California Poppy Fields Forever

This past Sunday was spent frolicking in fields of orange poppies and yellow wildflowers with some of my dearest friends.  It sounds so funny reading that out loud, like I'm describing a childhood daydream.  All that's missing are puppies, kittens, and ice cream cones!

We went to the poppy fields near Lancaster in celebration of our friend Claire's birthday- she's the ethereal beauty in the white dress above.  While we did stop at the official state park, the Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve, we found that the most abundant patches of poppies are outside of the park's perimeters.

I want to point out that we cautiously frolicked- we never trampled on the poppies, even if it looks like I am in the pictures.  There were plenty of patches of green grass that enabled us to hop over the precious little flowers.

Blue skies and scenic views always make me feel alive, so I pretty much turned into an American Maria and got my Sound of Music on.

Oh, and I have to point out that my dress is 34 years old!  It was my mom's dress, she got it for my aunt and uncle's wedding rehearsal dinner in 1981.  Her good taste is timeless :-)
Here she is wearing it, with my dad standing behind her.  My friend Jinny joked that I will need to recreate this photo with my husband one day!