Thursday, December 13, 2018

A Nice Day for a Walk

We had some much needed rain recently. The sky was blue and the air was clean, so I couldn't resist a walk. I decided to check out the old oil property that I've blogged about a couple times before: Here and here. I wasn't anticipating taking any photos, but couldn't resist a few cellphone shots!
The good news? The property is still undeveloped. The not so good news (depending upon your views): There are survey signs, little markers and flags, and even some newly plowed roads. There's no doubt in my mind that this area will soon be filled with roads, sidewalks, and houses.


I had some obstacles along my walk!


It's fun and relaxing walking these old roads that were used back when this property contained actively producing oil wells. Like stepping back in time!

Leaves of three...

The dreaded, deadly castor bean plant! These guys are considered a weed and commonly seen. The spiky fruit produces beans containing ricin. Yes, that ricin... the same deadly poison used in a famous political assassination involving a trick umbrella and in numerous terrorist incidents. So I give it a wide berth!!

After this property is developed, there will be some very lucky homeowners with incredible views! Of course, I would prefer the property stay open and undeveloped just as it is, but that's not going to happen. 😩

My favorite shot of the walk, and at this point I was really wishing I had brought my camera and telephoto lens along! This is max zoom on my iPhone, so not a great photo, but you can clearly see light reflecting off the ocean water. According to Google Maps, it's 15 miles (as the crow flies) to the ocean from where I was standing. The land beyond the ocean is Catalina Island, which is 42 miles. Pretty darn good visibility!

Linking with Skywatch Friday.
Thanks for stopping by!!
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46 comments:

  1. Magical Mystical TeacherDecember 13, 2018 at 2:55 PM

    The deserts are delightful at this time of year, aren't they? And your photos exude joy!

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  2. JimDecember 13, 2018 at 3:11 PM

    Beautiful skies. Like a painting.

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  3. Bill December 13, 2018 at 4:05 PM

    In the two times I lived in Orange County one of the biggest surprises was how beautiful the hills could be-- not to mention the mountains you could see when the air was clear. It's hard for my brain to imagine the changes in the 30 years since we last lived there--- let along since my first visit to Disneyland 60 years ago. Too many people, leaving too much of a footprint. But that's the way it is. Your Granddaughter will no doubt remember the good old days, back in the "teens" and "twenties" when things were so much better. Great pictures as always.

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  4. Liz A.December 13, 2018 at 4:36 PM

    I'm with you--it'd be better to leave the land undeveloped. But you know builders in the area...

    I'm trying to figure out where that is. I suppose I should go back to one of your earlier posts. I'll do that now.

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    Replies
    1. Liz A.December 13, 2018 at 4:43 PM

      I looked it up. Sad that I had no idea that it was there. It's not too far from my old stomping grounds. (I graduated from CSUF.)

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    2. Spare Parts and PicsDecember 15, 2018 at 11:40 AM

      Hi Liz. I'm a CSUF grad too! Small world. Yes, the property is not too far from the campus. Over on the NW side of Fullerton, and it's said to be the last large tract of land in central Orange County that is undeveloped.

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  5. ~Lavender Dreamer~December 13, 2018 at 4:53 PM

    Wow! You really could see 'forever'! I hate to see land developed too and it happens here in Florida at a rapid pace. I'm glad at least we have some forest land nearby to hike on! Enjoy your evening!

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  6. AlDecember 13, 2018 at 4:55 PM

    Very nice! I regularly see mountains 80 miles away on my drive to work :)

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  7. MelissaDecember 13, 2018 at 5:12 PM

    Castor bean plant was pretty interesting to see. I had no idea! I think those are great photos. You've got a nice cell phone camera.

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  8. CatarinaDecember 13, 2018 at 5:21 PM

    It is a gorgeous view from that spot.

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  9. rupam sarmaDecember 13, 2018 at 6:26 PM

    Amazing sky views.
    Loved the post.

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  10. Yogi♪♪♪December 13, 2018 at 7:08 PM

    Wow, I am not sure I have ever seen mud on your photos before. I hope that there is some way that the property can remain undeveloped. I do have hope. Even here in oil country red state Oklahoma, the people of the city rose up against a shopping center on Turkey Mountain and won and I am ashamed to say that I thought it was hopeless.

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  11. JocelynDecember 13, 2018 at 7:12 PM

    Great shots! Such a blue sky.

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  12. Linda W.December 13, 2018 at 8:35 PM

    Yes those lots will have fantastic views. I'm surprised it stayed undeveloped as long as it did.

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  13. JoyfulDecember 13, 2018 at 8:49 PM

    A beautiful, sunny day after the rain is always lovely. The views in your shots are gorgeous.

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  14. Lady FiDecember 13, 2018 at 10:20 PM

    What lovely blue skies.

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  15. Pisi PrklDecember 14, 2018 at 12:53 AM

    Very nice skies you have there. Nicely done with the smart phone.

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  16. Carol @Comfort Spring StationDecember 14, 2018 at 1:27 AM

    Beautiful skies, I didn't know about that nasty plant with poison. Yuck

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  17. Susie of ArabiaDecember 14, 2018 at 1:30 AM

    I love going along on your walks with you. I would have never known about that deadly plant, but its appearance does kind of say "Beware!"What a shame that civilisation encroaches through development on the beautiful nature around us. It's pretty sad.

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  18. John "By Stargoose And Hanglands"December 14, 2018 at 2:20 AM

    A pleasant walk beneath superb skies. I guess you'll just have to enjoy this area while you can.

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  19. s.cDecember 14, 2018 at 2:21 AM

    I heard that every day a city about 200.000 people grows somewhere. Nature can't cope with that.

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  20. Jan K. alias AfanjaDecember 14, 2018 at 2:25 AM

    A wonderful walk under a nice blue sky.
    About the oil, we have the same problems here nearby with a new gas location. Those guys will never learn, I'm affraid.

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  21. eileeninmdDecember 14, 2018 at 3:16 AM

    Hello, gorgeous views from your walk. So glad you had a nice clear blue sky day. I would have not been able to id that poisonous plant, thanks for the heads up. Wonderful collection of photos. Enjoy your day and have a happy weekend!

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  22. Author R. Mac WheelerDecember 14, 2018 at 5:05 AM

    leaves of three...and I started itching

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  23. Photos by StanDecember 14, 2018 at 6:30 AM

    Wow...that top image is a 'keeper'...viva the cell phone.

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  24. carol l mckennaDecember 14, 2018 at 7:16 AM

    Gorgeous photo walk ~ nature is being consumed rapidly ~

    Happy day to you,
    A ShutterBug Explores,
    aka (A Creative Harbor)

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  25. William KendallDecember 14, 2018 at 9:14 AM

    A pretty area. I have a very low regard for developers, who don't care about places like this, only how much money they can make.

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  26. Small City ScenesDecember 14, 2018 at 10:51 AM

    Beautiful views for sure. Should be lots of environmental studies to make sure it is safe to build since it was oil property. Better hiking property. I think it is called progress so somebodies pockets can be lined with the green
    MB

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  27. AngieDecember 14, 2018 at 2:10 PM

    I imagine you don't often run into puddles as an obstacle. Don't you know you're supposed to splash right through them? Thanks for taking us along on your walk ...

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  28. italiafinlandiaDecember 14, 2018 at 2:11 PM

    Beautiful skies... Have a nice Advent time!

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  29. AnnieDecember 14, 2018 at 2:54 PM

    What a great view. Sad to see it developed but, people need homes I guess.
    As always the photos are wonderful.

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  30. AlanaDecember 14, 2018 at 3:02 PM

    Beautiful clear skies and blue...this northeast coaster is so envious. But at least we don't have wild castor plants - yikes. And mud and puddles bother you? (surprised) Your post brought back a memory of when I was a preteen and, hiking near the sleepaway camp I was staying at, came across bulldozed trees and some early construction - a development in the woods. It broke my heart.

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  31. DawnDecember 14, 2018 at 4:43 PM

    Thanks for taking me on that beautiful walk with you.

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  32. peppylady (Dora)December 14, 2018 at 7:20 PM

    Looks like short sleave weather.
    Coffee is on

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  33. MarleenDecember 15, 2018 at 12:59 AM

    You had a wonderful walk! I love the overview in the last photo.

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  34. John's IslandDecember 15, 2018 at 10:08 AM

    Hi SP&P, What a beautiful spot … beautiful views … and your pics are great. I have little doubt … development is on the way. These beautiful spots always bring me back to my favorite spot … Yellowstone National Park. If we could turn back the clock to 1872 and DJT was President there is no doubt he would put YNP up for development rather than making it a Park. Developers could make lots of $ helping the economy! And a few folks who already had lots of $ could enjoy living on the edge of Mammoth Hot Springs for as long as they wanted. I guess it’s all about priorities. Thanks for sharing your excellent photography. Wishing you and yours the best of the holidays! John

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  35. Nancy ChanDecember 16, 2018 at 5:08 AM

    Beautiful shots from your walk. Enjoy them while they are still visible and not obstructed by development.

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  36. Klara SDecember 16, 2018 at 6:10 AM

    Houses everywhere! My city is small, but because of the location by the sea, we have building sites everywhere. :-( just to wait and see when they start to raise houses on the dunes and beaches.

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  37. Brian KingDecember 16, 2018 at 3:09 PM

    Beautiful country! Kind of a shame about the probable development. Open spaces are getting harder to find.

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  38. Stewart MDecember 16, 2018 at 10:05 PM

    Ricin! Wow, I'd be giving it a wide berth too. It is a great looking location - I hope that the development is at least sensitive! (I'm am optimist at heart!)

    Cheers - Stewart M - Melbourne

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  39. RevrunnerDecember 18, 2018 at 12:59 AM

    Jeepers! Watch your step, for sure.

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  40. Sallie (FullTime-Life)December 19, 2018 at 5:18 AM

    Fun to go along with you on a nature walk that I could actually do in real life, even now! Kinda sorry to hear it will soon be developed, although can’t blame people for wanting to live there. I know about leaves of three (sadly, through experience), but did not know about the caster bean, yikes!

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  41. Sallie (FullTime-Life)December 19, 2018 at 5:26 AM

    That’s ‘castor’ bean ... and I just asked Bill if he knew about it and ... (ok, sometimes I read blogs instead of the newspaper...I’m glad there are bloggers like you who teach me things).

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  42. NokeDecember 19, 2018 at 11:19 AM

    Tolle Bilder schöner blauer Himmel.

    Noke

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  43. SharonDecember 19, 2018 at 12:41 PM

    Thanks for taking all of us along on this beautiful walk. The scenery is great. I do like that ocean view shot. When I visit California, one of my favorite things is seeing the sun reflecting off of the water.

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  44. Klara SJanuary 2, 2019 at 2:23 PM

    Wonderful skies!

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