Last Sunday Mark and I headed to Idyllwild, CA which is in the San Jacinto Mountains. We had never visited there before so we headed out on an adventure. It was about an hour and a half ride from our house. Not to much to see along the way but then you start driving up the mountain and of course the scenery started to change.
Have to tell you that we have driven many California mountain roads and this by far was one of the curviest we have ever been on! We went up to 6,000 ft. when we reached a little town called Pine Cove which was a little bit past Idyllwild.
I can't really explain it, I couldn't find any pictures either and I didn't take a picture of Pine Cove but it was the most amazing feeling when you approached the area. It was like driving through the dense forest with the most beautiful pine trees reaching towards the sky. It was so majestic. I will have to go back and get some photos!
We headed back into Idyllwild which was our destination and pulled off of the road into an area called The Nature Center. We didn't actually go into the building but we came upon the most interesting trees. They are Manzanita and we had never seen them before. Very dark branches and they were also in bloom.
"Manzanita has a rich history in California. California’s Native Americans utilized the decorative berries and leaves for beverages such as tea, extracts for headaches and lotion for relief from poison oak."
Click to enlarge photos
We also saw a pine cone that was huge. Probably close to one of the biggest I have ever seen. I love pine cones but really don't know much about them. I collect them but couldn't tell you what kind of tree they are from. I searched, I Googled and didn't find what I was looking for.
The pine trees were lovely and tall but nothing that would warrant such giant pine cones. I've seen many pine trees that size with just your normal sized pine cone. These were huge! Then we headed into town, ate some lunch at the Gnome restaurant and walked around some of the little shops. (Mark does not like walking around and going into the shops) I got a really cute pine cone dish towel......
On the way home we picked up some dinner at Portillo's to eat later. Anyone have a Portillo's near them? They are from Chicago. We get what is called a combo sandwich which is Italian Beef with an Italian Sausage.
Enjoy your weekend :)
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16 comments:
Hi Debby, That sounds like a fun trip. Glad you got a towel with pine cone to remember your visit. Our neighbors invited us to join them for Thanksgiving and they had Portillos beef sandwiches delivered ups here to GA! It was so good!
Thanks for sharing your day trip with us. Enjoy the weekend.
I like all the photos you did take.. that is the biggest pine cone i have ever seen... and those Manzanita trees are magnificent. I like the deer to... a wonderful trip. i would have had a giant hot dog
Hi Debby - Sounds like a nice outing you had. I really like the Manzanitas and the huge pinecones.
i've seen those trees on other blogs before - fascinating!
What a nice outing. I can't wait for it to warm up here ... more fun to take a road trip if we can get out of the car to check things out.
Glad you finally got to Idylwild. We've visited it a lot over the years; its fun to browse in the stores and of course people watch. My BIL/SIL have a cabin in Pine Cove, they love the area. We don't have Portillo's here; I just googled to see for sure; saw they had one in Buena Park. They sound delicious though!
Sounded like a great road trip!
betty
What a fun adventure! I have a big ceramic thing next to my fireplace full of pinecones.....not sure why but I love them. Have a wonderful weekend!
Sounds like a beautiful trip! I haven't been to Portillos in forever! I usually get a hot dog w/ mustard and cheese fries but they have so many good things on the menu.
Sounds like a nice outing! Glad you got to do something special!
I am glad you and your hubby got to go on an adventure with your husband!!! And I do remember Portillo's restaurant in Chicago - great hotdogs. sandie
I love day trips! I enjoyed hearing about yours - very "serendipity"!
Don't ask me about trees. I am happy enough when I know the Dutch or English name, let alone the Norwegian name! Other than that: hopeless!
Hi Debby. Sounds like a perfect way to spend a Sunday! One of these days, I'll get to take my bike out for a Sunday drive!
I remember finding some enormous pine cones on a trip to California. But also being surprised the the cones for the giant Sequoias were so tiny!
What a beautiful trip!
We have Manzanita here in Arizona, too! I see lots of it when I'm hiking in the mountain forest trails!
That sounds like a fun day, Debby. I will have to look this up on the map. I'm intrigued by Pine Cove as well. So, glad you did this! Ann
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