Hike up Tobin Ridge

Brenda and I were intending on climbing to Chambers Creek to see it in full spate; an arduous climb after not doing steeps for a goodly time.  But we were thwarted by the little creek at the beginning of our trek.  It was deep and swift, and I'm a fraidy cat.  Brenda was willing to take off her shoes and roll up her pants and risk it.  Hmm.
So we went over to the Tobin Dump (rock piles, not garbage), and hiked up the Tobin Ridge Road into the sun and snow.  Lots of frozen places this morning, even here in the banana belt, so we had to watch our steps in the slippery spots.  Lots to see and shout about on the journey, as you'll see!

View of the sun touching the Ridge from my deck this morning

Ice on a puddle near the Chambers Creek trailhead

The mountain just north of Bald Eagle Peak (dratted power lines)

The Tobin Bridges

Uh oh!  First blocked road event; this a rock slide.

This refers to the bridge over Jackass Creek

Would you want to drive over that?  I wouldn't.

Jackass Creek, seen from the bridge.

This creek bars us from accessing the Old Storrie Road

Brenda hears and spots a flight of snow geese high above.  I'm going to show you many shots of them now.

The only good zoom shot while they were still fairly close to us

can you see them grouped in their V-shape?

changing shape

last one

There's a fairly large bare-branch tree in that mostly-mud pile, but it doesn't really show.  I should've put Brenda down there, next to it for perspective.

Me-thinks this is Burrito Creek, the only place we cross it, and it was still flowing through its culvert without damage to the road.  This was what I wanted to know.

The snow helps show how in this shady curve the waterway is still flowing over the road

Here's one slip-out place that doesn't look like it's finished slumping.

The Tobin Ridge and other mountains, with Jackass Creek's long-falling cascade plainly visible

Don't you love this view?  I certainly do.

This is where we decide to go no further.  It is too packed-sand-slippery looking for me, and for Brenda, too.

A little closer view of it.

Driving down the Dump Road, I approach the infamous Blackberry Creek after it's been put back together

the little devil-creek that caused so much trouble

the approach to the creek and mess, seen from below

Remember this when the blackberries have covered over it thickly, and you think you want to penetrate into the bushery, but underneath is this deep place!

The road accessing the power towers will need a bit of grooming to make it usable

Cleaning up the slide mud at the Rock Creek Dam

They're working on Chipps Creek, too

Chipps Creek being refurbished and moved back into placeafter the flooding

This is a rare treat after several years of drought: a thick,heavy snow-covering on Ben Lomond

Women's March in Chico CA

I joined the millions of people; not just women; who felt compelled to show and voice their opposition to the new administration's goals for this fine country on the day after the Inauguration.  I wasn't there to protest the election itself, but to stand in solidarity against the future promised by our newly elected leader.  I didn't agree with every sign I saw, and I know that protesting is only the beginning of making changes or having an impact; but I felt energized and soothed by the crowd of approximately 3000 people who marched with eachother.  I felt empowered by the brave stories told, and by the feeling of acceptance shared by the attendees.  I will show you a few photos of my day, and I will be actively persuing the causes I feel strongly about in the days and months to come, but most of all, I feel like I'm part of One Nation Indivisible With Liberty and Justice for All.

I was going to join the Quincy folks, but the snow sent me to the Valley instead.  Sara reported that 80 people gathered in Quincy, which is wonderful!  Here's to all who marched for what they believe in, and here's to a better future together!  Now let's get to work!

I arrived in Chico in time to see the people streaming towards the rally, posters in hand, pink hats on many, but by the time I got parked, the March was beginning.  I hurried to join, but there was plenty of time to visit the rest-room and tour the plaza before getting into the parade, as the crowd was that big.

The crowds were larger than expected.  At the end of this post, I'll show you the same view after the march is winding down.

The line of marchers was still pouring from the Plaza as I arrived.

The pink hats were not just worn by "old fat white women" as the denouncers have claimed!

The parade has turned the corner, and this is only a tiny fraction of the marchers

What a sight, eh?  It felt wonderful.

Man with a message

The sun came out for most of the rally

A brisk steady breeze blowing change and empowerment stayed with us all day.

Them = Us.  I so agree!  Aren't we all humans?

Mother Earth

love the dudes who shared the day

Rally Songs

A sampling of purposes involved

the pink hats were more potent than I could've possibly imagined

Listening to the speakers

Right on, and let's work towards it!

My favorite sign of all!

I found Tina!  She's everywhere I go!  

The rally is still happening, with speakers and music, but I wanted to shop and get home before dark, and I know it's raining at home, which means dark comes earlier.  Goodbye you lovely people!  See you at the workshops and future rallies!

Before I headed home, I stopped at Costco, where some mountain person had left a load of snow for the Chico kids to play in.

Thanks to Fransje, Claire, and Livvie, who first brought the DC March to our attention, and shared their experience at the Women's March in our nation's capital.  These ladies energized us!  We are grateful.