Spring Is a'Comin' In

I couldn't resist shuffling through this heap of leaves -- a leftover from autumn -- yesterday. Won't get many more chances. A remnant from last year.

As is this cool display of sycamore pompoms.

And these ornamental cherries (or berries of some sort.)

But the jasmine are blossoming! An absolutely, sure sign that spring will be with us soon. And I suspect that the early-blooming manzanitas, along the White Spar winding down into Wilhoit, are proving once again that they are members of the heather family!

This evergreen shrub is putting out new leaves.

And I noticed that the sap must now be running up the sycamores over on Park Avenue, if this stain running down the bark is any indication.

From wounds such as this, not fully healed after all these years.

If you look carefully at the sycamore twigs above, you'll see leaf buds.

Ditto for these apple twigs.

Here's an ornamental tree with blossoms almost ready to burst.

The Siberian elm leaf buds are not suddenly new -- but they are rapidly filling out...

...as this close-up demonstrates. Decisivly, I'd say.

Of course, it's only Feburary, but that's how it is up in the mountains at mid-elevations. We might dry out completely. We might have a foot of snow. In May. You never know. Just don't count on getting apricots.

Hurrah note: I should get my own comfy, easy to use computer back tomorrow.

Granite Creek in Winter

I suspect that moderns and newcomers have no idea how central Granite Creek is to the history of Prescott. In fact, I had to be reminded by this bleak picture, from the Sharlot Hall archives, which is on the historic information plaque on the Gurley Street Bridge. Our creek was once a free-flowing (and free-flooding) stream that provided water for the townspeople and gold for early prospectors.

Today, the creek (looking south) is confined by concrete walls. Happily, the snow up in the hills continues to keep the creek well watered.

Looking north from Gurley: a jungle of twigs, branches and limbs.

Also north of the bridge, there's a new set of stairs leading down to the creekside trail. They're part of the new patio project at the back of Prescott Coffee Roasters.

Water is moving slowly enough that the reflections are serene pictures.

As I was photographing the creekside mural from the walkway to the Dinner Bell's back room, I spied these neat hanging bags of bird food. There was also a hanging platform feeder for other birds.

Another item that caught my attention (for the first time, tho I've been here many times) -- the big beam supporting the bridge. I wonder when it was installed, tho I vaguely recall that there had been some discussion of the necessity of shoring up the old bridge way back when in the
Courier.

And, while I was at the creek and not on a schedule, the timing was right to document the long mural depicting Prescott's history. Look for it on the east side of the creek south of Gurley. And catch it before the trees and scrub leaf out, hiding half the artwork.

If I'm not mistaken, the project was the work of Prescott High School students.

The Airstream is a neat symbol for modern tourons -- though I guess we're still supposed to look out for big cats that lie in waiting.

The authors and, perhaps, members of the touch-up team, too.

For some reason or other, painting walls and the sides of buildings is a popular pasttime in Prescott. Thus far, I've recorded the White Spar murals (both versions, here and here), as well as the four seasons painted at the back of the shops on Gurley. I've yet to catch up with the current state of the mural project next to the city parking garage ... I intend to redo my pix of Prescott College's new mural... and there are those history-of-Prescott windows at the high school in my files. Not to mention art I've found on smaller buildings (here and here.) Does anyone remember the two-storey solar system occupying the side of one of the old four-flats on South Montezuma Street? Too bad it was painted over in a fit of maintenance. It was cool.