Up and Over Donner Pass

Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished.  ~Lao Tzu

Hi Friends,

It has been such a mild Winter so far and it is almost over. I have been waiting for some time to make a video from my dash cam of a run over Donner Pass in the snow. Well I was finally able to put together something for you the other day. It is not high cinema or award winning, but it was fun to make.

These late Winter storms can be interesting. It might be 60 to 70 degrees one day and I can be throwing chains the next day. That was the case this week.  I was riding the horses with Brenda on Sunday and loving the warm sun then on Tuesday we were driving 60 miles with the tires making their chain noise on the pavement.

There was not that much snow, but CalTrans must figure if you let the drivers run wild they will hit something or worse. I understand and just take my time getting over the hill. You will probably notice there are a bunch of cars and trucks that are flying past me. It bothered me at one time in my life, but not any more. I figure my job  is to get the load over the hill safely and it will take the time it takes. One of my first bosses at Mohawk reminded me regularly that it was just rug and nothing more. Lives did not depend on it and a couple extra hours would not make that big a difference.

It is kind of fun driving most of the time. When the season gets toward the end and we have been chaining for a few months, I tend to get tired of it. Mostly I get tired of the smell of the road grime and the wet. Sometimes it feels like I am wet for months.  Then comes Spring and I smile and enjoy watching the season change back to green and life return to the roads I drive. Soon the Winter grind is forgotten until October brings it back. Bliss!

Thanks for stopping by. Be kind and follow your bliss.

Don

Winter is Trying to Hold on a Bit Longer in Washoe Valley

It was one of those March days when the sun shines hot and the wind blows cold: when it is summer in the light, and winter in the shade. ~Charles Dickens

Hi Friends,

With Spring about to take hold of our weather, we found Winter trying to hold on for just a bit longer this morning. Yesterdays wind and blue skies have changed to cold wind, grey skies and snow today. It has taken the horses by surprise and has left a pretty white covering on the plants and lawn ornaments. In addition, we were forced to postpone a trip to Medford to get away from work and all this weekend.

It sure is pretty and as we have discovered, it is not so bad to get snow in March because we know that next week or the week after it will be almost 70 degrees again.

And so we will venture out and enjoy all that this day has to offer us. Enjoy this little video we made, it makes for some fun looking back and saying, "wow, remember when it was cold and snowy?"

Peace, Love and Bliss,

Don & Brenda and The Critters

We Are in the Middle of a Great Winter!

Hi Friends,

We are smack dab in the middle of an amazing Winter so far. The last couple weeks have made some major inroads towards having plenty of water for all the lakes in the Reno area. Of course we can always use more, and with all the crazy growth that has been allowed the past few years, now we need considerably more water than before.

Winter and all that it brings is amazing and at times a bit challenging too. I made a couple videos of my experiences chaining up and crossing over Donner Pass in a big storm a week or so back. Hope you enjoy the video and come back from time to time to see what new adventure we are in the middle of.

Enjoy the rest of the Winter and share a story or two if you have a chance.

Peace, Love and Bliss!

Don & Brenda

Looking Back and Looking Ahead

The first snow has fallen in the mountains, not much, but just enough to remind us that Winter and all that it brings with it are just around the corner. Now is the time we look back at 2006 so far.... what we have done and what we didn't get done.

We really made some amazing memories this year during our many adventures. They will be with us forever and remind us of this time in our life. This particular time in our life is one that moves us away from being young and towards what is called mid-life. I guess that is what it is but I don't feel that much different now than I did when I was 17 or 18. Oh well, I would rather be 46 and act like a teenager than be 46 and act like I was 70. I am not ready to give up any of my dreams or adventures to age as some have done.

Looking back at 2006 so far, we started the year off right with Spring vacation at the beach again. Gold Beach is just a wonderful place to unwind and bring things into focus. I think this should be a twice a year adventure, but companies being what they are, 2 weeks vacation seems to be all you get until you have been with them for 10 years. So we have to make the best of what we are allowed until we can find something else to do that gives a bit more for the effort you put in. But back to Gold Beach, it is truly one of Gods greatest works, and one of our favorite adventures.

Disneyland in July. They said we were a bit crazy, but it worked and it was fun and we are ready to do it again.

The TruckerFest truck show in August. Lots of work and even more fun. This year we put more effort into getting the truck ready than in the past and it paid off by shining brighter and we are looking forward to next year already.

The Rare Bear air race team and the Reno Air Races. Again worth all th effort and we look forward to next year.

A hike to the top of the World, or at least to the top of the mountain we look out on every day from the front yard. Mount Rose summit was a blast if not hard work. It was so beautiful and peaceful and well, it was everything that life and the World should be. Note to self ... more time spent like this!

So now we welcome this Winter and make plans for some adventures in the midst of the snow and cold and general yuckyness (my word) that Winter brings. Maybe with a little work and imagination we can turn this Winter into something just as exciting as this Summer has been. I have always wanted to snowshoe and there are plenty of places within driving distance that don't have snow. Then again maybe there are some adventures that can be done in doors.

Stay tuned as we look for more family adventures this Winter.

Lots of Love,

Don & Brenda