Getting ready for a Wedding!

Between working at claims, receiving packaging samples, smoking more almonds and working the farmers market I’ve been swamped.

Justin, my middle boy, is getting married on Saturday in Arcata, a 10 hour drive from here. It will be a Halloween celebration and should be fun but I’ve only started on getting ready.

Dale and I are hosting and catering, with help from our 2 other sons, a pre-wedding dinner Mexican style. I made the Posole last night and it is in the freezer. I’ll get a pot of beans going after I write this blog and tomorrow I’ll make a tray of enchiladas. The vender next to me at the farmer’s market gave me 15 corn on the cob that we will bbq. I’ll also get chicken breasts marinating in some olive oil, lime juice and Tequila to bbq with the Carne Asada. What a feast!

I think that I’ll wear my “Spider Woman” mask, a mask made by a company in Nola that specializes in masquerade masks along with a silk ball gown. Can’t wait it should be lots of fun! I suppose I should try on the dress because it is about 20 years old. lol

Fall Day in the Western Sierra's

Last week was one to just be glad it was over. We were working a ton of hours and then got sick with some type of flu or another. So forget last week and start with this one!

Today we had 2 claims, one of which was in the Western side of the Sierra’s just past Sierra Summit. We have skied at Sierra Summit since the kids were young and have recently taken the grandkids there. We looked forward to seeing it before winter.

When we left this morning the skies were clear with some clouds. I’d looked on-line at the weather and saw that rain was forecast for the valley this afternoon and tonight for the Sierra’s. I figured that we would make it to the valley before the rain hit so would not have any weather.

We made it up to Huntington Lake by 11a.m. as projected, looked at the claim and started the trip back to the valley. I’d noticed on the way that the flora by the stream at Sierra Summit was so spectacular on our way up so we stopped on the way back. The sun was out with huge clouds but dark clouds were in the background. We stopped and I jumped out with camera and tripod in hand.

I first ran down to the stream and started shooting then up to the 1^st bridge and shot in each direction from the center of the stream, then the right side then the left. The aspens were bright yellow and another plant red with the green pines along side.

The sky became darker and darker until it started to sprinkle. We walked back to the truck afraid that it might start to storm on us but then as we started to drive back I saw one set of aspens that were off of another bridge. We stopped and I ran with the camera. The sky was dark but the colors were vivid. I shot from one side of the bridge and then the other but just wasn’t felling like I’d gotten the one photo. Finally I was about to give up when the light changed slightly, I shot the photo in Auto mode afraid to lose the light and the photo was so beautiful.

Now my camera battery is dead so I must charge it before looking at today’s photos. I’m looking forward to seeing what they look like tomorrow.

Memories of The Grand Canyon

Of all the parks, Grand Canyon has been so meaningful to us. I’d been there as a child; we never camped there but had stopped on our way to and from family reunions in Oklahoma.

When our boys were young we stopped at the Canyon when driving to Oklahoma. My parents met us there and camped with us. We were also there on one of our youngest son’s birthdays and ate dinner at the El Tovar. We really liked the El Tovar for breakfast, pancakes were cheap and the view of the canyon so inspiring. The boys would order hot chocolate and the waiters would refer to them as “the young gentleman” as they served the kids using silver pitchers.

One year we hiked with our boys down the Kaibab trail, spent the night at Phantom Ranch, hiked up the Bright Angel to Indian Gardens and then out the following day. Boys would hike ahead then be yelling at us “what took you so long?” We’d stop together and enjoy a view or an interesting formation. What a great way to spend family time.

In the late 80’s our farm was going downhill fast. Dale was always worried about keeping the farm afloat, creditors were calling and crop prices dropping faster than a lead ball.

We went on a trip to the Grand Canyon for several days. The first day we walked and talked, not paying much attention to the park. By the 2^nd day we were actually looking at the park, appreciating the Grand Canyon for its beauty. By the time we returned home Dale was more relaxed and actually smiling, something he hadn’t done in some time. The timelessness of the Canyon made us remember again how insignificant that our problems were in the grand scheme of things.

A few  years ago we hiked across the Grand Canyon with some friends. We carried some Dom Perignon and several bottles of red wine in our backpacks. Our friends brought the glass wine glasses. We also carried some fresh food for the 1^st 2 nights. Our packs were so heavy but the food was so good and in an environment so cleansing!!!! What a way to backpack.

Now we have taken our grandkids to the North Rim. Continuing the circle.

Memories of Yosemite

Tonight on the National Parks special, the last night, someone was talking about visiting a park when they were young and then taking their children to that park.
One of my earliest memories is of Yosemite and the fire fall. I have a clear memory of the call “let the fire fall” and then fire falling down. Quite a few years ago I asked my mom about this memory and it was then she told me we’d been in Yosemite National Park and about the fire fall.
Dale and I were married in the little chapel in Yosemite Valley in the ‘70’s. I really don’t remember why we chose Yosemite but we did and the wedding was so beautiful. I just don’t remember that we went there as a couple before we decided to get married there; I just know that it is a place that I’ve been to throughout my life. There was about 3’ of snow on the ground, but the chapel was warm with little wreaths in the windows.
We took our boys to Yosemite when they were growing up but we also took the boys to many parks. One favorite trip was to Tuolumne Meadows where we met my brother. Boys played in the river finding a favorite place to jump in. A hike to Nevada Falls was memorable.
We took our grandkids to Yosemite last spring. We took them to the little chapel where we were married. We hiked to some of the more accessible falls, visited the visitor’s center and walked the meadow.
We shot photos of half dome at sunset; my grandson won an award for his photos in the park at our local fair.