Fun was guaranteed.
We knew that as we drove in the dark down 395 toward our rendezvous.
If Ted is involved, fun is guaranteed. And Ted was involved.
The Barking
Spiders asked if we had a weekend available to visit the east side of
the Sierra Nevada. We were also monitoring Mrs. Ted's recovery from surgery,
which was progressing very well. Last minute emails and a trip was shoehorned
onto the calendar.
Most
interesting was this message from Ted -
"We are
really looking forward to getting out camping again and particularly with such
good company. Lately I’ve been thinking about how much I admire you and Barking
Spider. So I’m trying to be more like both of you. I hope you will notice a
difference. See you soon, Ted."
Ted had
something up his sleeve. I received this
response when I asked for clarification -
"It’s
only appropriate you are thinking about my previous message. You always start
your blog stories with a tease. I start our camping trips with one."
The tease was on. The
hook was set. Ted was involved. Fun was guaranteed.
We were the
last to arrive Friday night at our usual fall gathering spot off of Dunderberg
Meadows Road near Bridgeport, California. The Teds and the Spiders were thick
into storytelling around a mellow campfire. We tried not to interrupt.
Saturday's
dawn was glorious and set the mood for our explorations in search of colorful
high country aspen.
The Teds
remained at camp on Saturday; recovery, studying for a test, and relaxation
were their main objectives for the weekend. The Lady wanted to hike up nearby Lundy Canyon.
Perhaps we would find some fall color despite our continuing drought. The
Spiders joined us.
In places
the aspen were spectacular. We were surprised and delighted.
We stopped
at the water falls at the base of the switchbacks that climb up to Lake Helen
in the high basin above.
The area was
quite busy with people but we found an out of the way spot for lunch.
On our
return down canyon, we stopped at the beaver dam and pond, a fine example of
this rodent's industrious nature. Barking Spider is fascinated with beavers.
We returned
to camp mid afternoon. Mrs. Ted was out for a walk, stretching her legs,
building strength. Ted was looking for an excuse to put down the books. Barking
Spider had just the ticket...................
...................a
fine craft beer given to him by Aron, our Hollywood friend who had recently
come to the mountains for a visit. We love this guy, Aron, and the stories
flowed along with this exquisite stout.
The wind was
harsh Saturday evening and drove us into our respective campers early. Sunday, the Lady
and I were up before the sun. With the camera on a tripod, morning coffee, and
a beautiful morning, I shot a long exposure panorama in the predawn light.
This
campsite has a wonderful view overlooking Mono Lake to the south east. We
watched the coming color of morning.
Everyone
joined us out on the highpoint.
Ted declared it
was time for a photo of the three amigos, a portrait showcasing Ted's entry
into the sacred order of the mustache. The explanation for his tease - "So
I’m trying to be more like both of you. I hope you will notice a difference."
Ted's
festive, buoyant mood, continued with an idea for some staged photos. He
had brought along a special beer also.
After a
relaxing Sunday breakfast, we broke camp. The Ted's headed home. We headed to
the Twin Lakes area southwest of Bridgeport. Mom Spider wanted to hike up
Robinson Canyon to Barney Lake. Today was her day.
Unlike Lundy
Canyon with its brown and red metamorphic rock, Robinson Canyon is classic
soaring Sierra granite.
The aspen
were at their peak of color.
It was difficult
to focus on walking. I continued to fall behind my companions as my eyes were
drawn to beauty everywhere around us. "He's shutter bugging," I heard
the Lady's distant voice explain.
We soon arrived
at Barney Lake.
One of the
few Sierra alpine lakes with a sandy beach, we pulled off our boots and waded
in the cold water. We leaned our backs against a perfectly placed log and stretched
our legs out before us. An obsidian flake caught Barking's eye, evidence that
this wonderful beach has been enjoyed for ages. We passed it around for
examination and then returned it to its resting place.
Walking back
down canyon, my eyes were still drawn upward into the canopy of aspen.
There were
very few people up this trail today, in contrast to the crowds of the
previous day.
In the late
afternoon, we started north toward home. Taking advantage of Christopher
Columbus, we would spend one more night out. We returned to a favorite campsite
up Little Walker River Road. The wind had subsided, allowing for time to enjoy
the star filled night sky above.
Up early and
wandering about the next morning, the Lady and I enjoyed the quiet predawn.
The Spiders
had visited an old cabin in this area on their last stay here. The Rickey
Cabin is marked on the USGS quad and the map also shows old trails to it. The
trail the Spiders had used no longer exists on the ground and made it a
bushwack for them to find the cabin. We decided to try a trail depicted on
the map coming in from the opposite direction. Although very seldom used, we
were able to find sections of it. It took us across rolling hills of sage,
mountain mahogany, aspen, and dry high meadows.
We continued
to find aspen fully decked out in their fall splendor.
The remains
of Rickey Cabin were tucked away in a wooded grove above a large meadow.
We wandered
through the area and explored.
Here, we were
completely alone and we savored the solitude.
It was time
to head back over the ridge and back to Willow Flats.
Expecting to
find little fall color, we were surprised with the brilliant splashes of golden aspen we found and walked through. Unexpected, this added to the pleasure of
good company, a well deserved speedy recovery, and a newly born furry upper
lip, and made this a wonderful weekend adventure. As guaranteed, it was fun.
