Big Bear Lake

Last weekend, Pat and I went up to Big Bear Lake to scout the area for his cross country camp. It is only 103 miles from Long Beach but a world away. The sky was clear blue, the air was crisp and the trees swayed in the breeze.

We had planned to camp, without the planning part. All the local campgrounds were full so we got a room at the Black Forest Lodge. This just shows how soft we have become--back in the good ol' days we would have simply walked down a trail into the National Forest and camped 200 yards down trail. Instead: cable TV!

The lodge grounds were pretty, and I laughed when I discovered a local Girl Scout Troop had the suite beneath us.

It happened to be the evening of the Olympic marathon which was particularly significant because Ryan Hall, a US runner, hails from Big Bear. There were signs like this one at the bus stop all over town wishing him well.

We went to Sandy's Sports Bar to watch the marathon. I have a special fondness for local bars where the barkeeps can share shots with their regulars--it takes me back to those days in Cooke City. Anyway--it was probably the first and last time I will see a tipsy bar crowd do shots to honor a marathoner!

The next day, we got up and did a trail run. It hurt like heck--the first 2.5 miles were uphill to a beautiful overview of the lake but it also felt great. Running on a trail is definitely a lot more satisfying than pavement pounding here in the big city.

Cow Plop!

While Pat's parents were visiting we all had our very first opportunity to attend a "Cow Plop." This Cow Plop involved setting three cows loose on a grid of 1,000 numbered squares that were marked off in the grass. Participants purchased squares in the hopes that one of the cows would "plop" in their square in order for them to win a cash prize. The Cow Plop benefited the CSULB track program, and, of course, since we enjoy a good contest, we had all purchased tickets. So, there we were, waiting to see if we could coerce on of the cows to plop in one of our squares!

In my mind, I envisioned that the cows would be set free in an enclosed area to roam as they desired. However, that wasn't quit the case. Members of a local children's soccer team led the cows around the area. Somehow, we missed the first "plop"which landed on number 777 (a lucky number for someone else, I suppose).

This cow was standing on one of our numbers! So, we shouted silly things like "stay there! Come on! You can do it!" Really--I hope the first and only time in my life that I will encourage a cow to do his business in my area. Alas--this cow just milled around and eventually wandered away.

The crowd got excited when this cow raised her tail but it was a false alarm--just a little pee-pee.

Finally, another cow "plopped." Number 67. How about this action shot?

We checked our numbers but were not winners. However, we still had a chance for the third and final plop--worth $2,000!

Glad this isn't my job!

Then things slowed down. The cows ate some grass.

When I saw the farmers relaxing in their lawn chairs, I realized we might be in for the long haul.

Then the cows got tired of wandering the field. They sat down and refused to move. The farmer yelled at the kids to let them rest.

It got hotter and hotter. No plops. The cows ate some more and eventually everyone from our crowd wandered off to sit in the shade and watch the women's soccer game. I waited. And waited. And waited. Finally, I gave up and headed over to the soccer game. The second I turned away, the third plop was forthcoming. Alas--we were losers again. But, it was well worth the $20 to witness such a fun and exciting event;)

Visit with Pat's parents: Sailing

Last week when Pat's parents visited us, we went out sailing with their friends, the Taughers, who live only a few minutes from Pat and I. They are friend from way back--neighbors in Northern California in the 1970s!

The Taughers keep their boat Running Free at the Alamitos Bay Yacht Club which is only two miles from where we live!

Pat and I took a tour and realized that the boat was nicer than our apartment!

Pat's dad expertly steered us out of the harbor.

And we looked at all the beautiful houses. I'm pretty sure this is the one Pat's parents have decided to buy for us.

The Taughers were wonderful. Not only did they take us sailing but they also took us out to dinner the next night and invited us to BBQ on Sunday.

I even had the chance to steer the boat. I quickly realized that the best technique was to hardly touch the wheel and just "look nautical." Check out my very "nautical" plaid shorts!

My mother-in-law and I went up to the front (or as boaters fancily say "the bow") and enjoyed the perfect evening.

Around this time, Pat took the helm. However, he didn't manage to look as nautical (fleece?) as I did which really did affect his performance.

Look at Long Beach in the background.

There are four "islands" off the shore of Long Beach. The Walt Disney company designed them to look like offshore paradises. What are they really? Oil wells!

We also learned that this grove of trees was the original setting for the TV show "Gilligans Island."


After we returned to the harbor, Pat and I took the dingy out for a spin. Much more our style...

Kitties!

I finally have time to do a post about our wonderful kitties, Rascal and Stormy. Rascal and Stormy are smart, talented, creative, and adorable beyond belief. They are definitely more advanced than other kitties their age, and we aren't just saying that either! Here is the back story: Last April when we were living in Fort Worth, Pat went out into our little backyard to clean off the deck. All of a sudden he jumped back and said "Oh, my God, there is a cat out here with kittens." Sure enough, one of the local feral cats had given birth to three kittens just a few days before. I knew I might get attached to them so I vowed to ignore them all. My vow lasted for, oh, a few days. Pretty soon I was out there checking them out all the time. Over the next four weeks, Pat and I named all the kitties. We had a feeling that was a pretty bad sign for us. After many discussions, we decided to give two of the kitties a life of indoor luxury. We had hoped to steal them away from Mama Cat when they were about eight weeks old but it didn't quite work out that way. After about five weeks, the kitties were roaming around and leaving our yard, and we were concerned they might wander into the road. So, one morning, while Mama Cat was out, I stole all three kitties away. Pat and I just couldn't see ourselves with three cats, and we were thankful when our apartment managers found a home for the third kitty. However, the next week was heart wrenching. Mama Cat spent the next week prowling in our backyard, crying for her babies. At times, I felt like just throwing them back out there to her! But, then there would have just been three more feral cats in the world.

Rascal is the tabby on the left. She earned her name just because she always looks on the verge of some misadventure. We consider her the MacGyver of cats because she can always figure out a way to get at whatever she wants. A few months ago when we went on vacation, and the kitties broke into our refrigerator, spoiling everything inside, we had no doubt as to who had been the mastermind behind it. Stormy is on the right. He is so named because it was a tempestuous spring weather-wise in Fort Worth. Stormy is a cat ruled by his own desires. We can swat him down off the kitchen counter 18 times, and he will jump right back up if he thinks there is any chance any food for him. We don't have the heart to hold it against him because, while Rascal can be a typical standoffish feline, Stormy is all about the lovin'. He loves to cuddle and snuggle in a warm lap.

The kitties spent most of their first day in our apartment hiding behind a bookcase. But, they quickly warmed up to us!

Just like us: they enjoy wine.

And, just like us, they love running shoes!

They are the best of friends...

But, they also have daily "Kitty smack downs." In this picture, Stormy has jumped on Rascal and is biting her neck.

The kitties were very excited when Pat sent me roses for our anniversary. So excited they ate the petals right off...

Remember what I said about how talented they are? Check out Stormy on the door frame. Maybe if times get tough, he can join the circus.

This is my mom's cat Simon. I just wanted to show him off because he is so fat! The last time I was home, Simon weighted in at 25 pounds.

Alaska--Part I (Denali National Park)

After a night in Anchorage, Pat and I spent three nights camping in Denali National Park. We found Denali to be wild, rugged and different from any of the other national parks we have visited. However, there are no established trails in the park so the hiking was slow, exhausting and sometimes frustrating. And, let me note for just the first time here, it rained the entire time we were there!

It is a requirement to get a picture of the park sign, so we did.

We saw this Mama Moose and her baby crossing the street right outside the visitors center. Note the wet weather.

We stayed at Teklanika (AKA Tek) campground at mile 29 of the park road (see map above). We were given a special "Tek Pass" which allowed us one passage in to the campground and one passage out three days later. Other than that, we were not allowed to drive our car while at the campground.

I always like to give props to our trusty tent, eight years old but still impervious to bad weather. (Did I mention it was raining?)

After setting up camp we walked down to the river and took a timer picture.

The only way to access the trail less back country is to take the shuttle bus. The shuttle bus runs pretty consistently but is usually full of people who smelled a lot better than Pat and I!

The first day we got off the bus at Eielson Visotor Center at mile 53 and attempted a partial hike around Mount Eielson. Things went awry right at the beginning when we were unable to find a route down to the river and instead ended up bushwhacking through endless Willow trees. Willow trees are not our friends. This is a view of our hiking area from the visitor's center.

Pat at the beginning of the hike.

Eventually, we crossed the river and headed up a game trail on the ridge. We were to the left of this gully and after I took this photo, we saw a grizzly bear on the right side, up on the ridge. Unfortunately, I didn't get a picture. This was the highlight of the hike. There is something so powerful about seeing a Griz, not from the comfort of the bus but while defenseless on the trail. The bear didn't notice us and headed away, over the ridge.

We were happy to see this little lake because it indicated (according to our hiking book) that we were on the right route.

Near the end of the hike, we saw this lone caribou, close to where we had seen the grizzly bear. The caribou eyeballed us but didn't see very concerned by our presence.

And on the ride back, we saw a grizzly walking right beside the road.

The next day we took the bus to the East branch of the Toklat (pronounced TOE Klat) river. Luckily, the bus driver knew of a drainage ditch through which we could access the riverbed, thereby avoided the dreaded willows. Our hike went much better but, yes, it was still raining.

We found this set of caribou antlers beside the creek. They still had a bit of flesh on them right around the base!

We looked for bears but didn't see any.

We stopped about three miles down the river for a little lunch.

Ptarmigans are the state bird, and this one was right on the trail.


When we got back to the road, we had to wait for the next shuttle bus to come by and pick us up. So we stood in the rain (did I mention there was rain?) for about 20 minutes before one came along and took pity on us.

When we got back to our campsite, Pat took refuge in the only dry spot--our rental car!

I took this picture as we drove out of Denali on our way south.

When we drove out, we were not expecting to see any additional wildlife. But, darned if there wasn't a wolf just walking down the road!