Calavera Preserve

Lauren Marquardt (who is quite witty) wrote "Who decided what the “American Dream” is? The preconceived belief that one way of living fits all is no longer the case for many of us. Once you start living in the mindset that there is no right way of doing something, you become capable of doing anything and can create your version of the American Dream." I guess that is what we and many other people are trying live in many different ways.

 

Lake Calavera Preserve has wetlands, a lake, coastal sage-scrub, and extinct volcanic Mt. Calavera with an easy 3.5 mile hiking trail. One of the guys at the hospital told me about the mountain biking here and we had to check it out. It turns out that there are many miles of trails throughout the preserve.

 

The lake is pretty low but improved with the moisture this spring.

You can see where the volcano was above.

I was a bit leery about some of the trail that narrowed and was covered with dried brush. There have been several people bitten by rattle snakes in the foothills. We stayed on the trails with wider paths. 

Mike has been "getting things ready to go" with new brakes and windshield on the truck. The Ford garage in Colorado Springs had changed the brakes because they would vibrate sometimes but didn't improve with the change. It felt unsafe. Rather have a problem going over mountain passes, he took it into Gary's brake service in Oceanside. They were cut too much and overheating. He replaced them for $360 and now they work great.

 

Every person we meet and every place we experience holds a lesson that changes us.

Leo Carrillo Ranch

We had been reading a book about the movie industry of the 1930s when Greg Welch, a friend of Mike's from Vermont suggested that we visit the Leo Carrillo Ranch in Carlsbad. Leo was the actor that play Pancho in Cisco Kid movies in the 1930s.  He purchased the ranch and entertained his Hollywood friends there. The next day was the Wild West Fest and we headed over to check it out.

Leo loved peacocks and many are still around the grounds.

It was fun to imagine the parties with Will Rodgers, Clark Gable and Carole Lombarde. Leo would bring in trailers for his guests. I guess he could move them when he was ready for the people to leave.

 Blue Agave

Counting down with 2 weeks left before we head down the road. The traffic, scary drivers and gloomy weather will not be missed. We had a little more skin cancer taken care of with a little nip and tuck. After getting hit with the ugly stick, I got a lopsided haircut. Maybe she was thrown off by the swollen face. Once the sutures are out, we can hit the road.

People at work have been more than glad to point out to me that Morley Safer died a few days after retiring. He was 84 years old is my response. Better not take any chances and wait that long.

Deedee's, Leo's wife, house for her art projects.

Fancy sunken tile tub

When we got home, I watched an episode of the Cisco Kid on line. It was pretty hokey.

Caretaker's home for the 4500 acre cattle ranch. 

The Flying LC Ranch brand.

We always appreciate a tip of places to see or things to do.