A Midweek Break

We took a couple of days off to visit and explore the coast north of Jenner, CA. Since we didn't have reservations at a campground, we were fortunate to stayed at the lovely Stillwater Cove Campground. Our site was right next to the empty site on the left, the picnic table area.  We were lucky that the campground during midweek wasn't in full use. Even the bike-in/hike-in site behind us was empty.

Even though Highway 1 was close to the campsite, we hardly heard any road noise.

Stillwater Cove Campground is situated in a lovely area of forest that is along the coast. From the campground one can take a short hike down to the beach or walk alongside a stream that feeds into the ocean. The plus is that dogs are allowed to hike these trails. Thank you Sonoma County!

Naturally, we did both short hikes.

In the evening, we ate hamburgers with bacon and fried onions and mushrooms. I'm preparing dinner.  It was such a wonderful bug free, cool evening that we relaxed and enjoyed our leisurely meal at the picnic table. We took a couple of strolls around the campground and met the wonderful hosts, Sue and Betty. It was fun chatting with them. They have been full-timers for at least eight years and this is one of their favorite places to be camp hosts. They sure do make one feel very welcome!

We also drove up to Sea Ranch area and walked a short section of a trail along this stretch of beautiful coast.

As we headed back to Jenner and home, we stopped to look at the sea lions lounging and sunning themselves on the beach. They look like tiny dots lined up along the waters edge of the beach.

Hiking Yosemite

A week ago, my son and I went for a day hike to Yosemite while my husband was on a business trip in China. We hiked from Yosemite Valley to Nevada Falls by way of Mist Trail with an elevation gain of about 2,000 feet, and we descended by way of the John Muir Trail. It took us 5.5 hours to hike the 10 mile loop (parking lot).

Looking at the Merced River from the Vernal Falls Footbridge.

Resting near Vernal Falls.

The mist from Vernal Falls.

Views of the canyon as we climb up from Vernal Falls to Nevada Falls.

Nevada Falls and the canyon.

Almost at the top! Just one of my many rest stops while making the strenuous climb to the top.

We rested on a huge granite boulder beside the Merced River and ate lunch before heading down. I used my Sawyer water purifier to gather more water for us since we drank all our water on the climb up. I was so happy that I had packed the Sawyer. I also had my light weight stove in the pack, but I wasn't in the mood for a cup of hot tea that day. When we made it to the bottom, I got a very large Root beer...that tasted so good!

My son and I have decided that this will become our annual hike.

Weekend Hike and RV Project

Since it was Memorial Day weekend, we decided to stay home and work on an RV project instead of being at a crowded campground. Before working on the project, we took a day hike in Sunol Regional Wilderness. We did a 5.55 mile loop via the McCorkle trail and the Camp Ohlone Road trail. We made a rest stop at the Little Yosemite picnic area.

I purchased a new camp stove, Snow Peak Giga Power Lite Max, that I used to make myself a cup of tea while we rested and snacked before heading back to the car.

This is a photo of me testing the stove out at home prior to the hike. Don't worry, I was testing it on top of my glass stove top with the stove vent on high. The total weight of cup, burner, and fuel canister is just 6 oz! I wanted a light weight stove to take on day hikes. There have been many times when I have wanted a cup of tea during a rest. Now, I can enjoy a cup of tea while taking in the scenery.

Our RV project was making a blackout shade for the RV door window. Early morning sunlight shining in the door would wake me up - too early for my liking. My husband and I made a cover for the window that snaps on the door.

I cut out faux leather that would be used for the cover and stitched seam binding to the raw edge of the material. My husband removed the window frame so that he could install the snaps to the frame.

He then added the other side of the snaps to the blackout cover.

The blackout cover can easily be removed, and it sits nicely between the screen door and the window frame. This should take care of any early morning light shining into the RV.

A Two Day Hike

We decided to hike Sunol Regional Park two consecutive days.

The first day started with the gentle stroll alone Ohlone Road until we came to the junction of trails at the Little Yosemite area. From there we made the pleasant climb on the Cerro Este Road.

There are magnificent views of the Ohlone Regional Wilderness from the Cerro Este Road.

Shortly after leaving the Cerro Este Road, we made a descent on the McCorkle Trail into a grove of California Oaks. The McCorkle trail has diverse ecosystems for a hiker to enjoy. After the descent, we climb out of the oaks and up into an area of low growth scrubs with views of the diversity of the surrounding area.

Slowly, we made our descent back to the car along the McCorckle trail. As we headed back, we enjoyed the beauty of Flag Hill, the next day's climb.

McCorckle Trail foreground and Flag Hill center background.

Total miles covered first day were 3.33, the warm up day.

Second day was just as cold and clear as the first day's hike, but the hike was longer due to the footbridge not being accessible due to repair work. We made the climb up McCorckle Trail and took Canyon View trail over to Flag Hill trail. This added 1.31 mile onto the start of the trip. Slowly we made the ascend on Flag Hill trail. Once at the top, we rested on a bench (one of many situated nicely in the park). While eating lunch, we enjoyed the spectacular views.

Looking in direction of Ohlone Wilderness.

Looking in the direction of Maguire Peaks.

After a good rest, we traveled down Flag Hill Road to High Valley Rd. Down by the barn, a group of horseback riders passed us. One lady asked if our dog is a Jindo. After chatting with her awhile, she informed us that she comes here often with her Jindo. Most folks are unable to identify the bred of our dog. Many children will call our dog a fox- too cute. So, it was wonderful talking with this lady about the quirkiness of the Jindo since she totally understands this bred's peculiar traits.

The barn at High Valley Camp.

After the chat, we made our descent on the Hayfield Road passing a grove of cactus near a grove of oaks.

Cactus in front of oaks.

We reach the area where we had planned to traverse the creek to get back to the car, but my dog just didn't want to cross the creek. So, we added another 1.31 miles onto the trip just to get back to the car.

Total miles covered the second day are 6.04.