Okay...Les and I took a long week-end only to ourselves. I know these adventures were about Dave's boys, but they do not do car rides well..this was 10 hours away ,if we only went straight thru, and you know if you are on a second honeymoon and looking at at your past...well you can put 2 and 2 together..lol

Les and I have always wanted to see Fern Canyon..ever since Huell Howser presented it on California Gold! Well this was the time to go, Monica and her "friend" were taking the boys to Pine Flat...Rick and Erin were planning a wedding..so it was just Les and I over a long week-end.

I created a list, went shopping and laid everything out in the dining  room and off we went...Les packed our stuff wondering why I packed Monica's tent...I wondered why he packed our tent in a different Duffie bag from our last trip....

Off we went... we toured Napa where we started our journey together, what a blessing to see the house we started in which children were laughing and such love taken care of...how sad where we saw when we had"" moved up"" to see all the boarded closed up homes... our neighbors had shared so much joy with us....but life goes on and I am sure the neighborhood  will rise again.

On up the state we went, past some of the most beautiful parts we offer..vineyards, berry farms, dairy's and orchards. We stopped at the small town of Isleton on the River.where we had breakfast next to people discussing the fate of their town vs. the government and north we went.

Finally we reached Eureka where my cousin lives, no I did not get a phone number before we left but did know the name of the family business! It was closed..it was Joyce's birthday..so even more gas and north we went.

We finally reached Elk Prairie Creek campground, and it was very disappointing to find our campsite in the meadow and not the Redwoods... but now we are tired and need to set camp.

It is now raining but I had a list! We have the pop-up to go over the camp kitchen, we have extra bedding and I have rain ponchos...what I do not have is ...the correct tent!!

The last time we went camping was on Dave's Birthday on the central Coast...Monica and boys packed up their tent we packed ours...when Monica and boys packed their tent they did not include the RAIN fly..This is what I now have..it is time for plan B!

Our sleeping bags went into the pick-up...our kitchen went under the pop-up and now we are set..and rain is falling!!

We took a small trail in and around the campground..I am now sold ..we need to bring the boys and spend a week..if fern canyon was even half of our after dinner walk the trip would be worth the drive ( and the gas cost..lol)..As we arrived the people next to us also arrived back in camp..we introduced ourselves to find he had proposed on their hike into the canyon..and yes she said yes!!

We now headed to the pick-up, now on many of our camping trips one of the teen age boys have chosen to sleep in our pick up..but now we have 2 seniors sleeping in the front seat of our pick up..it is what it is..lol
The rain fell so hard it would wake me up, I am also claustrophobic so I must have my passenger side window down to feel fresh air ( yes I know I got wet..lol) and again the rain awoke me.

Morning came..and we were able to have a great breakfast and coffee under our pop-up and watched people leave in groves..now I am glad we are in the meadow and not in the redwoods..we could hear the rain drops fall on those under us..we watched the Roosevelt Elk graze in the meadow just beyond us with their young..and Les and I discussed our options.

We drove to the Visitor center and discussed our options, in the central valley where we are from, no one gets hypothermia, yet here because of the rain and the temperature this was a concern?

OK we are willing to follow rules, so nix the 11 mile hike and we will drive to the trail head of fern canyon.
you arrive after a rugged drive that will knock your socks-off..,,,,yes the drive to the trail head goes through fern  forests with many cars even in the poring rain and then comes out to the beach in all it's glory to be met at an end with a parking lot still in pouring rain.

Off we went on the trail...I do not know how to say in words what it is to walk into a canyon..that is straight up the sides with falling water going over moss, ferns and piggy back plants scrabble over logs and rocks..see minnows in the creek.. I am walking on tepid ground ..having  others help me to balance a log to cross and then help them..this a part of the earth that only God has created..different..so much different then what we have created in a City.. and then the sun broke thru!!!  Everything lit up in diamonds!! We hiked out knowing we had seen something so special only those who were here could of seen!

The next day we woke up to new campers..an elderly gentleman in his lat 80"s with manners we have not seen in years, could his Grandson  and his family park with us as they were full with Rec. .gov. regs...oh yes please join us!!

Now on our last day here since I had missed the Avenue of the Giants turn off on our way, that   Said Information Only Sign ??? you are now past the turn out with the paper sign saying  you are where you want to go.. but down highway 101 at 70 miles an hour??

So on our last day we drove up the road to the Trees of Mystery...as we approaches Les said this was a tourist trap...yes.. but I had seen on Huell Howser it was also an Indian Museum... Les's Mother is Indian and so  he is always interested..    Anyone who comes this direction needs to see this ,it is fantastic! and it is free!!

After viewing how complete the museum was, Les said we needed to support this..so up we went to the path to buy a ticket for the "Trees of MYSTERY"..................THIS IS NO tourist trap, this is what a private enterprise can do if left alone..

We had a wonderful hike thru the history of redwoods and other trees, logging in the area and history..and then a gondola ride to the top of Ted's Ridge and back with views of the pacific...walking out thru the most in creditable folk out carvings of Paul Bunion..and finally back to the parking lot..wow what a day!!

We can not wait to take our grand-sons....or grand-daughter or grand-son depending on who Rick and Erin have................................

Into the future we go with more on the way...................hee-hay!!!!................. What a life.........................

Into the future we go...
Grandma D.

Point Reyes..we visit again

As I have shared in the past, the backpacking trips are my favorite. On April 19th we visited Point Reyes National Seashore again...our goal is once a year to backpack to each of the 4 campgrounds................

This year coast camp was our destination, after much research on the internet our goal was to hike in on the "handicap" access road and out thou the lumbar trail( we would be lighter going out..lol)..so off we went! Nick is our only backpacking loving grandson, so after a talk with Mom it was to be Nick and a like minded friend.

For 2 weeks I shopped (freeze dried food, enegery bars ..and a handicap trail..bar-b-que for the first night)!

Well Nick did not have a friend who could go? (2 month notice? ah but remember Grandma this is the McDonald's generation..24 hour notice for teens) so the supplies were divided between 3!! Grandpa had a pack of 48 pounds! I had a pack and 2 side totes equaling 33 pounds and nick was to carry 30 on his own...are we nuts!!

After checking into Big Bear Valley visitor center we acquired our permits and parking pass and also directions to our trail head..we unloaded our gear at the trail head and Grandpa took the car up the half mile to the parking lot and then came back to join us on foot. We loaded up and headed off the "handicap" trail..we have our stuff..an ice chest..and no hiking shoes..no trekking poles.. and way too much weight..lol

Now to be fair..in the world of the handicap in the Central Valley of Cali, handicap is a very very heavy person in a power scooter..level paved ground with no elevation change.....WRONG!!!!

This was a fire road paved with very sharp rocks..no view just miles of plug..along..do not take this trail!!

We finally reached the campground..a very large tree marks the spot!! Wow, again we headed up hill one foot in front of another. If you use this camp ground stay in site 1 or 2 do not book further..the bathrooms and water are too far to go if your body is giving out..( at 62 it could happen) Also in this campground there are no forest grump trees...no trees at all!

We set camp..bar-b qued our treasures along with smores..and at night fall were in our tents!  Thank God I am fat and now capable of holding a staked tent down against the winds..what wind we had..but to hear the crashing sea against the shore was a reward on it's own...

The next morning Grandpa and I decided we needed to walk off the nights rocks working the way tru our very sub-standard sleeping pads and found the trail to the beach...it was just after high tide and the migrating wales were breaching..what a sight, if youy have not seen something like this you are missing one of the great wonders of life..but on to camp we went to wake Nick for the day's hike,

I loved the hike down the beach and then up the coast trail...the views, the wildlife, the wildflowers, there is so much, why would anyone want not to be here?

Sunday morning was time to hike out. The weather is warm, with a pack on my back I  am thinking 7 am is good...but wait I am hiking with a teen..well 12:30 works ..off we went with the plan of walking out the shorter route then what we came in..now I can see this trail cutting up the mountain with it's switch backs...but again I have come in on the trail with the super sharp rocks..how bad can it be?? It is now, the views, it was awesome..do not believe the park service about "easy"...the pay-off is in the other!!!

I came back with a sun-burn to the crisp..sore muscles...and can not wait to go back..you all should too!!

Into the future we go ....................Grandma D. 
 

A new year of camping...a new year of growing

Well we started camping  in February..I have not posted until now because of all the changes in our family! Monica has moved with the boys..and is getting ready to move once more. Rick and his girlfriend got engaged and then found they were going to have a baby!!! I could not be happier then to welcome Erin to our family and then last week to discover I and Les will become Grandparents again, Oh My to be doubled blessed like this is beyond me!!

Yes..back to our camping adventures.........................

We took Nick with us over Presidents day week-end for 3 days at Pinnacles National Park, weather promised 70 degree days and 45 degree nights, we were blessed with the warm days, but the first night the temperature dropped to 29...oh my!!

Well to say..I froze, I do not care if you are 15  and headed to the truck with the sleeping bag he had and mine(lol)..I needed to sit by the campfire where I melted my shoes trying to get warm. That morning we decided we would not try another night!

As we were leaving I refused to give up the hike we came for, Thank goodness my husband supports me! As we were at the trail head after my walk to the bathroom, both Nick and Les comforted me with the thought of home and a warm bed. So very tempting, my body hurt form trying to keep cuddling up to Les one side after another, but we had come all this way....so up the trail we went!!!

We went through the Talus caves..Nick came running back with excitement we could go further then the last time we had come..all the way to to the lake! Up through the caves we went................

the Hike was what we came for and i am so happy we did it, now I know I and Les want to do the Rim hike, it will take your breath away!!

In March it was Kane's turn to a friend and go camping, the weather was so unsettled we decided at the last minute and we took the trailer to the local lake with the campground and playground. It was too short notice for him to ask a friend and he was so bummed- out..but on we went. Lowe and behold  we found a spot right at the play ground with a double family(cousins) camping below us...they between them had 4 boys Kane's age!

When  Kane awake Sunday morning he shared how sorry he was was his Brothers were missing "all the fun"". Les and I never felt so relaxed..we never left the campground and Kane was so sorry to go home!!

That brings us to this coming week-end..we are going backpacking at Point Reyes National Seashore with Nick and a Friend?...the back packing trips are my favorite and Nick is the only one of our Grandsons who loves the rush of putting your body to the max..I am praying for good weather and please anyone who reads this do so also!!! Happy Hiking all and bond with your family....................................................................

On into the future we go!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Grandma D.








In

I know i have not posted since August..so please bear with me  I have so much to catch up on now..I now have a job..lots of things have changed in the family.

Monica has a new job..she loves it!!

Rick has a girlfriend..I love her..she is like us!

Tammy my niece has become my best friend...being adults changes family dynamics!

My sister in law has become a saint at family parties..always willing to help in anyway she can..

And the teen age grandchildren are teaching me so much in the middle of the night when they come out of tee agedom and become people...so here we go  from Sept on..lol

There is Gold in those hills!!

I have been looking for something that would add some activity to our camping adventures that we could all partake in. As I have shared I have not wanted this to be something that was virtual (since I am concerned about the ability of the young to relate to real people in real time)....so into the virtual I went  (the internet)..lol

I looked at many avenues that were available in our area..remember this is the woman who now owns a subscription to backpacking  magazine...(LOL Grandpa and I are 60...but Nick likes it..and we do it,.. and as it it turns out ..I love the prep for it...LOL even louder!!)..Each Grandson has such different interests..after all they are their own souls.......which I am so blessed to get to know!!!

As I was exploring the boys different interest for theses trips I found one thing in common..they took us to California's Gold country...what could we all learn and bond from this..and as I said  I went to the web..........

Our next trip is just south of Big Sur...creeks with gold and beaches with jade..now we have an activity!! I still hunted on the web and came across an organization called  Central Valley  Prospectors, and sent a email , do you have classes..do you provide information..do you have resources, or perhaps a mentor...not believing I would hear a thing!!

I was so very very wrong...the very next day I heard by phone from these wonderful people...it seems they had tried to email, but one of the letters of my email address had been lost to cyber space( can anyone identify with this?) ..so the call was made!

Yes we want to help you and your grandchildren...we have a person who is an expert in panning who will be 20 min. from you this Saturday and looking for you..do not worry He will have what to need to get started and ..just bring your water to drink...( in my cynical mind I am thinking...) are you for real!!

Yes these people are for real...and much more then that!  Bill Schoyer was the most and patient teacher we could of ever found..Nancy was was the most professional club leader, with follow- through there is..and the whole cub cares for what we are trying to do!

At our little spot on the River ..Kane was really welcome, and came back on Sunday greeted by name..Mike a new comer like us welcomed him by name...these are people who you do not find in the everyday world...but exceptional people who care....like the ones our country was built on,..  encourage the youth...no name calling...do not whine...have a sense of humor...what great rules to live by....it turns out these are the club rules ....Guess what Grandpa and I ...are joining

As Mom came to pick Kane up...his glitter flakes of gold were sent home with him to show his Brothers..I know from them no value will be placed on this..but I know for Kane this was the  week-end  that will never be lost!!!

Thank-You..C.V.P.

Grandma D.

If others of you are looking in Central Cali for a family activity...please google Central Valley Prospectors  and send them an email   ..they will not fail to help you!!! they have sure helped us!!1

It has been a year..some insights into Granparenthood

It has been a little over a year since we have lost Dave...and 6 completed camping trips since our decision to inject ourselves into our Grandchildren' s lives.  I have to say this has brought me some great insights and some humbling experiences..lol

I have had a philosophy since becoming a Grandparent, that has been especially  tested since March when we started this..

I feel that parenting and grand parenting is a lot like baking a birthday cake. Parents( Mom's especially but Dad's also must measure flour, sugar, etc....mix it just the right amount of time and then place into a carefully watched oven to bake until just the moment, when an adult who is ready to be a functioning part of society is pulled from this oven....A grand parent on the other hand is to mix all the sweet stuff together and slather it over the top!!!.

Children and birthday cakes need the sweet stuff to make being an adult and a cake complete!!!

On our last camping trip to Yosemite Grandpa and I found pure Magic in taking one child with a friend..the boys need a vacation from each other and we selfishly do not want to be remembered as referee's or dictators!!!

This trip was magic from finding swimming holes on the Merced river to watching  a meteor shower our last night in camp!

But on all these trips, the morning we break camp..something happens to the boys. They are tired..it is too much work..why to we have to do X?..I now wonder if  this is breaking the magic that has been created or
has  the baking powder been measured correctly..has the temperature in the oven been watched close enough...as a person who has baked..and blew it at times..it is hard not to ask..Heaven knows I made plenty of  mistakes baking my cakes!!!

But now the frosting belongs to Grandpa and I... and we plan on spreading it thick!!!!!!!!

On into the future.. with more camping trips....more insights..and the blessing of Family..and cakes and frosting..

Grandma D

P.S. to anyone who made comments on any posts that I have made in the past and then revised or deleted..I cherish your comments and have kept them in my personal files..but my husband has asked me to keep anything that is said in this blog very positive since the boys will have this as a dairy after we have joined Dave

You are all special to me, and I have used your words of wisdom..Thank you!.

Point Reyes Backpacking..or lost in the Magic

What a trip we have just finished..our backpacking trip to Point Reyes National Seashore, this was the first backpacking trip for the Grandsons. We had a 5 mile hike to our campsite..but with a hike like this who would notice the distance?

 The boys did wonderfully with the loaded backpacks, Kane took every small path down to the creek and discovered banana slugs, feathers, made wishes on butterflies as they flew by, causing Kane and I to fall way behind the others! I told Kane I would carry his pack for him so we could catch up to Grandpa. When we did catch up, Grandpa with concern asked why we were so far behind? I just answered we were lost in the Magic!!

 The trail is long but mostly level all along Bear Valley trail , the trail junction to glen camp is shortly up the path which will be the last mile and a half we need to go. By now Nick and Jordan are way ahead of us and were told to wait at the trail juction for us before going on.

At the Gen trail loop junction everything changes, we are no longer on a nice level path wide enough for us to walk side by side, we are now on a very very steep path going up hill, and uphill and uphill. The trail is only wide enough in places for one step in front of another and I keep thinking we must be getting close..but no we just keep going up hill. Now I know I need to stop and catch my breath, the boys are way ahead of us, Kane has handed his backpack to me because he is tired and then proceeds to run up the hill to catch up with his brothers. Grandpa is happy to stop and catch his breath me me and we are both soaking wet with sweat! I am glad as a senior citizen that I have built my endurance with the backpack up because if I had not I think I would of just sat down at this point and said this is far enough!!

 We finally see the sign to head to the campground which is going to head down hill...Thank you Lord, of coarse the boys are already there waiting for us, they have not complained, wined or even made a negative comment so far so my heart is swelling with pride, and I can see from Grandpa's face he is also!

 
We had campsite 1 in Glen camp, it was beautiful!! A large Oak which looked like a Forest Gump tree hung over the entrance, plenty of room for the tents and sat on the hill side, just up from the water and bathrooms( well not really a bathroom, pit toilets..but what can you do..lol)

 The boys pitched right in to get everything set up and to tell you the truth at this point we saw no signs of wear and tear on any of them from the hike or carrying the packs, just relief that were were finally here.

 Kane and Nick learned about mess kits and back packing stoves..dried food and the importance of water. Kane was so interested in everything that was happening and how we were going to make his favorite soup for dinner. How he could be hungry I do not know...he ate the entire way up to camp, only stopping to drink water and then ate again, cliff bars, tiger milk bars, raisins, hard candy, fruit snacks, peanuts, and he had eaten the entire way up in the car, and had lunch just before we started...but he is a growing boy!!! Jordan has now had the opportunity to look wild life eye-to eye  first wild turkeys..then Elk..then bear..then deer and now bob-cats and fox..we will see what else the future brings.

 When dust started everyone was ready to crash, Jordan first ,Nick and Kane. Kane was not very  happy he had to share our tent, he wanted to sleep with with his brothers...but in a small backpacking tent 2 boys who are almost 6 feet tall fill the tent..so sorry Buddy, you are with us.

Morning was a great time to watch Kane in action, he was everywhere..to other camp-sites..he knows no strangers, filling water bottles for the day's hike for us, and asking when he can wake up the Brothers..he was ready to go!!!

We decided to hike down to Wildcat  camp, where there was a beach, it would only be a 5 mile round trip so we could have lunch there and play in the surf before heading back to camp, the trail turned out to be challenging, as you can see from the overlook in the picture below...as always the older boys were ahead and Kane, Grandpa and I brought up the rear. Nick was great about falling back to encourage Kane when  he could see he needed it! I guess there are 2 ways at looking at hiking with a group, it can be a team sport or a competition...I was blessed to see how each worked on this trip and I vote for team..it seemed to be more fun!

We made our way down to the beach , only to be greeted by signs telling us to stay away from the surf..stay away from the cliffs, and stay away from the seals...what did we come for then!! we ate lunch on a long, Kane was able to find all the parts of a crab to put back together, a small creek was running into the ocean so we cooled off in that which Kane enjoyed playing in and Jordan took a nap on a log.

 Now I like beaches a lot..but to bring 3 boys on a hike like this and then remind them they can do very little of what is fun seemed like a great waste and very unfair to me..but then life is not fair and does not come with do-overs, so perhaps there was a lesson here that was learned by all.

 Again, what goes down must go back up...and up..and up...and up. At one point, again with the older boys far ahead..Kane just sat down and said he was going no further..so we took a break, I asked him to look over the cliff edge, which he did and was inspired to move forward!! We had come so much further then he thought and he was pretty proud of it!!!

Soon Kane was falling behind..Grandpa wanted to get to the top of the hill where there was shade and a great place to rest..so he turned to Kane with resolve to tell Kane to march on..only to see Kane staring up in wonder and amazement as one of the floating seeds was passing over the trail and his head. Grandpa just turned back ahead with the same look of amazement that as an adult you can only have when you see the world through the eyes of a child..my only comment was..did you get lost in the magic?

 We finally made it to the top of the mountain for a break...and just ahead was the trail junction and the Brothers waiting for us. Now it was time for a decision..since we were slower then the brothers , Grandpa decided to give them a choice, we had talked with campers at wildcat and knew to take the coast trail back was a half mile longer but much..much easier, or they could go back the way we came( which was not easy).
Jordan looked at Grandpa and asked which we would be taking, Grandpa said the coast trail..He said I will go back the way we came, Nick looked at everyone and decided to support Jordan..so off they went and my prayers with them..lol..it was a hard trail.

Kane, Grandpa and I took the coast trail...what a great choice!!! The views were wonderful..the trail close to flat or gently sloping, in the picture below you can even see the lake trail loop..a must do for future trips!

The views also included Drakes bay, again with an easy, can not wait to see what is around the next bend walk. At this point the pictures stop ..We entered at least a mile of ripe wild black berry vines which the trail was cut through..what can I say..we ate our way along..we tried to say some for the Brothers to taste in an empty water bottle..but eat and eat we did...finally we came out with our last view of the surf and headed on..

 After leaving the black berrys we headed into a forest so thick that no light came through..it reminded me of the wizard of Oz  so much and then on to the camp site...all the boys were asleep well before dark..and morning meant packing out...

 Sunday morning was time after breakfast to pack out, Now Kane has decided he no longer wants to camp with us..we could stay at our house and watch Bat mam..Good idea Grandma? No Kane, Grandma and Grandpa are still going camping..you just do not have to go...yet when he got home he said he had a good time even without batman..lol

 The entire trip I never heard a word of complaint, nothing was too much effort to try.............the measure of a person is not when things are easy like what kind of chips do we have..but when that person is under great stress, without mobile bathrooms, electronics, the kind of soda or food they have..it is when they are in an environment such as this..........Dave would be so very very proud!!!

My Grandsons Rock!!!!!!!!!