Weddings to Fireworks to Girlfriends

This was once again a whirlwind of a visit, but it was great. I'll catch the rest of you after July 26th!

Why I'm Voting

Thanks Katie for the link!

A trip home

I love to listen to this song before my trips back to Oregon. There really is no place like home. Pictures form all the events when I return.

Elbow 'Station Approach'

I haven't been myself of late
I haven't slept for several days
But coming home I feel like I
Designed these buildings I walk by

You know you drive me up the wall
I need to see your face that's all
You little sod, I love your eyes
Be everything to me tonight
Be everything to me tonight

I never know what I want but I know when I'm low that I
I need to be in the town where they know what I'm like and don't mind
(repeat)

The streets are full of Goths and Greeks
I haven't seen my mum for weeks
But coming home I feel like I
Designed these buildings I walk by

You know you drive me up the wall
I need to see your face that's all
You little sod, I love your eyes
Be everything to me tonight
Be everything to me tonight

Signs of Summer in a Northern California College Town

1. No one is around. (Okay this is the only one applying to a college town.)
2. The cold water from the tap is hotter than the hot water.
3. The air is either brown from pollution or smoke from nearby fires.
4. You have to wash your car once a week to see out of the windows because of the amount of dust, smoke, and air pollution.
5. People talk of vacationing to Hawaii, where it is cooler.
6. You have to take allergy medicine to relieve the itch of your bug bites.
7. Tomatoes, peaches, and strawberries have been in season for at least a month (and at least a month before anywhere else).
8. You have to wear a sweater to work because the AC is on so low, but a tank top under it because it is so hot outside in your car.
9. You hear a report about the top 10 summer reading list and think to yourself, 'They are just now coming up with this? Hasn't it been summer for months?'
10. You have to walk your dog in the dark so it is cool enough.

Virginia Lakes

East of Yosemite

Views from Yosemite

Training

Last weekend Bob and I sat down and planned out our weekends in June and July. So now we are in training mode. Next weekend we are headed to Yosemite and then in mid July to Lassen. These two trips are leading up to Sequoia (yes, three national parks in one summer.) Yosemite will involve two day hikes and two different base camps. In Lassen we will camp the first night and then backpack in for the second night. For our trip to visit Ranger Alison and Ranger Steve in Sequoia, we will camp at the trailhead to adjust to the elevation, then hike in 13 miles for a two night stay and then back to base camp. I look forward to posting each adventure and our other training hikes (like the one from Berryessa.)