Rich Bar Hike

Jeffery and I met Craig at Rich Bar, where we visited the sites of former human life, and saw many familiar sights from another perspective entirely.  Our goal was to go see Mill Creek, which is only accessible through a tunnel on the railroad tracks.

Jeffery reads the Native Sons of the Golden West monument plaques

descriptive plaque on the monument

Jeffery tries to read the faded verses, which honored those who came and "stayed" far from home

here comes Craig now

Craig and I at the monument

old out-building

view of the three structures through the fence

the Octagon House

view of the highway from the railroad tracks

zoom-up on the cool rock-wall that keeps the highway up

tracks and brackets

new and old

Craig looks dubious about our run through the tunnel

proof that I am here

Jeffery in the tunnel

I am inside the tunnel, looking back towards Rich Bar, which is the origin of my "Forest Through the Trees" stitchery piece

we made it through.  check off Tunnel #25 as "done"

Mill Creek up towards Hamrick's Place, with the flag atop the hill

the flag from a different vantage point than I'm used to

claim sign at Mill Creek

The house.  Jeffery says there used to be more houses up here

history

behind the blue door

art shot through screen

notice.  please leave things as they are!

peeling asphalt shingles

blue window frame

front room

view from back to front.

this field was also the old orchard and garden zone for the houses

Craig and Jeffery find the way to the creek

We arrive at Mill Creek

I really liked this rock, which is bigger than Jeffery, and can be seen in the preceding photo

lovely water

cool moss on big rock

Just as we got to the tracks, a train came.  We were super glad it didn't wait to arrive until we were in the tunnel!!

lumber loads, this one by the Sigurdson Co.  There were two other wrappings for lumber loads on this train

military equipment of all camo colors was travelling by this train

we will follow the train through the tunnel and hope that we beat the next one.

last view of the Octagon House, which really looks like it got a fresh coat of paint recently

My hike with Brenda

After two weeks of down time, I finally had a WONDERFUL hike with Brenda.  We drove up to the two-way split on Butt Reservoir Road and walked about 3 miles up.  Didn't take too many photos, but sure did enjoy the jaunt!  And, best of all, it didn't hurt a bit!  Yay!  Back in action.

beautiful sky morning.

deer heart footprint

view of Red Hill, Ben Lomond, and Chamber's Peak from the Butt Valley Reservoir Road

raccoon?  skunk?  squirrel?

fat dogwood berries adorn the tree.  soon, the foliage will be red!

tempting to remove, eh?  

it's a sign!

we are bewildered by this adit, which is so beautifully made, but is a mystery as to what purpose it serves.  it doesn't echo or ring hollow, and there was another one just like it down the road a ways.....

isn't it fabulous?

Just a Few Things in August

The leg has kept me quiet, but there's stuff going on to keep me interested.  My step-mom Debby had her 70th birthday, so we sent her flowers.  Jeffery's Mom had her 83rd birthday, so we had a party on our deck for her.  I've stitched on my embroidery, and have been reading book 2 of the "Divergent" series, and I've been re-organizing the camp gear so we can stow it.  So, here are some simple joys at home for you to view.

I know you've seen this before, but here is the August view of how lush it is.

Jeffery cuts up one of our home-grown tomatoes

Rose of Sharon (aka hybiscus)

cabbage

little baby pumpkins

two days later, it's grown!

Mom's birthday party table

James took this shot of our little group luncheon

no cake; rootbeer floats instead.