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vrenak t1_iwuytak wrote

What's the strange part about it? This is how normal paths look, not like built artificial ones.

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fae_forge OP t1_iwv09la wrote

Just very unexpectedly red in the middle of a landscape that’s usually all sage and olive colors. It’s from the ice plant which is a non native in this area and definitely looks out of place

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AwarenessOrganic5309 t1_iwv7qyx wrote

You ever play Elden Ring op? You might’ve just stumbled onto the path to Caelid

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fae_forge OP t1_iwv9dk3 wrote

Exactly! I knew it reminded me of somewhere

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vrenak t1_iwv3uqn wrote

Well clearly someone routinely uses this route, humans and/or animals.

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noahspurrier t1_iwvjygl wrote

Oh… I’m so accustomed to it in California that I didn’t even notice. Apparently it’s an African plant naturalize to the West Coast by Spanish sailors. The fruit is edible and delicious.

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fae_forge OP t1_iwvmzzj wrote

Cool! Had no idea it was edible!

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noahspurrier t1_iwvnjhd wrote

It’s actually really good. I don’t understand why it’s not sold in stores. It’s been a few years, but I think the skin is edible, or maybe you eat it kind of like a kiwi. It sort of has a kiwi texture and flavor, but better. The red skin will stain your fingers. The inside is translucent. There are little seeds in it but they are like kiwi seeds; you just ignore them.

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TheGreatOpoponax t1_iwv8r6u wrote

Is there a shimmer at the end of the path?

Seriously though, it does look strange. I don't know why people are acting like they see this all the time.

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fae_forge OP t1_iwvb67f wrote

You jest about the shimmer but these red plants actually do sparkle in person! Ice plants have epidermal bladder cells which are like little water crystals they store on the exterior of their leaves

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aizoaceae#/media/File%3AMesembryanthemum_crystallinum.JPG

They’re invasive here but pretty amazing!

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noahspurrier t1_iwvjoav wrote

Their fruit is also amazing. It’s better than kiwi fruit.

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fae_forge OP t1_iwvn2fs wrote

Really?! Now I can’t wait to try it!

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noahspurrier t1_iwvqdaa wrote

So, apparently Wikipedia says they were introduced to California to stabilize soil. That actually sounds more plausible than my story that they were brought by Spanish sailors because it does grow well in sandy soil and salty air.

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noahspurrier t1_iwvqfip wrote

So, apparently Wikipedia says they were introduced to California to stabilize soil. That actually sounds more plausible than my story that they were brought by Spanish sailors because it does grow well in sandy soil and salty air.

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ZePeps68 t1_iwuzoob wrote

Don't think that there's anything strange about it

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fae_forge OP t1_iwv0rm6 wrote

I suppose it’s only strange looking for the area where the red ice plant is not native. Or maybe it’s just to my eye and imagination, looked like a path to another world lol

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[deleted] t1_iwviq56 wrote

I love the colour changing thing on the grass, very nicee

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feedmygoodside t1_ix2oofs wrote

Pretty sure I have been there. If I recall, it feels like a secret place in the middle of an otherwise crowded, noisy, typical so cal place. I remember having to hike a bit downhill before what eventually opens up into a crazy cool open space. Sound right?

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fae_forge OP t1_ix2zt1q wrote

Yup. Hedged in by the mesa on one side and river to the other. Its also in the usually fenced off part so feels even more secluded.

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Due_Magician8050 t1_iwuwtbg wrote

Where is this? Maybe I’m close and can check it out.

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fae_forge OP t1_iwuxn0q wrote

Fairview, Costa Mesa

This is from a few months back when the ice plants were going to seed so it’s not red anymore but still beautiful

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DavHut t1_iwv3s28 wrote

Do they graze cattle or some other livestock here? Looks like a cow path but idk.

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fae_forge OP t1_iwv47fc wrote

Mostly cyclists and the occasional coyote

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noahspurrier t1_iwvjk37 wrote

It looks like there are tire tread marks in the path. So… mountain bike path? Have you tried looking at this on Google Earth?

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fae_forge OP t1_iwvo0tb wrote

It’s an access path for maintenance and fire department I think. It’s in a nature preserve. Usually this area is gated off but it was open this day so we took a peek, though I’m sure we weren’t supposed to be in there.

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noahspurrier t1_iwvqush wrote

If it’s public property and you aren’t breaking the law then you can be there. Sometimes they will post signs in wilderness recovery areas and I always respect those, but if there are no signs saying why you shouldn’t be there then it’s totally fine.

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slash37 t1_iww5fyp wrote

Where at?

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boing757 t1_iwx9bsn wrote

Is that a house and electric wires in the middle left ?

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fae_forge OP t1_iwxe5pz wrote

Possibly. Don’t tell earthporn bot lol

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lnfrarad t1_iwxbtpj wrote

This is making me think of a horror story I read before on r/nosleep called “the left right game” 🙂

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Jordiscu7 t1_iwz2wgl wrote

Hunter's path or maybe wild boars

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disdkatster t1_iwz41zn wrote

I would edit the post and say "strange plant" . Nothing strange about the path.

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SheBear661 t1_iww3yud wrote

Cattle or deer. Or bigfoot or big footed aliens. 🤷🏽‍♀️

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Oldus_Fartus t1_iwwogg5 wrote

Very strange indeed! It even seems to, like, lead somewhere 'n stuff! Aaaaah!

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fae_forge OP t1_iwwp768 wrote

Lol strange looking is what I meant because it’s very red but I’m enjoying everyone guessing what’s strange about it. Funnily enough it doesn’t lead anywhere, just dead ends. I think it’s for the fire department clearing brush, so not very mysterious

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Oldus_Fartus t1_iwwyq75 wrote

My theory on dead-end paths is that someone went that way once, saw that it led nowhere and walked back. The next wanderer sees their footprints and follows, with the same result. In time, repeated unsuccessful attempts end up creating an actual path that only leads as far as you will go to realize there's no "there" there.

It's probably a pile of bull, but I'm 55 and my kids have moved out, what the heck else am I supposed to ruminate on while I take my blood pressure walks?

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fae_forge OP t1_iwx52ic wrote

Hah I like this theory because I have no need for a ‘destination’ when walking so I’ll follow any vaguely walkable space between plants. I may have started a few this way following birds

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party_benson t1_iwve8mc wrote

Strange because the entire area has trails? There's bike tracks on it. Use Google maps and it'll show up as a named trail.

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