Henry Coe State Park Splendid in Spring

April in Henry Coe State Park shows a stunning display of wildflowers. With four companion backpackers we counted about 80 flowering plants on a 6-day trip from the Coe headquarters to Coit Lake, Missippi Lake and back to the park entrance. This was new territory for me, but the 87,000 acres park provided a variety of ecosystems from grasslands, oak woodland, chapparal and many acres recovering from the 2007 Lick fire. Visibility was good enough to afford a distant view of the snow-capped Sierras. Pachecho Falls was stunning with multi-level cascades of water dropping into round emerald pools. Cougar prints in dried mud teased us, but wildlife viewing was restricted to an angry rattlesnake, rabbits, turkeys and a variety of song birds. Until our last night camping at Poverty Flats we saw very few people, even though this park is little more than an hour from San Jose. (photos by Bob Early)

Pinnacles National Monument Abloom

A mid-week trip to the Pinnacles was the highlight of spring blooms so far this year. While the Shooting Stars are virtually finished the Virgin's Bower was in its glory along with lots of belly flowers and the Indian Paint Brush was ablaze. An early Bitterroot is pictured. I have never seen it so green in the 12 years I have made my annual spring trek to this amazing park. Three condors were sighted (one adult and two juvenile) while hiking up Condor Gulch--how appropriate!

Anza Borrego Desert State Park in Bloom

I visited Anza Borrego for two days this past week and although the wildflowers were only rated a 4 out of 10 on the wildflower website, I thought it was splendid. I counted 30 flower species in bloom on a 3-hour hike to Maidenhair Falls. The treasure at the end was a display of stream orchids--who would have expected this in the desert! Spotted in bloom along Hellhole Canyon: Canterbury Bells, Bigelow's Monkey Flower, Fiesta Flower, Desert Lavender, Fiddleneck, Chuparosa, Ocotillo, Rock Daisy, Indigo Bush, Desert Dandelion, Sugar Bush, Wild Almond, Bladder pod, Apricot Mallow, Chia, Cheesebush, Brown-eyed Primrose, etc.,etc. This State Park is awesome.

Sierra Backpack over Franklin/Shotgun/Farewell Gap

August 6-9 six intrepid backpacks under the leadership of Jim Warner headed out of Mineral King and over Franklin Pass (11,000'+); then down the slippery slope toward no-name lake and up and over Shotgun Pass (11,000'+) the next day. Trails in the Golden Trout Wilderness left something to be desired so we happily returned to Sequoia National Park at the top of Farewell Gap. However, we did experience a bit of WEATHER the night before....first rain, then hailstones the size of garbanzo beans for about 30 minutes. Fortunately we had just finished setting up camp so huddled inside tents and sleeping bags until the storm was over. The next day out dawned bright and sunny. More than 100 wildflowers were noted during the trip. Alpine flowers were at their peak. Thanks for Jim and Sequoia Natural History Association for making the trip possible.

English Countryside Walk Brings Surprises

Travels in England took us to many friends and family members. We enjoyed visits with some folks we had not seen for 15 years including a lovely lady who arranged the flowers at our wedding in Rhodesia 44 years ago!

We enjoyed the company of Peter's South African niece, Tina , for a week in Cornwall. Tina and I enjoyed seeing the Eden Project where an old clay pit has been transformed into an amazing botanical garden which features a steamy rainforest biome, Mediterranean biome and outdoor features such as a decorative edible garden. We also trekked over sections of the Cornwall Coast Walk for delightful views of rocky coast, sandy beaches and a riot of wildflowers.

Back in London, a friend guided me through a walk in the Chiltern Hills, northwest of London. I was amazed during the hike to be walking through the Chequers estate--the Prime Minister's country residence. I couldn't imagine the secret service allowing hikers to wander past Camp David!

For more photos go to http://picasaweb.google.com/norma.wightman/UK2010

Swiss Rail Top Way to Travel

A Swiss Rail Pass allowed Peter and Norma to fully focus on the fantastic scenery in this mountainous country. We revisted Lauterbrunnen after a 38 year absence--the waterfalls are as fantastic as ever. A funicular and gondola took us up the Shilthorn, but not on the clearest of days. A highlight of our rail travels was taking the Bernina Express from Chur, Switzerland to Ticano, Italy and then by bus to Lugano. No tunnels on this track, just breath-taking stone viaducts over rushing mountain streams 300-400' below the tracks! The bus trip was also hairy as our driver skillfully maneuvered through narrow streets with the bus side mirrors inches away from buildings. Yes, this is the most expensive country in Europe, but the scenery is hard to beat!

Look at more photos at http://picasaweb.google.com/norma.wightman/Switzerland2010

Keeping Fit Abroad

The Wightmans spent six weeks in Ireland, England and Switzerland recently. Norma continued her mountain hiking in Ireland with son, Glen and daughter-in-law, Elaine. We hiked one of the 12 Bens in Connemara National Park, County Galway, and also Croagh Patrick, Ireland's holy mountain in County Mayo. Neither is very high, but Croagh Patrick had the stoniest trail ever and some pilgrims do it barefoot! My sturdy walking shoes and hiking staff were very welcome, thank you!

See more photos http://picasaweb.google.com/norma.wightman/Ireland2010