Watts Valley Christmas Card

This shot of Watts Valley taken by Micki Didier December 15, 2008 would make a terrific Christmas Card, wouldn't it?

This is Bransford Mountain, east of Watts Valley, taken by my neighbor Micki Didier December 15, 2008.

Snow and Rainbow

Watts Valley neighbor Micki Didier sent me this photo she took of Bransford Mountain with a dusting of snow and a rainbow in front of it. Utility towers of the Helms-Gregg 230 kV line are visible left of the bottom of the rainbow. It is unfortunate that the tower line mars the otherwise pristine view. It will be much worse if the C3ETP line is built next to them as indicated in some of PG&E's alternate routes now being considered in the CAISO stakeholder process. The planned towers will be approximately 30% taller and beefier, making them much more visible at this distance (about 1.5 miles).

Honeysuckle, Lonicera hispidula var. vacillans

This vine is common in Watts Valley and the surrounding foothills.

Buttonwillow, Cephalanthus occidentalis

This shrub grows in riparian areas of Watts Valley and the foothills. This one is about ten feet high and grows next to a spring.

Vasey's coyote thistle, Eryngium vaseyi

The presence of Vasey's coyote thistle in a vernal pool in Watts Valley may force a halt to PG&E's plans to build a substation there.

Burrough House and Children, c. 1907

This photo was taken in Burrough Valley about 1907. The house in the background was purchased by my great-great grandfather Andrew Spence in 1888 from the estate of the late William Hutchings. The house was torn down about 1910 to make room for the 2-storey house that still stands in the location at the intersection of Burrough Valley Road and Burrough North Road.

The children are (r-l) Vivian Spence (b. 1900), my grandmother; Harry Gilmer "Fritz" Spence; Edward "Bud" Spence; Patti Spence; and Norman Weldon.

The view is northeastward, and it was late afternoon, judging by the shadows.