The end of the world on December 21, 2012?
Hogwash...
What?
It's the winter solstice in the Northern Hemisphere!
Hope you know how to swim...
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Friday, January 30, 2009
Sunday, January 25, 2009
MARIPOSA GROVE
Pam and I go for our first "wilderness" hike of 2009 in Mariposa Grove in Yosemite National Park in hoping the recent rains since Wednesday (1.75 inches at our house) have dumped a lot of the white stuff to wear snowshoes!
We stop in Coarsegold to get some coffee from Zanders and to top off the tank at the nearby gas station.
We took a slight detour to our trip when Pam noticed the Fresno River waterfalls in Yosemite Forks north of Oakhurst. We made a right on River Falls Road, but the road led took us back the other way. Next time we will take Road 222 and take Hidden Falls Road.
The drive to YNP was clear. No snow whatsoever on the roads or on the sides.
I noticed the Apple Tree Inn DID NOT have any snow on its roof! I was hoping to see it like this...
but it was not to be! There was one little small patch on the roof and that was it!
We get to Fish Camp and I noticed a thin film of new snow on top of the old snow on the side of the road. Not looking good.
We go through the park entrance and make the right hand turn to the parking area. We are a little disappointed when we arrived. Actually, I was disappointed. There was no snow on the roads or in the parking lot. I checked a nearby snowbank and the only fresh snow was a thin layer of sleet granules. The road to Mariposa Grove is closed and the road beyond the locked gates is void of ANY snow!
So much for using the snowshoes!
We begin at 10:00 a.m. and hike up the 2-mile long road. There was another couple ahead of us. It was us four. This my very first visit to Mariposa Grove.
About 3/4 of a mile into the hike, I notice snowpack on the road! Woo hoo! Long last. It appeared as if we would need to put on our Yaktrax.
As we made our way closer, disappointment set in...AGAIN! It was just a patch of snow. We encountered a couple more patches in the road. Well, at least we didn't have to tote our snowshoes!
I am hiking in my North Face Baltoros. Not exactly the best shoes to hike in this kind of "terrain." Pam is in her Vasque hiking boots.
We make it. We take a couple of pictures. We stop to make a pitstop before heading up the trail to the Grizzly Giant. The couple who were in front of us, turned around at this point.
The trail was a gentle upward slope with a couple of switchbacks. Very little snow accumulation considering the recent storm that went through here.
As we got closer to the Grizzly Giant, the snow started coming down heavily as we made elevation gain. I kick up some dirt in the trail to mark the trail for our trip back.
After spending about 20 minutes at this part of the grove, we headed back the way we came. The dirt I had exposed was covered with at least 1/4" to 1/2" of new snow. All this in a span of 20-30 minutes! Conditions weren't "whiteout" but it was coming down heavily. Pretty awesome to be out in the wilderness when there is snow falling.
We take a shortcut going down another trail back to the parking lot. The trail led us down to the road. We "postholed" a lot through the old snow. Added to the thrill of the hike and gave us a good workout. Our snowshoes would not have done us any good since the snow was old and our snowshoes are more for powder rather than for wet or packed snow.
We encountered approximately 15 people on our way back. It was good knowing we had Mariposa Grove all to ourselves.
We hiked 6.32 miles in 2 hours and 56 minutes. Some of the pictures didn't come out good. Although we expected to see a lot of snow, we still had fun.
When we got home, we unloaded our gear, did a few things around the house and then we jumped in the spa and reflected on our little jaunt into Mariposa Grove. We were a little sore from all of the postholing, but that is a given.
It felt great to get out and about again...
I am in this picture somewhere.
Somewhere in here, too.
A stream.
Which way should we go?
At the Grizzly Giant.
Grizzly Giant.
I am in awe of the Grizzly Giant.
Pam at the Grizzly Giant.
Me at the Grizzly Giant.
Me in the Tunnel Tree.
Pam at the Tunnel Tree.
The "shortcut"-- No, we did not venture off trail.
The "shortcut" from a different angle closer up.
Pam at the Fallen Monarch. At least the camera tried to focus in on the falling snowflakes!
We stop in Coarsegold to get some coffee from Zanders and to top off the tank at the nearby gas station.
We took a slight detour to our trip when Pam noticed the Fresno River waterfalls in Yosemite Forks north of Oakhurst. We made a right on River Falls Road, but the road led took us back the other way. Next time we will take Road 222 and take Hidden Falls Road.
The drive to YNP was clear. No snow whatsoever on the roads or on the sides.
I noticed the Apple Tree Inn DID NOT have any snow on its roof! I was hoping to see it like this...
but it was not to be! There was one little small patch on the roof and that was it!
We get to Fish Camp and I noticed a thin film of new snow on top of the old snow on the side of the road. Not looking good.
We go through the park entrance and make the right hand turn to the parking area. We are a little disappointed when we arrived. Actually, I was disappointed. There was no snow on the roads or in the parking lot. I checked a nearby snowbank and the only fresh snow was a thin layer of sleet granules. The road to Mariposa Grove is closed and the road beyond the locked gates is void of ANY snow!
So much for using the snowshoes!
We begin at 10:00 a.m. and hike up the 2-mile long road. There was another couple ahead of us. It was us four. This my very first visit to Mariposa Grove.
About 3/4 of a mile into the hike, I notice snowpack on the road! Woo hoo! Long last. It appeared as if we would need to put on our Yaktrax.
As we made our way closer, disappointment set in...AGAIN! It was just a patch of snow. We encountered a couple more patches in the road. Well, at least we didn't have to tote our snowshoes!
I am hiking in my North Face Baltoros. Not exactly the best shoes to hike in this kind of "terrain." Pam is in her Vasque hiking boots.
We make it. We take a couple of pictures. We stop to make a pitstop before heading up the trail to the Grizzly Giant. The couple who were in front of us, turned around at this point.
The trail was a gentle upward slope with a couple of switchbacks. Very little snow accumulation considering the recent storm that went through here.
As we got closer to the Grizzly Giant, the snow started coming down heavily as we made elevation gain. I kick up some dirt in the trail to mark the trail for our trip back.
After spending about 20 minutes at this part of the grove, we headed back the way we came. The dirt I had exposed was covered with at least 1/4" to 1/2" of new snow. All this in a span of 20-30 minutes! Conditions weren't "whiteout" but it was coming down heavily. Pretty awesome to be out in the wilderness when there is snow falling.
We take a shortcut going down another trail back to the parking lot. The trail led us down to the road. We "postholed" a lot through the old snow. Added to the thrill of the hike and gave us a good workout. Our snowshoes would not have done us any good since the snow was old and our snowshoes are more for powder rather than for wet or packed snow.
We encountered approximately 15 people on our way back. It was good knowing we had Mariposa Grove all to ourselves.
We hiked 6.32 miles in 2 hours and 56 minutes. Some of the pictures didn't come out good. Although we expected to see a lot of snow, we still had fun.
When we got home, we unloaded our gear, did a few things around the house and then we jumped in the spa and reflected on our little jaunt into Mariposa Grove. We were a little sore from all of the postholing, but that is a given.
It felt great to get out and about again...
I am in this picture somewhere.
Somewhere in here, too.
A stream.
Which way should we go?
At the Grizzly Giant.
Grizzly Giant.
I am in awe of the Grizzly Giant.
Pam at the Grizzly Giant.
Me at the Grizzly Giant.
Me in the Tunnel Tree.
Pam at the Tunnel Tree.
The "shortcut"-- No, we did not venture off trail.
The "shortcut" from a different angle closer up.
Pam at the Fallen Monarch. At least the camera tried to focus in on the falling snowflakes!
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Saturday, January 17, 2009
HIGHWAY 49ER
Saturday, January 17, 2009:
We took advantage of the Martin Luther King, Jr. weekend to drive up Highway 49 in search of prime real estate in the Gold Rush Country with running water, pastures and plenty of trees.
We stopped in the holy city of Oakhurst to load up on some breakfast at Pete's Place before taking the 49 north. I have the Denver omelet while Pam has the Veggie Scramble.
Located on the right at the first light as you head up north to YNP.
We stopped in Mariposa to load up on some coffee.
The views in this area were spectacular at this time of year. Green all around. The roads were curvy after we hit Bear Valley. My arms and right foot got a good workout from the left and right-hand turns and applying the brakes on the downhill.
We passed through towns of Coulterville, Mocassin, Chinese Camp, Jamestown, Sonora, before stopping for a rest break to visit the Mark Twain Cabin just outside of Columbia, CA.
Mark Twain cabin (replica).
Mark Twain Bret Harte Trail sign.
Mark Twain Cabin marker.
Pam at the cabin.
Then Tuttletown, Melones, Carson Hill, and then we drive through...
Angels Camp.
If you are into Mark Twain and are visiting or living in California, then you have to stop here when they have their jubilee.
Angels Camp.
Downtown Angels Camp.
Then, off to San Andreas (no relation to the infamous fault line), Mokelumne Hill, Scottsville, Jackson, Martell, Sutter Hill, Drytown, Plymouth, River Pines, Aukum, Somerset, Tiger Lily, Placerville, Coloma, Pilot Hill, Cool, Auburn, and Grass Valley.
It was at Grass Valley that we decided enough was enough. We head west on Highway 20. Off in the distance it looked like smog. As we got closer to the valley, the fog was the result of the rice fields!
We stop in Yuba City and stay in a hotel room for the night. So much for roughing it! We go to Chili's next door to get in our dinner before retiring for the night. Food was pretty lousy.
Sunday, January 18, 2009:
After stopping at Raley's and Starbucks, we drive south on the dreaded 99 towards Sacramento. There is no hope for the 99 if the state and federal lawmakers decided to make the 99 an interstate freeway. Too boring a drive because it is too flat. If the 99 gets interstate status, they would have to re-do many of the exits to comply to federal regulations.
We stop at Elk Grove to cash in one of the Sport Chalet gift cards we received. We get a cast iron pot and a sports bottle. One less card to carry. Fresno desperately needs a Sports Chalet. With an REI and Herb Bauer in town, why not?
Then, Manteca for the highlight of our trip today...Bass Pro Shop. Wow! You walk in there and it is another world. To take a simple concept as a retail store and make it into a sportsman's paradise!
Quite an amazing place to shop and browse around. You want it, they probably have it. We looked at rifles, bows and crossbows mainly. Just shopping to get ready when the "you-know-what" hits the fan. With our Bass Pro Shop gift card we got a couple of sporks to replace the ones that were inadvertently thrown away at Tuolumne Meadows back in September 2008, some shirts and jewelry for Pam. Another card less to carry. Definitely worth another trip should we be given another Bass Pro Shop gift card!
Bass Pro Shop in Manteca, CA! Finally!
After heading west on Highway 120, we head east. Destination Yosemite National Park via Big Oak Flat and Groveland to look at more land closer to home.
We stop for some photo opportunities of Half Dome before taking Highway 140, the Yosemite All-Year Highway, out of Yosemite National Park into Mariposa and eventually home.
Half Dome. I should have used my telephoto for this shot but we were burning daylight and anxious to get home.
The Dome in the back.
Me...
After passing an "idiot" stopped in the middle of the road for no apparent reason near the tunnels, we make a right turn and head towards El Portal and Mariposa. Again, Pam and I have never been this way. Pam spotted the waterfall as we passed by, so I did a U-turn so we can stop to take a look and to take a couple of pictures.
As we drove we couldn't help but notice the sizes of the boulders that fell from the canyon walls. Would hate to have one of them land on us. Would make for a bad day.
There is a stretch of road where a bridge was constructed to bypass the massive landslide that closed this road into Yosemite National Park in June 2006 until the detour was opened in August 2006.
At the falls at Highway 140.
Me, too.
I was almost tempted to stop and spend the night in Mariposa, but we decided that since we were so close to home, why would we want to stay in a hotel in "our backyard?" We did stop to pick up a real estate brochure just south of Mariposa.
It was a fun time. We got to see a part of California's rich history. I am sure Huell Howser would agree.
Wherever I may roam...
We took advantage of the Martin Luther King, Jr. weekend to drive up Highway 49 in search of prime real estate in the Gold Rush Country with running water, pastures and plenty of trees.
We stopped in the holy city of Oakhurst to load up on some breakfast at Pete's Place before taking the 49 north. I have the Denver omelet while Pam has the Veggie Scramble.
Located on the right at the first light as you head up north to YNP.We stopped in Mariposa to load up on some coffee.
The views in this area were spectacular at this time of year. Green all around. The roads were curvy after we hit Bear Valley. My arms and right foot got a good workout from the left and right-hand turns and applying the brakes on the downhill.
We passed through towns of Coulterville, Mocassin, Chinese Camp, Jamestown, Sonora, before stopping for a rest break to visit the Mark Twain Cabin just outside of Columbia, CA.
Mark Twain cabin (replica).
Mark Twain Bret Harte Trail sign.
Mark Twain Cabin marker.
Pam at the cabin.Then Tuttletown, Melones, Carson Hill, and then we drive through...
Angels Camp.
If you are into Mark Twain and are visiting or living in California, then you have to stop here when they have their jubilee.
Angels Camp.
Downtown Angels Camp.Then, off to San Andreas (no relation to the infamous fault line), Mokelumne Hill, Scottsville, Jackson, Martell, Sutter Hill, Drytown, Plymouth, River Pines, Aukum, Somerset, Tiger Lily, Placerville, Coloma, Pilot Hill, Cool, Auburn, and Grass Valley.
It was at Grass Valley that we decided enough was enough. We head west on Highway 20. Off in the distance it looked like smog. As we got closer to the valley, the fog was the result of the rice fields!
We stop in Yuba City and stay in a hotel room for the night. So much for roughing it! We go to Chili's next door to get in our dinner before retiring for the night. Food was pretty lousy.
Sunday, January 18, 2009:
After stopping at Raley's and Starbucks, we drive south on the dreaded 99 towards Sacramento. There is no hope for the 99 if the state and federal lawmakers decided to make the 99 an interstate freeway. Too boring a drive because it is too flat. If the 99 gets interstate status, they would have to re-do many of the exits to comply to federal regulations.
We stop at Elk Grove to cash in one of the Sport Chalet gift cards we received. We get a cast iron pot and a sports bottle. One less card to carry. Fresno desperately needs a Sports Chalet. With an REI and Herb Bauer in town, why not?
Then, Manteca for the highlight of our trip today...Bass Pro Shop. Wow! You walk in there and it is another world. To take a simple concept as a retail store and make it into a sportsman's paradise!
Quite an amazing place to shop and browse around. You want it, they probably have it. We looked at rifles, bows and crossbows mainly. Just shopping to get ready when the "you-know-what" hits the fan. With our Bass Pro Shop gift card we got a couple of sporks to replace the ones that were inadvertently thrown away at Tuolumne Meadows back in September 2008, some shirts and jewelry for Pam. Another card less to carry. Definitely worth another trip should we be given another Bass Pro Shop gift card!
Bass Pro Shop in Manteca, CA! Finally!After heading west on Highway 120, we head east. Destination Yosemite National Park via Big Oak Flat and Groveland to look at more land closer to home.
We stop for some photo opportunities of Half Dome before taking Highway 140, the Yosemite All-Year Highway, out of Yosemite National Park into Mariposa and eventually home.
Half Dome. I should have used my telephoto for this shot but we were burning daylight and anxious to get home.
The Dome in the back.
Me...After passing an "idiot" stopped in the middle of the road for no apparent reason near the tunnels, we make a right turn and head towards El Portal and Mariposa. Again, Pam and I have never been this way. Pam spotted the waterfall as we passed by, so I did a U-turn so we can stop to take a look and to take a couple of pictures.
As we drove we couldn't help but notice the sizes of the boulders that fell from the canyon walls. Would hate to have one of them land on us. Would make for a bad day.
There is a stretch of road where a bridge was constructed to bypass the massive landslide that closed this road into Yosemite National Park in June 2006 until the detour was opened in August 2006.
At the falls at Highway 140.
Me, too.
I was almost tempted to stop and spend the night in Mariposa, but we decided that since we were so close to home, why would we want to stay in a hotel in "our backyard?" We did stop to pick up a real estate brochure just south of Mariposa.
It was a fun time. We got to see a part of California's rich history. I am sure Huell Howser would agree.
Wherever I may roam...
Thursday, January 08, 2009
ARE YOU READY FOR SOME WHITNEY?
The 2009 Mt. Whitney lottery application is available.
All applications must mailed with a postmark in February. The drawing is February 17 since February 16 is Presidents' Day.
Notifications of results by mail on or by (probably before) April 1, 2009. When you paid by credit card or by check, check your statements. If there is a hit on your statement, you got it!
List as many days as possible on your application. I have been successful by listing weekdays as my first choice. I "clump" them together. For example, I want to hike Mt. Whitney between August 13 and August 20 this year. My "wish list" for the one-day hike will be submitted as follows with the dates in order of preference:
August 14 (Fri)
August 17 (Mon)
August 13 (Thu)
August 15 (Sat)
August 16 (Sun)
August 18 (Tue)
August 19 (Wed)
August 20 (Thu)
I recommend staying away from major holidays like Independence Day and Labor Day.
If you like snow traverses then May and June are your months. You can glissade from Trail Crest down the chute. Use extreme caution if you do glissade down the chute.
July is good although last year on July 17 there was rain, snow, sleet, lightning, thunder. But it was a good hike nonetheless albeit wet and the 99s were soggy and tricky on the descent.
August is great although you have to worry about the monsoons in mid to late August. Sometimes it does snow in August above 12,000 feet.
September is another good month.
October is a coin flip. It is late in the season and very few hikers.
Of course, these are only my experiences on the mountain. Weather conditions dictate the order of the day.
Whatever date you choose, good luck!
Keep your group size small. Leading a group four or six is a helluva lot easier than a group of 8 to 15 when it comes to the big day. Trust me.
Click here to get Sun and Moon Rise/Set data.
Select the Type of Table.
Select California for the State or Territory.
Type in "Lone Pine" in the City or Town Name.
Then click on the "Compute Table" button.
Getting to the top is OPTIONAL and getting down is MANDATORY.
HYDRATION, HYDRATION, HYDRATION!
PACE, PACE, PACE!
NIBBLE, NIBBLE, NIBBLE!
When you are at the Portal Store, be sure you have either breakfast, lunch, or dinner and try to sit down with Doug and the crew. Socialize with the other hikers who come and go. Exchange stories, discuss strategies. Laugh, smile, awe.
Be safe.
Most importantly...
Have fun!
...and enjoy the view at 14,497 feet and take plenty of pictures! Especially, the summit register as proof positive you were up there!
Get up, get out, get going!
BMI
My BMI...
Or BMI= Body weight (pounds) / Heighth (inches) x Heighth (inches) X 703
Weight: 211
Height: 5' 11'
BMI: 29.4
Let's see...
Underweight = <18.5
Normal weight = 18.5-24.9
Overweight = 25-29.9
Obesity = BMI of 30 or greater
Overweight?
In order for me to be "normal" my weight has to be 178 pounds!
Oh yeah?
BS BMI!
Or BMI= Body weight (pounds) / Heighth (inches) x Heighth (inches) X 703
Weight: 211
Height: 5' 11'
BMI: 29.4
Let's see...
Underweight = <18.5
Normal weight = 18.5-24.9
Overweight = 25-29.9
Obesity = BMI of 30 or greater
Overweight?
In order for me to be "normal" my weight has to be 178 pounds!
Oh yeah?
BS BMI!
Monday, January 05, 2009
WHAT THE PHO?
Ate my very first Vietnamese pho (pronounced fuh) with chicken and rice noodles from the Jasmine Garden Oriental Restaurant on 2635 E. Shaw in Fresno.
My wife ate her first bowl of pho while undergoing training in Orange County, CA. One of her teammates introduced her to Vietnamese cuisine and she really liked it. When Pam returned from training, she asked everyone where the nearest Vietnamese restaurant was and nobody knew. Until someone mentioned about the restaurant in Fresno across from the Save Mart Center.
Very good except for the jalapeno that came with it. I thought it was a Vietnamese vegetable. NOT! Mouth on fire!!! Overloaded on the capsaicin. My wife got me some cheese to heat to put out the fire, but what I really needed was a glass of milk.
I thought pho was Vietnamese (maybe Chinese) and not Mexican?
Whatever.
It was delicious.
Next time I will pass on the jalapeno.
My wife ate her first bowl of pho while undergoing training in Orange County, CA. One of her teammates introduced her to Vietnamese cuisine and she really liked it. When Pam returned from training, she asked everyone where the nearest Vietnamese restaurant was and nobody knew. Until someone mentioned about the restaurant in Fresno across from the Save Mart Center.
Very good except for the jalapeno that came with it. I thought it was a Vietnamese vegetable. NOT! Mouth on fire!!! Overloaded on the capsaicin. My wife got me some cheese to heat to put out the fire, but what I really needed was a glass of milk.
I thought pho was Vietnamese (maybe Chinese) and not Mexican?
Whatever.
It was delicious.
Next time I will pass on the jalapeno.
Saturday, January 03, 2009
OF REI, SLATE, 159, AND "BUTTERFLIES"
Pam and I made it to our very first REI Fresno used gear sale for members only on Saturday, January 3, 2009, starting at 9:00 a.m. As luck would have it, we didn't get to the parking lot until 9:45, but there was a line that serpentined behind the store. There must have been 200 people standing in line as we made our way to the end. Pam noticed as we passed by there wasn't anyone in the store except for some sales associates.
After seeing where the end of the serpentine line was, we went to Border's and treated ourselves to some hot coffee to start our day. We decided to wander and check out River Park as we headed towards the Edwards Cinemas. When we turned around, Pam noticed the line to REI was starting to move. We walked briskly back to REI. I glance at my watch...it is 10:00 a.m. Guess there was a misprint in the start time of the sale! Somebody goofed!
It was a zoo. There were two lines: one long and one short. We opted for the shorter line near the tents and packs! Go figure!
Customers, I should say REI members, were coming out from the warehouse with store bags full of gear. People were just grabbing not knowing what they needed, then brought it out to the main part of the store, then sorted it all out and then returned what they didn't need into the warehouse. Greed. What people would do to satisfy their needs. Wait until you hear about food riots on CNN! Clip and save.
The high "stake-&-take" item? Hiking and running boots and shoes. Then snowboarding equipment, then Yakima gear racks.
We make it into the warehouse. Wall-to-wall people. Pushing and shoving. There was nothing we needed because there was nothing in the bins or on the shelves. We walked out empty-handed. It was to be.
We found Pam a medium Osprey Aura 65 pack on sale for $189.93 (reg. $239.00). With this pack, Pam and I can go backpacking now! WOO HOO! She liked the color of the Aura 50, but the Aura 65 only comes in sapphire and the Aura 50 does not have a sleeping bag compartment. I only do the Sherpa thing to a point and carrying my wife's sleeping bag isn't one of my "honey duties. " She is pretty stoked about the pack! I think we will break in the new pack by hiking up to Little Yosemite Valley.
We drove to Whole Foods for a breakfast burrito. We decided to take a road trip so we drove up the 99. We got off at Merced and decided to go to Mariposa. We wanted to drive to Sonora, but we didn't have our snow gear and we didn't bring our Bass Pro Shops gift card should we have made a stop in Manteca.
The drive Mariposa was a good call. Although the fog limited the visibility of the surrounding foothills, the drive was remarkable nonetheless. The foothills were covered with outcroppings of Yosemite slate. I was tempted to stop the car and load up a few slabs to take home!
Then Pam noticed a for sale sign. 159 acres. So I pulled of to the side at this little rock shop and turned around.
We get to the gate and stop by the sign. No price listed but there was a phone number. Pam called it. Price? $475,000. Almost $3,000 per acre. Nothing but land. Hmm...
We proceeded to Mariposa. We drove up the main drag, turned around and stopped in front of this gift shop. We browsed around. Then we walked to the coffee shop to get warmed up. We stopped at this shoe and clothing store. Nice shirts and shoes and reasonably priced.
If we do go to Sonora, we are going up via Highway 49 and go as far as we can up Highway 108 to do some snowshoeing and possible some camping.
We may even look in to that 159 acres, too!
After seeing where the end of the serpentine line was, we went to Border's and treated ourselves to some hot coffee to start our day. We decided to wander and check out River Park as we headed towards the Edwards Cinemas. When we turned around, Pam noticed the line to REI was starting to move. We walked briskly back to REI. I glance at my watch...it is 10:00 a.m. Guess there was a misprint in the start time of the sale! Somebody goofed!
It was a zoo. There were two lines: one long and one short. We opted for the shorter line near the tents and packs! Go figure!
Customers, I should say REI members, were coming out from the warehouse with store bags full of gear. People were just grabbing not knowing what they needed, then brought it out to the main part of the store, then sorted it all out and then returned what they didn't need into the warehouse. Greed. What people would do to satisfy their needs. Wait until you hear about food riots on CNN! Clip and save.
The high "stake-&-take" item? Hiking and running boots and shoes. Then snowboarding equipment, then Yakima gear racks.
We make it into the warehouse. Wall-to-wall people. Pushing and shoving. There was nothing we needed because there was nothing in the bins or on the shelves. We walked out empty-handed. It was to be.
We found Pam a medium Osprey Aura 65 pack on sale for $189.93 (reg. $239.00). With this pack, Pam and I can go backpacking now! WOO HOO! She liked the color of the Aura 50, but the Aura 65 only comes in sapphire and the Aura 50 does not have a sleeping bag compartment. I only do the Sherpa thing to a point and carrying my wife's sleeping bag isn't one of my "honey duties. " She is pretty stoked about the pack! I think we will break in the new pack by hiking up to Little Yosemite Valley.
We drove to Whole Foods for a breakfast burrito. We decided to take a road trip so we drove up the 99. We got off at Merced and decided to go to Mariposa. We wanted to drive to Sonora, but we didn't have our snow gear and we didn't bring our Bass Pro Shops gift card should we have made a stop in Manteca.
The drive Mariposa was a good call. Although the fog limited the visibility of the surrounding foothills, the drive was remarkable nonetheless. The foothills were covered with outcroppings of Yosemite slate. I was tempted to stop the car and load up a few slabs to take home!
Then Pam noticed a for sale sign. 159 acres. So I pulled of to the side at this little rock shop and turned around.
We get to the gate and stop by the sign. No price listed but there was a phone number. Pam called it. Price? $475,000. Almost $3,000 per acre. Nothing but land. Hmm...
We proceeded to Mariposa. We drove up the main drag, turned around and stopped in front of this gift shop. We browsed around. Then we walked to the coffee shop to get warmed up. We stopped at this shoe and clothing store. Nice shirts and shoes and reasonably priced.
If we do go to Sonora, we are going up via Highway 49 and go as far as we can up Highway 108 to do some snowshoeing and possible some camping.
We may even look in to that 159 acres, too!
Thursday, January 01, 2009
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