How could one week go screaming by so quickly. A funny thing about this trip, we have been surrounded by wonderful friends for most of two solid weeks, now we will probably not see a soul we know for months!
After leaving Carmel, we headed for Fresno. My best girlfriend from high school has lived her adult life there with her wonderful husband and two children. We hadn't seen each other for about 5 years, but, you know how it is with great friends, it's as though you've never been apart. Joyce and Steve allowed us not only to enjoy their wonderful home (the pool was really a welcome sight in the 90+ degree weather), but shared of themselves and their community with us. As you know, Phil loves anything sports related, and Steve made sure that he saw ALL the sports offerings in Fresno. They really do have a great program, not only at Fresno State, but in the public school system in the surrounding Clovis District where Joyce teaches. A fortuitous bond measure many years ago has allowed Fresno (Clovis), unlike many other districts around the country, to not only keep, but enhance their sports offerings. It is incredible the facilities they have for all grade levels. Phil was thoroughly enamored.
Phil was also able to share with Steve. This year is our 35th (groan) Class Reunion in Eugene, and Steve needed some new duds for the "do". Phil and Steve completely took over the Patrick James Store in Fresno, but in the end, got Steve into some dapper duds. Joyce and I couldn't stand it and had to escape to the Talbott's store next door! Oh, and of course, Phil found an item for himself too...
Joyce and I talked half the night away, but all too quickly it was time to move on.
Yosemite might be considered a religious experience for Phil. Phil Jr. had climbed El Capitan several years ago (it took 5 days), but we had no idea what that really meant, until we were there. The age of instant communications made it all the more special for Phil, as he was able to reach Phil Jr. while we were awestruck in the Valley. Yosemite is a place not to be missed in a lifetime. We may take some of the grandchildren there. It is so breathtaking, but is quickly being overrun with too many people. Let's hope they can maintain some balance.
The trip to Glacier Point really is not to be missed while in the area. It is a magnificent view over the valley. We had lunch there, sitting on a rock looking at Half Dome. I shouldn't have been looking quite so intently at the scenery, as a brave squirrel quickly enjoyed half of my sandwich!
We reluctantly left Yosemite and chose the Gold country route out of there, as the digital camera had died in Carmel, and the only warranty service center in the US happened to be in Sacramento. We dropped it there on our way to the high Sierras to visit yet another group of friends. Route 49 through the Gold country is really something -- another road not for the faint of heart. More suited for wagon trains than large Vans. Phil did a great job of maneuvering the 10 MPH hairpin turns.
Can you say REMOTE! Not as in "remote control". I mean the real remote! Our friends Dick and Lorie Stowell left Portland 2 years ago for a retirement place called Whitehawk, somewhere around Lake Tahoe. Dick assured us that it is fantastic with golf courses everywhere. An hour north of Truckee, we found his paradise, and it is truly beautiful- similar in feel to Black Butte, but much more quiet with huge Mountains looming in the background. But as Lorie acknowledges, you can't just drop into the grocery store every day! Their lifestyle adjustment seems to be going well, and they surely immersed us in some of the best the area has to offer. Golf one day, hiking on the Pacific Crest Trail another, many laughs and shared memories throughout the weekend, not only with the Stowell's, but also with Bill and Linda Crist from Portland who also joined into the weekend festivities. Dick and Lorie have built themselves a fabulous retirement nest, and we suspect they won't be lured back to the fast pace of city life.
The Pacific Crest Trail is awesome. It is something I have always wanted to do - so high above everything - we varied between about 7900' and 8200'. I thought I would die the first 20 minutes til my lungs got acclimated! We went about 8+ miles and saw some of the most beautiful scenery. You could see all the way to Heavenly Valley at South Tahoe. We tromped through snow fields, saw beautiful Alpine flower fields, looked down at lakes that were themselves over 5000' high, and saw an old gold mine left over from the 1860's. What a day. Phil slipped on a snow field (as did I), but he was most concerned about getting dirt on his shorts! He avoided the shorts, but the dirt on his socks really bothered him - he didn't bring an extra pair! In trying to catch himself (and avoid the shorts), he injured his shoulder, but it is feeling better now.
A whirlwind week behind us, and we are ready to go exploring into the remote interior of Nevada on the Pony Express route.