Hemet, CA

Last week, record highs had us scrambling for shade and drinking copious amounts of water (in the 90s, 35c).   Have had sun, sun (one day of rain) in three weeks.  Based on weather reports from various points in Canada (the RV Park has a high percentage of Canadians snow birding) we're hanging on to our fleece jackets and rain gear.

The 'winding' road from Idylwild to Palm Springs

Off to Desert Palm desert (just out of Palm Springs) to hit the market to pick up a few things and of course, fresh dates!  

And, to 'naturally' make a pitstop at the Golf Shop.   For the first time ever, I found a Jamie Sadoka top on SALE (not a huge fan but some stuff - would love to buy).  However, @ $93.00 for a top - FORGET THAT!

Got one at 75% off (had a small little sewing project, which I soon fixed & voila ---- got me-self a designer top for $20.00.   And I am NOT a shopper - hard to believe, EH!?

A little outdoor "Ghost Rider" music and the delicious smells of multinational food vendors.

Diamond Valley Lake

After coming here (Hemet) for five years, we finally decided to cycle around the dam (with a little coaxing from Shelley who has been wanting to do the 22 mile loop).

Diamond Valley Lake holds enough water to provide water to 18 million people in Southern California in times of drought & emergency.    The construction of Diamond Valley Lake's West Dam, East Dam and Saddle Dam is the largest earthwork project in the US, involving over 40 million cubic yards of foundation excavation and 110 million cubic yards of embankment construction.

Warning sign - "Rattlesnakes are a common sight in Riverside County & this area is no exception."












We saw this little snake - was not shy and just 'laying low!'   Not sure how it made such even 'bumps' while sunning itself.

This project was more than twice the total excavation of the "Chunnel" project that links England & France.

260 billion gallons of water (filling of the reservoir began in Nov 1999 and was filled by early 2002).  4.5 miles long and 2 miles wide.

During construction, the project employed an average of 1,800 people.  Some of the biggest trucks in the world were used to build the project.

Paleontologists and archaeologists have uncovered thousands of fossils in the Diamond and Domenigoni valleys SW of Hemet.   Extinct mastodons, mammoth, camel, sloth, dire wold and long horned bison have been found during excavation.

To the south of Diamond Valley Lake is the SW Riverside Reserve - 13,500 acres of open space; a multispecies protection area and home to at least 16 sensitive, endangered or threatened native California bird, animal and plant species.

Part of the Project involved the baseball diamond/aqua centre/soccer fields (where I take the dogs regularly to romp)

The aqua centre doesn't open until May 1st.

Pickleball training

Prem Carnot (his wife Wendy and young Shanti - 9 month young, happy child; up and coming pickleballer) came up from Oceanside.   

He gave some private lessons to a few groups at the RV Park.  Had a a great day with them & nice to see them once again before we head home.

Prem, Bev and Janice

Lots to learn (its a very different game from tennis, ping pong, squash or racquetball).

Apart from tons of bunnies at the RV Park, we see & hear Nightingales, Crows, Morning Doves, Finches and this Hawk (feeding on a shrew).

THE playground for the dogs (and allowed) 

I'm keeping it secret!!!!  

We play frisbee & also agility games around the trees and goal posts.

   On weekends, soccer takes over (four fields) but there is tons of open space around the area to walk and a field over by the aqua center and pickleball courts.   This is a fabulous, open area and to the right of the museum are hiking and walking trails (a massive park area for everyone, including horses); then the dam (Diamond Valley Lake) right behind us with a marina and fishing, walking, horseback riding & cycling for 22 miles.

The future looks BRIGHT for these crows that built a nest at the soccer fields!

Golfing again on thursday (the snakes are out full force apparently) - someone counted 20 at Diamond Valley Golf Course in one day!   So, we are golfing that course on thursday - will see how things unfold!