Driving out this week to plant a few more agave, this C130 Hercules was flying straight at me on Soda Lake Road and at first it looked like a large raptor, but as it got closer I could see it was a plane flying very low and slow. I forget about the modern world when I am out in the Carrizo until something like this happens.
My buddy Fidel was out earlier in the week and planted the 60 agave that I had taken up a couple weeks ago and the 1 acre hexagonal agave plantation is taking form. I added 15 variegated agave and between what we have planted there and others around the property, we are well over 150 agave that will one day be harvested, roasted, distilled and bottled into sweet nectar.
Not many flowers to be seen this year due to the fact that we have only recorded just a little over 3" of rainfall this season. I see many online posts from people that are not very happy with the superbloom bust, but maybe the desert just needs a year of rest. 

Driving out to the Hideout Wednesday, I was lucky enough to beat the Highway 33 closure with all of the snowfall. Driving into the monument, I was thrilled to see both the Temblor and Caliente Mountains capped in beautiful white snow!
The clouds out there have always been one of my favorite things about visiting this magical place,
and since Wednesday at 1;29am, we have had exactly .57" of rain fall at the hideout. 
I am not suggesting anyone go out there right now as the roads were challenging and will continue to be until they've had a chance to dry out, but hopefully March continues to bring us this much needed rain.

San Marcos Growers blessed us with these 60 new agaves that we will be planting in the rabbit fenced 1 acre hexagon shaped plantation.
I just pulled the drag harrow around to level the ground and tilled in 20# of Rape Oil seed that I’m hoping will provide a little more food up here for the critters.