Fall in Grouchland and a Thanksgiving hike

So, it is often said that southern California does not have any real seasons outside of the four SoCal seasons: riots, earthquakes, fires, and mudslides.  But I am here to set the record straight.  We do have seasons and right now we are in fall like the rest of the country.  Just to prove this, I took a picture after I worked very hard raking the leaves in the front yard!  You can see the evidence below.  Yesterday the Grouch family that is in SoCal assembled for dinner at Grouch estates.  the Missus did a great job as always with the wonderful dinner and Older Son brought his lady friend who baked a pumpkin roll for desert to share.  Yum!  

Today Young Daughter and I went on a hike in the mountains to an abandoned campground.  The last time I did this hike in December of 2010 the creek was running high and after crossing the stream several time there and back my boots were full of water and sand.  This time I wore some GI boots with drain holes in them in case we encountered the same conditions.  The stream was just about a trickle which was good.  The bad part was I hadn't broken in the boots so by the time we got to the campground I had a blister on my right heel so we had to turn around and go back.  Next time we'll go further!   It was a beautiful day and a better way to spend the day than fighting shoppers at 'black Friday'.    Click on the pictures for a larger view!

The evidence of fall in Southern California.

The entrance to Fish canyon and the campground.  It looks hot and desolate but once we were in the canyon it was shady and
cool.

The Grouch sets off on the hike

Younger Daughter with Dottie the wonder dog

The trail was paved where the stream would overflow the road; the Forest Service has barricaded the road so only 'official' traffic can motor along, the hoi polloi must move by foot or horse which isn't a bad thing but why can only officialdom drive?

Young daughter and Dottie on the way back.  Citizen Grouch is limping behind somewhere