About a year ago when Rex was still in Long Beach and Valerie was ready to head to Oregon we decided that 2020 would be the year to take a family vacation, all five of us, someplace together. So, we picked our dates: June 27-July 6th and asked everyone to make sure that their calendars were clear from obligations so we could perhaps go to Spain or something exotic.
Our plane tickets had been booked and I was prepared to update the passports in March when everything became very serious and we had to hunker down. Even if I had wanted to still update our passports, the passport offices were now only processing emergency travel requests.
As the calendar pages flew toward summer and we hunkered down together attempting to social distance ourselves like good citizens, we knew we were not going abroad. Our income was depleted and it just wasn't safe to get on an airplane. But now we were all desperate to get out of the house. What could we do to catch a break and not be part of the problem? And we needed to do it on a more restricted budget. Well, the good news is that camping started to open up in California. I quickly grabbed a spot at Lake Siskiyou for a few days.
At this point Valerie had entered a CNA program (postponed from April due to COVID) and Rex had some other obligations. So, Michael and I packed up Amira and her friend, Sarah, and headed for the hills.
Here is the view of Mount Shasta from Lake Siskiyou. I never get tired of this view. There was shockingly little snow on it this year but it still maintained its magnificence.
We brought the kayaks up for a paddle. The cool mountain air was such a contrast to the valley heat. Honestly, I think the water temperature was warmer than the air temperature. We inhaled the pine fresh, clean blue skies of the mountains as we rippled through the lake in the shadow of the mountain.
One of the super fun parts of camping at Lake Siskiyou for the kids is the giant floaty-splashy zone. Here is Sarah screaming down a giant slide into the lake.
Sarah and Amira splashed out toward our kayaks so I could get this photo. With the much cooler temperatures and coming in at the end of the weekend to early part of the week, we were able to avoid crowds. The girls practically had the whole splash-zone to themselves.
Even the beach had roped off areas for families to maintain social distancing. As you can see from the photo, it wasn't really an issue on this day.
Sunshine, fresh water, mountain air ... those girls were sunkissed and exhausted at the end of the day.
We had an amazing camping spot. It was supposed to be large enough for twelve people. Our tent tucked back nicely between the trees.
On Monday we drove up to Castle Lake, above Lake Siskiyou. I was too chilly to get into a kayak or the water so I made like a lizard in a patch of sun on the shore and played photographer. The water was so clear! One side of the lake was covered in lush flora while the other side had impressively looming cliffs that lead up to the even higher altitude of Heart Lake.
Here are Amira and Sarah paddling out on the far en of the lake near the cliffs and the U.C. Davis research platform.
Good news! The only bear we saw on this trip was on a bottle.
I love a good campfire. There were marshmallows every night! I think my hair still smells like smoke. But, gosh darn it, it was worth it!
On the way home we took the girls by Hedge Creek Falls. Waterfalls are always magical. Again, it being a Tuesday morning, we had the place practically to ourselves. I'm sure this place is a zoo on a hot weekend.
After a a twenty-four hour laundry and bathing adventure at home, we headed up into the Sierras for vacation part II. I'll never get tired of this view over Donner Lake as one comes down off the Old Highway by Donner Ski Ranch (where we were married) and Sugar Bowl.
Michael's family cabin is always welcoming. It's tucked away from the street and nestled in the trees. This was going to be more mountain adventure without the campfire potpourri. (I'd had my fill and the scent of my washed hair still held the souvenir scent of camping).
Dining alfresco!
Wildflowers that naturally pop up in front of the cabin are a sunny welcome!
Michael and I hadn't actually caught any fish at Lake Siskiyou. But first thing upon arrival Michael caught a fish at Donner Lake.
Even I caught a fish! In fact, it made an awesome lunch the following day.
We were so excited that Rex could join us for a couple of days at the cabin. He took the kayak out too.
We actually saw a bald eagle fly over the lake to a tall pine tree at the beach before taking off again to it's mysterious nest in the mountains somewhere. I'm grateful for the binoculars so we could verify what kind of bird it was and see it up close.
When tuckered out from the altitude, glacial water and fresh air, snacks and games at the cabin provided a nice respite.
While fishing one afternoon we could see a waxing moon rise up over the hill. It was pretty spectacular.
Again, mountain views over a lake ... I can't get enough. These pictures do not do it justice.
Rex, Sarah and Amira went for a hike with me on Friday afternoon while Michael did some cabin maintenance. We padded up part of the Pacific Crest Trail.
Challenge accepted! Rex is king of the mountain. (Living up to his name, I guess).
This was an interesting critter. I stopped on the path to take a closer look at what appeared to be a fur coat thrown over a boulder. Upon closer inspection (thank you again, binoculars!) it appeared to be a rather large squirrel or prairie dog looking varmint. It's difficult to see the scale in this photo. Take my word for it, while no Yeti, he was a chunker!
July 4th still brought crazy crowds to the beaches and lakefront. (But still not as large as in years past since the annual fireworks show had been cancelled and many people were opting out of crowded public spaces).
Michael and I found that our little fishing spot was still rather secluded. So, we used this point from which to gawk at the throngs of giddy party animals.
Sarah and Amira took the kayaks out on the Lake after Michael and I had our fill of riding in the wake of the power boats.
As mentioned earlier, Valerie didn't get to come on the vacation with the family as she has been hard at work on her Certified Nursing Assistant program. Also, she miraculously got a hair appointment. She decided that changing from green hair to brown hair would improve her employment prospects.
Valerie loves to take Rosie out to Starbucks for a "puppaccino". (I believe this is a free cup full of whipped cream for the fur babies).
On the morning of our departure from the cabin we had a little visitor out front. The woods are, indeed, magical!
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