Hiking

This summer so far has been filled with hiking and being outside. Mom and I went with my friend Joleen and her mom camping up at Fallen Leaf Lake in Tahoe. It was so relaxing to lay down in the meadow and read a book. We went for a hike around part of the lake and the whole scenery was bursting with new life as the snow was melting away. The water was as still as glass and the aspens had bright green leaves that twirled in the light breeze. Our camp was under Mt Tallac and the brilliant white cross of snow shone brightly in the early June days. Swimming was quite refreshing you might say. Even Gotham got in and seemed to enjoy it a little more than the pool and defiantly more than the ocean. Joleen brought her kayak with her and we tool turn paddling around the shore of the lake. Gotham came too and curled up on the back of the kayak while I paddled around.

Our next hiking adventure was with Kim to Lake Winnemucca off Carson Pass. It was absolutely gorgeous. We started hiking and the sun was warm and the breeze was cool. We were up so high that the snow hadn’t completely melted away yet. We came to our first little patch of snow and I let Gotham go walk in it. He was so funny; he rolled in it, slid his face in it, dug in it, and tried to eat it. We kept going and every other patch of snow we hit Gotham got so excited and just wanted to go play in it. We made it to the lake and it was stunning! There was so much snow tucked into the rocks on the other shore. There was still some ice on the lake. You could hear the low roar of a distant waterfall. Spring had just started up there. All the plants were still squished down after being buried under snow all winter. We took a short snack break on a rock and Gotham totally passed out! After the break we hiked up one of the ridges, climbing over boulders and whacking through the low brush. Gotham did so good, if he got stuck he would look at me and I would come back and show him where to step or carry him over the spot. There were so many little ponds of snow melt that we found. Gotham would run and pounce on the patched of snow rubbing his face and belly up and down the sun cupped surface. On our way down from the ridge we hiked through a huge snow patch. It was a lot easier than boulder hopping. Gotham was running and sliding and face planting the whole way and we were too. One foot would slide one way and the other foot another. Out feet were soaked but in the heat of the afternoon and after working hard it felt so nice. Once back on the trail we made quick work of getting back so we could rest. We had to run through a swarm of mosquitoes before we made it back to the car. We were all exhausted! We totaled 6.5 mile hike!

Gotham and also went to Tahoe for a Guide Dog Puppy camp. We took with us Abby, Gotham’s co-raiser. Camp was fun but in the evening Abby and I left and went for a hike. We went to Eagle Lake just before sunset. We got a cute picture of Gotham on one of the bridges crossing the river but that was the only break we took. We made it to the lake with 20 min to spare. Eagle Lake was like glass! You could see the reflection of the mountains on the surface of the water. There were 2 cute ducks floating by the shore and we fed them dog food. As we were cooling down the mosquitoes were coming out and attacking us! Once we were rested up we were off hiking back down. The sunset was awesome lighting the sky with soft yellows and golds mixed with a little pink on a light blue background. We stopped at an outlook on the way home overlooking emerald bay. Once we got back it was time for some S’mores. The next day we spent some relaxing time at the beach sitting on the pier and under it playing in the sand. Gotham didn’t want to swim with all the other puppies.

 The Summer is not over yet we still have lots more hiking and camping to do!

1st Camping Trip of the Summer

The weekend of Mothers Day Mom and I decided to take our first camping trip of the summer! Where else would we go for a fun, relaxing, beautiful weekend than our favorite little spot we found at Monterey Bay, CA. The weather was amazing! It was sunny and warm…well it was also SUPER windy when we got there and most of the nights. But it was still awesome! Gotham also came… he really likes eating the ground so he hung out in his crate a lot. We spent our day exploring the town a little more than we did last time. We went and looked at the light house and walked along the cliffs overlooking the ocean in hopes of seeing a whale. No luck this time.

 

We went down to the water to look at the tide pools and there was this really cool big rusty pipe that stretched out towards the ocean. The 3 of us followed it as far as we could. At one point it went over a big tide pool and you defiantly didn’t want to fall off or you would get very wet. With Gotham in toe we went across watching our footing the whole way. At the very end the little man falls off and I had to pull him up on to the rock.

It was so windy we had to keep our hoods up so our hair wouldn’t fly away. After looking at the tide pools we sat on a rock overlooking a small cove and saw about 5 baby harbor seals playing in the water. We then walked along the big beach and Gotham had so much fun trying to get the foam bubbles that the waves carried in.

The next morning we had our Ziploc omelets and stopped at an adorable coffee/book store. They had an amazing tea selection also. Then we were off to Carmel. Oh the traffic was terrible! It was so crowded we didn’t stay and jumped back on Hwy 1. We found this other beach that was beautiful and empty! We parked our car and hiked down to the water.

The beach was made up of all these small pebbles that were all different colors and perfectly smooth. Mom found this beautiful periwinkle stone that she had to come and show me. Well I decided to venture out on to a rock that was dangerously close to where the waves were breaking on shore.  Just when Mom comes out a massive wave crashed on to the rock we were on and soak us from the waist down.

Poor Gotham was completely soaked. We run back to dry sand laughing and dripping wet. We found a flat rock and laid out on it so we could dry. For the rest of the trip Gotham did not like the ocean waves.

The next day we had planned on going to the aquarium. On our way there we stopped at this little French bakery and got delicious almond croissants. We ate them while overlooking the bay. Our tour of the aquarium was so nice this time. We took out time sitting in front of the big tanks just enjoying the fish passing by. We also watched several movies so Gotham could have a break from all the people. Gotham really doesn’t like shopping and would sit under the shirts as I was looking at them.

It was so relaxing to just take our time and only see the things we wanted to see. That night we went for a nice long walk along the shore and watched the sun set into the ocean. Our last morning we walked alon the shore again and we saw a mommy and her baby otter  resting in a cove. So cute! 

Over all one of the best camping trips we have had.

Happy Mother’s Day Mommy!!!

April

April was a busy month for me! The first weekend was Hansel’s Graduation which was just amazing! I was puppy sitting Prospect that weekend so we had 2 GDB puppies and Aspen while I was home in Folsom. Gotham and Prospect did great together and drove down to San Rafael with us for graduation.

Once I got back to Nevada I was a mess. I was missing Hansel and my Dad so much; I was emotional, and tired. I decided to take a day off work and just spend it alone with God.  I am so glad I did! I went for a big hike and saw beautiful wild flowers that were blooming. I defiantly needed that time to rest and have good quiet time.

The next weekend I went rock climbing with Kim’s family. That was awesome! We went to a place out in the desert called pig rock and set up our ropes. This was my first time top roping on a natural rock. The first time I climbed up I only made it half way and got stuck. Then with more determination I went up again just before we were leaving and adjusted my rout slightly and made it to the top! I was so excited and exhausted after. Gotham came too and he loved eating sticks, weeds, and gravel.

 

Easter weekend Gotham turned 6 months and looks so handsome with his little bow tie. I got to be with my family for Easter and celebrated it with Dana’s Family (Drew’s GF). I was in all black because I was painting on stage during the morning services. That was such an amazing step of faith that was so fun! I got to be on stage surrounded by the band painting our interpretation of rejoicing. It totally sparked my creativity bug and I will be painting more especially with Arts Camp coming up.

That afternoon we took the puppies to Lake Natoma to go for a swim. Gotham is still unsure about if he likes the water or not. He did a big bunny hop in and then right back out. It took me a while to get him to just stand there. Maybe this summer he will change his mind.

The last weekend in April a storm came and brought with it snow and rain. I decided to head over the mountain the morning after which left me with an evening of no plans. So I made cheese! It was super easy a quart of milk, ¼ c vinegar and cheese cloth! The morning after the storm was absolutely beautiful! In Reno the hills were slightly green, the trees were putting out their baby leaves and the mountains were topped with a new dusting of white snow. You could smell the freshness and hear the birds delight in the sun shine. It couldn’t have been better!

March

We did not do a whole lot in March. Mom moved in the middle of the month to a new house that she will stay in for a while. I officially HATE moving!!! It is a very cute house with a white picket fence and a pool. She is very happy there and just needs to finish getting settled in.

 I did do a lot of hiking in March with Kim, my roommate. One day we went out and it had just rained and the trails were so muddy! As we walked we collected so much mud on our shoes. Then the mud picked up weeds and sticks. We had mini yards on our shoes. We were slipping and sliding up the mountain but the views were amazing and the stormy clouds were beautiful! Gotham did so good! He was only 4 months and it was his first hike. He loved being out in the hills running through the mud. His paws were all spread out so he would not sink or slid in the mud. He was a tired pup afterwards! After his bath and a few erands he was out for the rest of the night!   

                     

February

With February brought snow. Since we were not getting any in the Sierras my friend Joleen and I went to Utah!!! We drove out there with her boyfriend David and hit it just right. We followed a storm in and got to ski powder the whole time. We skied Canyons in park city and it was beautiful! The snow was fluffy and deep! Joleen and I skied from the tallest lift that was full of experts only signs. It was amazing! We played in the aspens which was magical.

At Canyons they have a Belgium Waffle shop and OMG they were to die for! They would stuff your sweet fluffy with 2 bars of Belgium dark chocolate and then top it with whip cream and strawberries! I was in Heaven! That was my favorite part of the trip only second to the powder runs with Joleen.

On our way out of town we stopped at a local museum because they had the Dead Sea scrolls exhibit. That was incredible! This is one of the jars the scrolls were found in. being able to see the history from Jesus’ time was absolutely incredible! I know I am such a history nerd.

Gotham is growing up also. He is so goofy and loves to play with all his toys. He is not partial to one or the other he must play with them all.

The end of February also brought my Dads birthday. In honor of him I made his favorite Oatmeal Raisin Cookies. He could never get enough of them. I miss him so much!

I also was able to get a few Ski Patrol Days in at Sierra at Tahoe. I do love my home mountain! It is so pretty watching the sun get low and doing sweep. I feel so close to my Dad in these times.