Yosemite National Park is an inspiring place no matter the season, but there is something magical about the park in winter, with its sparkling snow-covered meadows against a backdrop of grey monoliths and towering evergreens. The girls and I had another opportunity to visit our perennial happy place with Owen this past weekend as we… Continue reading Happy Isles and a Happy Dog in the Season of the Sticks
Category: Camping
Hetch Hetchy Reservoir
A fish swam into a concrete wall. Oh dam. Hetch Hetchy Reservoir is located in the northwestern corner of Yosemite National Park and supplies drinking water to residents of the San Francisco Bay area. The reservoir is contained by the massive 430-foot O'Shaughnessy Dam, which was built in the 1920s along the main stem of… Continue reading Hetch Hetchy Reservoir
Angels Camp: Mark Twain and the Jumping Frogs of Calaveras County
A famous 'jumping frog' figurine "I found Simon Wheeler dozing comfortably by the bar-room stove of the old, dilapidated tavern in the ancient mining camp of Angel's... He roused up and gave me good-day." -Mark Twain, The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County Our adventure into Sierra gold country continued following our crossing over the… Continue reading Angels Camp: Mark Twain and the Jumping Frogs of Calaveras County
Driving CA Route 108: The Sonora Pass
After three days in Bridgeport and a pleasant brekky in Lee Vining, Sami and I hit the road and headed north along U.S. Route 395 to CA-108. California State Route 108 is an east-west highway that traverses the Sierra Nevada Mountains in Northern California. The Sonora Pass is steep and winding in many places. While… Continue reading Driving CA Route 108: The Sonora Pass
Great California Road Trips: Mono County
Also known as Great California Road Trips: U.S. 395, Part 3 The trail to Hilltop Hot Springs It is no secret how much I love traversing California, especially on U.S. Route 395. This past week's adventures were pretty well tied to this north-south route, as many of our summer adventures tend to be. As it… Continue reading Great California Road Trips: Mono County
The Cranky Camper 