Monday, May 28, 2012

Beginning of summer at Wrights Lake

Who knew a kayak could break ice?

Leaf boats

Monday at the cabin felt like summer or at least spring. Most of the snow had melted and the plants were starting to grow. The woodpeckers and robins were back. We even saw Harry the Marmot.

We hiked to Shower Falls. The kids took off their shoes and jumped in the water. Later Weston watched the leaf boats he threw in as they were pulled by the current.

A slushy paddle

On Sunday afternoon we paddled on our slushy lake. The kids were excited to break new paths through the ice. Definitely a new experience for all of us!

Memorial day winter wonderland

A storm dumped 6 inches of snow on our cabin. Since the road conditions looked iffy on Saturday, we decided to arrive at the cabin early Sunday morning. The road was a little interesting, but we made it! The snow was rapidly melting and sliding off the trees. The snow froze on the surface of the lake. What a beautiful surprise.

Saturday, May 26, 2012

Dr Suess in our hotel room

Black Chasm Cave

Today we toured Black Chasm Cave in the Sierra Foothills. It's an amazing verticle cave full of stalactites and other calcite formations.

Sunday, May 20, 2012

A day in SF

We spent Saturday with Suji and Darwin in SF. Weston and Brennan enjoyed the view from Suji's apartment. All the kids loved the fountain. Suji talked the hotel manager into taking us to the top floor for a spectacular view of the city. We had lunch at our favorite restaurant, House of Nanking, then a tour of Chinatown. Finally we rode the street car back to Suji's place, winding down a great trip to the city. It's nice that the kiddos are old enough to really enjoy the experience.

More eclipse excitement

Closer to 6:30pm, nearing the peak of the eclipse, we walked across the street to view since our yard was in shadow. Someone had a real telescope set up and folks started to gather. We all got a great look both with the telescope and our pinhole camera. We also noticed the natural crescent shapes made by the light through the trees making very unique patterns on the sidewalk. It was oddly dark nearing sunset, then it got brighter before the sun finally went down.

Solar eclipse

Daddy and Kelton built a pinhole camera to watch the annular solar eclipse.

Saturday, May 12, 2012

New Year's Weekend at Wrights Lake - part 2


New Year's Weekend at Wrights Lake - part 1

Last winter was crazy for all the snow; this year was crazy for how little.  For the first time in decades, folks could drive to their cabins with a regular car for New Year's.  We didn't miss the chance.  We made an ice rink on the solidly frozen lake, sledded on the bit of snow that we had, hiked up the mountains as usual, and cozied up in the cabin in front of the fireplace for our long winters' naps.


Drawing class

Project 2 - Weston and Brennan cautiously explore Beauty Lake together.

Summer fun

Count to 10 then splash!

Thursday, May 10, 2012

Train museum

Everyone explored the trains at the Railroad Museum in Sacramento. Weston looking at the diesel engine's huge wheels. Brennan is on the mail train. Kelton and crew are walking by the sleeper cars.