There now are a few more sticks just below the others....
[Two Stick A Family Tradition]
Pictures now replace all word for remainder of this post.
Sunday, May 10, 2015
To Two Stick, Again
Now all members of our immediate family have successfully made the hike and climb to Two Stick.
There now are a few more sticks just below the others....
[Two Stick A Family Tradition]
Pictures now replace all word for remainder of this post.
There now are a few more sticks just below the others....
[Two Stick A Family Tradition]
Pictures now replace all word for remainder of this post.
Tuesday, May 5, 2015
Visit to an Old Friend & Visits by a New Friend and an Old Friend
An Old Friend Visited:
Son Matthew and family hike along the river. A stop on this journey would be to visit an old friend, a grand old tree. The post from January 1, 2015 had a picture of this grand tree, with "The Tree Hugger" giving it a big hug [The Original Tree Hugger. ]
We we figured it needed another big hug so the whole family gave it one.
 |
| 1st Hug on Jan 1 2015 by "The Tree Huggeer" |
We we figured it needed another big hug so the whole family gave it one.
 |
| Hugs by all for this grand tree! |
Visit From a New Friend:
Our New Friend,The Coast Horned Lizard, mentioned in the previous post, visited again. He spent quite some time digging with all fours. Not sure the purpose. Thought at first he was looking for food but he never looked back. Thought maybe he was a she and was going to bury eggs, but didn't make a hole, just seemed to scratch the surface and move on and do it all over again.
Visit From an "old friend"
Sunday was Elaina's 10th birthday.We just hung out around the cabin, but were quite busy. Jeep, motorcycle and ATV rides were some of the activities of the day. On one ATV ride Brian and Broden just about ran over a big snake. They hurried back to announce their find. They reported it was NOT a rattlesnake, but it was Big, maybe five feet long or more!!!! Also, seemed fatter than usual so maybe it had recently eaten. I grabbed my reference book and we all followed Broden & Brian on foot, the 100 plus yards or so to the point of the sighting. In just a minute or two, the snake's position was found. It was quickly identified as a Pacific Gopher snake, with a clear view of the "clowns tear" beneath the eye. It was at least five feet long. We all stood behind and to the side for several minutes and watched it slither away up into the rocks. I told Elain that Mother Nature sent this special gift for her to see.
As I walked back to the cabin, the thought occurred to me that this may be the same Pacific Gopher snake that visited Mary and me last July 1 The one I had carried away to the woods, away from the cabin. The spot where I had carried it to and released it was only about 200 yards or so from the place we saw today's snake. Upon my return I reviewed my pictures from that encounter and while I cannot be certain, I think the probability high that this is indeed the snake of last summer....thus a visit from an "old friend". [Our Initial Meeting]
I think it special and very fortunate, to have such diversity of "friends".
Visit From an "old friend"
Sunday was Elaina's 10th birthday.We just hung out around the cabin, but were quite busy. Jeep, motorcycle and ATV rides were some of the activities of the day. On one ATV ride Brian and Broden just about ran over a big snake. They hurried back to announce their find. They reported it was NOT a rattlesnake, but it was Big, maybe five feet long or more!!!! Also, seemed fatter than usual so maybe it had recently eaten. I grabbed my reference book and we all followed Broden & Brian on foot, the 100 plus yards or so to the point of the sighting. In just a minute or two, the snake's position was found. It was quickly identified as a Pacific Gopher snake, with a clear view of the "clowns tear" beneath the eye. It was at least five feet long. We all stood behind and to the side for several minutes and watched it slither away up into the rocks. I told Elain that Mother Nature sent this special gift for her to see.
 |
| Look closely, we think perhaps our friend had recently eaten (much thicker towards back) |
As I walked back to the cabin, the thought occurred to me that this may be the same Pacific Gopher snake that visited Mary and me last July 1 The one I had carried away to the woods, away from the cabin. The spot where I had carried it to and released it was only about 200 yards or so from the place we saw today's snake. Upon my return I reviewed my pictures from that encounter and while I cannot be certain, I think the probability high that this is indeed the snake of last summer....thus a visit from an "old friend". [Our Initial Meeting]
 |
| Our 1st Meeting July 1, 2014 |
Saturday, May 2, 2015
Snakes, Lizards, Hummingbirds & "Cactus Man"
May 1, 2015 a little after 4:00 pm, Mom and Dad join us at the cabin. There is a joyous reunion in front of the cabin! The four grandchildren have just spent the last three days with G'Ma & G'Pa. While a wonderful time was had by all during the past few days, I think the kids and grandparents alike were happy to see Mom and Dad show up. We now look forward to some even greater adventures with them.
While Luke had visited us last fall and was the subject of several posts and pages on this blog, the visit here and indeed the spending time in the mountains would be firsts for his siblings.
G'ma & G'Pa began our adventure with Luke, Elaina, Broden, and Lydia Tuesday morning, as we packed the big pick-up to the point there was barely a cubic inch of space not taken.
The journey to the cabin was "uneventful" but there was a building of excitement and anticipation. I think brother Luke had really told some great stories and 'built up" the place. I began to worry a little that the reality might be somewhat of a let down.
In the end there was nothing to worry about as, whatever their expectations might have been, they seemed to have a blast.
While each hour of these three days had, many great stories and memories, I think I shall only write in this post about some "nature encounters".
Snakes
There was one question that came up many times, starting from the ride from the airport six days ago and at least once a day from someone. What about snakes? Are there rattlesnakes? So how to tell the truth and yet not build upon their fears?? In all the hikes we have taken, we have only seen a snake on one hike and two other occasions and only in the heat of July. (I wrote of one such encounter in earlier in this blog [1st Snake Encounter]) Thus, I figured the chances of seeing a snake quite remote. I did however say we would have to be on the lookout and take special care. But I made a quite a convincing argument, if dare say so, that we probably wouldn't see a snake.....While there were snakes in California, I had only seen a couple and it was still cold at night so they probably weren't very active, etc, etc.....But it would only take a day into their trip to show that I do not know what I am talking about.
Sunday, in the greater LA area, pretty much exactly 24 hours after their arrival, there were ten of us who decided to take a little hike in the San Gabriel mountains.
Probably twenty minutes into the hike down by a little stream sure enough a snake was sighted! To the delight of at least Broden and but to the concern of some others. It was a little garter snake. As we concluded our hike, we noticed a Forest Service bulletin board and what is posted??? A picture of a giant rattlesnake, seen on the trail just a few days before....Oh well, this is way down in here and not way up in the mountains where Grandma and Grandpa cabin is.
Back to the cabin. Wednesday mid-day we decide to take a hike to the ridge behind us and do some climbing up maybe a hundred feet or so. And what do we see, after just a few minutes? Of course a snake. This time a colorful Sierra Mountain King Snake...cute little guy maybe a 16" long. [Sierra Mountain King Snake] I had never seen one of these before. Here again Broden is delighted. The snake chose not to stay and slivered away fairly quickly. Quickly I explained that this snake is a friend because it eats mice and will sometimes eat other snakes, even rattlesnakes, that is why they are called "kings"...king snakes. Further reminders and explanations were made to be on the lookout and some more do's and don'ts.
But there was to be another new reptile to cross our path.....late afternoon, I think, Lydia, exclaimed there was a fat salamander under our deck! Finally something to the delight of all and not just Broden. This new creature just remained motionless so we all could get a great look. His camouflage against the sand was great!. Upon inspection, it was clear that this was again something I had never seen before, so to the reference book. Without doubt a Coast Horned Lizard...wow!! Later he came out and I got a picture of him.
Interestingly, Luke informed me, from his science book that this guy can spit blood from his eyes! I was somewhat doubtful, but he was right. If say a dog grabs one blood is squirted from his eyes into the mouth. There is something in the blood which is very distasteful causing the dog to drop the lizard and shake its head with it's mouth open. Apparently it is not harmful to to the dog.
The humming birds. I wrote in my last blog that we hung a hummingbird feeder. Upon our return about a third of the nectar was gone. Luke was patient enough to confirm that the visitors are Rufous Hummingbirds. Quite a pretty rusty-orange color. [Rufous Hummingbirds]
The last "nature encounter" was that of cactus. We have quite a number of cactus here and there under trees and in the open. Broden, the super inquisitive one, very early gently "kicked" one with his tennis shoes on. Of course, he got some spines in his toe. Fortunately they were big enough to easily grab and remove. Yesterday morning he and Luke came in from rock climbing with Broden complaining of a sliver in his thumb.
I looked and looked but couldn't find anything, but he assured me it hurt and was there. I asked him, "What were you doing?" "I got it from cactus." he replied. "Why were you touching cactus" I continued. "Well, you know, a guy on TV said cactus were full of water and I wanted to see, so I broke one in half." No one couldt get even the least bit angry with this as an explanation. "Well", I asked, "Was it full of water?" "No, just a lot of wet green stuff"
Well back to the thumb with the spline. I pulled out my jewelers loupe (I always have one in my backpack as I love to look at things close up) and I still couldn't find anything. Luke took a look and found it and finally I was able to see the very fine spline. Luke got out his tweezers from his Swiss Army knife and we finally removed it. Broden informed us there was still one there. After some time we I finally saw a teeny stubble and it was getting a little bump around it and was slightly red. There was no good way to get it our short of digging it out with a pin. For the time being I told him that his body was attacking it and would probably dissolve it. We would watch it and if it got worse we would do something different. Several hours later there was nothing to be seen. But, I now call Broden "Cactus Man".
So, three great days of memories! A big plus is we all learned a thing or two, as well.. The next few days seems to promise more of the same.
While Luke had visited us last fall and was the subject of several posts and pages on this blog, the visit here and indeed the spending time in the mountains would be firsts for his siblings.
G'ma & G'Pa began our adventure with Luke, Elaina, Broden, and Lydia Tuesday morning, as we packed the big pick-up to the point there was barely a cubic inch of space not taken.
 |
| G'Ma & Broden are ready |
 |
| Luke, Elaina & Lydia are ready |
 |
| Not a cubic inch of empty space |
The journey to the cabin was "uneventful" but there was a building of excitement and anticipation. I think brother Luke had really told some great stories and 'built up" the place. I began to worry a little that the reality might be somewhat of a let down.
In the end there was nothing to worry about as, whatever their expectations might have been, they seemed to have a blast.
While each hour of these three days had, many great stories and memories, I think I shall only write in this post about some "nature encounters".
Snakes
There was one question that came up many times, starting from the ride from the airport six days ago and at least once a day from someone. What about snakes? Are there rattlesnakes? So how to tell the truth and yet not build upon their fears?? In all the hikes we have taken, we have only seen a snake on one hike and two other occasions and only in the heat of July. (I wrote of one such encounter in earlier in this blog [1st Snake Encounter]) Thus, I figured the chances of seeing a snake quite remote. I did however say we would have to be on the lookout and take special care. But I made a quite a convincing argument, if dare say so, that we probably wouldn't see a snake.....While there were snakes in California, I had only seen a couple and it was still cold at night so they probably weren't very active, etc, etc.....But it would only take a day into their trip to show that I do not know what I am talking about.
Sunday, in the greater LA area, pretty much exactly 24 hours after their arrival, there were ten of us who decided to take a little hike in the San Gabriel mountains.
Probably twenty minutes into the hike down by a little stream sure enough a snake was sighted! To the delight of at least Broden and but to the concern of some others. It was a little garter snake. As we concluded our hike, we noticed a Forest Service bulletin board and what is posted??? A picture of a giant rattlesnake, seen on the trail just a few days before....Oh well, this is way down in here and not way up in the mountains where Grandma and Grandpa cabin is.
Back to the cabin. Wednesday mid-day we decide to take a hike to the ridge behind us and do some climbing up maybe a hundred feet or so. And what do we see, after just a few minutes? Of course a snake. This time a colorful Sierra Mountain King Snake...cute little guy maybe a 16" long. [Sierra Mountain King Snake] I had never seen one of these before. Here again Broden is delighted. The snake chose not to stay and slivered away fairly quickly. Quickly I explained that this snake is a friend because it eats mice and will sometimes eat other snakes, even rattlesnakes, that is why they are called "kings"...king snakes. Further reminders and explanations were made to be on the lookout and some more do's and don'ts.
But there was to be another new reptile to cross our path.....late afternoon, I think, Lydia, exclaimed there was a fat salamander under our deck! Finally something to the delight of all and not just Broden. This new creature just remained motionless so we all could get a great look. His camouflage against the sand was great!. Upon inspection, it was clear that this was again something I had never seen before, so to the reference book. Without doubt a Coast Horned Lizard...wow!! Later he came out and I got a picture of him.
Interestingly, Luke informed me, from his science book that this guy can spit blood from his eyes! I was somewhat doubtful, but he was right. If say a dog grabs one blood is squirted from his eyes into the mouth. There is something in the blood which is very distasteful causing the dog to drop the lizard and shake its head with it's mouth open. Apparently it is not harmful to to the dog.
The humming birds. I wrote in my last blog that we hung a hummingbird feeder. Upon our return about a third of the nectar was gone. Luke was patient enough to confirm that the visitors are Rufous Hummingbirds. Quite a pretty rusty-orange color. [Rufous Hummingbirds]
The last "nature encounter" was that of cactus. We have quite a number of cactus here and there under trees and in the open. Broden, the super inquisitive one, very early gently "kicked" one with his tennis shoes on. Of course, he got some spines in his toe. Fortunately they were big enough to easily grab and remove. Yesterday morning he and Luke came in from rock climbing with Broden complaining of a sliver in his thumb.
I looked and looked but couldn't find anything, but he assured me it hurt and was there. I asked him, "What were you doing?" "I got it from cactus." he replied. "Why were you touching cactus" I continued. "Well, you know, a guy on TV said cactus were full of water and I wanted to see, so I broke one in half." No one couldt get even the least bit angry with this as an explanation. "Well", I asked, "Was it full of water?" "No, just a lot of wet green stuff"
Well back to the thumb with the spline. I pulled out my jewelers loupe (I always have one in my backpack as I love to look at things close up) and I still couldn't find anything. Luke took a look and found it and finally I was able to see the very fine spline. Luke got out his tweezers from his Swiss Army knife and we finally removed it. Broden informed us there was still one there. After some time we I finally saw a teeny stubble and it was getting a little bump around it and was slightly red. There was no good way to get it our short of digging it out with a pin. For the time being I told him that his body was attacking it and would probably dissolve it. We would watch it and if it got worse we would do something different. Several hours later there was nothing to be seen. But, I now call Broden "Cactus Man".
So, three great days of memories! A big plus is we all learned a thing or two, as well.. The next few days seems to promise more of the same.
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