Weekend Rambler

Though today was not particularly photogenic the Barnyard felt too small so a drive around the "world's smallest mountain range", the Sutter Buttes, was in order. It is a stunningly beautiful area of ranches, orchards, massive oak trees and rolling hills stuck in the middle of the vast Sacramento valley, volcanic by history of course with a couple buttes soaring a couple thousand feet above the valley floor. Rich in Native American and early settler history, they are held sacred by the Maidu tribe and would have served as vital high ground during winter floods and likely yearly migration point for the scattered tribes of the Maidu as they consolidated their resources and settled in for the winter in a perfect spot.

In an interesting sidenote, the last known"wild Indian", Ishi, was discovered not that far from these buttes and was a Maidu. The Goat is fascinated by our Native American history and culture and this gray , misty, wind swept day left room for the imagination to roam as the plaque can indicate. The buttes are a major part of California history and should be preserved as such, while private guided hikes are available an effort is underway to open a portion to the public. It is just miles from a major wildlife preserve so the birding is awesome, whether it is with a 12 gauge shotgun or a 35 mil. camera..

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Mitt Romney and Rudy Giulliani continue to gather steam over John McCain and the Goat will go on record as saying that Duncan Hunter would be a wise choice at VP with Newt getting a high level policy slot and Rudy as Attorney General and John as DefSec, Dr. Rice stays at State and Mitt of course as President.