Only about twenty minutes away in Escondido, there’s nothing like the Daley Ranch nature preserve for an array of views on a mostly clear, sunny day.
My favorite ceanothus in blue.
This ranch house that we see today was built in 1925 as a summer cottage for the Daley family.
Visit http://daleyranch.org/ for all the facts and other interesting info about the land that was designated as a conservation mitigation bank to be preserved in perpetuity.
Yesterday we went for a three-hour hike in one of my favorite spots: the Daley Ranch in Escondido. While it was overcast and drizzly near the coast, Escondido is inland where it’s usually always warm and sunny. We took the Sage Trail all the way up to Stanley Peak.
This is an especially lovely time of year with the ceanothus in bloom. Ceanothus blooms are rich in saponins, which produce lather when rubbed with some water; basically ceanothus flowers make soap. It really works! Try it for yourself! Pick a handful of flowers, add a little water, and rub your hands together.
Ramona Lilac Ceanothus
As you can see off in the distance, it was a very hazy day near the coast.
White Lilac Ceanothus
The Ranch House
A forest of Monkey Flower, a California Native
Enchanted Seashells by Princess Rosebud 