4. Utah, Nevada, California & Colorado…May/June/July.2018

Day 29 6.18 
Last night was my coldest so far…30 degrees.  My body stayed warm but if you peeked your head out into the air, it was chilly!  Today, I was hiking on one trail…but it was along the Tahoe Rim Trail, the PCT & into the Desolation Wilderness…3 in one!

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The trail was to Echo Lake, Upper Echo Lake & Tamarack Lake…about 4.25 miles out to the last lake.  The day was gorgeous as the sun popped out & the temps got a bit warmer.  The trail went up but pretty gradually, mostly an easy hike.

Upper Echo Lake

Tamarac Lake

What I didn’t know…I’d just picked this trail off my map & didn’t know much about it all…just the distance.  When I started on the hike, I noticed several people, day hikers & back packers, staying down in the marina.  I soon figured out there was a water taxi that you take you across both lakes, shaving 3 miles off your trip.  The other thing I learned from other hikers on the trails, was that most people were hiking to a huge lake called Aloha Lake.  It’s two miles further than Tamarac…so by the time I found out all this info it was too late for me to hike to Aloha.  Everyone said it’s really beautiful…so that’s on my list for the next time I visit South Lake Tahoe.  The other sight I missed was Fallen Lake Falls….not sure how I missed it, because I took Fallen Lake Road (as did a car in front of me & one behind me), but it only took us out about 10 miles on the dirt road then looped up back into town.  I can definitely miss things…but this was supposed to be huge waterfall, & I’m convinced this was what the other cars were looking for too..but none of us found it.  Another good reason to come back to this beautiful area again sometime!

Then I spent about 90 minutes driving around crazy construction traffic in town trying to just run a couple of errands.  We all have moments like that where time passes & you feel like you’re getting nothing done.  But, then it was time to leave this beautiful place I’ve wanted to visit for several years.  My conclusion is that it’s a great place with tons of hiking, perfect blue water, & lots of dispersed camping.

I headed north out of town & didn’t stop until I got to Truckee…another town I’ve heard a lot about.  And it was cute!  I got there late in the day & stopped in to the Visitors Center.  The lady said she didn’t know anything about dispersed camping & that everything around there I’d have to pay for.  But I could run up the road to the Forest Service office & talk to them.  She said they closed at 5pm, but most closed earlier & it was 4:20.  So, I called.  The super nice lady said if I could get there in the next few minutes she’s leave the doors unlocked.  I made it in 6 minutes!  She was great telling me about a couple of different camping places…So, that was my next stop.  I’d planned to spend the next morning in Truckee, so I was ready to head for camp, make dinner & enjoy the evening.  

I drove out to Boca Recreation Area where there’s a big lake, but went beyond that a few miles following the NFS person’s directions.  I found a spot in the forest, made dinner, organized my car & read until dark.  Right before nightfall, I heard this loud ferocious noise…I have no clue what it was, but I couldn’t see anything, anyone, or any creature.  I heard it 5 more times, before I hastily packed up my chair & table & tucked myself into the 4Runner for the night!  Yikes!  But, nothing ever came of it & once in the 4Runner it either never made another noise, or I just couldn’t hear it being inside, or I had just crazy going on in my head….whatever!

Day 30 6.19 
I left camp fairly early in the morning & drove back into Truckee.  I had a cup of coffee & sat outside, made a couple of phone calls & waited for the cute little shops to open up.  Some opened at 10, & some, in spite of their hours listed at 10, opened randomly over the next hour.  I strolled in & out of a few, but didn’t purchase anything.  It really is a cute place & looked like it had a lot of different restaurants too.

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Then I popped back in the car & drove to the Fifty Fifty Brewery for an early lunch & an Eclipse barrel aged stout.  I think I was the first one in the door, so I sat at the bar & visited with Russian bartender.  She was awesome.  Filling me in on all the details about the brewery, it’s owners, it’s beers, etc.  We also watched Russia play in the World Cup Game, so we talked a little bit about Russia.  I swear, these burgers just keep getting bigger!  But this beef had an amazing flavor!  Since I go to so many breweries, I eat a lot of burgers…but this one was delish as well as the beer!

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I was out of Truckee by 1pm & soon driving over the famous Donner Pass…it was a beautiful drive.  I finally arrived in Woodland, just north of Sacramento, going about 50 miles out of my way to visit the Four Wheel Camper Showroom.  The guy that took me around was very nice, super informative & it was great to check out the different models in person rather than just on the website or youtube videos.  

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It was 95 degrees when I left there…hot!  I kept heading north wondering where I would camp for the night.  

Plan B 
I was originally supposed to meet Luke, Pete & Leia on Friday somewhere between Chico & Redding, where we would hang out for a couple of days, then Leia had a tournament to play early Sunday morning.  But, when we heard it would be 100 degrees in Chico on Friday, we decided I’d just drive over to Blue Lake & stay with them.  I love this place, & since they’d be working Wednesday & Thursday, I was going to go over a couple of days early to hike & enjoy the things I love to do there.

Highway 299 intersects with Highway 5 & is a curvy, mostly two lane, drop dead gorgeous drive.  It’s about 130 miles of forested road which parallel the beautiful crystal clear Trinity River….sometimes dropping down next to the river, & sometimes rising a hundred feet or so above it.  I hadn’t intended to get to Blue Lake until tomorrow morning, thinking I’d camp somewhere before Redding.  But, it didn’t work out that way.  As I drove this road, I started seeing deer & knew it would be getting dark soon.  I suspect there was dispersed camping somewhere along this road, but when I passed Junction City--a BLM campground, right before it was getting dark, I pulled in.  The host was the only one there…his name was George & he was 85 & sweet & nice as could be.  I paid my $10 (a bargain) & found a site at the end of the drive.  George came over, introduced himself, unlocked the bathroom for me, offered me firewood & welcomed me to his camp!  I had just enough time to straighten up the 4Runner & call Danny before the night sky drew dark.

Day 31 6.20
I continued the wonderful drive until it dropped me into Blue Lake, just a few miles from where the boys live.  I knew they were both work, but Leia was home.  I stopped in & said hi & we chatted for a little while.  Poor Leia!  The first person I’d seen in a month that I knew…so she got lots of words, chatting & visiting, in a short time!  She mentioned that Pete had forgotten his lunch that morning, & I was soooo happy to deliver it.  She made him a nice big salad & I drove into Eureka…happy to be back in this place my boys call home.  He showed me his new office, then we walked around Old Town for awhile…it was fantastic to see him!  It was brief…he had a meeting coming up, but it was sweet!

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Then I took off & headed to Patricks Point to do a couple of short hikes, see the beach & take in that amazing Pacific Ocean!  I love the ocean! 

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The day was overcast with a milky white sky.  I hiked down to Agate Beachnot finding any of those stones, but seeing some pretty rocks anyway. 

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After my tour of the beach, I climbed back up to the Rim Trail with awesome views.

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It was almost time for the boys to get home from work, so I headed back to the their house.  I was greeted with a big hug from Luke…so good to see him!  And, between the three of them, they have 4 dogs!  We spent the evening visiting, ordered pizza & just chatted the night away…it was just perfect!

Day 32 6.21
Another day of work for the boys & Leia was changing the brakes & bearings on their Vanagon.  I had made plans with a friend to meet up in Trinidad for a morning hike & lunch.  Terry is my sister in laws long time friend, but moved out to Arcata several years ago.  Almost everytime I come out here, we are fortunate enough to get together.  She loves to hike & photograph, & I’m always loving her pictures she takes & posts on FB from out here…there is so much beauty here!

I was about an hour early, so I went to the Beachcomber Cafe for coffee.  We met up & she took me to a new beach & trail I’d never been on before.  I think College Cove beach is now my new favorite.  The sun was out, the sky was blue, the temperatures were just right…the water was the color of turquoise!


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The Elk Head trail was along a bluff above the beach…gorgeous views!


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And, I spotted my first banana slug for this trip!

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We had some good conversation while hiking & continued it as we went to lunch at the Lighthouse Cafe.  They have yummy food & I ordered the Mashed Potato cone with brisket, bacon & cheese…yummy!

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We hugged good bye…she’s got lots going on but I was grateful she could make the time to spend the morning hiking with me & show me this special place.  I drove a little way from the cafe to the Trinidad Head trailhead, & headed up to hike the trail.  

Theres a section of trail where you walk by this big huge cross.  As I approached it I could see about 40 white chairs set up directly in front of the cross…I figured there was a wedding going to be happening soon.  And then someone shouted at me “Hey, would you mind being a Bride & standing in front of the cross so I can get my lighting right?”  It was the photographer.  I said sure & did my best Bride pose…well, actually, it was more like a Senior graduation pose…which has now also become the elementary & even preschool graduation pose (everyone celebrates graduation these days)…you know the one?  fingertips under your chin, head slightly tilted, a fairly insincere smile on your face?  After being Bride-for-a-minute, I moved up the trail.

It’s kind of a loop hike with a couple of spurs with amazing views…it was soooo windy up on top, but just breathtaking!  The color of the water was just hypnotic!  


As I was walking down the trail, I noticed a guy along the trail, talking to someone where the trail veered off the side to another view point.  He asked me if I would take a picture of them from the viewpoint with my nice camera & email him the photo.  Now it felt the tables had turned & I was the photographer.  I took about 10 photos & they were super nice thanking me over & over.  It seemed like I smiled during this whole hike!  Below:  Random stranger couple just as happy to be here as I was!

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When I was done hiking for the day, I still had a couple of hours before the guys were off work & back home.  I drove into Arcata & went to the Holly Yashi store.  I love her jewelry, & while I did’ t need anymore of her wonderful handcrafted work, it’s always great to see all her pretty sparkly stuff & mostly check out what the company is doing that’s new.  I spent about 45 minutes just looking & talking to some of the women that work there, asking a few questions.  Then one of the women pointed out another woman & told me that was Holly.  (Yashi is the other partner in the business, & I caught a glimpse of him as he’d passed by a back room earlier).  But, I was sort of star struck seeing Holly,  I introduced myself (a trait my mother taught me…there are NO strangers!) & she was gracious & we chatted for a few minutes.  Wow…that was cool!  I wouldn’t care to meet a movie, TV or music star for anything (I probably wouldn’t even know who they are since I haven’t watched TV for about 10 years & rarely go to the movies)…but I was thrilled to meet this special, talented jewelry artist!

After a couple more quick errands, I headed back to the house.  The guys made Mexican for dinner & we chatted the night away!

Day 33 6.22
Everyone was off work today, so we went hiking!  I’d been to Fern Canyon several years ago, but the last time I attempted to go, the road was a muddy impassable mess.  It’s a much longer drive to get there than a hike, & when we went through the State Park kiosk, they warned us there was water along the trail.  Leia & I both had sandals, but the guys didn’t.  Peter just walked through the water in his hikers, but Luke played the “hop-leap-balance keep my shoes dry” game…& not only was it very entertaining, but it worked!

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You see this really cool green rock on some of the beaches & in this stream.

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This might be one of my favorite photos of my whole trip! (Thanks Leia!)

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Before leaving the TH, we hiked onto the beach & caught sight of some elk, just chilling out in the sand.

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We went to lunch in Trinidad then onto a hike I’d never done before….Strawberry Rock.  It’s an easy but uphill hike for about 1.5 or 2 miles, then a rock scramble up to the top.  There were quite a few other people there when we got to the top, but view was spectacular!





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The three of them really love playing Pickle Ball.  There is quite a group of players in Humboldt County & on Friday nights they play at the local court in Blue Lake.  They all left for the court & forced myself to stay behind & fold my load of laundry & put it away in my duffle.  I got there as they were finishing warming up in time to see the games!  They are tireless…they played for about 2.5 hours, then Leia & I went back to the house.  The guys stayed a bit longer to play a couple more games.  It’s so much fun to watch them play together & against each other, but the whole group of players are really nice.  We’ve met their fellow athletes a few times before & even have played the games a couple of time.  But mostly, I just love to watch them play, interact & have fun!

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Leia made some wonderful mushroom cauliflower rice, Pete grilled chicken & it was all delicious.  They gave me a bottle of Port & I opened it so we could all share….sooooo vveerrrryyyy gggoooooddd!

Luke went to bed around 11, but Leia & Pete & I stayed up visiting until about 1:30am.  This is one of the reasons I love to stay with my kids…I know a lot of parents don’t want to impose or their kids don’t want them to.  But, I am so fortunate that none of my kids make me & Danny feel like we’re imposing to stay with them.  I wouldn’t miss those first morning coffee chats, or those late night conversations that you don’t get when you pack up leave & go to a hotel.  I’m always so grateful, they are all so welcoming!


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