Trinity Alps

40 miles in 4 days = One stinky girl (and some sore calves)

I have never backpacked in California so I was really excited. My Uncle Lou escorted me on a beautiful hike. We were next to a river the entire way which made it really nice. The temperatures were warm but overall it was a great trip.

My first time using my new tent. And I LOVE it!! I researched a lot before I bought a tent and found the best deal I could and I am not sorry it is so easy to set-up and roomy enough for a backpacking tent.

The second day we came to a cabin built in 1937. The man lived here on and off his entire adult life. It was a really neat cabin with a corral for his animals and a small tool shop that had caved in. The cabin was about 8 miles in. Quite a ways.

We hiked around 14 miles on day two. By 2:00pm I was exhausted. I just layed down and took some pictures from that position. I really enjoyed all the tall tall trees. There are so many variety of trees in Northern California. It really is beautiful.

Our destination Grizzly Meadows. The lake at the top of the waterfall is the water supply for the river we hiked along. The first sight of the falls is three miles away. When I saw it I thought you have got to be kidding me. Knowing deep down I still had a lot of hiking to do.

There were some firsts for me on this trip. First time I brought a book to read which was really nice, first time I saw a rattlesnake on the trail, first time I slipped an fell hard on a trail (big bruises on my shoulder to prove it), first time I crossed rivers (above the knee deep) and most importantly first time I saw a BEAR while backpacking. I saw two!!! Very nerve racking the first time because I was about 20 yards away and it had its back to me but very exciting.

The other crazy thing was that in four days on the trail I saw eight other people. It was really nice.

Super fun trip. Very hot but very fun. I was sure glad to take a shower when I got home. Hair should be washed more than once every four days.

I'm In Love . . . . .

with this little girl.

She is at the perfect age. She giggles and laughs and is so stink'n' cute! It has been so fun to be around her. I just can't get enough of her cute personality. Oh and when she laughs I love it!

I put up a few pictures because it is so much easier than emailing pictures to family. Seriously why can't you email lots of pictures at once.

And if you wonder who she looks like when she laughs wonder no more:)

Honey Run

SO FUN!! Even though there was a little drama. I should have known there was going to be trouble when I slipped and fell into the blackberry bushes before I ever got into the water. But all the scratches were worth it because it was a great day.

Anyone who knows me knows I love my family. I just love hanging out with them. This was one of the best times we have had in a long time. Just floating the river and hanging out. We even talked about how missed our siblings that were not there (Anthony, Sam, Amanda, and Dan).

Aaron using the paddle with your sandals method.

Ben and Katie just chilling.

My self portrait. I had my underwater camera tied to the drawsting of my shorts so yea not so many pictures of me which is fine.

Caleb, after a crash. He crashed in the first two rapids and then figured out how to manage the tube and didn't crash again.

Ben just enjoying the water.

A few miles in I got my tube caught on a metal stake under a bridge. The result was this:

Hard to see but a ginormous hole in my tube it went completely flat in less then a second. And I had to ride through the rapids on my but and I swallowed tons of water because I was laughing so hard.

Aaron and I tried to double up on a tube but after a little while I was decided I would find an outlet and walk. So I did (had to jump a fence and cross someones property illegally) and 3 miles later I was at the cars.

My tube popping didn't even ruin all the fun we had. It was a great day. Caleb's tube popped closer to the end and he floated a ways on his bum but everyone was all smiles when we finished.

We ended the day with some scratches and sunburns but we had so much fun. Let's do it again next summer!

What Summer is All About?

swimming

ice cream

relaxing

oh and did I mention swimming! Also biking but it is sooo hot in Oroville. I have to bike early or I am in trouble. I would also mention visiting friends but I didn't take any pictures last night. LAME!