Wings?

Rainy season has started here in Cali.  Apparently, rainy season means torrential downpours and wicked wind.  My trailer has been ROCKIN' and it sounds like a drummer for a heavy metal band is warming up.  

Dog walks are still a requirement, so I suited up and we headed out.  Imagine my surprise when I see a Red Tail Hawk "caught" in a chain near one of the campground cabins.  Further investigation showed several birds on stands and a human guardian.  The dogs and I quickly retreated to continue our walk in a different area of the campground.  

The next night, I grabbed the camera and went to visit.  Turns out three guys were in the area to hunt jack rabbits with raptors.  The raptors:

and one cutie-patootie ACD, named Sookie:

Napaaaa!!!!

Given my history, I knew I needed an escort for a trip to Napa.  My high school buddy, Trish, answered the call and came out to my campground.  The campground host assumed Trish was my sister.  My family grows every day!


The original plan was limited to hitting random Napa Valley wineries.  The only rule was NO tour bus parking.  We started at the Black Stallion winery

then moved to Chimney Rock.  After that, we had to head back to town because *somebody* forgot to fill up The Big Girl Truck and we all know it SUCKS gas!  However... that worked well as we found Trefethern Winery.  The tasting was outstanding.  An added bonus, we got to try a 21 year old Chardonnay which was very interesting - can't say it was good or bad, just interesting.  Note the size of the bottles at Trefethorn:

On the advice of our server, we headed to Robert Sinskey where the view was beautiful

It was a fantastic day!

Sierra Nevada in The Sierra Nevada

Garmin 465t

I decided to buy a new GPS for this trip.  A 27 foot trailer is not as big as a big rig, but with my driving/backing skills - I figure that a big margin of error is a good thing.  

In the truck mode, GPS chick is kind, caring, cautious and would never let you get in trouble.  

In Auto mode, GPS chick is the same sadistic bitch.  On the way out of Yosemite, she sent me down 12 miles of 1.5 lane back country roads.  These roads had weeds growing in the asphalt.  And yes, California hill-folk pitch refrigerators off the hills just like the WV hill-folk.  

On the positive side - I saw territory I wouldn't have seen otherwise :)

Yosemite - Day 1.4

On the way out of Yosemite, I got this cool view

I took a different way out in order to scout the Merced.  Unfortunately, The Merced flows through NPS property - no kayaking :(  It would be an awesome run.  Road-side run with 8% grade!

Yosemite - Day 1.3

When (not if!) you go to Yosemite, start at the South Entrance and take Highway 41 towards Yosemite Valley.  You will gasp as you emerge from the Tunnel.  One of the most photographed views from Yosemite:

Okay - I won't always be there to greet you, but it's still worth the trip :)  Once you are down in the Valley, you can see Bridal Veil Falls

In the Village, you can catch a shuttle that stops at the trailheads for all the cool spots like Happy, Isles, Yosemite Falls, Vernal Falls.  Since I was on the express trip, I didn't catch the shuttle but will be back!

Yosemite - Day 1.2

From there I headed to Glacier Point (about 30 miles drive), it was cool to see Half Dome, El Capitan and the Valley.  What was not so cool was the sheer drop off!

Yosemite - Day 1.1

After a bowl of lamb stew and a quick run for the dogs, I set off for Yosemite.  If this National Park is not on your Have Done or Must Do list, get it there!  It is quite literally breath-taking.  My pictures will NOT do justice, but I'll share anyway.

I came in the south entrance and headed to the Mariposa Grove of Giants.  The Redwoods are ENORMOUS - It's hard to grasp the scale.  I only walked a mile back into the grove.  Maps indicate that I could have gone a lot farther.

Yosemite - Day .5

One of my youthful dreams (okay delusions) was to escape the ranch by becoming a photographer.  My role model was Ansel Adams.  I did escape the ranch by means other than photography.  However, my love of photography and Ansel Adams has continued.  

I am thrilled that my first full weekend in California is a three day weekend with free admittance to national parks.  Number one on the list is Yosemite.  So, I loaded up the dogs and trailer and headed for Park of the Sierras.  This is a members only 500+ site campground.  I had to be escorted to my site and the manager suggested that I keep the map with me as there are 5 miles of paved path in the campground!  The campground has 40 acres that are currently undeveloped and open for off-leash running.   The dogs and I just have to be on the lookout for bobcat and rattlesnakes :(

My campsite (which was perfectly level!) :

I suspect this weekend will test my problems with vertigo.  A view from the drive:

Tactical error?

My new campsite is awesome - note the palm trees!  But might have been a tactical error!

The slide is within 5 inches of the tree.  Who would have guessed that California squirrels were as insane as Ohio squirrels?  These squirrels use the tree as a jungle gym.  The dogs may go through the window to eat them.

A craptacular day

I am grateful for:

truck brakes that work when trailer brakes don't (at the beginning of a 14 mile 6% grade)
tire companies that deliver and install road-side
surviving the noxious haze that was over most of SoCal
the insurance policy on my dead phone
having a second credit card when the fraud alert is triggered on the primary card

But most of all.... I am grateful to be parked in a random site at my new home away from home and glad that this craptacular day is nearly done :)

The first post

I'm trying out the whole blogging thing.  One of my Luddite friends (no names mentioned - Da Pope) is boycotting FB and I'm lazy.  A blog seems like a simple way to inflict my life on a lot of people.


If you are interested, tune in for sporadic posts on the gypsy lifestyle that I've chosen.