Climbing Mount Rubidoux

     These are the things I prize
       And hold of dearest worth:
       Light of the sapphire skies,
       Peace of the silent hills,
 Shelter of forests, comfort of the grass,
 Music of birds, murmur of little rills,
 Shadow of clouds that swiftly pass,
       And, after showers,
       The smell of flowers
   And of the good brown earth,—
And best of all, along the way, friendship and mirth.

~Henry Van Dyke, from God of the Open Air

On top of Mount Rubidoux

"Let's climb Mt. Rubidoux," suggested YC as we discussed activities for the days surrounding the graduation (the purpose of the trip). I couldn't imagine any kind of climb in the heat of early summer and the breathlessness of this most recent virus. So we did other things.

But I read about the hike up the mountain as I rested. This hike is represented as an easy walk on paved paths. There is a warning about rattlesnakes and crowds. The cool weather promised on Sunday morning might just bode well for a summit attempt, if I could shake some of my "tired." 

Sunday dawned and we gathered our gear. Mount Rubidoux Park is a busy spot with runners, walkers, climbers (there are many spots to "boulder" on Mt. Rubidoux*), bikers, dog walkers, and probably others all moving smartly. I was a slow walker, glad to finally be out in some semblance of nature where we might observe wild things growing, flying, running, and crawling (slithering?). We had seen a very few creatures - house sparrows, crows (we always see crows here), and a bunny (desert cottontail lost in a development) - but they mostly seemed intruders in the well manicured lawns and gardens of the artificial Californian landscape.** This park isn't quite wild, but it isn't tame either.

Mt. Rubidoux is reported to be glorious in the spring when the wildflowers are blooming. We were treated to a few blooms, but I could see from what remained that we would want to return again to see the place in April or early May. It is still a lovely place with massive boulders and determined vegetation growing in cracks and along the sandy paths.

On this day we set our sights on the flag and cross at the top of the mountain and headed out. We later discovered we had hiked up the steeper - more challenging path and down the longer and gentler incline. Nevertheless we made it to the top, slowly and surely with photos and memories to show for our efforts.  Here are a few of the things we saw.*** 

Avocado stand on the side of the road (this is how you know we are in California).

Okay. I know that Mockingbirds are a dime a dozen. But I felt as if this guy was welcoming us. It was also waiting for us when we finished the hike.

California Ground Squirrel - I saw it running out of the corner of my eye. Then he stopped for a quick photo.

Yeah. That's where we were going. It didn't look very far - it wasn't really. The whole hike is only just over 2.5 miles.

California Bee Plant

At the overlook

It is a lovely place with many places to explore.

The cross has been here a good long time. DH and YC climbed the pedestal (they are on the other side in this photo). JF and I declined.

Orange Bush Monkey Flower

My group on the Peace Bridge

We had been calling this "the castle" but it is really a bridge and tower.

Looking down towards downtown Riverside.

I heard a bird singing madly (and beautifully) at the bridge and kept looking for him.

And there he was.

The way down would offer me more "breath" and more time to catch some creatures.

California Buckwheat

Another hill, just beyond where we walked.

It appeared the pressure of the rock and ground above fractured this boulder in a sort of "starburst" pattern.

The sun came out and we would find ourselves treated to sunning reptiles (although they warn of rattlesnakes, we saw no snakes).

Common Side-blotched Lizard (I always love the word "common" in a creature's name. There is usually nothing "common" about the thing to me.)

I caught this bird "in flight" - rare for me.

If you look hard you can see a crow (one of two riding thermals that morning) flying just to the right of the agave bloom.

Detail of photo above.

We even missed most of the cactus blooms.

DH has become quite adept at spotting lizards. We had almost reached the bottom of the hill when we saw this guy.

Granite Spiny Lizard

  

NOTES:

"Rubidoux" rhymes with "Scooby Doo" - and the somewhat sordid history of the place can be found here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Rubidoux

**I hate to be negative, but I find that all the exotic plantings I see and research turn out to be some imported thing from Australia or Peru or Spain. It was wonderful to see many California native plants and animals on the hike.

***I am leaving out the detritus from the irresponsible dog owners. This place is nasty. Most owners do not pick up after their animals. Many who do then wedge the used "doggy bag" into a crack in the rocks of the hillside. For all the reputation of California "healthy living," the dog owners who frequent Mt. Rubidoux need education and training. Scooby Doo would be appalled.

Downtowne Treasure (Hint: It's a Bookstore!)

It is clear that the books owned the shop 

rather than the other way about. 

Everywhere they had run wild 

and taken possession of their habitat, 

breeding and multiplying, 

and clearly lacking any strong hand to keep them down.

~Agatha Christie, The Clocks

We had walked past the little entrance the night before on our way to dinner. Something whispered to me all evening and part of the next day - We are waiting for you. [It was something like that. It could have been the breeze or the cold clogging my ears.] Whatever it was, whatever it said, I knew I needed to see what treasures might be hiding down that small walkway (especially once I finished the book* I brought along for the journey).

3582 Main St, Riverside, CA 92501 - I have always loved passageways...and here the whispers grew louder...

Every good used bookstore offers bargains at the front. This is where I found the book that would take me most of the way home.**

Morning glories lined the fence (I would hear the sisters mention that this was the first time their morning glories had bloomed on "their" side of the fence).

Once inside I was a bit overwhelmed. There are books - owls - art - comics and more. This is a bookstore as bookstores should be. Run by sisters, Nadia and Vera Lee, the Downtowne Bookstore has personality. I loved it! There was something on every aisle and around every corner that made me smile. [The Christie quote really doesn't apply, but sets a tone and I like it.]

Go visit. Wander. You will find something for you (I did***) and maybe a gift or two. The bonus comes if you get a chance to talk to Nadia and Vera and watch them interact with their customers.

Nadia and Vera Lee - I borrowed this photo (at the request of the sisters) from Inland Entertainment Review.****

I love the handy stepladders and shelves that are not so overloaded that you cannot focus.

I love that Patrick O'Brian, one of DH's favorites is parked next to Edna O'Brien, one of mine.

My spot - but I had already found my 50 cent treasure.

I should have focused on cold remedies, but was already a little overwrought. It happens in libraries and bookstores.

A little art and the funnies.

Owls line many shelves along the edges. That's Vera at the desk.

Owls and sewing patterns and silver-plate

Cookbooks were neighbors to diet books.

Judith Viorst lounged a few volumes away from Whittier and Wordsworth. [Okay, maybe it's just me.]

I don't do crosswords, but thought DH would love this one.

The child in me always insists that a bookstore MUST be judged on whether Nancy Drew lives there.

NOTES:

* The Lost Hours by Karen White - horse people and genealogists will enjoy it. It was not my usual read, but fine and fast for the plane.

** The Suspense is Killing Medicine by Thomas Maxwell - a bargain at 50 cents. This was more my kind of book, a murder mystery. While a little busy (maybe too many characters) it was another entertaining and fast read - finished on the last flight home. I suspected, but didn't guess the end until the final pages.

***Two wonderful books on pottery! And they had more, but I reminded myself that I am supposed to be downsizing AND I realized I'd be schlepping the extra weight through a couple of airports.

****December2017/January 2018 issue.  http://inlandreview.com/ier1217/index.html


FINAL NOTE: I walked out of the bookstore and sent a text to my siblings suggesting we open a book/outfitter/craft/antique/sewing/travel store together. Their responses were kind.

A Trio of Shops

T. Elliott has an eye.

I discovered this as I window shopped on Main Street. First I saw the gallery with its note on the door telling me 2 doors to the right. The gallery was showing works by local artists and I wanted to see more. So I followed directions and walked to the right.

Through the gallery window.

 The next space was an eclectic sort of antique shop with a sign 1 door to the right.

I could find a home for either of these chandeliers (although I do not want to swing from either).

A fabulous collection of silver.

Curioser and curioser.

Through this door was the woman herself - T. Elliott of T. Elliott Design Studio*

Terry Elliott greeted me at the door (that was two to the right) and then took me to and through each of the shops. I was able to see everything - even into the closets (Jesus on the top shelf, amazing art and neat piles of fabrics). Each shop is its own kind of wonderful.

The gallery contained beautiful and imaginative porcelain and stoneware works by Lisabeth Mertins** and prints by Denise Kramer.*** There were many pieces that called out for close examination and some whispered, "Take me home." But I have no room and I am in the midst of downsizing.****

I peeked around the corner to see rows of thread and fabrics - amazing fabrics. Ms. Elliott creates here and one could see a number of her works in progress. And one can also see - and purchase one of her many gorgeous creations - hand-painted fabrics made into dresses, vests, jackets and scarves. Other amazing geometric confections waited to be taken home were displayed on racks (as well as the artist). I'm convinced there really was something here for everyone. And, if you cannot find exactly what you are looking for Terry will work with you designing something expressly for you. It's that kind of place and she is that kind of artist.

I fear I "looked all the colors" off of some of the garments. I also found the jewelry collections compelling. One line is made by a local mother-daughter team. Their stands of jewels imaginatively combining history and spirit.

Not quite satisfied to take home only photos I could only leave by promising myself to find some occasion or a need for a statement piece - something to shop for my next trip to Riverside.

I love the rows of colorful thread (and the handmade pattern hanging in the middle).

The fabrics are rich and varied - this was only a small stack hiding under the work table.

The right person could just scoop up that golden outfit and be ready for anything. Alas, not my colors (and no place to go).

Yes, I know, I know. This is me. Really. I am dreaming of it.

I couldn't do the white top and slacks, but that turquoise.... <sigh>

Seriously...look at the choices.

And look at the jewelry!

Ms. Elliott was generous with her time. She shared the history of the shops, even showing me an old photograph from long ago when there was a dome on top of the building (echoing the other domes atop buildings in the downtown area) and the middle shop was an arched passage to the stable in the back.

There are no ghosts here according to Ms. Elliot. Of course I had to ask. But I wonder. There is certainly a wonderful feeling in each of the shops and Terry will make you feel at home, answering your questions and sharing her artist's eye.

NOTES:

*More on T. Elliott Design Studio:
https://www.facebook.com/telliottdesign/
http://www.telliottx3.com/about.html
https://www.facebook.com/terese.elliott.3?fref=search

**More on Lizbeth Martins
https://lisamertins.com/about.html

***More on Denise Kramer:
https://www.pe.com/2017/12/20/from-history-to-clothing-printmaking-captures-riverside-artists-imagination/
https://www.facebook.com/denise.kraemer.3

****I have prints stacked against the walls and 7 (really) boxes of books waiting for donation. Don't ask how many bags of clothing are waiting for new lives via the thrift store.