Spring is my favorite season. Californians can live only a few hours from each other and experience spring in such different ways. In some places you can find snow while in others a carpet full of California poppies. Below are a few of our California spring time adventures.
Have you ever questioned why you do what you do and why? Gosh, that is one question I sure ask myself often. “When a habit emerges, the brain stops fully participating in decision making, it stops working so hard, or diverts focus to other tasks. So unless you deliberately fight a habit- unless you find new routines- the pattern will unfold automatically. Without habit loops, our brain would shut down, overwhelmed by the minutiae of daily life. ” – Charles Duhigg.
I learned how we all follow a habit loop without ever giving it much thought. The loop we follow is cue- routine-reward. When we hear a notification on our phone (cue) and we pick up our phone (routine) to read or receive the message or like (reward) we keep doing this because we get something out of it. It is the same thing with biting our nails, running, exercising, reading, and so on. Now the really sad thing I learned was that some when they don’t get the reward they expect or want become frustrated and depressed. Instead of doing something different they dwell on that routine. We can change our routines and it is always hard to change our routines until our brain gets used to it. Right now I’m changing my routine and it has been so rewarding but so hard and it is tempting to just go back to how I was doing things.
With all the season change I want to change for the better this spring as well and make some habit changes.
In the Mountains
It is April and this was our first time this year we were able to enjoy the snow. We knew that this would most likely be our last chance to do so. We spent some time at Donner Snow Park. We had a great time making our own paths to sled down on and have snow fights with those you love. Spring in the mountains means that there is still plenty of snow to play with and the great thing is that you wont need chains. There are a variety of different snow parks in the area to choose from in the state of California. Donner Summit snow park is probably the easiest to get to out of all the snow park snow areas because it is right off interstate 80 so if the road is snowed in and it is impossible to get to you can always park at the rest area and just walk over the hill.
Sacramento Valley
There are signs of spring everywhere in California at this time of year but no where is it reflected more than the explosion of wild flowers and new life in and around vernal pools.
We have actually been to this vernal pool when our first two were younger. We have always been fascinated with vernal pools because these are temporary pools of water and some unique plants and animals thrive here.
Located at Mather Field along Eagles Nest Road.
Dragon Gulch Trail
Spring is our favorite time to hike because everything is green. During the other seasons the hills turn golden in California. If you haven’t yet hiked this year then this might be a great warm up hike for you. It is located in Sonora. This is a 2 1/2 mile loop. At the top you’ll be able to see a view of the City of Sonora.
Located at 680 Woods Creek Dr, Sonora, CA 95370.
High Desert
I’ve been wanting to see a Sage Grouse for so long. It was one of the coolest experiences ever because we got to observe them in their natural habitat. Spring in the high desert comes with a burst of activity. Now we are talking bird activity. This is the time of the year when you can see an elusive pheasant with four or five hens out in the field enjoying the fresh grass and doing it semisly without competition. You will know your witnessing sage grouse when you see some of the fields covered in snow geese in such big numbers that from afar that field looks like it is covered in snow but nothing screams mateing season any more than watching the sage grouse in their natural habitat doing their traditional dance to impress the hens.
The males participate in leks to attract females. It is a mating competition and those who dominate the mating arena win the most hens. They perform using their air sacs and feathers to attract mates. They live in America and Canada and are the largest grouse in North America and are named Sage Grouse because they most commonly nest under sage bushes.
Hands on Learning
The Sage Grouse is such a fascinating bird. I had such a hard time coming up with how we could do an art piece with this bird until I realized we could use balloons to represent the grouses air sacks.
What we used was material and watercolor. My children first drew the bird using a pencil and then painted their pictures. Once the paint was dry they cut around their drawing. Then they added another material and started sewing the two materials together. They then added cotton balls as they sewed. If you want to add balloons to represent the air sacks then simply cut the two fabrics and pull through the balloons.
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Marjie Mare
I love spring as it brings hope and anticipation of summer. I love all your pictures.
Stephanie
That’s crazy that there’s such a difference in the spring weather throughout the state. Texas is similar as well that it’s much colder in the panhandle than it is down in SE Texas.
Laura @ Mommy Dearest
I have a new found love of spring. Spring in California sounds amazing there is so much that you are able to do, you aren’t restricted to the specific season. I have never seen a Sage Grouse other than photos. Sounds like your Spring Adventures have been amazing.
Holly
Oh how fun…it looks like you had a blast. This is definitely a place worth visiting.
Vy Nguyen
I love every season in California as the weather is not too hot or too cold. It seems like there are a lot of fun activities to do in California.
Angela Tolsma
I love your sledding photos. And the sage grouse is so interesting. I totally want to see if there is something like that in my area I think it would be fun.
Samantha
I’m super glad it’s stopped snowing, but the weather here has been so extreme! 48 on Monday, 92 on Tuesday. Really. Haha.
Shoma
Looks like the kids has a blast in the snow. Honestly I am glad to have warm weather back!
Kara Ferwerda | Dollar Mommy Club
Spring is also my favorite season! I love all the beautiful flowers and the rain storms. I looks like spring in Cali is very beautiful!
Whitney Roberts Kutch
Wow!!! I want to join you on an outing!! You have such a great way of thinking of things and getting everyone involved!! You are such a blessing to your family!
Sarah
Looks like you did so much learning & growing as a family! ♡
Regine L.
I would love to go sledding! I really want to try snow ball fight with my family too!
May
Lovely pictures! I love the flowers. Having those flowers as a background is so beautiful.
Renjul
I have never seen Sage Grouse before. But I think they are interesting. Thank you for your post, I have learned something about them.
Rene
We would really like to experience snow here but it won’t really happen. How I wish it would snow here because it is really hot.
Julia
Wow that’s a great adventure. Hiking with your family is so awesome. I really love the view.
Reg
I have never been to any Vernal pools before. But I think they are enchanting! There are so many places to visit and activities to do in California.
Jurlen
That activity is so creative! I love all of your pictures! I really want to visit those places!
Gine
What a nice quote from Charles Duhigg! I completely agree with you that we cannot easily change our routines. And once we want to change our routines, it is so tempting to go back.
Renato
Wow! That’s a wonderful hands on activity. In that way we can learn more about Sage Grouse.