across the state and back

We left the island last Saturday for a trek across the state. Our first stop was Truckee to spend a night at an Airbnb and have dinner with my "daughter" Yumie. Now working as a planner for the city of Truckee we haven't seen each other in over a year so it was time to reconnect. And I conned her into cooking. We checked into our accommodations and were greeted by the host and his three dogs, two border collies and a small 12 week old mix of every small breed possible. Fiona didn't know or think she was small dog, and seemed to be in training by her 10 year old brother Brody to be a full fledged border collie. She had only had a week of training but seemed to be well on her way to complete big dogness. In the morning we met the two cats who resided with the dogs, not totally approving, but accepting their fate.
Our dinner was fun and my pet cravings were met. I really do want to return and see how Fiona matures both physically and educationally.
From Truckee we headed over to Reno and drove south on 395 to Tom's Place, our home away from home.

the bughouse

Above is my my new setup, an attempt to keep me shaded and happy. It was successful in both ways. I managed to avoid sunscreen and not sunburn myself. This may be a first.

I got to work right away, as soon as Mike headed out to fish the upper Owens River.
The trip yielded one bowl, one scarf, and an almost complete sweater. Okay, I had been working on the sweater for quite awhile before we left. I only managed to read one book, but you can't do every thing in only a week off.
We did get in a great hike up Little Lakes Valley at the end of Rock Creek Road. The trailhead starts at over 10,000 feet and gets you up to close to 11,000 feet without any really steep climbs. Yes, some huffing and puffing, for those of us used to living at sea level, but doable. Our four combined knees seemed to work, although I must admit I did put on a knee brace for the trip back to the car.

This trail gets you into the heart of the Sierra though and I think I smiled through most of the trip, it was pure joy to just be in the mountains.
The next day we returned to the Owens River for more fishing and knitting.

Owens River Road

On Friday we packed up and headed back west, over Tioga Pass, through Yosemite, stopping at Olmstead Point for lunch.

Best lunch stop in the state, and my sandwiches were good too.
Down through Yosemite Valley, as always crowded, we made our way out the park, west to Mariposa.
It was hot, we don't like hot, but we were on our way to Tom and Mitch's house and they have a swimming pool. A nice swimming pool, with an incredible view.

And they had snacks and cold drinks for us, and fixed us a great dinner. It is not often that we get to sit outside evenings beside a pool, watching the sky and we took full advantage of it. But before the heat set in the next morning we bid them farewell, promising them a crab dinner here in Alameda this winter.

Not completely sure what they are all laughing at, but definitely having a good time.

church of the apple pie

While church bells ring (and ring) I prepare to make a bourbon apple pie while listening to Regina Carter's "Southern Comfort".

The third annual pie contest is coming up, I have to try to get creative. I've added toasted pecans, raisins, and lemon zest. Went with brown sugar and the usual cinnamon and nutmeg.
And I decided I'm a lattice crust sort of person.

This will be reviewed by the Sunday night neighborhood crew: Mike E, Mike R, Michael T, Pat, and myself. Vanilla ice cream is in the freezer, and Mike R is making Pork Chili Verde with Hatch chiles imported from New Mexico by way of Flagstaff.

a field trip, fall is here

The light and smell this morning, it's fall. No matter what the calendar says, and even if Labor Day is as late as it can be this year, autumn has arrived. We took the day off and rode the ferry into San Francisco.Used our Clipper cards for the first time.

It was busy out on the estuary, the Potomac was heading out as our ferry was pulling in.

Waiting line to board was this very fashionably attired young lady.

The ferry is worth the ride even if there is no destination.

We did have a destination, Cafe Puccini for lunch in North Beach.

There still is some of the old San Francisco left, you just have to look for it.

nests

My collection of felted bowls is increasing. I think I am fascinated by them because they remind me of the hummingbird nests that are in my lime tree.

The hummingbirds spin theirs from yarn as fine as spider webs and they are made for a purpose. I haven't yet decided the purpose of mine. But perhaps they don't need to have one.