June 15, 2026 - Going to Minneapolis

 

Title: June 15, 2026 - Going to Minneapolis
Hike Info : Description

Hike Info:

Type:Plane

Description:

Today is the start of our twelve day trip to Minnesota. I have gotten most of my stuff together Friday night and then packed on Saturday. Rachel has been helping Sherri with her packing. I have gotten everything in my carry-on while Sherri has a checked back. I have been putting the last bits of stuff since then with the final few things this morning.

I got up at 4:00am and had my breakfast. Sherri got up around 4:30. We are all ready to go with Steven driving us to the airport, leaving our house at 5:10. We checked the bag and got through TSA by 5:40 without issue, except for being patted down. We had a minor faux pax finding the correct gate. Recently FAT opened a new terminal; we had headed off to the old terminal. Once we figured out that B2 was in the new place and back tracked to the new one, we sat down and waited 30 minutes to board.

Boarding started at 6:30 and we got on one of the first groups. Then sat on the plane for 20 minutes until take off. We left the ground promptly at 7. The flight was pretty calm. I was speculating that at least on our ascent, the fifteen seconds of turbulence may have been when we went through the inversion layer, At least that is my thought. Sherri slept about half the way.

Mt Hood

As far as what we saw,when we went by Yosemite, it was rather hazy. I recognized Half Dome and then El Capitan a bit late. Further update, there was a glimpse of Tahoe, but I did not see Lassen or Shasta. Then I think I saw Mt Hood was off to the east and then we crossed the Columbia River. After that Mt St Helens and Mt Adams seemed to line up . On the whole the scenery was nice.

We got into Seattle a few minutes early. Once we settled down, we decided to take a walk. When we were here last June and the plane was not going to leave that night, I bought Sherri some chocolates from Dilettante Chocolates. Sherri liked them then and wanted some on this trip. Off we went for a stroll through the airport and found them. Just as good as last year.

I noticed that our gate had changed in the meantime from the C concourse to the D. That is where we headed on our return trip. Sherri got herself situated-she has a foot which is bothering her and will affect her walking on this trip. I, on the other hand, walked for half an hour until getting close to boarding time.

Mt St Helens and Mt Adams

The boarding is about 10 minutes later than expected, but not bad. We have exit seats which I thought would be a bit roomier. Not so. While only two seats in the row, not much leg space and very narrow. Note to Gary: do not get row 17 on a 737-800. Sherri noted later on that the back row of this plane also has little leg room. The plane sits on the ground for a while. We finally got airborne at 12:19 close to half an hour after the advertised take off time.

Mt Ranier

Not a whole bunch to see as there are clouds for most of the way. Sherri watches one of the Toy Story movies. I read some more of Deborah Blum’s The Poisoner’s Handbook and made notes on Dorothy Sayer’s Gaudy Night. The seats after two plus hours are not very comfortable.

He plane lands in Minneapolis at a few minutes late, around 5:25. Turns out we will be doing some walking in this airport. The first order of business after going to the bathroom is to retrieve Sherri’s checked luggage. Right when we get there, it arrives. Good timing.

On the Metro

Then we start following the signs for Light Rail. This will eventually take us to terminal 2. If we were more aware, we would have found the station in terminal 1, but at least I got to stretch my legs. Poor Sherri and her foot, though. We see an information desk and ask about the Metro. They give us a map and answer our questions. Turns out we can be counted as seniors. We eventually made it to the light rail spot. But so far I have not seen any place to use our purchase. I would guess there will be someplace to use our pass. But nobody ever came by. We will have to find out how to the Metro works here in Minneapolis.

Anyway, we got off at the Government Plaza stop. From there it is only a three block walk to the Hotel Indigo. The check-in person, Sam, is very friendly and gives us all kinds of pointers. We are in room 1611. That’s right, the 16th floor. This is certainly a classy place. Our room is a corner room. We are able to see to the south and west. Rain clouds come in and the skies open up. Enjoyable watching, from inside.

After resting up a bit, we decided to try the hotel’s restaurant, the Star Bar and Bistro. I have a smash burger and Sherri mac and cheese. Both are very good. By the time we get back to the room, it is 9pm local time. It is still light. But I think we will be going to bed soon after 10.

October 25, 2025 - Birthday Hike on the Wawona Meadow Loop

 

Title: October 25, 2025 - Birthday Hike on the Wawona Meadow Loop

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

Hike Info:

Type: Hiking

Trail head: Wawona Visitor Center Parking

Trail: Wawaona Meadow Loop

Destination: Loop

Distance:  3.81 miles

Start Time:  11:58

End Time:      2:33

Travel Time: 2:34  (1.48 mph)

Moving Time: 1:57   (1.95 mph)

Elevation Rise:  388'

Descent: 410‘

Maximum Elevation:  4,271'

GPS Tracks

Description:

I slept in until a little after 7. Today marks the celebration of the Earth surviving 72 times around the Sun with me on it. Sherri is planning out this day. But first she needs to go to the Vineyard Farmer’s Market for some stuff for a party next week.

Rachel comes over a little before 9. By 9:40 we are all in the car-Steven, Rachel, Sherri, Korra, Friday and myself. We have been trying to avoid going into the National Parks during the shutdown. But we have decided to go to Wawona in Yosemite National Park today and hike around the Meadow there.

Autumn Leaves in Wawona

But first, there is some interest in retracing the route I went on Thursday. These were various historical places in the foothills of Madera County. Now mind you, we will not hit all the historic places, probably not even a third of them.

We start by heading north on 41, then head West at Four Corners. Then we turn off to go towards Henley Lake and Raymond. Along this road, I start telling about the various places I learned about: the Adobe Ranch, Minarets/Media, Raymond, the Summit House and the Black Kid monument. Someplace after Raymond, we got off the route I thought we were on and hit 41 again at Corsegold.

That is just as well as I think the others were maybe at the limits of their tolerance for this tour. We went through Oakhurst and then Fish Camp. There is a line at the Park’s entry station. But there is nobody collecting entry fees, so we just chose a station which does not have anybody in it. Rachel drives us over to Wawona where we park, take care of business, and get our packs on.

Wawona in Red

Sherri picked the trail around Wawona Meadow for several reasons. We have not done much hiking lately and this is a nice, scenic walk. Also, the dogs are allowed on it. As an added bonus, even during busy times, this trail has a tendency to be one where you can enjoy a measure of solitude.

Given that, we start our walk. The sky is overcast and the temperature is in the last 60’s. Perfect for hiking. Even Friday is up to walking, or in her case, her little legs are trotting. One of the defining aspects of this day is the Autumn colors. It is that time of year where this area simply shines. The yellows and reds are everywhere. The trail seems like a tunnel through this cave of leaves. It fills you with wonder and awe and reverence for the bit of creation we are walking through.

Gary, Steven and Rachel walking the trail

It is always good to walk with my family on my birthday-yes, I do miss having Andrea with us, but I have a great deal of gratitude that Steven and Rachel make the effort to be with me. I am not forgetting Sherri as I have taken her places which she may have wished she stayed home. We have gone to those places and experienced the awe of seeing the best of this world.

 

 

Gary the Photographer

At the far end of the meadow, a bit short of two miles we stop and have lunch. We enjoy the break, not so much needing a rest, but just a break. Even Korra and Friday seem to enjoy this break. Then it is off for the remainder of the trail.

 

Gary, the birthday boy

 

 

 

This trail is not built for excitement, but for contemplation and discussion. One of the discussions we had was about me hiking solo. Since last May when I fainted, I have been careful about not going out on my own. Even though 7 out of 8 days in the Lookout I was alone. I pondered the wisdom of venturing out solo. Rachel volunteers to go with me whenever I would want to go. To me this is not the reason to hike alone. There is a sense of freedom walking by yourself. A sense of isolation just me and my God. Everyone needs those times and places like that.

Fall Color on Mt Savage

There is no conclusion to this discussion. No yes or no But there is the recommendation that I do things like stretches and things which will improve my balance. Rachel suggested chair yoga.

Wawona, when we get back, is pretty vacant. We have only met about five groups of people on the trail. We load up and head on back home. As we approach Oakhurst, the question is, should we stop for ice cream at Reimers. Unless there is a reason not too, the answer will almost always be yes. Reimers has a new flavor, Ooey Gooey. Most of us have a scoop of this flavor. Pretty good.

Then we get back home. Not sure if it is age or birthday expectations, but I am content to become one with the couch. Steven is making a stuffed pizza for my birthday. Pretty tasty. Then a relaxing shower to end a good day out.

Extra Photo'

Gary, Steven and Rachel in Autumn Colors

Korra, Steven and Rachel

Sherri walking through a tunnel of color

Friday, Korra, Steven, Rachel and Gary

Rachel and Friday

Mt Savage

Wawona Meadow

Wawona Meadow

Rachel

 
Flowers and Plants

July 4, 2025 = Park Ridge Lookout

 

Title: July 4, 2025 - Park Ridge Lookout

Hike Info : Description :  Menu 

Hike Info:

Type: Lookout

 

Description:

Chuck's Flag

Maybe I learned my lesson from yesterday. I got up a few minutes earlier. But that was futile as there was no lightning to report. I am glad of that. I got up and started packing as today is my last day in the tower. I get about a third of my stuff down. At least that is a start. Wendy had asked for a new US flag to be put up. Her late husband had wanted that to occur each 4th of July and I am happy to be the one this year to carry on that tradition. I wanted to get a picture of it at sunrise with the wind unfurling it. But the wind did not cooperate. Later it unfurls.

I am able to go for a short walk, maybe a third of a mile. But this feels good. Then back to the tower where I have my breakfast. At 0800 I went into service with both Porterville and Ash Mountain Fire. About 30 minutes later I realize I have not heard either Buck Rock or Delilah go into service. I phoned over and had a conversation with Jeff. Both have gone into service. Maybe they got lost in the static. Or maybe I need to clear ear wax out of my ears. Then it is off the normal duties of a lookout.

 

Early Morning light

 

Bluebird sky days are a joy to a lookout. When you have haze, it is tough to make out anything and your eyes strain to discern objects. The white of the smoke blends in with the dinginess of the air. But today is a day which I can see almost forever. I can see the foothills of the Coastal Range plainly along with its tops. I suspect if I was at Delilah, I might be able to see into Yosemite. A day to love being up here.

On this kind of weekend you get to hear interesting stuff. At the Crystal Springs Campground a cooler and trash can was impounded. I am assuming that foodstuff was not put away and people were not around. Sounds like a bear hazard to me. Or then there are maybe too many people in a place at one time. The Wolverton Road was closed to traffic due to both congestion and too many people parking alongside the road. Just heard that Lodgepole road is closed as well, except for those going into the campground.

Then this morning as I was doing a scan, I noticed a marmot eyeballing my car. It seemed hesitant to approach it. Yesterday someone asked about marmots and I talked about how cars over in Mineral King had to take preventative measures. So I watched him pretty closely. When he goes under my car, I hurry down the stairs to scare him off. But he emerges from the other side and eyeballs me, like he should be the one who is concerned about me. He runs off to some rocks and I resume my lookout activities.

Coastal Range

 

Wendy called me up and told me that my relief is expected to be here around 1700 or 1800. He will call me up. Also talked about some wildlife Buck Rock saw this morning. Things could get interesting if this sighting is verified.

My Favorite Marmot

Fuzzy's Bench

Now I am hearing a woodpecker tapping out his staccato beat on a tree. Another joy of being up here is seeing and hearing the sounds and sights of nature. I wonder what the woodpecker is going to hide and will he remember where he has hidden it?

Lunch, or dinner, is the remains of a couple enchiladas which Sherri made for lookout. I cleaned up the dishes in preparation for leaving this afternoon. This is just the start of cleaning up the cab, not that I had created a huge mess or anything. Still crumbs fall and things get spread out.

 

 

Yesterday there was a fire near Marvin Pass. Yesterday when I looked on WildCAD I saw it as the Gammon Fire. Usually fires are named after some landmark around it. But there was nothing in the area we saw with Gammon nor could I find it on GNIS. Today I was hearing the Incident Commander Trainee calling himself the Gannon IC Trainee-with two N’s. I looked on WildCAD and it said Gannon. There is a Gannon Creek there. When I looked on GNIS, it had been named in 2000. Most of our maps are pretty old, so it is no surprise that we could not find why it was called the Gannon fire.

The last two hours of a shift, particularly on leaving day, are the longest. I am expecting that call saying when my relief is coming. And as that is not coming, the time is even longer. Still there is only 7,200 seconds to count. During that time I get the fire indices, clean the floor and countertops and pack the last of my stuff.

This has been an unexpected day. It is the Fourth of July. I was expecting a ton of visitors. Instead, there was not a single one. At 1800, I go out of service, and start back. I meet my relief on the road. We exchange greetings and I relay some information to him. And then we are both on our way. A short way further I realize there were a couple more things to tell him and leave a voicemail. It is an uneventful drive back home, arriving shortly before 2000.

Menu

Breakfast	Lunch	Dinner	Snacks
Granola	Enchilada	Peanut Butter and Nutella Sandwich	Ritz Cracker, Granola, Jelly Belly

May 16, 2025 - Yosemite Backpack

 

Title: May 16, 2025 - Yosemite Backpack
Hike Info : Description : Menu : Extra Photo's : Animals

Hike Info:

Type: Backpacking

Trail head: Bridalveil Creek

Trail: McGurk Meadow Trail, Pohono

Destination: McGurk Meadow Trailhead

Distance:  2.01 miles 

Start Time: 10:47

End Time:   12:33

Travel Time: 1:45  (1.15 mph)

Moving Time:  1:13  (1.65 mph)

Elevation Rise:  539'

Descent: 221‘

Maximum Elevation: 7,087'

GPS Tracks

 

 

 

 

Description:

Bridalveil Creek

I woke up at 5:50 and must have fallen asleep again as I really got out of the sleeping bag at 8. It being pretty cold outside could have also been a factor. I took a walk down to Bridalveil Creek. I enjoy a time just watching the water rush by me like lemmings ready to go over the Valley rim. Somehow the picture of lemmings is not right because the water seems joyful in its travels.

It is Steven's birthday. I am glad he chose to go backpacking with Rachel and I. We have our Oatmeal breakfast, is this really a birthday breakfast? We talked about plans for today. Obviously we are walking out today. Originally I was going to give Rachel and Steven the option of walking to Glacier Pt and I get the car. But for obvious reasons, that will not happen. Also, there is a spring with a great overlook of the Valley about a mile and of half east on the Pohono trail. Or just go back to the car. We decided to just go back.

 

 

 

 

Our camp deer

Rachel sees something off in the distance. Turns out it is a deer-maybe a year old. It moves cautiously closer to us and we just watch it while it watches us. Something startles it and it scampers away. But a few minutes later it brings back some friends-three of them.While they never came through camp, they did get near. Great entertainment for us.

But then we do not need to get an early start, so we leave at 10:45. I have almost all of the pack I came in on-both Rachel and Steven were willing to take some of my load considering yesterday. They already have the food and our tent. The first quarter mile is a steep climb up to the junction. I am already huffing and puffing. Fortunately, the rest of the trail is more of a gradual up. We still have the snow patches and logs to contend with. This just gives an excuse to catch my breath. This definitely a leisurely walk.

 

 

 

Crossing a snow patch

 We get to the car about 12:30. Steven drives us to Washburn Point. There we do the appropriate oohs and ahs of the country. I tell Rachel about what we are seeing. I notice somebody listening in, so I told about the Indian legend concerning the creation of Half, North and Basket Domes.

We decide that we are ready to go home. When we reached Oakhurst, we decided to try a new place to eat at: Los 2 Carnales. As it turned out this was a good move. Rachel and I shared a chilli relleno burrito while Steven had a steak fajita. I think we will add this place to our list of eating establishments. While there I give Sherri a call about what happened yesterday.

Then Rachel drives us back to Fresno. When we get into a stable cell service area, I give Kaiser a call to talk about what to do. Just as we cross the river, Kaiser recommends going to ER to get checked out. Rachel comes in with me while Steven takes the Highlander back home and fills in Sherri.

Kaiser runs all kinds of tests on me. Most of them show I am good. There is some concern about a protein which may indicate a heart attack may be coming. So I get admitted for observation overnight. The next day I have a stress test and ECG. Eventually they come out showing that the heart does not have an issue. I get released Saturday afternoon. 

 

You know I said that it was good we stopped in Oakhurst to eat? With everything else, I did not get to eat until close to noon Saturday. Also when I got home, it really felt good to have a shower.

Menu

Breakfast	Lunch	Dinner	Snacks
Oatmeal and add-ins	Los 2 Carnales		Jelly Belly

Extra Photo's

Steven at Washburn Point

View from Washburn Point

Another snow patch crossing

The backcountry with Nevada and Vernal Falls

Animals