MudNCrud Forums
Sitting and Day Dreaming => Mud Puddle => Topic started by: Brad Young on November 18, 2011, 06:30:08 PM
-
Yes, it's an expression that our friend Joe often uses to sign off in emails. It applies here though to describe my anticipation of a Young family backpacking trip now scheduled for the first week of April, 2012.
If the weather allows we will spend five or six days then in the San Rafael Wilderness, an extensive and beautiful land north of Santa Barbara. I fell in love with this wilderness when I was in college in the early 1980s. I spent many trips there, both solo and with college friends. It's a dry country, except where it gets over 5,000 feet in elevation. And except in the riparian zones which are filled with trees and water. The land of Manzana Creek, The Sisquoc River, and The Hurricane Deck.
I went back periodically after college. And then I went back one last time, in April, 1992. This time I had a plan.
I didn't have much time off work then, but I invested a whole week in a backpacking trip with a woman. We eventually went eight days and 65 miles. It was a wonderful trip. We saw turtles and (we think) a bear. We crossed the river a few dozen times. We tried and didn't like Jagermeister (even over snow, which we found in the high elevations later in the trip). And we enjoyed campfires in the evenings in warm-but-not-hot April weather.
Around the first night's campfire I set the plan in motion. Over schnapps and hot chocolate we talked about love and life, about how well we got along and about shared values. I casually asked how she'd respond if I ever asked her to marry me. She said she'd say "yes," but she was equally casual. So I said "will you marry me?" She said "sure, when?" I had a date in mind and told it to her (September - a good time for honeymooning on the coast). But she still didn't think that I was at all serious. Then I pulled out the ring; she understood. And, for her, it was too late.
Fast forward now to 20 years later. In the last few years I've been getting older slides and photos scanned. I finally scanned the "engagement backpack trip" photos. I did this in preparation for this upcoming Young family backpack which will take us down Manzana Creek, up The Sisquoc River, and all the way around The Hurricane Deck. This time there will be four of us. And we'll have the 20-year old photos along. At minimum we'll try to find and take photos of four at the campsite where "Mom" and "Dad" got engaged. We'll also try to find some of the other places along the way.
This Tuesday Katie, Tricia and I are finally getting together with Bob Walton to do Costanoan at Pinnacles West Side (after four years of trying to plan it and getting stumped by the weather). I'll likely do a trip report, and so it's time to get the engagement trip photos off Flickr and onto here, before they get pushed back too far.
I expect that the shock value will be fun: photos of Vicki and I when we were just kids. Where have the two decades gone?
And so, in no particular order, and ready for a companion "20 years later" set to come, the engagement backpacking trip photos:
Vicki on the first day, hiking down Manzana Creek:
(http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6056/6311370978_8e51575e6a_b.jpg)
(http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6043/6310844927_899e48a3db_z.jpg)
Springtime flowers:
(http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6094/6310849281_a75b6a71ae_z.jpg)
Looking up the Sisquoc River, past Forester's Leap, day four:
(http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6050/6310848979_c37f002c71_z.jpg)
Crossing the river, day two:
(http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6213/6310847757_6f20952ffe_z.jpg)
Sealed ziplocks resulted in a floating dog:
(http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6111/6310847249_085695f826_z.jpg)
Just a boy:
(http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6235/6310845755_48a399408c_z.jpg)
With his dog:
(http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6092/6310845477_5d157b6efd_z.jpg)
The ridge in the center distance is The Hurricane Deck:
(http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6218/6311366616_0460c910a8_z.jpg)
Napping in Mormon Camp, day two:
(http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6060/6310844653_9b5bb51a62_z.jpg)
And that's all until after dinner.
-
Several pretty flowers:
(http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6034/6311364358_c66aa40e29_z.jpg)
The fourth morning:
(http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6221/6310843587_02aab6221c_z.jpg)
Middle Bear Camp, upper Sisquoc River:
(http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6107/6311364056_9a9aea2df1_z.jpg)
Atop San Rafael Peak:
(http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6226/6311363008_bbc2be9b7d_z.jpg)
And, finally, the campsite where Vicki and I got engaged, on The Sisquoc River, below Wheat Peak. We'll try to find the same spot this coming April:
(http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6235/6311361672_b443eafd58_z.jpg)
To be continued...
-
*Like*
-
sweet
-
Wait, I spy a different pack. Or is it your current pack, just new?
-
It's not my climbing pack, it's my blue Lowe backpacking pack. But not new, even then. I got it in 1983 (it probably weighs twice as much as modern packs with the same capacity).
-
Can't get a good eyeball on Brad's pack, but Vic's pack is a TNF pack, if my identification is correct. They designed it with a slightly shorter torso in mind aka for women. Though I could have it mistaken with one of their travel packs.
-
Brad,
Missed your call the other day. The reschedule sounds good. Do not rember the date but whatever......
-
Munge: good eye for an old guy. Spot on on her pack.
Mud: I'll call again.
-
GREAT TR and thanks. BTW- those shorts are awesome
-
Sign, munge, that was the tnf Burma road pack.
-
Sign, munge, that was the tnf Burma road pack.
good recall!
-
Used to sell them....
Brad, did you ever stop off in Solvang after your hikes? Not sure if that's on the way.
-
The road into the trailhead leaves Highway 154 right near Solvang. But that place is pretty touristy - at least on weekends.
-
Nice
The tourist thing isn't too bad. Love them cookies.
I grew up down there visiting my grandma. I'll have to check it out on a map.
Nice place to live.
-
Wow, it's been quiet around here for the week.
We just got back from a week-long family reunion in Hawaii and we're heading out on our backpack, leaving this afternoon. The weather report looks very favorable, we're mostly packed.
And, here's the part that is unreal: today is Tricia's 10th birthday. Where have ten years gone? Where have 20 years gone? They go fast, but the result has been many, many fine memories. With many more to come.
I'm so looking forward to Manzana Creek and the Sisquoc River.
-
Enjoy the hike. It will be nice down there.
Get some of those Danish cookies....yummie
-
Thanks for the wishes. We're staying tonight in Buelton, about five miles from Solvang.
Meanwhile, here's a few from Hawaii (we flew in to six inches of snow at home last night, and it's nice to see the warm weather again quickly - at least in photos). Starting with the girls surfing:
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7261/7036064291_7fd335ff33_c.jpg)
Here's Tricia on a surfboard:
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7266/6889967230_4e1f1d57aa_c.jpg)
At the southern-most point in the United States:
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7057/7035953437_11c0362650_c.jpg)
Extended family body surfing at the southern end of the big island:
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7065/7036009951_2909f33be9_c.jpg)
And now, we're off...
-
cool, surfing on Hawaii. The girls will love remembering that for a long while.
At least I did. One of the few times I've ever been able to surf was on Kauai.
-
Great shots of a great trip Brad. Enjoy your backpack trip
-
Nice
-
Awesome ! Went to visit my sisters' and brothers' families about a month ago .. could not believe how fast the little neices and nephews are growing up.
-
Original post was in 2011. :o
-
Original post was in 2011. :o
yes my better half already told me so i deleted the post - but you caught me!
-
Well, we had a fantastic trip: excellent, on-the-cool-side weather, perfect amounts of water in the drainages, trails that varied from quite good to "I think this one still exists," nice animal sitings, a near-full moon, and overall family fun (with a little squabbling here and there as is normal with any family that includes a teenager). Everything went as planned and hoped for.
I got carried away though with the number of photos. Although I'll only post a few, in order to easily get them loaded up on Flickr and then use them from that site, I'll need to do five installments of further trip reports (one for each day).
We stayed in the Santa Ynez Valley the night before we started. This gave us a one hour drive to the trailhead. Our start from Nira Campground was, as always, smooth and practiced:
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7126/7054294463_d323396961_c.jpg)
We planned on a ten mile first day down Manzana Creek to a very popular backpacking campsite called Manzana Schoolhouse. This site is at the junction of Manzana Creek and the Sisquoc River:
(http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5343/7054297063_6681108c92_c.jpg)
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7178/6908207254_4b34f8824d_c.jpg)
Backpacking isn't Vicki's first choice for vacationing any more. To make sure she will continue occasional trips with me, she gets preferential treatment. Things like fresh brewed coffee every morning (with cream). This trip we gave her a daypack only (Katie carried two sleeping bags):
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7233/6908215538_e05999db9c_c.jpg)
The ten mile hike is all downhill and very gradual at that. But it also crosses the creek often (and frequently). We made 33 crossings on the first day (on the Sisquoc during the next two days we made many, many more). At first the girls tried to stay dry, boulder hopping initially, and then changing into Tevas at each crossing. After about 10 crossings they realized that it was much easier to just get their shoes wet:
(http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5348/6908225010_a17c4e47dd_c.jpg)
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7247/7054301821_c432c993f2_c.jpg)
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7212/6908210510_e8d1ef1137_c.jpg)
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7054/7054304633_ceb498f790_c.jpg)
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7133/7054308003_56d978682b_c.jpg)
The dogs, of course had no worries about crossings:
(http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5115/7054310783_82be21014b_c.jpg)
And some crossings were easier than others:
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7132/6908222586_0db0f0b504_c.jpg)
The whole Manzana Schoolhouse area used to be a small farming/ranching community (a century ago - it is now slowly reverting to wilderness). Thus, as we neared Manzana Schoolhouse we encountered an old settler's cabin:
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7238/6908225652_14c09ee160_c.jpg)
We tried to replicate some of the photos from 20 years ago. On the first day we had only very slight success. Twenty years ago:
(http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6043/6310844927_899e48a3db_z.jpg)
This trip:
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7042/6908218036_87e3e8262e_c.jpg)
Eventually we arrived at Schoolhouse. We made camp and explored the area:
(http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5332/6908228680_ef5f138c4e_c.jpg)
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7115/6908227500_02c7fa4ecb_c.jpg)
(http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5466/7054322225_7dac02932d_c.jpg)
And so we ended a fun first day...
-
We started day two with a family photo:
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7103/7141215787_76cd7c23b2_c.jpg)
Then we crossed Manzana Creek again and headed up the Sisquoc:
(http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5156/7054653099_079947cc4b_c.jpg)
I knew roughly where Vicki and I had camped 20 years ago the night we got engaged. I had one photo of it, taken the next morning. I was surprised though how easily I found the exact location this time. Twenty years ago:
(http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6235/6311361672_b443eafd58_z.jpg)
This trip:
(http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5195/6908561766_3cbcbb670f_c.jpg)
After the "photo shoot" we continued up the Sisquoc. In this area the river basin is very broad. The trail typically travels one side of the canyon and then just kinda disappears. That's when a hiker crosses the river and looks for the "trail" continuing on the other side:
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7272/7054658561_ec955a6587_c.jpg)
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7241/6908568780_3ef03c4893_c.jpg)
(http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5038/7054662677_45dfef68bd_c.jpg)
The whole lower part of the Sisquoc is some of the wildest country I've ever been in. I've done this part of the river now four or five times over the years and seen two other parties of people there ever. And the hiking is nearly cross country. There's no real way to keep a trail intact in a wide flood plain that gets really serious floods every 20 years or so. Our progress this day was slow, but that was what we had expected:
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7116/7054666635_ccdddd8e01_c.jpg)
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7110/7054667665_bef7eb435f_c.jpg)
Just like before, crossings varied from broad and shallow to deep, and the dogs loved it (again). Twenty years ago:
(http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6111/6310847249_085695f826_z.jpg)
This trip:
(http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5120/6908576742_566726ae27_c.jpg)
We encountered a beaver dam:
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7071/6908580368_1ba4c7bfb3_c.jpg)
Just in case there was any doubt:
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7251/7054676353_7cdbd1c5e6_c.jpg)
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7055/7054675815_cd14a97d1a_c.jpg)
And then we ended a nice day in another of the already established backcountry camps in this area, Miller Canyon Camp:
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7178/6908586210_dbbc07a2ba_c.jpg)
-
Our third day was all spent on the Sisquoc again. And, although we only spent six hours hiking, it was tough enough that we only progressed five miles. We started the day with one of many (surprise coming!) river crossings:
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7220/6908852604_955f7bf334_c.jpg)
An established camp that we passed is called Cliff Camp. Here is it's namesake (if Gavin reads this, the Sisquoc area used to be known as serious condor country and has a designated "condor refuge"):
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7278/6908859132_367425c9d1_c.jpg)
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7053/7054953927_68d4b89a9d_c.jpg)
Some of the crossings this day were not just deep, but swift. Although Tricia is one tough ten year old, I stood by to help her a few times (then, when we arrived in camp that afternoon we realized that some of the crossings were so deep that the sleeping bag that she'd been carrying in her pack was wet - from the bottom of the pack being in the water!):
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7127/6908863868_d964fd3289_c.jpg)
We arrived at Sycamore Camp by three o'clock. It was so pretty we decided to stay there that night (as can be seen these back country camps really consist of a fire ring, a designation on a map, and, sometimes, a camp table):
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7074/6908868916_ddc190d08d_c.jpg)
We were able to match one other of the photos from 20 years ago (although the lighting is different). Twenty years ago:
(http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6221/6310843587_02aab6221c_z.jpg)
From this trip (the tree on the left is older and bigger, but has the same bend; the rocks are in different light, but are the same):
(http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5272/7054956929_7727573d36_c.jpg)
Astute studiers of that last photo (Munge?) might see the knife in Vicki's hand. Actually it's a scissors, and it's not for me, it's from working on the burrs from the dog's fur:
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7201/6908864372_b4ed99cbff_c.jpg)
By now the girls were in calorie deficit. So I gave them packets of high calorie almond butter. Katie, who'd insisted on carrying a package of marshmallows for roasting, immediately suggested that they eat the almond butter on marshmallows for maximum caloric effect:
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7087/6908870460_be58511fff_c.jpg)
-
good for smiles and laughs so far...
-
Our fourth day turned out to be longer then I'd anticipated. Given the milage we had left to finish, all three girls decided to go for the car in two days and not three.
The day started out with the most difficult river crossing of all - waist deep water over four inches of mud (Dennis ought to like that). Katie moved across first, and then realizing that her sister's pack would be in the water if she crossed with it, she went back and crossed again, carrying Tricia's pack and helping her:
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7089/6909786058_eca79aa37d_c.jpg)
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7113/6909786946_e82d125882_c.jpg)
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7105/6909787354_43e7892bc9_c.jpg)
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7267/7055875833_c897494443_c.jpg)
We then continued up the Sisquoc to its junction with White Ledge Canyon (so named for the long series of sandstone cliffs that line it for a few miles). This part of the hike was easier than the lower part of the river, since there is a decent trail (which is up off the river) for much of the remaining several miles:
(http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5447/6909789328_e900490beb_c.jpg)
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7127/7055881871_6bdbe0c5ee_c.jpg)
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7049/7055888615_237e3d5e47_c.jpg)
(http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5080/6909804190_6a5906e07d_c.jpg)
White Ledge Canyon leads up from the Sisquoc toward Manzana Creek. It requires a fair amount of uphill. It was 6:00 by the time we'd finished the up part, and we were pretty tired. We'd also climbed to 4,000 feet by now and the wind and temperatures made for very cold conditions. So we found a nice flow of water and a pretty flat spot and set up camp:
(http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5032/7055895891_f68f23176e_c.jpg)
Although we tried to have a campfire, the wind and cold were too much and we soon retired to the tent for hot soup and dinner:
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7089/6909809116_cb6bf91d72_c.jpg)
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7138/7055898453_b88cde7194_c.jpg)
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7044/6909809640_5cac7b2850_c.jpg)
Although it got down below freezing overnight, we were warm until morning (when I had to get out to get breakfast stuff going). It was a nice last night's camp which set us up well for a full, but not too long hike out on day five.
-
knife spotted!
I see a return trip in another 20 years in your future!
-
I see a return trip in another 20 years in your future!
Don't let Vicki see that comment or she'll write you out of the will!
-
ssssshhhhhhhhhhhhhh
you gotta surprise her with it.
definitely don't say you're going right after you got back too! lol let the bruises heal first.
-
On our last day a very cold morning meant breakfast in the tent:
(http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5193/7057771567_90e712aebd_c.jpg)
Vicki got to examine the bruise incurred in a stream crossing fall:
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7278/6911690238_c145c4c73d_c.jpg)
And then we were off in still very cold conditions. First to the edge of the Manzana Canyon, then down switchbacks and then down the creek itself to the car (the girls were already scheming about In and Out burgers):
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7222/6911694752_98a5786fb1_c.jpg)
(http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5450/7057782385_61624da89d_c.jpg)
We stopped at Manzana Narrows Camp for water and food. This is a very popular, very pretty, short backpacking destination:
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7037/6911709276_3bdb92c97c_c.jpg)
(http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5444/6911712928_6a345e2e8e_c.jpg)
(http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5457/7057797635_67fdfc69b9_c.jpg)
And then on down the creek by way of a good trail:
(http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5238/7057800225_a2674bed2e_c.jpg)
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7220/7057805979_8807c20cdd_c.jpg)
We had a nice creekside lunch, and, finally saw our "good luck" horned toad (they became a good luck token for us on the trip 20 years ago; we almost always see them):
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7258/6911725576_d8811c7453_c.jpg)
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7176/7057817979_b884e7f3b3_c.jpg)
We made it back to the truck in good time (Vicki really kicked butt on the hiking this trip), and took off to dinner, home, showers and warm beds:
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7756/17169707189_210357ea08_c.jpg)
P.S. Munge, Vicki read your post about 20 years from now. All I can say is that I'm glad I'm not you ;D
-
some good rock in some of those pics
deep water slab
some nice sandstone above that, eh?
-
Nice shots ! Have backpacked quite a bit in the northern Los Padres NF (Ventana/Silver Peak Wilderness) but have yet to visit the south.
-
super enjoyable reading and looking at your anniversary adventure...although sadly a few of the pics aren't coming through right now. cliffs do look tempting and i'm totally down with the In N Out Burgers idea too - that is the great side advantage to the West Side at Pinns as well...happy trails!
-
Yeah, about the photos not coming through, Flickr is being weird on how it downloads and stores the photos. Basically it is taking a day or more before photos stored there find a permanent address, as (apparently) to a temporary/thumbnail address. I'll fix the (three?) broken links tonight when I get home.
And the rock there isn't actually as good as it looks from a distance. Not only is it waaay in the back country, it's all less than optimal sandstone, or worse. The nearest same-type rock I can think of is Mount Diablo sandstone, but in this case it is still scaly and not cleaned up.
And, Rhyang, I've also backpacked very extensively in the Ventana. The San Rafael Wilderness is drier, but also seems bigger and wilder. It's very worth a visit if you like wild country.
-
OK, links fixed now.
-
Great TR and pictures!! Especially loved the way back pics...great memories both backward and forward. Looks like you had a very fun family adventure.
-
Brad, what a classic trip! Thanks for sharing it with us. The photos are great. That looks like some rough country and the river crossings reminded me of my first backpack trip with Phyllis. She fell into the Carmel River and lost (temporarily) her shoes. I know what a happy camper doesn't look like.
-
Tricia got all A+ on her report card again. So, with her teacher's permission, I'm taking her out of school for this coming week. She and I are going to backpack the upper Sisquoc River, the Mission Pine Basin, and grab the summit of Big Pine Mountain (Santa Barbara County's high point).
This is the other half of the longer loop that Vicki and I did when we got engaged in April, 1992 (last spring we didn't have enough time to repeat all of the loop, we only did half of it).
We'll get as high as 6,700 feet in some of southern California's prettiest wilderness. So, signing off for now.
-
Sounds like a blast! Have fun, be safe and tell T-girl Gomer says hey.
-
I somehow missed this entire post until now. Tell Trisha congratulations.
-
We had an absolutely fantastic 60 miles in six days. We bagged Big Pine Peak, Santa Barbara County's high point, hiked the Mission Pine Trail ("The Santa Barbara High trail"), experienced some horrific trail conditions, saw more bear poop in one area than I've ever seen before and just had a great dad and daughter trip.
We did a leisurely drive to Dawson's after getting out yesterday, and have a family event here in San Jose later today. Then home for the first time in a week.
-
Memorable experience for sure!
This June, my nephew from China will arrive in the Bay Area (Wastonville, CA) to start his 9th grade as a boarding student. I'm the guardian and we are his only relatives in the US. Suddenly, a 16 year old will enter our lives out of blue. I feel a bit nervous and even anxious to say the least. I'm thankful that Mr. Mud is very welcoming (even more than I am) and is quite relaxed about it.
-
Relaxed? Heck I am excited, going to have to buy a bicycle! There is nothing not to like about bicycle shoping.
-
This June, my nephew from China will arrive in the Bay Area (Wastonville, CA) to start his 9th grade as a boarding student.
How cool! Can we help?
-
We had an absolutely fantastic 60 miles in six days.
That's an impressive pace. Glad you two had a blast - memories like that last a lifetime!
summit pic?
-
That's an impressive pace. Glad you two had a blast - memories like that last a lifetime!
summit pic?
I think I'll do a trip report; mostly photos as usual (this makes for an easy way to share with the family - for those of us too elite to be on BookFace).
-
@Brad
I think we will have him for about a week maybe two then he is off to school. Once he is in school I do not know how often they will let him out. I think we have to arrange dates. The first year I think will be tough since he will be learning English and a new culture and all. I do not think he has been camping so we do plan on taking him out somewhere. Since he will be in the Watsonville area I would like to introduce him to Monterey and the Aquarium. I think it would be cool to introduce him to climbing, perhaps take him fishing for a day. You know, throw him in the deep end and watch him drown. Basic redneck stuff. Not sure how it will play out but can keep you in the loop.
Will post up when we find out his arrival date.
Really appreciate the offer
-
@Brad
I think we will have him for about a week maybe two then he is off to school. Once he is in school I do not know how often they will let him out. I think we have to arrange dates. The first year I think will be tough since he will be learning English and a new culture and all. I do not think he has been camping so we do plan on taking him out somewhere. Since he will be in the Watsonville area I would like to introduce him to Monterey and the Aquarium. I think it would be cool to introduce him to climbing, perhaps take him fishing for a day. You know, throw him in the deep end and watch him drown. Basic redneck stuff. Not sure how it will play out but can keep you in the loop.
Will post up when we find out his arrival date.
Really appreciate the offer
Make him lead the mud! ROPE GUN!!!!
-
seriously, I do need a rope gun.
-
Who doesn't!!!
-
Gavin
-
How cool! Can we help?
Brad, thanks for asking. You and Vicki's experience in raising two teenagers will definitely be my source of wisdom when the time comes.
-
Gavin
Hey, I'm ready. Who wants to climb what?!
-
Granite, soon. Party this weekend.
-
Wow, six years have passed already!
We're leaving in an hour for Santa Maria. We'll spend the night there and drive to the trailhead in the morning. We're going to do the same 43 mile loop trip for this year's spring break. Not only am I looking forward to it, Vicki, Tricia and Katie have all emphatically said the same thing over the last few days. And our weather's expected to be brilliant, if a little cold.
Almost packed:
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/805/27139351298_9732c15c28_c.jpg)
-
Streams will be full. Have a great trip Young'ses.
-
Almost packed:
Why is clink's purse in your vehicle?
-
Great minds...
-
Why is clink's purse in your vehicle?
“Great minds” maybe. Would it help to know that the purse belongs to the dogs?
-
Well then, you both know what you can do.
-
Both can’t have any money in them.
-
Have fun! Glad I didn't stop by Monday night. :) Pics on return please.