Gorgeous morning today- after the kids were off to school, Nugget and I decided to go to our famous Mission Trails region nearby.
We were greeted on the trail by a coyote...I must add CA desert coyote are less hairy than CO coyotes! (a very reasonable thing)They are probably a tad shorter than Nugget...I walked a little ways and again on the opposite side was another who ran and hid in the bushes. This doesn't concern me. What DOES are the big posted sign about CATS- with a list of rules of what to do if you encounter one. Last one being that if you are attacked- fight back. OOKaay!
My goal was to reach a short 'water' tower that I knew would provide the shade needed for my first ever Plein Air knitting! I confess I've only knitted in Drs offices, campers, or comforts of home. Nugget was feeling the morning warmth and slobbered away the water that I mistakenly gave her over where I was going to sit!
North view.
East view. The 'trails' are very accessible by utility trucks. I believe a major line into San Diego comes through this region. 
My knitting. It's a cotton dishcloth. I just love working with cotton!
Some interesting 'seeds?' that I pulled of Nuggets fur...never seen anything like it.
As I complete my hour walk (...this is not including my shortened knitting time that was concluded by little black gnats that just drove me crazy!) I came upon this red FURRY beetle like bug! 
I have no clue what it is, but I thought it was adorable! Never have seen anything like this either! The wonders of a low desert.
I have never seen a furry beetle before....but you are right, it IS cute.
Sounds like you had a great "trek". When we lived in Greenville, still in the Sierra's just a bit north of here, we had mountain lions all over. Our house butted up to a hill, and we couldn't let the childre out there without us. Sometims we could hear the cats screaming in the backyard..... not a good feeling!
Posted by: Jenn | June 03, 2006 at 07:21 AM