Final NaBloPoMo Thoughts on Litter
While Curtis and I were backpacking in Molybdenite Canyon this year we came across a heart balloon in the willows. Curtis made an off handed comment about the surprising number of balloons you find in the forest: Our National Forest, it’s where ballons go to die. Curtis works for the Forest Service, so he has some level of expertise in this assertion. And it makes sense, if you bundle in…
Ostrander Lake, Yosemite: Find Some Peace on this Long Day Hike
With Curtis out of town the other week I had time to do one of Yosemite day hikes he has been less than enthusiastic about. I have really been getting down to the last few day hikes (although there are still some major ones, like the Mist Trail, which I have never blogged about) – and I admit I might have avoided these for a reason. Often the remaining trails…
The Foresthill Bridge: A Bridge over a Reservoir that Never Was
Earlier this year I had fallen into an internet search blackhole, learning about dams in California, and the sometime bizarre “recreation” opportunities they provide. I think it had started with looking up dams that were hoping to profit from the passing of Proposition 2. It was like a cemetery of hopeful but ill-fated large expensive dams, now forgotten except by the local politicians still clinging to old plans. In my search I found the…
Happy Turkey-Day!
You know what Turkeys, are thankful for on Thanksgiving? Vegetarians… & that’s me! Happy Thanksgiving everyone. To celebrate we are making a homemade tofurkey, baked potato salad (from Michigan according to the NYT), vegetarian-ized sourdough stuffing (A California thanksgiving item according to the NYT), green bean casserole, some classy cranberry sauce from the can, and sweet potato pie. It my 7th year making a “traditional” tofurkey – which is made slightly different…
Window Shopping a Railroad “Escape”
Occasionally I go though online shopping phases, ones where I check out Steep and Cheap everyday or go crazy buying pet toys get my Petco order of bunnyfood order with free shipping. And Kickstarter is like buying into someone’s dream so that is always a fun time… Recently though, because I don’t have any Thanksgiving weekend “plans” yet I have been endlessly scrolling through the discount hotels on Groupon and LivingSocial…
Tuolumne Meadows’ Cutest Squirrel: The Belding’s Ground Squirrel
This summer two of my good friends, Jane and Lin, came to visit for a couple days. We hit up the park, seeing the Yosemite sights in short bursts – The Mist Trail, Tuolumne Grove of Sequoias, and Tuolumne Meadows – which is a pretty solid variety! While we were hiking in Tuolumne Meadows I noticed these little guy pop up in grass… and I was baffled My first thought: “We…
I Just Tried High Intensity Training – & Yes, it was intense
This evening I tried a R.I.P.P.E.D. training class down in Sonora. I have been looking at my different options for getting some exercise in after work, even though it is consistently dark out by the time I get home – which is sad because I would really just love a run in the sunshine, but that will have to wait for the weekend (coming soon because it is Thanksgiving!). All…
When You Don’t Reach Your Destination – Preston Falls, Stanislaus NF
Hiking with a destination in mind it sort of my thing. I like goals – or at least a solid turnaround point/time. I don’t like it when I can’t reach my planned destination. I hate it when I miss my destination without even knowing. That is what happened today on my hike to Preston Falls – I walked 4.4 miles, like All Trails said, and I did reach a fall. I…
Little Golden Trail, Groveland CA: Little, but is it Golden?
Earlier this month Curtis and I abandoned ship on an expedition to Hobron Hill (the hill next to Smith Peak with a different radio tower on it. The obvious road up is blocked by a gate on a tiny private parcel of land before the road becomes forest service. I just wanted to go because of the crazy website!) – Anyhow we decided not to completely give up on at least…
Hello! I am a 30-something outdoors-lady, backpacker, and resident of Groveland, California - 
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