(Northern) California Parkist

The dogs and I are avid park visitors. Join us as we document our wanderings, mostly in northern California. We visit all jurisdictions -- United States National Parks, State Parks, County, Regional and City Parks -- we love open spaces!

Sunday, July 17, 2011

California State Parks: Petaluma Adobe (Petaluma)


The prickly pear cactus is blooming this week at the Petaluma Adobe.  I like to think of it as natural fencing or barbed wire that protects the adobe from both human and animal intruders.  It runs along the walkway from the creek to the building itself.  

The main function of the Petaluma Adobe was as a factory making goods and produce for the soldiers at the barracks in Sonoma back in the 1830s.  The hide and tallow trades were in full tilt and the rancheria was where 6,000 head of cattle were kept.  Grains were grown there too, necessary to feed the soldiers back at the barracks.

But for some reason it's always the cactus that really captures my attention.

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