January 17, 2024 - El Nino means less snow and more rain

 Ths Christmas was one of our family events.  We were lucky enough to have 30 up here for Christmas Day.  Most of our nieces and nephews stayed for several days.  But there was no snow.  This is the first year that we have seen absolutely no snow at Christmas.  There were not even any "remnants" that we could shovel into a sled run.  So, for the first time we were able to drive back to North Fork of the North Fork campgrounds and take our niece and nephew from Georgia to see the falls in Winter.  We also purchased a permit and cut a beautiful Silver Tip in the national forest for our tree (no Charlie Brown Christmas Tree this year).  

Though the kids were bummed that there was no sledding, Sugar Bowl was open so they managed to get in some skiing and snowboarding.  Also, a group went up to Northstar and went ice skating at the rink there.  And another group went to Reno to check out the fun adventures there and do some gambling.  

For the first time, we managed to get the family to do a recorded since along of "everything's gone missing but the mistletoe".  We posted our great performance up on Facebook as our  one and only Christmas card to everyone.  Our nephew, Noah played cameraman and our nephew Brandon, held the "mistletoe" from a fishing pole above our newly engaged couple's heads for that part of the song that required kissing.   We even got the adults to sing along and use props!1 It was so much fun that it might become a tradition.

Another new addition was playing silly Christmas game/competitions.  Blindfolding shoveling bows into a bowl, picking up marshmallows with a straw, etc.  Another great idea that will become a tradition.  

We decided to keep the meals simple and focus on fun and family - which was a great idea.  The kids were able to spend time at the game room (usually a snowy hike to get there).  And we added a new basketball game for them to use.  

For work on the lodge, prior to and after Christmas, Jim has been busy converting 3 giant plywood shipping crates into storage shedsto hold some of our firewood and store our outdoor tables and benches.  No more lugging that stuff down to the basement once our summer events had ended.  I even plan to store the portable garage frames in one of these sheds in the future making set up and tear down of the Reunion banquet halls a bit easier.  

Last weekend our nephew came up with a few friends for his winter visit.  Finally we got a storm so we had 3 feet of snow.  So sledding one day, a trip to Virginia City another day and a drive down highway 40 on the 3rd day.  Good food and gaming in the game room.  Got to meet two of the dads and kids from my nephew's son's water pollo team.  I am still adjusting to most all of the great nieces and nephews beginning to reach their teens. 

Next up - a visit from our nephew and his kids in 2 weeks and then President's Day weekend with my niece and her family.  We are hoping the snow improves.  It has been raining off and on since Sunday (not typical January weather). 

I wonder if the big snow of the 1950s and 1890s was followed by a light rainy winter.  I may need to look that up.  As usual, California uses the Sierra as it's biggest water storage and without the snow, that means that we will have drought in the summer.  We are seeing less and less cedars surviving the beetle blight and hotter temperatures in the summer.   Alas - most of this is part of climate change. 

Yesterday a car stopped in front of the lodge while I was out walking and the guy in it told me (through Taylor's barking) that he lived at the lodge and went to school next store in 1992. His foster parents were running a B&B here with the top floor rooms rented out and the lower floor their residence.  He did not get to tell me much else, but I referred him to the blog - so I am hoping he can share a bit of his history here.  

Taylor and I have been managing to walk 5 miles per day (even in the snow and ice).  Shorter and more frequent walks.  Currently gray outside with intermittent rain.  Taylor is napping and I am updating our blog (which seems to only be updated once every 3 - 4 months now). 

With the world as troubled as it is, we are so very thankful that we have found this sanctuary in the mountains.  

Octboer 12, 2023 - Fall it is!

 We were thinking that fall would come a bit late this year - but right after the 22nd of September, the air started to have a slight chill in it.  Morning walks with the dog have become own right chilly and swimming ended just around Labor Day.  Luckily, we have not had any big forest fire events.  And yet, Cal Fire continues with our burn ban.  

Jim is still working on the back deck.  But he has managed to fit a few other projects in between the deck work - including repair on the rafters in the Screen Porch (one rafter was damaged by our heavy snows last year, so he decided to "double up" on rafters for a stronger roof). We have completed most of the painting on the back of the lodge now and are in the process of removing the scaffolding for the winter.  We plan to put it back up next spring so that we can paint the pre-primed hardie panel we installed at attic level.  

VIEW FROM BACK DECK

After surgery a few weeks ago, I have been on light duty.  But I am in the process of putting away all of the summer chairs (we store them in the basement) and getting everything stored for winter.  I have also been doing caulking, priming and painting on the back of the lodge.  Light duty ends this week.  

Light duty does not free me from my long walks with Taylor.  Yesterday, we walked up to the railroad tracks and found the old road that leads down to Bear Valley.  This road was used by folks prior to highway 20 being built.  It was always a dirt road and not passable in winter -- but it is still there.  I am hoping that next week when Katie is visiting she and I can take a hike down to Bear Valley on the old road.   

OLD ROAD TO BEAR VALLEY

YUBA RIVER GORGE FROM RAILROAD

One minor change to the living room.  We moved the shuffle board down to the game room and moved the bar from the game room to the living room.  That took away some under shuffle board storage area for the kids toy box.  We also demo'd our old broken player piano.  We keyboard from the game room will be brought up for Christmas and then stored in the attic (when not in use).  We decided to start clearing out stuff we have stored with the thought that it would be used eventually.  That allows us to make donations to Habitat for Humanity (they loved the windows we donated) and Salvation Army.  We are also going to start thinning out the jackets in the winter closet.  For the most part, adults seem to have jackets for snow play.  We will keep all the bibs, snow boots, gloves and kids jackets, which have been a hit with parents.  

It is nice to walk and drive back toward the falls and take a drive up to the lake during autumn.  Although California is not know for fall colors, we do have a lot of yellows with the white oak trees and reds with the dogwood.  

STAMP ON FULDA CREEK BRIDGE

GEO MARKER AT LAKE VALLEY DAM

Last week, my neighbor and I drove up to one of the "wild" apple trees near Laing Road and picked fall apples.  I used mine to make apple butter, apple sauce and apple cider.  Here are a couple photos of Emigrant Gap in Fall. 

FALL COLORS - OAK TREE

PICKING APPLES FROM WILD TREE

It has been two years since we lost my mom.  She loved the lodge and spent a lot of time up here, helping us clear the property (in her 80s) and work on furniture and painting.  We have a memorial garden here for her which includes a lovely sculpture and a nice log to sit on.  This year I will be adding bearded iris and more daffodils. 

August 20th, 2023

Back at the lodge after a month of vacation.  The weather here is typical for August in the Sierra in non-drought years. Hot and muggy in the daytime, afternoon thundershowers and warm nights.  Because of the late winter, there are many bears out searching for food.  Most of the berries that they would normally find in June did not start setting until August and are still green.  So, bears have been breaking into cabins along our street.  As a result, we are closing our windows at night (which makes the warm nights even warmer).  

One bear had to be caught and destroyed.  This action is sad for us - but it is better to keep people safe, than risk break-ins. 

Jim is still completing the siding on the back of the cabin and I have been busy putting away the gear from our family reunion (portable garages, tables, chairs, hammocks, etc).  We are starting to get ready for fall and winter.  The pine cones have dropped early again -- which we have been told is an indicator of a long and snowy winter.  We shall see.  

We need to repair the roof over the Sunroom (screen room).  We have decided that since the snow force coming off the main roof has been getting caught in the ridges on the sunroom metal roof that we will replace the snowfall area with flat metal roofing.  Hoping for less leaks in the roof this winter.  

As of yet, I have not had time to work on the game room walls.  We installed new windows in the game room, leaving the walls pretty trashed.  My plan is to paint the damaged wall black, then add barnwood to the wall.  On another wall, I want to put in wood rounds as a tribute to my mom.  We still have one more window to install in the game room where the old broken heater is located.  I am not in the game room often because our neighbor can not tolerate our dog barking and he is with me most of the time. 

Once the back wall siding is done, Jim is going to start felling dead trees again for firewood for this winter.  We went through 5 cords of firewood last winter and I think we will do the same again this winter. 

Today is overcast due to a tropical storm that is skirting the sierra.  Our neighbors across the street are gone for a bit so, other than passing cars, it is rather quiet.  Campers are just about done since the weather has not been nice for that.  I have been picking up litter along our road all summer.  Seems like much more than we usually get.  I have tried signs  but nothing seems to help. And with the bears litter is a major issue.  We have been keeping our garbage inside.  Unfortunately, while we gone, someone dumped a bunch of beer cans and unwashed chili cans and steak containers into our trash cans.  This is a big problem with the bears being so active, so we have removed our trash cans for now.  We usually only use the cans for clean recycles and building materials.  Our compost and regular garbage is kept inside and disposed of quickly.  

SPECIAL REQUEST!

For anyone who still reads this blog.  

First:  I am still trying to fill in the History of Emigrant Gap.  In particular, I am seeking historic information about the area post World War 2.  If you know any history about the area that I have not already covered, please let me know.  

Second:  During my long walks with my very active dog, I have found a lot of blooming and now fruit filled apple trees.  The trees are located along Emigrant Gap Road and Laing Road.  Does anyone know if there was once a commercial orchard here?  If so, what was the orchard name and when was it here? Do you know the type of apples grown here?  We had a large apple tree on our property that we have been told was a great a snitch tree (neighbors gleaned the tree for apple pies while our lodge was boarded up).  We had to remove the tree because it was growing in the middle of our deck and it was damaged due to the heavy snows the first couple of years we owned the lodge.  We have a second tree which is much smaller and has been damaged over the last two winters due to heavy snow fall.  We would love to put in more apple trees, but need to know the variety that grows here.  SOOOOOO, if you have any information about the apple trees of Emigrant Gap, please contact us.  

Third:  If you have any vintage photos of Emigrant Gap that you would like to share on this blog, please send them with the timeframe they cover and a short story about the history behind the photo.  

 

July 21, 2023 - Another GAP Reunion

 After all the snow melted in early June, we were able to keep working on our re-siding project on the back of the cabin and start the finish work on the repaired fire escape.  However, we still have a lot of work to do on the winter damage to our cabin.  First, the snow load was so great, one of our 2 by 12 rafters in the screened in porch cracked.  We were able to support it with a 4 by 8 until Jim was able to repair it a few weeks ago.  Second, the staircase coming off the deck cracked (again due to the sheer weight of the snow).  For now, Jim  has patched that and will replace the stair supports before this winter.  Third - the railing on the deck (top board0 broke.  We have removed the broken board and will replace the railing before winter.  Fourth, the roof on the screened in  porch was literally peeled back by the moving snow as it migrated down the roof.  We need to order a few sheets of new roofing - this time, flat flashing style so that the ridges do not get pushed by the force of the snow.  

Since the snow was here until June, we had little time to work on projects before our every 2 year Gap Reunion (this time held from Jun 29 - July 5 (give or take).  We had about 44 people who attended this reunion.  Of course it included fireworks on July 3 in Colfax, the Fourth of July parade in Dutch Flat and Fireworks viewing from the Summit (looking down at Donner Lake).  In addition, there were a few trips to our kayaking lake, hikes to the falls, a tour of the railroad snow tunnels, our historic GAP almost %K, and lots of food.  There were a few last minute cancelations due to illness and a couple of last minute adds.  No major injuries for the reunion which was a blessing. 

After everyone headed home from the GAP reunion, my sister and her husband visited us at the lodge.  They brought along their two grandsons who were a delight and so curious about the cabin.  We took them on a tour and since they were able to spend a bit of time at the reunion, they met some of Jim's cousins and were taught how to use some of our outdoor games.  

A bit later we were visited by a 300+ lb bear.  He broke into our snow entry and got access to our spare freezer.  We had to call 911 to get him out.  Then he went over to our neighbor's cabin and stole a cake out of their kitchen.  The game warden brought in 3 bear cages and they were able to catch him (confirmed with DNA).  He went down to the state game facility for evaluation.  Apparently, he had been breaking into cabins all along our road since melt. 

The bears are particularly active this year since we had a long winter and the berries they normally eat are not bloomed yet.  We are hoping this is the last bear for our cabin.  We really do  not need that kind of excitement.  

During all of this, I was able to take a few nice hikes with Taylor.  One hike was along the railroad from the Emigrant Gap/Laing Road crossing east toward Yuba Gap.  While I was hiking, I noticed a big water pipe cage (circa 1940s  I think) with big twist water handles.  I investigated and found that there is a giant water pipe going from the North Fork of the North Fork, through Sailor Ridge. then underground to Laing Road, under the freeway, under a mountain between the freeway and the railroad.  On the North Side of the railroad is where I saw the big cage with the water "pumps" bringing water either into the Drum Canal below or the Yuba or Bear River below that.  I also saw a concrete snow wall - not sure if this wall was located by the area where the 1952 City of San Francisco train got trapped between two avalanches.  And I saw what appeared to be two broken old iron anvils along the railroad as well (photos below).  Taylor has been enjoying our walks to the Rancho Sierra and back and our walks to Fulda Creek Bridge, but he really enjoyed our hike along the railroad.  

Photos - Anvil, Tracks, Concrete Snow Wall, Water Pumps, View

And finally, a bit of lodge history.  Several years ago we found about 6 heavy plates in the basement.  I thought they were probably from the time of the hotel - but always wondered about them.  Recently, I looked them up and found that they are "army" plates and would have been from the period of time during WW2 that the hotel was rented out to the Military Police to guard the railroad.  We also have metal folding cots from that era.  SO instead of going to the donation pile, these plates will go with the rest of our Hotel History stuff.  

March 15, 2023 - Snow, snow, snow

Winter came early to Emigrant Gap.  By October, there was snow on the ground which was great for combatting our never ending drought but was not so great for seasonal prep at the lodge.  Jim had been working hard all summer and early fall on repairing the back fire escape/deck and residing project (which --- with the early snow, was left unfinished). We still had not cut and split firewood.  I have to admit that we will never let that happen again!  Digging big logs out of the snow, then cutting and splitting them in snowy conditions was not fun.  But by December we managed to have enough wood stacked to get us through a regular drought winter.  Unfortunately 2022/23 winter has been nothing "regular". 

During this time, cousin Doug and Roberta came to the lodge for a short visit.  It is wonderful to be able to share our work plans and progress with someone who is doing much the same in upstate New York.  Doug has been busy building an Event Center on his property south and east of Saratoga Springs.  Since he lives in New York, he was able to purchase the framing of an old barn to use for his building.  So, we are able to share all the fun times of moving lumber, and dirt, and rocks, and concrete and building something that the whole family can enjoy.  Doug's Event Center has recently evolved into a huge family gathering barn with extensive views of his rolling hill property.  

By Christmas we had seen at least three big  snow storms at the lodge.  This allowed for pre-Christmas skiing. The four of us spent a quiet Christmas (no big family Christmas since it is an "off" year).  Since it was just us, we did our usual morning gift exchange, followed by way too much food, silly holiday photos, a dog dress up session and our semi annual Christmas Performance. This year we performed "Santa's Yodeling Song" on our recently repaired, yet still not done back deck. With our Christmas apparel, wired hair (ala Pippi Longstocking), and Mary Beth on lead vocals and Ukulele, with Katie and me on harmony and sleigh bells/triangle and Jim singing bass, we left Taylor and Clinton to be our critics.  Of course, all of this silliness was captured on Facebook for our friends and family to see just how much we miss them when we are left to our own devices for the holidays. 

Christmas was followed by  . . .  wait for it . . .  more snow.  By Martin Luther King Holiday we had a bunch of the white fluffy stuff for our nephews Bill and James and their kids to come up for winter sledding and fun.  No worries about shoveling snow just to make our snow run.  We spent more time just shoveling to get in and out of the cabin each day.  We also managed to make a few fun crafts with the Ella.  

Presidents weekend was with sister Mary and hubby Lynn and their daughter and son in law Jess and Josh and their two sweet boys.  More snow play, skiing and . . of course. . . . more snow.  But most of the group made it down to Nevada City for Madi Gras Parade (as I watched separation anxious Taylor).  

Of course, all of this was followed by, you guessed it. . . .more snow.  Katie had a group of friends up just before our biggest snow storm (10 feet) in February. They barely got into the cabin, and later barely got out.  In fact Katie had so much snow to dig out at our front door that she was unable to get in the first night she the same nieghbor that later, they had a "Snow Bar" set up in front of the cabin while they built a snowman and also made snowcones for the kids.    

We followed after the 10 foot or more storm and dug out yet again.  Digging snow is becoming less fashionable for us.  I have to say that this year we have had the most snow standing that I have ever seen while we have owned the Lodge. There is so much snow at the screened in porch deck that you can not tell that there is a deck, or a screen porch.  In fact, the drift of the roof goes all the way up 3 levels to the lower part of the main floor bedroom windows. 

So now it is March and our snow fall is beginning to change into constant rain, our 10 foot snow banks are now 8 foot banks.  We can finally see through a few of the living room windows (they are no longer completely blocked by snow) and we are taking bets as to when the snow will finally be gone.  Oh and by the way, our firewood pile is getting really, really small . . . .  

By the end of the season we will know if this snow beats the record from the 1980s. We are currently at the 4th snowiest winter since 1946 (graph below shows when we were fifth).  

. 

 

September 16, Mosquito Wildfire

 On September 6, we saw some smoke coming up the ridge from around Auburn area.  We knew it was pretty far away - but with the dry conditions in the Sierra and the beetle-blight trees, our little community started tracking the fire.  The start point was close to Foresthill, a mountain town across the North Fork of the American River from us.  Only the smoke from the fire has touched us and we feel for the people over by Todd Valley, Michigan Bar and Foresthill who may have lost their businesses and homes.  Our new camp lake (at least new to us) is close to Foresthill and we were concerned that it would get burned as well.  Also the most north stand of Sequoias is in the area and we have been wanting to go see that for a long time.  

The air quality here has pretty much sucked for the last 10 days.  Jim has managed to keep working on the back of the lodge and the new fire escape, while I started moving firewood from the back of the property up to the street to be split and also moved already split wood into our stack bins in front of the lodge. 

I continue to trim trees up 6 feet and remove small brush in anticipation of burn days before the big winter snowfall.  

Today, things changed.  About 15 big dozers and water crews drove down Emigrant Gap Road (Texas Hill Road) headed back to a staging point in already burn scarred Onion Valley.  Cal Fire advised us that they will be cutting a large break up on the SawTooth Ridge, which is back behind the North Fork of the North Fork.  Although I am glad that they are here to protect us, I wish that the fire was more than 20% contained since it has already burned 70,000 acres of the Tahoe National Forest.  

All of this mess can be attributed to a lot of things.  Global warming, Beetle Blight, Drought, but the biggest issue in my mind is poor forest management.  Most of the wild fires in California occur on national forest land.  Land that has not been cleared or control burned in ages.  In our area, logging pretty much stopped in the 1930s, leaving us with scrub trees and cedars and little "cash" trees that any large logging company would need to make logging here viable.  The National Forest Service has had their budget cut and cut and do not have the personnel to manage the forests properly.  Ex-president Trump cut more money away from the forest service and blamed people to live in forested areas for not "raking the forest".  Glad he is gone - but it is time for Congress to step up and allocate more money to forest management (which means either more taxes or tax money taken away from other things).  If something does not change, the only management we will have are they enormous wildfires.  

Anyway, off my soap box and time for some other updates. Many of the people here at Emigrant Gap and Fulda Creek have put together a neighbor contact group on Signal (an app that is rather like chatting for groups).  Since that started, quite a few people have started showing interest in our area's history.  I have referred them to the pages on our blog and to the various historical groups around Colfax and the summit.  There is also a big interest in old hiking trails, waterfalls and missing narrow gauge train engines.  So, I have started digging into the past, once more to help those interested learn more about the logging companies here at Emigrant Gap and Fulda (a town that was once between Emigrant Gap and Blue Canyon).  So far, we have found a few contacts that know a bit about the possible missing train engines and the whereabouts of old track (see Stories from the Summit for new photos and information on the logging in the area).  

For hiking trails, I referred our Signal Members to Russell Towles amazing website and quite a few people have now followed in his footsteps, relocating hiking trails that have not been tended in ages.  This is great!!!! Many, many photos are being posted about these adventures!!!! One of our greatest adventurers is our own next door neighbor.  He, and a group of hearty EGers, have belayed, hikes, swim, droned etc a lot of the trails described on Russell's website.  

And finally, with the resurgence of interest in the History of Emigrant Gap and our area in general, I have gotten back in contact with Jim White (one of the authors of Stories from the Summit) and hope to interview him soon.  

So that is our update for this week.  Temperatures are already changing and believe it or not - it may snow next week.  Hoping for a very white winter and an end to this hideous drought. 

View of Mosquito Fire Cloud (illuminated by sunset). 

Old photo found of mapper looking west to Emigrant Gap from Rock above Bear Valley.  Circa 1942.  Love this photo!

Another view of the smoke cloud from the Mosquito fire (before the smoke got really bad here).   

Back of cabin progress for fire escape.  The tarps were to keep Jim shaded as he works. 

At this point most of the siding is up  - except in the attic which will not be able to be reached until the fire escape work is done.  

 

September 6, 2022 Labor Day

We are seeing some very hot weather this week at Emigrant Gap.  Another example of global climate change I guess.  Over the last couple of weeks, Jim and I have done some exploring here on the slope.  We returned from our vacation at the Rogue River a bit early (due to the heat and forest fire smoke up there) and decided to spend some "glamping" time at the lodge.  No work - just fun.

There are many places that I have wanted to explore in the nearby sierra, but never seem to have the time to do.  We started with a map search of the summit and the lakes in that area.  I had heard that a few of the lakes up by Royal Gorge Ski Area are open to the public.  A few years ago, we visited Kidd Lake (which is a PGE lake that offers group camping so semi-public) on the Royal Gorge Road.  At that time we wanted to visit the lakes further down the dirt road there, but did not have the time to explore.  It turns out only one lake beyond Kidd is "public".  To get there, you drive to the end of a very rutted and rocky dirt road, then hike about 3/4 of a mile up the Pallisades Creek trail.  You get to cross both Cascade lakes at the dam.  Cascade lakes' water is owned by PG&E but the shoreline is privately owned.  

Long Lake, our destination, is above is often visited by short backpack groups and folks from the summit and Truckee,  It is a natural lake and it  beautiful (photo below).  The water is clear and the boulders around the lake provide a great lounging area and "jump off" rocks into the cool water below.  Behind the lake is Devils Peak, a gorgeous volcanic mountain with faceted uplift rock (Like Rainbow Falls near Mamouth) and bubble out volcanic rock on it's side.  We visited on a pretty busy day - but still were able to get in a refreshing swim.  Totally worth the ugly dirt road drive from Serene Lakes area.  I would recommend those without high clearance vehicles to avoid driving to the end of the trail.  It is pretty rutted and full of big rocks.  

Pallisades Creek trail  goes on to additional smaller ponds and finally ends at the American River somewhere near the Royal Gorge.  We were hoping other lakes would be accessible, but most in the area are under private ownership or part of .orgs.

 

The following day we decided to drive to Bowman Lake following the road that goes through Graniteville.  I had read that Graniteville was a bit of a ghost town and had wanted to see it for years  We started our drive down highway 20 toward Grass Valley.  Google maps showed us a short cut through Harmony Ridge Road at Harmony Ridge and we decided to take it.  It turned into a pretty steep dirt road heading down to the Yuba River and Edwards Crossing Bridge (an old steel bridge with a wood plank top).  

We continued up to North Bloomfield Road, a dirt road that took us to the ghost town of North Bloomfield and Malakoff Diggins Park.  There we saw some pretty cool buildings and a really interesting cemetery.   Malakoff Diggins was a hydraulic mining site that caused a lot of sediment to be floated down the Yuba River at the tail end of the California Gold Rush. 

And. . . . we probably should have stopped there, but I was really wanting to see Graniteville and see if we could actually make it to Bowman Lake.  So onward we drove on the dirt North Bloomfield Road.  We finally got to Graniteville and unfortunately it was not really a ghost town.  It is a cluster of historic homes and cabins, built along the creek and road.  No restaurant, no services, nada.  But it was a pretty little town on a dirt road and worth the drive.  

And. . . . we probably should have stopped there.  But we decided to trek on - toward Bowman Lake.  The road to Bowman was OK for a while until we turned onto Meadow Lake Road. As we could see Bowman Lake off in the distance, the road got steeper and steeper and rockier and rockier and harder and harder to drive - even with our high clearance 4 wheel  truck. 

 We drove downhill toward the dam and I was silently white knuckling it as Jim used some quiet profanities.  I kept reminding him of another adventure ride I took us on in the Canadian Rockies that had ended in a disappointing end (just to keep him laughing).  When we finally got to the dam, we discovered that the ugly rock road only went on the north side of the lake to the campground - an adventure we decided to leave behind, and down to the bottom of the dam to get out to Bowman Road and home.  

We did hike down and take a dip in the way to big lake and sit and look at the glorious view before we decided which path to take out - neither seemed like a great option.  And we were hungry.  We had no food in the car, only altoids.  Since we already knew just how bad Meadow Lake Road was, we decided to try Bowman Lake Road (also known as BAD ROAD).  I can not say which road was worse, since they were equally rutted, rocked, steep and ugly.  But Bowman had the added fun of cars trying to come into the lake on the narrow, steep and winding road as we were trying to get out.  We climbed down the road to the base of the dam and back up at about 2 -3 MPH. 

After a lot more white knuckle and words, we finally reached the somewhat paved road and we breathed a huge sigh of relief.  We did get to see an amazing water canal that went right into into the side of a rock mountain along the way with an interesting sign showing a stick figure person drowning in the canal cave.  I think the Goonies movie had at sometime got people thinking they could ride the canal through the blown out mountain - not a good idea apparently.  Oh - and there was a cage across the opening.  

We finally reached the turn off for Lindsey and Carr Lakes in the Grouse Lakes Region and knew we were safely out of the "breakdown without hope of help" area.  I am beginning to think we need to take the road from Faucherie Lake into Bowman next time (not). 

Since then,  Jim has been working on the backside of the cabin, and I have had the opportunity to interview Mary, one of our Fulda Creek neighbors, about her time here in Emigrant Gap (see Stories from the Slope tab). 

As have also been conversing with our friends at Emigrant Gap on Signal, about future hikes, history and wild animals in the area.  There has been much discussion about the Lost Locomotive called out on Russell Towle's website. 

Just over a week ago we hosted our annual Cal Friends get together.  It started with a trip for 5 of us and two dogs back to Long Lake (our new favorite small lake).  Unfortunately, just before the event, one of our long time friends went into the hospital with a serious infection.  Since he was in Reno, everyone had decided to each take a day to go for a hospital visit (a possible challenge since COVID is still surging). After the arrival of two more friends and one more dog and a nice and lively dinner and night trip up to Blue Canyon airport to look through the telescopes there, we found out that our dear friend had surprisingly passed away.  That ended our get together since we had all become too sad to continue our annual celebration.  

Since then, one of our visiting fur babies also passed away.  So it has been a sad time at the Gap.  

We returned back home to the bay area for a week (first Cal Football game), and are now back at the lodge for our friends memorial service.  Jim is still plugging away at the back of the lodge, working on the siding and the fire escape repair.  I am getting ready to do some chair upholstery today.  Wednesday is the memorial.   I will be taking my driver's license driving text on Thursday (they finally found out from Kaiser that I am blind in one eye).  Wish me luck.

Though we love summer hikes, driving adventures, exploring and swimming, we are beginning to feel ready for the cooler days of autumn.