Since I, like many bloggers, seem to have nearly stopped posting, the answer is, rather a lot. It’s been over a year since my last, trivial, attempt at re-starting my blogging brain, and much has happened in my personal life (we won’t even consider the larger world for now, thank you very much), most of it related to this old-age stage of life I am now in. In a nutshell, I had my gall bladder out last January (which turned out to be a good thing), my brother died in April (it was definitely time for him to go; in fact, his wife thinks he chose to die rather than continue his daily struggle, which if true would haver given him the satisfaction of being in control), we had a very nice memorial for him at their church in June, two of my siblings and a couple of nephews and I buried some of his ashes in the Idaho Primitive Area per his request in September, and one of my best friends died in December. A major takeaway from all this is, if there are things I really want to do, it’s time to Do It Now.
So what’s new now, and is giving my the motivation to (once again) jump start this blog into life, is my sister-in-law J and I are heading out next week on a trip around the southwest. A Tandem Southwest Swing, if you will. Tandem because I will travel in my camper van while she drives her car and stays in hotels. Since I live in Oregon and she in California, I am now on the road. Left home last Friday, under gray but not rainy skies.
One of the things I discovered that first night out (besides what it was I forgot this time–I always forget something, no matter how systematic I am about packing and loading) is that my camping chops had gotten rusty. Little things that are part of the routine, like where all the things are that are used for brushing teeth, were no longer automatic, so I had to stop and think. One more reminder, as if I needed one, that my brain, as well as body, is aging.
Thence to sunny California. It was a beautiful drive down. Mt.Shasta was out in all her glory. Stopped early for lunch to have this view while I ate.
From the rest area at Weed.
And to prove I was there and the above isn’t a stock photo:
The views kept on appearing as I drove further south. to the extent that I had to keep reminding myself to no get distracted and keep my eyes on the road. I tried to capture some of them while still driving carefully; this is the best one I got.
It’s a little tricky to distinguish the mountain from the clouds, but it’s there.
I was curious about how full the Shasta reservoir was, so took the time to stop at Lakehead and take Scamp out for a quick walk. It’s full–way fuller than during the drought years–but there’s still plenty of room for spring rains and snowmelt.
I took other photos, but this one is the best because it has Scamp in it. Critters always make a scene more picturesque, don’t you think?
Stopped for two nights at one of my favorite CGs, outside Red Bluff, to get a nice day of rest in between. Here’s Scamp and myself being scofflaws.
Scofflaws because she’s not supposed to be off leash.
I always try to get a good picture of the mountains one sees from there, and always fail to get the perfect one, but here’s the best one I got this time around.
I always wish I could figure out which mountain is which–one of them is supposed to be Mt. Shasta, maybe one of the above, but I’m never sure about that, or which it is if so–but I always fail.
Sunrise the morning we left:
On Monday, I decided to try something new, so drove to Putah Canyon CG at Lake Berryessa, which is actually a reservoir, one of several that keep California alive. It turned out to be a really good decision. It’s a large CG, and would be kinda awful if full, but was nearly deserted. Each of us campers had an entire section to ourselves. After driving around getting oriented, I picked what I am sure is the best spot in the entire CG–even if the CG had been full, my spot would have been quite private, as you can see.
A few more pictures of the lake and views from my spot.
The view from my lounging spot in the van.
My wine glass 🙂
As I texted to friends, I get a kick out of that glass, as well as whatever wine I put into it. And then realized that could be read a couple of different ways. Both of which are true :-).
Part of what made this such a perfect spot was that I could let the critters all out to roam freely.
Which pleased us all.
Scamp, of course, wanted me to come out and play.
And eventually I succumbed. She thought I should throw a ball (or stick–she’s not fussy) into the lake for her to fetch, but I wasn’t about to climb down next to the water and it was further than I thought to get something all the way out into the water from up at our site. I think this was my most successful throw, using the flinger.
Notice how she dropped the ball at the top of the trail and it gravitated back down. A few throws later, she did the same thing:
And we lost it. I couldn’t find it and gave up quickly. Scamp kept on looking for quite awhile.
Sunrise the next morning.
We had a nicely relaxed morning getting out. Here’s Phantom birdwatching.
And some of the birds he was watching. I tried to use my Merlin app to ID them, but was not confident that any of the matches they offered were the ones I was seeing. They may have been, but I couldn’t tell.
Shadow accompanying Scamp and me on a short walk.
And Scamp sunbathing.
Finally got all loaded up and headed out to see friends in San Rafael. Scamp was quite sure we should have stayed, and if there hadn’t been rain in the forecast I might have, but she finally agreed to come. Once I got her on leash . . . .
Stopped in Napa for lunch.
It was a good salad. Scamp got a few bites of the salmon.
Having had beer, although only a half, I opted for a short walk by the river to be ready to drive. It paid off in some art installations. I felt quite the tourist.
A house of cards.
An octopus.
A carp after a frog. We don’t know who won 🙂
I’m not sure what she is supposed to be, but I liked her.
Am now typing at the dining room table of this guy and his wife.
Obviously, that was taken a few years ago–in the neighborhood of 45 years ago. He doesn’t look like that any more, although he’s still just as cool.
Why is the picture sitting on the floor, you ask? Here’s the story.
His father got the original blown up into a poster, and gave the poster to his (the father’s) sister. It got put into her attic for many many years, and was rescued therefrom about eight years ago by the subject of the photo. His wife loves it, and wanted to hang it in pride of place over their couch in their new house, but he has resisted. Apparently he considers that it would be too “in your face” there, so it has languished there on the floor ever since they moved in. HOWEVER, there is hope for it. Once the contents of this . . .
find new homes, so the cabinet can be moved, the picture will go there. Where one will not see it unless one looks for it.
SO, now I’m all caught up. Hopefully I can eep up with blogging the trip, though I must try to be less exhaustive. I will try, in the interest of actually getting things posted. We’ll see how I do as we go along.
Love to see you back, especially with these spectacular photos. Every time I’d scroll, I would say “That’s my favorite” then another incredible one would show up. I do enjoy the ones with animals but the scenery is gorgeous even without them. I’m glad you’re out on the road although life sounds like it’s been up and down this past year. Too many deaths. 😦 Scamp is so majestic.
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The clouds and their reflections in the lake in some of the pics are lovely! Sounds as if you’ve embarked on a great trip with the critters (and your sister-in-law). Hope it’s all as enjoyable as these first days.
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First I have heard of your trip plans. What a lovely thing to do for both of you.
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Glad your trip down here has been good. And I do very much like your blogging and your photos.
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