Category: California

Loren’s and my week’s highlight was a backpack in the Emigrant Wilderness in the Stanislaus National Forest, in the Sierra Nevada mountains. We started off at Crabtree Trailhead. From our AirBnB home base of 5,000 feet, we were hiking around at about 8,000-9,000 feet, yet still we felt the higher altitude’s effects.

After a mainly uphill slog, we setup camp where we had a view of Chewing Gum Lake. 

After that first day hike, we revisited sites where we have gone in years past. We had awesome views of flora,

fauna — including a frog underwater, can you see it?

and vistas — that’s Sonora Peak, an inviting mountain meadow, and, we had many opportunities to see aspects of the Dardanelles.

We enjoyed some creature comforts — including Chef Lorenzo’s “snow cone” concoctions and learned from our newest friend about a device that reliably communicates home by satellite. We also found the alpine lake where Loren has had at least a couple of swims some years ago.

We also delighted in a campfire one night, perhaps our best ever, with logs that took forever to burn before we retired for the night.

We camped our last night at Powell Lake, and were enchanted with the reflection. 

We hiked out through Gianelli Cabin Trailhead after stopping to admire Burst Rock, or, what I would have named “Rock Valley.” Then we comparatively quickly hiked the five miles on the road downhill to return to our car at the Crabtree Trailhead parking area. My calves are reminding me of that part of the trip, regardless, it was all well worth it.

This week we enjoyed having dear friends came up to “our” cabin for the day. We had a fun picnic lunch, a good long hike topped off by ice cream, and, a light supper before they had to return home. We did see the enormous tree our AirBnB hosts had suggested we would see on this hike, but, we shouldn’t have taken the shortcut because it either required returning up a steep incline or — our alternative choice — scooting beneath a fence, which punished us with lots of unwanted stickers…

Then we — excuse me I, had a couple of wonderful days of hiking and boating around Pinecrest Lake with friends who are twins who have a cabin near us, and a couple of  their friends. An osprey posed for us as we drifted by…

on the second day Loren joined us girls for a bit of a grueling hike.

It was worth it for the wildflowers, 

and the wilderness lake that was our destination.

Even the return hike was worth it, then the girls and I had another short respite together at Pinecrest Lake.

Loren’s and my big night out this week was going to see a Linda Ronstadt tribute concert at the local Repertory Theatre. The performance was outstanding. Loren had had the opportunity to see Ronstadt perform while in college so he especially enjoyed it.  

Those were the three highlights of our week. We have spent the rest of our time hanging around the cabin and taking walks around the neighborhood which comes complete with moose, bear, and other wildlife images.

We usually eat our cereal breakfast on the backyard swing chair. And we have read some — a luxury, or driven to town for internet or supplies. Ahhh.

Loren and I are in Miwuk Village. I could say Me-Wuk, Mi Wok, Mi Wuk, Mi-Wuk, or Mi-Wuk-Village, I have seen it written these several different ways. Anyway, we are in a small populated region in the California Sierra mountains. Nearby, the community of Confidence boasts a settlement of just 50 people. At the start of the week, we drove nearby to stay overnight at the summer/winter home of dear friends. When we arrived, I was challenged by a friend of theirs who was teaching an informal pilates class. My muscles felt aftereffects for a couple of days, in a good way. We all then trekked the short distance to a memorial erected for our friends’ brother and nephew, who died in an avalanche on K2 in 2013, and who were renowned in trekking and in the local area. 

Our friends’ community was also approaching the final days of a music festival. From our perspective no details were spared in excellence. We attended the Saturday dinner event, featuring a silent auction and a concert, then an auctioneer led a most vibrant bidding affair afterwards. The evening was staged in a medieval theme this year, and we were told that the most people ever participated in costume. Our friends gave me a special dress to play along. The next day, I was honored that my friend insisted I lead a Bikram yoga class. It might be the one I have had the most fun facilitating of the more than 250 classes I have taught, and I was impressed with how well they did with it. Afterwards we had a lovely lunch at a nearby lodge.

Then we attended the final Music Festival offering – a Beethoven Fest. We were treated to an outstanding performance by a 22 year old virtuoso pianist for the last four numbers of the orchestral performance.

From there, Loren and I were off for a backpack to a place we have been many times over the years. The first time we went it was a long Labor Day weekend, and we saw no one – not even one soul – the entire weekend, except two rangers on the morning we were leaving who were taking samples of the lake water. This time we were similarly treated to an experience of seeing not a single other person, except the several people who were out for a much shorter day hike on our way into our site as well as on our return hike out from the site. All along the way we were treated to an immense display of wildflowers. We named it our own “NorCal Superbloom.” Some of the varieties are:

     Mariposa Lily, Lupin and Indian Paint Brush, 

     Pretty Face, Crimson Columbine, 

     Yellow Monkey Flower, Shooting Star,

     and Corn Lily. 

We saw a rainbow around the sun on our way in, which I learned from another hiker is caused by very high, very thin clouds made from ice crystals. She thought it is called a Sundog, but afterwards I learned that is not what we saw. Actually known as a 22 Degree Halo or a Sun Halo, the ring is caused by sunlight passing through the ice crystals. There were also lots of butterflies, of white, yellow, orange and black, and, I managed to capture a photo of one of the rarer, small blue ones/

Loren and I never tire of the beauty visible from where we once again setup our tent and campsite. It is so quiet here. And the scenery around the lake was more green than we had seen here before.

We were treated to seeing a baker’s dozen of geese resting and feasting throughout our stay, and, hearing a cacophony of frogs croaking throughout each night. Loren noticed a deer and a fawn across the lake, and, we even saw the same toad near the same log each time we walked over that part of the trail.

Of a less appealing nature, we encountered a scourge of mosquitos. We also bailed out a day early. There had been a ring around the moon on our last night and the thunderhead clouds we had seen in the distance each day looked more and more ominous. As we looked back from a high peak on our departure, we saw the clouds dumping an immense amount of moisture off in the distance, so we believe we made the right decision. We left the area in sunlight on the downhill side, almost a calling for us to return again someday.

Loren and I were finishing our visit at Clear Lake at the beginning of this week. The campground resort owner sent us his photos of our kayak ride from last week, and, Loren took a single kayak for a ride while I did laundry on our last day there.

We had a lovely dinner with special friends at the Blue Wing Saloon and Cafe in Upper Lake too. The restaurant is connected with historic Tallman Hotel, famous for its role as a stage coach stop in the distant past.

We then thought ourselves lucky to be leaving Clear Lake as the prediction was for weather in the triple digits. It turned out their weather did not reach that high and instead we spent the next several days cold at a coastal KOA campground in Manchester.

Regardless of the weather we made the best of it. We visited the Point Arena lighthouse, which was barely visible from the fog, 

then went for a hike on the Stornetta public lands. 

We felt fortunate that the sun came out before we hiked down to Bowling Ball Beach later that afternoon. A friend had suggested we visit here and to be sure to go at low tide as the unusual formations are only visible at when the tide is out. The sight reminded us of the Moeraki Boulders we visited when we were traveling through New Zealand.

This friend had also suggested we travel further South on US1 to Gualala, to stop in at Alinder Gallery of photographs which includes some of Ansel Adams’ work. It was fun to see Alinder’s photographs too. Loren then indulged me in a drive even further south, all the way to see Wright’s Beach. It was too exposed to enjoy our picnic dinner, but Loren soon noticed a wonderful shade tree with a great view not too far back up the coast. 

We visited Point Arena lighthouse for a second time to see it when the sun was shining, then finished that day with a hike to the beach, finding a different view of the lighthouse.

The next day was our last full day on the coast. Loren offered it to be my choice of what to do. We first partook of the Rock Painting event at the KOA — mine is reflective of seeing bass and several fishermen on Clear Lake last week, and Loren’s rock choice compelled him to fill in the lips and face he visualized that were prominent on his rock.

Then we drove north on coastal US1, up to Fort Bragg. We had a delightful dinner at Cucina Verona. We were seated at a table for two in front of the accordion player for a most memorable evening. I just had to snap a photo of one of the storefronts in town as we returned to our car.

The next day we drove to Castro Valley. We ran some errands, then enjoyed a themed social dinner with Loren’s sister, prepared by the United Methodist Women with about 80 other members and friends attending their summer BBQ. Afterwards we pitched in to help her with some fertilization and trimming in her back yard. Now Loren and I are in Fremont, preparing to spend the next few weeks in the California Sierra mountains… internet availability will be a challenge, so please visit again – I will post here when I can. 

Last week, two dear friends were visiting Loren and me at our AirBnB on Clear Lake. After a day’s drive along the east side of the lake together, we finished the day having ice cream at a park with Mount Konocti in view, then taking a walk around town.

This week started with the four of us taking another drive around the rest of the lake, along the west side. We began the day with a walk at Anderson Marsh,

then drove by the Dome home that Loren and his Dad had built 40 years ago, past the stalled refurbishing of Konocti Resort, and through Buckingham Park. We also stopped to see Bell Haven, a resort property that some years ago was in run down condition that Loren and I had seriously considered buying and refurbishing. Now, from over the gated fence we jealously admired the renovations that have been made. However we believe the costs incurred far exceed the vision that our own efforts likely would have produced. 

Then we dropped in to see the salesman for Loren’s Dome kit, who still lives with his wife in their own dome home. We had a nice catchup visit, and learned he has recently established a new business downtown for slot car racing. While it loses money, it offers  a place for kids of all ages to have fun. By the way, Clear Lake is the largest natural lake that is wholly in the state of California. It was fun over two days of meandering around to see some of the places that have been special in our friends’ lives over the years, showing them places here that are special to us, and making some new great memories.

Our last full day at the lakeside AirBnB was gorgeous – no clouds in the sky, and featured us hosting a BBQ. We were delighted that a cousin of mine who lives a couple hours away, and a long time friend of Loren’s who lives locally, were able to join us too.  

Before Loren and I left the AirBnB, I caught a photo of one of the hosts’ many curio cabinets full of old phones. This one holds similar models nostalgic from my parents and grandparents homes during my childhood, especially the pink princess phone, and, the red and the black rotary models.

Then Loren and I were off for a lunch date with our friend who lives locally. His home was burned in one of the fires here a couple of years ago. He is just now having a garage built on his property, and, had tree trimmers come to shape up some badly burned trees.

Loren and I then relocated to van camp at a marina further north on the lake. On our first morning we went for a four hour kayak ride across part of Clear Lake and all the way to the end of Rodman Slough and back. Last week I was sure I had seen a pair of water birds walk upright on the lake, but the event ended so quickly I couldn’t point it out to anyone. I was excited then on Loren’s and my kayak ride to see several pair of what we now know are grebes, doing their mating dances which is culminated by walking on water. It was so astounding to me that I must share a video: 

We must have seen at least a hundred grebes, dozens of great egrets and night herons, many great blue herons, lots of Canadian geese, a few North American geese, some ducks and cormorants, several raptors including osprey, a flock of pelicans, one bald eagle, and one black-plumed gray bird of some unknown-to-us sort, unless because it flitted out of sight perhaps it was another heron. There are a few noteworthy geese though that seem to be confused as to their “feather” –  one American goose consistently seems to believe that s/he is a Canadian goose, and,

a trio of two American geese and a mallard who remain inseparable in the marina. Or, just maybe they all are teaching us that different cultures can live together in peace!

Loren and I have been additionally naturally entertained by a variety of fishing boats – a feature of Clear Lake is that it is a bass fisherman’s haven.

Another couple of highlights this week include going to the local cinema to see the new Lion King, which had me crying even more than the first version, and, driving to nearby Blue Lakes, where we had a refreshing dip followed by a picnic lunch in the shade.

As Loren and I make our last preparations to leave California after a year in the AirBnB near Loren’s Mom and sister’s house — now Loren’s sister’s house, we made a priority to have some special connections with important people in our lives. First I want to record how our bedroom has been brightened all week by a bouquet we took home from Loren’s Mom’s Celebration of Life last Saturday.

We began our week over a patio brunch with dear neighbors from San Jose, who drove up our way with their treasured family member – their dog, Arctic. I regret not taking photos, however our meaningful and deep conversations, and a pleasant connection with our waitress who is originally from Turkey, made for good memories. 

One evening we enjoyed a nice evening with Loren’s sister over a barbecue, and relaxed together afterwards over desert on her back deck. She offered that I could pick more of her scrumptious lemons. Like other brimming bags-full this spring that I have taken to the yogis, these lemons were gleefully snatched up after the next classes that I taught. 

Another evening was spent over dinner with Loren’s Godson at what has become a favorite sushi restaurant. Afterwards we went together for ice cream at the parlor Loren frequented on occasion since childhood. Later in the week we enjoyed a pizza dinner with his godson’s parents. We are impressed with the rig his father is outfitting for off-roading and overnighting in the desert – similar to our van in that its size can neatly fit into any parking spot. We look forward to testing out the 5 seater cab when he graciously drives us to the airport for our flight.

One day this week Loren and I drove to San Jose where Loren had a meeting with some of the men who were advisors to him in his business. During that time I had a wonderful, though too short catchup lunch with a beloved girlfriend. Again I didn’t capture the time with my camera, though smiles and tears will linger on in my heart.

A different sort of event this week was when one of our AirBnB friends turned 14 years of age. This afternoon we look forward to a belated birthday meal together to celebrate with him and his Mom. She has gaily decorated the door to their spacious bedroom for the occasion, which we also derived pleasure upon seeing…

Loren and I also thoroughly enjoyed viewing a Warrior’s basketball game in Toronto at a Watch Party over a light meal at a theater in Oakland. We attended with these same friends. Together we rode BART there and back. You may not be able to tell from my photos that we were treated to seeing our team win up close on a movie-theater-size screen. Sadly our guys lost Games 1, 3 and 4 so far in this Finals series, from some of our key players having to miss playing for a variety of injuries. We are still hopeful that they can make a miraculous comeback to win the best of 7 when the competition continues again in Toronto next week… they must win each of the next 3 games. Fingers crossed!

Loren has reconnected with his bicycle while we have been here and is off for one more good ride before our departure. For me, I am grateful for the many months I have taught classes for the local Bikram Yoga studio. It has been the longest stretch of time that I have been consistently on a studio’s schedule since my training in 2014, and my teaching skills now reflect the benefits of this time and focus. I was moved when one of my newer students, who knows I will be traveling, expressed her appreciation to me with a bouquet of flowers and a card that says how much my classes have meant to her. Personally, I took the studio’s 30 day challenge that was offered in May, and kept up my daily practice for another 7 days beyond its end. Since then with teaching and packing I had to miss a day though intend to take classes as regularly as I can going forward.

Next week’s post on our blog will be from New York, where Loren and I will have begun a month-long visit with more dear family and friends who live on the East Coast. Farewell for now California!

It was another memorable week in Castro Valley, California and its environs. Loren and I started our week attending an informal dance show put on by one of our AirBnB friends. He is 13 years old and will turn 14 next week. He has been able to claim part of the AirBnB garage for his dance studio. He is quite the gentleman too – of the four women among us in attendance, he invited me – the oldest woman, to share a dance with him.

The next day was Memorial Day, and with him and his Mom Loren and I went to see Aladdin at the local theater. It was an awesome rendition of the story! At one point I was laughing so hard that I cried, which opened the gates for me to shed more tears as the plot thickened. In that way it exceeded my bar for a movie – they are the best when they elicit me to laugh and also to cry.

In preparation for the Golden State Warriors Finals Game 1 also this week against the Toronto Raptors, our friend – the Mom, created this appealing poster, which recognizes the team’s recent history, slogans, sport and colors.

Loren and I also enjoyed a few meals with friends this week. One evening we had a fabulous dinner with one dear friend at an Italian restaurant. A highlight of the meal was drinking a bottle of Nebbiolo together, an Italian wine from the Piemonte region of Italy, where Lorens mother’s parents each hailed from. 

Another day we enjoyed a coffee date with a couple who were at our wedding. In fact he was Loren’s Best Man. We lingered over our drinks for a few hours and could easily have spent more time in good conversation together. Towards the end of the week, Loren and I had a fun lunch date with another couple to try a New York style thin slice cheese pizza.  It was doughier than I remember from New York, but the flavor was indeed reminiscent of slices I had as a child. I noticed the smiles on the face of the one friend were so much more pronounced than I had ever remembered seeing, and I attribute that to her recent retirement, or, maybe it is that the preparation for their daughter’s wedding that they recently hosted at their home is now behind them.

This week too, I completed my 30 day Bikram Yoga challenge! It feels good to have gone everyday for a month, and I continued the challenge – today I took class for my 32nd day  in a row. Not all who attempted the challenge completed it, but at least several gave it a whirl. It was also fun to see the studio manager’s puppy there one day. It seems that just a few weeks ago the manager was holding her puppy in her arms like an infant, but now she is much too big for that. She brought her in to the studio for the first time in a long time, as the pup is recovering from being spayed this week.

The most important event for us this week is that we formally celebrated the life of Loren’s Mom. It was a small gathering, beautifully coordinated by Loren’s sisters, and it was a wonderful tribute. From the tasty fare, to the photo collages, to the meaningful conversations with special friends, neighbors, coworkers and family, and, the heartfelt remembrances and accolades, I am sure she would have been touched if she could have been there in person. Her daughters even thought to display her favorite poem, Joyce Kilmer’s Trees. To use one of Loren’s Mom’s favorite phrases, the event was Super Duper!

Happy Memorial Day weekend! I am especially remembering my father today, who was a WWII veteran. He left Syracuse University to volunteer for the US Army with the intent to preserve freedom, like so many young men of his generation did. He was a lucky one, able to return to finish his studies and have a good, long life. My brother and I had the fortune to escort him to his college reunion twelve years ago, then the next year to commemorate my niece’s Sweet Sixteenth birthday celebration. He died at age 91, just five years ago this month.

Like my father, when I become interested in a sports team, I am all in. In addition to the Syracuse Orange athletic teams, his was the New York Yankees baseball team. Right now, mine is the Golden State Warriors basketball team. Loren and I are so proud of them for their sweep of the Western Conference Finals. They “Won the West” against the Portland Trailblazers in just four games. 

Now we will face the Toronto Raptors later this week, starting in Toronto. They similarly took the Eastern Conference Finals, but it took them six games to win the series. During one of their games played in Toronto, a newscaster borrowed a Raptors fan’s placard to show the camera. It said “The Bucks Stop Here!” a witty play on President Truman’s famous statement, “The buck stops here.” I wonder what slogan their fans might come up with for our upcoming series? Regardless, while they were right about the Bucks, I have faith that our two-consecutive-years championship team will clinch the three-peat…

Other news this week is, my 30 day challenge of taking a Bikram yoga class every day for 30 days is nearly over. Since I am not on the schedule to teach through the end of the month I will not have to spend the more than four hours in the hot room – like I did on the days when I also taught two classes, to complete my own yoga class for the day. What I noticed this week on my drive to and from the yoga studio are the bountiful roses in full bloom along the freeway overpass. 

Loren and I finished out this week having dinner with friends at a restaurant that Loren and I used to frequent a lot before we began our travels. Before dinner Loren and I took a walk around the downtown of our neighborhood, something we always enjoyed doing when we lived there. It was interesting to note what is new mixed in with what we remember. Later, in the restaurant, it took me aback to notice a familiar chair with the same upholstery as I remembered from that long ago. 

Loren and I so appreciate our family and friends for keeping up with us here on our blog all this time. It is nearly a year that we have been staying at the AirBnB near what is now Loren’s sister’s house. Next week we will have a small gathering to celebrate their Mom’s life. The following week, Loren and I will begin to resume our travels. We will start off with a visit to New York again, and are excited to share here all that will come next.