Thursday, December 6, 2012

The switch to the back...

 
Jasper is now 8 months old and is over 18 pounds!  For the last couple of months, it has been increasingly challenging to carry him on our chests.  He is getting big!  Finally, in November, we decided to switch him over to a backpack.  The first time we put him in a backpack, he proceeded to grab my left shoulder from behind and stretch his neck out as far as he could to be able to see around me.  He wasn't upset, just seemingly saying, "This is weird.  Daddy, I think you put me in the wrong place.  I can't see ahead very easily..."  We decided to try a different backpack...one that allowed him to look over my shoulders more easily.  We were a little concerned that he wouldn't enjoy himself, but quickly realized that he was having a blast!      

Trinidad Head hike in mid-November

Excitement right from the start!

Hike to mouth of the Mad River in mid November

Mouth of the Mad River

Thanksgiving Day hike in Redwood NP

Life is good!

Thursday, November 1, 2012

A spooky, spooky day!

 I've always loved Halloween.  This year, it's been even more fun with a 7 month old!  We ended up going to two pumpkin patches.  The first pumpkin patch, we took a hay ride to get out there.  Jasper was very excited and curious.  It was beautiful sunny, crisp, Fall weather.  We found the perfect pumpkin, and then hopped on another hay ride back to the barn. 
 
The next evening, we went to a different pumpkin patch with good friends, Dave and Laura.  This is the 4 year in a row that we have done something together for Halloween (the 3rd year in a row that we have gotten together to go to a pumpkin patch).  There were low, ominous clouds...perfect for just before Halloween!  As the end of the day approached, the sun suddenly broke through the clouds for a stunning sunset and perfect lighting for the bright orange pumpkins.  That evening, we all carved pumpkins.
 
Finally, Halloween arrived!  Jasper was excited to be a "Pea Pod" and to go Trick or Treating!  Actually, we were probably more excited than he was!  We had Dave, Laura and Pam over for dinner and then wandered over to a few neighbors houses for some treats.  What a wonderful time of year!!   
In the pumpkin patch after the hay ride brought us out there

Somebodies VERY excited to be picking pumpkins!

Very curious!

In the pumpkin patch with Dave and Laura
 
Once again, very curious!

About to hed out Trick or Treating!

Our "Pea Pod" and the neighbor "Peacock"

Thursday, October 25, 2012

Giant mountains and wild lava tubes

 

In mid October, we spent three nights and four days exploring several wild areas in Northern California.  The first night, we camped at Hat Creek (along the PCT) just north of Lassen Peak.  This is the same place we camped in late June.  It's a beautiful, free campsite right along Hat Creek, a rushing mountain stream.  The temps plummeted overnight, but the three of us stayed warm and happy!  A morning cup of hot chocolate was a perfect way to start the frosty day! 

From there, we drove to Lava Beds National Monument, right near the Oregon border. 
 
We had an amazing time in Lava Beds.  The park exceeded our expectations.  We especially enjoyed exploring the multitude of small caves in the area.  The caves are all lava tubes from past volcanic activity.  The hiking was also quite interesting.  This is high desert with sagebrush and juniper trees.  The stars are night were fantastic!  We took a long walk between in the evening (partially to pass the time after it got dark, partially to stay warm, and partially to view the ancient night sky above). 
Dropping in to the dark unknown!

Light at the end of the tunnel!

Sunrise at our campsite in Lava Beds
A happy camper!
Exiting a cave into the glorious sunshine
Alpenglow on Mt. Shasta

Mt. Shasta
 

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

Jasper at 6 months!

Jasper is 6 months old now!  He is 16 lbs, 13 oz and 27.25 inches long.  He is happy and healthy!  Here are some of my favorite photos from the other day...





Backpacking among the ancient trees

In early October, I headed out into the wilds of Redwood National Park for a solo overnight backpacking trip.  I hiked down in to Tall Trees Grove, a remote stand of giants, then along Redwood Creek to my campsite at Elam Creek.  On the way, I saw fresh elk tracks and scat.  This time of year often has perfect weather...It's after the summer fog but before the winter rain.  I saw mostly sunny skies and a stunningly clear night.  My campsite was just a few feet above the water at the confluence of Redwood and Elam Creek.  On the second day, I backpacked up to almost 1400 feet (my campsite was at about 60 feet), then looped back to Tall Trees Grove and eventually my car.  It seemed to be a little used area of the park.  There were very few other hikers.  A fresh pile of bear scar added to the wildness!   
Redwood Creek

Some of the ancient giants along Redwood Creek
Redwood Creek reflection from my campsite

What a campsite!

My tent looks like a boulder on the right side of the picture

The mountain lakes of Oregon

To celebrate the last 3 days of summer, the three of us ventured north to several mountain lakes in the Cascades of Southern Oregon.  The weather was sunny with temps in the 70's in the day and around 50 at night...perfect for camping!  We spent both nights camping at Lake of the Woods, which is a large lake just south of the impressive looking Mt. McLoughlin (9,495').  I hiked a 12 mile segment of the PCT, which wrapped around Brown Mountain, getting ever-closer to McLoughlin.  We enjoyed two evenings along the shores of the lake as we gazed at the sunset, a spectacular crescent moon setting over the distant mountains and finally a stunning night sky.      
On the shore of Lake of the Woods


Our campsite at Lake of the Woods

Along the PCT through an old lava flow
 
Along the PCT looking north at Mt. McLoughlin

Somebody is excited to be camping!
Mt. McLoughlin and Lake of the Woods

Sunday, September 30, 2012

Visit from Las Vegas Part II

 In early September, we enjoyed a wonderful visit from Susanna's parents.  During the visit, we hiked in the redwoods and along the beaches (Trinidad and Malel Dunes), enjoyed the HSU touch-tank and aquarium and (of course) spent lots of time with Jasper!
Malel Dunes North

Happy time with Abu


One cool dude!

A perfect image from on top of Trinidad Head

A VERY happy munchkin!