tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-68908105845695157562024-02-07T00:05:00.060-08:00Solveig ThompsonSolveighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09808217484818880647noreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6890810584569515756.post-52230313126284838032013-03-09T18:14:00.001-08:002013-03-09T18:14:49.178-08:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b>Africa, January 6 -21, 2012
Tanzania, Kilimanjaro and Safari
1-5-2012</b><br />
Checked in at San Diego airport at 4:30am for a 6:30am flight to Minneapolis, then to Amsterdam, to Moshi International Airport and arriving at our hotel at 1:30am, bed by 3:30am on January 6th/7th. (Day 1)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjva85erw8wRSGEwZaRB3myfn9oMpaxB96yw1NlZP8Q2E15Bd8KjAAIXjV2b4G5-RzbRcT-4QtIWkTgzRnaLW8C-2IaAgfv7m5oYuQy2kaGvYDDePGCVxFN35fe0HB3O_62TQq7fQmopZk/s1600/Tanzania,+Africa+Janunary+2012+097.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjva85erw8wRSGEwZaRB3myfn9oMpaxB96yw1NlZP8Q2E15Bd8KjAAIXjV2b4G5-RzbRcT-4QtIWkTgzRnaLW8C-2IaAgfv7m5oYuQy2kaGvYDDePGCVxFN35fe0HB3O_62TQq7fQmopZk/s320/Tanzania,+Africa+Janunary+2012+097.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b>Day 2</b><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJk5mXzw5CA6Osx_A7IJIMm47h8CDmBwLh-8zBrn2N_-xOUMJtaiH6OsXJg6QYOtzhQoW9muymsWAcx6aDbb9tMWTdFoc4YQjOoKlM94gXIMHvq1j4wRDQF2OTGmRJ5FJCJV1yfLBJxnE/s1600/Tanzania,+Africa+Janunary+2012+116.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJk5mXzw5CA6Osx_A7IJIMm47h8CDmBwLh-8zBrn2N_-xOUMJtaiH6OsXJg6QYOtzhQoW9muymsWAcx6aDbb9tMWTdFoc4YQjOoKlM94gXIMHvq1j4wRDQF2OTGmRJ5FJCJV1yfLBJxnE/s200/Tanzania,+Africa+Janunary+2012+116.jpg" width="200" /></a>Our first day in Africa was an introduction to rural town life. Walked by springs and small rivers that fed the rice fields, towns, cows, goats, people and also served as washing and bathing water. Frogs, many egrets and other birds were in the fields, harvesting frogs and insects while farmers planted rice. The small hamlets were surrounded by sun flowers and planed corn, chickens, sometimes goats and very tidy, swept yards. Garbage was brought out front towards the common pathway. Not sure who disposed of it and how. It seemed to stay there. People were friendly and the children curious and sweet. Our first guide’s name was Baragesh. Tanzania is deemed wealthy by African standards, it even exports food. The only overweight people I saw were government officials. I did not see much wealth or infrastructure. The only supermarket in town (sparkled and was well stocked) was gate guarded with armed guards. Schools are expensive and still you see children walking miles to school in their uniforms. Hospitals are almost non-existent. Many women and children still die because no medical help is available. Parts of the parks and Serengeti are overgrazed. The income from the fees for the parks is huge, yet the population sees none of the funds. Operators and guides pay huge fees to the park, but the funds are not used for the infrastructure. The funds, according to the people we spoke to, are going to the politicians and their families, who send their children to expensive schools in Europe and America. In the university parking lot I spotted 4 cars. That’s all. School was in session. Parents have to pay to send their children to school, even the public schools.<br />
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Still it is more peaceful than other countries and with Tanzania’s more than 500 different tribes and population groups it is a miracle there has been peace for some 50 years since it was liberated from England.
People return waves and smiles and I felt comfortably safe and welcome.<br />
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<b>Day 3 Lemosho Route</b><br />
<b>Day 1 on the trail</b><br />
<b>Moshi to Lemosho Glades to Mkubwa Camp:</b><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgumAQRhggIW5qTtEvIH-3yKBmyDcVYawgQ9o079ahQa9-JA6r-xsVOmkO7X6PGFA7Ep9u34f2I-pejB5266IG0R4fclxPL4TNJfFY8fUoULdqFq-0rZErEYFG1bc5ZzipliRsXUk7VEE0/s1600/Tanzania,+Africa+Janunary+2012+042.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgumAQRhggIW5qTtEvIH-3yKBmyDcVYawgQ9o079ahQa9-JA6r-xsVOmkO7X6PGFA7Ep9u34f2I-pejB5266IG0R4fclxPL4TNJfFY8fUoULdqFq-0rZErEYFG1bc5ZzipliRsXUk7VEE0/s320/Tanzania,+Africa+Janunary+2012+042.jpg" width="320" /></a>Our duffel bags were protected by heavy, bright- yellow plastic bags which also served as door mats throughout our ascent. Once they were weighed and loaded, we were loaded into a tall truck which took us to the trail head past the park’s entrance. When the ruts filled with muddy water were big enough to swallow my Prius, the truck stopped and we debarked on our first steps towards our goal, reaching the 19,430 foot summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro, or Kili as they call the mountain here. The ride definitely counted as our first adventure. Earlier, at the park entrance , a simple hut (with a Christmas Tree) and two bath rooms, large shade trees and a big scale we lunched on the lawn while the guides and porters carefully weighed and measured every porter’s load. I liked that they were protected this way. Still, seeing them carry their packs, our packs, chairs, tables, tents and all utensils needed to supply shelter and food was amazing. I have the highest admiration for these very hard working, young people. While carrying their burden they still offer their smile with a “Jambo”, the local “hello”.<br />
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Soon we were under the vast canopy of trees. St. John’s Wort here is not a low growing herb, but a tree reaching up to 30 feet. Wherever sun touched the rain forest’s floor, flowers flourished, impatiens took the front stage along the way. Ferns, moss and greens of every shade framed our path. Sometimes muddy from rain and springs, sometimes just slippery. We arrived just before dusk. Prepared for the next morning’s trek before a tasty supper in our mess tent. It consisted of greens, boiled potatoes, vegetable stew, fish and fruit. Our porters also had the two tent “outhouses” standing near our tents, mats and the mess tent up before we arrived. I was still tired from the two-day flight and the heat and was thinking: “I wonder if I'll make it, I am exhausted!!! This was after walking from 6,500 feet to 9,000 feet at Mt. Mkubwa camp. (Big Tree)<br />
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<b>Day 4</b><br />
<b>Day 2 on the trail</b><br />
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<b>Mkubwa Camp to Shira 1 Camp,
(11,500 feet elevation, an about 5 hour hike.)</b><br />
The howler monkeys woke us about 3am, but I went back to sleep until our wonderful helpers woke us with coffee and tea. Somehow the tea tasted better at elevation, so it soon became habit. Tea in the morning and with each meal, adding to our required, daily fluid intake. We left at 8 am after a hearty breakfast of porridge, toast, eggs, fruit and jam.<br />
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At first it went slow, but the giant, magnificent trees decorated with moss all over gave us shade from the heat and we soon were able to trek at a more reasonable pace. Occasional howls of monkeys told we were not the only mammals in the woods. When we came out of the rain forest into the open, heather moorlands it became hot again. Every time we reached the summit of a ridge, there was another ridge ahead of us. The porters as always “flying” past us. We had a short break at a stream, admired flowers, birds and the forests of heather and protea plants. Most were over 10 feet tall.<br />
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At yet another ridge a fully erected tent greeted us with lunch served in cool shade. Rested and filled with good food, on we went. Soon we were able to see Shira 1 camp in the distance and glimpsing Mt. Kili on our trek for the first time. We had seen it from town before, but this was much more exciting. Camp was almost ready for occupancy by the time we arrived.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXc2GqzVPdPua7kFj6Yi2dbo2WnU3AgzjdTiqqjwB6bKMd3ecElhu4TtkPxtuK1VL2Lr-0s029NhyUVcLbgNJfVehae48AI5trtNl9n3WKNssvgvYdEpfJZjiScSA90JNHPdrdU0K4X58/s1600/Tanzania,+Africa+Janunary+2012+143.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXc2GqzVPdPua7kFj6Yi2dbo2WnU3AgzjdTiqqjwB6bKMd3ecElhu4TtkPxtuK1VL2Lr-0s029NhyUVcLbgNJfVehae48AI5trtNl9n3WKNssvgvYdEpfJZjiScSA90JNHPdrdU0K4X58/s200/Tanzania,+Africa+Janunary+2012+143.jpg" width="200" /></a>Again we rested and after tea readied ourselves for a voluntary but recommended “training hike” up the nearby mountain. Part of conditioning for the summit…I am huffing and puffing, but it goes well downhill. Saw prints of water buffalo, eland and gazelle. The landscape is taking on a surreal element. Vastness beyond anything I expected. Moorland with ferns, flowers, streams, all among lava rocks, the mountain reflecting the last light of the day. Hills are around us, some we traveled on to arrive at Shira 1. Slept fitfully after I washed my dusty feet in the stream. Wanted to bathe the next morning, but Angela, our leader firmly said no! Not because the environmental degradation I could have caused but because the water buffalo could have been a danger to me. A bath with a wash cloth had to do.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRwHJxnRZnnmqkVnnE-7bh53d1lpYIEWXKppLNQhkiA4TiqtcJEi6O-HcPqmI6HW8ROgZfyqK25p0Z36bXMSFN9CNfHhS2lg04VItHHPXxnlbmA0KF2y8kzZhL9izXtJNI-lKbL6ewFbQ/s1600/Tanzania,+Africa+Janunary+2012+161.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRwHJxnRZnnmqkVnnE-7bh53d1lpYIEWXKppLNQhkiA4TiqtcJEi6O-HcPqmI6HW8ROgZfyqK25p0Z36bXMSFN9CNfHhS2lg04VItHHPXxnlbmA0KF2y8kzZhL9izXtJNI-lKbL6ewFbQ/s320/Tanzania,+Africa+Janunary+2012+161.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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<b>Day 3 on the trail: Shira 1 to Shira 2</b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5xJcwH65pomZgm2Q6mMtF0-BTFlrbC3XkauLSKaTPH_V1O2B7eDy4Y25hCCXUDjgOibVVUgySSYDUfImvfTT5f9yuDB0cbscROUK38hVBhJ2aIAiKcxendZ1oj8YRL_2XjFJzxHMZ1x4/s1600/Tanzania,+Africa+Janunary+2012+169.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5xJcwH65pomZgm2Q6mMtF0-BTFlrbC3XkauLSKaTPH_V1O2B7eDy4Y25hCCXUDjgOibVVUgySSYDUfImvfTT5f9yuDB0cbscROUK38hVBhJ2aIAiKcxendZ1oj8YRL_2XjFJzxHMZ1x4/s320/Tanzania,+Africa+Janunary+2012+169.jpg" width="320" /></a>Landscape: I could have stayed here for days. Magical. Everything was magical! The plants and grasses I never saw before, the stream cutting through polished lave rock, forming small canyons, vast grass lands and vernal meadows, springs bubbling out of the ground and above all, Mt. Kilimanjaro beckoning. Over and over I marveled at the sound and presence of water all along the journey. And yet I am told it is not from snow melt. The snow and ice on top of the volcano evaporates into the atmosphere. Summit looks so far away! It seemed like it would take a month to gain the distance to the summit. Bird life is thriving here. Their voices filled the air with music. The mountain remains clear of clouds. The open plain before us is ringed with “hills” of 12,000- foot altitude. Another, mid-day training hike led us up one of these hills. Wayyyyy in the distance we saw Shira 2 up towards the mountain. It looked much closer.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlqoV8HhU02HMrfx4IYA9NPbzL2ohl_NlbwHQSQzTU9Px4ttwOuQEDxXpSPmdc72kSV4ym5txg2NAz4pL61Gn4rvdwxFu8NUOytN8PyvT6Wn8dHPIdK-DPwLLymIBMeQ0BwQse_l70lYA/s1600/Tanzania,+Africa+Janunary+2012+168.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlqoV8HhU02HMrfx4IYA9NPbzL2ohl_NlbwHQSQzTU9Px4ttwOuQEDxXpSPmdc72kSV4ym5txg2NAz4pL61Gn4rvdwxFu8NUOytN8PyvT6Wn8dHPIdK-DPwLLymIBMeQ0BwQse_l70lYA/s320/Tanzania,+Africa+Janunary+2012+168.jpg" width="320" /></a>Tired, but encouraged by our guides and the surreal landscape ahead of us, we clambered on to the summit of one of the ridges before us. On top, the world dropped out underneath us. The vastness of the rugged, tropical landscape extended all the way to the horizon, actually the neighboring Kenya. Breathtaking would definitely be a fitting description, but it was more. Ur. A prehistoric landscape showing the formation, flows and energy of volcanic violence. Some flows, looking like vertical walls, were over 500 feet high. We have been on nothing but volcanic soil and landscape since we started. Wild magnificent wilderness. The right words escape me. I can say it touched me almost as much as my experience on the summit.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ7GG5e8AmphMxS94E-13vrDvbS9t1_LVy57S70ra3Bmz6VlRQ0AKM7guRDU_3JUEMBApZhxODOolKGV9Cb5jx5BkAti8o11ujFZGe-7pcSLQRI39G_AD_nAaaEZZlmrRrgEde8pOZSYY/s1600/Tanzania,+Africa+Janunary+2012+171.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ7GG5e8AmphMxS94E-13vrDvbS9t1_LVy57S70ra3Bmz6VlRQ0AKM7guRDU_3JUEMBApZhxODOolKGV9Cb5jx5BkAti8o11ujFZGe-7pcSLQRI39G_AD_nAaaEZZlmrRrgEde8pOZSYY/s320/Tanzania,+Africa+Janunary+2012+171.jpg" width="320" /></a>Exhausted, we arrived at Shira 2 camp. Other hikers and a sea of tents had arrived before us. United Nations! In the distance grand Mt. Meru towered above the evening clouds at sunset . Mt. Kilimanjaro’s clouds just began to lift. We were looking forward the full moon again. After tea and a short rest we got back onto our feet and-you guessed it- hiked some more. We had arrived 45 minutes before expected time of arrival, so we are “improving”? Still the training hike seemed torture at first, but we did not want to fail to summit, so on we slogged. Up above our camp! Coming down was better. Dinner was a delicious curry, pasta, some deep fried protein and tea. The temperature is kinder tonight. Roy, Toni and Ginny are resting since we arrived here and we all hope they will continue. Altitude sickness is upsetting them.<br />
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<b>Day 4 on the Trail: Shira Camp 2 to Barranco Camp</b><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfvl9lMfe_KWaX3oKpOiy44cnlK0cE9cJhjVqJNO5A3VIbUJDynXwwhsXC3ezIre8p0ltfCzJ84qhJBi8meQYEKmR-AriuSUKtta5ltboIdRjSTY-4juOkfmz5eiPTnk25pNWKjQf56l8/s1600/Tanzania,+Africa+Janunary+2012+177.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfvl9lMfe_KWaX3oKpOiy44cnlK0cE9cJhjVqJNO5A3VIbUJDynXwwhsXC3ezIre8p0ltfCzJ84qhJBi8meQYEKmR-AriuSUKtta5ltboIdRjSTY-4juOkfmz5eiPTnk25pNWKjQf56l8/s320/Tanzania,+Africa+Janunary+2012+177.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyQNmLcKWD78_wEawbD-bNKvrLRcACNLDBlDmXsKET8HQ_5nNYak2ReFWwY7avOuylihRwZh1imK-hFtGzc4WgbkPqB44RdZvW91bRhVeKoOoX9-dxPIxYaMUsNvO78zIaVAVKCtEEEy8/s1600/Tanzania,+Africa+Janunary+2012+179.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyQNmLcKWD78_wEawbD-bNKvrLRcACNLDBlDmXsKET8HQ_5nNYak2ReFWwY7avOuylihRwZh1imK-hFtGzc4WgbkPqB44RdZvW91bRhVeKoOoX9-dxPIxYaMUsNvO78zIaVAVKCtEEEy8/s320/Tanzania,+Africa+Janunary+2012+179.jpg" width="320" /></a>After a hearty breakfast of fried eggs, sausages, toast, pancakes, tea, coffee, porridge and fruit we broke camp. Our capable, hard workers folded up the tents and packed all together and passed us on the trail not long after we took off, us once again laboring uphill, they just gliding by with a smiling “Jambo”!<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgAZSwuA451irAwL97JcfDJjosLW5UpSd0svIMbFywS3bu8NSyDvyJ8Rd8AJwu6rO8KErXYrGdlGWkjur62f4jH4-jxk8BO_IVLzsPlqTLxx-wwTMFcjaufGgkvHZ9AuuLM2bgaPPgTjo/s1600/Tanzania,+Africa+Janunary+2012+178.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgAZSwuA451irAwL97JcfDJjosLW5UpSd0svIMbFywS3bu8NSyDvyJ8Rd8AJwu6rO8KErXYrGdlGWkjur62f4jH4-jxk8BO_IVLzsPlqTLxx-wwTMFcjaufGgkvHZ9AuuLM2bgaPPgTjo/s320/Tanzania,+Africa+Janunary+2012+178.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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Everyone is up and eager to continue. We are all very happy. No more damp mood. We broke up into two groups, one a little faster than the other. During the first part of the day I was in the faster group, but towards the end I switched to the slower part, no by choice. Breathing is difficult up here! We arrived at the Lava Towers (15,200 feet). Took a photo to prove it and slogged on. Downhill first, clambering along a solid lava wall, bordered by a small stream and springs with mini meadows. Then uphill again, downhill again…<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLqGcFHUtCoDnR1Q4NpWXpl-h0CDCgWAbnPuuWehow3jRCWuxtGtwmRIdP_DcmcLNiBXe-q1rirRMbEuCwtVA70qVhXo2ggUvIrvcqIlt0xm_sJJR4f1JciRoCNoC2wJDQ1VIgukTep9k/s1600/Tanzania,+Africa+Janunary+2012+184.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLqGcFHUtCoDnR1Q4NpWXpl-h0CDCgWAbnPuuWehow3jRCWuxtGtwmRIdP_DcmcLNiBXe-q1rirRMbEuCwtVA70qVhXo2ggUvIrvcqIlt0xm_sJJR4f1JciRoCNoC2wJDQ1VIgukTep9k/s320/Tanzania,+Africa+Janunary+2012+184.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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By now we had passed the bush lands (2,600’-6,000’), the rain forest (6,000’-9,200’), heather- and protea forests (9,200’-13,200’) and now we are in the alpine desert zone (13,200’-16,500’).<br />
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We did not see all 140 species of mammals which live on the volcano, nor the 179 species of birds. But we saw enough to make us happy.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKfKYMiC6eL7wguF6oleC8XpVyFQQzHOZIHLZ5FHydDV3mfh2RquXipYRfT_aEN9Jx9XlCrnAhNf4L6deVBPf7c-noHldUH-8f7ZTIeRt2YeT_6aCfgVBPlO0bFQSFIu54VNSzw6uMR6s/s1600/Tanzania,+Africa+Janunary+2012+185.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKfKYMiC6eL7wguF6oleC8XpVyFQQzHOZIHLZ5FHydDV3mfh2RquXipYRfT_aEN9Jx9XlCrnAhNf4L6deVBPf7c-noHldUH-8f7ZTIeRt2YeT_6aCfgVBPlO0bFQSFIu54VNSzw6uMR6s/s200/Tanzania,+Africa+Janunary+2012+185.jpg" width="200" /></a>I was pleased to see many young travelers on the trail, given the effort it demands to fly to Tanzania here plus the effort to summit. The rule of the trail is to step aside when porters approach as they carry their load. We were grateful for the many opportunities to have a second-long respite.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBRiNw14QgA6SczUzsPraMAJi05bzwYuTFFCvny5Rn77knjkGUTmU8ojcoZhz2P94KSgA7APX-xe_0aTfuJuIzwj_IIKNpcgBmiI-6TRJBMDqzWhk1f1DSGhxXF6KQrqTKKXCD__NTWsU/s1600/Tanzania,+Africa+Janunary+2012+194.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBRiNw14QgA6SczUzsPraMAJi05bzwYuTFFCvny5Rn77knjkGUTmU8ojcoZhz2P94KSgA7APX-xe_0aTfuJuIzwj_IIKNpcgBmiI-6TRJBMDqzWhk1f1DSGhxXF6KQrqTKKXCD__NTWsU/s400/Tanzania,+Africa+Janunary+2012+194.jpg" width="400" /></a>The lunch tent was up and we were able to rest and restore our energy (Now at 14,000’).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5_z9m17alDEd16PheIDBZV03tigAvs40coAfIxvJw8xl1RcNJdxUs3V_Z2qfD8MwF9eoMraNI6lw3_rTOcQuAyLqwqRoGPjeqo5FkQQvwFeSFB9xKyULwb8fSHf867AvaJKoGv7u4_mk/s1600/Tanzania,+Africa+Janunary+2012+198.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5_z9m17alDEd16PheIDBZV03tigAvs40coAfIxvJw8xl1RcNJdxUs3V_Z2qfD8MwF9eoMraNI6lw3_rTOcQuAyLqwqRoGPjeqo5FkQQvwFeSFB9xKyULwb8fSHf867AvaJKoGv7u4_mk/s320/Tanzania,+Africa+Janunary+2012+198.jpg" width="320" /></a>As we approach our camp by a steep decent on nasty scree, another magical landscape began to emerge. Senecio Kilimanjari grows up to 5 m and looks like a palm. Delicate large leafs are upturned and are standing in the mist as we approach, sentinels along the waterfall and stream flowing alongside our trail. Lobelia DeKenii, grows up to 3 m but even a small specimen is spectacular with its deep blue blossoms tucked into its cone shape tower.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiRZuJberuCHdA42-ukfYWd5b7LLrklQTdHdrizVrf-fA9x6J5RJi6rcURzYZGOaHP3EansgeUuatRuEZW2WDJ9TRe-7-XfUpyRpPr0Ft-nkOICt5iRupven1xoOcxz6nAesKa5IuAkao/s1600/Tanzania,+Africa+Janunary+2012+195.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiRZuJberuCHdA42-ukfYWd5b7LLrklQTdHdrizVrf-fA9x6J5RJi6rcURzYZGOaHP3EansgeUuatRuEZW2WDJ9TRe-7-XfUpyRpPr0Ft-nkOICt5iRupven1xoOcxz6nAesKa5IuAkao/s320/Tanzania,+Africa+Janunary+2012+195.jpg" width="320" /></a>No training hike today, but I was delighted to wash body and hair in the stream (no upstream camp or cows) with Angela being my guarding chaperone. In the setting sun we had one last glimpse of “our mountain” before it disappeared in the clouds above us. Damp clouds flying in through the western breach from Kenya. We were once more at 12,960’. The magnificent, but daunting Great Barranco Wall at our back. Tomorrow we will climb up and over it before the sun does.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZcna_AuS1sE7n_y1LuNHBMS1Zhyphenhyphendh7N43LTBj_ead5Qn-7V5tF7irYGNy9PbdPShFX9tomSR7e11j_fDBYHrgtwFKBRYz1UXKDfVNs7zvXiWLlkKMk1m-X7kRYnfcp8bKWwSEMyI9SzQ/s1600/Tanzania,+Africa+Janunary+2012+201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZcna_AuS1sE7n_y1LuNHBMS1Zhyphenhyphendh7N43LTBj_ead5Qn-7V5tF7irYGNy9PbdPShFX9tomSR7e11j_fDBYHrgtwFKBRYz1UXKDfVNs7zvXiWLlkKMk1m-X7kRYnfcp8bKWwSEMyI9SzQ/s320/Tanzania,+Africa+Janunary+2012+201.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
Dinner was aromatic rice and curry. I could live on that diet for a long time. Still drinking my Tanzania tee I brought back a year later! Cleaner and thus happier, I slept very well.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMUXgYQxxOBew22H41Y53ZdET2-yIaL7lbT2LMToFNWodUOI182on8yU93c86tArWzA5K6sE5h07fChuPJoQg1cgNa-WGNauQdYVDWC7zyeEJ8pnOCZNw0n9C_1r69IBdQKJM4RMz9IGw/s1600/Tanzania,+Africa+Janunary+2012+205.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMUXgYQxxOBew22H41Y53ZdET2-yIaL7lbT2LMToFNWodUOI182on8yU93c86tArWzA5K6sE5h07fChuPJoQg1cgNa-WGNauQdYVDWC7zyeEJ8pnOCZNw0n9C_1r69IBdQKJM4RMz9IGw/s200/Tanzania,+Africa+Janunary+2012+205.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWF3y_vDNRXqqF861e9bJCwIm4Z5BaKUoovNwzHmVdWdMKq5vqRAxMn124BwvRfOMZpyGGs1ZDZJ56PAXskgS9LTLoAmDccV4JPPHpV7I3pyCbNZrHH48-aNcUDAwxAgKc3JC2Hb4RwSg/s1600/Tanzania,+Africa+Janunary+2012+206.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWF3y_vDNRXqqF861e9bJCwIm4Z5BaKUoovNwzHmVdWdMKq5vqRAxMn124BwvRfOMZpyGGs1ZDZJ56PAXskgS9LTLoAmDccV4JPPHpV7I3pyCbNZrHH48-aNcUDAwxAgKc3JC2Hb4RwSg/s200/Tanzania,+Africa+Janunary+2012+206.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
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<b>Day 5 on the trail: Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp</b><br />
Got up before sunrise. All survived the 5 hour trek. The first 2 hours were the best!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7qQX8-SAhBBJtotQkb-lXRXqTjcOfaJZjzc6zJIhmEIbO-SP417EGBYeo784s4rhgTdTmjLmMl00TRRoo6838Le1cHZcQFEuL8M2OOPVhL0yfkZuYBozmpE9Q6lpoWyoamn3c1uBv0Kw/s1600/Tanzania,+Africa+Janunary+2012+209.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7qQX8-SAhBBJtotQkb-lXRXqTjcOfaJZjzc6zJIhmEIbO-SP417EGBYeo784s4rhgTdTmjLmMl00TRRoo6838Le1cHZcQFEuL8M2OOPVhL0yfkZuYBozmpE9Q6lpoWyoamn3c1uBv0Kw/s320/Tanzania,+Africa+Janunary+2012+209.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj25KzfTbZCfnwTSJpNKs8278ravrNF7igDoB7OvsiOohfTDrSZCdr5HbzpOPDPf7iruuIGWR5V1SjehkGuh1K7cpUSIxaMxMzQmaV6oCfC9gwPf5hKbTirplebquwNihmPoUjxK_K-BuE/s1600/Tanzania,+Africa+Janunary+2012+211.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj25KzfTbZCfnwTSJpNKs8278ravrNF7igDoB7OvsiOohfTDrSZCdr5HbzpOPDPf7iruuIGWR5V1SjehkGuh1K7cpUSIxaMxMzQmaV6oCfC9gwPf5hKbTirplebquwNihmPoUjxK_K-BuE/s320/Tanzania,+Africa+Janunary+2012+211.jpg" width="320" /></a>Favorite hike of the entire trip! Although all hikes are “feast for the eyes and emotions”, these first two hours were my favorites. The camp soon vanished into the distance and looked like a toy village of tents. We might be the first group up the wall. The volcanic rock in our path had well worn hand holds that were smooth from thousands of hikers before us. I purposely touched these rocks with appreciation and gratefulness. I wondered who all had the pleasure and pain before us. The porters certainly must have endured so much more than us. Our group was helping each other and I noticed for the first time a relaxing of “individual” and blending to “group”. It could have been the challenge. At the summit of the wall the gathering was somber again, anticipating the rest of the hike. I think everyone had a “rush” at the wall. Adrenaline cursed throughout. Jimmy, as always, seemed to be undaunted and energized to go on. All through the trip he was my shining example.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8L03IM4bjvbcKnUys6Jbudi5JTWSAkBU1Wf3eRVBiHIFRWPpe7dvGiPHhLo6EsTbRPP2zh8zq_oDAAnb2v48CV76GCEr-H-zi5q_SDffWUIspmW4-y4PXNwKDZGOrnTdjwoXBnFhN__k/s1600/Tanzania,+Africa+Janunary+2012+212.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8L03IM4bjvbcKnUys6Jbudi5JTWSAkBU1Wf3eRVBiHIFRWPpe7dvGiPHhLo6EsTbRPP2zh8zq_oDAAnb2v48CV76GCEr-H-zi5q_SDffWUIspmW4-y4PXNwKDZGOrnTdjwoXBnFhN__k/s320/Tanzania,+Africa+Janunary+2012+212.jpg" width="320" /></a>Up and down, past highland meadows, creeks, scree and lots of interesting vegetation. By now I no longer photographed much, the exertion and altitude got the better of me. Arrived at 1 pm. Lunched. Slept. Up at 4 for another “practice and altitude adjustment hike.” Very wise. Karanga Camp is at 13,780 feet.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGY1ASMPoTxGyAowcDqiRTP7e7kQPv9txvJlXrgnDMGZyJRq74LmYgH-sUOazLuuyd9yYcXf-YYvpN4WkQbRZT73taKD_41nOsOPT2Uc_hgv-eF-gXKbQ0oWaOdHCKH5Silv9SliBZiUw/s1600/Tanzania,+Africa+Janunary+2012+218.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGY1ASMPoTxGyAowcDqiRTP7e7kQPv9txvJlXrgnDMGZyJRq74LmYgH-sUOazLuuyd9yYcXf-YYvpN4WkQbRZT73taKD_41nOsOPT2Uc_hgv-eF-gXKbQ0oWaOdHCKH5Silv9SliBZiUw/s320/Tanzania,+Africa+Janunary+2012+218.jpg" width="320" /></a>Dinner: curry, rice and fruit. Stars out again. No one knows how to find the Southern Cross! Never did see it. Far in the distance we saw the lights of towns. Water is flowing in every valley. None is left pure. Ours is boiled and treated and no one got ill. (At this camp our porters had to return to the last camp to fetch all the water needed for us, to clean dishes, our washing water and their water.164 liters! And they did it and were back in time for dinner.)<br />
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<b>Day 6 on the trail: Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp.</b><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-oAOsUSB6OB2PyG7H1CPN3WTHFYTHwx1JK1UMr8zmZK2t-b5N9-EU_65mRxNcR8P_CtZGzqe6AfoPv3X1rUlUbO__qtyBFXmmEblEi7L9MaB02eQkJ7ER5Rv-2V7ttT-ySDJgipeKSbU/s1600/Tanzania,+Africa+Janunary+2012+220.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-oAOsUSB6OB2PyG7H1CPN3WTHFYTHwx1JK1UMr8zmZK2t-b5N9-EU_65mRxNcR8P_CtZGzqe6AfoPv3X1rUlUbO__qtyBFXmmEblEi7L9MaB02eQkJ7ER5Rv-2V7ttT-ySDJgipeKSbU/s320/Tanzania,+Africa+Janunary+2012+220.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUNi3jO99G5HOgtk4O-5wCkcyXmLgDEEo3KblhY0NxE6AJ0_3XWCpncRbhnLLN1npFJrcc9XmNDwarJBpxlVET7SQiMJK_W2wFXllZ_4CregTPaZhJ074YrklPi-CulFZieEzztw8v1FM/s1600/Tanzania,+Africa+Janunary+2012+239.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUNi3jO99G5HOgtk4O-5wCkcyXmLgDEEo3KblhY0NxE6AJ0_3XWCpncRbhnLLN1npFJrcc9XmNDwarJBpxlVET7SQiMJK_W2wFXllZ_4CregTPaZhJ074YrklPi-CulFZieEzztw8v1FM/s320/Tanzania,+Africa+Janunary+2012+239.jpg" width="320" /></a>Last camp before the summit push. Now at alpine desert, we are way above the treeline. Hiking up and down, arriving at “base camp” of 14,930’ tired and cold. At least I am. Still I notice the trash. I read about the base camp trash in the Himalayas, this was worse. Sanitation be dammed! Our guides found spaces for our tents away from the worst of it. It is really difficult to accept, seeing the money the government makes form this park. A central bathroom facility and water source, and garbage collection could not only make this a much nicer experience, but also give jobs to the many men who would like to work. No one is lazy here. The ranger’s quarters are deplorable. No western ranger would accept these accommodations.<br />
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To our guides and their helpers, about 42 all together, who were our support team a huge praise! No one got sick because of sanitary issues in our camp. Early dinner and to bed by 8 pm.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Vc_N36y9tM7lGXcWasa1pre343e5S1if5fIuiwTXRy8oHT3En1FN4oHByujGjGIDIRiK8aO2YA4Qh9LKgvLNXzg0uzrWECAm0KOLG9MKE7o5DUerzigeSjvPR1olNUGiOerNWRNTmk4/s1600/Tanzania,+Africa+Janunary+2012+243.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Vc_N36y9tM7lGXcWasa1pre343e5S1if5fIuiwTXRy8oHT3En1FN4oHByujGjGIDIRiK8aO2YA4Qh9LKgvLNXzg0uzrWECAm0KOLG9MKE7o5DUerzigeSjvPR1olNUGiOerNWRNTmk4/s400/Tanzania,+Africa+Janunary+2012+243.jpg" width="400" /></a>Sleep at nearly 15,000’ did not come easy. My pack was ready, I was ready. My heart skipped a few beats. And again. I prayed to make it alive to summit and back to Charlie. Took an extra aspirin. Stopped taking altitude medications two days ago after a camp conversation we came to a collective agreement, that Diamox is useless and makes us feel funny. Angela shared that she takes Ginko Balboa twice a day 2 weeks prior to here high altitude trips and she did not seem to be bothered like some of us. Plus, all these exhausting after- dinner hikes paid off so far. Before falling asleep I asked all those I loved and had died to help me and asked all saints from many different continents to help us to make it back safely. Sleep finally came but did not last long…Up at 11:30 pm to get ready for the summit.<br />
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<b>Day 7 Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak Summit and back to Millinium Camp.</b><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYfc26c6B6X5KuFzF17uqg32_ZmzKCQ2voZ2hJBOCjeShEJ7rzHvpLPtbn9eyiv8OlzoX5pSFgd8vHOilJ4s7iYUmd3TJnsFm9WtzVWKWAGz5i4R5UheoYhRU77kiizgEIf7UaHmN1fzs/s1600/Tanzania,+Africa+Janunary+2012+222.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYfc26c6B6X5KuFzF17uqg32_ZmzKCQ2voZ2hJBOCjeShEJ7rzHvpLPtbn9eyiv8OlzoX5pSFgd8vHOilJ4s7iYUmd3TJnsFm9WtzVWKWAGz5i4R5UheoYhRU77kiizgEIf7UaHmN1fzs/s400/Tanzania,+Africa+Janunary+2012+222.jpg" width="400" /></a>On the trail by midnight. A long string of headlights are already ahead of us, looking like a necklace winding around the volcano. All is black otherwise. All of us walk slower than usual, all we carry is our walking sticks. The kind guides shouldered our day packs. Step by step we wind upwards, sometimes pulling us up on volcanic rock. It is getting colder, the wind is picking up. My headlamp fails. Exchange it with another, then the first one illuminates inside my pack. Batteries unfroze. Same happened again. Too exhausted to keep changing them. Jimmy lends me his, but it too stopped. (I was too ditzy to realize I need to put it under my cap, just peaking out…)<br />
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So I continued on in others’ lights. First short stop I started shivering as my hands seemed to freeze. I think Wayne or some other kind person gave me the warmers to activate inside my gloves. It helped. The ones I had brought were useless. The wind howled and it got colder. I wore three layers and added a wind/rain jacket over my parka and still was cold. Double wool socks and foot warmers in my very solid boots kept me from freezing, although it did not feel like it. On we went, up and up. Some guides came down, assisting their clients to find a lower altitude as they had suffered severe altitude sickness. I am not sure where in the 4,000- foot climb we were, but I saw the eastern horizon became lighter. Knowing that Stella Point and Sunrise at 18,650 ‘ were our estimated first goal, I became more hopeful. My dizzy moments stopped and the momentary dark thoughts of sitting down and not going any further stopped too. Those were long 6 hours! At last, over the last ridge, the sky became lighter and the first glow of the sun was visible! Then it rose. I still feel the emotion as I write this. Africa below us as far as the eye can see, our smiling guides waiting for us and before the sun was in full splendor, a young Islamic guide sang the morning prayer. It was a special gift.<br />
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But we were not at the summit yet! Almost instantly the air temperature became a “comfortable” -8 degrees. The night wind subsided. The crater below us and lesser craters in the distance were covered in deep snow. Mammoth glaciers shone in the morning sun like giant, polished diamonds. Some sat there like supertankers on top of the world. Ice lakes adjoined them in some places. The contrast of the brilliant white ice, sitting on a dormant volcano, its color of deep reds and blacks was a sight I will not forget.
The vastness of this place is very difficult to put into words. Imagine-2000 feet high glacial moraines sweeping down for miles before vegetation is evident. What glaciers had formed them! Powerful beauty.
We reached the summit (19,340’) about an hour later. We took photos, everyone did, another United Nation event. By then I felt no pain and would have stayed much longer had we not been strongly encouraged to head back. Reluctantly I left. I think the altitude made me happy and carefree and as long as the sun was out, I would happily remain and explore. So much beauty in one place!
While on the summit, I did think lovingly about Charlie, Tashidog, the soft bed, real pillows and not always searching for something in my duffle bag. Camping is: “not having everything in its place all the time.” My brain was still functioning… I felt an immense sense of gratitude to be here. Tears welled up in my eyes several times.<br />
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<i>Mt. Kilimanjaro Facts:
Height: 19,340 feet.</i><br />
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<i>It is up to 18 miles across.</i><br />
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<i>It is a dormant, not an extinct volcano. It’s main peaks are Shira, Mawnenzi and Kibo. Uhuru Peak is the highest.</i><br />
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<i>Since 1912 Kilimanjaro has lost 82% of its ice cap.</i><br />
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<i>Since 1962 it has lost 55% of its remaining glaciers.</i><br />
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<i>Causes are thought to be climate change and deforestation and land cleared for farming. A big tree planting project is hoped to reverse the process. </i><br />
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Both walking sticks gripped firmly, we glissaded down scree (different route) and arrived back in camp in about 3 hours. It was fun, but my knees complained. Like in snow when you come off a jump you land, only on firm surface here. We are back at 14,940’. Lunch, a nap, “organizing” my duffel and day pack again, we continued DOWN 2,500’ MORE! Ouch. (Descended 6,500 ‘ in less than a day.)We arrived in the cloud forest of giant heather trees mixed with protea shrubs in bloom. Millennium Camp (12,500’). Mosses and herbs were the ground cover in our camp. Lovely, soft, moist volcanic earth. Slept well. Here Mt. Kilimanjaro stayed in plain sight all day and night, as of saying good bye to us, letting us imprint his majestic form before we descended into the haze of the city.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIB9tqKw1ij7o7NBt9S8PYHGJduID3PmllmnL-V_u4lUPy8gSdDniafaB5wvPgUQeN7IUpWbI15EzJv5rfR-f1ehjlTp6zzwT2a_QE5IvgcEwN5p32eg3Ws3n4fKulMOXAkPLrGReVyuM/s1600/Tanzania,+Africa+Janunary+2012+266.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIB9tqKw1ij7o7NBt9S8PYHGJduID3PmllmnL-V_u4lUPy8gSdDniafaB5wvPgUQeN7IUpWbI15EzJv5rfR-f1ehjlTp6zzwT2a_QE5IvgcEwN5p32eg3Ws3n4fKulMOXAkPLrGReVyuM/s320/Tanzania,+Africa+Janunary+2012+266.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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<b>Day 7: Millennium Camp to Mweka Gate</b><br />
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After breakfast and a song by our 42-man support group we said our official good bye to the porters. No group could have been more cheerful, eager to help and make this trip a success for all of us. We all were very grateful, as without them and our team leaders organization and excellent leadership we would not have made it.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgf7zupzp_h_xvs7mr4E-o1I9PL9mx02ttQPodqUEg-VdoA13Kkq8ECks2r4ugmUbJ-I5nLCLJo9hLpqf_uZ9Jv5gYTBh9VHHGkLUn2T1oVbnJjtwMFOxR3MlMzZnkoudhHja-pt-KYHA/s1600/Tanzania,+Africa+Janunary+2012+265.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgf7zupzp_h_xvs7mr4E-o1I9PL9mx02ttQPodqUEg-VdoA13Kkq8ECks2r4ugmUbJ-I5nLCLJo9hLpqf_uZ9Jv5gYTBh9VHHGkLUn2T1oVbnJjtwMFOxR3MlMzZnkoudhHja-pt-KYHA/s320/Tanzania,+Africa+Janunary+2012+265.jpg" width="320" /></a>10 more miles downhill. Grueling by now. Knees complained. But the landscape took some of the pain away. Feathery ferns of all sizes, some trees, rain forests giant trees draped with greenery, frangipani and waist high impatiens framed our path and what seemed endless stops to our destination at 7,000’ where the bus waited. At 90 degrees I began to feel clammy, weak and sick, delayed altitude sickness. It passed eventually.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxKy10SW6ZxgfM4vHu2XMYOANuGpIcIespo-I6hp7K7V6BI9P9JbPzLI33JK1_RwDsxmRlsDBmqpdUjIsCY9e3rEkzCbDml73WbTLAdBavNJq_xbEsScdMX_A34IrbrVWkBU_BQkUFSa4/s1600/Tanzania,+Africa+Janunary+2012+273.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxKy10SW6ZxgfM4vHu2XMYOANuGpIcIespo-I6hp7K7V6BI9P9JbPzLI33JK1_RwDsxmRlsDBmqpdUjIsCY9e3rEkzCbDml73WbTLAdBavNJq_xbEsScdMX_A34IrbrVWkBU_BQkUFSa4/s320/Tanzania,+Africa+Janunary+2012+273.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
Back at the hotel I got to shower first, thanks to my generous, beautiful and kind room-mate Debbie. I washed clothes, hang them out into the sun onto the railing (no laundry here!) and joined Debbie at the bar to celebrate with a cool Tanzania beer.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilZqXgH3p2E_g4gc_DkLJmrO9OSfRuRZW_kuqyl69Uqb89oPwEx57bNT_6S6pCYzCSh5H6YAy-ca0x-NmgFyUj9fFEkwYFT0VWtSbksRAlLhA4K3piwXr12DA8RF9DkPUsdbGsPnl29js/s1600/Tanzania,+Africa+Janunary+2012+276.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilZqXgH3p2E_g4gc_DkLJmrO9OSfRuRZW_kuqyl69Uqb89oPwEx57bNT_6S6pCYzCSh5H6YAy-ca0x-NmgFyUj9fFEkwYFT0VWtSbksRAlLhA4K3piwXr12DA8RF9DkPUsdbGsPnl29js/s320/Tanzania,+Africa+Janunary+2012+276.jpg" width="320" /></a>At 3 pm we were presented with our certificates. Dinner was Elan and trimmings. Good I did not see one in the wild before enjoying it here. It arrived in a wheel barrel about the same time we returned, covered, but I caught sight of the hoofs.<br />
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I am touched by the congeniality of our group. Very diverse in back ground, all kind adventurers at heart and ready to help when anyone.<br />
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More celebration with Serengeti and Kilimanjaro brew. Then packing for the next adventure.<br />
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Tomorrow a new adventure begins, our Safari. We will become spectators of the motorized kind.<br />
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Solveighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09808217484818880647noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6890810584569515756.post-18058900482385843452013-03-03T17:01:00.000-08:002013-03-05T19:23:03.505-08:00
3-3-2013<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvRre_WyZuaeQV6tcFWizeVfG6eff4cSmTk-Gb1uJYd48cUabk0YylI-Db9sd-dhXXG0PFo02wj54U61dePNjpr0BKkZJIk3qrobtcX6nQQ6_Lpjn-1cDJEVO-6hpiFVsCUi0H5YhbvlQ/s1600/Mutti's+89th+birthday,+may+31st,+2012,+Nursing+home+006.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvRre_WyZuaeQV6tcFWizeVfG6eff4cSmTk-Gb1uJYd48cUabk0YylI-Db9sd-dhXXG0PFo02wj54U61dePNjpr0BKkZJIk3qrobtcX6nQQ6_Lpjn-1cDJEVO-6hpiFVsCUi0H5YhbvlQ/s320/Mutti's+89th+birthday,+may+31st,+2012,+Nursing+home+006.jpg" /></a>
I am counting the days until Day Light Savings Time is over!
2012 was a year of change and loss for so many. Mom had to give up her independence. She spent 5 weeks in ICU after falling at home. Brain surgery followed and when I visited her, she barely recognized me and looked like a price fighter. Head totally bandaged, eyes black and blue and tubes everywhere, including a respirator. Slowly she came out of the induced coma, complications came every other day. After 3 intubations she finally was able to breathe on her own and was freed from the respirator.The care she received was incredible! Her walking again is over as she knew it. When I said my good-bye I was not sure that she would make it at all. But she spoke to me and I had hope. Promised her that if she'd live, she would see me in May for her 89th birthday.
She now lives in Haus Elim, a small nursing home 5 minutes away from my sister's home. Many small towns there have local nursing homes in walking distance to family's homes, so family can visit whenever they can. At my mother's table are 8 patients, 4 of which get daily visits from family. The patients are readied for the day in the morning, have breakfast together, stay up until nap time and then coffee and cake is served in the afternoon. Dinner later. Patients can leave with family as long as they are able and no fuss is given to anyone wanting to walk with their loved one outside. No signing out, no paperwork! My mom helps with cutting herbs from the herb garden when she can. People here are involved, even in helping their fellow patients. There is a lovely inside garden and the kitchen is the heart of the place. If my mom does not want what is served, the people in the kitchen offer alternatives. When I was there to celebrate her 89th birthday, she was able to take a few steps. We practiced daily and she was happy for the progress. But after I left, no one practiced with her and so she lost that ability as well. She now lives in her wheel chair, when not in bed. She assists with the transfer, but that is about it. I wonder what goes on in her mind, having walked and hiked all her life, spending as much time in nature as time permitted. My sister says she remembers some things very well, but not others. Space and places are difficult. She sometimes still thinks she is going home, shopping and planning to prepare food. I will be seeing her again for her 90th birthday and am looking forward to having time for just for her. I will be staying at my sisters home, as my "old" home no longer "is". Eva, my sister did most of the hard work dissolving it. While I was there we met every day, deciding what would be saved and what not, what her son's wanted and what not. Since 1966 I visited my parents and after my father's death in 1987 my mother nearly every year. Now that will stop forever. I know Bear Valley Springs is my home and it is, I have no desire to return to Germany, but I will miss my visits with mom very much as they were. Eva and I are very close, it makes all easier. Our good bye was hard. Both of us knew it may be the last time we saw each other. Tears ran down our cheeks and Mutti said, don't cry, or I will have to as well. We held each others gaze and hands for a long time.
I included photos of Mutti's birthday (mom), nephew David and family-his wife Nadine, daughter Stella and son Travis. Also photos of the neighborhood where the home is located and of the nursing home. One of the photos shows mom with her favorite nurse and you can still see the dent from her brain surgery. I call her just to hear her voice and she knows it is me calling. Still...
After my return to Tehachapi there were changes in my work place, many of which have reversed to good, but during that time we all were in emotional turmoil. I still was in shock for having lost one of my best friends just before Christmas when Wolfgang got sick and died 4 months later. Charlotte, after over 60 years of marriage, was devastated and still is suffering much.
Gratefully Charlie is doing very well and we are very happy. December 21st we celebrated our official 2nd anniversary. Tashidog and Cosocat are ok too.
At the end of July my friends Carole, Susie, Ann, Jennifer and others met at Yosemite's High Country camp and we hiked to our hearts content during the day, and sat and talked at night. A wonderful respite after much sadness. All of us had major changes in life and some losses. Women friends are so very important. Be grateful for all those in your life.
The rest of year 2013 raced by with work and responsibilities and here it is March 2013!
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Solveighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09808217484818880647noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6890810584569515756.post-37974777879692371652011-07-16T13:28:00.000-07:002011-07-16T13:34:22.242-07:002010 Birthday CelebrationLast year's trip to the Sequoia National forest and Morro Rock for my<br />birthday meditation/celebration.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtFO9-1Rt4et6pwAe2XdUT1RT0UPnuNPGuYbrSxTjpxw6k1hoKrnRIw1KfBtKK0LENmbsa1BWvu2VUH_K0yz16QVMQxX5j-4UoUGmnwOpq1C9bdc80dNWKc0NLPDo2F7UtgREZ2oeASys/s1600/7-7-2010+Morro+Rock+and+Sequoia+National+Park+BD+102.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtFO9-1Rt4et6pwAe2XdUT1RT0UPnuNPGuYbrSxTjpxw6k1hoKrnRIw1KfBtKK0LENmbsa1BWvu2VUH_K0yz16QVMQxX5j-4UoUGmnwOpq1C9bdc80dNWKc0NLPDo2F7UtgREZ2oeASys/s400/7-7-2010+Morro+Rock+and+Sequoia+National+Park+BD+102.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630050170019686178" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS-9X0GtABechlSgr3z_s-j3Aa0UQ8kCs3mtz3iOF1aydKI9qkPJdljrPT2i7CmPS5u-JZb6gMBVODaXTSdJxkG-x4-40QenxVgPHRa_2dNwR9gprXD-RRUcXrxQy8UWXbF9fSMaPn6yQ/s1600/7-7-2010+Morro+Rock+and+Sequoia+National+Park+BD+139.jpg"><img style="display:block; 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margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz3j4l3mHoVRf1hw57YfHPw61FDiEQi6PNfTM_5RKL_OzmGISbDH-cPDv3ZN40UHAg4egSwVb6ZTcFWry0gTtFLc6l9ya2lQefzZRr6MW4PBXF0SRyKptjTsy9w7_2ZZON5CUJ7HoBueY/s320/7-7-2010+Morro+Rock+and+Sequoia+National+Park+BD+015.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630050484139233154" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ2BgK3nVM91vmYtCChxohRRae_uqAWou5zSsWtkHoFriKQOJNW5FqKCN9JPN0ayNjR98riJJfRjMWuXK1TjsrUq0VzTGZc2isnLoClm5_m8YLWjZ84roJKodc9FeerRIVpJl7SwfE-kY/s1600/7-7-2010+Morro+Rock+and+Sequoia+National+Park+BD+045.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ2BgK3nVM91vmYtCChxohRRae_uqAWou5zSsWtkHoFriKQOJNW5FqKCN9JPN0ayNjR98riJJfRjMWuXK1TjsrUq0VzTGZc2isnLoClm5_m8YLWjZ84roJKodc9FeerRIVpJl7SwfE-kY/s320/7-7-2010+Morro+Rock+and+Sequoia+National+Park+BD+045.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630050496764112594" /></a>Solveighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09808217484818880647noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6890810584569515756.post-4174782104862347922011-07-16T12:58:00.000-07:002011-07-16T13:28:31.379-07:00<span style="font-weight:bold;">Hetch Hetchy and Yosemite, July 7/8, 2011</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs99ld41lIO45Zt7_MDB9PXEEi1giT1o66W8kfaX1vUmzVLMaWvRh3rUqqQnmF8JFs-Qf3GWMwKSXwRuFOvs6vwgolq_d8W3lyuszotJH2iQfHVXwPuUAym1JACFVwHjczyC9lg3nEvUM/s1600/Hetch+Hetchy%252C+Yosemite%252C+Tioga+Road%252C+July+7%25268%252C+2011+005.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs99ld41lIO45Zt7_MDB9PXEEi1giT1o66W8kfaX1vUmzVLMaWvRh3rUqqQnmF8JFs-Qf3GWMwKSXwRuFOvs6vwgolq_d8W3lyuszotJH2iQfHVXwPuUAym1JACFVwHjczyC9lg3nEvUM/s320/Hetch+Hetchy%252C+Yosemite%252C+Tioga+Road%252C+July+7%25268%252C+2011+005.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630043792756012002" /></a><br /><br />Whenever possible I go into the wilderness on my birthday. For me it is a time for reflection and gratitude. This time I was on the trail high above Hetch Hetchy Dam. My original goal was not attainable. Extremely high water washing over the bridge at Wampama Falls caused two experienced hikers being washed over the 1000 foot falls, one’s body not yet recovered. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPaw-D2KniBQ19oZc6m8hUAwwku39TVSNgXos3b6Rj00uBTYRw2rW2w-rs6WCXxY8DZA_MFnP9aXD76W65ZmZOqjVxVgRUmLhkCinNlRmdNzsLOTA8LUaUOpgVozNtDApmvMBSOfWmrpA/s1600/Hetch+Hetchy%252C+Yosemite%252C+Tioga+Road%252C+July+7%25268%252C+2011+092.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPaw-D2KniBQ19oZc6m8hUAwwku39TVSNgXos3b6Rj00uBTYRw2rW2w-rs6WCXxY8DZA_MFnP9aXD76W65ZmZOqjVxVgRUmLhkCinNlRmdNzsLOTA8LUaUOpgVozNtDApmvMBSOfWmrpA/s400/Hetch+Hetchy%252C+Yosemite%252C+Tioga+Road%252C+July+7%25268%252C+2011+092.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630044911829087010" /></a> Due to this danger the Park Service closed the trail to Rancheria Falls indefinitely, my original destination. Seeing the waters from the distance thundering over 1000 feet into the lake is inspiring, but knowing that two people lost their lives, was very sad. <br />I lugged my 25 pound pack, tent, sleeping bag, bear canister, food, water filter and extra clothing up 8.7 miles, almost to Lake Vernon, then turned around, and lugged it back down to camp in a dryer area with fewer mosquitoes. But the hike was worth every step. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRKpFutAL8vWF7nPQ0zadLtnJPOBxbCGuEy3CfUhGWnUccs5RhqeZuOLi4ixYrPJNW5RwxLtxjINIkROsW1y4PAswzZLQY94UAhpOH83YLfqQlyLNEiTqqS3XBQv-mmTdJTlc50FFrhoM/s1600/Hetch+Hetchy%252C+Yosemite%252C+Tioga+Road%252C+July+7%25268%252C+2011+034.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRKpFutAL8vWF7nPQ0zadLtnJPOBxbCGuEy3CfUhGWnUccs5RhqeZuOLi4ixYrPJNW5RwxLtxjINIkROsW1y4PAswzZLQY94UAhpOH83YLfqQlyLNEiTqqS3XBQv-mmTdJTlc50FFrhoM/s200/Hetch+Hetchy%252C+Yosemite%252C+Tioga+Road%252C+July+7%25268%252C+2011+034.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630046021316700642" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDF0ZAu61jxTipr1LTVbxoUjwhtpZIOMka6vi-ud3y8c-0Tl2FNeP9NxJwxEtj5FnZyHqjQ4l6bVyuq66uk9ujVKiBFqyCSGVN6dfqYKa-6xxR18GXc2H_AnH1_X9FHvGE2rBL7tdnbTI/s1600/Hetch+Hetchy%252C+Yosemite%252C+Tioga+Road%252C+July+7%25268%252C+2011+027.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDF0ZAu61jxTipr1LTVbxoUjwhtpZIOMka6vi-ud3y8c-0Tl2FNeP9NxJwxEtj5FnZyHqjQ4l6bVyuq66uk9ujVKiBFqyCSGVN6dfqYKa-6xxR18GXc2H_AnH1_X9FHvGE2rBL7tdnbTI/s200/Hetch+Hetchy%252C+Yosemite%252C+Tioga+Road%252C+July+7%25268%252C+2011+027.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630046016321524674" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIoV4mAJJc1WQS7l5TxpdToEvSwMdOAhplxAtyX3S8Eu3VB8b128Dzzu560dCntBWVTFVR0kE9mBOuTZ7qADaHluheNgh1r9fGu2vyzKe7hDub3NlOB5Z1FSZpMUq1Pnni9BEZPdQwkZ4/s1600/Hetch+Hetchy%252C+Yosemite%252C+Tioga+Road%252C+July+7%25268%252C+2011+036.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIoV4mAJJc1WQS7l5TxpdToEvSwMdOAhplxAtyX3S8Eu3VB8b128Dzzu560dCntBWVTFVR0kE9mBOuTZ7qADaHluheNgh1r9fGu2vyzKe7hDub3NlOB5Z1FSZpMUq1Pnni9BEZPdQwkZ4/s200/Hetch+Hetchy%252C+Yosemite%252C+Tioga+Road%252C+July+7%25268%252C+2011+036.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630046025679754994" /></a><br />Beauty around every corner! I had one-way conversations with butterflies, chipmunks, squirrels, dragon flies, marmots, a rattle snake, bees and birds. A canyon wren sang beautifully. A meadow of ferns which grew in a burned area, devastated not too long ago, an entire bird orchestra serenaded me. New life was everywhere! All along the path I admired the diversity of flowers and shrubs. Water ran along some trails, so soaked were the upper meadows, it was impossible to follow the trail and I had to gain elevation to pass. Wood violets framed some trail on both sides. The amount of water was like a miracle. It came out of the granite, dripped, out of rack faces and formed its own biosphere with grasses and ferns not seen elsewhere. Arriving back down at the dam, I was very tired. A young couple from Potsdam( Berlin) were here on vacation and drove my pack and I to my campsite. We shared a picnic before they drove back to the Evergreen Lodge. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTYV4dwXMQ30me4d4_Co5QtGfM-I_vwR-DnFjzfJTmAQLjzfFhw-UFHuD7qNNz7f4hDPdbhyphenhyphen7YVENvpfEFWE9oex277L3SRXeeneEhQrOHPLJKIXpCuRYVZFbGK0fI6VWyvgsRG__Irsw/s1600/Hetch+Hetchy%252C+Yosemite%252C+Tioga+Road%252C+July+7%25268%252C+2011+070.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTYV4dwXMQ30me4d4_Co5QtGfM-I_vwR-DnFjzfJTmAQLjzfFhw-UFHuD7qNNz7f4hDPdbhyphenhyphen7YVENvpfEFWE9oex277L3SRXeeneEhQrOHPLJKIXpCuRYVZFbGK0fI6VWyvgsRG__Irsw/s320/Hetch+Hetchy%252C+Yosemite%252C+Tioga+Road%252C+July+7%25268%252C+2011+070.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630046818689919842" /></a><br />No rain threatened and so I was able leave off the cover off my tent and watch stars all during the night. (And maybe see bears foraging, but none did that night…) <br />Tioga Pass Road to Lee Vining had just opened, so I was able to drive back through what many consider one of the world’s miracles of nature. The road is an engineering marvel, bridging solid granite, rivers, valleys and forests. You can look into the Yosemite Valley and see Half Dome clearly from one of the outlooks. Waterfalls thunder by the wayside, often water spilling over the road. The highland meadows are still more like lakes than meadows. If you can break free, come and see these wonders yourself. In three months the road may be closed again due to snow. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNhe-3ZwPTDX2EZ3qIWSMMgVbbCw7luO7JXOGej03kfz_I1Oo5npRC5wRv07Sdy4TtVvY8w-BcqLOMqQDnGCfQ3-YMsBm7TdEg5xCNJVH91I_T_Lo479PfNdVkTBeJFPsCHTz3Oc5b_84/s1600/Hetch+Hetchy%252C+Yosemite%252C+Tioga+Road%252C+July+7%25268%252C+2011+122.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNhe-3ZwPTDX2EZ3qIWSMMgVbbCw7luO7JXOGej03kfz_I1Oo5npRC5wRv07Sdy4TtVvY8w-BcqLOMqQDnGCfQ3-YMsBm7TdEg5xCNJVH91I_T_Lo479PfNdVkTBeJFPsCHTz3Oc5b_84/s320/Hetch+Hetchy%252C+Yosemite%252C+Tioga+Road%252C+July+7%25268%252C+2011+122.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630049207814352386" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7SMDwQaSLQQFxChZBSTM_iYO6EPHknajaOjWTMr9blO8RUj5BY-m3fHuiNZ2VT6aZRzNFRLOf08eR8YwpryeOgGUfn0GFwio8wVhZ3N7HT-zy3clZ9AW4fRrB-fgA56EXZYWbbxYPnHw/s1600/Hetch+Hetchy%252C+Yosemite%252C+Tioga+Road%252C+July+7%25268%252C+2011+148.jpg"><img style="display:block; 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margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvmMqEzlJDODBYWTXjh0rZZmqwHhk5eUSittPil5x54T7PnvLogV97PpnDzfQi167S0pI2x9MTchyprXGbTGFB3WPxcYIHCwrLqXkJVgVyoITGb_aI5-hJg3IBSqbzUL7eCourPjCyiW0/s400/BVS+Parade%252C+July+2011+001.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629633519705020530" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZH3BgWoHaOLruOcragnL8-uTAD1sg4qrfPRhMURG4afOf1YS76IfmENDbKlLCcbrs3gvBTSJyp_A9XZfbGvkJzmqeV83hpLdCEUb9Dkc4AasVjpcVxb8yqbRaxRKh1hCpN8651TgRa54/s1600/BVS+Parade%252C+July+2011+016.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZH3BgWoHaOLruOcragnL8-uTAD1sg4qrfPRhMURG4afOf1YS76IfmENDbKlLCcbrs3gvBTSJyp_A9XZfbGvkJzmqeV83hpLdCEUb9Dkc4AasVjpcVxb8yqbRaxRKh1hCpN8651TgRa54/s400/BVS+Parade%252C+July+2011+016.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629633534074830594" /></a>Solveighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09808217484818880647noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6890810584569515756.post-25921712793185011302010-09-21T15:49:00.000-07:002010-09-21T16:00:28.327-07:00Hiking the High Sierra NevadaAdmission is by lottery to the High Sierra Camps. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuF3foqzrNQ1rtgFfLtqXlPPObDWGmpWYfinAGuNAQhQoqYSBW4yCOxPVwbhd4n3axdTI6xsFtZbUl7OmsqSPMVKbv91_-EbeYyPT8U-AW_hhRUNZ6cYbq2o5AFtoyz7rR_fnGyT0yr2I/s1600/Copy+of+Yosemite+2010+August+039.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuF3foqzrNQ1rtgFfLtqXlPPObDWGmpWYfinAGuNAQhQoqYSBW4yCOxPVwbhd4n3axdTI6xsFtZbUl7OmsqSPMVKbv91_-EbeYyPT8U-AW_hhRUNZ6cYbq2o5AFtoyz7rR_fnGyT0yr2I/s320/Copy+of+Yosemite+2010+August+039.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519503491202375010" /></a><br />The lucky campers get to stay in tent cabins equipped with a stove and firewood. Four beds with sheets and blankets, one table and chairs are provided. All food you bring is kept in iron, bear safe lockers. Food is offered family style in the lodge. Dinner and breakfast are generous in portions and delicious. Lunch packs can be ordered. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTogitiJWP9-0txk4TrolcXJh3iiHVbTQ3SVbU2wI9xiIlLpmn5Lp43hNBbAcwfZOrtsNvyd8H6EKkWXP4LYOQq-5cHWUpAUMjaNOF_jXhHphchjQzZnVRX7F3oMcSaTJfylMfho-6IdQ/s1600/Copy+of+Yosemite+2010+August+056.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTogitiJWP9-0txk4TrolcXJh3iiHVbTQ3SVbU2wI9xiIlLpmn5Lp43hNBbAcwfZOrtsNvyd8H6EKkWXP4LYOQq-5cHWUpAUMjaNOF_jXhHphchjQzZnVRX7F3oMcSaTJfylMfho-6IdQ/s320/Copy+of+Yosemite+2010+August+056.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519503319146871298" /></a>I was very lucky to be invited to be the fourth in our group by my friend who has been hiking in Yosemite for decades.<br />Many High Sierra Camps are at 10,000 feet of elevation. The camps are arranged so that you can hike from one camp to another. <br />We visited Tuolumne Meadows, the largest camp, and Glen Aulin, the smallest camp. The hike around Saddleback Lake was our first adventure.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0BAc1doVtXwotBWPmdjaQ_2tqi_KntY54UoXFyfe_WzxyKGVDhe0aN_tKsriRBliZGce8C_Yr-71TrVmnou0lUP6B_XIEVbGlzgCYdvz0M-XIqpNDkXj13oZ_lMW8ygyn5JbWADxmfyQ/s1600/Yosemite+2010+August+008.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0BAc1doVtXwotBWPmdjaQ_2tqi_KntY54UoXFyfe_WzxyKGVDhe0aN_tKsriRBliZGce8C_Yr-71TrVmnou0lUP6B_XIEVbGlzgCYdvz0M-XIqpNDkXj13oZ_lMW8ygyn5JbWADxmfyQ/s320/Yosemite+2010+August+008.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519504046959765698" /></a>Crystal clear lakes, framed by carpets of wildflowers, ringed by mountains that still bore last season’s snows, made us grateful to be here. A 1,000-foot waterfall rushed to the valley below.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZFIe23W0lcwu99Ta-xh9W7qmyRIa6jzu5TnX1Qpx1O1dy7KEbkal6ZLUhUESrTflL96Mt0b_Vfakc5s3vS5KQ6vee2zfeL36Edh6j5YkO-lELjiVLHDLRrMwI1gjNN5jwRzJ8iHeiOgI/s1600/Copy+of+Yosemite+2010+August+198.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZFIe23W0lcwu99Ta-xh9W7qmyRIa6jzu5TnX1Qpx1O1dy7KEbkal6ZLUhUESrTflL96Mt0b_Vfakc5s3vS5KQ6vee2zfeL36Edh6j5YkO-lELjiVLHDLRrMwI1gjNN5jwRzJ8iHeiOgI/s200/Copy+of+Yosemite+2010+August+198.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519503893748604802" /></a><br />The trail to Glen Aulin was spectacular. Actually, everything is spectacular in Yosemite! The Tuolumne River flows through wild meadows, forests, glacier polished granitic rock, cascading for a while, and then flowing through sandy glens.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCmckHQ9mzOTPwwst6wjVomQq1ehEDBc_1ThDox_jEsiYRCuDdpUStI6JRQSaPx8oekeAKzWfegnJEvGEI-qeQtkcjOKwxpD4PgL8MvVG5p5LRoTotCO8SKejkbZqfHMNpaX6vvqorSEw/s1600/Yosemite+2010+August+040.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCmckHQ9mzOTPwwst6wjVomQq1ehEDBc_1ThDox_jEsiYRCuDdpUStI6JRQSaPx8oekeAKzWfegnJEvGEI-qeQtkcjOKwxpD4PgL8MvVG5p5LRoTotCO8SKejkbZqfHMNpaX6vvqorSEw/s320/Yosemite+2010+August+040.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519504250741354082" /></a><br />Glen Aulin, without shower amenities, offered a big bonus. A roaring waterfall steps from our cabin! <br />Our chef who cooked the salmon should get an award! (All supplies here are brought by mule trains.)<br />One day we chose to explore individually. I explored the Tuolumne River below Glen Aulin Camp. I saw many enormous cascades of white water over granite. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji7B-CmuytKpp9bJJBe2iU-iTx8tPCpK0JnjIDz79Hb-CfPwq5aByoQLmfgSlOSxnVMc8V8SW8wVibgruUAfXXagGuXZnQnorgwvd4JY-3A-z1MpJ65T7b8JCuZJe6xccfCCFgsXS2aVA/s1600/Yosemite+2010+August+095.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji7B-CmuytKpp9bJJBe2iU-iTx8tPCpK0JnjIDz79Hb-CfPwq5aByoQLmfgSlOSxnVMc8V8SW8wVibgruUAfXXagGuXZnQnorgwvd4JY-3A-z1MpJ65T7b8JCuZJe6xccfCCFgsXS2aVA/s200/Yosemite+2010+August+095.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519504434589938370" /></a> <br />I even saw two Ouzels dipping in the water. Every so often a roaring water fall would form a large basin, ideal to swim in. I sampled four natural pools and two deep river bends.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl95JBulCaC7HJHVPnMoylZuMrnhPCNxLmGUwu5o0lhXqRUsgSFIa1f_8R05ensLiqww0IGaD3a7u2tBNVVkISFB1VEvGRvINgTyUZodVx-wP09UGzcT6mPSslXgtz9EdmMyU56h34Apg/s1600/Yosemite+2010+August+121.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl95JBulCaC7HJHVPnMoylZuMrnhPCNxLmGUwu5o0lhXqRUsgSFIa1f_8R05ensLiqww0IGaD3a7u2tBNVVkISFB1VEvGRvINgTyUZodVx-wP09UGzcT6mPSslXgtz9EdmMyU56h34Apg/s320/Yosemite+2010+August+121.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519504646059020818" /></a>The walk through aspen and huge conifer forests at the bottom of the massive, granitic domes was magical. I saw deer, coyote, signs of bear, lots of birds and a weasel. <br />In the evening after a leisurely dinner we watched stars, enjoyed a ranger’s camp fire or read by headlamps. We plan to return next season. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgETXVkUdReLlbWA6G-VJ4d_SQz5W8dmMcUt0f3m2blbUW6Y9S2oDMxBkZwQvCFbvMsX95slWbPj4SbuCA_r8RBTvNsQoCQGLepSK-oigJzC3AxYx2Cy7bhyphenhyphen2P3Lr2M-_-DiPhIiF_lvY/s1600/Yosemite+2010+August+155.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgETXVkUdReLlbWA6G-VJ4d_SQz5W8dmMcUt0f3m2blbUW6Y9S2oDMxBkZwQvCFbvMsX95slWbPj4SbuCA_r8RBTvNsQoCQGLepSK-oigJzC3AxYx2Cy7bhyphenhyphen2P3Lr2M-_-DiPhIiF_lvY/s320/Yosemite+2010+August+155.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519504792858072562" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvSN3LipI51PTpCJkrYL4BAe4a0lhtSSYNXFWZUo58QaYICMfIDE0H48jL0mkdArrsfMPctTRg9p-SZ46TUOEohZfsmUZclfDTI4z-zlwxaM3_ghwZauWainNvULQ-gZkOTrTMnUmCm8U/s1600/Yosemite+2010+August+164.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvSN3LipI51PTpCJkrYL4BAe4a0lhtSSYNXFWZUo58QaYICMfIDE0H48jL0mkdArrsfMPctTRg9p-SZ46TUOEohZfsmUZclfDTI4z-zlwxaM3_ghwZauWainNvULQ-gZkOTrTMnUmCm8U/s400/Yosemite+2010+August+164.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519504951401342546" /></a>Solveighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09808217484818880647noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6890810584569515756.post-37747584081476984292010-03-20T14:03:00.000-07:002010-03-25T09:44:11.536-07:00Another Winter in BVS, 20103-20-2010<br /><br />Today is the first day of Spring and these snow photos are late, the next post will show the glorious wildflower carpets on road 123 to Arvin. Thanks to our wet Winter this year, we are given a great treat from mother nature.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAE9X_jLrCZNtn2DBbjQekafAkzt-aMBb5SCi9jXBC2C9Y55r4ooUqUPjf0kibCxt7Aq6f9RLyTwvnN11Qw-CVTymmlO2dotIo7PH4pNxXowyaNz95pE24k6SXWbLTBirfahuXGFRmUmg/s1600/3-16-2010+Wildflowers+with+Tashi,+Arvin+and+178+Cnyn.+001.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAE9X_jLrCZNtn2DBbjQekafAkzt-aMBb5SCi9jXBC2C9Y55r4ooUqUPjf0kibCxt7Aq6f9RLyTwvnN11Qw-CVTymmlO2dotIo7PH4pNxXowyaNz95pE24k6SXWbLTBirfahuXGFRmUmg/s320/3-16-2010+Wildflowers+with+Tashi,+Arvin+and+178+Cnyn.+001.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452607964701706610" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiElRsnCf5_AbGUDkQV3Yek8TzxyPzSvnvvRuwTIvshH8-4Y5HcEjaUkbY9_ULEbZ4Yjz88Xu0iRht7tmcJW8cJjrOCTNgQkCS6TaIpj_I7WgV0YHxvRKZanPcpfEN5OHmroF9oChzM3LE/s1600/3-16-2010+Wildflowers+with+Tashi,+Arvin+and+178+Cnyn.+002.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiElRsnCf5_AbGUDkQV3Yek8TzxyPzSvnvvRuwTIvshH8-4Y5HcEjaUkbY9_ULEbZ4Yjz88Xu0iRht7tmcJW8cJjrOCTNgQkCS6TaIpj_I7WgV0YHxvRKZanPcpfEN5OHmroF9oChzM3LE/s320/3-16-2010+Wildflowers+with+Tashi,+Arvin+and+178+Cnyn.+002.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452608186864335442" /></a><br />But here are the beautiful winter scenes in my neighborhood I see when Tashi and I go on our daily walks. The dramatic scenes between the storm are my favorites. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9wRX_EUy4aP-UXRTtdLTG0pNMTPm4eJdEwdh7uo4zexzUkr2_k3Ih5CNrgIEl8ynzBKCnwT_vIix7mWM3c3QzdHu-UsX4ai7tVodvMnNpG_IPy7utu4fJDIaBmXfPY78FbqOYVRXJVU8/s1600/3-16-2010+Wildflowers+with+Tashi,+Arvin+and+178+Cnyn.+016.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9wRX_EUy4aP-UXRTtdLTG0pNMTPm4eJdEwdh7uo4zexzUkr2_k3Ih5CNrgIEl8ynzBKCnwT_vIix7mWM3c3QzdHu-UsX4ai7tVodvMnNpG_IPy7utu4fJDIaBmXfPY78FbqOYVRXJVU8/s320/3-16-2010+Wildflowers+with+Tashi,+Arvin+and+178+Cnyn.+016.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452608407390467810" /></a><br />We had so much snow, that one day even Highway 58 was closed for most of the day. All was still and beautiful.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbBPcA7SdO7jJY45uK-T9etY1WbHQLFHQ9-WYpRW1MhZOeh2q0MgQwHit9gOra0wIeLm2YL_xP2WxFSsudHV24OtaSTF910fQqWi8dO0x2OvUqaDyi0fqoY3K3_5WZTjef9xPZJTD7qP0/s1600/3-16-2010+Wildflowers+with+Tashi,+Arvin+and+178+Cnyn.+019.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbBPcA7SdO7jJY45uK-T9etY1WbHQLFHQ9-WYpRW1MhZOeh2q0MgQwHit9gOra0wIeLm2YL_xP2WxFSsudHV24OtaSTF910fQqWi8dO0x2OvUqaDyi0fqoY3K3_5WZTjef9xPZJTD7qP0/s320/3-16-2010+Wildflowers+with+Tashi,+Arvin+and+178+Cnyn.+019.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452608661569750130" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxbL_IbcLlGyD4bvTBxX11sa9fvAjfgl7BZ7tikVvNuTeesZ2fxjUN8U368BS9-UI4gElUYXNOGo5vhp0VufTe1bF6FUZYghZh_e4ansyIxE5XkGi0rMIPCkXtE8_VJ2jXWocugYATACA/s1600/3-16-2010+Wildflowers+with+Tashi,+Arvin+and+178+Cnyn.+030.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxbL_IbcLlGyD4bvTBxX11sa9fvAjfgl7BZ7tikVvNuTeesZ2fxjUN8U368BS9-UI4gElUYXNOGo5vhp0VufTe1bF6FUZYghZh_e4ansyIxE5XkGi0rMIPCkXtE8_VJ2jXWocugYATACA/s320/3-16-2010+Wildflowers+with+Tashi,+Arvin+and+178+Cnyn.+030.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452609229202444274" /></a><br /><br />Now the springs in the mountains are active and on Surrey Way, Goldspike Road, and other drainages the sound of running water can be heard. The deer are moving up the mountain...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVKY1Bi29WKLwRZPIg2_k81LPitmUTa9zraxYjIAIO0BGFb1_3wiROlDo8f6Zjt4ERQ4kxfBcCPg64dOztAS0eLPzS5mdFSddymt9gThKiqS1XCFwtCBLXYOnUqf6oIXKn2P7AJOE3xgs/s1600/3-16-2010+Wildflowers+with+Tashi,+Arvin+and+178+Cnyn.+042.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVKY1Bi29WKLwRZPIg2_k81LPitmUTa9zraxYjIAIO0BGFb1_3wiROlDo8f6Zjt4ERQ4kxfBcCPg64dOztAS0eLPzS5mdFSddymt9gThKiqS1XCFwtCBLXYOnUqf6oIXKn2P7AJOE3xgs/s400/3-16-2010+Wildflowers+with+Tashi,+Arvin+and+178+Cnyn.+042.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452609648642913586" /></a><br /><br />Here are the photos I took on 3-16-2010 on road 123 and some are from the rugged Canyon Road leading to lake Isabella. (Hwy 178 out of Bakersfield.)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJaddcIbLdixppUYANxSVCSeMpdk8Tr-sZs7Jq7QTWkWdYH9v_aXJTGFoImyu6rvgbdvY2yHO3BRkGLY9aIUJejNzHE7STDfrKEiN2zWDHvCZ7EI1g8b0Sy9Dozyo2N2Ep6_YD9mTSDV4/s1600/3-16-2010+Wildflowers+with+Tashi,+Arvin+and+178+Cnyn.+022.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJaddcIbLdixppUYANxSVCSeMpdk8Tr-sZs7Jq7QTWkWdYH9v_aXJTGFoImyu6rvgbdvY2yHO3BRkGLY9aIUJejNzHE7STDfrKEiN2zWDHvCZ7EI1g8b0Sy9Dozyo2N2Ep6_YD9mTSDV4/s320/3-16-2010+Wildflowers+with+Tashi,+Arvin+and+178+Cnyn.+022.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452608946397974482" /></a><br />Tashi grazed on the lush green grass, drank all his and my water on our 2 hour journey through these meadows. Meadow larks sang, bees hummed, butterflies flew by. It was magical.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFyaOg8pe_UtnIJETuY0Tk5HrVeXls3l6fdT1JKWhZp0LHwF5ywE4U64W_kdZNQxAlsl4eTmu5pujBG-wek0ixW1IdhvLxtXtzrE8u9gYEEdyVDBv6Rky0oE1nWMLrfNxClXXFnwM-Rvg/s1600/3-16-2010+Wildflowers+with+Tashi,+Arvin+and+178+Cnyn.+060.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFyaOg8pe_UtnIJETuY0Tk5HrVeXls3l6fdT1JKWhZp0LHwF5ywE4U64W_kdZNQxAlsl4eTmu5pujBG-wek0ixW1IdhvLxtXtzrE8u9gYEEdyVDBv6Rky0oE1nWMLrfNxClXXFnwM-Rvg/s200/3-16-2010+Wildflowers+with+Tashi,+Arvin+and+178+Cnyn.+060.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452612035362811810" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOF2LFmlWs-SZ5wEMSw_FZm-u-wQbeo1lCZ7Qc5lif0sGn2s1-RkB3x4gwIj2MbJyfowFvvonPZkAzOaXyWU_sfC5r_I-Km3KBw604vH9pCTR7Hr9qJB8fVnys2hRoCUbkRhmedGJcXWA/s1600/3-16-2010+Wildflowers+with+Tashi,+Arvin+and+178+Cnyn.+058.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOF2LFmlWs-SZ5wEMSw_FZm-u-wQbeo1lCZ7Qc5lif0sGn2s1-RkB3x4gwIj2MbJyfowFvvonPZkAzOaXyWU_sfC5r_I-Km3KBw604vH9pCTR7Hr9qJB8fVnys2hRoCUbkRhmedGJcXWA/s200/3-16-2010+Wildflowers+with+Tashi,+Arvin+and+178+Cnyn.+058.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452612016631071618" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQQt_fJbQMjzfQjb-nhF424b29ze3TjSkkIkv16N3ptaS-qosDM8kOUvOZBN6z-PtgqAn5wUjd84qdeQYJfFqYsRsEHPESVyrHQVZdRjx9xS-DeKhga-RfwmrXhY2z_GIRSGM4Y_aOy0s/s1600/3-16-2010+Wildflowers+with+Tashi,+Arvin+and+178+Cnyn.+057.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQQt_fJbQMjzfQjb-nhF424b29ze3TjSkkIkv16N3ptaS-qosDM8kOUvOZBN6z-PtgqAn5wUjd84qdeQYJfFqYsRsEHPESVyrHQVZdRjx9xS-DeKhga-RfwmrXhY2z_GIRSGM4Y_aOy0s/s200/3-16-2010+Wildflowers+with+Tashi,+Arvin+and+178+Cnyn.+057.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452612004503332418" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMig__CFqDAjJxeTHvSHC-rp9R6-SC3zC2zQatd1gV1co6MY3VKRJvsywFRnTRk7RK_AEr6sQpWbC5MuKxdzLS9bX6mlvgQC4iGPF_XEv1xMAn3NyTLCeeR2Ruuw6kVl8JPxnM4pTLfM4/s1600/3-16-2010+Wildflowers+with+Tashi,+Arvin+and+178+Cnyn.+054.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMig__CFqDAjJxeTHvSHC-rp9R6-SC3zC2zQatd1gV1co6MY3VKRJvsywFRnTRk7RK_AEr6sQpWbC5MuKxdzLS9bX6mlvgQC4iGPF_XEv1xMAn3NyTLCeeR2Ruuw6kVl8JPxnM4pTLfM4/s200/3-16-2010+Wildflowers+with+Tashi,+Arvin+and+178+Cnyn.+054.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452611985294432498" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJyV0wWASfnQHrFS8-cg9jID-AYy-GzK6HuS2ql6SAk5NQ2rCbVp9MClTcYMqgp9t3le5azPnRZLw7Wvte6d7-cTRHpDVWIGS2HDynQZ-K3azpKj9ae8Hh-806E-FSTuc5J_ypVCLzMsM/s1600/3-16-2010+Wildflowers+with+Tashi,+Arvin+and+178+Cnyn.+071.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJyV0wWASfnQHrFS8-cg9jID-AYy-GzK6HuS2ql6SAk5NQ2rCbVp9MClTcYMqgp9t3le5azPnRZLw7Wvte6d7-cTRHpDVWIGS2HDynQZ-K3azpKj9ae8Hh-806E-FSTuc5J_ypVCLzMsM/s200/3-16-2010+Wildflowers+with+Tashi,+Arvin+and+178+Cnyn.+071.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452612518707158498" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcsiwGlUf7nSo6xB15-6WPLSrGl3PUlhNuVGzATTcbUnto2x6QKstmUudUiH8xvn-RsswBzZuOTg0qiOinywrlvaT6CpwavIo337kUJBcWyrtv6BkL9TlfRELDIsjwIAolzDY5rlQgxjc/s1600/3-16-2010+Wildflowers+with+Tashi,+Arvin+and+178+Cnyn.+069.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcsiwGlUf7nSo6xB15-6WPLSrGl3PUlhNuVGzATTcbUnto2x6QKstmUudUiH8xvn-RsswBzZuOTg0qiOinywrlvaT6CpwavIo337kUJBcWyrtv6BkL9TlfRELDIsjwIAolzDY5rlQgxjc/s200/3-16-2010+Wildflowers+with+Tashi,+Arvin+and+178+Cnyn.+069.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452612500599115522" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI40HvlxMaHiLo4wnv12fSVFF5MAIEMDxxs2Oe09cfqjEfP5dKV-imZgT-V8swrXQoT3h4SnQcSSMEJhar0UvZlMqlCE_2O4HexShLrlcDBms1Ek3Hb-G47idpTLX8G3RwLQR1r43CVnk/s1600/3-16-2010+Wildflowers+with+Tashi,+Arvin+and+178+Cnyn.+066.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI40HvlxMaHiLo4wnv12fSVFF5MAIEMDxxs2Oe09cfqjEfP5dKV-imZgT-V8swrXQoT3h4SnQcSSMEJhar0UvZlMqlCE_2O4HexShLrlcDBms1Ek3Hb-G47idpTLX8G3RwLQR1r43CVnk/s200/3-16-2010+Wildflowers+with+Tashi,+Arvin+and+178+Cnyn.+066.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452612486008937346" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1j7uiysf__uclh8N6e4oCnbQZxo_sXqs1HWJ1njb4T91B-Rk2mAMUFGauYuhyphenhyphenjddNf4LstOp7hfWeUCo4SnfYa3leT0paR46tI-BEiSaNvbO4FEi3eJHdNYew8Ub_YJdOKN06PxTcDrI/s1600/3-16-2010+Wildflowers+with+Tashi,+Arvin+and+178+Cnyn.+064.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1j7uiysf__uclh8N6e4oCnbQZxo_sXqs1HWJ1njb4T91B-Rk2mAMUFGauYuhyphenhyphenjddNf4LstOp7hfWeUCo4SnfYa3leT0paR46tI-BEiSaNvbO4FEi3eJHdNYew8Ub_YJdOKN06PxTcDrI/s200/3-16-2010+Wildflowers+with+Tashi,+Arvin+and+178+Cnyn.+064.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452612473484442018" /></a><br /><br />It only will be good for a short one, maybe two weeks if we get some more rain and cold weather.<br />In Bear Valley the flowers will come later, as we are at higher elevations.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLFsvGm8mCNQaMusZPQf4asOSYmxUTh5BKOezz2KJLhr22V5te_p3nRz0YkENFW7RXC4915IEbqqqkpusXdx0v3Lfg1eqPtNCaBOoyDlEV3FlGLlg7UBZoR9uFMaX2MFAUy3s1Ddnpo34/s1600/3-16-2010+Wildflowers+with+Tashi,+Arvin+and+178+Cnyn.+080.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLFsvGm8mCNQaMusZPQf4asOSYmxUTh5BKOezz2KJLhr22V5te_p3nRz0YkENFW7RXC4915IEbqqqkpusXdx0v3Lfg1eqPtNCaBOoyDlEV3FlGLlg7UBZoR9uFMaX2MFAUy3s1Ddnpo34/s320/3-16-2010+Wildflowers+with+Tashi,+Arvin+and+178+Cnyn.+080.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452613100497237970" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwbHaGxbMaXPYInXVgM_1VghzjHDLZWmJwmbUjRDGh6TWZNhOyjdOYNscNTuG3PLQwr85vNQ1RWgA-Y1XZBZUgG_k9NXw9ZQddLwjuJAzQdf_0rEpq6E_jO3CRW2-uq7-qDz2EZkPimBw/s1600/3-16-2010+Wildflowers+with+Tashi,+Arvin+and+178+Cnyn.+077.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwbHaGxbMaXPYInXVgM_1VghzjHDLZWmJwmbUjRDGh6TWZNhOyjdOYNscNTuG3PLQwr85vNQ1RWgA-Y1XZBZUgG_k9NXw9ZQddLwjuJAzQdf_0rEpq6E_jO3CRW2-uq7-qDz2EZkPimBw/s320/3-16-2010+Wildflowers+with+Tashi,+Arvin+and+178+Cnyn.+077.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452613085757492114" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9lODcoov5OWZzcXVrTtaEDV7NiWgVY1cLeml9bXZTc0ZSo4iQ3WldJwffO9L2EqZz2_sj3If8lZ3_yB2EDfsYwRxsbUdeOZ9zZOemo9Kq39MxAr-dEubfKEKEKTDSgwaCamn2honkgZU/s1600/3-16-2010+Wildflowers+with+Tashi,+Arvin+and+178+Cnyn.+075.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9lODcoov5OWZzcXVrTtaEDV7NiWgVY1cLeml9bXZTc0ZSo4iQ3WldJwffO9L2EqZz2_sj3If8lZ3_yB2EDfsYwRxsbUdeOZ9zZOemo9Kq39MxAr-dEubfKEKEKTDSgwaCamn2honkgZU/s320/3-16-2010+Wildflowers+with+Tashi,+Arvin+and+178+Cnyn.+075.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452613073367701410" /></a>Solveighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09808217484818880647noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6890810584569515756.post-75158434139909919332009-08-14T16:27:00.000-07:002009-08-19T12:19:37.049-07:00July 31st, 2009<br /><br />How lucky I am! One of my clients called and invited me to climb Mt. Whitney. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi21lnvV9OGaKuWVz5yK1n_Nf1V6ocKqAfVcQwSyI4hU4niAtqnmrHuYGPYQtS7sDR-xSn1vURscqSV2ZA6XiLJeBr0huAdi8ixZjK7EKN1_yly6R9pYGBBTUCa4Qu-yUbHZeGfDKHEhPs/s1600-h/P1000014.JPG"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDLNPG8toynS-SvHApSoKJubMJ5uSp0hFERtjoPKYEbUa0wFNyGsJodG7_Rfx3jUO5bdQ4aTt4MUqZS50x1GtKqbWhGA4wmKnc4jaS93qePzznhyKH3t7ywhHylE97X3yI_tlInedHYHU/s1600-h/P1000015.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370633922517852434" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDLNPG8toynS-SvHApSoKJubMJ5uSp0hFERtjoPKYEbUa0wFNyGsJodG7_Rfx3jUO5bdQ4aTt4MUqZS50x1GtKqbWhGA4wmKnc4jaS93qePzznhyKH3t7ywhHylE97X3yI_tlInedHYHU/s200/P1000015.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTVAw01ox0GWcyJwvo6vcx6BzcPPy0SKGIzngE7luVq6d_2HsGUrBG0av2bQcqN9Nd3ib7CjGB2RGSWToaNBQSDLLml_vFCugvhto4e1jScJ31TTPEcTe1GPitelnRoM2oecy70_DhmBM/s1600-h/Mt.+Whitney+July+31st,+2009+003.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371029449327701698" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTVAw01ox0GWcyJwvo6vcx6BzcPPy0SKGIzngE7luVq6d_2HsGUrBG0av2bQcqN9Nd3ib7CjGB2RGSWToaNBQSDLLml_vFCugvhto4e1jScJ31TTPEcTe1GPitelnRoM2oecy70_DhmBM/s200/Mt.+Whitney+July+31st,+2009+003.jpg" border="0" /></a>Tom had reserved for a group of 9, but he only and three other mountaineers who had committed. So I was given the rare opportunity to climb in Summer. Many times I've sent in my date requests on March 1st as required, but was never granted a Summer date. (Mt. Whitney is so popular, trail/hiking permits are issued by lottery.)<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVBG-ZEfqtIxAwfij8gkJfh9c7kVKly9wOMMR9g7FhRvnFmQGnyMo4-gRMPUqzqYbqEsrCX07GOOA-U9IycGo-f0aHxhXiaNVYw0RGcQbh7ukZAu56vDpB-Cf5yI-DfR6HhQfYF7rWv8I/s1600-h/P1000028.JPG"></a><br />We met at the campground at Whitney Portal. Bear warnings were posted and one visited the camping table of Tom, Janet, Melissa and Rita. No harm was done.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcOoT4rajj_ECFrUTb51nbUiA_f4qc8lbEqFpvcODa96xRLGG2r5U4i5MrpBhgBtqDBjzB40l16cr7lNlNW12Jfas9YrEX_xeHJnmR-9-_y1Nan1owv9Dj0uXdacfejgnui_wWmIHHe7I/s1600-h/P1000029.JPG"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhmO7r_sl7Ts-YhvJMltTOcoSPzc2ZwQMHpMnKUE3osrr9pwzY0cCUOesThzKr45IGnr_77r4FEa_1GhjkATk1Rf4OvL4PSD4whYzI5rPnyAodQXyasduALFOPMAOObvzIcRz3zR28XWg/s1600-h/P1000030.JPG"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpy149VUTyn9SRCwb1CBatjylYAxhqbFVbn_tZeC7r0O1ChPqCeu4H_7Mm7hX78xVFP4DN64NqIPqBKDfroooMunohz8IYUHYk1H_XN7CVIcLIj4LfCJDAuUcTaNBdh7CZAbr4GaIt19U/s1600-h/P1000031.JPG"></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7zHfSuUR37eceiSKCpQbt80uPMEolTBBdHrb-Dzic9q_aREjVyFzoQpKlX7TBe2MgvgN5V-uBpdRQcpWW6yLbvEWlh_H0IgwT5Jvz0EvAG4BxF-H6d5tkRNl9cktoX9cWxCNyohIVO_E/s1600-h/P1000027.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370634960646039378" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7zHfSuUR37eceiSKCpQbt80uPMEolTBBdHrb-Dzic9q_aREjVyFzoQpKlX7TBe2MgvgN5V-uBpdRQcpWW6yLbvEWlh_H0IgwT5Jvz0EvAG4BxF-H6d5tkRNl9cktoX9cWxCNyohIVO_E/s200/P1000027.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA9jHRcA5lqQ6b4OEh87efqKzbS9QTFf4tBDG6mzVZNF0RGrVOh6Gsu4DIWhaZiFNAoUX6PuRWz_YGORV0jUvjG4XiPZXOaRCkVDCl4aAN5ne252dhCC1Tq2EXxoLg5f9peRw3rPo5GIQ/s1600-h/Mt.+Whitney+July+31st,+2009+005.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371029868275305714" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA9jHRcA5lqQ6b4OEh87efqKzbS9QTFf4tBDG6mzVZNF0RGrVOh6Gsu4DIWhaZiFNAoUX6PuRWz_YGORV0jUvjG4XiPZXOaRCkVDCl4aAN5ne252dhCC1Tq2EXxoLg5f9peRw3rPo5GIQ/s200/Mt.+Whitney+July+31st,+2009+005.jpg" border="0" /></a>Tom had been the trainer and guide for my fellow hikers. It was their first summit attempt. Tom said they were dedicated and trained hard. It showed, all three of course made summit and back in one piece. All four of us felt our legs for days afterwards, but it was a "happy pain".<br /><br />It was incredible that Janet, Rita, and Melissa after only 8 weeks of training mastered this arduous journey. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAyYnBtVzd-fKjiSeKUQCHMvPbIz7wtZpt4nWXLl-iSMA4iMgasncLo3RJcclNw591mLIMoSxQWVTlCzZZ7logjbOccjkyPItNBp2g_mXu6VmCF2F6cShmy-1Kc9IjhCw4jfL5zlthQMQ/s1600-h/Mt.+Whitney+July+31st,+2009+009.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371030338026748562" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAyYnBtVzd-fKjiSeKUQCHMvPbIz7wtZpt4nWXLl-iSMA4iMgasncLo3RJcclNw591mLIMoSxQWVTlCzZZ7logjbOccjkyPItNBp2g_mXu6VmCF2F6cShmy-1Kc9IjhCw4jfL5zlthQMQ/s200/Mt.+Whitney+July+31st,+2009+009.jpg" border="0" /></a>Here were three accomplished women, true Champions. And Tom, who tirelessly <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyFRdGOnCzWMQY65Qp9NMUy3mQB4xQCtZMHF078NwllAMKTkQ5GvqjOMuSgm04JuE45HW5VY62txBaS4qQ-P0cpXQ7AHxjDfz3ZkPABFH-oncWr7yJ3ychbMmLK-Sun0raZsch8lgM4Og/s1600-h/Mt.+Whitney+July+31st,+2009+007.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371030171334103074" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyFRdGOnCzWMQY65Qp9NMUy3mQB4xQCtZMHF078NwllAMKTkQ5GvqjOMuSgm04JuE45HW5VY62txBaS4qQ-P0cpXQ7AHxjDfz3ZkPABFH-oncWr7yJ3ychbMmLK-Sun0raZsch8lgM4Og/s200/Mt.+Whitney+July+31st,+2009+007.jpg" border="0" /></a>offered support and encouragement to them, a kinder trainer I cannot imagine. It was wonderful to be on the trail with all of them. There were times when I thought, "this is only the way up, I also have to go all the way back down!" But most of the time it was grand, the beauty of the different terrain breathtaking and not because of the altitude. The lakes, water falls, rocks, flowers, and even the masterful created trails were enough to feed the soul for a long time. Along side some rock walls were seeps that created oasis of fern- and- flower gardens. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPeT65tApfqznc3cCYrg8pS34Q7zlt1Da_sVTvA64Rf7RPhdyK7E4yMoma4kpbCAQRGOfBwc3_ZKD6RSE7MFizysx0QiWD8ldSn_eCAvUQXGJjENnCw8AgJr3RI5PMfQQcY15D1If1V5E/s1600-h/P1000033.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370641473143338850" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPeT65tApfqznc3cCYrg8pS34Q7zlt1Da_sVTvA64Rf7RPhdyK7E4yMoma4kpbCAQRGOfBwc3_ZKD6RSE7MFizysx0QiWD8ldSn_eCAvUQXGJjENnCw8AgJr3RI5PMfQQcY15D1If1V5E/s200/P1000033.JPG" border="0" /></a>I saw a Pika skittering beside me, feeding on vegetation.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVBt24rrwsJDj0IcJKc8O3RfboYD6T3hhM4Phk1qXT594p4kZMD_wiO_BFG5c2CVLzDSrLX6bbVZ6hjzUdW0AVvmY2XIDecrfHqpqIZ5eWiRLQNH_Y40PapH72gXD1AdGFrmcySffPXYQ/s1600-h/P1000036.JPG"></a><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370643884828397106" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsMl4-6zPjGR0Zb9BAX-tNysLTHUTk6NxD6_XBlqY1WjVqtiEsoTbnvpKYWxO1C_4tNMoRDIImZcTVJR5RRLzdiuo4RRGxEHnLLavK8PUEPO7zcHeklvyXV1Mb8v6cIHCrQQzY4rGgwe4/s200/P1000037.JPG" border="0" />From my camera I noted the time we arrived at the different "mile posts" :<br /><br />We started with headlamps strapped to our heads at 3:45 am. It was very dark, the moon had set a long time ago. Forded two streams in the dark, heard mysterious rustling beside me and in the light of my head lamp found myself 10 feet away from a friendly deer.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvv57BtEZ4-uDv7TyzdXPdv7xWSLZ2nZU_01jizEtWziCc8cJ8YiDnOIZdE0-o24lmfC5Mtc5-ld_pxeX0bLkR9nKpRFpgb0Hh9O733URm11UOut7eAu93lSd-L6lE3SL0VAPtKcAirCM/s1600-h/Mt.+Whitney+July+31st,+2009+034.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371031681497524482" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvv57BtEZ4-uDv7TyzdXPdv7xWSLZ2nZU_01jizEtWziCc8cJ8YiDnOIZdE0-o24lmfC5Mtc5-ld_pxeX0bLkR9nKpRFpgb0Hh9O733URm11UOut7eAu93lSd-L6lE3SL0VAPtKcAirCM/s200/Mt.+Whitney+July+31st,+2009+034.jpg" border="0" /></a>Dawn 5:44<br /><br />Sunrise at 6:07<br /><br />Sun on trail 6:08<br /><br />Mt. Whitney bathed in sunlight 6:18<br /><br />Wayside Meadow 7:24<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz9ekQNjYH0a5zMPBkap6UiVuHDJIorg7D5pSGq9JfwfI40UtJmwW6fy-34BWifSeWpqz1nC7sttE2NArKLLo6-stxZAHGSUsIdjQ8ctn2wDlooVWmPYacYD1ZghyGSenmubNdJD-yRnk/s1600-h/Mt.+Whitney+July+31st,+2009+031.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371031163092546802" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz9ekQNjYH0a5zMPBkap6UiVuHDJIorg7D5pSGq9JfwfI40UtJmwW6fy-34BWifSeWpqz1nC7sttE2NArKLLo6-stxZAHGSUsIdjQ8ctn2wDlooVWmPYacYD1ZghyGSenmubNdJD-yRnk/s200/Mt.+Whitney+July+31st,+2009+031.jpg" border="0" /></a>Consultation Lake 8:26 and break for filtering water and rest before the switch backs.<br /><br />Trail Crest 11:06<br /><br />Leaving Trail Crest 11:56<br /><br />"The Windows" 12:39 PM<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0eCnTq4jErNE4W-1sckay_iotR3fDKI2ZxmN1GdQLiJ0j43o4MexrJRHTKPv6Sh1E97NNtFgYTzKe3X-7C9gX6MHKQnxYkXfW8Hpab0fjPbmxGP1RICx7KwoWlEQ2n8LJt3kgSJl7vts/s1600-h/Mt.+Whitney+July+31st,+2009+036.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371031916561710338" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0eCnTq4jErNE4W-1sckay_iotR3fDKI2ZxmN1GdQLiJ0j43o4MexrJRHTKPv6Sh1E97NNtFgYTzKe3X-7C9gX6MHKQnxYkXfW8Hpab0fjPbmxGP1RICx7KwoWlEQ2n8LJt3kgSJl7vts/s200/Mt.+Whitney+July+31st,+2009+036.jpg" border="0" /></a>Keeler Needle 13:25<br /><br />Summit 13:56<br /><br />Leaving Summit 14:40<br /><br />Lone Pine Lake 20:03<br /><br />Car 21:30<br /><br />Tehachapi and home 12:45 AM<br /><br />Already I have half forgotten the rocky, tough trail behind the needles after we crossed Trail Quest. (The most difficult to me.) The views of the Sierra Nevada mountains were so grand, they left us all speechless at first. And I cannot wait until October when I will be up there once more. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgohFhu_RXzKfCMLa_ZMv65RsZc04JkAbTdbYZvvi6nNF7_Rosmi5NxFKxRzvQu7TQKgxGl6NVXQfHKyo0rtB2h1FHTuateSlagIpevqDjEoWul1WpvNhtjDWO-gRT6wjFjcCIXwzdmPO0/s1600-h/Mt.+Whitney+July+31st,+2009+041.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371032200124793026" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgohFhu_RXzKfCMLa_ZMv65RsZc04JkAbTdbYZvvi6nNF7_Rosmi5NxFKxRzvQu7TQKgxGl6NVXQfHKyo0rtB2h1FHTuateSlagIpevqDjEoWul1WpvNhtjDWO-gRT6wjFjcCIXwzdmPO0/s200/Mt.+Whitney+July+31st,+2009+041.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7soTDbvf6ImxiEsdJlS1pQ9y2n76VRtDbsi91x1GTEohCpJECO8TnpTQkHvzyUo6cvk2hwWS_X5h52Gg5mPUx6CBl57AhPEWVdBttVhSzJ7XxXOKx7d0TL9qzxgdWBYmCKrdM4ms4MEI/s1600-h/Mt.+Whitney+July+31st,+2009+043.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371032529048121762" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7soTDbvf6ImxiEsdJlS1pQ9y2n76VRtDbsi91x1GTEohCpJECO8TnpTQkHvzyUo6cvk2hwWS_X5h52Gg5mPUx6CBl57AhPEWVdBttVhSzJ7XxXOKx7d0TL9qzxgdWBYmCKrdM4ms4MEI/s200/Mt.+Whitney+July+31st,+2009+043.jpg" border="0" /></a> <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371032773628021858" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd30qsgnSiOT90CDHrcLfyz8od4sxyzwbvOGI2mv1vv30ZpAhAChBi_huNo_Gyhcm6WAXUEUARhxmy3XsLQUM_O3dMxjmU8p5VFEn1FeJ4jxlfj4ry5Iu6BXhOcVA2wd3tw_Tiv_bqYU8/s200/Mt.+Whitney+July+31st,+2009+048.jpg" border="0" /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJoGpgeVw9q-361WxVqLcubeax8rjXV8hRX8FEKqkn_csbIARD-JiV4S2ZShg977xu_GG9wVL5i48nrJMqKrJYh1aawbzAgMkzEA9PFCsXdVxGRaxcR6tXsleF1cODo-HbaV6CQnd15pM/s1600-h/P1000017.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370646279630237954" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJoGpgeVw9q-361WxVqLcubeax8rjXV8hRX8FEKqkn_csbIARD-JiV4S2ZShg977xu_GG9wVL5i48nrJMqKrJYh1aawbzAgMkzEA9PFCsXdVxGRaxcR6tXsleF1cODo-HbaV6CQnd15pM/s400/P1000017.JPG" border="0" /></a>Solveighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09808217484818880647noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6890810584569515756.post-50840427701341334612009-08-14T16:10:00.000-07:002009-08-19T10:22:35.964-07:00July 7th, Mt. Langley<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggFVt2kZ2P7XFbXlYR225KMyjSzbRURgZmlfD7KH1Xa2tfatks2b2cACD7nWywvWOgEv8Yhvpqi5L9Fp7CTGdIkI7bEp8PvG0Iai-suaQPCogooOVsUGbaEDScnttaVq8Kl8RcIdp7tlY/s1600-h/6+and+7th+July,+2009+M+012.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggFVt2kZ2P7XFbXlYR225KMyjSzbRURgZmlfD7KH1Xa2tfatks2b2cACD7nWywvWOgEv8Yhvpqi5L9Fp7CTGdIkI7bEp8PvG0Iai-suaQPCogooOVsUGbaEDScnttaVq8Kl8RcIdp7tlY/s200/6+and+7th+July,+2009+M+012.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371725665141566194" /></a>Whenever possible, I like to climb a mountain for my birthday. This year it was one of my favorite hikes, Mt. Langley. You cannot see it from highway 395, it is just about 500 feet less in height than Mt. Whitney.<br /><br />The trails are good, but at the summit of New Army Pass one has to contend with a long and high snow cornice. I was able to climb up it, but had to find another way down, not having a rope or crampons and pick. From here the trail is practically non-exsistant, but if you know where your heading, it is no problem.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYhMZ13ICNUkzCyVkLtTefSNKH_JRxkY2ELlLOjFk35SIRob5QgelWsjgPGm4YQfXFPARBi2OQu05RJ3EcQVv8adt5RhHlDtVdcr8Eyes_2TPwKFrCAxX4oEobkfUL3b38JS_K0SMCGE4/s1600-h/6+and+7th+July,+2009+M+010.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYhMZ13ICNUkzCyVkLtTefSNKH_JRxkY2ELlLOjFk35SIRob5QgelWsjgPGm4YQfXFPARBi2OQu05RJ3EcQVv8adt5RhHlDtVdcr8Eyes_2TPwKFrCAxX4oEobkfUL3b38JS_K0SMCGE4/s200/6+and+7th+July,+2009+M+010.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371725656639945714" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVUiz8UDUALBUosSPd3DQAJmt_LwCOwXfWXoMz2x5OlwY_qugKsX9t2gTac-qDF4fJ7ZGweIbb46act1VgL7SCZueZYtXWswczSiBas9m27uqLsq148X9vW9s9GqChAbtgZVkUJIVphsg/s1600-h/6+and+7th+July,+2009+M+006.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVUiz8UDUALBUosSPd3DQAJmt_LwCOwXfWXoMz2x5OlwY_qugKsX9t2gTac-qDF4fJ7ZGweIbb46act1VgL7SCZueZYtXWswczSiBas9m27uqLsq148X9vW9s9GqChAbtgZVkUJIVphsg/s200/6+and+7th+July,+2009+M+006.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371725650436737586" /></a><br />Wildflowers grew in the sparcest rocky ground, way above tree line! It felt so good on the summit, I could have stayed there! The beauty of nature all around me and being able to be there was the best present I could ask for. Mt. Whitney rose in the west.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrtradxQesFiIjQAVNgD2KK9RtM-I7_PXxY-NNCAC6cZtwmY5ZCtpYnZyafU5yWZCX0bzhAx6V6aBDxdRht5ZBela7XM3prJBbX4mQfNdPvPvFDmq4b7hCYt7cG5Hu06gGzD_isKbMtcg/s1600-h/6+and+7th+July,+2009+M+003.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrtradxQesFiIjQAVNgD2KK9RtM-I7_PXxY-NNCAC6cZtwmY5ZCtpYnZyafU5yWZCX0bzhAx6V6aBDxdRht5ZBela7XM3prJBbX4mQfNdPvPvFDmq4b7hCYt7cG5Hu06gGzD_isKbMtcg/s200/6+and+7th+July,+2009+M+003.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371725640647278754" /></a>If you are not wanting to climb a mountain, try to just hike to the lakes. It is not crowded there, the terrain is magnificent and from the trailhead to the lakes it is a comfortable 3-hour hike. Just don't carry too much. Minimize! Take your nordic walking sticks, your knees will thank you. Permits are needed for overnight trips.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpxzvzj0Pt0Rv1Df4hVqpN6DnK39Y0u_YSzvh6QOu3uBviB3psSgAXmuvwlVmMz7Y80yf0ybSU6D46NLc_kiGccXo9jV9LW15P5VrodVA0wyg-3oZaCAMQvLgldYWQJ0sAC3R2vXzmwLk/s1600-h/6+and+7th+July,+2009+M+002.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpxzvzj0Pt0Rv1Df4hVqpN6DnK39Y0u_YSzvh6QOu3uBviB3psSgAXmuvwlVmMz7Y80yf0ybSU6D46NLc_kiGccXo9jV9LW15P5VrodVA0wyg-3oZaCAMQvLgldYWQJ0sAC3R2vXzmwLk/s200/6+and+7th+July,+2009+M+002.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371725630229732482" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg00S649XbQCCmAtQCYMHqPmBo6roKZdaiH_32wxh3Gt4SNfAFry_9mBticyuhESmqDRgMGU6OzRjnmfX8XJqU6rbfVWq4gWkJ4MzoPKdEWaBVIVOCJHOXNkvD9ldIxe8ARhJpoiyTSmcw/s1600-h/6+and+7th+July,+2009+M+013.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg00S649XbQCCmAtQCYMHqPmBo6roKZdaiH_32wxh3Gt4SNfAFry_9mBticyuhESmqDRgMGU6OzRjnmfX8XJqU6rbfVWq4gWkJ4MzoPKdEWaBVIVOCJHOXNkvD9ldIxe8ARhJpoiyTSmcw/s320/6+and+7th+July,+2009+M+013.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371726279837475938" /></a>Solveighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09808217484818880647noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6890810584569515756.post-76236059616946325652009-08-14T15:51:00.000-07:002009-11-13T15:43:33.582-08:00Elk in Bear Valley Springs and July 4th Celebrations of 2008 and 2009<A href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN963KDfDCoQ1znVNgFO-cTmSj7cSC5SuzEbCAogXKN8aN2BstwUl7CzD4RZP_QpZ8S4ayR1cpsVwAG6aMm8FdmP1l-hlr-JsK41oKgM82gohuuWJtfUDwy6Qbgm0stGI-utC48IYp5QM/s1600-h/Bambi+on+Deertrai.+Coso,+Elk+on+Deertrail+7-5-09+past+Hazelwood+017.jpg"><IMG style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 133px; CURSOR: hand" id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370287936096131074 border=0 alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN963KDfDCoQ1znVNgFO-cTmSj7cSC5SuzEbCAogXKN8aN2BstwUl7CzD4RZP_QpZ8S4ayR1cpsVwAG6aMm8FdmP1l-hlr-JsK41oKgM82gohuuWJtfUDwy6Qbgm0stGI-utC48IYp5QM/s200/Bambi+on+Deertrai.+Coso,+Elk+on+Deertrail+7-5-09+past+Hazelwood+017.jpg"></A> It is truly like living in a park here in BVS! July 5th, early in the morning we drove to the far end of Deertrail. Friends had told me about the new-born elk twins they saw and I wanted to see them too. Lucky us, we found not only the entire family, but also the bull-elk who protected his family. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH85yjz7ikU0Vbrg5CbZQLTmlpUKhOmQEzmTtA9aYGa0I9IuvtiiaVs8ot_A52qAoLrRv9Mxg109-0BLFz8AZu6dklFviT1-pxav4BE8pcIUgNhyphenhyphensOERnzacayAcarF1SdYigsGRUz4Yg/s1600-h/Bambi+on+Deertrai.+Coso,+Elk+on+Deertrail+7-5-09+past+Hazelwood+028.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH85yjz7ikU0Vbrg5CbZQLTmlpUKhOmQEzmTtA9aYGa0I9IuvtiiaVs8ot_A52qAoLrRv9Mxg109-0BLFz8AZu6dklFviT1-pxav4BE8pcIUgNhyphenhyphensOERnzacayAcarF1SdYigsGRUz4Yg/s200/Bambi+on+Deertrai.+Coso,+Elk+on+Deertrail+7-5-09+past+Hazelwood+028.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370627384392508322" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZGA8dbCN0GR4f92PvC4MmRScYe-iPcLbfejRWuwiIKlHRlNpeqchbz4ueQZJi221Ipj5Nai0P-o1jB8nePt6Lb4sZuGOoQMcJasvBjE_VPP3VeQ7g-oEGCV8In8qFE7PnwJ7zcc73HLs/s1600-h/Bambi+on+Deertrai.+Coso,+Elk+on+Deertrail+7-5-09+past+Hazelwood+029.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZGA8dbCN0GR4f92PvC4MmRScYe-iPcLbfejRWuwiIKlHRlNpeqchbz4ueQZJi221Ipj5Nai0P-o1jB8nePt6Lb4sZuGOoQMcJasvBjE_VPP3VeQ7g-oEGCV8In8qFE7PnwJ7zcc73HLs/s200/Bambi+on+Deertrai.+Coso,+Elk+on+Deertrail+7-5-09+past+Hazelwood+029.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370628260063453634" /></a><br /><br />As he saw more cars he came down the hill from foraging and moved the herd away. There were sounds exchanged among the animals. As more cars came driving by, the male became concerned and so was the mother of the twins. She was showing concern and so he went back to walk accross the street with her and the kids. Then, as the rest of the herd and one elk baby showed the same concern, one of the elder cows returned to the remaining herd and "talked " to them. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiITyYjAuXHV5RC3eGK5tSK0H8fryuXC8Q5mi7ITIvKGEoS-FAnSRsUVi0eXpDDuixrDXXui-Dsb8GNBFMd6elou2NMn_F0aQCwzeaAuWHc7YX6Clyz2T5WBCqyJFmQhsPiq-bhrc8za8U/s1600-h/Bambi+on+Deertrai.+Coso,+Elk+on+Deertrail+7-5-09+past+Hazelwood+030.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiITyYjAuXHV5RC3eGK5tSK0H8fryuXC8Q5mi7ITIvKGEoS-FAnSRsUVi0eXpDDuixrDXXui-Dsb8GNBFMd6elou2NMn_F0aQCwzeaAuWHc7YX6Clyz2T5WBCqyJFmQhsPiq-bhrc8za8U/s200/Bambi+on+Deertrai.+Coso,+Elk+on+Deertrail+7-5-09+past+Hazelwood+030.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370628804066659858" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtn99A-rDtb8eWX7z-zY0nhAjKqvRQrtrW8FSOuCyHIanSzGUleUf3CVO0piNkuVPTvQDsP10HX5MVjxRpfclmgtI0REnN3bIy3-bQboK95MQfygy7m99zaiqmfcQyeNKZjXvW-uQdE_k/s1600-h/Bambi+on+Deertrai.+Coso,+Elk+on+Deertrail+7-5-09+past+Hazelwood+034.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtn99A-rDtb8eWX7z-zY0nhAjKqvRQrtrW8FSOuCyHIanSzGUleUf3CVO0piNkuVPTvQDsP10HX5MVjxRpfclmgtI0REnN3bIy3-bQboK95MQfygy7m99zaiqmfcQyeNKZjXvW-uQdE_k/s200/Bambi+on+Deertrai.+Coso,+Elk+on+Deertrail+7-5-09+past+Hazelwood+034.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370629457294736882" /></a><br /><br />After some exchange, I could clearly descern communication of some sort, they all followed her. Meanwhile, the teenager elk were watching from up the hill. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilxiEWzLkZNbazl0InmcXUIl7USavgbGH82QPsYQQ1tIWnDxFA2EkUkaBiwx6AUe1H_UZIZPCjZkJ5Z7eO1PoLoxA3P-3kKn_9TjS7Uqbf-H-1l0VneDAeSrMOS5RCRcm48YL_4TAWVhM/s1600-h/Bambi+on+Deertrai.+Coso,+Elk+on+Deertrail+7-5-09+past+Hazelwood+037.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilxiEWzLkZNbazl0InmcXUIl7USavgbGH82QPsYQQ1tIWnDxFA2EkUkaBiwx6AUe1H_UZIZPCjZkJ5Z7eO1PoLoxA3P-3kKn_9TjS7Uqbf-H-1l0VneDAeSrMOS5RCRcm48YL_4TAWVhM/s200/Bambi+on+Deertrai.+Coso,+Elk+on+Deertrail+7-5-09+past+Hazelwood+037.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370630084080734642" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEdubIg_0vBLT8Vowxy6jVaYz-1kpxdP6B9tIhQrFMcu8IpoghgLjxMqRunr7kgw7Xb0itL1XJXdSiYpDh8kziyLl30KkitNf6oVvBs8J08s7qfNxAqOabaF1e6clhwQQthxv7tbmOKao/s1600-h/Bambi+on+Deertrai.+Coso,+Elk+on+Deertrail+7-5-09+past+Hazelwood+040.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEdubIg_0vBLT8Vowxy6jVaYz-1kpxdP6B9tIhQrFMcu8IpoghgLjxMqRunr7kgw7Xb0itL1XJXdSiYpDh8kziyLl30KkitNf6oVvBs8J08s7qfNxAqOabaF1e6clhwQQthxv7tbmOKao/s200/Bambi+on+Deertrai.+Coso,+Elk+on+Deertrail+7-5-09+past+Hazelwood+040.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370630651675907010" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjja2Pngs7sjeK472JNCdZ_gqB2ibf5ryh7WyDqnqKrelEKoeO14v4q2LOXd2rH7L8FWczP_KhBB5agB70VPtrA707an3FC5KP-Ip6OO56OZWpV2VOLBZZVbBPL9BI-NzoJHVTyG5zFi9s/s1600-h/Bambi+on+Deertrai.+Coso,+Elk+on+Deertrail+7-5-09+past+Hazelwood+043.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjja2Pngs7sjeK472JNCdZ_gqB2ibf5ryh7WyDqnqKrelEKoeO14v4q2LOXd2rH7L8FWczP_KhBB5agB70VPtrA707an3FC5KP-Ip6OO56OZWpV2VOLBZZVbBPL9BI-NzoJHVTyG5zFi9s/s200/Bambi+on+Deertrai.+Coso,+Elk+on+Deertrail+7-5-09+past+Hazelwood+043.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370631223940410338" /></a><br />They were grand! I posted both year's parades, as I missed some participants this year. Thank you all who participated.<br /><OBJECT id=BLOG_video-f797b9ea59667f5d class=BLOG_video_class width=320 height=266 contentId="f797b9ea59667f5d"></OBJECT>Solveighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09808217484818880647noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6890810584569515756.post-17594681927498420132009-08-07T13:32:00.000-07:002009-09-08T13:46:26.797-07:00Celebrating Mutti's (Mom) 86th Birthday in Germany and the arrival of baby Stella HofmannLate May I flew to Germany to celebrate Mutti's birthday. It was a good visit, too short as usual for both of us. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii0mhne5s7HRsODR08ZnnDCdxAtt3EwIt60X7zxCyJgHFMDHRKNpUk0h_vLNqsAp2O7PP21mrvS7CuVcInYiH0F1u91vnW8dvUMtmXagzhzHzfpIFEXRrJ5jzhnPRjfDFt52na-DGYokA/s1600-h/Germany,+Mutti%27s+86th+Birthday,+2009+004.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370648126080896594" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 133px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii0mhne5s7HRsODR08ZnnDCdxAtt3EwIt60X7zxCyJgHFMDHRKNpUk0h_vLNqsAp2O7PP21mrvS7CuVcInYiH0F1u91vnW8dvUMtmXagzhzHzfpIFEXRrJ5jzhnPRjfDFt52na-DGYokA/s200/Germany,+Mutti%27s+86th+Birthday,+2009+004.jpg" border="0" /></a> Mutti is still in her own home, tends her own flowers on the balcony, makes jam for the entire family and while she no longer hikes 6 kilometers three times a week, she still is mobile enough to go to the village baker, butcher and magazine shop. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq-dKU5lCUrzOaEXpIdhyUj6NWpStfhhxQaKGP2KmlGYmi_W0mxB2iDgw2u1ZwiaJQgy6VuKe_3JkNMOdsRt6T4fWYQHzuXeRM__Psg23p1D_ZKT8BjQNKoBhIeRhrLC_APFHGIZRhpjw/s1600-h/Germany,+Mutti%27s+86th+Birthday,+2009+012.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370648972910453938" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 133px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq-dKU5lCUrzOaEXpIdhyUj6NWpStfhhxQaKGP2KmlGYmi_W0mxB2iDgw2u1ZwiaJQgy6VuKe_3JkNMOdsRt6T4fWYQHzuXeRM__Psg23p1D_ZKT8BjQNKoBhIeRhrLC_APFHGIZRhpjw/s200/Germany,+Mutti%27s+86th+Birthday,+2009+012.jpg" border="0" /></a> For Mutti's birthday she asked to visit a small town where Vati recovered from being shot in the war. The castle you see has formidable walls and the spikes were part of a 3-gate system to ward off enemies. The church is a place for pilgrimages. In the photos you'll see cover the entire vacation which also include time with family, our newest addition Stella, born April 17th 2009 to David and Nadine Hofmann. Now Mutti is a great-grandmother and very happy. It took 26 years for our little family to grow! <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8MJn12co08iK-0vFd3xZVVpqfhZPQvzufyLFiOa_WZT_Y6ctJJChOqhvyRFloD5ElnZ-N1UfycishLNNmHgHu79v1Wnb-Db619qVc6eIY-x59BStqJGC9L3SwF-PVuYDm3o2dky6ttNM/s1600-h/Germany,+Mutti%27s+86th+Birthday,+2009+030.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370650015136101026" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 133px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8MJn12co08iK-0vFd3xZVVpqfhZPQvzufyLFiOa_WZT_Y6ctJJChOqhvyRFloD5ElnZ-N1UfycishLNNmHgHu79v1Wnb-Db619qVc6eIY-x59BStqJGC9L3SwF-PVuYDm3o2dky6ttNM/s200/Germany,+Mutti%27s+86th+Birthday,+2009+030.jpg" border="0" /></a> My sister Eva and I were able visit the Black Forest for one day. It was glorious. The farmers in Germany are paid by the government not to spray chemicals on their hay meadows and since the wildflowers have returned and I think even the cows are smiling at the variety of native grasses and herbs available to them. We hiked, collected herbs for teas in the winter and had a wonderful time talking and exploring new hiking paths. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVyfPXQpyYI5Jk0O29SY3KiOW_p2ORvJ3u5ggBcno0Qu0ZcBGVZFEJ-UitXPiGsPqGGBgiGuE_5jcqKsynthXbJHnxph5CW9CL2rO0wnTp5MUMw1wU-aB9NyC9IbdaOqZSmkD0_htlw0A/s1600-h/Germany,+Mutti%27s+86th+Birthday,+2009+031.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371727136193237042" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 133px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVyfPXQpyYI5Jk0O29SY3KiOW_p2ORvJ3u5ggBcno0Qu0ZcBGVZFEJ-UitXPiGsPqGGBgiGuE_5jcqKsynthXbJHnxph5CW9CL2rO0wnTp5MUMw1wU-aB9NyC9IbdaOqZSmkD0_htlw0A/s200/Germany,+Mutti%27s+86th+Birthday,+2009+031.jpg" border="0" /></a> Mutti also wanted to visit her favorite pilgrimge place, Zwiefalten, decicated to Mother Mary. This was another long day trip. We lit candles, admired the interior as well the exterior, were treated to an incredible Glockenspiel. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim-j1QvZHDxSgvG_3HAKlQcNrqxraD5KelGpOotoV4ULFHF_UtnRo_rnyHiNwhcySZgCwgWymDePFJSKLvTcbfPpdTbc49hHqQ5NXP9HVDo3OWmesJ_yZX0KqV0RFreqivX4SfyadLKTE/s1600-h/Germany,+Mutti%27s+86th+Birthday,+2009+032.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371727502342600610" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 133px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim-j1QvZHDxSgvG_3HAKlQcNrqxraD5KelGpOotoV4ULFHF_UtnRo_rnyHiNwhcySZgCwgWymDePFJSKLvTcbfPpdTbc49hHqQ5NXP9HVDo3OWmesJ_yZX0KqV0RFreqivX4SfyadLKTE/s200/Germany,+Mutti%27s+86th+Birthday,+2009+032.jpg" border="0" /></a> The small, crystal clear river that meandered through the monestry grounds had trout in it. Afterwards we had a cappucino at the local bakery before the long drive home to mom's house. Some of the photos depict my sister's 300 year-old farm home where we gathered to celebrate being together again. <br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='379' height='351' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzGwza8jM4kz9CK2e6ZidYcZ77OZ1ZlrgHiYh9vzVGAiCSDKX2fxfwfL-ipM4g2S7iNumeSMQoO0gc2rxuh' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>Solveighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09808217484818880647noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6890810584569515756.post-78903865219319114162009-05-03T14:25:00.000-07:002009-05-05T10:53:59.702-07:00Spring in the Tehachapi MountainsHiking on the Black Oak Ranch with permission I was able to see what Bear Valley may have looked like before it was developed. Please enjoy the views.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6mgkR8uHbiA__mua-sdzD8bOAu2NtuAdpRbPyh3Hboefu1nhPr1xt14xDiVxfGmz1UekkiSZ1NwEcbbHCgvVoD-24w8oDk017RkSipTA9OWoMRCFLzNexjLIqpTDrroWGInE-WbIMT3I/s1600-h/Black+Oak+Ranch+004.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6mgkR8uHbiA__mua-sdzD8bOAu2NtuAdpRbPyh3Hboefu1nhPr1xt14xDiVxfGmz1UekkiSZ1NwEcbbHCgvVoD-24w8oDk017RkSipTA9OWoMRCFLzNexjLIqpTDrroWGInE-WbIMT3I/s400/Black+Oak+Ranch+004.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332397180693817314" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTpVzb3K3wXiITKlOnmPyfg1ty5_8Oh2lu1jRDEhC8pWXIawZkz7zMg9bvROmu_7HOw_UC3sQj7tWLVDjQe589hEqThD7F8F6tBQN_wYlZsnVAQ0-LN96vrIHjYoCix8E0hU2SGhJ43bo/s1600-h/Black+Oak+Ranch+031.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTpVzb3K3wXiITKlOnmPyfg1ty5_8Oh2lu1jRDEhC8pWXIawZkz7zMg9bvROmu_7HOw_UC3sQj7tWLVDjQe589hEqThD7F8F6tBQN_wYlZsnVAQ0-LN96vrIHjYoCix8E0hU2SGhJ43bo/s200/Black+Oak+Ranch+031.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332397397355590098" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCUP-Oz-IkSQm_B3QLd9ZTxFFE66e9ki-ZxXeYbZwUnyqA2VTOt7xR9kIdSMVhlSE1gAGopAqyA9-ivb2v1p3S35LCsnw91QM2F6qIEnJrS9P7RNRE2klNDIkEFoUiCdsqK5pYIwWCcEk/s1600-h/Black+Oak+Ranch+041.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCUP-Oz-IkSQm_B3QLd9ZTxFFE66e9ki-ZxXeYbZwUnyqA2VTOt7xR9kIdSMVhlSE1gAGopAqyA9-ivb2v1p3S35LCsnw91QM2F6qIEnJrS9P7RNRE2klNDIkEFoUiCdsqK5pYIwWCcEk/s200/Black+Oak+Ranch+041.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332397607864486450" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA_JyKUFiXPzvVQgOmtb38134Fg7ULp_f3-WiIQ-M6vhbqH9FPrX6aM83BLAju5VKVTJVVcy0HXFSeaE6pJCfvFw1L9fGLhjKUMzXIzMx53hnWIBMM6qQylK6gXXEVIAC63X0VjodJX3k/s1600-h/Black+Oak+Ranch+042.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA_JyKUFiXPzvVQgOmtb38134Fg7ULp_f3-WiIQ-M6vhbqH9FPrX6aM83BLAju5VKVTJVVcy0HXFSeaE6pJCfvFw1L9fGLhjKUMzXIzMx53hnWIBMM6qQylK6gXXEVIAC63X0VjodJX3k/s200/Black+Oak+Ranch+042.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332397896661270498" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8qJ5Khw25sm-r-dbO1ivqFJAGBqiPkjTsVNIJVq8R9ZYmUqa2un5dW5JWqcbklf7JrQM7qKVsKkUkmOxysC6IdZ7TBfE-qNFI_hJIb_Qxg-RRxiobv3cSdcOC0iG6GxgaBtKcoge9-NI/s1600-h/Black+Oak+Ranch+039.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8qJ5Khw25sm-r-dbO1ivqFJAGBqiPkjTsVNIJVq8R9ZYmUqa2un5dW5JWqcbklf7JrQM7qKVsKkUkmOxysC6IdZ7TBfE-qNFI_hJIb_Qxg-RRxiobv3cSdcOC0iG6GxgaBtKcoge9-NI/s200/Black+Oak+Ranch+039.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332398093804246274" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDOpkishKc4L72rvP3Eqpa3L9QSoeYtToWR0kBgGd4GrtqtUf57hF4t4DI9iEcUe5omzKFjSpfTlA3oUl9u2m18HWPl1TEj_0fd-_a1kYAwaERTGD0x29hWaGMRLgkuqK1Ae3dhUhkQ1g/s1600-h/Black+Oak+Ranch+022.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDOpkishKc4L72rvP3Eqpa3L9QSoeYtToWR0kBgGd4GrtqtUf57hF4t4DI9iEcUe5omzKFjSpfTlA3oUl9u2m18HWPl1TEj_0fd-_a1kYAwaERTGD0x29hWaGMRLgkuqK1Ae3dhUhkQ1g/s200/Black+Oak+Ranch+022.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332398368119283330" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimpqcNHqe-kcLnkBN-eySqyibwNwWrXAIaGolOAx7ijCm0Y-Tq_BZZBLm12rwuYYloLZ-x9r-DvN_4YKxE88SkHyM1iXTYWWgybqMQGxesfcjXitVEL1ndH5ARSPKAyuaawxRISlOzeeo/s1600-h/Black+Oak+Ranch+038.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimpqcNHqe-kcLnkBN-eySqyibwNwWrXAIaGolOAx7ijCm0Y-Tq_BZZBLm12rwuYYloLZ-x9r-DvN_4YKxE88SkHyM1iXTYWWgybqMQGxesfcjXitVEL1ndH5ARSPKAyuaawxRISlOzeeo/s200/Black+Oak+Ranch+038.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332398529186956370" /></a><br /><br />This time of year is perfect to hike cross-country and on our trails in the open space and wilderness areas. The recent rain will bring more wildflowers and prolong our green grasslands. I like the canyons especially where you find wilderness at its best. Towering rock outcroppings, meadows, ferns, creeks that are not dried up yet, live canyon oaks with their spreading canopy, reaching-to-the-sky pines... A perfectly natural scene around every corner. Be prepared to climb over fallen trees, take water and make sure you tell someone where you are planning to go and when you expect to return.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM7UhxrueCOgMY_oBmflrGJqv1DS0qabBPXRKQvlx6wKhH6-t8PFglx4p5sp98RErU0-VFit1rDxuF_VGurk90-2sLPkLuMM-pqXmrlkzPotUy-bvF1Lkf9VYuxHZ6lzONFHrfnbVmzDg/s1600-h/Black+Oak+Ranch+055.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM7UhxrueCOgMY_oBmflrGJqv1DS0qabBPXRKQvlx6wKhH6-t8PFglx4p5sp98RErU0-VFit1rDxuF_VGurk90-2sLPkLuMM-pqXmrlkzPotUy-bvF1Lkf9VYuxHZ6lzONFHrfnbVmzDg/s200/Black+Oak+Ranch+055.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332399526353254370" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsZtCeEk3E1j42QtHv23G3tR63SJa3S9P4UZIQgMiFNC1exZ0eRtTih1_jstlQaRKYXGVWPF-myHLbuKUIqWSXMB2Qs8Odf8TOh3BcM2K2jYf5I-QNsXNEn8LcdEJHMR9VH_dTKflZ_Ao/s1600-h/Black+Oak+Ranch+048.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsZtCeEk3E1j42QtHv23G3tR63SJa3S9P4UZIQgMiFNC1exZ0eRtTih1_jstlQaRKYXGVWPF-myHLbuKUIqWSXMB2Qs8Odf8TOh3BcM2K2jYf5I-QNsXNEn8LcdEJHMR9VH_dTKflZ_Ao/s200/Black+Oak+Ranch+048.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332399465963118610" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQZ16M-il5OQ4260LK2NJthVYzA9-J_lazH84xIpvQpD4BnJTpuKRBVTmrEOqUyf65H0QvSfm4QRXEN99CFkUKfqBgZrqFKgHQ-gPqIrWlAlTaudKmpKF9eMa6CvYvrgwDodc_SiapJLM/s1600-h/Black+Oak+Ranch+032.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQZ16M-il5OQ4260LK2NJthVYzA9-J_lazH84xIpvQpD4BnJTpuKRBVTmrEOqUyf65H0QvSfm4QRXEN99CFkUKfqBgZrqFKgHQ-gPqIrWlAlTaudKmpKF9eMa6CvYvrgwDodc_SiapJLM/s200/Black+Oak+Ranch+032.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332399330329317474" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnmSQoqMogBcpJ2qrycTDPvABIe8PHXE2J66uil3_OKucY320QeVV1bKSw1ZLd3KJZatJqMSJfDAFPrC3JxzBT9TG6ln9dbCERJ3VFx1jk00VEvgWUM29khPZxroMV1aSLx7HraG6e4fQ/s1600-h/Black+Oak+Ranch+015.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnmSQoqMogBcpJ2qrycTDPvABIe8PHXE2J66uil3_OKucY320QeVV1bKSw1ZLd3KJZatJqMSJfDAFPrC3JxzBT9TG6ln9dbCERJ3VFx1jk00VEvgWUM29khPZxroMV1aSLx7HraG6e4fQ/s200/Black+Oak+Ranch+015.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332399209373628626" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQht08owSC4j5bKTWo3hYEZelC-YUnThUz90p8hq9uHWaAQ4Wp5pGjBbds4qzJgP8drV5uGHUT2PqP6ZI8MRs126jt1Uf_76nJAiF3ZjJwCToESwC1DyJznMC8b5MvKr2c14OKhfhMRyQ/s1600-h/Black+Oak+Ranch+005.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQht08owSC4j5bKTWo3hYEZelC-YUnThUz90p8hq9uHWaAQ4Wp5pGjBbds4qzJgP8drV5uGHUT2PqP6ZI8MRs126jt1Uf_76nJAiF3ZjJwCToESwC1DyJznMC8b5MvKr2c14OKhfhMRyQ/s200/Black+Oak+Ranch+005.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332399107559935314" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd91Vt1vb4LPG1yeKrRIIop9sJNEzWHH7i0svEADMOBh-bGMuc4lsZSWDWVcXfAzQzqlqbJmvj8IhruK0Bg37pClkHbey_eSpHCkKugY9zBkMHx9a13pr8CdVzNfBQ3Nf5QwS1z4lc7Yg/s1600-h/Black+Oak+Ranch+002.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd91Vt1vb4LPG1yeKrRIIop9sJNEzWHH7i0svEADMOBh-bGMuc4lsZSWDWVcXfAzQzqlqbJmvj8IhruK0Bg37pClkHbey_eSpHCkKugY9zBkMHx9a13pr8CdVzNfBQ3Nf5QwS1z4lc7Yg/s200/Black+Oak+Ranch+002.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332398971891899202" /></a>Solveighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09808217484818880647noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6890810584569515756.post-35474743957618950542009-04-18T18:28:00.000-07:002009-04-18T19:07:11.399-07:00Hiking and exploring Red Rock Canyon, Lake Isabella area below the dam and west of the river and driving the Bodfish road.A long day trip, but where else can you see geologic wonders, wildflowers, rivers, meadows, trees, and natural wonders all along the road? My sister is here visiting from Germany and she as I appreciate the wide-open spaces and natural beauty of the area. We packed a picnic lunch, the dog, plenty of water and food for Tashidog as well. Our first stop was Red Rock Canyon where we hiked for 2 hours, until it got too hot for Tashi. The road to Isabella is best this time of year with all the pastures green as emeralds, cows happily grazing and the large cottonwood trees framing the boundary between green and rugged high desert-mountain terrain. <OBJECT class=BLOG_video_class id=BLOG_video-2fdee9f7e8435768 height=266 width=320 contentId="2fdee9f7e8435768"></OBJECT><br />Flowers are everyplace. The lake was low and a few campers lined the shore. Once below the dam we crossed over the river to the west and rested on a secluded spot on the river. We found evidence of Native American occupation in many places along the river. The polished rocks are like sculptures. The river was slow, so Tashi was able to take a swim. (On a long leash.) In the back-country the oaks are just beginning to leaf out and vast areas of bright yellow Golden Fields spread beneath them, mixed with the first Evening Snow opening after the sun dropped lower on the westerly horizon. On the way home we chose the Bodfish road that winds up the mountain, passes historic Havila and will give you white knuckles if you mind steep drops. All along the way we were rewarded with views of meadow after meadow of flowers. As we dropped into beautiful, green Walker Basin. The road again rose and here we saw what we first took as fields of snow. The “snow fields” actually turned out to be areas covered with the delicate star-shaped flowers: Evening Snow! We watched the sun set, back lighting the vast oak woodlands in their Spring Green. This is open range country, so smile back at the happy cows, slow down and enjoy. A wonderland right here in Kern County!Solveighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09808217484818880647noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6890810584569515756.post-67010482823073412009-04-18T17:52:00.000-07:002009-04-18T18:27:21.322-07:00Hiking among the Poppies at the Lancaster/Palmdale Poppy PreserveMost of the people go to the Visitor’s Center, but I prefer to go out where no people and pavement distract me from the breathtaking beauty of the flowers. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIBQkpnviy4w12PSlsFI6SX93HlOHfinFL6uSCBdqw2NEyhM0TfwPwzDy9RsUVG-EwEfy5fSI_J2IWOhmuraUKoFahvoUg3Q_XlBqoBBMsDoMAGysaP868s6_9nc6AVJdZXfm-JWcbwwg/s1600-h/Poppy+time+by+highway+138,+Carole+and+I+on+4-14008+015.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIBQkpnviy4w12PSlsFI6SX93HlOHfinFL6uSCBdqw2NEyhM0TfwPwzDy9RsUVG-EwEfy5fSI_J2IWOhmuraUKoFahvoUg3Q_XlBqoBBMsDoMAGysaP868s6_9nc6AVJdZXfm-JWcbwwg/s200/Poppy+time+by+highway+138,+Carole+and+I+on+4-14008+015.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326200314717308546" /></a> I take Willow Springs Road to 135; turn to the west (towards Highway 5) to the preserve sign. Turn left. Once you park take care to look where you walk. Birds are nesting on the ground and snakes are present occasionally. They move away if you give them a chance. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxsitujFPZkCV0ApRSc9kM6rJNXvFyVFMzA_fv9IQ88LWVLiNXu8q-2J_q14P2ECZ-rO8ZZU_21diywBIrUS9-XVtIEXQkek5EZJrqcV5yRxni3W36jof2PIuR3jzgs-RYfeJOG4ryqYk/s1600-h/Poppy+time+by+highway+138,+Carole+and+I+on+4-14008+004.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxsitujFPZkCV0ApRSc9kM6rJNXvFyVFMzA_fv9IQ88LWVLiNXu8q-2J_q14P2ECZ-rO8ZZU_21diywBIrUS9-XVtIEXQkek5EZJrqcV5yRxni3W36jof2PIuR3jzgs-RYfeJOG4ryqYk/s200/Poppy+time+by+highway+138,+Carole+and+I+on+4-14008+004.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326200310620878146" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlO3lFz3GFwUzxXCI0JzcnjXI-96DT57pSRps1dW6oKh7CJeysH0QzpVsQtcYwL0Cg3XssswTq18grr1aJD04nBTsZDUkYBgp9dsLnK7hHODwX9G8o9Bb6mIc5bfMuTsdcVb61Hw4CKp8/s1600-h/Poppy+time+by+highway+138,+Carole+and+I+on+4-14008+031.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlO3lFz3GFwUzxXCI0JzcnjXI-96DT57pSRps1dW6oKh7CJeysH0QzpVsQtcYwL0Cg3XssswTq18grr1aJD04nBTsZDUkYBgp9dsLnK7hHODwX9G8o9Bb6mIc5bfMuTsdcVb61Hw4CKp8/s200/Poppy+time+by+highway+138,+Carole+and+I+on+4-14008+031.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326201258850618658" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGO3ZY5UtNm_A2ePLjXbZcdTQgBgc3W9R-r8EvAPLyC2b9nwNa6qJjaG3_d0A1-XeNZxQHpCBsyZ5QqV8BZWhvrnk3-HvQuSpdNVSFq2LbwZT3LcBHCCF_GkoBZw2IOOXa1jC4Hh5DZGw/s1600-h/Poppy+time+by+highway+138,+Carole+and+I+on+4-14008+050.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGO3ZY5UtNm_A2ePLjXbZcdTQgBgc3W9R-r8EvAPLyC2b9nwNa6qJjaG3_d0A1-XeNZxQHpCBsyZ5QqV8BZWhvrnk3-HvQuSpdNVSFq2LbwZT3LcBHCCF_GkoBZw2IOOXa1jC4Hh5DZGw/s200/Poppy+time+by+highway+138,+Carole+and+I+on+4-14008+050.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326201262267322130" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyzS52rDRpGA_8Isj4UPtRvEqpHs0A24Wi58cbJNVUG02vJwHpZKKbOGedZMDYe8keUdJQscP_WqSv9qdXCUySIi_QveRwwbLrC9WZWnEZ-lIevDSb4vWvaSkxDB3aL0UmcQcK9FIog2o/s1600-h/Poppy+time+by+highway+138,+Carole+and+I+on+4-14008+025.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyzS52rDRpGA_8Isj4UPtRvEqpHs0A24Wi58cbJNVUG02vJwHpZKKbOGedZMDYe8keUdJQscP_WqSv9qdXCUySIi_QveRwwbLrC9WZWnEZ-lIevDSb4vWvaSkxDB3aL0UmcQcK9FIog2o/s200/Poppy+time+by+highway+138,+Carole+and+I+on+4-14008+025.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326200313857779394" /></a> Arrive after 10 am and before 4 pm, as the poppies “close shop” without full sun (on a windy day as well). Once-in-a while you will see yellow rather than orange blooms. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIQFUzVpb5rvUyyjuxcjIGQbYbxvfSjIGJ60Wv4y-iEwTcEZ6ya1Rhrk1NfyaVhHgd5pi5Gry2xEpue89f7sChpyZiSjrbZaWVoN805pd2MNvrw40jDpRo87e_sodq8kYnsP0NcLqt-sw/s1600-h/Poppy+time+by+highway+138,+Carole+and+I+on+4-14008+028.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIQFUzVpb5rvUyyjuxcjIGQbYbxvfSjIGJ60Wv4y-iEwTcEZ6ya1Rhrk1NfyaVhHgd5pi5Gry2xEpue89f7sChpyZiSjrbZaWVoN805pd2MNvrw40jDpRo87e_sodq8kYnsP0NcLqt-sw/s200/Poppy+time+by+highway+138,+Carole+and+I+on+4-14008+028.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326203092160350834" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhum7d0aPnLSp9cD0GDSlFjBEhvVaUiC2Zu6RLsv_CmSMVETy5g2uh17e_kUWRIXQ9gHfRudOnGpLrxk6Q6xueDZloYuNR9b8f4Ysat-AbQt71ISM3N0IhOlsZ-dm0iarrfu8lUfcnUet8/s1600-h/Poppy+time+by+highway+138,+Carole+and+I+on+4-14008+026.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhum7d0aPnLSp9cD0GDSlFjBEhvVaUiC2Zu6RLsv_CmSMVETy5g2uh17e_kUWRIXQ9gHfRudOnGpLrxk6Q6xueDZloYuNR9b8f4Ysat-AbQt71ISM3N0IhOlsZ-dm0iarrfu8lUfcnUet8/s200/Poppy+time+by+highway+138,+Carole+and+I+on+4-14008+026.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326201255256623794" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0sfQPceFJufWHK0n3my6PmhcOi96EloDvV89jfWvYMsRfsrTFSwfh5PikerkM3CKgc41hnMJnoNyPnaCP9JTaYEsOWbb5Bws6Xkt0QJmRem7MSSjVymMI0K-AIyP3kmVKVD9BpE9w-lM/s1600-h/Poppy+time+by+highway+138,+Carole+and+I+on+4-14008+024.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0sfQPceFJufWHK0n3my6PmhcOi96EloDvV89jfWvYMsRfsrTFSwfh5PikerkM3CKgc41hnMJnoNyPnaCP9JTaYEsOWbb5Bws6Xkt0QJmRem7MSSjVymMI0K-AIyP3kmVKVD9BpE9w-lM/s200/Poppy+time+by+highway+138,+Carole+and+I+on+4-14008+024.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326206138413372402" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikTmZiJGBlFPRwmZQvMrhRIKBm_FSmrZ-e3vBQ6ZL6xSLwmPzRwR0-nu9lVMvimzhm6hDorllAZw-WA5v5fpiCKvzKv2w4Fjksxxc_cchDSKQYmHVHW2fp97Cp5FCVhCUb1clQbNbsK1Y/s1600-h/Poppy+time+by+highway+138,+Carole+and+I+on+4-14008+059.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikTmZiJGBlFPRwmZQvMrhRIKBm_FSmrZ-e3vBQ6ZL6xSLwmPzRwR0-nu9lVMvimzhm6hDorllAZw-WA5v5fpiCKvzKv2w4Fjksxxc_cchDSKQYmHVHW2fp97Cp5FCVhCUb1clQbNbsK1Y/s200/Poppy+time+by+highway+138,+Carole+and+I+on+4-14008+059.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326201262867964146" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwN2G-uXh_APlqm7FgX10oTa_Eu3kXX0BJyDODHuN6akoJ0loJmeSgZXR7PgQoL7QZXAtOl9oNxQkkYtrFQlC40KqFQTtyfHzphxjus5NEK3X-MFzenWCAGyXJKMeVnYlL49u4GgmVlZY/s1600-h/Poppy+time+by+highway+138,+Carole+and+I+on+4-14008+055.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwN2G-uXh_APlqm7FgX10oTa_Eu3kXX0BJyDODHuN6akoJ0loJmeSgZXR7PgQoL7QZXAtOl9oNxQkkYtrFQlC40KqFQTtyfHzphxjus5NEK3X-MFzenWCAGyXJKMeVnYlL49u4GgmVlZY/s200/Poppy+time+by+highway+138,+Carole+and+I+on+4-14008+055.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326201258338685042" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWlPNTfbAUYM8hIZDKgfES80p08OjoAm4UHDhJW8jPr_6f_CgilEH0ZsxDumeVU3c7Bv-CKiPyncC-N_lA42xUiPSlodcFdM9BUOz1Mt5njg-KrfC30s9JQJUNNejlpkhxY3gpW7P9vm8/s1600-h/Poppy+time+by+highway+138,+Carole+and+I+on+4-14008+041.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWlPNTfbAUYM8hIZDKgfES80p08OjoAm4UHDhJW8jPr_6f_CgilEH0ZsxDumeVU3c7Bv-CKiPyncC-N_lA42xUiPSlodcFdM9BUOz1Mt5njg-KrfC30s9JQJUNNejlpkhxY3gpW7P9vm8/s200/Poppy+time+by+highway+138,+Carole+and+I+on+4-14008+041.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326206142475266386" /></a>Solveighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09808217484818880647noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6890810584569515756.post-37887349786977840922009-03-20T12:53:00.000-07:002009-03-24T11:46:06.273-07:00Benefits of living in Tehachapi<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpL7Y3v6LZkh2mXeBIyD-hQlfomtHJFI3SCxyVIRRLh10kJdTF7jLzpydXV4kFXIihJgC8_VbXhMhe6OdsLVdZ5gaT62Yt8MXz6SBmjdOQMA86LzCpH7YZ-x0kLVTc54jNo7r03xD8U3M/s1600-h/2-28-09+Elk+on+PM+96+area.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpL7Y3v6LZkh2mXeBIyD-hQlfomtHJFI3SCxyVIRRLh10kJdTF7jLzpydXV4kFXIihJgC8_VbXhMhe6OdsLVdZ5gaT62Yt8MXz6SBmjdOQMA86LzCpH7YZ-x0kLVTc54jNo7r03xD8U3M/s200/2-28-09+Elk+on+PM+96+area.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5315482099487870322" /></a><br />Recently I was posting a for-sale-sign on a 22-acre property towards the end of Deertrail and found this elk family resting under the still dormant blue oaks. It is a more remote region of Bear Valley and wildlife is more abundant. One still hears the call of the meadow lark once heard throughout the valley.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Seg37-iyz-TNGO7btTsXoJFQCQsO3kHoD7Rt2SsApdYdMS9JmqljIIOt-Wj_m3F80vIQTuLHeZFR1m7B6OcUdhiqoTwbFu_KhroPZGDwNRxNw_xvdV0zf7PMAZcf-7XAsDVugw3lXW0/s1600-h/2-28-09+Elk+on+PM+96+area+011.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Seg37-iyz-TNGO7btTsXoJFQCQsO3kHoD7Rt2SsApdYdMS9JmqljIIOt-Wj_m3F80vIQTuLHeZFR1m7B6OcUdhiqoTwbFu_KhroPZGDwNRxNw_xvdV0zf7PMAZcf-7XAsDVugw3lXW0/s200/2-28-09+Elk+on+PM+96+area+011.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5315482096104250002" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4DmAmvc06ajQCCd0Zzjzliem3GP8QWmpFBRoONmK4sxjMY73eLTDyQleif7yRJwWlH2poYQHE2Lc_mFD0t10qjOJEhVl8PkqYaE4m6-tyKRa9adH2swCqZyakde1is1E3d99BTjBJywI/s1600-h/Wildflowers+March+2009+024.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4DmAmvc06ajQCCd0Zzjzliem3GP8QWmpFBRoONmK4sxjMY73eLTDyQleif7yRJwWlH2poYQHE2Lc_mFD0t10qjOJEhVl8PkqYaE4m6-tyKRa9adH2swCqZyakde1is1E3d99BTjBJywI/s200/Wildflowers+March+2009+024.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5315482091983438162" /></a><br />The wildflowers photos are taken on the Tejon Ranch, on the westerly side of Bear Mountain, on the way to Arvin and some were taken along Gen. Beale Road going south, then turning into the orchards, going east.<br /><br />THE REAL ESTATE MARKET: I think we have reached bottom, multiple offers are the norm on short sales and inexpensive properties. Investors are looking and buying. Yesterday I visited a class that educated me on short sales, so I can better help buyers and sellers. It is a complex way of selling, but it has benefits to the seller as well as the buyer who wins the bank's approval.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ9sowlIiB7kFEHr43Fl16ntMsBMO-mFaX5F71LaDjn1ktqxHVNmwSNh8jDfyryJ6b8yN-2mX3TMI295VpyPWAcRQowfUY3HJvdIBrfMJBtj8ePcA_oDtIHravHDsMmxQQTnfNBuAsmhY/s1600-h/Wildflowers+March+2009+009.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ9sowlIiB7kFEHr43Fl16ntMsBMO-mFaX5F71LaDjn1ktqxHVNmwSNh8jDfyryJ6b8yN-2mX3TMI295VpyPWAcRQowfUY3HJvdIBrfMJBtj8ePcA_oDtIHravHDsMmxQQTnfNBuAsmhY/s200/Wildflowers+March+2009+009.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5315482086125802050" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggvJy7lE66SXeX0CbULW_Y90cmfihjvxI7xJVUf3t3FmmzEGcbSVBweRohTX9EY-arpo_S35b6Eeo-RXTxAaeKy0ZZsOnkkXDcUUg_HamKYUE9dfNnT6DUqrNwumIa6j630khjv7ls0z8/s1600-h/Wildflowers+March+2009+001.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggvJy7lE66SXeX0CbULW_Y90cmfihjvxI7xJVUf3t3FmmzEGcbSVBweRohTX9EY-arpo_S35b6Eeo-RXTxAaeKy0ZZsOnkkXDcUUg_HamKYUE9dfNnT6DUqrNwumIa6j630khjv7ls0z8/s200/Wildflowers+March+2009+001.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5315482080200893714" /></a>Solveighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09808217484818880647noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6890810584569515756.post-25168653582070643622009-02-18T14:01:00.000-08:002009-02-18T14:44:36.546-08:00Friday 13th, Snow in Bear Valley Springs<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIQDRnQVNpssAwqxwMM28aafY8BXAikHanUYeTLpASDOirUIWCxX36MHBeWsOiy3s1_w63LzndMRuPeGnWBmnVC1igrfQWn6kJfqrteFpTZlwXbzHRyjAg5NxcFB13EUZKqHJLivWBgBM/s1600-h/Snow,+Tashi,+home+2-13-09+009.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5304268014772970530" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIQDRnQVNpssAwqxwMM28aafY8BXAikHanUYeTLpASDOirUIWCxX36MHBeWsOiy3s1_w63LzndMRuPeGnWBmnVC1igrfQWn6kJfqrteFpTZlwXbzHRyjAg5NxcFB13EUZKqHJLivWBgBM/s400/Snow,+Tashi,+home+2-13-09+009.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvFbI32HbuUhpmLlnaRKfEMhTlM1mvmiUOeOaxro_wPKFI50QDeBkJsMBg_KlyQNysRNv4ZvIjXq9EbTmaBrVMfF39mGhX_ReAe-uxh0a2eAleHlP4T7_c13fgvgI4wxRsIyOQwpLjoug/s1600-h/Copy+of+Snow,+Tashi,+home+2-13-09+001.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5304267816678957666" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvFbI32HbuUhpmLlnaRKfEMhTlM1mvmiUOeOaxro_wPKFI50QDeBkJsMBg_KlyQNysRNv4ZvIjXq9EbTmaBrVMfF39mGhX_ReAe-uxh0a2eAleHlP4T7_c13fgvgI4wxRsIyOQwpLjoug/s400/Copy+of+Snow,+Tashi,+home+2-13-09+001.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUFD81_mAW0QEgtd37cNfb4E260IOSkm_cjkhGlkbGYvq-O27P0J1hWmtMjf4be9AXFklmr_SXKbO04zHcinC3TP2xi7mjezKhiaqLn4ZVZVOnyydqFI-8Prty3wzNR_E2focaUp7pjso/s1600-h/Copy+of+Snow,+Tashi,+home+2-13-09+003.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5304267230661842706" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUFD81_mAW0QEgtd37cNfb4E260IOSkm_cjkhGlkbGYvq-O27P0J1hWmtMjf4be9AXFklmr_SXKbO04zHcinC3TP2xi7mjezKhiaqLn4ZVZVOnyydqFI-8Prty3wzNR_E2focaUp7pjso/s400/Copy+of+Snow,+Tashi,+home+2-13-09+003.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Nothing scary, if you can watch the beautiful snow falling from a safe place. The roads were another story. Some drivers still drive without chains or light cables, which resulted in cars off the road, streets blocked and people waiting outside the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">BVS</span> gate, some for hours. Some folks said they just sat there, no one from the police department came to tell them what was going on and what time line to expect in their wait. The post office personal had to walk up <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Bear Valley</span> Road to the top of the hill, where their husbands could meet them and drive them from there.<br />Driving in snow is not for everyone and luckily snow is not an ongoing problem here, it is mostly an inconvenience. I think we had seven snow days this school season, a first in my 25-year history here. So take heart, this is not the usual winter!<br />My biggest concern are those folks who cut corners on mountain roads and often are driving too fast to boot. Many times I am met with a wide-eyed driver in my lane, not expecting anyone there.<br /><br />But now to the fun part: Children sledding, building snow men, birds come flocking to the feeders, species that normally do not visit, joyful dogs romping through the snow and lots of opportunities to take photos to memorize this miracle. This year we should have a "filled to the brim" aquifer. And our trees will be happy too. The moisture should go deep into the ground. Our seasonal streams will flow and it could be one of these stellar years with wild flowers.<br />I have seen the first <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">fiddle neck</span> flowers on the way to Bakersfield, the hills are in their best spring green. Poppies and lupins cannot be far now.Solveighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09808217484818880647noreply@blogger.com0