Walking the Forests of my Childhood

In the canyons which surround what once was The Abandoned, one can find among the old fragrant cedar trees, these giant oaks.  They have been alive for hundreds of years. 

Once my sister and I saw a mountain lion sleeping in the branches about three stories up.  These trees are home to all kinds of wildlife.  I love them.  These big old Oak trees remind me of dear wrinkled grandfathers.  I like to hug them.

There are castles in the woods nearby--festooned with moss, the fairies and elves must love living here.

Have a lovely day, dear Friends. 

Mossy Stump Heart -Guest Heart Thursday

The last time we walked in The Abandon, Sissy and I found lots and lots of hearts--this one in the top of a moss-covered stump, was the prettiest, I thought. I am sure faeries must live nearby.

I loved the angle of heart curling up onto the wall.  It is an eye bender!

Somehow the vandals have found their way back up onto the rooftop.  But I didn't mind this cheerful blue heart.  I am enamored with many of the incredible graffiti art pieces found in and on these buildings.

For more heart art, photography and altogether fabulous heart stuff from around the world, visit Clytie at Random Hearts for Guest Heart Thursday!
 

WARNING: You shouldn't visit The Abandoned without permission from the owner or caretaker. If you do, you risk getting arrested for trespassing.

In the Woodlands

The old maples found in canyons surrounding The Abandoned are spectacular.  I often wonder about the things they may have seen over the hundreds of years they have been growing here.

There are enchanted stumps in these forests.  This one looks as like a doorway into an enchanted castle.

And here a window in what is obviously a fairy condo.

This lovely green thistle grew along the road just before the path to Deer Valley.  What a magical place.  I often think of the privilege we had as children--living here, playing here...what a beautiful place for imaginative children to live and play.

WARNING: You shouldn't visit The Abandoned without permission from the owner or caretaker. If you do, you risk getting arrested for trespassing.

Chipped Stump Heart - Guest Heart Thursday

The Abandoned has so many surprises--here you see a chipped heart in this stump.  The stump was a tree which was cut down in order to clear the forests here.  Though I understand why this is necessary--it is always hard for me to think of cutting down a tree. 

For more heart art, photography and altogether fabulous heart stuff from around the world, visit Clytie at Random Hearts for Guest Heart Thursday!
 

WARNING: You shouldn't visit The Abandoned without permission from the owner or caretaker. If you do, you risk getting arrested for trespassing.

Mossy Castle - Guest Heart Thursday

When Mom was a little girl the old growth trees were harvested leaving bare brown hills and the canyon.  But over the years, nature restored its beauty with a passion.  Huge fir and cedar trees were already in place when my siblings and I played on the wide tops of those huge old growth stumps.  They became imaginary castles.  Leaning from the largest stump, grasping the limber branches of the vine maple bowing overhead, we would swing across the small trickling stream. Ah, what adventures we had!

Now these stumps are covered with moss and delicate with age.  The bare feet of childhood's past would not be able to step here.  Can you find the large mossy heart on the side of the stump?

I find a sort of unearthly beauty about the grace of the mosses and fern one finds in the lands near The Abandoned.

For more heart art, photography and altogether fabulous heart stuff from around the world, visit Clytie at Random Hearts for Guest Heart Thursday.

WARNING: If you visit The Abandoned, be sure to get permission from the owner, or caretaker before you come, otherwise you risk getting arrested for trespassing.

Heart on Stump - Guest Heart Thursday

In our wanderings in the grounds in and around The Abandoned, Sissy and I find beauty everywhere.  It can be found in the ferns, moss, even a stump such as this.  Do you see the heart?

For more wonderful artwork, photography and random hearts, visit Clytie, Queen of Hearts, at Guest Heart Thursday!

WARNING: If you visit The Abandoned, You need to have from the owner, or caretaker before you come, otherwise you risk getting arrested for trespassing.