Mountains and Foothills - Exploring a New Area of California

April 18-24, 2019
Three Rivers, California

Passing through Tehachapi, California, and dropping into the Central Valley, we acknowledge we're leaving the desert behind for the first time in months. We take it inside us wherever we travel, and now we're looking forward to a summer along the coast and through the forests.

Highway 99 runs through many towns, and then with only 10 miles left on Highway 41 I'm surprised that we're still in the middle of busy civilization. Certainly our stay near the gates of a national park isn't going to be here!?

A couple wide turns through fields of agriculture, the road begins an immediate climb. Within a couple miles we've left the urban and are immersed in the rural. Steep green hills and Lake Kaweah provide a beautiful entryway to the little town of Three Rivers where we'll call the Hideaway RV Park home for the week.

At less than 1000', looking up at 12,000'.

It's a bit snug here, and the water pressure is a mess, but we like the location :-)

We enjoy a late lunch at the Riverview Cafe where we watch a woman filling a half dozen 5 gallon jars with an "interesting" combination of ingredients. She's clearly made this before as there's no precise measuring - just counted shakes and scoops. I finally figure out it must be Bloody Mary mix. And it looks so good that we order a couple Bloody Marias (we don't like vodka so tequila is the better choice). Not only are the drinks delicious, but it's really fun talking with the mix master and laughing with the other staff. We love small towns and their simple pleasures :-)

The very full Kaweah River.

Just like having a salad with our sandwich - soooo good.

A native Californian whose lived here my whole life, it's hard to believe I've never visited Sequoia National Park. Friday morning we make the short drive to take a look. 

We climb to 7,000 feet along and above the Kaweah River, through lodge pines, beautiful wildflowers, large rock formations, small waterfalls, and deep snow. Temps drop from the low 80's to the low 40's. The show stoppers are the old growth Giant Sequoias.

There are 400 steps carved into Moro Rock that you can climb to the summit. You. Not me.

Several snow melt-falls along the road add their own magic to the forest.

Older and "wider" than Redwoods - their thick bark protects them from all but the hottest fires.

More than a little snow remains at the higher elevations, several roads within the park are still closed.

I love the pristine, untouched snow.

We return the back way on a very winding road through the foothills.

Saturday we stay off the roads and stick around home. The campground is very busy, more kids than we've camped with in a long time. 

River access at the campground - very cold!

Sunday is Easter and we head back into the park where there are a surprising number of people on a day I was hoping they were all at home with family. It's very cold and foggy, making for a magical and mysterious forest. Not for everyone, but for us it's even more beautiful.

Between the snow and large crowds, we don't see the major tourist spots in the park. It's not something we miss. We wanted to see the majestic, old trees and we did.


The next two days we spend away from other people, exploring both South Fork and North Fork Roads in the foothills. The wildflowers are especially beautiful here, the river roaring beside and below the road.

Vertical meadows of Wild Iris.

We climb several hundred feet above the river on an increasingly narrow shelf road until I'm not having fun anymore. Bill spots me for a 12-point turnaround in the middle of the track, and we head back the way we came. I'm happy again.....

Taking the time to appreciate a natural rock garden along the track.

Staying just ahead of us along the road, this large guy gobbles a warning to stay away. No problem dude, you're pretty scary!

Still an active post office, this tiny facility is one of few tangible reminders of the Kaweah Cooperative Colony created in 1886. Unable to secure title of the land, they disbanded in 1892.

Our drive on South Ford Road begins with these interesting rocks. They're on private property - what a fun natural playground!

Several feet above the road, it's apparently very important that this boulder is on their property!

The national park is stunning, and the foothills a wonderful surprise - another special place in the broad diversity of California.

The temps are heating up quickly as we return to Fresno, California, to visit Bill's mom and more family for a couple days.

Every April for a Decade

April 10-17, 2019
Laughlin, Nevada

Everyone whose known us for more than a couple years knows where we spend the third week of April. This year, it was a week early to avoid the Easter holiday. It's our annual high school (town) reunion in Laughlin, Nevada.

As Bill and I were high school sweethearts, and he took me to my Senior prom (he was a Junior), we both know many of the same people and share lots of stories from that wonderful time in our lives. I actually lived nearly 50 miles from the mining town where the high school was so he knows a lot of the younger sisters and brothers that I never met. I'm getting to know many of them who come to the reunions on a regular basis.

1973 Prom

The last three years we've stayed at the Riverside Casino RV Park, and last year our good friends started joining us in their RVs. This year it was the same four couples as last year, with one surprise addition who just happened to get reservations next to us! Chuck and Pam will be joining us "officially" in 2020.

We spend a lot of time hanging out with everyone between our rigs, moving to chase the shade during the day, and the light winds in the evening. We share all our dinners, and really enjoy gathering for coffee in the morning. It's a great time that goes by too fast.

Despite a few breaks in "our" chair, Tessa manages to get filthy from a week of being in the dirt.

Quinn gets a ride around the park with the grandma-brigade.

Sometimes Jimmy needs a time-out :-)

While Bill officiates the annual golf tournament on Friday, Maggie and I head to Hoover Dam for the tour. She's never been, and I'm happy to revisit. Not too crowded, we enjoy both the dam tour and the power plant tour. 

Maggie with the Pat Tillman Bridge

The engineering of this structure is mind-blowing.

The walk-through built during the original construction - I try not to think about the gazillion gallons of water pressing against these walls (although the tour guide continues to mention is over and over!)

Inside the dam, these narrow tunnels lead to the vents on the front of the structure.

Photo taken from the vent in the side of the dam.

Despite two years of good rainfall, the bath-tub ring shows an all time low for the lake.

Meanwhile.....Bill is having an equally great time running around the golf course in his official cart.

Friday night is our meet and greet evening where we catch up with folks - there's always a few we haven't seen since high school! I don't take many pics, just enjoy the people and the music. 

The golf gang - each year more people get involved.

We always have a handful of teachers - here Coach Finton and wife Pat.

Quinn plays balloons with Daddy and her sister Roz.

Our own Blues Sisters get the party started!

Saturday afternoon I come down with a stomach bug that keeps me home all night. Missing the big annual dinner bash really sucks, but I'm better by mid-day on Sunday.

We even get a visit from our pals John and Pam (Oh the Places They Go) out for a motorcycle ride! It's so fun to see them even for a short visit! I fail to get a pic so you'll just have to believe me :-)

Our last day we take Kevin with us to check out Christmas Tree Pass. I've wanted to make this drive for years and am still amazed by it's natural beauty.

The highlight of Bill's day - a beautiful young Bull Snake. Tessa won't cuddle up with him after he has "snake-smell" on his shirt :-)

Many of these namesake trees along the road.

The variety of formations is fascinating.

When we return to Laughlin the skies are dark and soon we have heavy rain and wind. This is also our last meal and I've planned a Cajun feast of goodies we have in our freezer from Louisiana. So let's have 12 over for dinner!!

Another great time with great friends comes to an end.

We lost three wonderful friends this year, and that made this reunion a little bittersweet. But it reinforces how important it is to see all our life-long friends whenever we get the chance.

Joshua Tree Highway

A sweet spot for overnight.

Wednesday we make a beautiful drive over the Joshua Tree Highway for a one night stay in Mojave, California. This is our second time at Sierra Trails RV Park, a cute little oasis of trees and flowers. We mostly just sleep.....and then we leave the desert behind to play among some very, very big trees.