A change of climate at home

We left San Diego and Lakeside amid Birds of Paradise in full bloom.

We returned to Levan to the first snow storm of the season.

A major snowstorm hit the next week.

It features BIG snow globe type flakes.

It was wet, dense snow...perfect for a snow man! 

Creator and creature pose together.

This is what 5 degrees looks like the day after the storm.

                       Grandma, Is she real?                                  Just a real snow lady, SJ!

 The next BIG storm hit Dec. 14-15th.  This is Levan Church. 

This is Florence Peterson's residence in town.

 

The tracks belong to SJ who came to play in the snow!

Our visit to Julian, CA

We visited a quaint little gold mining town in the hills above Lakeside, called Julian.

It was very chilly that day, so our tour started in their shop 

where they have a collection of beautiful stones and gems. 

We entered the old Eagle Mine here to begin our tour.

Our tour guide is giving some last minute instructions.

We traveled for several minutes inside the mine.    This fence seals off the old mine shaft.

Here we are in the old hoist room.
Check out their communication system below.

The Eagle Mine connects with High Peak Mine as the tour proceeds. 

                 Rorie peeks back through the mine exit. 

The old mining town relics were almost as much fun as the mine.

Rorie

 

Julian is now famous for it's apples.

This is a famous Julian crumb topped apple pie.

Yes!  Worth the trip up to Julian! 

We finished the day at Rorie's art class.

This is her most recent chalk sketch. It is
a bunny under a bridge near a stream.

Seaport Village and ocean front board walk

These three little frogs welcomed us to Seaport Village.

Rorie and Noa and Captain Blackbeard.

Pirates:  Taking recruits daily!

Huge ships can be seen frequently entering the port under the Coronado Bridge. 

One shop featured a candle maker and decorator.

Baby Ducks in November?  This would never happen in Utah!

If you drop a dollar in the bag this guy comes to life!

Rorie is a famous tree climber.    Noa, Dad and I near the famous 

                                                                                       Navy "welcome home" statue.

Midway is a famous Naval Ship.

Sidewalk singers are common along the boardwalk. 

Next trip down, Dad, Rorie and Jake are taking a ride on
this boat.  It promises all riders will come back completely
soaked because of high speed turns and maneuvers.

Pirate's the of Caribbean was filmed on this ship.

Hunger drives us back to the shops!

Do you think Jake's girls like him?

Rorie on an old-fashioned carousel.

Noa and Jake enjoy a ride, too.