How life was back in the old days

I sure hope that Toler Lane is open again by the time this goes to press, but I want to make sure that a leaking culvert has been fixed before I drive over that area. I don't want to collapse into some big hole. It certainly has been a big inconvenience for residents of Fish Springs and the East Valley area, but we're tough out here and we appreciate the roads that we have now.

Back in 1980 Toler Lane ended at the canal and residents of Fish Springs had to drive around on the old dump road all the way on dirt roads to Fish Spring Flat. In 1981 we even had to drive through running water as we crossed Creek Drive.

My husband and I were living in an apartment in Gardnerville across the street from Raley's which was the only big grocery store in Carson Valley, although there was one small market called Miller's. Isn't it funny how now three large grocery stores " Raley's, Smith's and Scolari's " are all in a row next to each other? You'd think they would be spaced out a little better.

Anyway, every day after work Norbert and I filled up three 55-gallon drums of water to irrigate the 60 little trees that we had planted on our property in Fish Springs. We had to haul water from town because we didn't have any electricity to the well pump yet. We worked so hard, and then the rabbits came in and ate most of the trees. That's when Norbert put wire around each of the trees to protect them from the rabbits. The fruits of our labor have really paid off. After many years of tending to the trees, our yard now looks like a little green park.

It's a home for all kinds of song birds that awaken us each morning. I particularly love the calls of the quail and mourning doves. Cottontail bunnies run in and out of the thick juniper bushes. We frequently see hawks and even eagles on the highest branches of tall trees.

Last week I saw a golden eagle sitting on an old juniper tree on the hill that borders our backyard. I started walking toward it and noticed some bright orange flowers near the sagebrush. My husband called it Indian paintbrush, but according to the wonderful book called "Plants of the Tahoe Basin," it's called the Applegate's paintbrush. I don't know this Mr. Applegate, but he sure makes pretty wildflowers.

I heard that the Castilleja species are parasites that tap the root systems of nearby plants to get their water and nutrients. It has little flowers but big bracts that are very colorful and attract bees and other pollinators. Thank you, my friend Sylvia. You are a great nature teacher.

Tid bit

Congratulations to the members of the Fish Springs Volunteer Fire Department for being voted the cleanest fire station in the East Fork Fire & Paramedic Districts. Way to go Fish Springs firefighters!

n Linda Monohan may be reached at 782-5802.