Central Sierra Holiday

With the temperatures in the high 70s the sun was shining on the Sierras for our holiday to Arnold, California - "Gateway to the Big Trees". "Gateways" are often something to be avoided, or at least just passed thru on your way to somewhere better, but the little known travel destination of Calaveras County was gloriously quiet, and thoroughly enjoyable. 

We fished on White Pines Lake with Goey thankfully  snagging two little Blue Gills (kissed and released). Lots of fish jumping but none willing to take our bait, not for lack of trying - we got to know the folks at the local tackle store very well!

The scenic Hwy 4 Ebbetts Pass winds up to Lake Alpine at 6000ft. The road passes through Stanislaus National Forest - founded in 1897 and is one of the oldest National Forests in the US. The beautiful lake had recently thawed yet the boys still swam. We even saw snow patches around the shore as we motored our little dinghy around the rocky islands.

Wildlife was scarce - apparently due to the snow pushing the deer down the valley and locals didn't expect them in their parts until August along with the coyotes and raccoon. We were lucky though to be visited by several Stellars Jays, a few Woodpeckers and spotted a couple of Pine Martens. It was a little disconcerting however to arrive and find the cabin's trash can mangled with bear teeth marks!! One animal I actually didn't wish to see. The boys toasted "s'mores" over the open fire and "camped out" in the safety of the cabin!

We adventured underground to Moaning Cavern - emitting an eerie sound that inspired the local Miwok Indian tribe's legend of Yayali, a cave dwelling rock monster. Its huge vertical chamber apparently was large enough to hold the Statue of Liberty! We hot-footed it back up the 200 odd spiral stairs when advised we were standing alongside the "impending wall of doom" - a huge rock face that could crush us if there was an earth tremor... nice. Safely above ground, the boys panned for gold and gems and amassed some serious treasures. It was real gold rush territory, with several small working gold mines still operating in the area. Lots of cute small towns, like Angels Camp, Murphys and our own Arnold. Loved the fonts on all the signage - so American.

Calaveras Tall Trees State Park, with its groves of giant Sequoia trees was amazing, especially when you know it began growing in the Mesozoic Era - you could just imagine a T-Rex stalking through the forest! Freaked the boys out a little...!

View from the backseat

Sunday morning, heading east down Highway 580 to a little town called
Dorrington. We've rented a house near the Calaveras Tall Trees State
Park with fishing, hiking and caving at Black Chasm all on the agenda.
We've all piled in, including Trish and the dog. Should be fun - more
pics soon.

The Fertile Turtle

All aboard 'The Fertile Turtle' for a cruise over to Angel Island from Sausalito with our good friends Lara and Mike "Coach" McDermott with little Emma and Jack's baseball buddy Colin. 

Swimming in the icy pacific at Ayala Cove and BBQ'd burgers on the beach!

We saw a beautiful deer with a huge rack in the gardens of the homestead, two stingrays and a smelly herd of seal as we pulled out of dock. 

Lara gave aus a great running commentary on the multi-million dollar homes around the shores of Belvedere and Tiburon and Jack bounced all the way home in the rubber ducky. 

100F and loving the first days of summer. 

The Lundberg Boys

 

 

Fishing @ Lake Lagunitas

A lazy Sunday picnic at Lake Lagunitas, one of several lakes in Fairfax around the foothills of Mt.Tam - about 20 mins drive from home. We packed a huge picnic for US Fathers Day and Davey cooked snags on his new portable grill ("Finally I am understood") as we downed a few glasses of a Napa Sav Blanc (which would have been perfect with trout...). The fish taunted us in the shallows, but none game to take to bait. We'll be back again now that the summer holidays have begun as Jack learned to cast the rod... stay tuned for pics of "the big one"... the kayak might also get dusted off...

Sam's Jungle Party

'Snake Cake' made by Goey (from all those left over undecorated baseball cupcakes!). Sammy loved it, and was jealously guarding it whilst being cajoled into sharing it with his guests.

The jungle room with tiger pinata, monkey and snakes galore!

The little fella.

The friends... who wonderfully stayed until the wee small hours long after the final bells had gone (I think it had something to do with the champagne and orange that was flowing rather freely). It always seems to be such a great way to celebrate milestones in our lives - it not only seems to be a celebration for the kids' birthdays, but it is a little gesture to mark just getting there, being here and enjoying old and new friends. Salute!

Madison Veitch after long day! She can't really handle her drink these days, poor little darling, slept right through the festivities.

Sammy enjoying some cake aside the 'dangerous swamp'. Jase decided to can the marvellous 'dry ice' idea when we were told that the pool may have to be treated with acid and would probably be unswimmable at the start of the summer holidays... hmmm!

The jungle jumpy - best when Jase jumped us all off the top of the slide - it's just as well this thing had a roof on it!

Making a wish... whilst being helped out by his big brother :)

Baseball Party

The Indians 'End of Season' party - great fun in the Corte Madera Town Park. I made baseball cupcakes for all (bit of baking going on here... perhaps I have been inspired by my new Anthropology apron and oven mit...). The kids got baseball trophies and bounced all night in a jumpy castle. Really great group of friends.

Sam's 4th Birthday

Jason captured a pet lizard at McNear's Beach for the boys - who'se their favourite now?!

The Seafood Peddler - our local fish joint.

Handmade cupcakes...
...enjoyed by all!

Lots of great pressies, Sammy ecstatic over each and every one. He's a little champion. We just hung out today, going out for lunch at The Seafood Peddler down the road. Had a rather large night in last night with the Veitch's so lots of coffee this morning whilst assembling the goods.