep the roads clear; Wally Olds plowed our driveway periodically; and we shoveled snow daily to keep the paths and berms clear. Inside, we worked on puzzles, read our novels, and enjoyed daily life.

Shoveling snow at dusk

Snow everywhere!

Snow-covered deciduous and evergreen trees

Snow covered car is taller than Mom

Ham sandwiches with Aunt Char and Mom

The Big Thaw

About a week later, the temperature rose to 38 ℉, an atmospheric river of rain rolled through, and all that snow started to melt. The roads, streets, and driveways were soon bare, roofs dumped their snow load, and the mounds of snow started to melt. What a relief to put away our snow shovels.

Snow on the road melted

Snow on the roof and driveway melted

Time for a puzzle and good conversation

What a great experience! 

Winter Watch

We have been having the best fall here in the Bay Area - a few rainstorms, some beautiful cold, clear days, heavy fog in the early hours, and some gray, overcast days. It's a pleasure to get out into the garden to work on a few chores or into nature to walk, hike, or walk the dog. It's also a pleasure to return home to inside projects, hot chocolate, and a good book or a movie. The variety is invigorating.

Jewel Lake in Tilden Park

With such a beautiful fall, it's hard to believe that the winter solstice is only three weeks away. The days are getting shorter, holidays are coming, and it's time to hunker down for the dark days of winter. Enjoy!

Winter Outing

After all the fun of the holidays, it's time to get "back" in shape. What could be better than taking a long walk on a sunny day in an interesting park that is filled with trees, shrubs, and tombstones? On this January day, we're going back to the Mountain View Cemetery in Oakland. The cemetery is a beautiful place that has a long history and fantastic views of the Bay Area.

Brotherly Love

Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks

There is always something new to discover at the cemetery. On this day we came across a magnificent bronze elk statue perched on top of a tumulus in Plot 32. The site is an "Elks' Rest" burial place for deceased lodge members (similar sites are located around the country). The monument was established by Lodge #171, and unveiled and dedicated in 1896 (see Where Elks May Sleep in Peace).

View towards Millionaire Road

Tombstones are always fascinating, for both their styles and the stories they tell about the deceased. This gravestone for William H. Lessels caught my eye. It looks like it was broken at some point, and then repaired. The tombstone is a little difficult to read in places, but it looks like Lessels was a midshipman of a British Duke class ship, who died August 21, 1876 at the age of 18. He drowned near Sunderland, England and the officers and crew of his ship paid tribute to their deceased colleague.

I did a quick internet search of the Lessels family and found Brief Life History of Allen Henderson (Lessels). William Henry Lessels is listed as the second child (1858-1876) of Allan and Jane Lessels. However, the family seemed to be firmly settled in England and Scotland, with no mention of anyone migrating to the Bay Area. I am curious how his grave marker ended up at the Mountain View Cemetery - a family history mystery!

Tribute to William H. Lessels, midshipman

We also discovered a graffiti tribute to a deceased 21-year old (1995-2016), painted on a concrete retaining wall nearby. Two young lives in two different eras, snuffed out too early, both with friends, family, and colleagues to honor them.

Tribute to Tonio, brother

Our outing was a success - we got some exercise in a beautiful location, and made several interesting discoveries.

Winter Watch

Several atmospheric rivers have rolled through the San Francisco Bay Area in the last few weeks, often with accompanying flood watches in tow. It looks like we are officially in the rainy season. Unlike other climates, here in the West we receive the bulk of our rain and snow pack in late fall and winter. Our new landscape is loving the extra water, and foliage everywhere looks so fresh and clean with the summer and fall dust washed away.

Gray skies and pouring rain proclaim that winter is coming

We're on winter watch in anticipation of the winter solstice in several weeks. After the flurry of fall cleanup, I'm enjoying inside projects with heavy rain outside, punctuated with beautiful stretches of sunny, crisp fall weather. 

Drizzly Walk Around Bishop Lake

We're in the rainy season here in the San Francisco Bay Area. We've had some intense downpours, but haven't heard the term "atmospheric rivers" much this year. (Last year was a different story). The downpours have been punctuated with bright sunny stretches, so we get periodic relief from gray skies and rain.

Bishop Lake from the safety of an umbrella

Despite the gray gloom, drizzly days provide a lot of beauty. I relish my afternoon walks around Bishop Lake under an umbrella. There is so much to experience. The air is fresh and invigorating, the color palette is soft and muted, and plants are in their dormant state.

Bishop Lake in winter

The lake attracts local and migrating birds. Herons stand majestically by the shore, songbirds flit among the shrubs feasting on insects and berries, and waterfowl float on the lake in groups. After a brisk and meditative walk it's back to work with renewed vigor and fresh ideas!

Waterfowl in the rain on Bishop Lake

An Atmospheric River Runs Through It

 We recently experienced our twelfth atmospheric river of the season here in the San Francisco Bay Area. It blasted through in a fury of rain and high winds, leaving mud slides, flooding, power outages and downed trees in its wake. Down the street, one of the big pine trees toppled over and blocked the road for a day. We lost power for two days and internet for close to two weeks, and our oak tree dropped one of its smaller branches.

What is an atmospheric river anyway? I didn't even know they existed, and suddenly they are a common occurrence. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the term describes a long narrow region in the atmosphere--like rivers in the sky--that transport most of the water outside the tropics. The columns of vapor move with the weather, carrying an amount of water vapor equivalent to the average flow of water at the mouth of the Mississippi River (the columns can be 250-375 miles wide). When the atmospheric river reaches landfall, it releases the water vapor in the form of rain or snow.

Of course, we're all grateful for the rain, but after six months of it, it's time for another season! Still, it is interesting to read that scientists are recommending that we harvest surplus rainwater to replenish the aquifer. Much of our infrastructure here in California is all about draining water to prevent flooding. Maybe it's time to rethink that and capture the water instead. Is there a way to redirect atmospheric rivers to spread the water around? Perhaps our chronic drought situation here in the West could be eased with some creative ideas and actions. In the meantime, I'm relishing some dry and sunny days!

Chilly Walk on the Iron Horse Trail

It's been a treat to be back at work in San Ramon a couple of days a week. It has given me a chance to rediscover some of my favorite haunts and shops in San Ramon, and to take some of my favorite walks. Hikes around Lake Bishop have resumed, enabling me to see the trees and plants go through their seasonal cycles and to observe all the herons, ducks, and geese that touch down during migration.

Mistletoe on a winter-bare oak 

Recently, I ventured out on the Iron Horse trail, for a short hike. Lots of long afternoon shadows. Lots of green grass from winter rains. And cold. It was 50 degrees F. in the sun (I know, that's nothing for my tough northern relatives)! But the sky was blue and clear, and walking quickly kept me warm. It was an exhilarating way to celebrate life!

Celebrating Life

In the spirit of "The Roaring Twenties", we're celebrating gardens, adventures, and life all year long. This week we're celebrating in the cemetery! The Mountain View Cemetery is a jewel in Oakland's crown, for its long history, fantastic views of the Bay Area, and evolving vision for the future. We've visited Mountain View over the years to enjoy its tranquility, architecture, and trees (see Mountain View Cemetery, Cal at Mountain View Cemetery, American Gothic, Trees of Mountain View Cemetery, and more).

View of Oakland and beyond from Millionaire Row

Gothic mausoleum with stained glass window

The Ewing mausoleum

After very restrictive access during the last several years due to COVID, the cemetery is again open for recreational strolls (with a few new rules). Recently, my husband and I visited Mountain View on an overcast day to get some exercise between heavy winter rainstorms. We headed for Millionaire Row for our walk among the tombstones. 

The Goodall mausoleum

The Goodall statue

An angel guards the Bradbury mausoleum

The overcast sky seemed to emphasize interesting details in the structures around us. We saw a large murder of crows up the hill, and wondered why they were gathering in such numbers (Corvids are quite intelligent - should we be worried?). The views were expansive (even with the low cloud ceiling), reminding us to look up every once in awhile to see the big picture. Walking through the beauty and tranquility of the cemetery is also a good reminder to live fully and enjoy life as much as possible (even through hardships)!

A murder of crows gathers in the cemetery

A final view of Oakland over the rooftops

Rainy Winter Night

Here in Northern California (and the Southwestern United States in general) we're very attuned to snowpack in the mountains, water storage levels, and water usage. We're frequently heading into a drought, in a drought, or just coming out of one. Our climate here in the San Francisco Bay Area is "summer dry", meaning that we get most of our rain in the winter months. Many of us try to conserve water using various strategies both inside and outside the house.

Winter rain is cause for celebration!

This year we received a lot of rain in November and December, thanks to several atmospheric rivers that traveled through our area. And then it stopped, except for a few brief evening showers in January and February. The clay soil hangs on to water at the molecular level for the summer months ahead, but we always hope for more. Finally, it rained last night!

Here are the Hummingbirds

A few months ago I lamented Where are the Hummingbirds. I had hung a hummingbird feeder in late summer, but it seemed to be shunned by hummingbirds in favor of flowers. That's understandable, and desirable, for them to prefer the real thing, but I was eager to host some hummingbird guests!

Hummingbird visitor in early winter

Now that it is winter, I am observing daily visits to the feeder. The hummingbirds frequently take long drinks, and even "rest" on the perch after drinking. So far I haven't been able to identify the species. They are typically gray or brown, and are not showy at all (possibly female?). I've read that hummingbirds are very territorial, and have noticed that several of the metallic flowers seem to be visited by different birds. I'm wondering whether this is a form of territorialism.

It's a challenge to photograph and video the fleeting visits to the feeder, but it is great fun to observe hummingbirds in action!

Winter is Coming

 Winter is coming to the San Francisco Bay Area! At the time of this writing, we're experiencing several days of rain from an atmospheric river. The temperature ranges from the mid-50's by day to mid-40's by night (bone chilling when mixed with our marine fog). The days seem short and dark comes early. The afternoon light is golden and slanted, and the fleeting sunsets are spectacular. Mushrooms are glorious this year - pushing up through the wood chips after any passing rain.

Winter mushrooms (possibly Boletus spp.)

More winter mushrooms (possibly another Boletus spp.)

Magnolia seeds/berries

 

Migrating Sap Sucker

Winter sunsets

 

Garden at the Camel Barns

Thai basil, dill, and parsley starters  

 

Holiday cooking with cranberries

Holiday lights

 

Holiday decorations

Cozy inside pastimes

 

Moon dog on a cold evening

Thoughts turn to inside projects and pastimes, holiday preparations, and festive gatherings with vaccinated caution (or memories of parties from the past). Winter is also a great time to hibernate with a good book, an entertaining movie, or music. Enjoy a few months of cozy winter evenings, and rest up from a year of labor. The garden "slumbers" and so should we! 

Plant Aquarium: Juniper

The junipers are thriving with the winter rains here in the San Francisco Bay Area. They do well for long periods of drought, but the little extra water is always welcome. We have two junipers on the property, one is a "big bonsai" tree that is close to the entry, and the other is a partially pruned tree that is located in the lower yard. I brought a sprig into the kitchen to display in the plant aquarium.

Juniperus californica

Junipers are in the Cupressaceae family. The California juniper is a shrub or small tree that grows to 10-26 feet (3-8 meters), and is distributed the length of California. The bark is "shreddy" and the foliage is blueish-gray and scale-like. The fleshy seed cones are like blue, waxy berries and usually contain a single seed. Male cones shed their pollen in the early spring. The juniper is typically dioecious, but a small percentage can be monoecious.

 

"Big bonsai" juniper

The juniper is ideal in a heat and drought-tolerant garden, and prefers sun to shade. It  provides habitat for native species of birds, deer and small mammals, and is a larval host for the sequoia sphinx moth (Sphinx sequoiae). The California juniper provides soil erosion control on slopes; handles dry, rocky and alkaline soil; and is used for bonsai. 

Contorted juniper bark

The junipers thrive in our yard and provide shade and privacy. They are lovely to look at and and interesting to monitor as they go through their seasonal cycles. 

Learn more:

• Wikipedia
• Jepson Herbarium
• U.S. Department of Agriculture
• U.S. Forest Service

Plant Aquarium: Polypodium

Ferns make an appearance in our yard every winter. The seasonal rains stir them from dormancy to life. Tender leaves unfurl and capture the golden winter sun, providing beautiful pools of light under the trees. I bring a little of that light into the kitchen using my plant aquarium.

Polypodium californium

These ferns are in the Polypodiacea (or Polypodies) family. The name is derived from poly (many) and podion (little foot). Polypodies are terrestrial or epiphytic, with a creeping, densely hairy or scaly rhizome that bears fronds at intervals along its length. The leaf form is pinnatifid, with spores forming on the underside of the leaf. 

Polypodium under the oak tree

Spores developing on the leaf underside

The Polypodium californium can be found throughout our yard after the winter rains, especially under the juniper and oak trees. They do well in moist shade, as well as full winter sun, and go straight to work producing their spores. As the rains cease, the ferns dry up until the are completely dessicated. But the rhizomes are beneath the surface in the soil, ready to spring to life when the winter rains return.

Leaf and rhizome structure

Learn more:

• Wikipedia
• Jepson Herbarium
• U.S. Department of Agriculture
• U.S. Forest Service - article on ferns.