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.
No comments:
Post a Comment