Gary-Summer: 2026

Friday, February 20, 2026

February 20, 2026 - Go to Los Angeles

Title: February 20, 2026 - Go to Los Angeles

Hike Info : Description : Background

Hike Info:

Type:Car

From Google Maps:

Mileage: 255 miles
Drive Time: 4:14

Description:

California Historical Landmark

Last night Sherri asked when we should leave today. I said an hour and a half after she gets up. Today she got up at 8; I got up at 7. We did our final preparations and left at 10 with Sherri driving. The plan for today is to visit Fort Tejon State Historical Park, then the Chatsworth Public Library to renew our Los Angeles Library cards. If we have enough time, we will stop by Mission San Fernando.

Sherri drove to Bakersfield, which is her usual. We filled up with gas at Costco and then went on. We got to Fort Tejon State Historical Park and stopped there. It is a bit cool: 38 degrees. But in the sun, it is pleasant enough, as long as you have enough covering. There is an admission charge, but we have a Limited Senior Pass to State Parks and use it. We found a picnic table in the sun to have our lunch-the usual, peanut butter and Nutella sandwiches.

Sherri exiting the barracks

The park has a self-guided audio tour which we got through a QR code. We followed the route it described. First, it talks about the Park in general and how it was used as an outpost before the Civil War. Around 300 men were stationed here, along with some wives of men. They even had a “band”, at least someone who could play the bugle various signals, such as calls to formation, reveille, and calls to the mess. Then we went to the barracks, where there were displays of the various armaments, uniforms and artifacts of the Fort. After the tour, Sherri and I wandered the grounds for a bit before returning to the car.

By the time we started up, it is 1:40. It is close to an hour to San Fernando. Since it closed at 4:00, we decided to stop there before going to the library. We get to Mission San Fernando del Rey a bit before 3. We went inside the mission entrance and found it would be $10 a piece. We decided that for the $20 it will cost us to be there for an hour, we should come back another day when we can spend some more time. As a note, when we did Capture California, we visited the mission, but did not go in. The note I had was that it was the least inviting mission we had visited.

We left and went to the Chatsworth Library to renew my Los Angeles library card. It was a short 20 minute drive to the library. There, we went in and the librarian there quickly renewed my card, asking about the contact information. Sherri tried to get her card renewed, but it did not need it. Is it because she is a better person? Obviously. But that was not the reason for the difference. Apparently my email address was mucked up on their system and hers was not. So she got automatically renewed and I was not.

The actual library is spacious, but seems a bit minimal as far as books are concerned. After getting out of the library, we spent a few minutes trying to figure out where to sleep tonight. We are looking at someplace between Chatsworth and Ventura. There were some nice places along the beach in Ventura, but we really do not need the beach after all it will be dark soon. I found a Quality Inn at Camarillo along Highway 101.

Chatsworth Library

Google feels like it is taking us along all the backroads it can find, not that I mind. We pass by several nurseries which makes Sherri’s day. The Quality Inn is pretty presentable, so we go with it. The check-in clerk is friendly and when Sherri asks about eating places, she gives some thoughts. The only two things which I can complain about is that the window in our room really needs to be cleaned better-they looked like they had some pretty bad water stains. The other is that the bed is a bit small for a couple of big, older people. But we can live with it-guess we will be a bit cozy.

We take up the clerk’s recommendation for dinner. We go to Yolanda

Storefront by Yolands's

’s, about a mile away. Parking is a bit of an issue, but we found a place. The restaurant is popular and we wait about 20 minutes for a seat. Not bad. Sherri has enchilada al comal, along with a margarita, while I have a combination of a chili relleno and cheese enchilada. The relleno is pretty much most other one Mexican places. My preference is like the relleno that Casa Quentero’s used to make before they changed their recipe. This is more like the new one. Still, I have a lot of food and do not finish the plate.

We got back to the room about 7, pretty tired. We just rested for the rest of the evening, going to sleep around 10.

Background

Other places when we saw included the jail, guardhouse, officers quarters. There were vacant areas designated where buildings used to stand, such as the kitchen, another officer’s building. Also there is a cemetery plot for Peter Lebec. I had wondered how the town got its name. Now to dig a bit more into him.

Trip Advisor Review:

Yolanda’s. The first sign that we might be in for something good is that the parking lot was full. The next was we had a 20 minute wait to be seated. The question always is, is the place worth it? It was. My wife had the enchilada al comal which she raved over. I had a combination plate of an enchilada and chile relleno. On my part, it was about average-but then a combo plate is almost always middle of the road. Our serve was friendly and served us well.

Thursday, February 12, 2026

February 12, 2026 - San Joaquin River

Title: February 12, 2026 - San Joaquin River

Hike Info : Description : Animals

Hike Info:

Type: Hiking

Trail head: Ave 9

Trail: Van Buren and roads

Destination: None

Distance: 5.08 miles

Start Time: 8:54

End Time: 11:36

Travel Time: 2:41 (1.89 mph)

Moving Time: 2:14 (2.27 mph)

Elevation Rise: 324 '

Descent: 288‘

Maximum Elevation: 297'

Minimum Elevation: 243'

GPS Tracks

Description:

Steven and Korra on Van Bueren Trail

Today’s hike is going to be local and short. The reason is that tonight I have a book group meeting and I want to make sure I am somewhat fresh and rested, rather than going in smelly and tired. I am pretty much prepared and just need to get an agenda for it.

There are some trails on the north side of the San Joaquin River on the west side of highway 41. The San Joaquin River Conservancy and the The San Joaquin River Parkway and Conservation Trust' called the area Sycamore Island. It is a perfect day for a walk in this area. We start off about 9 with a temperature of 51 degrees. The starting place is on Avenue 9, by the driver range, just past the overpass. There is not really a parking area, but there is enough of an area to pull the car off of the side of the road.

The first eighth of a mile is on a paved road. The road has a closed gate, so there is no worry about traffic coming down the road. When we come close to the River, the road turns west. Shortly after this turn, we come to the junction with the van Bueren Trail. This trail leaves the road and becomes a single track heading north. We travel through the green grasses, which is nice now-in three months this grass will dry and turn brown. The trail goes along the northern boundary of the Conservancy property. There is an orchard of almond trees, all decked out in white.

Sherri on Van Bueren Trail

Eventually the trail crosses the road and we walk close to some of the ponds which line the river. While crossing the road, I stopped to see what my oxygen level was and down went the pulse-ox. When I picked it up, the button to turn it on was missing. Guess I will never know what my O2 was at that point.

Still the ponds and pools were interesting to look at. We were getting close to the Old Muddy Pond. As we grow closer, we hear the laughter of children. And then we see the Pond and there are some canoes with the children in them. It is good to hear kids enjoying themselves in the outdoors-it builds appreciation of being out here. I think this is put on by the The San Joaquin River Parkway.

Steven and Sherri

Where the activities are set up, there are a couple outhouses which we avail ourselves of. We also have an energy bar. I had a 10:30 or so turn around time. We still had about 10-15 minutes before we needed to turn around. But we decided that we might as well turn around now.

We head back, mostly on the road. Sherri asks me about a book I just finished, Heartwood by Amity Gaige. I gave her a 15 minute summary of the book.

The road is smooth, so it is easy to look around. Since I am facing the River while talking with Sherri, I spot some white on the River. Upon closer look, there are three white birds floating. I initially think they are heron’s, but Sherri thinks the bills look more like pelicans. After consulting Google Lens, it seems like Sherri is right. A little ways further we see an egret-definitely not a pelican. Egret are common around here while pelicans, not so much-those white birds may be American White Pelicans, by the way.

As we get closer to the car, I think we all are glad to be on the final stretch. Not sure if it is because we are not used to hiking so much or age is catching up or something else, but both Sherri and I are tired. We get to the car at 11:40 and take a few minutes to unload. It seems a bit warm, but when we start the car up, it says it is only 63.

I am thinking of a hot shower and a peanut butter sandwich. Steven suggests that since we are out this way, that we go to Lazy Dog. Sounds good. Korra is welcome on the patio as long as she behaves herself. We have a good meal with enough left over for a meal tonight. Then it is home for the shower.

Animals

American White Pelican

Egret

Wednesday, February 11, 2026

February 5, 2026 - Blue Oak Trail

Title: February 5, 2026 - Blue Oak Trail

Hike Info : Description : Extra Photo's : Animals : Flowers and Plants

Hike Info:

Type: Hiking

Trail head: Blue Oak Picnic Area

Trail: Blue Oak Trail

Destination: Closed trail in Winchell Cove

Distance: 5.78 miles

Start Time: 1:53

End Time: 5:06

Travel Time: 3:12 (1.81 mph)

Moving Time: 2:35 (2.24 mph)

Elevation Rise: 616'

Descent: 548‘

Maximum Elevation: 606'

GPS Tracks

Description:

Today we were to go back up to Badger Pass. But yesterday in the morning it was quite foggy. Also I really lacked a lot of energy. So I called off that activity and said lets see what Thursday brings. If things look good, we can do a hike at Millerton. Today there was hardly any fog and I had at least some energy. So it will be off to Millerton after lunch.

Mystery Boat

Rachel comes over about 11 and continues her work on a puzzle we got at Christmas time of Horseshoe Bend. It is driving us nuts. I have my lunch at noon and have a brief siesta and am ready to go at 1pm. We actually leave about 1:10 with me driving to Millerton. There is some confusion about where the Blue Oak Trail is-not by me. It is on the south side of the lake. We get to the picnic area and park there instead of at the end of the road. This will give us about three more miles of walking. We parked about 1:40 and were ready to hike at 1:50. Before we started, I shed my long sleeve shirt and take off my pants legs. Even though it is February, it is that warm of a day.

The trail from the picnic grounds to the end of the road is not all that interesting. On the west side of the trail, there is the road; the east side has a fence which is the border of the State Recreation Area. Beyond the fence are houses with barking dogs and overlooks of the lake. The trail goes over a series of low ridges and shallow ravines.

I feel like I am walking pretty well. I am in the lead with Rachel following me. Sherri and Steven follow at various lengths behind. We make pretty good time, probably walking around 2½ mph. There are some wildflowers along the way-Blue Dicks, Skunk Monkeyflowers and Popcorn flowers is what I think we mostly encountered.

A little past the end of the road is a bench. It gives a nice view of the lake and we stopped there for about 15 minutes just to gaze onto the lake-and if the truth be known, also to give my lungs a respite.

A little ways further we spot something moving in what appears to be a haphazard way in the lake. There does not appear to be anybody and to the naked eye it is a strange shape for a boat. Out comes some binoculars and I get my phone’s camera to a good magnification. It is a boat with a couple of fishing poles out the rear, a sonar in front and a guy dressed in light blue almost motionless sitting in the middle. Mystery solved! It can be interesting to speculate, then a bit relieving to come up with something definite.

Then it is off again. Rachel and I talk about various subjects. Like last week, it is one of the pleasures of walking with my children. They have all reached the age where they have a certain maturity of thought. This makes it fun and many times enlightening hearing from them.

Mystery Building

I had set a 3:30 turn around time. If we had not reached the end of the trail, we would turn around anyway. I wish I could say it was because of superior planning, but we reached the part of the trail which has been closed for about a year now right at 3:30. We enjoy the view here as well. Like when Sherri and I were here in December, the trail is still closed because the trail is endangered of being eroded away.

We are hoping to get back to the car at 5 before the sun goes down. Off we go. We had seen a building a bit beyond the docks at the entrance to Winchell Cove. I am speculating that it is an outhouse-later on when I look at the pictures, I am thinking it is something else. The mountains which we are seeing beyond it, which should be covered with snow, presents a nice backdrop to the still waters of the lake.

Steven is taking the lead, while not far ahead during much of the walk back, Sherri is ahead of Rachel and myself-not sure Sherri wanted that honor, particularly when she stops to take some pictures. I think Rachel just wants to make sure her father does not do anything stupid, so she makes sure she is the sweep.

The skies are darkening as the clock closes in on 5. It is not dark yet. The diminished light gives both an interesting fullness in the pictures. I do stop mostly to take pictures of flowers and scenery, but this also gives me the opportunity to take a few breaths before starting out again.

We catch up with Sherri about half a mile before the car. It has been awhile since I have walked this far. It is good to know that I came in tired but strong. We arrive at the car a little after five to find Steven waiting for us. I drove us back home. There we take a shower while Rachel goes on a training run for half an hour-to be young and have that energy. I do not think I ever had that kind of desire to run after walking close to six miles. When Rachel comes back, she takes us to a Mediterranean restaurant called Mayd. Not bad-I had a chicken sandwich. When we got back, Rachel and Steven worked on a puzzle while I gave them moral support until I went to bed.