Where Did My Spring and Summer Go?

How beautifully leaves grow old.  How full of light and color are their last days.  ~John Burroughs

Hi Friends,

Where o' where did my Spring and Summer go?

I know it seems like everyone says the same thing as they get older, but man has this year gone by fast. It seems like we were just enjoying a wonderful Spring weekend in Ashland, marveling at the flowers budding after last Winter. Now the Sunny season has slammed it's door and we have entered the icebox of Fall and Winter.

I managed to get my work done early a week ago, so I thought it would be cool to have lunch with Brenda. I got to the park early so I took a walk and grabbed some Fall goodness to share with you. I wanted it for myself as well. I will look back after I have been frozen to the bone in a couple months to remind me of the light that is at the end of Winters tunnel.

Fall along the Truckee River in Reno is always a treat. The big Cottonwoods are full of golden leaves and the Truckee still runs strong along its path.  This day the air was still warm and the Sun was shining bright bringing everything to life, and adding a bit of sparkle.

What a wonderful fun filled year so far. I am looking forward to what the Winter will bring and to planning the fun for next Spring. Here is to what has been and to making the most of what is to come. Make the most of every day you have and don't fret the things that have passed.

Peace, Love and Bliss,

Don

Finally Made It. Galena Falls on Mt Rose

“Leisure is a form of silence, not noiselessness. It is the silence of contemplation such as occurs when we let our minds rest on a rosebud, a child at play, a Divine mystery, or a waterfall.” ~Fulton J. Sheen

Hi Friends,

For years I have been trying (or at least thinking about) getting up on Mt Rose to see the Galena waterfall. Usually by the time I get up on the trail, it is long gone or a sliver at the most. This year with all the snow late in the season, I knew it was going to be amazing. So I kept reminding myself to get up on Mt Rose as soon as the snow had melted enough for the trail to be open. At one point I forgot about it , then remembered and thought I had probably missed the chance to see the falls at their peak.

On July 28th I again was reminded that i beauty was just a few miles away and luckily had an extra day off. I bounded out the door and in about 40 minutes was sitting at the Mt Rose summit parking area. Wow, there were alot of cars here today, I must not have been the only one with the idea of catching a waterfall that comes and then is gone so quickly.

On the trail the wildflowers were beautiful this year and the trail looked to be in good condition. Lot's of little critters running around, even one little chipmunk that stopped long enough for me to change lenses on my camera and get his picture. I was happy to hear the woodpeckers again. They are loud on this trail and seem to fly around you for quite a while.  They probably have nests here they are protecting, but I don't know for sure. I just know they always greet me and they make me smile.

Found something new on the trail this day ... snow! Yup still some pretty good amounts of snow covering the trail even in July. A reminder of the heavy snowfall this past Winter (and Spring). I managed to cross the snowy areas without falling, injuring myself or looking too much like a idiot so that was good.

Then I could finally hear Galena Falls. It was pretty loud as I rounded a bend in the trail. I have to admit, it was pretty exciting for me. I finally had made it to Galena Falls before it disappeared. Quite a few people were enjoying the meadow below the falls and snapping pictures while they chatted with friends. I tend to enjoy these things by myself. Don't know why, just have always been a solitary hiker using my hikes to clear my head and cleanse my Spirit. I always try to bring back a picture or video to share that captures what I found. I know they don't even come close, but at least there is something to share.



Now refreshed I start looking for my next adventure.  This one was pretty coolio so it will have to be something really different. But I have some ideas ... just might take a while to get to them.

If you find yourself needing to refresh you Spirit or need a break from the everyday life junk, this short hike has a great pot of gold waiting for you. But you have to time it just right.

Follow Your Bliss,

Don

Our 3rd Annual Medford Fireworks Spectacular

Everything is created from moment to moment, always new. Like fireworks, this universe is a celebration and you are the spectator contemplating the eternal Fourth of July of your absolute splendor.
~Francis Lucille 

Hi Friends,

Wow, I almost forgot to tell you about our trip to Medford for our annual fireworks fun and games.

Every year we celebrate the 4th with a trip to Medford, OR so we can visit with family and play with fireworks. In Reno if you even say the word "fireworks" you get a visit from the long arm of the law. Bushes seem to burst into flames at the slightest hint of fireworks of any kind.

So we packed up Christine and headed North. A pleasant ride made the trip fun with a bit of traffic but not to bad.  We arrived in Medford and were greeted by the big tents that sell our sparkly friends. I was told as we passed that I was not to enter the tent without supervision. Brenda knows that I am pretty much out of control in fireworks tents.

On Monday morning Brenda and I wondered down to the local fireworks tent to spend a little (or maybe a lot) on fireworks.  The staff was really helpful in helping us get the most for our money. We picked up some of our usual fireworks ... The Lava Light and the Clown Face are always part of our front yard show. This year we picked out some new and longer running fireworks to bring some freshness to our celebration.

The only thing we were missing this year were Ashley as she has moved across the country and Danny, who was in L.A. We had a BBQ and then waited for the fun to begin.

Here is a video of our 3rd Annual Fireworks Spectacular  ....



Ooh ... Ahh ...

But we always enjoy the neighborhood celebration around Bonnie and Danny's house. It runs from dusk to about 11:30 pm and puts our show to shame. But we wonder the streets and enjoy all the neighbors celebrations and fireworks. Many are far more spectacular than anything we can buy ... legally!

Here is the neighborhood celebration.



So we had a wonderful time this year and hope to be able to share the 4th Annual Fireworks Spectacular with you right here next year.

Have a Blissful Day!!

Peace, Love and Bliss,

Don and Brenda

Refreshing at Lithia Park

Wandering re-establishes the original harmony which once existed between man and the universe.  ~Anatole France


Hi Friends,

When you get to go back to one of your favorite places is it like going back to see an old friend?

During our Annual 4th of July Extravaganza, I managed to wander away and spend a couple hours walking and taking photo's again in Lithia Park.  Ashland was busy and people seemed to be everywhere but as you got further into the park it got quieter and the visitors were fewer.

I was just walking, discovering new spots that took my breath away and it was wonderful. I shot some video and took some pictures to share with you.

I hope you find a place that takes your breath away and brings you peace.

Peace, Love and Bliss,

Don

Beauty All Around Me

I like nonsense, it wakes up the brain cells. Fantasy is a necessary ingredient in living, it's a way of looking at life through the wrong end of a telescope. Which is what I do, and that enables you to laugh at life's realities. ~Theodore Geisel

Hi Friends,

Don't you think that vacations are amazing things? They have the ability to open up your mind and help you find creativity that is locked inside you. Work and the daily grind tend to bottle up my creative juices and that sucks. So when I am on vacation I try to do random little adventures, most without planning or much advance warning. It usually comes to to the surface as a *"blurtation" like ... I am off to see waterfalls or covered bridges.

On our current vacation in Medford I woke up wanting to see covered bridges. I had seen something on one of the travel websites about the large number of covered bridges in Oregon, so I just announced .. "I am going to see some covered bridges." I then jotted down a few very crude directions and wandered out the door.

I managed to accidentally, on purpose actually find the three bridges I was looking for. My notes included a strange drawing and some directions that looked like caveman scratch. But I did find the bridges and it was really pretty easy, even if I did wonder at one point just how lost I was.

It was after I stumbled across the first bridge in Eagle Point, Oregon that I was reminded that all around me every day is beauty. It is so much fun and gives me like a runners high to ponder things as I photograph them. I like to slow down my thinking and look at whatever I am going to photograph. Then I slow it down even further and look deeper, past the surface at the spirit of the object. Something comes out and attracts your attention, then draws you in further to help you get a better photo. I also like to take along my Flip video camera to capture the movement of the things around the object.

Yesterday I captured a moment in the lives of three covered bridges in Southern Oregon.

The Antelope Creek Bridge in Eagle Point, Oregon.



The Lost Creek Bridge



The Grave Creek Bridge.



I hope you have time for an adventure of your own soon. One that will help you open closed doors and see the beauty all around you everyday.

Peace, Love and Bliss,

Don


*Blurtation... An occurance in which a person has a complete 'brain fart' and does not make sense in speaking. A person's brain is in high overdrive and suffers a temporary 'blonde' moment. Sometimes this burtation is heavy.
"Well a very very heavay - uh - heaveh burtation tonight. We had a very darist-darison, by, lets go hit teret taysan those to the bet who had the pet."

The Benefits of a Great Wet Winter

Rivers are roads which move, and which carry us whither we desire to go. ~Blaise Pascal

Hi Friends,

This year are experiencing the wonderful benefits of a long and wet Winter. Everywhere we go in Nevada this Spring and Summer, the water is running high and with spirit. On Friday as June was coming to an end and July was getting started, I stopped along highway 88 on my way to Lake Tahoe to see just how beautiful water was in one of my favorite spots.

Here just off the busy road, the West Fork of the Carson River is running high on the banks. The sound of the water can be heard from the road. I love this pot and often use it as a meditative rest from a busy day of driving. The sound of water on rocks can take your mind off the jumble of daily non sense.

I put together this video for you. Just the sound of the water to help take you away for a couple minutes.

Peace, Love and Bliss,

Don

Our Fay Luther Trail Ride

Hi Friends,

On Sunday Brenda and I took the horses out to explore the Fay Luther Trail System near Gardnerville.

It has been one of our goals this year to be able to see new trails and share new adventures on horseback. So we got a used horse trailer the first part of the year. Then a few weeks ago we started practicing loading up our three horses. We made a short drive down to the South end of the lake to get Dually and Pete used to trailering again. It also allowed us to try some new trails in the hills at that end of Washoe Lake.

This Sunday we decided it was time to go a bit further. We decided that we would head South to the Fay Luther Trails in the hills near Gardnerville. We pre loaded the trailer with all our stuff plus a picnic lunch and drinks for the trip. It was our first all day drive and ride so far.

The Fay Luther Trailhead was very accommodating, dirt with gravel parking lot. Plenty of space for trucks with horse trailers and cars to park, even with the special event being held there this weekend. It looks like there are usually no facilities available at the trailhead. This weekend they did have a port a potty, but we assume it was brought in by the special event group. We used it anyway. We brought our own water as we read that none was available. There were some running streams so if we had needed, the horses could have got refreshment from them.

After we saddled up we headed for the hills. We really didn't know what to expect from Pete and Dually on the first trip from Washoe, but were pleasantly surprised by both of them. Pete stepped right out and took the lead on the way from the parking area. It looked like he was on a mission setting a great pace and enjoying the ride. Dually was right behind but a bit more apprehensive. The slope or climb is not too agressive so it is not too challenging for me. Brenda is an ace on hills and has little or no fear, but I am a bit more of wimp, so it turned out great for both of us.

The trail system took us up into the pines and brush. The sound of running streams greeted us around many turns, the smell of the fresh air with pine was amazing. We did need to cross a few small streams if we felt up to the challenge and did try one small crossing. Brenda got Dually over it but Pete was a bit more unsure, so I got off and walked him across. We both learned something we can use next time we need to cross a creek or other challenge. And neither of us beat our horse like the lady crossing in front of us.

There were some rock crossings to tackle as well. Nothing too big for most folks I am sure. But for me it offered something new. Pete impressed me by stopping and looking at his options before crossing and then picking his path across. Dually was great too making his way over the rocks with relative ease.

Back at the trailer we packed up and chatted about how much fun we had. The horse did great and we so enjoyed the ride together and recorded a new adventure for our memories. We really think you will enjoy the Fay Luther Trail System if you are thinking about trying it. Bring water and something to snack on and have fun.

Happy Trails...

Don and Brenda
Pete and Dually