Dave and Jan and Caroleen (who is on a break from her college studies this week) headed to Chantry Flats, a popular hiking destination in the Angeles Forest in the mountains north of Arcadia on March 21. It turned out to be one of the best hikes Dave and Jan have experienced in Southern California. The day began with a cloud cover which never completely dissipated, but it made for a very comfortable temperature for a hike of around six or seven miles. Jan and Caroleen posed for a picture at Dave’s request – not because they were tired – as we were just beginning the steep descent into the canyon where Sturdevant Creek is a prominent feature.

Floral displays were probably about at their peak throughout the hike – beginning along the trail on the way down the hill into the canyon.

The first river crossing was made over a rather quaint-looking bridge well above the stream.

Tiny flowers, like these, served as something of a welcoming committee all along the trail.

The U.S. Forest Service created quite a few scenic dams along the canyon trail stamped with dates from the 1960s- always made much more attractive when there is water cascading over them.

Sturdevant Falls is a favorite destination for probably most of the hikers who travel into the canyon – with a fall of somewhere around 40 or 50 feet into a sizable pool at the base.


The trail to the top of the falls took us to new territory for us (Dave and Jan had hiked to the falls years back) – and beyond the point where most of the canyon’s visitors continue to hike.

The trail above Sturdevant Falls continued to display numerous attractive smaller water falls.

Plant life along the upper trail grew in great abundance and variety and beauty.







The Forest Service posted a little dose of humanism-inspired thought along the trail for our consideration.

What we thought we were seeing, instead, as we enjoyed a beautiful day on the trail was the beauty and ingenuity of the hand of not ourselves but of our incomparable Creator!
24 “O LORD, how many are Your works! In wisdom You have made them all; The earth is full of Your possessions.” Psalm 104:24 (NASB)

Though spring hasn’t yet come to much of the nation, it has arrived in Southern California. There are signs on the roadways in Brea saying that we are experiencing “severe drought” conditions – restricting watering to one day a week. But the Lord has been doing some watering in our area, so the hills are greening up and the flowers are breaking out all over. Dave and Jan enjoyed a hike last week at Chino Hills State Park where the California Poppies were on display.


While our daughter Alissa and Andrew and their three sons were with us we took a walk to Craig Park, stopping along the sidewalk on the way home to take pictures of flowers at a condo-complex where the corner features beautiful floral displays during most of every year.

One of our favorite places is our own yard where quite a variety of flowers are in bloom now.

Among our favorites are the “Peruvian Lilies” – Alstroemeria – growing in various colors.

Jesus famously said, “Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin, yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe You?” (Matthew 6:28-30). And so He has – and He will!