Just local....

Happy almost weekend friends! I wanted to share a walk mom and I enjoy each week. Always practicing camera angles...I stayed still about 1 second each for these photos.Such quiet and beauty. Along our way....

Moss covered trees...on the route leading up to Phoenix Lake in our local Muncipal Watershed

Fall colors have been delighting us this year!

Canopies of light and dark as we hike a single track up to the lake.

Greeted by grey hues.. Phoenix lake is just behind the Buckeye tree.

And...lots of trees with beards :)

This was a special walk, as dad had joined us! The day was fading...time to head home.

Until next time!

24-hrs of Calistoga

Oh!!! It's been too long.

Hope you all are doing well, and have had a nice fall.

We have been enjoying some great hikes, and lovely fall colors...Friday, we joined our furpals for a walk in Rush Creek Open Space . One of our favorite local hikes.
Late Saturday, we decided on a little camp trip to Calistoga, just an hour up the road in Napa Valley. So glad for our little getaway! I found a great walking stick during our Sunday hike in Calistoga.
We did a beautiful hike Sunday morning on the Oat Hill Mine Trail starting at the north-western tip of downtown Calistoga. Clear skies and brisk air, this was a great start to Sunday!

We had to watch our steps in some parts. Looking towards Calistoga.

A funny history on the naming of this town: From a Visitor site "Sam Brannan, who once owned most of the town, was asked what he planned to do with his northern Napa property. He intended to make it the Saratoga Springs of California, but with his diction slurred by alcohol Brannan replied, "I'm going to make it the Calistoga of Sarafornia!" The Oat Hill Mine Trail is home to forests of Oak, Douglas Fir, Gray Pine and Cypress as well as grasslands covered in mosses.....quite lovely.

Post-hike...while dad cycled off on his road bike down the Silverado Trail...mom and I meandered through the valley stopping at a few local shops, and to take a number of photos.

Mom had wanted to see what the Clif Family Winery was like..as she is a big fan of Clif Bars! We made a pit stop at Velo Vino, the tasting room. A festive spot!

Driving down the valley, fall colors are fading, yet some beautiful areas lit by late afternoon sun.

All are from properties along the Silverado Trail which winds through the Napa Valley.

We picked dad up where the Silverado Trail meets the town of Napa. The moon was out, it was time to journey home....a great little getaway! Hope we do it again soon :)

A parting shot from our hike back on Friday....I was trying to snaggle a cookie from mom's fingers.... My elf pose!

Have a really nice week my friends :)

Lake Tahoe...so much nicer in the fall :)

Hello my friends!

We started this post a week ago...eek! I finally get to share it with you. We made a brief camping weekend in Lake Tahoe recently.
Fall is a treat in Tahoe, as the crowds have departed, and the temps are often quite nice.

We stumbled upon a small campground Saturday eve just behind this fabulous dock and beach.
No problem getting a site. We even saw a big bear rumbling through the grounds!

Sunday morning. I could have stayed right here ALL DAY!

Had the lake almost to myself! Fabulous!

Lake stones were quite entertaining...I enjoyed rolling them around!

Clear waters.

Practicing my sea-horsie maneuver!

Sun and warmth.

Calm waters. This was Saturday ...we spent the day in the Truckee area, for Dad's favorite ride on the Emigrant Trail, while mom and I hiked around.

Looking towards a reservoir we had camped near Friday eve.

This is the little trail at the Donner Party Memorial Park that we always visit while in Truckee.

Our Friday night campground at Lakeside, Prosser Reservoir outside of Truckee.

On our walk Saturday morning...looking towards the reservoir.

It was a really nice get-away from the busy around here.

Hope to visit with you all again soon!

Summer campin'....

Greetings all! Missing my bloggy pals :) And, hoping those on the East Coast are doing ok.

Finally able to post some images from our trip to Hume Lake early August.

I was so excited to be camped at the lake, with 87 acres of warm water fun!

Hume Lake is located in Sequoia National Forest, in the southern Sierra Nevada mountains range. A favorite spot for our big summer camp trip.
Ready for swimmin' any time of day!

Just beyond the end of the lake is Kings Canyon National Park, one of the deepest canyons in the United States, at 8,000 feet deep.

We camped at Hume Lake Campground (5,200 ft) for 10 nights.

Hiked, swam, paddled...

Found the biggest stickies...

Enjoyed the rushing creeks...

And the calm beauty of the lake.

Kings Canyon..always just beyond the lake dam. Kings Canyon was formed by massive glaciers during the last Ice Age and includes 461,901 acres of impressive and expansive wild terrain.

One afternoon, hu-dad rode his skinny-tire bike from the campground deep into Kings Canyon until the road goes no farther....called Roads End.

Mom and I carefully navigated in our new rig down the narrow winding roads to meet dad, explore the canyon a bit, and give him a sag out back to our campground.

One of the Kings River forks. Moving fast.

A variety of jagged formations looming on either side of the canyon...many shades of stone...

Looking down towards a convergence of the Middle and South Forks of Kings River.

We made a number of little day trips to other areas of Sequoia and Kings Canyon National areas, but I was always happy to get back to the lake!

Sticks!

Splashes!

And evening paddles with mom and dad.

A fantastic trip, time went too fast...hope I get to return next summer!

See you again soon pals :)