Exploring our Neighborhood

This is the first of what may become an occasional series.

On a beautiful Saturday we decided it was time to get out of the comfortable shell of our life in Jojoba Hills. It has become to easy to chat with neighbors, play bridge and participate in various committees and other activities. Carol noticed that there was a Daffodil Festival in Julian. Long time readers of this blog may remember that we first visited Julian in 2003 or thereabouts. We have been back many times, sometimes just passing through and other times staying to camp. Some research (Google Map search) showed that we are at most an hour from Julian over  twisty mountain roads. Actually right on CA 79 which is the same highway we are on.

Historically, Julian was founded as a gold mining town in 1869. AS with so many such towns is flourished and failed. But they have a great climate for growing apples and today are know for apple pie, cider and great local apples. The demand for their apples is great enough that the only place they can be bought is in Julian and there mostly as apple pie, or maybe APPLE PIE. There is Mom’s Pies

on Main Street, and Julian Pies and even Miner’s Diner’s Apple Pie. Oh yes that bag has a whole pie sweetened with Apple Cider to be brought back to the coach. Every restaurant has its own pies and there are lots of restaurants. 
We stopped at Miner’s Diner for lunch. Carol had apple pie and cider – yes! Carol Goldberg really indulge. I had Chili served in a bread bowl.  I was aware of the great taste of the chili hours later 🙂 
Of course we had to go to the Daffodil Festival in the Town Hall. The entire hall was given over to displays of Daffodils.

I’m sure if I had been asked I might have said that there more than two or three varieties of Daffodils, but I never would have imagined the variety displayed in this small town hall. The presenters included mature plant growers and children down to 4 to 5 years old. The sizes of Daffodils ranged from no more than 4 inches high to substantial flowers as you can see in the photos. 
We concluded our visit to Julian with a stroll the length of the main shopping area finishing at the birding supply store where we bought a tube feeder for small birds and a sugar water feeder for hummingbirds. It has only been a couple of days since they were put up and we are trying to be patient. Of course, should they find the feeders in the next week, at least one will be gone with us as we take off for Escapade near Tucson.