May 2, 2012
Pendola Gardens Road, Mariposa County
Total distance walked: 6.5 miles
The sun shone brightly as Michelle and I strolled down Pendola Gardens Road, a quaint country lane in Mariposa County.
Cows were grazing behind the rusty barbed-wire fences.
Squirrels darted along the dusty trail by Bear Creek, where the gentle stream teemed with tiny fish.
A gentle breeze rustled the leaves of the trees lining the meandering road. Birds were active on this delightful spring day, with acorn woodpeckers and robins perched in the oak trees. The soft cooing of mourning doves filled the air, while quail, wild turkeys, and killdeer strolled down the trail. Hawks, blue jays, and warblers darted through the sky.
Strolling past an inactive rock quarry, we were delighted to discover a variety of wildflowers adorning the almost deserted, softly undulating landscape. Among them were baby blue eyes, lupine, paintbrush, fiddleneck, sunflowers, and others.
We rested in a meadow close to Cow and Calf Creek, a creek bed that was partly dry. The area is the long-forgotten location of Nicholas Pendola’s gardens, dating back to around 1870, where vegetables were cultivated and then sold to the adjacent mining towns. During our return journey, we enjoyed a clear view of Fremont Peak.
There’s something so peaceful about walking down an old country road.
Hiking Yosemite and Beyond 
I love your commentary along with the photos
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