Almost there!

March 11, 2008:

Last time I wrote, I was leaving Rye Patch State Park and heading into Yosemite. Before arriving at Rye Patch State Park in NV, I drove through Salt Lake City, UT and then the salt flats - where I was sure I was going to run out of gas! Obviously, I made it across unscathed. So, a photo of a salt flat and some pictures of my camp at Rye Patch - one of my camp, and then an overlook of the campgrounds.


I pulled into Yosemite just before sunset. The sun washed the landscape with gorgeous, warm colors. I didn't stop to photograph any sites because I was worried about finding a decent campsite. Most sites were flooded due to snowmelt. I managed to find a dry camp, with a fire ring, picnic table and a bear box. I cooked dinner on my tiny campstove. Dinner was Lipton rice, an apple, orange, some carrots, and a piece of dark chocolate. I set off to build a fire and met a man who is a geologist at the US Geological Survey in Menlo Park, CA. Small world, eh? His daughter was at the Yosemite Institute Camp where they teach children about the great outdoors. I sat around my fire for awhile then retired for the night. I was pretty tired and slept well. The temperature this night was in the upper 20s/lower 30s F.

March 12, 2008:

I woke early, packed up camp and headed off to explore. First, I found Yosemite Falls. I hiked to the lower falls which was no huge feat - it's handi accessible. Then I caught the free shuttle to Mirror Lake. Mirror Lake is breathtaking! While on the trail, I met Duncan from the UK. He has a fancypants camera and it turns out he's a wedding photographer! His work is amazing; you can view it here: www.duncankerridge.co.uk A shameless plug for a nice man. We hiked back to Yosemite Lodge where we shared coffee, then parted ways. I went on my way to Bridal Veil Falls then set off to leave the park for San Francisco. There is major road construction in Yosemite with a one-way road. I stopped at the light for about 30minutes. During my wait, I struck a conversation with the family in front of me. It turns out, the man is a fish biologist for a private research firm. He gave me his business card and wants me to keep in touch! He was familiar with the work I'll be doing in Oregon. Really small world! Picture time!

Sentinel Dome from Yosemite Valley

Yosemite Falls from Yosemite Valley

Mule deer on the trail to lower Yosemite Falls

Lower Yosemite Falls

Mirror Lake

Mirror Lake

Me at Mirror Lake, courtesy of Duncan Kerridge

Half Dome from Yosemite Valley (I will climb this someday)

I drove down the mountains into the valley. I stopped in Tracy, CA at a Motel 6 for the evening. I did not enjoy myself here. I would have been more comfortable camping somewhere.

March 13, 2008:

I woke early and high-tailed it out of that seedy motel! I couldn't pack fast enough. I experienced the wonderfully immense traffic jams of big city California. Yee haw! I finally crossed the Bay Bridge at Oakland into San Francisco. So exciting! I drove down the Embarcadero to Fisherman's Wharf and parked my car. I walked down to Pier 39 to give a good morning to the California Sea Lions. Lazy sots, they are!

I ate brunch at Boudin's per the recommendation of the fish biologist in Yosemite. Clam chowder and sour dough bread. Yum! I drove up and down and around the streets of San Francisco. I went to Coit Tower and to Telegraph Hill in search of the famous parrots. They weren't taking visitors, so I left. I stopped at the Golden Gate Bridge to take pictures of the bridge and of Japanese tourists. One couple thought I was nice enough to have me in their photos as well! Ha! So, picture time!

California sea lion at Pier 39

Golden Gate Bridge from Coit Tower

Telegraph Hill

Flower in the garden, Greenwich Steps, Telegraph Hill

Me at Golden Gate Bridge, timer shot!

After leaving San Francisco, I headed north into Muir Woods. On the way, I passed Black-necked Stilts in a marsh. Muir Woods is a beautiful place - though a little too touristy. Picture time!

Black-neck stilts

Me in a Redwood tree, Muir Woods

Redwood crowns, Muir Woods

A quote I relate to, Muir Woods

Redwood sorrell, Muir Woods (especially for Grandma - Happy St. Pats Day!)

Wild turkey on the Pacific Coast Highway

I continued north from Muir Woods to Eureka, CA where I stopped for the night in a hotel. It was raining and I was too exhausted to search for a suitable campsite.

March 14, 2008:

Today, I'm heading north to Redwood National Forest for some hiking, then to Klamath Falls, OR, if I have time. I want to spend some time along the Oregon Coast. There is a lighthouse I want to see and gray whales are migrating northward - I would be tickled to see them!

I hope you all are well. I miss you a lot and will update the next time I find free wireless internet.

Cheers!

Oregon or Bust!

March 7, 2008:

Today was my last day at the USGS CERC. I was tired and had been up late the previous night packing. This made the day especially difficult. It was really hard to say good-bye to Deanna, but I just know we'll cross paths again. I drove to Des Moines that afternoon to visit with my family over dinner. I enjoyed having everyone together at one time. Although I wasn't expecting it, they all gave me gifts! What a wonderful surprise. Daniel arrived in Des Moines later and we spent time with Tom, the boys and my niece watching a cheesy, yet still entertaining, dragon movie. And Autumn....it isn't real.

March 8, 2008:

This was a busy day! We woke up and took my car to get new tires. While we waited, Daniel and I ate breakfast with my dad at Village Inn. Yum! There was an issue with the alignment so we went home and replaced the tie-rod ends and took the car elsewhere to have it aligned. While Dad worked on the car, Daniel and I paid a visit to my new tiny niece, Jada. She weighed 4lbs, 15oz, up from her low 4lbs, 9oz. Yeah, Jada! Then Daniel and I got on the road to Omaha, NE to visit his brother and sister-in-law. We all ate dinner together at the Pizza Shoppe then went back to their house and hit the sack. So tired!

March 9, 2008:

We all woke just in time to hit the bagel store for breakfast then catch an IMAX movie at the Henry Doorly Zoo. We saw Whales and Dolphins 3D. It was way cool! At times I felt as though I was actually swimming in the ocean with the whales. Amazing stuff they can do! We had lunch at Dundee - Fish and Chips with slaw! Yum! Then it was time to say good-bye to Daniel. The moment I had been dreading, and somehow managed to hold off for an entire year. (Last year there was a real possibility that I would move away, which never materialized, thank goodness!) It was a very sad time, he led me back to the interstate as I cried. I cried intermittently for about 2hrs on my way to Ft. Collins. I saw Sandhill cranes on their journey north to the breeding grounds.



I arrived at Aunt Linda and Uncle Richard's house at about 10pm. We visited for awhile then went to sleep.

March 10, 2008:

I ate breakfast and drank coffee with my aunt and uncle. We visited and shared stories for a couple of hours and I got on the road at 10am. I drove for hours and hours. I saw Pronghorn antelope in Wyoming, as well as Mule deer.And proof I'm alive!


I drank in the scenery and kept pushing on. I drove through Salt Lake City and what a zoo that place is! I saw American avocets in a march by the Great Salt Lake. I drove across the salt flats and the desert. I finally stopped at Rye Patch State Park in western Nevada at 11pm and camped. The owls hooted me to sleep and the coyotes tickled my dreams with their yips and howls.

March 11, 2008:

I woke at 6am Pacific Time to ducks quacking and ravens calling. I packed up and washed in the washroom and hit the road. Now I'm in Lovelock, NV in front of the US Post Office. I'm heading toward Sacramento, CA today. If the road reports are good, I'll be heading into Yosemite National Park! More updates and photos later!

Cheers!