Antelope Valley flower power

This past Saturday was one of those rare days when I had absolutely nothing on my schedule. Barbara and I woke up and saw a beautiful photo in the Los Angeles Times of the poppies near Lancaster. She’s always eager to explore Los Angeles and Southern California, but we never seem to be able to string together enough hours for an excursion. So this was our moment.

In my lifetime, I’ve traveled to dozens of countries and 46 of our 50 states. But one of the most spectacular sights I’ve ever seen came at the end our 1½-hour drive from our Fairfax area home to the Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve, where the state’s flower is in glorious full bloom. So many bright golden orange poppies carpet the hillsides that the explosion of color can be seen from miles away.

It is literally a sight to behold—and photograph. (I’ve attached a few of my own pictures).

This year, the blooms are particularly spectacular because of our wet winter. Although the flowers grow wild through high-desert area, Barbara and I headed for the state reserve ($8 per car), where there’s a visitors center, picnic tables and eight miles of trails that let you wander through gentle hills. One drawback: the state parks ranger warned us to watch out for snakes, which is not what I wanted to hear.

The views from the reserve’s trails are remarkable. Close-ups of the poppies are matched by unobstructed vistas of thousands of acres covered by different hues of golden orange. The hike leaves you breathless, not because of the physical rigors but because of the unique beauty of the landscape.

My blog usually focuses on pressing public policy issues such as transit, budgets, health and the economy. Today, however, I wanted to share this memorable experience, one that showed me how even I, a native Angeleno, can be taken by surprise. The poppies should be peaking for several more weeks, so if you’ve got a few free hours I strongly encourage you to get in the car and go. You won’t regret—or forget—it.

Here are the directions: Take State Highway 14 to Lancaster. Exit on Avenue I and go west 14 miles. Follow the signs to the Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve. From there, let your eyes take you the rest of the way.

Enjoy, and feel free to upload your pictures on my website’s “Picture This” feature.

Posted 4/12/2010