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Jackson Meadows #5 October 2016

My last campout in the Sierra Nevada Mountains for this year.  Me, Charlie and Ben spent three days at Jackson Meadows.  The company managing the campgrounds (Nevada Irrigation District – NID) decided to close early so they made me move to Pass Creek Campground on my last day.  This did not make me happy to say the least.  From a site with a view overlooking the lake (East Meadow CG) to a view of a parking lot.  And it was cold.  Down to 29 one night with the RV registering  35 inside until I fired up the heater.  Both dogs slept with me so we all were warm enough.  Charlie had his new sweater and Biggs’ old Patagonia which barely fit him but did kept him warm.  He never seemed to be cold at all though.  Maybe he was just too excited.  When I went out fishing, right after the sun came up, there was ice on my kayak.  I caught four trout but none very big.  Aspen’s are just starting to change to their beautiful yellow.

I am trying a new video editor, LightWorks, this time.  Learning how to use it is always a challenge.  But I’m pretty pleased, plus its free instead of paying Adobe $30/month  for Premiere Pro.  Anyway, the title of this video is a little screwy because I let you tube take the shakiness out of it.  I really have to learn to hold the camera more steady.  I must have uploaded four versions of this, kept finding things to change and then learning how to change them.  Oh well, it gives my old brain some exercise.

Loon Lake #4 September 2016

One of my favorite things is an empty campground, and this was the situation at Loon Lake this time.  Mid week, September… perfect for camping.  Weather was delightful and even got a little rain on the last morning.  Kate went with me and Ben and Charlie this time.  Not much swimming because the water was about 10 degrees cooler than August.  And the bees/wasps were less annoying this time.  Charlie and Ben both rode in the kayaks.  Fishing was much improved, caught a couple, one decent sized.  Charlie was a handful as all puppies are but he loved it and he is so cute to watch his excitement and enthusiasm.  What a character.  Ben over did himself as always and was kind of limping near the end of the three days.  I think his feet were sore or possibly some sore muscles.  He is back to normal now.  In the video below, the two items that Charlie was caught eating were a dead, petrified fish and horse poop.  Nice, huh.

Fall Creek Mountain Annual Birthday Climb 2016 and History

This year on Sept 11th we did our annual Fall Creek Mountain climb.  Stephen Bannister, Kate and I  started this tradition in  2010 and have had various friends join us over the years.  Actually, I went up to the peak for the first time on June 4, 1999 with my dog Stanley and between then and 2010 have climbed there several times.  Kate and I climbed there with Ben and Biggs in 2006 and 2007.  This year I decided to make a video of the climb with very few photos.  This year three of us are in our 70s and three in their 60s.  It was so easy this year.  Amazing.

Following this 2016 video and photos is the group shots by year since I first went there.

Photos from 1999 (below).  I went from the top of Fall Creek Mtn, then to the top of the ridge between Culbertson Lake and Penner Lake and shot photos to the opposite side

2006(below) Kate, me, Ben and Biggs

2006

2010(below) (first “birthday hike”)

Fall Creek Mountain
The founders of this tradition

2011(below)

Fall Creek Mountain

2012(below)

Fall Creek Mountain

2013(below) – just me, Stephen and Janelle in snow!

2014(below)

2015(below)

2016 (below)

Fall Creek Mountain, CA

2017 (below)

Fall Creek Mountain

2018 (below)

 

Charlie, the White Tornado

On August 25th I had the pleasure of meeting the newest member to our family, Charlie.  A ten month old poodle mix (possibly with Maltese) that Kate brought home while I was camping.  What  a sweet surprise.  When I walked into the bedroom, where she had him stashed, he barked and backed away from me.  Growling a little.  So I just took my shower and changed and went about my business until he felt comfortable enough to say hello.  We have been best buddies ever since.  And Ben, Charlie just adores him.  Follows him everywhere.  And Ben, acts like the protective grandfather to Charlie, so gentle with him.  So sweet to see.  Here are some photos and video before Charlie got his hair cut.  We had to do it because his long hair was a magnet for stickers in the neighborhood and so difficult to get out.  Once the weather changes his longer hair will be perfect.  He is just the sweetest little guy, very loving and a real cuddler, but a real ball of energy, curious about everything he sees.

A Visit with Mom

As always, Kate and I had a wonderful visit with my Mom in August.  A very relaxing time with lots of laughs, good conversation and joy.  We even saw a terrific movie starring Meryl Streep, Florence Foster Jennings.  My Mom and I laughed so hard.  It was hilarious and yet very sweet.   I wanted to take some movies of my Mom telling us about her youth, but we managed to only get a little bit of it.  I have a long way to go making any kind of documentary video as you can see from below.

Mom and Louie
Mom and Louie

momandkate

gpmom

Norcold RV Refrigerator Problems Solved

I have a 1986 24ft. Winnebago Class C.  The refrigerator must have been upgraded over time, not sure when.  It’s a Norcold 663BK  3-way and has worked excellently over the past five years, however this year it has had spotty performance.   Continue reading “Norcold RV Refrigerator Problems Solved”