Our Son Turns 20

My husband Wayne and I decided to pull Polly down to Southern Cal for our yearly "Parties Are Us" for our son Kristopher's birthday. Every year since his sophomore year at Biola University, we have loaded up the Sequoia with firewood, chairs, tables, lanterns, hot dogs, buns, condiments, bottles of water, chips, and s'more fixins for a Birthday Beach Bonfire in Huntington Beach.

This year we decided to try pulling Polly Pod down to Bolsa Chica and camp on the beach. If you have ever tried to camp at Bolsa Chica you know it is almost impossible to get a spot there. I was on reserve.com early six moths before at 8 am ready to reserve our spot. I logged in at exactly 8am and the spots were gone. I decided to try the cancellation email system that you can create. Nothing happened until one week before the departure date and the e-mail was in my box when my eyes opened and checked my email. I jumped on the opportunity and the plans were underway.

Bolsa Chica is a beautiful beach and the bike trail that stretches for 7 miles is absolutely fabulous. We threw our bikes in the back with all the Beach Bonfire supplies and headed down. We took the 405 S down to Seal Beach. Along the way, we saw only one RV/Trailer. There was nasty traffic, impatient drivers but then we arrived to the beach. The campground is a glorified parking lot, but come on- we were camping on the beach.

We were blessed to be able to spend time with our "birthday boy" and escort him from his teen years to his young adult years. He is such a blessing and his friends were so thankful for the evening that we provided for them.

Celebrating Kristopher's 20th Birthday

Saving the firepit at Huntington Beach

Our campsite at Bolsa Chica Campgrounds

Morning coffee on the beach

The campfire begins

Sunset in Huntington Beach

Happy Birthday Kristopher

Our 23rd Anniversary Trip to Lake Tahoe

Another wedding anniversary to celebrate together. Our first anniversary we camped in a tent at a campgrounds in South Lake Tahoe and to celebrate our 23rd anniversary, camping was again our choice. This time Polly Pod was used instead of a tent.

We pulled Miss Polly into a beautiful spot right across from Lake Tahoe.  http://www.cityofslt.us/index.aspx?nid=270  Unfortunately our view were obstructed due to construction by Caltrans.  Luckily for us, the Caltrans workers had the weekend off and no construction sounds were heard by us Friday or Saturday evening.  The camping spot that they us assigned to had a very difficult maneuverability rating. I had to thread Polly between two trees to get her to her resting spot. It was amazing to see the men come from their camping spots to watch the woman back into said almost impossible spot. (they complimented my husband on my driving skills, but said nothing to me...)

Thread the needle

There were also trees across the road that I had to avoid too.

Bright and early Saturday morning, we had reservations for "high flying anniversary". Tahoe Hot Air Balloon company is the only hot air ride that leaves and lands on a barge in the water. The conditions have to be just right for the flight to get underway. We arrived to the marina area at 6:15 am. Soon we boarded the barge, had some safety briefing, breakfast and the adventure quickly began. 
http://www.laketahoeballoons.com/ 

The Balloon Barge

 About Ballooning
When Do You Fly?
Flights typically depart shortly after sunrise as this is when the earth is still cool and winds are calm. Sunrise schedules vary throughout the year. Dependent on the time of year you are confirmed we will pick you up anywhere from 5:00AM- 7:00AM. Hot Air Balloon Flights are very weather permitting and require good visibility and low wind speeds.
How Big are Your Hot Air Balloons?
Our Hot Air Balloons range in size and carry anywhere from 4 to 16 passengers. The smaller balloons are 140,000 cubic feet of volume while the larger balloons are up to 240,000 cubic feet of volume.  The entire fleet of balloons are the newest and safest luxury aircraft available in the world today featuring secure, high sided, separated compartments.
For our Lake Tahoe flight, because of the logistical differences in launching from a boat platform, there is only one balloon launched each day which can carry up to 12 passengers.
What is the Hot Air Balloon Made Of?
The main components of a hot air balloon are the envelope (balloon), fuel system, and gondola (basket). The envelope is constructed of polyester which is lightweight yet strong and heat resistant withstanding temperatures of up to 300 degrees. The envelope is open at the bottom to receive the heating flame and have a deflation port, a large opening at the top that allows the hot air to escape during landing. The fuel system is composed of the heater, which burns propane to heat the air in the envelope; fuel tanks, which are carried in the basket; and hoses, which connect the two. The basket is constructed of wickerwork rattan and is connected to the envelope by cables or a rigid superstructure. Wicker is used not only for its romantic appeal, but also because of the flexibility of the material itself and the great absorption level.
How High Can We Go?
Our flights over Lake Tahoe or the Carson Valley start at elevations from 4,200 feet to 6, 200 feet above sea level. We are able to obtain elevations up to 10,000 feet above sea level when conditions permit offering spectacular views of all of the Sierras and on a clear day even the peaks of Yosemite. If you have a fear of heights you need not be concerned. You will not experience any vertigo feelings because you are moving with the wind currents which mean there is no rocking or swaying or feeling of movement. This also means you should not worry about Dramamine or air/movement sickness.
Where Do We Land?
The direction of the Hot Air Balloon cannot be controlled by steering. Balloons travel only with the wind and at the speed of the wind. There are usually different wind directions at different altitudes, and by seeking out different wind currents a pilot can maneuver his balloon in several directions. During our Lake Flights the pilots responsibility is only to bring the balloon close to the waters surface where the Tahoe Flyer can position itself under the balloon offering a landing surface.

Filling the balloon with hot air

Flying over the Tahoe Keys housing development.

Flying high

The weather was beautiful.

Tahoe Queen

The adventures of the day were not over. After a brief discussion, we decided on a relaxing voyage on the Tahoe Queen leaving from the marina right down the street from the campgrounds.

Emerald Bay

The Tahoe Queen, an authentic paddlewheel boat, offers Lake Tahoe visitors the chance to experience a nostalgic time of boating through a variety of settings. Whether hoping to focus on the sights of the area, enjoy an elegant dinner or even relive the past of the area through the words of Mark Twain, there's sure to be a Tahoe Queen cruise to suit you and your family.
http://www.zephyrcove.com/cruises.aspx

Emerald Bay Sightseeing Cruise
Discover the history, folklore, and wonder of the stunning Emerald Bay with the two-hour Emerald Bay Sightseeing Cruise on Lake Tahoe. The cruise will take you into Emerald Bay, where you'll enjoy narration about the bay's history, as well as stories about Fenette Island within the bay and Vikingsholm Castle, which sits along the shores. In addition to the incredible sightseeing opportunity, you'll be able to enjoy "Sunken Treasures of Lake Tahoe," a special video presentation that will take you hundreds of feet below the surface to explore the 'treasures' on the bottom of the lake.

The Tahoe Queen

The paddles

 

Boat Captain

Sweet Tea please....

The Yellowstone/Grand Teton Adventure Summer 2011

Day 7

The Return to California

Saturday, July 23rd, we left Elko, Nevada for the final miles to Modesto. Friday night we stayed in what seemed to be an oasis in the desert on Nevada.

The Iron Horse RV Park was about the best place I have ever pulled my little trailer into. /http://www.ironhorservresort.com/ The facilities are ranked in the Top 3% of over 12,000 RV parks by Trailer Life Magazine and in the TOP 100 RV parks by GOOD SAM CLUB and Trailer Life Directory,

Iron Horse is an obvious choice. If you find yourself in that area, pull in for the night. I guarantee you will LOVE it.

Entering back into our home state of California, the agriculture check point officer was very friendly. He wanted to hear all about our trip and share with us that he was originally from Wyoming. I'm very glad that there wasn't a long line behind us because he was in no hurry. Beast also celebrated a milestone birthday of 50,000 miles. (note in photo that Beast also needs maintenance badly)

The drive to Modesto was routine. We finished up the audio book, Black Hills by Nora Roberts.

This book is #1 New York Times bestselling author Nora Roberts takes us deep into the rugged Black Hills of South Dakota, where the shadows keep secrets, hunters stalk the land, and a childhood friendship matures into an adult passion.

A summer at his grandparents’ South Dakota ranch is not eleven-year-old Cooper Sullivan’s idea of a good time. But things are a bit more bearable now that he’s discovered the neighbor girl, Lil Chance, and her homemade batting cage. Even horseback riding isn’t as awful as Coop thought it would be. Each year, with Coop’s annual summer visit, their friendship deepens from innocent games to stolen kisses, but there is one shared experience that will forever haunt them: the terrifying discovery of a hiker’s body.

As the seasons change and the years roll, Lil stays steadfast to her dreams of becoming a wildlife biologist and protecting her family land, while Coop struggles with his father’s demand that he attend law school and join the family firm. Twelve years after they last walked together hand in hand, fate has brought them back to the Black Hills when the people and things they hold most dear need them most.
An investigator in New York, Coop recently left his fast-paced life to care for his aging grandparents and the ranch he has come to call home. Though the memory of his touch still haunts her, Lil has let nothing stop her dream of opening the Chance Wildlife Refuge, but something . . . or someone . . . has been keeping a close watch. When small pranks and acts of destruction escalate into the heartless killing of Lil’s beloved cougar, recollections of an unsolved murder in these very hills have Coop springing to action to keep Lil safe.

Lil and Coop both know the natural dangers that lurk in the wild landscape of the Black Hills. But now they must work together to unearth a killer of twisted and unnatural instincts who has singled them out as prey.

We finished off the remainder of the miles listening to The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett. This book is about a young British girl born and raised in India loses her neglectful parents in an earthquake. She is returned to England to live at her uncle's castle. Her uncle is very distant due to the loss of his wife ten years before. Neglected once again, she begins exploring the estate and discovers a garden that has been locked and neglected. Aided by one of the servants' boys, she begins restoring the garden, and eventually discovers some other secrets of the manor.

Pulling up in front of the house was filled with emotions of satisfaction as well as sadness for the end of a wonderful trip. Plans are being made for the next long distance Polly Pod Adventure of Fall 2012. Stay Tuned....

The Yellowstone/Grand Teton Adventure Summer 2011

Day 6

 Unfortunately our vacation is winding down and the trek from Yellowstone south to the Grand Tetons must begin today.

Leaving Yellowstone is a sad experience but seeing yet more countryside that is unexplored to us waits ahead. Map in hand and directions to the next camping location, we head south to the Grand Teton.

*Note for those who take this route in the future...there is no guard station or rangers handing out maps when driving from one national park to the other. We had no idea where we were going so we just hugged the mountains and pointed Beast and Polly south.

The Tetons are very different from Yellowstone. Both beautiful, the first difference we saw was that the Tetons offers many bike trails, picnic areas and no shops. If you are wanting to find a little store for souvenirs, you aren't gonna find them until you locate the Visitor Center.

By the time we figured out where we were, the Visitor Center at the South of the park was upon us. We parked Beast and Polly and went inside to look around. We couldn't spend too much time there because we had a limited amount of time with many other things to do in the Jackson Hole area.

Without getting too lost, we found our way through Jackson and up Moose-Wilson Road to the Jackson Hole Campgrounds.  http://jacksonholecampground.com/.

The web page promised a beautiful and relaxing location to park Miss Polly. I'm here to report that the campgrounds creatively used Photoshop to make the campgrounds look appealing. **DON"T be fooled like I was. The facilities for camping were dry, weedy, close together and there was garbage overflowing waiting for the refuse company to pick up. The price of the site was overpriced for the amenities offered.

After dropping Polly, we headed north up Moose-Wilson Road to the Teton Village.

http://www.jacksonhole.com/

We purchased our tickets for the tram for the 14,139 that advertised to "change or perspective". Breathtakingly beautiful and worth every penny, we took the opportunity to snap a few photos and hop back into the tram to descend  to the parking lot.

Coming down from our mountain high, the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar was calling out name. http://www.milliondollarcowboybar.com/  

 Waiting a few minutes for a saddle seat, we bellied up to the bar for some refreshments. Taking several photos, shopping and looking around the Town Square was delightful. We found the weather beautiful, the people friendly and even did a little shopping.

Dinner reservations, or should I say "SUPPER" were calling our names. The Bar J Chuckwagon Supper and Western Music Show was a MUST DO if you find yourself in Jackson Hole come Suppertime. It was fabulous! A great way to end a delightful day.

http://barjchuckwagon.com/

Polly and the Grand Tetons

The only moose I saw.

View from the 14, 139 feet

The antler arch in the town square of Jackson, WY

The Yellowstone/Grand Teton Adventure Summer 2011

Day 5
Having seen the highlights on Yellowstone in the Circle of Fire Tour on Day Four, Cody Wyoming was calling our names. We exited through the West gate and into one of the most beautiful mountain ranges I have seen. The countryside was breathtaking and so wide-open. We found ourselves pulling over frequently to take photographs.

Once in Cody, Buffalo Bill was on our mind. We found the Buffalo Bill Museum and quickly plopped down our AAA card for a sweet discount. We quickly toured this wonderful museum and actually just skimmed the surface of the historical articles and artifacts contained inside.
Look at this website for more ideas if you are headed to Cody, WY
http://www.yellowstonecountry.org/

Hunger was screaming so we asked about the historical establishment frequented by Buffalo Bill himself, The Erma. The buffalo burger was mouthwatering and I just can't say enough. After our tummies were full, we asked for a tour of the hotel. We saw the actual room that Buffalo Bill stayed in when in town.

Leaving Yellowstone, we were compelled to stop at an old town village. Very cool, highly recommended. http://www.codywyomingnet.com/history_museums/old_trail_town.php

The day was exciting and we saw some of the countryside outside of the actual Yellowstone Park. West gate area of Yellowstone is varying so much in it's scenery, it is well worth the detour.

Buffalo Bill Museum

Original cloth poster announcing the Wild West Show.

Heading into Cody.

Look for the sign, can't miss it.

Irma's Restaurant

Old Town

He needs dentures....

Old Town

Hole in the Wall Gang Cabin in Old Town

The Cody Countryside

The Yellowstone/Grand Teton Adventure Summer 2011

Day Four

The Circle of Fire tour was the activity for the day. We boarded the big yellow school bus for the tour departing at 9:30 am. This tour traveled along the lower portion of Yellowstone's figure eight road system. The major sights include the Upper and Lower Geyser Basins, Yellowstone Lake, the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River, and Norris Geyser Basin.

West Thumb Geyser Basin is one of the smallest geyser basins in Yellowstone yet its location along the shore of Yellow-stone Lake ranks it as the most scenic. West Thumb derived its name from the thumb-like projection of Yellowstone Lake and the name was given by the 1870 Washburn Expedition. It was also known as Hot Spring Camp. West Thumb has less geyser activity than other basins. But West Thumb, for its size, has it all-hot springs, pools, mud pots, fumaroles and lake shore geysers.
Fishing Cone has been the most popular feature. Its unusual location along the lake shore and its symmetrical cone were popularized by early stories of "boiled trout." Abyss Pool is also noted for its depth and colors.

The Thumb Paint Pots are constantly changing. In the 1920s and 30s they were very extensive and active. Now they are less active but, depending on moisture, they still build mud cones.

Since the mid 1970s, West Thumb has decreased in thermal activity. Some temperatures have cooled in the basin allowing large colonies of algae and cyanobacteria to grow. As a result, large newly-formed microbial mats flourish on the run-off channels and along the edges of pools.
Second stop was Old Faithful. Old Faithful may be the world's most famous geyser. Members of the 1870 Washburn Expedition first noticed the geyser's regular eruptions, and gave it the name it bears today. Oddly enough, Old Faithful is neither Yellowstone's biggest geyser (Steamboat Geyser is) nor its most predictable, but it has name-brand recognition, and people like watching it so much that more than 85% of Yellowstone visitors stop by to see it go off.

The Lower Geyser Basin encompasses nearly 12 square miles, with most of the thermal features widely scattered in small groups. Some of the groups include the Fountain Group, Firehole Lake Group, White Dome Group, Great Fountain - White Creek Group, and the Imperial Group.

The Lower Geyser Basin possess a large variety of thermal features, including mud pots, geysers, pools, springs, and fumaroles. Great Fountain Geyser is one of the grand geysers in the Lower Geyser Basin. It erupts from a large, terraced platform with massive bursts exploding up to 150 feet high. White Dome Geyser does not have spectacular eruptive displays, but it does have one of the largest pink and white streaked cones in the Park.

The Fountain Group has a large cluster of multi-colored mud pots, and nearby in Pocket Basin is the largest collection of mud pots in Yellowstone. The Fountain Group also includes several spectacular geysers. Fountain, Morning, Clepsydra and Jet geysers dominate the group with periodic and colorful displays.

Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone: After the flat lands of Hayden Valley, hills rise up either side of the Yellowstone River, which flows over two large waterfalls and drops into the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, one of the most spectacular canyons anywhere in America. Its walls are very steep - 700 feet almost vertical at the western end and up to 1,200 feet further east, and partially formed of jagged, eroded, chemically altered volcanic rocks of unusually bright colors - red, pink, orange and white. Most of the 20 miles of the Grand Canyon are out of sight since the surrounding land is too rough for roads or trails, but the upper 4 miles can be viewed from several overlooks along the north and south rims, and a number of trails. The views were spectacular.

West Thumb

Old Faithful

Lower Geyser Basin

Yellowstone River Upper Falls