Inland Empire

[Image description: a white and red helicopter tilted sideways over large houses on a hilltop covered with brown brush. Multiple plumes of grey smoke are rising from behind the houses, and flames can be seen on the brush on the left side of the photo.]

[Image description: a deep red colored setting sun caught between two trees, with layers of hazy brown to orange smog in front of and above the sun.]

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/12313311

Buttery fresh snow at one of my favorite local spots, Mt. Baldy!

[Image description: a ski run on a snowy mountain, other runs are visible on an opposing mountain face, and the weather is bright and sunny with a few wispy clouds.]

The Riverside-Corona Resource Conservation District is looking for volunteers to help count eggs, caterpillars, and butterflies at their greenbelt habitat in Riverside.

Tickets are $10 for members and $15 for non-members, and I'm planning on being there!

[Image description: a brochure for the twilight tour, with an image of cactai in the garden.]

[Image description: a poster that has two photos, one of a kitten and puppy, the other of volunteers posing at one of the shelters. The text says free adoptions every Saturday throughout the month of August.]

[Image description: a hazy, west facing view from a plane window, the interchange of the 210 and the 215 visible below, the foothills of the San Gabriel mountains on the right side of the photo.

I'd heard of all of these save for Wildwood Canyon. Mitchell Caverns has been on my list to visit for ages, but I'll have to add Wildwood as well!

I haven't actually been to any local theater productions yet, but I love Sherlock Holmes, so this seems like it'd be fun (though doesn't look like tickets are on sale quite yet).

Viewed from the deck of the Tyler mall AMC.

[Image description: view of a deep orange and pink sunset behind a row of hills in a partly clouded sky. In the foreground are palm trees, a street and parking lot and a few shops/restaurants.]

[Image description: a statue of a kneeling chained man with his head pointed towards the sky, and hands held upwards in front of him. The statue is flanked by several polished dark stone pillars with an inscription dedicating the memorial.]

Looks like I'm one of the 50,000 people who're now in a new ward.

I've tried Birrieria Xolos and Birrieria Little Tijuana in Riverside, and Birrieria El Tijuanazo in Colton.

Of the three, I'd say Tijuanazo was my favorite, but I'm always looking to try more!

Palomar Observatory

[Image description: a large white domed building, with large doors on the dome and stairs leading up to the entrance.]

Picture taken back in March 2021, jealous of those who live up in this area!

[Image description: view from a hilltop on a clear day, looking over housing tracts towards the mountains, which are capped with snow. Puffy white clouds are scattered through the sky.]

The Western Science Center is well worth a visit, it has cool fossil exhibits and fun activities for kids.

[Image description: a museum display featuring a partial mastodon skeleton, with skull and tusks mounted on a diorama of the animal's original outline.]

[Image description: a dry grassy field in the foreground. A plume of smoke is visible rising from the hills in the distance.]

[Image description: a shaded farm stand with baked goods and preserves on display. A large pink rooster statue is visible in the background.]

Was sad to have missed the craft brewing festival back in April, but here's a list of guild members to visit!

Found this cool bridge while driving around checking out that really low elevation snowfall we had this past winter.

Apparently this bridge was built in 1912, and originally spanned the Mojave River up in Victorville, but was moved to this spot in 1933. It was the only bridge crossing the Santa Ana River in the area, and was much needed to transport oranges from local groves. A modern bridge was built adjacent in 2014, and the Greenspot Road Bridge was converted to a walking and biking bridge (and according to google, a popular spot for photographing motorcycles).

[Image description: a view down the length of a dark red Pennsylvania-style steel truss bridge, with snow dusted foothills in the background.]

Happened to stumble on it while visiting the Lemon Festival last year. The lady behind the desk was very friendly, and knew a whole bunch of local history, having lived in Upland all her life. Well worth the stop!

[Image description: the front entrance to the museum, a one-story building with an art-deco aesthetic.]

The combo burger with pastrami and the fried zucchini are my go-to.

[Image description: an outdoor drive-thru menu with large photos of burgers and sides.]

Think I'll try it out next week!

[Image description: view of fireworks over Mt. Rubidoux, the glow of two small fires visible near the top of the hill]