January 1, 2026 - Hensley Lake

 

Title: January 1, 2026 - Hensley Lake

Hike Info : Description : Background :  Flowers and Plants

Hike Info:

Type: Hiking

Trail head:  Buck Ridge Trailhead

Trail: East side of Hensley Lake

Destination:  Loop

Distance:  5.50 miles 1

Start Time: 8:58

End Time:   1:25

Travel Time:  4:27 (1.24 mph)

Moving Time: 3:19   (1.66 mph)

Elevation Rise:  1,305'

Descent: 1,307‘

Maximum Elevation: 740'

GPS Tracks

 ¹Jerry, our hike organizer, says that other GPS’ have come back as 6.5 miles. Google Earth shows 5.5 miles for the distance. The elevation gain on Google Earth shows slightly less at 1,249’. There is an article in Sierra News Online which has this trail at 6.95 miles. While the Hiking Project as the mileage at 5.9 miles and 570’ gain. AllTrails shows a route which stops about a half a mile short of where we did. That route is 4.7 miles and 505’. I think that elevation gain is low.

Description:

Today is New Years Day. Sherri and I many times will go for a hike, ski or snowshoe on this day as there are not too many people up and about on this day, making it a good time for an outing. Today, I alone have signed up for a Central Valley Hiking Group Meetup hike. It is the first Meetup hike which I have done in five years-as you can see on my blog, I have been hiking many times in the last five years. Sherri did not seem too interested in going on this hike, so it is just me.

When I woke up, a little after 6, there was a pretty good rain coming down. I had my breakfast. Then made sure that my rain gear was in tack-actually, but on my rain rain jacket and pants over my hiking clothes. Then it is off to the Sportsman’s parking lot. I arrived around 7:45. There were some vehicles without people in the parking lot. Shortly afterwards, there is a woman came over and asked if I am part of the Meetup group-yep. I invited her into the car while we waited. Pretty soon Jerry, our hike organizer, comes over. We. talk a few minutes and decide to take my car up as there are no other ducks in the parking lot who are ready to hike.

It is about a 45 minute drive up to Hensley Lake’s Buck Ridge trail head from Fresno. We arrived a little before 9. There we meet Mario. That makes four of us on this adventure: Jerry, Mario, Tau and myself. At the start of the hike, the rain is still falling, but not like it was in Fresno. So I leave on my rain clothes to start with.

Jerry talked about this being a conditioning hike. I quickly see what he is talking about. The trail goes up and over ridges. I would have thought that a more enlightened trailbuilder might have put in the extra effort by gently rounding around ridges where possible. Still, this will get a person’s legs and lungs into shape if they keep at it.

Along the lines of the last thought, the first couple of ridges I do OK with. But then I start wondering about the sanity of signing up for this hike. While the four of us are not setting a torrid pace, it is a bit faster than when Sherri and I hike. Also I can usually count on a few short breaks going up these ascents. Instead, I trudge up the slopes to stop at the top with the trio of hikers waiting for me. But the legs are doing good, it is just the lungs having issues.

The issue is that there is not just three or four of ground oscillations, rather what seems like an endless series of increasing undulations. Jerry thinks there are about 30 of these humps to cross on our trip today. Later on I counted 18 distinct rises on my graph from the GPS. Each one seems like it rises more than the previous-at least on the trip out.

About a third of a mile before the farthest point out, I ask, are we coming back this same way? Jerry reinforces that this is a loop. I can take the hint. But I do recognize that when the others drop about 50’ off the trail for lunch, it is better for me to stay on the trail. This is where we meet the Fresno River, making it at 11:45. I enjoy 15-20 minutes of being alone while the others are below. While eating lunch I text Sherri to say that I have the car and am having lunch at the far end of the loop. I noticed then that my phone screen has a crack on it. Not sure when this happened as I do not remember whacking any rocks. First time I cracked a screen in about ten years..

I am not saying that the others are bad company, far from it. I enjoyed walking and talking with each of them. Jerry is somebody whom I have walked a lot with. We have a similar sense of humor. Mario we have also hiked with before-it seems like Mario has been inflected with our hikes and survived it. Then Tau is both new to the area and the Meetup group. She is a traveling occupational therapist. It was fun finding out about her.

Earlier I had shed my rain jacket since the rain had stopped. During the lunch break, off came the rain pants as well^. The rain had stopped about 20 minutes after we started our hike, so there was no sense hiking in a sweat box. As the day continued, we got a bit more sun, so it was time to shed some of my layers.

On the return trip, we take a lower route than the trip in. The rises are not as steep or high as going in. But by this time, it does not take much for the lungs to need replenishing. Also the legs are starting to feel any climb. At least downhills and levels are gentle to all parts of my body and I can do a little catching up.

I have not said too much about the scenery. Hensley Lake is mostly in the distance. It also has not filled up from the Winter’s storms. So it is not the main attraction. What holds my eyes is the vibrant greenery of the Winter grasses with the outlines of the dormant oak trees. At this time of year, I would come again-hopefully in a lot better shape.

The trip back does not have the steep hills as going over had. But I am lagging further and further behind. Jerry and gang stop for me at the top of each rise. I catch my breath and continue on. I am glad when we reach the trail we came in on. The car is less than a quarter of a mile further. We got back to the car a little before 1:30.

Then it is time to drive back to the Sportman’s parking area to drop off Jerry and Tau. We all agree it has been a good day, even if I did not have the stamina for it. After dropping off the two, I go to Office Max to recycle some ink cartridges. Then it is back home. I arrived home about 3:00. I think Sherri sees how tired I am, takes pity and sends me off to rest.

Background

More of an FYI. There are several reasons why I was struggling going uphills. There was the traditional reason: just being out of condition. But there were a couple medical reasons. Several years ago, I had a couple bouts of an unexplained illness which I was totally fatigued. Each time I partially recovered. Then two years ago I got struck with long COVID. After each of these I have worked to gain some semblance of endurance. I guess that is what I need to work on this year again.

 

Flowers and Plants

December 30, 2025 - Snowshoeing along Road 13S77

 

Title:  December 30, 2025 - Snowshoeing along Road 13S77
Hike Info : Description 

Hike Info:

Type: Snowshoeing

Trail head: Cherry Gap

Trail: Road 13S77

Destination: About an hour in

Actual Destination: actual, about a quarter mile before the top of Hoist Ridge

Distance:  1.98  miles

Start Time: 12:50

End Time:     2:44

Travel Time: 1:53  (1.05 mph)

Moving Time:  1:32  (1.29 mph)

Elevation Rise:  300' ¹

Descent: 261‘

Maximum Elevation: 6,983'

GPS Tracks

 ¹There is several different readings on the elevation rise. The 651’ from the GPS is certainly wrong as is the Google Earth calculated rise of 503’. The descent of 261’ is much closer to the truth. The elevation rise from a February 24, 2024 snowshoe to the top of the ridge was 541’. Steven’s watch said in the upper 200’s. The net rise from where we began to where we ended was about 160’. So I think the upper 200’s is the correct figure.

 

Rachel and Sherri at start

 

Description:

Today will be the first snowshoe this season. I do not think we went last season-a combination of being busy, the storms coming through when we were available and it not being too good of a snow year. Rachel is coming with us, but will be coming over after her 9am yoga class which ends at 10.

She gets in about 10:15-I am ready, but Steven and Sherri are still getting things together. We are all in the car with me driving by 10:45-that all includes Korra. Earlier there was some ground fog, but that has dispersed. The drive up is uneventful, except for stopping in Yokut/Squaw Valley for some gas.. We pass the 5000’ elevation sign without signs of snow-this does not look too good.

By the time we get to the Grant Grove entrance station, there is snow. We asked if there was chain control-No.Does he know if there is snow at Princess campground -he thinks so, but has not been there lately. When we pass by McGee Overlook, there is a layer of low overcast above the Central Valley, making it look like an ocean.

 

At 12:15 we get to Princess Campground. The ground looks pretty patchy for snow and whatever snow is on the ground is thin. We quickly decided that around Cherry Gap there was better snow. We retreat back up 180. We will go up Road 13S77-not the Converse Basin Road-that has a lot of exposure to the sun so there is bare ground there. We parked the car a little before 12:30.

Magic Elf on a tree

The first thing we do is get all of our gear together. Years ago my brother gave me some Sorel snow boots. They seemed a bit stiff, so I could not get them on. I am substituting my hiking boots for the snow boots. After having a bit of lunch-peanut butter and Nutella sandwiches, if you must know-we start on our trip. This would be 12:50 start time. Steven is on his cross-country skis, while the rest of the humans have snowshoes on. Korra, of course, is on four leg drive and does not need any assistance on snow. Then again, the snow is deep enough and hard enough that we can easily snowshoe or ski on top of it without fear of hitting ground, probably averaging a foot or maybe a generous two feet.

At 12:51, the first fall of the season takes place. I manage to have my right foot step on the back of the left snowshoe. I had two choices: try to right myself and risk a face plant or try to fall gracefully. I chose the latter. Nothing hurt, except my pride. Wonder if that will be how this day goes.

There are a few spots along this road where you can look across the Kings and enjoy the view. The first viewpoint is OK, but does not make for a good picture since there are a lot of branches obstructing the view. I turn away, walk a few steps and realize something did not feel right. I looked down and saw one snowshoe. Turning around, I see the missing shoe. It quickly gets put on. It will be that kind of day.

The road is a gradual rise. Not many people have been up the road since the last storm. After a hundred feet we see that those who came without being prepared for snow travel have turned back, leaving the only tracks we see being a few snowshoe marks, two cross country ski tracks-Steven’s is one of them, and Korra’s claw and paw marks.

Snow Dog Korra

I keep looking at the views. Spanish Mountain is the dominant view, with some views up the Middle Fork of the Kings, then looking west we can see Rodgers Ridge, where the Garnet Fire started. It is good to be going along this road, even if we have gone up it many times before.

But there are some things which are new. When we come to a little creek, I look at a tree and see what looks like a couple elves with a snow cap on them. In reality, it is a couple of fungi with the recent snow still covering them. From there, the road goes on its final climb up Hoist Ridge. Rachel says that I was charging right up the slope. That is until I looked back and waited for Rachel and Sherri.

When they caught up to me, I saw Korra coming down the slope towards us. Then there is speck way up at the top of the bend. That speck came barrelling down-the speck is commonly called Steven. He stops before he completely passes us by.

I had set a 1:45 turn around time and that is what time it is. We start back. Steven on his skis is quickly out of sight. For us on snowshoes, going down is a lot easier. We made good time going back down the road. There are some different views across the Kings than when we came up. It gives us a few natural breathing places.

We got back to the car at 2:45. Rachel gets a man to take our picture. Then it is time to go back home. Rachel drives us down. We do stop at the McGee Overview to look at the overcast clouds down in the Valley. I spotted Delilah and tried to take a picture.

 

 

 

 

 

We get home at 4:15 and unload the car. We are having the car serviced tomorrow. We have gotten back in time to take the car in. Then it is time to relax, take a shower and partake of leftovers.

Christmas Newsletter 2025

 

Unto Us A Child Us Born

William Gilbert of Gilbert and Sullivan fame noted that don’t the days seem lank and long, When all goes right and nothing goes wrong. We cannot say that nothing goes wrong in our lives, but there is certainly a lot which goes right. While our friends and family are getting older, and we have lost some of the people whom we love in our extended family and friends, we still have so many people who we are close to. We are blessed.

When this letter was started, I was thinking that we really did not do too much this year. But looking at my blog, we have been busy. Definitely putting the “tired” into “retired”. In February, we went to Death Valley with our friend Don. The trip was somewhat a bust as our alternator and battery went out. A mechanic spent 2+ days working on it. Once fixed, we got out of there.

Margaret Mitchel House

Then Sherri and Gary went to Atlanta for close to two weeks. Lots of wonderful things like the botanical gardens, the history museum, MLK’s house and church-which filled us with hope for the future, and the Margaret Mitchell’s House. Among the many other things is the Carter Presidential Library which showed how Roslyn and Jimmy’s faith drove their lives. Their faith continued to guide them after his Presidency to reach out to others in the world in working towards fair elections, providing wells with fresh water so less people were dying in those areas. Also Jimmy gave real power to Roslyn. She was an advisor, activist, reformer and diplomat. She helped to expand childhood Immunization to all 50 states as well as her work in mental health. Like in many places in Atlanta happened serendipitously, such as stumbling on a museum jazz night or relaxing peacefully at Lenox Park, were very memorable.

We had a family trip to Ireland for 10 days in July. Besides an assortment of plane issues, we enjoyed being with family in Belfast, Dublin and Galway. The single thing which impressed the most was the Black Cab Tour of the Troubles in Belfast. Sobering how infusing religion and politics is so corrupting on both.

Us at Connemara NP

For us the F in Family means fun. Whether it is going to Salem to be with Andrea and Lawrence or David in Eureka or Margaret, Joe, Ryan, and Yolanda in Turlock, or enjoying hiking, or Thanksgiving, or celebrating Steven’s 40th birthday in Disneyland.

As Sherri thought back over this year, she enjoyed our trips. Regarding Ireland, Sherri was impressed by the amazing castles. One line of her family’s genealogy moved to the USA, between 1700 and 1720 from Antrim, Northern Ireland. It was great to see so many red heads across Ireland that are also in her family. Along with Gary, Sherri loves to hike in the Sierra’s as well as being part of our church, book group and House Church, a small group Bible study. She has been listening to the Holy Post, The Russell Moore show, No Small Endeavor, Good Faith, and Trinity Forum Podcasts. They help her to see there is still hope in our divided Society.

Park Ridge LO

And now it is Gary’s turn. The year has been pretty much the same as previous years, but with a bit less. Such as I still hike, but maybe not as far, I still go up to the Park Ridge fire lookout, but for less days and one which is only 20’ off the ground-hopefully next year I will be at Delilah again. I still lead Bible studies and a book group and attend OSHER classes. I do keep active enough

Andrea in 2024 took up Dragon Boat racing. She continued it this year along with her hiking and running which she does with Lawrence. Between home ownership, second year of marriage and almost always doing something outdoors, they have lives which are full. She still managed to tour Scotland with her sister before joining us in Ireland.

Steven turned 40 this year. He celebrated by doing a family trip to Disneyland. Other than that, he spent his time with his dog, Korra, taking her to the park and on hikes.

Rachel has taken the 2025 off and has made the most of it. Earlier this year she hiked the Milford Track in New Zealand with our neighbor Don, then bounded around Australia, Thailand and Vietnam before returning home. She spent some time with us before going to Europe where she went to Portugal, Scotland, Ireland-with us, France and Spain before returning back to Fresno.

The New Testament ends with the words The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s people. And it is that grace which our Lord has sent to the earth which we celebrate during this time of year. May you too be able to enjoy and celebrate Jesus’ coming as a baby, a foreigner in this world, who would give his all for all of us.

December 3, 2025 - South Shore/Blue Oak Trail

 

Title: December 3, 2025 - South Shore/Blue Oak Trail

Hike Info : Description :   Animals 

Hike Info:

Type: Hiking 

Trail head: McKenzie Point

Trail: South Shore/Blue Oak Trail

Destination: Winchell Cove

Actual Destination: Trail closed about a third of a mile before the Cove

Distance:  2.73 miles

Start Time: 2:10

End Time:   3:38

Travel Time: 1:27  (1.88 mph)

Moving Time:  1:13  (2.24 mph)

Elevation Rise: 273 '

Descent: 225‘

Maximum Elevation: 579'

GPS Tracks

Sherri on the trail

Description:

It is a cold cruel world out there. We still want to go hiking, but maybe someplace which will not be freezing. After everybody got up, I suggested that we hike after lunch-maybe it will be warmer then. Steven is busy brewing some beer and Rachel-whom we told rather later-has other commitments. We putter around doing various things, then have lunch. I stayed prone for about 20 minutes before getting up and getting ready. I am ready about 1:10.

We left our house after a few things which needed to be taken care of delayed us. It is about 1:45 when we leave. We get to Millerton State Recreation Area and the McKenzie Point parking area around 2:10. We have a Senior Golden Bear Pass which allows us oldsters into most State Parks during the off season-it is definitely the off season now. We are the only ones who are in the parking lot.

It is 45 degrees with a high fog. Even more is that the humidity is at least 80%. At least there is not even the slightest breeze, that would have made it not only cold, but maybe, we are going back home territory. Fortunately I have dressed properly in several layers with a coat being the final as well as gloves. I think Sherri and I have switched our resistance to cold as she is not dressed with as many layers and still is warm.

We have done the South Bay Trail several times-by this time in our lives, most trails we can say this same thing-but we are always open to the possibility of something new.The first time we did this trail was our first hike with the Central Valley Hiking Group, about 13 years ago. Actually the official name is the Blue Oak Trail which starts about a mile and a half up the road at a picnic area.

Different cloud covers can affect how a trail looks and feels. Today with no sun, it would be easy to think of gloom. Instead, I am thinking more of things being subdued. Not too much is moving out there, except for us. No boats moving on the lake, only a few crows in the air, and as mentioned there was no wind to move the grasses.

Sherri

Despite being subdued, our pace is a good one. I stop occasionally to look at something or to take a picture. I get to play catch-up often. This is a good thing on several counts. First, Sherri is moving well; second, it has been awhile since I have felt comfortable in playing this game of keeping up with Sherri.

Our travel comes to a stop when we come to a roadblock, or maybe it would be better to describe it as a trailblock, with a sign saying “CLOSED”. It looks like others have gone around the barrier, but we prefer not being that person. The blockage is only about 50 yards as we can see the sign on the other end of the closure. (Note: I talked to the Park the next day and they said that the Spring rains had washed out part of the trail.)

We returned the way we came. As we closed in on to the car, I asked Sherri how she is doing? Pretty good is her response. I asked if she wanted to hike further? Yes. So I suggest she go on further along the Blue Oak Trail. I would get my stuff stored and pick her up at the turnout after I pass her. This is agreeable. She was able to hike close to a half mile more before I picked her up about 3:45. It is about half an hour drive back to our house.

Animal

Millipede

Geese on the road

November 29, 2025 - Return to Fresno

Title: November 29, 2025 - Return to Fresno

Hike Info : Description 

Hike Info:

Type:Car

 

Description:

Each morning I have been getting up earlier. This morning it was 6:45. When I got up, I went for a walk-I have been meaning to do that each morning, but failed in my execution. This morning’s walk was nothing special, just around the neighborhood, about 40 minutes and about 2 miles, I think. There was a little library which I stopped and looked at. There was a couple of books which are interesting to me: A Sand County Almanac by Aldo Leopold and The Answer Is… by Alex Trebek. I only made a note of the books for further reference. One of the joys of being a book snoop.

When I got back, David had returned from his walk and Rachel had gotten up. I had my breakfast. Last night’s Costco puzzle was being attacked with fresh vigor from all participants. But by the time we were ready to go, the puzzle was still under construction, maybe half finished.

Now the question is, what should we do with a half completed puzzle? I was given the green light to pack the car. As Andrea and I were packing, I had an epiphany on how to transport the puzzle. The puzzle is on a thin piece of plywood. David had covered it with cardboard. I unpacked the car and lifted up the cargo liner out of the back.Steven slid the board and puzzle under it so it was doubly protected. Then loaded all of the luggage on top of the cargo liner. Nothing back there would be sliding around, including the puzzle.

We left a few minutes after 10 with Rachel driving. There is a stop at Shotz in Rio Dell for coffee for Rachel and Sherri. Steven and Rachel got a breakfast burrito. Then off we go again. A little after 12 we pull into a rest stop and swap drivers. Steven is now driving.

David posing for Sherri

Along the way, we talked about how to record things of interest along the various roads we travel. Andrea has a spreadsheet of things along I-5, since they travel that a lot. But we do not only travel I-5, but 101, 99 and several other roads. Do we do separate spreadsheets for each road? Create filters? Raachel recommends creating a Google map with the places. That sounds promising.

Just north of San Rafeal, we change drivers. Rachel is back behind the wheel. I think she is determined to drive to Turlock. Sherri has indicated that she would like to get the car washed at the Turlock Costco. Also we will need to get gas there. But that is about 4 hours away. She drives over the San Rafael Bridge, through Berkeley, then Oakland. All of this, the traffic is not too bad.

When we hit Turlock, we decided that we would like to eat before getting gas and the car wash. The eating establishment is DustBowl Brewery. The meal is good, but it is a bit pricey. Sherri had a Mushroom Marsala Burger, Steven a Spicy Hawaiian Pizza, Rachel a Jack Burger (vegetarian) and I had a Double Dipper TriTip Sandwich. We got there before it got crowded. But I could see where how this place would be really noisy when full.

After eating, I drove to Costco, all of a mile and a half. There we got gas. Filled up the tank. It looked like we still had three gals left, or about 65-70 miles more we could have driven-not enough to make it to Fresno. Also, we went through Costco’s car wash. I relinquished the driver seat to Rachel. She took us home from there, arriving a few minutes before 7-about an hour before I expected us to. Maybe because I was not driving or because we stopped at only one rest stop.

I saw this on Facebook as we were driving back and sent it to Lawrence and Andrea. I could very easily be the one who would be deported from Oregon.