A Fall Outing
October 29, 2022
Doug had heard that the roses were in bloom at Bravo Lake, so being a beautiful fall day, it seemed a good time to get out and tour the countryside.
The parking lot at Bravo Lake was bordered by hundreds of blooming roses. The trail through Bravo Lake Botanical Garden begins just inside the gate. Along the trail, thousands more roses bloomed.
Olga and Manuel Jimenez, residents of Woodlake, have the philosophy that you can grow kids by planting gardens. In 1972, the couple began creating beautification projects and community gardens around Woodlake, with the help of youth volunteers.
In 1999, the City of Woodlake used a Rails-to-Trails Grant to purchase the former Visalia Electric Railroad right-of-way on the north side of Bravo Lake. They asked the Jimenezes if they'd apply their knowledge and skills to beautifying the barren strip of land.
There were hundreds of sunflowers in bloom in varying heights, sizes, and colors.
In some areas, sunflowers play backdrop to other plants.
As with the majority of the San Joaquin Valley, the area around Bravo Lake was once home to Yokut and Wutchumna Indians, as well as elk and antelope.
Once called Wood Lake, lore has it that the name Bravo came about when two local men were arguing, as was their habit, near the lake. Another local passing by told them to settle their dispute once and for all, making his point with a six shooter. The dispute devolved into a fight. As it went on, a crowd gathered, yelling, "Bravo!" each time a punch was landed. A victor was eventually declared, the two men cleaned up in the lake and became friends ever after, and the lake received a new name.
Side paths branch off from the trail, good for examining plants up close (and if you are too far from the bathroom).
Marilyn stooped to enter Peter Rabbit's Garden through the vine-covered child-size arch.
Near the end of the trail is a park area. At trail's end is a California native plant garden.
We meandered about a bit on the way home. South of Woodlake, we crossed the St John's River, a tributary of the Kaweah River. Both used to flow into Tulare Lake, but that's another entire story.
Continuing west, we crossed the St. John's again to go to the site of the Charter Oak/Election Tree.
It was under the tree in 1852 that Tulare County was organized.
From the Charter Oak, we crossed the St John's one last time on our way south to 198, which took us home.
Doug had heard that the roses were in bloom at Bravo Lake, so being a beautiful fall day, it seemed a good time to get out and tour the countryside.
Bravo Lake in Woodlake, a lovely location with the Sierra Nevada foothills as backdrop.
Plus, our friend Linda was visiting. Doug and Linda have been friends since high school, and he'd visited her in Montana in September. We agreed that Bravo Lake would be a perfect outing, so soon we were heading to nearby Woodlake, about 30 minutes from home.
But first was a stop at Lowe's to splurge on a new pot for the re-landscaped area around our new hot tub (to read about that go here).
New pot for our back yard.
Like many, we enjoy the 3.3-mile walk around Bravo Lake.
Bravo Lake & Botanical Garden Trails.
The lake has been full when we've walked it in the past, but it was quite low when Doug and a friend walked around it in June.
Ducks on the lake in June. The trail is the white line on the levee.
Now, the lake consisted of only a couple puddles. The years-long drought has taken a toll on all of California's lakes and reservoirs.
Bravo Lake Botanical Garden entrance.
Roses of all colors were in bloom.
Manuel and Olga put their expertise and creativity to work. With the help of youth volunteers and donations of plants, money, and the skills and labor of local professionals, in just four years, they created Bravo Lake Botanical Garden.
Just inside entrance gate. Note that all watering is done with drip irrigation.
The 2.4-mile roundtrip trail through the garden allows visitors to experience up-close flowers, row crops, and fruit and citrus trees, along with whimsical sculptures.
Bucket waterfall sculpture.
Cosmos & sunflowers, many of which are turned toward the sun. Hence the French name, tourne-sol--turned to the sun.
Linda (blue shirt) getting close-up photos.
Doug waiting while Linda & Marilyn take photos.
"My house is your house." Linda & Doug.
Once called Wood Lake, lore has it that the name Bravo came about when two local men were arguing, as was their habit, near the lake. Another local passing by told them to settle their dispute once and for all, making his point with a six shooter. The dispute devolved into a fight. As it went on, a crowd gathered, yelling, "Bravo!" each time a punch was landed. A victor was eventually declared, the two men cleaned up in the lake and became friends ever after, and the lake received a new name.
Unknown sprouted leafy greens & artichokes (middle right of photo) in vegetable plot behind some roses.
Closeup of above plant.
One of several varieties of eggplant.
Peppers.
We sampled apples & citrus, both familiar & unfamiliar varieties.
Typical wind machine with 20'-long propeller blades used to move the air in citrus groves when temperatures fall too low.
Marigolds.
Farm cart with display of old equipment.
Don't know what it is, but it's sure pretty.
The disks were spinning like crazy!
Marilyn stooped to enter Peter Rabbit's Garden through the vine-covered child-size arch.
Jemima Puddle Duck.
Peter having a siesta under the tractor-seat bench.
Gaillardia, aka Blanket Flower.
Windmill above zinnias.
Cockscomb, we think.
Near the end of the trail is a park area. At trail's end is a California native plant garden.
Zinnia & windmill shadows.
Drip irrigation allows farming on hillsides, such as those on the other side of Woodlake.
"Leave the earth better than when you arrived."
We meandered about a bit on the way home. South of Woodlake, we crossed the St John's River, a tributary of the Kaweah River. Both used to flow into Tulare Lake, but that's another entire story.
Our route going took us to Lowe's, through Ivanhoe, to Woodlake. We meandered our way home.
We headed west to show Linda the huge Monrovia Nursery north of Visalia.
Monrovia Nursery, just north of Visalia.
1942 photo of Charter/Election Tree.
Copyright Tulare County Library.
A plaque marks where the huge oak once stood.
Plaque at site of Charter Oak.
From the Charter Oak, we crossed the St John's one last time on our way south to 198, which took us home.
Ahhh...another splendid day in our wonderful region.
I enjoyed that walk around Bravo Lake. I really must go in person now . If only to see Peter Rabbit’s garden. - Kathleen
ReplyDeleteHi, Kathleen. It's a wonderful place to visit. I loved Peter Rabbit's Garden:-)
DeleteWhat a wonderful post. It brings up many thoughts. My father grew up in the Venice Hills region, so the Monrovia area is familiar. I have a couple of stories that night add to your tale.
ReplyDeleteThe Charter Oak Tree story is known to all steeped in local history. But there is a oft repeated rumor that the tree next to the marble sign isn't really the trtyee the founders sat under to consolidate Tulare County. Until recently the owners of the surrounding land were the Bente Brothers. They were a pair of introverted isolationist men that knew the actual location of the tree and being on their property didn't want to be bothered by amateur historians traipsing about their land.So they "misidentified" the tree to others.
The other story is about a parental trick we used to navigate from Visalia to Exeter. It's call Left, Right or Straight ahead. When we reached an intersection driving through the countryside the children would take turns directing us. the driver would ask, Left, Right or straight ahead. That would be the way we meandered home. It worked pretty well until they realized we usually ending up in the Four Creeks area one way or another. Dad likes the area.
Thanks, Steve. I love your country driving method.
DeleteBeautiful photos, wonderful place. Hats off to the city of Woodlake and to Olga and Manuel for their creativity and work.
ReplyDeleteIndeed!
Delete