The Aftermath and a Ski Trip

My last post was late and hurried, so I'm going to put in a few more scrap-book images and tales that need sharing.  I have to note that I went down canyon knowing that the emergency spillway on the Oroville Dam had over-topped the 901 ft. capacity, so I was interested to see the effects of this as I passed through Oroville and Marysville on my way to Tahoe. This was pre-evacuation, thankfully, so I was in Verdi, Nevada, visiting my bro&sis-in-law, when the chaos descended along the lower Feather River.

I went up to see how the Maple Leaf was faring, to see what was up, and also to judge whether I could get through this to go up to Tahoe to ski

I can already see that I'd better stay out of everyone's way until they can get their work done

At least Little Indian Creek is back in its course, and the highway bridge did survive once again.

Looking up the creek, it's a relief to see that it wasn't quite as bad as the Flood of  '97

I love big equipment and skillful operators

This was a stop-worthy water fall

close-up framing makes it look like a spitting llama

The Jackass Creek waterfall is noticeably lower

The approach to the Storrie Bridge shows the river down, the Bedrock blob exposed again and the highway much less scary.

Down river, I rounded a bend to find a repair project blocking an entire lane as they placed these boulders against some damaged riverbank.

Train cars taking ballast rock or fill up to where the railroad got washed out; 4 miles east of Pulga, I was told

Have to show the Oroville Lake, looking towards Lime Saddle Marina, with the Lake literally full to overflowing at 901 ft.

This is the Feather River as I approach the Montgomery St. exit in Oroville

The Feather from the levee behind China Town in Marysville looking east

same place, looking west, with the Highway 70 bridge in the view

Marysville.  Stay dry dear old town!

I've traveled up lovely Hwy 20 to Hwy 80 and here's where I'll come tomorrow; but for now, I'm heading to Verdi, Nevada

Here's my hotel in Boomtown, which is in Verdi.  And, so's you know, they don't pronounce it like Giuseppe Verdi.  Instead, it's pronounced sorta cowboy-like - Vur dye, with the emphasis on the dye

A section of flume, which is not an unusual sight up here 

The view towards Reno shows a train going under Hwy 80, which is backed up seemingly all the way to Reno with nearly stopped Sunday traffic, due to a slide at the California border

Morning touches the mountains from my room

Heading back towards Truckee along the Truckee River which flows from Lake Tahoe and is here heading towards Reno

I am climbing over Donner Pass

Each direction has its own freeway, thank gosh

There is is Donner Summit; the sign nearly buried.

I'm geared up, I've ridden the gondola up to the Sugar Bowl ski runs, and I'm riding a chair up to my first fun!

My camera was secretly taking a selfie of itself while I thought I was doing the same.

Back down through Sierraville's big valley views

"my" house.  I've always loved it, but living in Sierra Valley requires a hardier nature than I possess.  Cold winters! 

Stopped in Quincy to see Sara, got more salad fixin's and gasoline, and headed towards home through the Road Closed sign.

Paxton  with big river

Another place where big boulders are needed to shore up the river bank to the road.

Poor Caribou Crossroads had a scary damaging time of it it appears!  Caribou Road is closed.

Chipps Creek back to "normal"

Brenda hiked me up the steepest place she could find to the east of Jackass Creek, which is the first time I've seen the waterfall from this vantage.  It's the thick white slash center-left, with the gift of a whole new waterfall above it that I'd say can only be seen by standing close to where we are standing.  Move several feet up or down or over; it disapperars from view.

There's the Tobin Ridge seen from the east, high up

the "whole" length of Sacred Waterfall is also revealed to us from this height.

Zoom-back of the ravine that cradles the Sacred Waterfall.

There we go!  All caught up, the river down to manageable, the highways all being fixed and cleaned, the people who were evacuated from Oroville and downstream are allowed to go home again, and Jeffery can be easily picked up from the Sacramento Airport this weekend after all.  Life is good. Now if they would (once again) fix our non-working phones, I'd be perfectly happy!