What I Observed from my Bench at Larry Moore Park

You Can See a Lot of Nature Just Sitting on a Park Bench

Many times we don't really notice what's right in front of us. When I was escaping my roofers' noises this week I found myself on this bench. I'm so blessed I can walk over here, though I didn't on this particular day. This is the bench upon which I sat.

This bench faces west toward the Salinas River, but the riverbed is dry now. On the other side of the river runs some railroad tracks and on the other side of those the 101 Freeway as it goes through Paso Robles. To the left of the bench is the end of the cul-de-sac and a fence dividing public land from the small farm across from it. That land is where I saw the goats after I left this bench to go home.

This Bench Offers a Dose of Wilderness Close to Civilization

One of the first things I saw was an Amtrak train heading south from the Paso Robles Station. It always passes the park, and you can almost set your clock by it if you pay attention. Normally I see it going toward the station, but I was earlier than usual on this day.

You can see beyond the train to the cars on the freeway. It's a divided freeway on this stretch. I was using a zoom lens, so that train and the freeway look much closer than they really are. You'd have to walk about two blocks through the park and across the riverbed and then a bit further to get to those train tracks. When you listen to the video you will hear the traffic, but I believe the train was gone by the time I made the video.

The Salinas River Trail

My bench sits near an entrance to the Salinas River Trail that goes through the park and past it for a couple of miles. If you look to the right of the bench, as I did to take this photo, you will see the trail. Quite often people are walking or biking there. Many people use the trail or the dry riverbed to walk their dogs.

The Video

As I sat on my bench, I made a video by pointing the camera from the right to the left to take in my view. I aimed it up, down, and sideways to take in the height of the tree near me. I narrate to tell you what I'm seeing and doing. I hope you enjoy it.

Still Views from My Bench

Below you see the path that leads to the riverbed, now dry. On the far right is the tree branch you saw in the video that bends all the way to the ground and looks like a little tree by itself. Between that and the path to the river you see a bed of poison oak with a red tinge. The oak is on the left and its branch extends all the way to the ground on the right. The path is steeper than it looks and one has to be careful not to slip -- especially when it's wet after one of our rare rains.

Here's a closer look at that poison oak beside the path to the river.

Here's the other side of the oak on the left side of the path.

Below is the rest of the oak and the rocks near the trail entrance near the road. On the far left you are seeing outside the park onto the private property where I saw the goats yesterday.

This is another perspective of the oak with a zoom and some dried poison hemlock stalks. Have you noticed how much poison lurks near the trails?

Here's a book that will help you identify and deal with poison oak if you happen to touch it. This book has the highest reviews of any I saw, and a great section on identifying these plants.

Below I put the poison oak right next to the oak branch so you can see the leaves clearly. There's part of a willow tree on the far left near the top.

Now You've Shared my Views from the Park Bench

Which did you like best? Did you learn anything from these photos? I feel very fortunate to be able to walk to this park when I need a dose of nature. 

*****

D is for Dark Star Cellars

D is for Dark Star Cellars. Ever wonder why someone would name a winery Dark Star Cellars? I have wondered ever since I started passing the tasting room and vineyard when it arrived in my neighborhood. I had visited it and photographed it, but I had never asked where the name came from. 

Today I found out while reading a ViciVino.com interview with the owners, Norm and Susan Benson. Norm said it "symbolizes my passion to produce stellar red wines or dark stars."

Dark Star Cellars is a couple of miles down the highway from me, and I stopped in one late afternoon to take some photos only to find the tasting room closed and the bottling truck getting ready to bottle the wine -- something I've always wanted to watch. I was delighted. Here's some of what I saw.

Here's a still photo of the truck.

Bottling Truck Beginning Work at Dark Star Cellars, © B. Radisavljevic

Dark Star Cellars Winery with its vineyards and tasting room is found in the heart of Paso Robles 46 West Wine County. It's one of the Anderson Road wineries just off 46 West, the first on the left side as you turn off the highway onto Anderson. Brian Benson Cellars Tasting Room was also located in the Dark Star building. Brian is Norm and Susan's son. I guess winemaking runs in many North County families. I just read that Brian has moved his tasting room to 2915 Limestone Way, Paso Robles. I've not yet been there.

View of Dark Stars Property from Hill above Dark Star Cellars, © B. Radisavljevic

The photo above was taken last week from Grey Wolf Winery which is on a hill overlooking Anderson Road. It shows a more recent view than the first two  photos and the one at the end which were taken in March, 2012. 

I love the way the color of the Dark Star buildings contrast with the grass and vines of the vineyard. That's why I used the photo below to design a number of products one can personalize. This is just a sample of what's available. You can even use your photo instead of mine or add text. See the rest of my products with the Dark Star Cellars design here. 

 Porcelain Plate: Dark Star Cellars Winery Plate Dark Star Cellars Winery in Paso Robles, CA Coaster Dark Star Cellars Ceramic Ornament Dark Star Cellars Winery in Paso Robles, CA Postage Dark Star Cellars Heart Sticker

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You can easily share this post by pinning the photo below to a Pinterest board or using one of the other share buttons below just above the comment box. 

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• A

How Will You Celebrate Inspire Your Heart with Art Day?

It is very easy to celebrate Inspire Your Heart with Art Day here in Paso Robles. Artists abound here on the Central Coast, and there are many places where you can see their work. One way to inspire your heart with art is to visit a local gallery like Heritage Gallery West or one of the exhibits at Studios on the Park. You are sure to find some art that will inspire you at either place.

I visited Studios on the Park recently, and the first thing to catch my eye was the window display for the currently showing "Migrations" exhibit. The windows here always have two works of art. One is the collection of art pieces put in the windows  to be viewed by those passing by. The other is the reflection from the park across the street. On this visit it was nearing time for sunset. So you see the painting inside the gallery, and you see the reflection superimposed on it.

 I've never come away from Studios on the Park without amazement at how creative the artists are. On this visit I talked to two artists preparing for the Soundscapes Exhibit which opens on February 4, 2016. They are working in two completely different media.

The first one I talked to was Eve Chartrand. I was intrigued by the violin she was working on. She allowed me to let her explain how she was transforming it, in this video. See a previous post written after a visit to  Eve's studio, which she shares with Anna Meyrick, here. 

The other artist I talked to  was Anne Laddon. She was also  preparing work for the Soundscapes exhibit -- five paintings. We see her here at work on one of them in her studio. She is looking critically at something she wants to change in the color scheme in this painting and is pondering what color to substitute for the one she's not happy with.

She is working from this photograph as a model for her painting. 

This visit made it obvious to me that before I see art that inspires me, an artist's heart first has to be inspired to create it. If the artist isn't inspired first, the artwork will probably not inspire those who see it.

 I love going to Studios on the Park because I can see the creation process and learn what is in the mind of the artists as they create. I'm anxious to see the finished works I saw in the process of creation. I hope I'll be able to go to see the Soundscapes exhibit this weekend.

An Unexpected Visit from a Praying Mantis

Until I started gardening in Paso Robles, I had never seen a live praying mantis. Then, a few years ago, I found one in my yard. The one you see in this photo decided to visit me inside my house. I have no idea why. I was sitting in the family room a few nights ago and saw this one flying above me. It landed on a wall high above my head. In flight I thought it was a dragonfly. Only when I focused my zoom lens on it did I see that it was actually a mantis. Later, it moved to different wall lower down, and with some effort to get behind some furniture that was blocking decent access, I was able to get this shot. Since it was night, I had to  use a flash, but there was also a lamp to the left throwing off its own light.


I discovered my first praying mantis in my garden one year late in October. I was trying to get photos of a mullein in bloom, and didn't even notice this mantis until I was poised to take a macro shot of a flower. Do you see how well the colors of the mantis blend into the colors of the plant?

But I hadn't seen the whole show yet. As I continued to stalk the plant with my camera, I caught a mantis pair mating, and I could not resist taking the photo below and adding a bit to it.

Although the mantis is smooth in flight, it seems a bit awkward as it moves from one part of a plant to another. In the video below, I captured it moving from the flower spike it was on to the one a couple of inches away from it. As you can see, it is having a bit of a struggle making this short journey.

Other products with the design below are also available from Zazzle. You can change or remove the text if you wish. Most of the products are blank. I used to think the plant was clary sage because that's what the person who sold it to me told me. It was months before the plant bloomed and I accidentally discovered my mistake when I saw a photo of mullein online and in an herb book. The leaves are similar, but the flowers are very different. Some product titles still have not been corrected on Zazzle, but I'm  working on it.

Praying Mantis Pair on Mullein Plant Mouse Pad
by barbsbooks

Illuminated Spirit on Display in Window at Studios on the Park

Studios on the Park was closed when I walked by Monday, but this window for the Illuminated Spirit Exhibit that will be on display until September 27, certainly grabbed my attention. I may go back later in the week to see it.

The window also reflects the view on Eleventh Street and part of the park. I've always thought reflections were fun.

This poster, which was also visible from the outside, explains the exhibit and names the participating artists. You can click to enlarge if you can't read the print. Maybe you can inject a dose of art into your weekend activity schedule if you are near Paso Robles.




Meet Heidi Franscioni Beal in this video as she explains her encaustic process to me back in 2011 in her former studio at Studios on the Park .

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Remembering the 2013 Threshing Bee at Jack Creek Farms

On August 23, 2013, I took advantage of the opportunity to watch the Threshing Bee at Jack Creek Farms, about a mile west of me in Templeton. I had never seen wheat being harvested before, so I decided this was an opportunity not to be missed. I took some photos to share with anyone else who had never seen a wheat harvest. This is one of the machines that was at work harvesting the wheat.

Threshing Bee at Jack Creek Farms, 2013

Below is a close-up side view of what the combine harvester shown in the top photo does with the wheat. It rakes it in, cuts it, separates the wheat kernels from chafe, keeps the grain in the tank, and spits the rest out the back as waste.

Machine Harvesting Wheat at Jack Creek Farms, Close-up, © B. Radisavljevic

The video below shows a vintage harvester that was in use as long ago as 1947. I took this video as it was being used at the 2013 Threshing Bee.

There was also much more to see. On display were antique cares and trucks, vintage motors used around the farm, and threshing machines and tractors from previous eras. People watched and farmers stood around talking. 

Vintage Cars on Display at Jack Creek Farms 2013 Threshing Bee, © B. Radisavljevic

After the wheat was harvested and threshed, it was ready to sell in bulk by the bucket to customers. This 5-gallon bucket is being filled for a customer. Price was only $10 for very fresh white winter wheat. Such a shame we are a wheat-free family now.

Wheat for Sale at Jack Creek Farms 2013 Threshing Bee, © B. Radisavljevic

If you ever get an opportunity to attend the threshing bee at Jack Creek Farms,  I hope you will go and take your children. It will be enlightening for them to see where the flour in their bread and cookies comes from. 

X is for Xmas in Paso Robles

Before my Christian brothers and sisters get upset thinking I'm trying to take the name of Christ out of Christmas, I would refer you to the origins of Xmas as explained in Wikipedia. 

Xmas is  a sort of shorthand using the X, which is the first letter of the Greek word for Christ as a symbol for the name of Christ and so it means Christ Mass, which in common usage we have shortened to Christmas. I have used the shortened term here for obvious reasons. I didn't want to talk about where to get an X-ray in the North County, even though I have been X-rayed several times in the past year and even have photos of my X-rays to prove it.

Christmas is more fun. The City of Paso Robles has its own big celebration in the park for the lighting of the Christmas Tree and the singing of carols. I have never been able to attend that.

In my own neighborhood, the Riverbank tract, the neighbors decorate their homes in some creative ways. The nativity photo at the top, taken in 2014, comes from a home on Sandbar Court that has had a spectacular display every year I can remember. In 2010 I even made a video of it, since it was full of movement and music. It has gotten even better since I made this. I just haven't made any more videos since 2010.

As far as I'm concerned, the most wonderful Paso Robles Christmas party is the Vine Street Victorian Showcase. It's the ultimate block party, except that it occupies several blocks which are closed to motor vehicles during the few hours of fun after dark. All the Victorian houses are decorated with lights. The community participates in a big way with singers, dancers, story tellers, and free hot chocolate, coffee, popcorn, and other treats offered to those walking by.

Visitors can hear almost any music style, but I tend to pay the most attention to the traditional carolers. People walk along until they find a performance or activity they want to stop and listen to, watch, or participate in. There is a snow slide, a Grinch House, and the biggest attraction -- the house of Ebeneezer Scrooge. He comes out and interacts with the crowd as they try to change his mind about Christmas.  On each block, there are several different points of interest. It's a Christmas smorgasbord of sights and sounds.

In 2013 I took my video camera and tried to pick up the highlights -- the parade warm-up, the display of the Morning Star Youth Ranch (this links to a professional video on the ranch's work with rescued horses and troubled youth), Scrooge interacting with the crowd, the Grinch, and some great choral music. Here's my video.

If you ever come to Paso Robles during the Christmas season, you won't want to miss the Vine Street Victorian Showcase. It will entertain you whether you prefer to write Christmas or Xmas.

How does your town celebrate Christmas?

T is for Trains

In Paso Robles that would be the Amtrak trains that run along the edge of the river and 101 freeway through Paso Robles. I don't think we can "hear the whistle blow a hundred miles," but when I am trying to fall asleep I'm sure I must hear it for at least ten miles.

Amtrak Train Headed to Paso Robles Depot

I actually see the trains most often when I'm walking in Larry Moore Park in the late afternoon. They run above the park about 4:45 PM. If I'm far into the park at the right time I can often get a shot. If I'm not as close as I'd like to be when I hear the whistle blow from Templeton, I hurry quickly to the river's edge to see if I can beat the train to the place with the clearest view. Even then I have to use my zoom, since the train is on the other side of the river.

Train Leaving Paso Robles Station Heading South

One late afternoon in October 2014 I was walking along Pine Street near Fourth Street when I heard the whistle of the train leaving the station. I knew I'd have to walk pretty fast to get a shot. This was the best I could do with my zoom that day. All I have is a point and shoot because I need a small camera when I'm out walking.

One day I  got really lucky. I heard the train pull in when I was right by the station. I ran to the sidewalk next to the tracks and got this video just as the train was leaving to go north. It's a bit shaky at the beginning because I was running.

That same day I took this picture as passengers were boarding before the train pulled away. Then I turned it into a poster on Zazzle.

 Poster: Train Leaving Paso Robles Station in Winte Poster

How often do you get close to a train? Do you travel frequently by train?