By Eilene Lyon After completing my archive research in California (Huntington Library, Bancroft Library, and the California Historical Society), it was time to do some gold rush sight-seeing. My first stop was the Wells Fargo branch on Montgomery in downtown San Francisco. This city owes its explosive growth directly to the gold rush. Wells Fargo... Continue Reading →
Blogging Bicentennial
By Eilene Lyon I know that people generally celebrate blogging anniversaries, but since I was on hiatus when my anniversary came around (and likely will follow suit each winter), I decided to celebrate this, my 200th blog post. For something a little different, I “borrowed” these questions from Ally over at The Spectacled Bean. Think... Continue Reading →
Alien Invasion
By Eilene Lyon You may have noticed I haven’t posted much lately. This week saw me overwhelmed in fighting aliens – right here at home! They go by the name of Scorzonera laciniata. Yes, I mean a dastardly weed invading our property, threatening to take over, lock, stock, and barrel. I first spotted the cutleaf... Continue Reading →
Unheard Of
By Eilene Lyon I am looking at a white sheet draped across my normally expansive view. Yep, it is snowing here in southwest Colorado. The local ski area, Purgatory, plans on opening this weekend with all the fresh pow they're getting. Crazy!! Happy May!
The Botanist
Week 20: #52 Ancestors – Nature By Eilene Lyon You’ve met my great-grandmother, Clara Ransom Davis in several earlier posts. Clara moved to Idaho as a teen and attended Moscow High School, becoming a teacher at 16, while still in school herself. She attended the University of Idaho, and graduated with the third class in... Continue Reading →
The Berkeley Bus
By Eilene Lyon (for SB) My recent trip to California included a four-day stay in Berkeley to do research. My hotel was a few miles from the UC campus. I don't often take public transportation - it isn't an option where I live. I asked at the hotel desk about the bus to campus. It... Continue Reading →
Unintended Consequences
Week 15: #52 Ancestors – DNA By Eilene Lyon Well into my second year of doing Amy Johnson Crow’s 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks prompts, I’ve struck on one that really has me stymied. The “DNA” prompt just doesn’t bring any particular ancestor or relative to mind. Should I write about medical issues? Perhaps the... Continue Reading →
The Loneliest Road
By Eilene Lyon I asked my iPhone for the shortest route from Georgetown, California, to Durango, Colorado. When it came to Nevada, going across the middle wasn’t presented as an option, even if I said to omit the interstates. So I specifically told Siri to give me directions from Reno, Nevada, to Great Basin National... Continue Reading →
The Huntington: Gardens
By Eilene Lyon Sunday morning, I arrived at the Huntington to see the gardens and galleries. I thought I was there after opening, but it turned out I was fifteen minutes early, because I'd been looking at my computer clock (mountain time) instead of my phone. As I waited for the ticket office to open,... Continue Reading →