California Gold Rush

California is often viewed as a Utopia of sunshine and all things natural from sun tans to fresh avocados. I have visited family and friends from North of the Bay Area to the far south of San Diego & Balboa Park. And it was indeed stunning from the vineyards to the black sand beaches. It truly is blessed by God's bounty.

 
As if nature could not handle any more. This last March was a perfect combination of rain, moderate temps and a lack of damaging winds. It resulted in what is called a Super Bloom which usually occur every decade or so. So while we continue our slow spring turnover here in MN, there was a plethora of poppies there just a few weeks back. Magnificent!


 This occurred in the area of Walker Canyon outside of southeast Los Angeles. Of course there were the ever popular CA Poppies of bright mandarin orange, but also fields of yellow and purple blooms as well. What made this year's phenomenon momentous was the network of social media and a viral wave of public interest. There was such a massive exodus for the hour drive from LA that Interstate 15 resembled rush hour traffic. The same outbursts that drew crowds, began to draw caution as Riverside County declared a public safety emergency. Hashtags of #PoppyShutdown and #IsItOverYet eventually became "At this time, it is not feasible for us to keep visitors away from #WalkerCanyon." Clusters of tourists with strollers, puppy dogs and high heels attempted to conquer the rugged hillside after the desperate road blocks. I would have made the trip too!