We spent a few days in Calistoga. Walked the quiet streets, soaked in the mineral pools, and sunk deep into a mud bath. Then back to the Davis area where we found a storage yard for Bessie. She is secure for the winter.
We are doing a week in the Bay Area then packing up and heading south -- where it is starting to cool off and the chances of those pesky windy storms is diminishing....
Monday, September 30, 2013
Monday, September 23, 2013
Wright's Lake -- Getting Away from it ALL
What is not to love about Wright's Lake: alpine lakes, granite ridge views, hiking trails galore, quiet campsites? This is truly one of our favorite places and we choose to end our "camping season" up in the Sierras. Lucky for us the air quality was great (no Rim Fire smoke as in the previous weeks) and by the season's end, the campground was mostly empty (except weekends).
We hiked and hiked: Twin Lakes, Island Lake, Gertrude Lake, Lyons Lake, Beauty Lake, Dark Lake and of course, Wright's Lake. The days were sunny and warm; the nights cool and getting cooker!
We left as the first winter storm of the season rolled in leaving a snow dusting on the highest peak.
We hiked and hiked: Twin Lakes, Island Lake, Gertrude Lake, Lyons Lake, Beauty Lake, Dark Lake and of course, Wright's Lake. The days were sunny and warm; the nights cool and getting cooker!
We left as the first winter storm of the season rolled in leaving a snow dusting on the highest peak.
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| Twin Lakes |
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| Island Lake |
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| Walking a Trail across granite slab |
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| Wood grain |
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| Granite Ridge Line |
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| Flower along the Trail |
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| Lyons Lake |
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| Lyons Lake -- just over the ridge is Crag Lake where we backpacked in 2012! |
Tuesday, September 10, 2013
RVing with Bryan
An RV is a wonderful thing -- believe me! We snatched Bryan from Davis to share Oregon's beauty and outdoor adventures with him. A great week with a bit of everything to please us all.
We hiked the Green Lakes trail with Bryan and then set off to explore Bend.
Enroute to Bend we watched a group of racers from the Senior National Cycling Event whoosh by us. We had to stop while they rode on; all except one poor hapless guy who managed to ride his bike right into the first stopped car. Um....
Not 10 minutes later and a bit closer to Bend, we had some weather. As in hail. Lots of hail. Inches of hail. Sure glad to be in a car and not on a bike!!
Finally to Bend we jumped on a tour of the Deschutes Brewery. A wonderful time that wraps up with plenty of tasting!
But that weather was putting a damper on our spirits so....we opted to drive south and east. First to Klamath Falls and then over the Cascades to Ashland. In Ashland we found a county park with RV hookups -- because here we needed the AC not heat! We explored the town of Ashland, known for its theaters and professional productions. Lucky us--we saw two plays: The Heart of Robin Hood and MidSummer Night's Dream. Both productions were in the outdoor "round" theater. Both were absolutely wonderful and such a contrast from the typical camping experience.
Back now to Davis -- sorting out gear and figuring out the next adventure!
We hiked the Green Lakes trail with Bryan and then set off to explore Bend.
Enroute to Bend we watched a group of racers from the Senior National Cycling Event whoosh by us. We had to stop while they rode on; all except one poor hapless guy who managed to ride his bike right into the first stopped car. Um....
Not 10 minutes later and a bit closer to Bend, we had some weather. As in hail. Lots of hail. Inches of hail. Sure glad to be in a car and not on a bike!!
Finally to Bend we jumped on a tour of the Deschutes Brewery. A wonderful time that wraps up with plenty of tasting!
But that weather was putting a damper on our spirits so....we opted to drive south and east. First to Klamath Falls and then over the Cascades to Ashland. In Ashland we found a county park with RV hookups -- because here we needed the AC not heat! We explored the town of Ashland, known for its theaters and professional productions. Lucky us--we saw two plays: The Heart of Robin Hood and MidSummer Night's Dream. Both productions were in the outdoor "round" theater. Both were absolutely wonderful and such a contrast from the typical camping experience.
Back now to Davis -- sorting out gear and figuring out the next adventure!
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| Crossing the Creek along the Green Lakes Trail. That is 1 log! |
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| Here come the riders! Oops -- the last rider smacked into the red car! |
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| Deschutes Brewery Tour -- barrels of hops! |
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| The QA Lab .... |
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| Off to the theater! |
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| A fun picture from Lithia Park in Ashland |
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| That be a summer hail storm in the Oregon Cascades. |
Wednesday, September 4, 2013
Kidnapped!!
Um, well, we did the kidnapping!
After a few phone calls and only a bit of planning, Alan and I left early for a quick 400 mile drive to Davis to "kidnap" Bryan for a camping adventure in the Cascades! Down one day and back the next! Way too much time in the car; Bessie stayed in her camp site.
We'll be sharing our adventures with Bryan for a week or so till we all get back to Davis!
After a few phone calls and only a bit of planning, Alan and I left early for a quick 400 mile drive to Davis to "kidnap" Bryan for a camping adventure in the Cascades! Down one day and back the next! Way too much time in the car; Bessie stayed in her camp site.
We'll be sharing our adventures with Bryan for a week or so till we all get back to Davis!
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| Alan and Bryan in the campsite AT LAST! |
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| Always time for a frisbee golf game! |
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| Obsidian Rock |
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| Natural Hot Springs for a lunch spot at Paulina Lake |
Green Lakes Hike: 3 Sisters Wilderness
Our days in the Bend area were slipping past. We held out till the end for the forecast blue skies & no cloud day to walk up to Green Lakes in the 3 Sisters Wilderness. Nestled between South Sister and Broken Top, this is a quintessential Cascades hike. Slowly walking uphill beside the Fall Creek, crossing an obsidian flow, and then cresting a rise to see Green Lakes. And views in all directions!
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| Let's Go Sisters! |
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| Fall Creek |
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| Along the creek viewing an obsidian flow |
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| South Sister Peak with Green Lake |
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| Broken Top with Green Lake |
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| Views from the downhill trail |
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| View back into Broken Top |
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