We drove to St. Andrew's Abbey in Valyermo, which is east of Lancaster / Palmdale area. From Pasadena, it took us 10 minutes before we were up in the Angeles Crest hills leading to Arrowhead mountain. Nice drive.

Walked around the newly renovated landscape of the Abbey. I hadn't been there in 7 yrs, so there were lots of new changes in remodeled buildings and developed ranch-style land.

They just opened their gift shop, featuring gorgeous works of art from iconography to windchimes to sweatshirts and artisanal olive oils. Bought a jar of lemon marmalade and raspberry jam. Next time, we'll try a bag of their coffee beans, aptly called: Monk's Reserve.

So we walked around their pond, their new Youth Center, and various desert paths, which they warn visitors to keep to the "middle" of, lest Br. Rattlesnake should sidle out from the Joshua trees.

We brought some wine, cheese, and crackers, sitting among the dogwood and olive trees, enjoying the sun. Nice respite from the busyness of life!