Boulder Creek Wildflowers

I know I've been bad the last few days about blogging, and I'm not giving a full post today. But I thought I would share some of the wildflowers that Justin and I passed on our hike alongside Boulder Creek this weekend. Nice, aye? 

Waterhouse Lake Hike, Emigrant Wilderness

I was super excited that Herring Creek Road was finally open and I could get up to the Waterhouse Lake trail head. I've been eyeing it all summer. Since I drove my Honda Fit, I stopped about a mile and a half out from the trail head when the ruts on the unpaved road got too severe for my comfort. Selena and I walked up to the trail head and went from there. Round trip from the trail head is about 4 miles. Our total trip with the extra walk was probably around 8 miles.



The first mile of the trail was great- easy to see, pretty flowers, great pine smell in the air. After that, we arrived at the granite valley. (see pic below) At this point, it's off trail to the lake.... and we never quite got there. Total bummer, even though the views were great. We followed the right side stream (and rock cairns) too much and never got to the lake, which was more to the right. You can't see the lake from the top of the valley, and I hadn't looked closely enough at my map. (Plus, my guidebook told me to follow the cairns... and I did... grrr...) All in all, I really should have looked a little closer. I probably would have tried to go find it again, but I didn't want to explore too much with just us girls, and Selena was looking pretty tired on the way back. When we passed the Summit Ranger Station on our way home, I stopped to ask about it and the very helpful lady in there pointed out the error of my ways on the map.

Gotta love the auto-timed snapshots at the end of the hike. This meadow at the trail head is really so pretty, pictures don't do it justice!
I do plan on taking a higher-clearance car up there to shorten the hike and spend my energy finding the lake sometime, because I think it would be pretty secluded. We only passed two hikers on the whole trip, and two at the trail head. (By the way, I should probably call them kayakers because there were carrying boats) I'm sure it's a great place, so next time I'm dragging my husband with me and we're gonna find Waterhouse Lake!

Captain America

I love me a good patriotic movie. And I love dressing up too. Hence, date night to watch Captain America. Here we are:

Justin had his shirt for awhile. I, however, made mine the night before. Pretty cool, aye?

I haven't actually read the comic books, but I did like the movie. While there is some violence (it's set during WWII), it was very clean compared to most movies today. I thought it was really entertaining to watch and had some good values too. Besides the patriotic bend, which I appreciated, it also showed true friendship and caring about others. Another theme that was very clear was how power can total warp a person if they use it for evil. I would definitely recommend the movie.

Being so patriotic, I wonder how it will do in international markets?

Payless Coupon Surprise

I stopped in Payless yesterday, and I walked out with this (see below) for $6.43.

So here's how it worked. I first was going to buy only the black sandals for $6. Pretty cheap, right? But then the friendly sales associate came and gave me a one-day only coupon for $5 off two pairs of shoes that total over $10 together, OR $10 off three pairs of shoes that total over $15 dollars together. Got that? 

So, I decided to get the first two pairs- the black for $6 and the silver ones for $6 = $12 (total) - $5 (coupon) = $7 plus tax. And I'm sitting back saying, "Justin is gonna be proud of my savvy sale shopping." THEN, the associate helps me realize that if I "buy" the last pair of blue striped flip-flops for $3.99, it would bring my total to $15.99 and I would qualify for $10 off, thus making the entire purchase of three pairs of sandals..... $6.43. Nice. 

I've decided that they must really be trying to get rid of their summer stock of shoes, or else I was just lucky in finding cheap sale items that fit. Either way, that's about $2.14 per pair, so I was pretty pumped.

Check out their sales online www.payless.com

Stanislaus County Fair

There's just something about the fair... The colors or the rows of games booths and rides; the lights; the smells of corn dogs, cotton candy, cinnamon rolls, funnel cakes; the sounds of sheep, goats, cows, pigs, chickens and children; the atmosphere of good clean fun all around. I love it. Even though it really is getting expensive ($12 a ticket), I still like going for the experience. So Justin and I went last Friday night.

They actually had a discount on the ticket if you brought canned foods to donate, and rides were all $1. My deal-finding obsession felt a little better after this. We ate corn dogs and fries for dinner, with a funnel cake for dessert later on. We rode the Scrambler (a total kiddie ride) and the Ferris wheel, which was the first time I can remember going on one. I got some good pictures from up there.


The part I like best is seeing people I know. I saw a few of my students from the last two years, so it was nice to say hello to them. I remember when I went back to the fair in Ohio though, it was like you saw everyone in town. I suppose I would know more people if I grew up here...   All in all though, it was a great time and I'm glad we went!

Check out this roasting pig!!

Sunny Cove Beach

I love this beach!! I came here with family when I visited California in high school, and have returned several times since. Usually there are just a few people around, and you can get in the ocean and play around too. It's this great little cove that is protected somewhat from the wind. The only drawback is that there aren't any bathrooms, and it is unsigned. So if you have never been here before, it's hard to find. I actually don't want to tell about it on the blog, but it's such a great place I still will.

There is a hotel right at the top of the street called Sunny Cove Motel. Usually we park across the street in the shopping center by Dollar Tree. (And of course we always go in and spend a few bucks so our parking is legit.) I think you can park at the top of the hill in either side, but this was easier for us since Dollar Tree has restrooms anyways. The intersection is Cliff Drive and 17th Street in Santa Cruz. I know Santa Cruz sounds like mayhem, but this one is farther down from all the craziness. (By the way, we passed Twin Lakes State Beach and it looked like a good option too) There were more people there than I have seen before when we dropped by last Saturday, but it was still a great place to spend a few hours.

Normally that giant puddle isn't in the middle but there must have been a rain or something. The kids loved it!

Hike at Wilder Ranch State Park

The coastal hike at Wilder Ranch State Park was nice. First of all, it had clean restroom facilities and a big parking log- a sign that it is heavily used. But although we passed a few people, it didn't feel crowded at all, probably because of the great ocean views along the hike. We just went out 1.25 miles and back, so 2.5 total, this time around. You can hike out another 2.5 miles to make an 8 mile round trip, which I would like to do sometime in the future.I should note that this is a big biking area, but the trail is wide so everyone shares just fine!

Right past the parking lot is the historic buildings, where there were many helpful staff who knew lots of history about the place. While we didn't stay for a tour, we did walk around the buildings some. Then we headed out to the coast hike. I loved this beach, but it is a refuge and so of course no people were allowed down there.

Lots of other great views along the way.... we loved the wildlife.

 

I had read about the fern cave, and though it sounded pretty cool. And, I guess it was. It wasn't as big as I thought it might be, but it was cool to see ferns growing from the top of a cave. We ate lunch on this little beach, and I almost wish we would have stayed there for the afternoon.

I supposed I should mention that I saw a snake and Justin saw a snake along the way, but they weren't very big and they slithered out of the way quickly. (Those don't freak me out as much as hiking in the Sierras and worrying about rattlesnakes...)

4 miles

4 miles. That's how far I ran last night. I'm proud to say that I didn't stop to walk either! I haven't done that much at once in a while. Of course I have been hiking, and up to 13 miles, but its a different kind of endurance. It's not so strenuous for the most part, unless it is a really steep hike. But I did it!!! Yay! I am really trying to get myself back in shape, because I know that it's just too easy for a few pounds to get added and not be taken care of!

For the run, I cruised (and panted, and heaved) around our block. I'm in the country, you see, so the block is 4 miles total. I was actually cooler last night, so it was at a good condition. But the roads are so darn straight that four miles just seems like forever. It's funny too because when I hit about 3 miles the movement just became automatic. I wanted to stop and walk, but I kept telling myself I could do it. (Though I really didn't want to) It was good to push myself a little bit, and I think that I need to sign up for some 5-K's. The only problem is that so many of them are on Sundays now, and I don't want to miss church...

About the last 3/4ths of a mile it was getting dark really fast. I was happy when I saw Justin jogging toward me on the road, and he ran the last half of a mile back with me. That was nice, because even though we live in a really safe area, I don't want to run too close dark. But I made it back with him, then got some water and did quite a bit of stretching. I'm not too sore today, but usually it hits me a day after.

Hopefully I'm not too sore tomorrow, because we have a hike planned.... uh-oh!

Medal of Honor

I live in a great country. America. It's the best. Yes, I have nationalistic pride. And I'm proud of that pride too. It's the land of the free and the home of the brave, and I don't want to be anywhere else. I don't care who slams this country and says it mean or whatever, because we still have thousands of people coming here every year who want a better life in America. It's not perfect, I know. But it's a great place to live. And we try our very best to keep it that way.

I'm reminded of that again when they announce the military hero and Medal of Honor recipient, Sgt. 1st Class Leroy Petry. He lost his hand fighting to help his comrades when he grabbed a live grenade and threw it out of the way. I am just so floored at his bravery and selflessness in that situation. There is no doubt that our military constantly preserve freedom for us back at home.

Now he has a new bionic hand to use instead of a hook. I think it's awesome that he will have some of his function back in that new hand. Thank you, Sgt. 1st Class Leroy Petry for your service to my country. I appreciate it!

Go here for a the full story.
Go here for a picture slideshow.

Another Hike to Camp Lake

We headed up 108 again today to try another hike, but, alas, still snow at the Gianelli Trailhead! Because of that, I took Karen and Leah to Camp Lake, where Justin and I hiked last week. Just to Camp Lake and back is 5 miles round trip. The snow had went down more since we went last week. I did enjoy new wildflowers on the way to Camp Lake, though I didn't enjoy seeing a baby snake in the water. Overall, it's good exercise, though not my favorite hike to do a second time. Still, here's a few pics:

Giant rocks strewn across the forest floor

This dying tree just shows that all seasons of life are beautiful!

 Karen taking a picture at one of the vistas

 Lone pine growing out of the rock face

At the narrow camp lake. The snake slid into the water right below them. It was small though... but still a snake! We headed back pretty quickly after that...

And that's a day in the Emigrant Wilderness!

Preschool graduation?

Driving out of town the other day, I saw this:

There are a few things that I find annoying about this:

First, the bingo marker drawing had been on for way to long. I saw this at the end of June, and graduations happen at the end of May. So how hard is it for someone to clean it off? I supposed they have a right to leave it up there as long as they want to, but it just seems silly. 

Second, have we really stooped so low as to make a big deal out of preschool? I didn't even know they had preschool graduation. I mean, really, what has a kid accomplished at this point? Sure, they are learning to behave in society and all when they go to school, but I would hope that they are getting some of that at home too. It just seems a little absurd. Can the kid really understand what it means to graduate anyways? Sigh... The things people do... 

Weekly Flowers

So my flower patch seems to be yielding pretty well. As long as I have new flowers for my table each week, I'm happy! Here they are-

Today I picked up around the house a bit, and now I'm going to continue working on my scrapbooking. I'm getting closer to being caught up, but I'm not quite yet. That's ok though- I enjoy it!

And remember that sunburn from the Cleo's Bath hike? It's totally starting to peel off my neck...gross.

Justin and I are going to be reading Philippians together over the next month- I am really looking forward to it. We talk about the first chapter on Saturday.

That seems like enough random for now. I'm out!

Hike to Camp Lake and Bear Lake in the Emigrant Wilderness

Justin and I celebrated the 4th of July with a hike. Gotta love that in America, we have such scenic beauty!! And we are free to hike around in it without fear of crazy people hiding in the mountains. A few wild animals, perhaps, but that comes with the territory.

We took 108 past Strawberry because I wanted to do a hike to Waterhouse Lake. That's hike is less than 4 miles out and back, and is supposed to be pretty secluded with a good swimming area. Alas, when we turned on Herring Creek Road, the gate was locked. It's July 4th but there must still be too much snow. We'll come back later because it sounds like a winner.

I didn't want to hike to Cleo's Bath or Powell Lake again, (though Justin hasn't been) so we did the next closet hike in the guidebook that I had brought with me- a hike to Camp and Bear Lakes. The trailhead is very near the Burst Rock/Powell Lake trailhead, so getting there was a bit familiar. What stinks about this area is that horses go out on the trails, so you have to dodge horse droppings every once in a while. On our hike, we didn't actually see any horses, though we did notice a few droppings. (EWWW!)

 Bridge just beyond trailhead

 View of stream from bridge

The Crabtree Trailhead splits off and takes you to Chewing Gum Lake and a few other destinations, but I can't remember them right now.  Our trail to Camp and Bear Lakes was 6 miles round trip. The trail to Camp Lake is pretty easy and mostly level, though it does have a short section with a steeper grade that got us huffing. We were a little faked out by this marshy pond-looking area before Camp Lake, but since we thought we had another lake anyways, we kept going on the trail. I'm sure that this area dries up later in the season. Speaking of the seasons, we had to cross over snow several times (more on that later). We made it to Camp Lake without much trouble. It's a small but pretty lake with a few shaded areas to sit. However, we continued on when another hiker told us this was actually Camp Lake, and Bear Lake was "much nicer."

Swampy-looking wet area we thought might be a Camp Lake... (above)
The real Camp Lake (below

Taking the trail at the far end of the lake, we began the real adventure. Since it was early in the season for this hike, we had snow to go through, though the temperature of the air wasn't cold. Also, as it was melting away it made the trail into a small stream. In some areas though, you just hiked over where the trail seemed to be heading and hoped to find a sign for it later on. It was a bit difficult, as the area before Bear Lake was a little marshy and we had to do some jumps to clear the creek beds several times. Then there was a section of granite and open area where the trail was hard to follow. Again, later in the season this would be a much nicer hike!! After getting a little off trail a few times, we found our way back and up to Bear Lake. It was bigger and prettier than Camp Lake, and just one other group was there. We spread out on the rocks and rested before heading back. I even jumped in, though it was freezing!!! It felt good since the sun was still good and hot today.

Snow on the trail (above)

A cool mini-waterfall splashing from the rocks near the marshy area. I'm glad we saw it but am pretty sure it dries up later on. Below, Bear Lake!

All in all, two pretty lakes, some nice streams, and of course the usual Sierra Nevada scenery made for a good  6-mile hike. I was disappointed that I didn't see any wildflowers, but  the season might be off. If anyone else ever goes, I hope they go a little later in summer or the fall so that they can find the trail easier than us.