Next stop Redding CA

Wednesday I opted to stay at the fifth wheel while Joe climbed/hiked Lassen Peak.  This starts a 8512ft.  and climbs to 10,457 ft.  After 11 miles yesterday I wasn't up for that big of a climb.  Besides it was down right cold out.  We got up about 7:30  and it was 32 degrees outside and 42 in the fifth wheel.  It never got over 55 the whole day.  Joe said it was in 40's when he started his hike and still in the 40's when he finished.  For more on this hike please read Joe's trip log.  I will share some pictures with you!

View from the top

I just enjoyed my day, did a lot of reading and went for a walk.  This area is really a great place to camp and just sit back and enjoy yourself.

When we got up Thursday morning the batteries for the trailer were dead again, and it was 32 degrees again, so we decided to pack it up and head to Redding a day early.  Joe called a head to make sure our spot would be open and luckily it was.  So we drove the 50 miles back to town and warmth.

Today we lounged around most of the morning then went to run some errands and had a great steak lunch.  Then ended going to see the new X-Men movie.  We both really like the movie and would recommend it.

Tonight Joe is checking out the night life and I am catching up on my blog.

Tomorrow it is off to the races in Anderson, about 6 miles down the road.  It will be different to see the sprints run on asphalt.

Lassen Volcanic NP

Monday we hurried and went grocery shopping for our week at Lassen Volcanic NP.  There is no hook ups so this will be like tent camping in a 5th wheel.  No heater :0(  no phone, no internet.  I missed keeping in touch with our friends.  At least at Sequoia and Yosemite we had internet.
Once we get to the campground we find the space we have reserved is to small for our rig.  We managed to sort of get it in, but no way was it going to work.  The host told us to go to loop B and see if there was anything available there that would be better.  So after 30 min we finally managed to get the truck and fifth wheel out of space A03. We did manage to find a spot in the B loop.  The only problem was it is right next to the bath room and the group site.  But we took it anyway.  The first night wasn't to bad. It was really cold when we got up Tues morning so it was hard to get out of bed and moving.  We managed to make the Summit Lake trail head by 10:00.  This is a 11 mile loop hike.  Summit Lake is the first of the pristine lakes we will see today.  It is a crystal clear lake with a spectacular view of Lassen Peak covered in snow in the background.

Summit Lake

Lassen Peak in the background

 From here we start climbing. We started at 7000 ft and will go up about 700 ft.  The climb isn't to bad but the altitude still gets to me.  The next lake is Echo Lake.  We wander thru beautiful pines  and patches of snow.  After Echo Lake we run into bigger patches of snow that we have to walk across, they are a little slippery.  We finally reach Upper and Lower Twin lakes.  We ate lunch at the lower lake.  What a breath taking spot to have lunch.  There was a family of ducks on the lake.

Lower twin Lake

There were 6 babies and they were trying to teach them to fly.  It was fun watching them.  Mom or dad would chase them until they would try to fly to get away.

Upper Twin Lake

                                                        On our way again, we join into a portion of the Pacific Crest Trail.

 We think of Alan and Nicole and wish they were here to share it with us, but they haven't made it this far yet.  We are quite a bit a head of them.  I guess you go faster with wheels instead of feet!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We had to cross several creek or streams that had nice sturdy bridges built across them.  I was thinking this is really nice, I don't have to worry about falling in.  Famous last words.  The last stream we had to cross was pretty wide and rough flowing water and no bridge.  There were some rocks and several wet slippery logs.  I sure was wishing for one of those bridges.  I went up stream a ways but still couldn't find a good place to cross, the same for down stream.  I had Joe go first and when he slipped and almost fell in I got really nervous.  I started across with Joe holding out a walking stick for me to hold and help steady me.  Just as I was about to reach him and grab his hand my feet slipped and down I went.  I kept yelling at Joe to let me go so I could right myself and get up.  He was afraid to let me go, I finally made him understand that I needed both my hands.  Once I got myself up and sat down I examined my leg.  I banged and scrapped it up pretty good.  It took a few minutes for me to calm down.

Of course as soon as we started hiking again we had to start up hill.  I had lost a lot of my energy on the fall, it took all my will power to make it up that hill.  Once at the top the next trail sign said 1.7 miles to Summit lake.  I breathed a sigh of relief that we were almost done.  I ate my apple and felt better and said good by to the Pacific Crest Trail and headed up to Summit Lake.  There wasn't to much more up hill and I was happy to reach the lake, at least the south shore, we had to walk half way around the lake to get to the truck.  It is now 5:30 and I am very hungry so we hurry back to the campground and dinner.

Wouldn't you know it, a big group had came in while we were gone.  This is a group of sixth graders from a charter school out of Monterey.  Now we know how loud a group of sixth graders can be and I was looking for a nice peaceful night enjoying a campfire.  They were so loud at one point the camp host came around and asked them to keep it down.  While we were eating dinner some of them started walking thru the middle of our camp site to the bathroom.  I very nicely asked them to please use the road.  That didn't go over very good with the kids and they made it very clear that we shouldn't tell them they couldn't walk through our site, after all it is so much shorter than going around it.  Their leaders had a talk with them and that was the end of that.  At that point I gave up enjoying the fire and went to bed saying tomorrow well be better :0)

Good by Yosemite Hello Chico

Friday, the day after half dome finds me very tired and a bit sore.  Thank goodness it is a travel day.  We are going to Chico CA, about 220 miles away.  Chico is the home of the Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.  A little rest and a couple of sprint car races is sounding pretty good.  I was very happy when we finally arrived st our destination, my knees and thighs are sore from sitting all day.  We are at the Almond Tree RV Park.  What a nice park, we have a pull thru so no fighting about backing this big rig in.  Once we were set up, I sat back and relaxed the rest of the day.  I sent Joe to find a grocery store and buy a rotisserie chicken.  In his search he managed to scope out the whole town area.  He came back all excited.  He really likes this town, he couldn't wait to tell me about all the craftsmen style houses they have here.  This is one of my favorite styles of houses and I would some day like to own one, maybe restore it.  Not so sure Joe is on board with that idea!!!!!
Dinner is over and it is already after 7 when Joe decides he is going to check out the night life.  I give him my blessing and off he goes only to return in a couple of hours.  The fair is in town and all the bands are there.  This leaves only DJ's playing the bars.

Bidwell Park

Sat morning is spent getting caught up on bills and all of Joe's many logs he likes to keep.  Once that is done we go walk around town.  It is a very quaint town.  We have lunch at Popeyes chicken, ( I love their spicy chicken and potatoes and gravy).  Bidwell park is our next stop.  This park is along the Big Chico Creek.  They have made biking/walking paths long the banks with several places to stop for picnics or to take a swim.  One section has been turned into this hugh swimming pool including life guard stands.  It has a shallow area for those that can't swim to a deeper area down by the bridge.  I put my chair out and spent some time just enjoying the view, while Joe walked a big portion of it.

Bidwell Park swimming area

This town is really starting to grow on me.  Next stop is the Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.  We sign up for the 1:00 tour.  This tour was educational as well as a lot of fun.  We learned a lot about the history of its founder and still owner and how he developed his beers.  The Sierra Nevada Pale ale is his best selling beer to date and was one of his first.  Going through the process of making beer is quite involved, from growing the hops to adding the yeast and then purifying it.  At the end of the tour we were able to sample seven different beers, this is the best part.  We discovered we do not like the IPA's.  They are very bitter.  The summerfest was my favorite, this is a seasonal beer and hard to find, so I bought a 12 pack, I also liked the Porter, a very dark beer that has a coffee after taste and the one that taste very much like Scotch, I can't remember the name, it may have been the stout.  Joe only liked the Summerfest.  We also bought a 12 pack of their Old Chico beer.  This beer wasn't available for tasting, but is only sold in Chico.  After having a can of it I believe it is mine and Joe's favorite.
The tour got over just in time to get ready to drive to Marysville and the sprint car races.  The races were a little long, a lot of crashes but we still had a great time.  We go home about 12:00.




Sunday we was spent getting caught up on the laundry and taking naps.  I really need a long nap.  By 5:30 we were on our way to the fair.  I love fair food, had a great spicy dog on a bun with onions and peppers, Yum!  Joe had a pulled pork BBQ sandwich.  The races started shortly after we ate.  There were a lot more sprints here than they had in Marysville.  The show was twice as good and the fans were friendly and lots of fun to be around.  It was a good couple of days in Chico.  This goes on the list of possible places to live.

Half Dome

We woke to the sound of rain at 4:30 Thursday morning.  We were bummed, thinking they would close half dome due to weather.  What the heck, let's go for it,so we got up and by 6  am we were on our way.  We got to Yosemite valley a little after 7,  just missed the first shuttle the next one would be at 7:30.  We finally get on the shuttle going to stop 16.  By this time I have giant butterflies in my stomach.  This is such a big under taking for me, not only climbing half dome but the grueling hike itself.  There is a 4800 ft elevation gain from start to the top of the dome.  The last 900 ft is climbing cables to the top.  By the time we start I am feeling pretty good, telling my self over and over you can do it.

Steps and more steps :P

We are taking the Mist trail to the top of Nevada Falls which takes you directly through the swirling mist and rainbow shrouded Vernal Falls.

Vernal Falls

Vernal Falls in the Mist

 We have to walk right next to it.  It is quite steep going this way but they have but steps in that make it some what easier.  I don't think I want to see steps again after going up these.  The fall is spectacular.  You are walking through the mist on very slippery steps and getting cold and wet,  but you are so much in awe that you don't even notice.
 Once we are past  Vernal and Nevada Falls  the trail takes us up, up, up through the forest with all it's great smells.    As we go up in altitude I get a little bit slower, Joe was about 5 min a head of me.  He was taking a break when I reached him, but I kept going.  I barely got around the next couple of switch backs when I wasn't able to get any water out of my camel.  My first thought was that the hose was kinked.  No such luck, my camel was completely dry.  It holds 3 liters of water it couldn't possibly be empty.  I try not to panic,after all there is all this water around us that should be clean for drinking.  When Joe gets to me, he empties one of his water bottles into my camel and I had one small bottle to add to it.  We still don't know what happened to my water, it was full when started that morning and I don't drink that much water, just another mystery.

Nevada Falls

Steep Trail

We are off again and I am doing pretty good at keeping up with Joe.  That all changes once we see the sign that says 2 miles to half dome, it is 12:00 and I can't believe I am almost there.  At this point Joe picks up his speed and I slow down.  The altitude is making me feel sluggish.  I reach the bottom of quarter dome,  which you walk straight up, at least that is what it felt like.

Struggling up

Still struggling

Finally at the top

It is now 1 o'clock.  I finally make it to the top of this steep climb, more steps which I was thankful for, at 2:00, I did better than I thought I would.

Joe's view from the top

My first view of the cables

Beautiful view from the top

Joe's boot shot

No break, I went straight to the cables before I had time to think about it.  There is a pile of gloves to pick from so you don't slip on the cables, I picked a snazzy red pair the lots of grip.  Looking up to the top I couldn't believe I was going to do this.  The first few steps weren't to bad, but each step got harder.  You are trying to walk, pull, yourself up a 75 to 80 degree angle.  It got so steep that my arms would not pull me up any more further, so at about half way I had to turn around.  I was disappointed but thrilled I at least gave it a shot.  Joe walked me back down the cables, then he went to the top.

This is up there with my best hikes ever.  The hike back down took forever.  We started at 8 in the morning and finished at 8 that night.  This was a very grueling 12 hr day and we enjoyed every minute of it.

Our view on the way down, Nevada Fall with Half Dome in the far background