Hunter Creek Falls, Reno, March 20, 2016

With n an hours drive, Reno has an abundance of wonderful hiking trails.  Hunter Creek Falls Trail is one of my  favorite hikes and only a few minutes from my door step. ( I think I have blogged about it before so this maybe somewhat redundant).   The best time of year to hike the trail Spring or Fall. Most of the trail is in the open and exposed, so Summer hiking can be a bit of challenge unless you start out at dawn when it is cool and the sun in on the other side of the canyon.   Today the trail was perfect.  Temperatures were cool, the trail was compacted with little dust, and everything was green, but just a little too early for wild flowers.   My friend Sandi joined me.

The trail itself is about 3 miles up and up and about 3 miles down, down. I really do mean up.  It's a gradual, but up.   Today was an extremely popular day with folks hiking the trail.  I don't remember seeing so many folks heading up to the falls as we were  coming down.  The trail climbs for about 2 miles in the open and then another mile in the trees before crossing hunter creek over a trilogy of logs and then the Falls greet you immediately.  (The logs are quite a challenge for me as my balance is not what it used to be and I am thankful I have brought my hiking sticks. )

The trail leading to the falls. 

The Falls were flowing pretty fast.  I'm amazed that the log is still in the middle.  It has been there since I can remember...at least 15 years. 

Heading back down towards Reno

 Looking towards Reno in the middle of the photo.

I'll be in the area for just a few more days before flying back to Phoenix and Casa Grande.  Joel has been busy getting the new trailer ready for this summers travels. He hopes to get some minimal solar installed and new batteries as well as a solar controller and a new 3 state converter/charger.  Yes, new batteries and converter/charger.  Airstream installs cheap one stage controller/chargers which trash the batteries early on, which is a little disappointing to say the least!

  

Chickadee Ridge, Mt. Rose, March 17,2016

One of my favorite things to do in the spring (if there is snow) is to go snowshoeing near Mt Rose off the Tahoe Rim Trail to an area which has been pegged by the local as Chickadee  Ridge.  It has been several years since I have been able to get up there and when my friend Sandi suggested a snowshoe outing I was on it!.  The hike takes off from Tahoe Meadows  right off the Mt. Rose highway  and meanders about a mile and a half inland  and an accent of about 300 feet or little more depending on which way you go.   Not bad.  It was a blue bird perfect day.  Temps around the mid 50's with no wind what so ever.  I stripped down to a T-shirt and had light weight hiking pants on.

Whats not to like about spring snow and the panoramic views of Lake Tahoe!.

 We stopped for snacks and sat on the log in the above photo and the Chickadees were abundant.

 Sandi held her hand out and obviously the Chickadees were not shy.

 What a perfect day!

Death Valley Super Bloom, March 2, 2016

I just can't seem to sit in one place very long! Our neighbors went to Death Valley for a few days and came back with awesome photos of the "Super Bloom".  My friend Sandi was getting ready to leave the park for the season and return to Reno and since I have a few loose ends to tie up in Reno and in Pacific Grove with my mother estate, I decided to tag along.  But wait.  There is more! Could we possibly detour a little and go through Death Valley and see the "Super Bloom"? Yep. I really didn't have second thought of cramming into Sandi's little 19 foot Road Trek with her 150 pound Great Pyrenees. It was cozy alright.

Tara, Maggie, and Fearless:

The drive to Pahrumph and the Pair-a-Dice Escapee park was an easy day's drive.  I've gotta say, the Pari-a-Dice Escapee Park is one of the most friendly park I have been too.  Everyone had a smile on their face and waived as they walked or drove by.

The next morning we got up early and hit the Furnace Creek Visitor Center by 8:30.  The Ranger gave us a great map and pointed out were the most prolific blooms were to be found which were south of the Bad Water area.  I took lots of photos but they do not really capture the full impact of the brilliant yellows and purples.

These are just a sample of some of the flowers that are in bloom:

The flowers seemed to be holding up to the warm weather really well.  Many blooms are just opening up and the ranger said there is at least another week or more of beautiful color.  I can't tell you how lucky I feel to have been able to experience the "Super Bloom" which only happens once in a decade.
So now I am switching ward robes....from shorts to long pants and t-shirts to sweatshirts for a few weeks while in Reno.  (apparently the "storm door" is suppose to open and help out the drought)I'll be heading back to Casa Grande in a few weeks to help Joel get ready for spring and summer travels.

A new smile! Yuma, February 16-25, 2016

I stuck around the Escapee Park for a week or so after returning from Ajo.  While I was in Ajo, Joel broke another crown and was complaining of another tooth that was lose and was having a hard time chewing.  Hmm.  Algodones, Mexico hear we come...well almost.  Joel and I both had flu shots but that didn't seem to matter for Joel, because he came down with terrible body aches and an awful cough a few days day before we planned to leave which was Monday.   We did  leave on Tuesday since I could drive but then I came down with a very slight case of aches.  Ugh.  Well, we got through that one.  I wonder how much sicker we would have been had we not had the flue shots.  

We dry camped out on Ogilby Road about a 20 minute drive to Algodones and the 300+ dentists that support the community.  Joel was able to get in a see the dentist for a consultation on Wednesday with a minimal wait.  The news was not good.  Nine crowns were needed as well as two extractions.  Och and oh my lots of $$$$$.  The extraction took place that afternoon and then he went back the following morning for preparation for the crowns.  Lots of grinding....5 or 6 hours worth! and was fitted for temporaries.  I won't post the gruesome photos of after the grinding was completed.  The temp looked pretty good!

The permanent crowns would not be ready until the following Wednesday.  So we spent the time   exploring of the area as well as  met up with our friends Donna and Bob and Carolyn and Peter, all former WINS.  What a treat to see them all!

Joel went back to get his permanent crowns on Wednesday, thinking it would be a quick appointment.  Wrong.  He sat in the chair another 5-6 hours but it was worth it.  If you have had this type of dental work done in the states, then you know the time and money spent in Algodones was a fraction of the time that would have been spent in the States.

                                          Aw common! You need to smile! Show us those nice pearly whites!!

That's more like it!!! Yes, it was worth the $$$$$

Dry camping in the trailer for ten days was a good test in determining what we really need to get ready for this summer's adventures.  Joel is now working on a few things in the trailer and we hope to get at least a minimal amount of solar to just maintain the batteries before we leave in April.